Author's Note: Hi, guys, and welcome to another chapter. We are just at the halfway mark of the story, which is exciting! This chapter is almost twice the length of previous chapters, but it's a quick read, I promise. And it's got more great scenes with Elsa and Hadyn, as I mentioned last week. Thank you for all the great reviews and, as always, let me know what you think and I'll see you all next week.

12. Energy

"Our mental synchronization can have but one explanation."

—Frozen, Anna and Hans

Elsa hurried down the garden path as the sun shone high in the sky. The frosty air froze her breath, suspending it in the air as she trotted. She was going to talk to Kristoff. Someone had to clear this misunderstanding up, and that someone surely had to be her. Her closeness to both parties made her to perfect mediator. Besides, she knew how much they loved each other, and it would be dreadful if a misunderstanding—as it must be—got in the way.

She made it to the edge of the castle grounds on her way to the town stable Kristoff was surely at when she ran headlong into someone coming through the gate. She'd been so determined in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed anyone approaching until she crashed into them. Hands grabbed her arms to steady her and the moment his hand brushed her skin, she felt a change in the air as if lightening was about to strike.

Elsa hurriedly pulled away and looked up into red eyes. Hadyn looked just as surprised as she felt as his hands fell to his side.

For a moment, they were silent as the energy faded.

Finally, Hadyn bowed his head. "Your majesty, my apologies. I was rushing and didn't see you?"

"Didn't see me?" Elsa repeated, slightly dazed. The feeling was the same thing she felt the last time they had touched just the day before on the riding party. What could be causing such a reaction? Could it be their powers reacting to each other?

Elsa shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I mean…it is alright. I suppose I was lost in thought. I should be going. Excuse me."

She started to move past him, but he grabbed her arm. Even through the sleeve of her dress, she felt that strange energy.

"Wait, do we not have a date?" His eyes twinkled playfully.

Elsa wretched her hand away. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm too busy to argue with you."

"Argue with me? I thought we agreed to a truce. We agreed to practice together, did we not?"

Elsa felt foolish. Yes, she recalled that they had agreed. "I forgot. But now isn't the best time. I have to see Kristoff."

"Oh, do you?" Hadyn looked bemused. "Let me guess: you want to talk to him about your lovely sister being jealous of him spending so much time with a certain princess."

She didn't respond. This man was so frustrating! Why did he seem to always be one step ahead of her?

Luckily, he continued without her response. "If you are looking for Kristoff in the town stables, he's not there. I just left him as he was on his way up the mountain with the people who carve ice. Seems like a strange job to me, but he said it reminded him of his childhood. He took Sven, I believe. Anyway, he won't be back until dinner."

Elsa internally cursed, something she rarely did. She wanted this misunderstanding cleared up as soon as possible.

"But do you want to know a secret?" Hadyn leaned closer to her, making Elsa instinctually lean away. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "I know what's happening. I know everything. Anna's jealously. Why Kristoff is always around a certain Eastern princess."

"And what might that be?" Elsa tried to concentrate on his words as all she could sense was the scent of his breath. It smelled like peppermint, strangely enough, but with a bitterness to it.

"You don't think I'd actually tell you without anything in return."

Elsa crossed her arms, staring indignantly up at the man before her. "What do you want?"

"Nothing too drastic. Just some time. If you don't need to find Kristoff, then you can keep our date."

"I do not remember specifying a time we had decided. Besides, I have other things to do."

"And if you don't you have to worry about misunderstandings for the entire day until Kristoff gets back. You really want to do that?" He leaned even closer.

Elsa took a step back, frustrated more at her lack of patience than at Hadyn himself. After, he was behaving as he always did. She was almost getting used to his strange behavior, which could not be a good thing. "Fine! What are we supposed to do anyway? Practice our powers?"

Hadyn smiled mischievously. "Just wait!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out some gloves. She wasn't quite sure what he was doing until he pulled on one of the gloves reached out to grab her hand.

She didn't pull away instantly, but instead demanded, "What are you doing?"

"My apologies, but that energy is…well, it's a bit unsettling. You're lucky I keep spare gloves in my pocket. It's this fearsome cold, I tell you. Anyway, come on!"

He tugged on her hand, twirling her around and pulling her along behind him down towards the town. Even through the glove, Elsa felt a bit of the strange energy, but it wasn't bothersome.

"Where are we going?" Elsa asked, more politely than she felt like being.

"The stables. It's pretty quiet now, and the stalls are surprisingly big."

Elsa didn't respond, merely pulling her hand out of Hadyn's grip. "Fine, but I will walk on my own."

Hadyn shrugged and led the way.

They reached the stables in a matter of minutes, only being stopped a couple times with people paying respects to the queen. Inside the stables was smellier that Elsa remembered, though she had rarely spent much time in the stables. For all she knew, they had always been this stinky.

Hadyn glanced into several stalls before finding the one he seemed to be looking for. "There!" He stopped in front of a stall door and pointed inside. "Our training grounds may be small, but they are loyal."

Elsa walked forward and looked inside the stall. It was empty save for some stray straws forgotten on the ground. She glanced at Hadyn cynically, and then walked inside. Hadyn vanished for a moment and then showed up with two blankets.

Handing one to Elsa, he closed the stall door and placed the blanket on the ground. When he'd finished, he sat down on it cross-legged and looked up at her expectantly.

Not precisely sure what he was doing, Elsa reluctantly copied his actions and settled down on her blanket opposite him. The stall wasn't huge, but it was big enough for there to be a comfortable space between them.

"What now?" She asked.

Hadyn placed his hands on his knees. His voice was calm when he spoke. "Now, I'm going to teach you some mediation tools. Trust me, it helps with keeping powers in check. First, close your eyes."

Elsa raised her eyebrow suspiciously, but Hadyn didn't seem to notice as he sat with his eyes closed. Elsa reluctantly closed her eyes. While Elsa had never tried mediation before, she was amazed at how a sense of peace fell over her as she listened to Hadyn's soft voice, telling her when to breathe and how to breathe.

It was strange to hear Hadyn's voice transform from a loud, annoying trill to a soft flute.

After what seemed only like only a moment, Hadyn commented, his voice strained, "We should probably get going."

Elsa opened her eyes wide, staring into Hadyn's red eyes. It was only when she pulled her eyes away from his that she almost jumped in shock. Surrounding them appeared to be some sort of force field as the air rippled. Elsa jumped to her feet and the force feel vanished instantly.

Hadyn climbed to his feet as well, looking around.

"What was that?" Elsa demanded. "Does that usually happen when you meditate?"

Hadyn shook his head. "That was…unexpected. But then, I've never meditated with someone with my powers."

Elsa shook her head, perturbed, as Hadyn continued, "Don't you think it's odd that we react so strongly to each other? The energy when we touch and now this."

Hadyn sounded so serious it unnerved Elsa even more. "What do you think it could be?"

Shaking his head, Hadyn bent down to pick up his blanket. "Not sure. But then again, I've never been around people with powers like mine…ever. We should test it out. I mean, we are powerful on our own. I can't imagine how much power we might have together."

Elsa copied him and picked up the wool blanket she'd been sitting on, shaking the few lose straws from its folds. "I'm not sure if I want to. Doesn't it feel a bit unnerving?"

"Entirely…but…" He stopped.

She glanced up at him to find him watching her looking oddly serious. "What?"

"It's just…never mind." Hadyn turned and started out of the stall. "We should be getting back."

"Why? We just started."

Hadyn only laughed. "Come on. I want to show you something before we go."

Elsa rolled her eyes. So much for mediation. Did it really only take a few minutes to mediate? Shaking her head, she followed the prince.

He was in front of the stall beside them, his hand opening the gate. He gestured Elsa to look and she did.

Inside was a massive black stead. It seemed to be the one that he had been riding yesterday. Elsa wasn't fond of horses in any way, but she had to admit that this horse was impressive. She took a step forward and reached out her hand.

Hadyn voice sounded startled. "Wait! Be careful he tends to be…"

His voice faded as the horse turned to Elsa and nuzzled its nose against her hand. She pet the horse's head gently, feeling its velvety ears.

"It's beautiful!" She said in awe as the horse stared at her with soft eyes. "Is it yours?'

Hadyn came beside her and patted the horse's head. "Indeed. His name is Shaja'a. He seems to like you. That's rare. He's never warmed up to anyone but me."

Elsa didn't take her eyes off the horse. She'd never seen a horse with such a gentle face and a massive height. "Shaja'a." She repeated softly and the horse snorted at her words, tossing its head.

"He seems entranced by you." Hadyn's voice sounded distant.

Elsa smiled, rubbing under Shaja'a's massive chin. "Are you? I'm honored then."

"He's not the only one."

Elsa finally turned her head towards Hadyn, realizing only than just how close he was. His coat's sleeve brushed against hers. He raised his hand and moved to push a lock of her light gold hair behind her ear. The energy began to rise as he moved closer. Standing there, in the middle of Shaja'a's stall, Elsa was suddenly sure Hadyn was going to kiss her. The worst part was: she didn't feel repulsed by that fact.

His face was inches away from hers when the town bell began to ring.

Elsa took a step away, breaking their proximity. "That's the bell for dinner," Elsa commented breathlessly. "We…we can't have been meditating that long…"

Hadyn didn't move, simply standing there watching her. "Meditation sometimes takes you to another world." His voice sounded emotionless, though his eyes betrayed something. Sadness? Loneliness? Elsa wasn't sure.

"I—I should be getting to dinner." Elsa turned and started out of the stall, only to have Hadyn's voice stop her.

"Elsa, about Kristoff. He's befriended Bao because Sven gets along with her qilin. That's all. Tell Anna for me, would you?"

Elsa couldn't force herself to look at him, and instead merely said, "Thank you," before hurrying out of the stall.

She felt highly disturbed as her heart beat wildly. Exiting the stables, she observed the sun setting in the east. So, they really had been meditating for hours, even when it had felt like moments to her. Now she was behind on everything. Focus, she told herself. She had to clear up the misunderstanding between Kristoff and Anna…and get her mind away from fire.