Author's Note: I have great news! I have only two chapters left of the other fanfiction I'm working on, so at the beginning of next year (a.k.a., next month in January) I will be uploading this story every Saturday. So yeah! Again, thanks for all the great comments and let me know what you think of this chapter.

9. A Stroll

"Conceal. Don't Feel. Put on a show. Make one wrong move and everyone will know."

—Frozen, Elsa

Elsa had found her way away from the pick-nick party and headed up a path. It ended in a small pond, usually frozen over in the winter. Today, though, it was warm enough that there was only a thin layer of ice on the pond.

Settling herself on a rock, she closed her eyes for some peace. She was sure Kristoff could handle the guests and she wanted a moment where no servant or noble would bother her. She hadn't, however, walked far enough.

"Wow, what a beautiful scene."

Elsa opened her eyes to spot Hadyn coming up the path behind her. Out of all the people in the party, he was the worst. Hadn't she made it clear earlier that she was not going to play his silly little game? And yet he still wasn't deterred.

Hadyn came to stand beside her, watching the sunlight sparkle on the thin ice.

"What are you doing here?" Elsa demanded, not bothering to be polite. "If you were following me, I beg you to stop. I'm stressed out enough as it is without you."

The desert prince snorted and sat on the rock a short distance from her. "I wasn't exactly following you. I was just curious about what was up this path. I can't say I'm fond of snow, but even I'll admit it has a certain sense of beauty. Do you come here often?"

Elsa glanced at him, wondering whether he was serious or not in using an obvious pick-up line. "Yes, I suppose I do. At least, recently I have. When I was younger, I never spent time outside. But now it's the only place that's truly peaceful. Plus, I like the cold."

"Well, you would. It's your element. I imagine it feels the same way that taking a trip into a volcano feels for me."

She snorted. "You've walked into a volcano before?"

Hadyn glanced at her, surprise on his face. He probably was surprised she was smiling. Immediately, Elsa grimaced. Hadyn turned away. Finally, he commented, "You know, you're pretty when you smile. You should do it more often."

Elsa turned back to the pond and crossed her arms, but not because of the cold. "I smile a lot. It just doesn't happen to be around you."

"Ouch!" Hadyn acted as if his heart had been stabbed. "You wound me, your majesty. I'm not stoic, you know."

"You seem to be. I have done nothing but insult and abhor you since our first encounter, and yet you will not leave me alone. What can I do to persuade you?"

Hadyn shrugged. "I've always been stubborn. Besides, you haven't treated me that bad. I'm used to people either trying to kill me or slobbering all over my shoes. It's nice to see someone treat me like a person for once. Also, you take everything so seriously that it is hilarious to watch."

"I'm glad I amuse you." Elsa held in the urge to throw ice at him as she felt ice form in her fists.

"Also," Hadyn continued, seemingly oblivious of her anger. "You seem like a spoiled little puppy who has had everything her way. You can't handle stress. Frankly, you can't handle life. You prefer to hide away in your little room until you burst. You—"

"Stop it!" Elsa rose, furious. Ice clawed at her fingertips. "How dare you! Whatever your personality, you are my guest! A proper prince would not speak in such a way to a queen!"

"Well, maybe you should start acting like a queen and I might start treating you like one."

Elsa shrieked and held out her hands before she could think. Ice shot out of her palms and flew towards Hadyn. Instead of moving, he simply raised his hand as a flame wall enveloped the ice, leaving only water droplets to fall to the ground.

She gasped at what she has done. Whether she was angry or not, how could she let her powers get out of control? She thought she was getting better, and yet she wasn't. Elsa stared down at her hands as ice surrounded them. She tried to force the ice away, panicked, but nothing happened.

Suddenly, Hadyn came into her vision to stand in front of her, slowing taking her shaking hands in his burning ones.

The air sizzled around them as ice and fire transformed into a soft rain of water. Elsa felt a strange force surround her in a way she'd never felt before. She glanced up at his red eyes, which were watching her.

Finally, Hadyn stepped back, taking his hands away. The moment he stopped touching her, the force vanished, leaving Elsa is shock. She wondered if he had felt it. Elsa stared down at her hands. Though slightly wet, all sign of ice was gone. She turned to look at Hadyn. He looked grim, serious.

"Your majesty," He bowed his head. "My apologies."

Elsa let her hands drop. "Your apologies? You probably wanted to get me angry to see what I'd do. To prove that I'm the monster that everyone thinks I am. Well, you have your proof. I am a monster. I hurt everyone around me. My power almost killed the most precious person in my life. It almost destroyed my country."

Hadyn laughed.

Elsa glared at him. Was he even taking her seriously? Could he still be amused?

He held up his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're right. I was baiting you, but I didn't mean to upset you. You are no more a monster than I. Maybe that's not very comforting. But maybe you need to think about learning how to calm yourself. Have you ever considered meditation?"

Elsa was shocked he could be so calm.

Hadyn raised his palm to the heavens and a small flame swayed in the air. "You want to control your power. It's not possible. I learned that pretty quickly. Power can't be controlled and anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. Power can only be understood if we find the peace to accept that it cannot be controlled."

She stared at him in surprise. These words were ones of a wise sage, not an arrogant prince.

"That's what my grandfather told me once. I was six when he died, and yet I remember every word he told me. Maybe you might find them useful."

"Why would you be sharing this information with me?" Elsa's voice sounded hoarse when she finally spoke.

"Why wouldn't I? I have no reason to not share anything with you. That is your problem. You think everyone has to have an agenda. How about this: I can teach you some types of meditation. Oh, and before you ask, no, I'm not doing it to get on your better side. I'm doing it because I'm curious to learn more about your powers. How about we do this? When we are practicing together, I will not try to woo you."

Elsa crossed her arms. "Why would I do that?"

Hadyn took a step closer. "Because I know you felt it. Our powers, together, change. It should be interesting how we can help each other's power.

Elsa didn't want to agree with him, but she did feel the force. Something she didn't understand. "I still don't like you, but I suppose it won't hurt. The first time you try anything, though, I'll avoid you again."

Hadyn bowed his head. "Sounds like deal. Now, will we join the others?"

"I suppose. Back into the lion's jaws."

"Don't look at it that way, your majesty. Look at it as if you are the lion and they the sheep."

Elsa didn't bother to laugh.