A/N: Later than when I had intended, sorry about that. Anyway, I hope you all had a great New Years! I pulled an intended all nighter which was awesome! And wrote a terrible one shot because staying awake on purpose is hard work. :D I regretted staying up the next day because I was so tired. -.- What did you guys do on the last day of the year?
Anyway, as always, excuse the mistakes you'll find here and things that don't make sense.
Chapter 17: Royalty
Elsa POV
"Anna!", My little sister's name escaped my lips as I woke up in cold sweat. I couldn't see anything, and when my eyes adjusted, I panicked sightly as I didn't know where I was. Where was I? From the looks of it, everything around me was ice. My the walls around me, the bed I was lying on, and even my own dress on my bare skin was made of ice. I could see my breath as I exhaled, further confirming the cold temperature that surrounded me. A side effect of the my powers. Ice and cold. You can't have one without the other and they can't survive without the other. If one goes, the other follows in suit. It can happen rapidly, or it may take forever, but the other will eventually fade away into nothing. This was for this reason that I wasn't shivering nor freezing in here as well why I was immune to the coldness.
I was however trembling too much for my taste, though it wasn't from the cold. It was just a dream and dreams aren't real, therefore, anything that happens in dreams aren't real, no matter how real they may feel. No matter how well you remember those vivid images that your mind conjures up. No matter how well you remember the way you felt in those dreams. From the feeling of the blizzard that pushed against me, to the state of mind I was in. The fear I felt as my little sister curled in the hands of the blonde heartless enemy, desperate to preserved the warm of her lifeline that was slowly and ever so painfully slowly diminishing by the second, ready to die, and the fact that I helpless to do anything to stop it. I couldn't move, all I could do was watch the way she shook violently. The body's way of saying that if it didn't get the warm it needed now, it would give up on you forever. The way her face scrunched in pain and her lips turning an unnatural blue. But I wanted to help her so badly. I couldn't just stand there and do nothing, even if I was immobile and couldn't control the cold weather around me. Even it if it was just a stupid meaningless dream that wouldn't affect me outside of dreamworld. I couldn't stop the snow that surrounded everything, I could only redirect it. But redirecting it away from Anna was impossible as it was beyond me. Anna must live. I tried to weaken it, but I ended up amplifying it's force. Anna must live.
If I couldn't get the cold away from her, then maybe I could get the cold in her. And that was what I did. I used up all my concentration as I forced the ice under her skin, but I was able to leave the cold out, despite the laws of ice and snow demanding those two be together at all times. Then she stopped shaking all together and laid completely still. Not moving, ju- ju- just like that wolf I killed on my way to the mountain. I was about to lose it when she suddenly stood up. She was fine from the looks of it, except for the fact that she was blue. One of the strangest sight I had ever encountered, yet it made complete sense to me. It must have been the ice I put under her skin. Pride swirled in my chest at what I had done. I had saved her, but for how long? I couldn't keep this up forever. My strength of life was dying and crawling away from me. Oh how the tables had turned. I knew in my heart that the longer I kept this up, the closer I walking to death's door. I was practically my own guide there. But seeing my little sister not freezing was worth dying for. I was her older sister, therefore my responsibility to keep her out of harm's way. Then I felt my body begin to disappear, like the thawing of snow. If it meant keeping my sister warm, so be it. I couldn't feel myself anymore, but my sister was worth melting for. My sister was a thousand times worth it.
But then she called out my name with a smile, as if knowing I was there. Then my snow turned on me. Unlike me, it didn't wish to thaw into oblivion. I could just feel it leave my sister, but I worked hard to keep there still. She walked away and I wanted to follow but the ice wouldn't let me. It was keeping me here and was fighting against me to leave Anna. I felt my body reforming, and then darkness overcame my vision. I fought against it anyway, knowing full well it was a futile attempt. I needed to stay and protect Anna. Then the next thing I knew, I was in my ice castle again.
I sat here for what felt like forever staring into nothing. I couldn't get it out of my head. It was driving me mad even. What was that? It felt so real. It was like I was actually there, except I wasn't. I was in my ice castle the whole time. But even I knew I was dreaming. When you dream, you're not supposed to know you're dreaming. It's an unspoken rule of sleep. But why did I know? This was ridiculously pathetic. It was just a strange dream, get over it.
Except I couldn't. What if? What if what happened there was actually happening. I already had ice magic, so doesn't that mean that reason and everything I've known my whole life fly out the window? It couldn't have been real. Anna wasn't out there climbing the mountain. No, I concluded that she wouldn't do that. That dream was nothing, case closed.
I got out of my bed and started walking to nowhere in particular. I was just up for the sake of moving and to distract myself from my head. Somehow, I ended up on my balcony. I stared at the snowy mountain tops that surrounded me. The mountains were huge and the view from up here was amazing, the way the sky was lighting up. I must have slept a whole day. What a shame. That's one day of my life I'll never ever get back. Nothing could be done about it now, not that it mattered anyway. I stood there leaning against the railing, waiting patiently for the sun to rise. To start a new day, since I was missed out on my first day already. Then the beautiful sunrise came from the mountain peaks. The orange color casting off of everything it hit. The shadows dancing around everywhere to accommodate the rising sun. The sun was in control of everything and anything.
Again, that same sunrise reminded me deeply of my sister. I wondered what she was up to right now. Based on what little I know of her, she was probably sleeping in her room right now. I heard that she overslept on my coronation, which took me by surprise. I had thought it would have been a big deal for her considering we were opening up the gates for the first time in thirteen years. Sure makes one wonder what other things they've been wrong about. Like if she was still afraid of spiders or if she even misses me? Unable to bare it, I looked down at the base of my mountain. It broke my heart to think that, because the truth hurts. I didn't even know if I wanted her to miss me. It would seem the confusion never ends.
Wonder what good old Westergard was up to. Knowing his type, he was probably trying to warm up to everyone. If Anna went through with the whole wedding thing, then that would make him my brother-in-law and the King of Arendelle. I felt my face turn to that of disgust. The youngest son of thirteen becoming King. Who would have thought? I chuckled bitterly at the irony of that. Shouldn't be surprising though. The spares were always trying to marry into the throne somewhere. It was very interesting that he chose Anna.
The same thing had happened with one of his brothers, James I believe. He married the younger sister of the Crown Prince of somewhere, I forget where. Then the prince unexpectedly fell ill and passed away. They did some investigating and they discovered poison in his drink. Eventually they were able to find the poisoner, and he confessed that he only did under the orders of someone else, but he wouldn't tell. The next day, when he was to be interrogated further, they found that had hung himself in order to protect the identity of the mastermind behind it all. He left behind a note that said the words mission accomplished. That man was loyal to a fault and it was the end of him. That was sad, depressing even. To die in order to protect someone who's selfish and corrupted. Everyone suspected James, but it was never proven, so that was the end of it. He got away with it.
There were many cases of family members killing each other for the throne. Princes killing their own fathers, siblings against siblings. Even cousins taking a chance at it, knowing they are next in line. You would think they would die at the hands of the enemy, but it's always at the hands of family members. All for the power of a nation. With this in mind, I wouldn't have been surprised if I had an 'accident' had I stayed behind and let Anna go through with everything. Having power wasn't as good as it was made it to be though. To have power would mean to put your kingdom above yourself and to always live in fear of being overthrown. At least that's how it's supposed to be. I didn't have much a life, so it worked out fine for me. And I never lived in fear of losing it. I showed those council members who was in charged and kept those who were loyal to the Crown. The ones who thought otherwise were relieved of their positions. And Anna was no threat. To have the power, you also have to be trained for years to become the leader of your own place. And to rule a foreign kingdom. What fools they are. They don't even know how good they have it, yet it's not enough to fill their greed.
Unlike the heirs, the spares don't have the pressure of living up to everyone's expectations. Unlike the heirs, they can be selfish and not have a worry in the world. Unlike heirs, they don't have to be the responsible ones. Unlike the heirs, they more choices in their lives. In fact they have the most freedom of them all. But they are invisible though, always living in the shadow of of the firstborns. They were also always trying harder to get everyone's approval. And they usually aren't loved as much either.
I thought about my life and as well as Anna's. Did Anna ever live in my shadow? I thought about it, but I couldn't come with anything as I didn't have much memories of my childhood with Anna and I ones I did seem too distant to feel real. It was as if my life were a book, and the childhood chapters splashed with water, making them barely readable. I'll never know for sure, but if I had to take a guess, I would say no. I was almost never there, so there was never a shadow. And Anna did seem to get more time with Mother and Father than I ever did. Considering I've been around longer than her, shouldn't I have gotten more? Life was really unfair to me. Anna got the perks of both the heir and the spare, while I got the flip side of the coin. I sighed. Life is really unfair.
I didn't blame Anna though. She's very lovable and warm and opened while I was hated and cold and closed. We're total opposites me and her, yet we're somehow related. I looked up at the cloudy yet empty mountain sky. There was faint snow falling down.
You can't have the ice without the cold the same you can't have freedom without the price of it. I was free, but I was alone, as well. I could make my own choice without having to get anyone's approval or consent, but I had to make those choices alone and carry out those choices alone. I wasn't feeling as happy as I was a day ago. I happy, I knew that, but it was compromised by the loneliness I felt deep in the pit of my frozen heart. To think I would be used to being alone now, but I never got used to it. You can't get used to loneliness, the more you try, the more you fail. But I supposed it's better to be alone than in bad company.
Oh Elsa you are a very depressing person. I shook my head and headed inside. Since I still had my powers to keep my company, it was to see what else I was able to with them, besides building magnificent ice castles. Time to play with them and forget about the people I left behind. I never needed them away.
Anna POV
I knocked on the door to the stables, but I didn't get a response. In all, this scene was all too familiar. Knocking on a door and being ignored. Quickly, I pushed open the door. I stopped when I heard the sounds of music coming from behind the door. Growing up, I was taught that it was very rude to eavesdrop, but my curiosity got the better of me. I press my ear up against the door and listened in.
"...Ah, thanks buddy.
But people smell better than reindeer.
Sven, don't you think I'm right?"
Who's Sven? From what I saw in Oaken's store, he looked like a lone traveler. I guess it didn't matter just as long as he agrees to help me.
"That's once again true, for all except you.
You got me. Let's call it a night.
Good night.
Don't let the frostbite bite."
As soon as he was finish, I knocked on the door and pushed it open before I had the chance to change my mind.
"Nice duet.", I greeted, since I didn't know how to start a normal conservation. He was lying down on a stack of hay, next to a...reindeer? I had forgotten what live ones looked like. There was no one else in here, so I was gonna assume that the reindeer's name was Sven. The fact that he was singing to his reindeer should have sent a red flag, but I myself still talked to the portraits in the castle. This wasn't much different, so who was I to judge?
He sat up and looked up at me in alarm, but then quickly switched a bored expression. "Oh, it's just you. What do you want?"
That was straight forward and kind of rude. I should get to the point then. "I want you to take me up the North Mountain."
He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, um here's the thing, I don't take people places. So the answer is no.", With that, he laid back down.
Good thing I came prepared. "Let me rephrase that...", I threw the sack of the supplies he wanted to him. He gave me a questioning look before reaching in and eyed the items, but didn't say anything.
"Take me up the North Mountain...please.", He didn't seemed to be convinced at this. Maybe his ice business is more important here. I mean, he does seem upset at this weather. "Look, I know how to stop this winter."
"Sure you do.", He shrugged.
"I'm being serious here.", I defended myself.
"Yeah, last I checked, people can't control the weather.", He reasoned.
"No they don't.", I agreed. "But I know someone up the North Mountain who can. And I need help to get to her."
"And why should I believe this tale of yours?", He said crossing his big arms over this chest. "Last I checked, people lie and cheat all the time."
"Because I'm the only one who can stop this and your ice business is suffering because of it.", I answered. "And it's worth a try, I mean, we can't like lose anything, just by trying."
He sighed in defeat. "Alright, we leave at dawn.", With that, he laid back down and put his black cap over his face. He relaxed as he crossed his arms under his head. "And you forgot the carrots for Sven.", He added with a hint of attitude.
I rolled my eyes and threw the carrots at him. I meant for them to land next to him, but they landed right on face with a very loud thud. "Ow!", He rubbed his face.
"Oh my god!", I said panicking slightly. "I'm so sorry! It was accident, I swear!"
"You really need to work on your aim!", He accused angrily.
"Whatever.", I said annoyed. "Oh, one more thing, we leave right now.", I tried to sound stern, but even I wasn't buying it.
"As much I would like to get up from this relaxing warm place to climb a dangerous mountain with you in the middle of a snowy night, I'm gonna pass.", He said, crossing his arms.
"Look, I don't like it either. But I need to be there as soon as possible. The sooner the better.", I pleaded.
He sighted deeply. "Fine, but if we get frostbite, it's all on you.", He pointed at me as he put up and slipped his black coat on.
"Thank you.", I tried hard to hide my excitement. He just rolled his eyes.
We went outside to where his sled was. The one that was filled with ice blocks. He went to the back and undid the knots holding it together. He sighed in sadness as he watched the blocks land in the snow.
"All the hard work for nothing.", He murmured. I was about to apologized when he turned to face me. "This better work, you hear me."
"It will.", I insisted. "Besides, it's not like the ice was doing you any good right now anyway."
"True true.", He said. He put all his things in the sled and brought the reindeer to the front of the sled. "But it still hurts since I went through the trouble of harvesting the ice for nothing." I stayed quiet as I didn't know what to say to that.
"By the way, my name is Kristoff Bjorgman.", He introduced himself and held out his hand. I took a deep breath before taking it. It wasn't that I was nervous, okay maybe a little. It was just shaking hands with someone was something I've never really done in my life. I knew it was silly to think this, but if I somehow messed up? I always found a way to mess things up. I took his hand and held it. His hand was warm and bigger than my own. He did most of the shaking part and then it was over. Yes! Nothing went wrong.
"And I'm Princess Anna of Arendelle.", I introduced myself. His eyes widen in shock at this revelation.
"You're the Princess!", He exclaimed.
"Yes, there isn't problem, is there?", I said uncertainly. The last thing I needed was him ditching me.
"I don't believe you.", He said crossing his arms across his puffed up chest.
"Fine, don't believe me,i don't really care. But can we just go then?", I didn't have time for this. "We're wasting time."
But he was still looking me weird. He leaned in closed to my face and stared. It took all my will power not to take a step closed. He brought his hand up and poked my cheek light, making my face go red. His brown eyes held my teal ones as he leaned in closer. Way too closed. He then took a sniff. I was about ready to punch him with he backed up.
"You are the Princess aren't you?", He said.
"Yes, I know, do I have to tell you again?", Due to my wearing patience, I began tapping my foot in the snow.
"I thought the royal family was supposed to hold elegance and sophisticated grace all the time. Even in their sleep.", He questioned. Did he just insult me?
"Excuse me sir, but I am the picture of sophisticated grace. Look it up and you'll find my picture.", I said.
"No you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No you're not."
"You know what, I'll be the mature one here and end this disagreement.", I said and sat on the sled.
"Okay your Majesty.", He mocked. "But I still win. So ha!", With that, he got the reins and sat next to me. What he said was bothering me.
"Um Kristoff?"
"Yeah?", He asked as we started moving forward.
"It's 'your Highness'.", I said and he gave me a dumbfounded expression. "I mean it's fine, common mistake. It's just that 'your Majesty' is my older sister. And I would rather not take her title.", I said quickly.
"Oh.", That was all he said. "Is she like that uptight about it?" He asked after a while.
"No no no. She isn't like that.", I quickly defended her. Truth be told, I honestly wasn't sure. "It's just that everyone kind of wants her head right now.", I paused. "And if that were to happen, then I will be succeeding her and I don't want that. And I don't want to be reminded of that."
"You don't want to be Queen?", He said surprised. "Don't people kill for that?"
"I don't really want to be Queen. It's really boring. You'll think the same if you ever get a chance to sit in on a council meeting and have take notes.", I've sat in on a couple and I barely made it through without falling asleep. "Besides, I'll probably bring Arendelle to ruin."
"In that case, I'm glad it's not you. I can't begin to imagine the destruction you would cause.", He stated.
I rolled my eyes. "Aren't you supportive.", I said sarcastically.
"You know it.", He said happily. "So why do people want her head? Is she bad?" He asked.
"What? No. If anything, she'll pretty awesome. She's actually been running the kingdom smoothly for the past three years.", I said. "It's just that she brought an eternal winter to Arendelle in the middle of summer. And everyone thinks she's this apocalypse prophecy come true."
I looked over to Kristoff when he was being quiet. It looked like all the blood was drain from his face. His flushed cheeks were now pale, almost as pale as Elsa's skin. "You alright?"
"You mean to tell me your sister cause all this!", I nodded. "No way. How? How was she even able to? Is she witch?"
"Okay, first off, please don't call her a witch. She's nothing of the sort!", I said, crossing my arms.
"Fine, your Highness, I would like to most humbly apologized for calling the Queen a witch. Please don't abuse your power and execute me.", He said mockingly, chuckling.
"Your sense of humor is not appreciated. Anyway she was pretty much born with the gift of ice and snow.", I explained. "So she can literally shoot ice out of her fingertips and that's the bottom line cause of why it's snowing now."
"I don't suppose you can explain why she has those ice power?", He guess.
"No I can't. Nobody really knows. It's a big family mystery.", I said. I had thought about it a couple times, but always came out blank.
"I'm also going to assume you don't have ice magic.", He said as he snapped the reins and we started moving faster. "Hang on, we like to go fast!", He said over the wind.
"I like fast.", I said as I put my feet up and crossed my arms behind me. It was a nice change of pace actually.
"Whoa whoa, put your feet down.", he grabbed my feel and put them down. "This is fresh lacquer. Seriously, were you raised in a barn?"
Someone's passionate, I thought as he spat on the on the dashboard to clean it. The spit flew back and hit me in the face.
"Gross!", I said as I wiped my hand with the back of my hand. "Ew! And no, I was raised in a castle.", I said as I finished wiping it all away. I shutter at it. It was warm and slimy and smelled of carrots. I screamed internally at that. I never want to see another carrot ever again.
Once his precious sled was cleaned off of my new boots, he turned to me. "So your sister has ice magic?"
"Yeah, why is it that you'll believing me this time?", I asked as I narrowed my eyes.
"Well the snow in the middle of summer, did for me.", He said shrugging. "And the mountain was lighting up. Not just my eyes playing tricks on me."
"Okay then.", I said.
"So tell me, what made the Queen go all ice crazy?", He asked.
I stared at the cold air in front of me. The guilt was hitting me again. "Well, it all my fault.", I admitted.
"So that's why you have to fix this?"
"Pretty much, but it was her fault too though.", I said. "You see, I got engaged, but then she freaked out because I've only just met him, you know, that day. And she said she wouldn't bless the marriage an-"
"Wait. You got engaged to someone you just met?", He asked for clarification.
"Yeah.", I said. "Anyway, I got mad, really mad actually. And so she got mad and then she tried to walk away, and I grabbed her glove-"
"Hang on. You mean to tell me you got engaged to someone you just met that day?!", He exclaimed, turning to face me.
"Yes, I already told you. Pay attention.", I really hated having to repeat myself. "But I knew she wore the gloves for control but I was too mad to think clearl-"
"Didn't your parents ever warn you about strangers?", He suddenly blurted out. My mother's voice suddenly echoed in my brain. Be careful who you trust.
I eyed Kristoff up and down and noticed the closed the proximity between us. I slid away from him. "Yes, they did actually.", I said. "But Hans is not a stranger."
"Oh yeah? Hans is his name? What's his last name?", He challenged.
"Westergard.", I answered confidently. That was what Elsa had called him. And I remember that disagreement a little too clearly.
"What's his favorite food?", He asked.
"Sandwiches.", I answered. He told himself.
"Best friend's name?"
"Probably John.", There were many Johns these days.
"Eye color?"
"Dreamy.", It escape me before I could stop it. "I meant to say green." I said blushing.
Kristoff looked closely at me. Without warning, his big hand grabbed my jaw.
"Hey!", I protested. I tried to pull his arms away with my own, but he was too strong. I struggled against him, but he held tighter. Seeing how I wasn't getting anymore, I stopped struggling. When I had stopped, but he held me more gently and moved my head to my left and then slowly to my right. Is he checking me? Then he dipped my head forward and held my gazed as he inspected my eyes for something. He let out a frown and finally let go.
I rubbed my jaw where he had held it. "What was that about?", I was more curious than angry.
He just sat there, not saying anything. He turned to me, still frowning. "Anna, how many fingers am I holding?", He then held up three.
I punched him in his arm in anger. Pain erupted in my hand, but it was all a worth it. Even if it didn't seem to do much.
"What was that for?", He asked rubbing his arm.
"For being an idiot.", I murmured, with my arms crossed.
"I'm sorry, I'm idiot? You're marrying a man you know nothing about!", He said angrily. "What if he's a sociopath!", He waved his hands up for emphasized. I just looked at Kristoff curiously. Note to self, deja vu is a very mean lady. This was exactly what had happened twenty four hours ago. And they were both blondes. Though Kristoff's hair was more golden than Elsa's.
"What is it?", He said with more concern.
"Nothing, it's just Elsa thought I was drugged too, asked how many fingers she was holding, and even suggested that Hans might be sociopath.", I said. "It's very strange."
"Oh, well, now I know who's the smarter of the two.", Kristoff said with a smug expression, but then it was gone. "But seriously Anna, have you even thought this through?"
"Yes, I did. Me and Hans were meant to be.", I said. "And why am I even discussing this with you?!"
"Have you had a meal with him yet? What if you hate the way he eats? What if you hate the way he picks his nose?", He asked and ignored my question. Why couldn't he just let it go already?
"Picks his nose?", My nose wrinkled in disgust of the image I got of Hans doing just that.
Kristoff seemed amused with my reaction. "And eats it?"
I widen my eyes at that and Kristoff looked as happy as could be. "Excuse me, sir. He is a prince."
He shrugged. "All men do it."
"Ew!", I was disgusted, but I pushed those gross images away. "Look it doesn't matter, I love him and he loves me. It's true love."
"Doesn't sound like true love to me.", He said. "You're hopeless romantic princess who's stuck in a fantasy.", He said as a matter of factly.
This annoyed me. "Are you some sort of love expert?"
"No.", He answered. "But I have friends who are.", He said more some hesitantly.
"You have friends who are love experts.", I said in disbelief. I didn't think he even had friends. "I'm not buying it.", I stated as Sven stopped running. His ears perked in alarm.
"Anna, stop talking.", He commanded.
Got ya! "No, no, no. I'd like to meet these-"
He suddenly clamped his hand over my mouth. Is it just me, or does he keep touching my face? "No, I mean it. Shhh."
He stood up, with a lantern in hand, and looked into the dark woods that I just noticed was surrounding us. I was too caught up in talking to Kristoff that I failed to notice came to me when I imagined a noise. It was a deep low growl that was barely audible. I looked behind me, but saw nothing. Kristoff then held the lantern to behind us, to where I thought I heard the growl. If he heard it too, then I must have not imagined it. As soon as the light reached the darkness, it reflected into orbs. All those orbs came in pairs together. There was several of them
"Sven go! Go!", Kristoff yelled to the reindeer who started racing forward. Kristoff hopped to the back of the sled and lit up a torch in half a second.
"What do we do?", I asked, ready to help with the wolf problem.
"I've got this. You just...", Hr trailed off as he thought of a task for me. "Just don't fall off or get eaten."
"But I wanna help.", I protested.
"No!", He yelled, his eyes wide with fear.
"Why not?", I asked dumbfounded.
"Because I don't trust your judgment!", He shouted as he kicked a wolf that tried to bite him.
"Excuse me?!", Another wolf jumped at us, but it missed and fell behind in the snow.
"Who marries a man she just met?", He yelled.
"It's true love!", I yell as I grab the his lute and swing at him. He screamed in fear as I swung, but I hit the wolf that was about to get him.
"Whoa.", He said clearly surprised and impressed. The next thing I know, Kristoff is gone from here he was standing. I look behind the sled and I see him being dragged in the snow trailing the sled. His hands wrapped around the rope that was holding the blocks of ice earlier.
"Christopher!", I yelled in relieved at seeing that he was fine.
"It's Kristoff!", He yelled back. He screamed as a wolf suddenly jumped on his back. Come on Anna, think fast. I saw the torch next to me, but it was still burning. An idea came to me.
"Duck!", I instruct as I set the blanket on fire and threw it at Kristoff. Good thing he did as he was told, and just in time too. It barely missed him and it got the wolves off of him.
"You almost set me on fire!", He accused as he pulled himself forward toward the sled.
"But I didn't.", I said as I took his hand and pulled him into the sled. Just then I heard Sven cry out. For a second, I thought the wolves got him, but when Kristoff and I turned forward, we saw it wasn't the case.
"Seriously!", Both our voices said simultaneously. Right ahead of us, I saw where the trail ended. The snow that was coming down was moving down toward the space of darkness in front. It was a gorge, wide enough to suck us all in.
My eyes widen at the thought of what could happen. It was either stop and let the wolves take us or fall to our deaths. At the speed we were going, maybe there was a chance at us hopefully jumping over it. "Get ready to jump Sven!", I commanded. It was our only chance now.
"You don't tell him what to do!", Kristoff said as he quickly searched in the back of the sled for something. Then he came with a bag and handed to me. I was about to question him when he put his hands on my waist, lifted, and threw me toward the reindeer, thankfully I landed on his back and didn't get hurt. Still holding on to the bag Kristoff had given me, I held on to Sven for dear life.
"Jump Sven!", Kristoff shouted as we approached the gorge. What about you?! I thought as Sven and I were flying across the air. Once we stumbled on the other side, I looked behind to see Kristoff almost making it. He hanging on the side of the cliff, about to fall, since he couldn't get a grip on the powdery snow.
Think fast Anna. I searched into the bag and fine the rope and ax. Thankfully, they were tied together. I then swung it toward Kristoff.
"No, no, no, no!", He cried out in fear as it landed just inches from his face. I sighed in relieved when he wasn't hurt.
"Pull Sven.", I instructed as soon and he got a good hold of the ax. I used the strength I could muster to help pull his weight up. He was heavy! I panted lightly when he was up again. The wolves on the other side of the gorge were growling and snarling at us in anger.
I collapse in the snow next to Kristoff in exhaustion for a couple minutes. "Crazy huh?", I tried to lighten his mood, but he just ignored me. He was as tense ever. Especially now that everything he owned pretty much went down the gorge. Maybe we could still save it. I crawled to the edge of the cliff and shuttered at the height. All I could make out was burnt rubble.
"Kristoff, don't be mad at me. I promise I'll replace your sled and everything in it.", I said. He sighed and got up, but wouldn't look at me. "And I understand if you don't want to help me anymore.", I knew I probably wouldn't help myself, had I been in his shoes. I took my leave as he was giving me the silent treatment.
"Wait!", He called and I turned. "Look, we did kind of shook on it."
"What are you saying?", I asked. "You mean you're still going to help me despite me bringing you down?"
"I guess so.", He said and then smiled warmly. Without thinking, I hurried over and hugged him. He was warm and I couldn't wrap my arms around him. I quickly pulled back before it got awkward. He stood there blushing and then I felt my face get hot. Nice going Anna.
"Let's make this clear though. I'm only helping you because I need my sled and if you were to perish, then that would no longer be an option.", When he said that, it tampered my good mood, but not too much.
"Okay, Mr. Bjorgman, this is strictly business.", I imitated the way the council members would speak to me, but I failed to keep a straight face.
He chuckled. "Let's just find your sister alright?"
"Alright.", I agreed. "Come on Sven.", I said to the reindeer walked beside me.
"You don't tell him what to do.", He murmured.
"You're just jealous Sven likes me better.", I said. "Don't you Sven.", I rubbed his neck and he snorted happily.
"Sven don't take her side!", Kristoff exclaimed, and I did my best not to rub it in his face.
As we were walking, we approached a rocky side. It was about ten feet high.
"Okay, do you wanna go around or climb it?", He asked, as he eyed the rocks.
"In case you haven't noticed, heights hate me. I would rather go around.", I answered.
"Okay.", He agreed. "It'll take longer, but we'll go arou-", He suddenly stopped talking when we heard howls in the distance. I felt all my blood drain from my face when I realized it didn't sound too far away.
"What!? How?", I asked. They were all on the other side of the gorge.
"Either they went around, or there's more on this side.", Kristoff answered. "Quickly Anna, I'll give you a boost.", With that, he held his two hands together for me to step on. Without losing another second, I carefully stepped into his hands and he easily lifted me up. I scrapped my hand, but other than that, I made it to the top. Once I was up, Kristoff tied the rope on Sven harness and then around himself. He used the ax and started to clime the rock wall.
"Whoa.", I whispered under my breath. He really was a mountain man. The barking in the distance sounded closer. A rock fell under the weight of Kristoff, and he fell back, but I grabbed his hand and I somehow managed to fine the strength to keep him up. Adrenaline sure makes you stronger.
"Hurry.", I said through gritted teeth. After forever, he was up next to me. He then undid the rope around him and held it tight.
"Help me pull Sven up.", He instructed and I obliged. Sven was half way up when Kristoff suddenly slipped and let go of the rope.
"Ow!", I called out to the rope burn I received. Now both Sven and the rope were at the bottom. I caught my breath as I saw the wolves coming into the clearing. They were racing at full speed.
"Sorry, Anna.", Kristoff apologized and held a hand up before I could speak. "Sven's my best friend and I'm not leaving him behind. Go on without me."
Kristoff then took the ax and jumped down. I looked into the space behind me and to the bottom of the rock wall. I couldn't just leave him there. Especially not after he agreed to help me after I pretty much ruined him. Sure he was only staying because he needed a new sled, but still. He chose to stay, knowing full well the dangers ahead. Then I made up my mind. It wasn't the best nor the smartest, but I knew it was the right one. I jumped back down to the bottom with Kristoff and Sven.
"What the hell Anna?!", He said worriedly and I put on a smile.
"We stick together.", I said firmly and grabbed a tree branch that was near my feet. "Besides, you'll hunt me if I leave you behind.", I joked. The ends of his lips curved upwards and he nodded.
"Just don't blame me if you get eaten alright.", He said and we started running toward along the side of the rock wall. It looked as if it was gonna go on forever. A brown wolf suddenly jumped in front us and soon we were surrounded. But I didn't cower in fear. That's not how I was gonna go. Ever. If I was gonna go down fighting, so be it.
A wolf jumped at me and I swung my branch. It managed to bite down on the stick and it held on so I let go of it. Kristoff had was in the same situation as me. My breath hitched as one of them charged lunched itself into the air at me. It's sharp teeth aiming for my throat. Sorry Elsa, I thought as I closed my eyes.
A/N: Yeah, that just happened. Guess you'll just have to see what happens next. I honestly don't know when I'll have the next one up since I have no typing schedule for this and school is next week. I'm thinking sometime next week or by the end of this week if I'm lucky, but that's very unlikely.
On side note, all you firstborns, beware the young ones, they aren't as innocent as they appear to be. *smirks
Responses
FrozenFanFicFan: Just saw this today. Well um thank you! I appreciate it and everything, but you really don't have to. I don't mind it at all :) Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. And yes Anna is quite the character. Hope it answered your question as to what Elsa was up to. Which if I'm being honest, isn't much. Oh well, have a good one :)
Batman1809: Thank you! Glad to hear you liked the flashback. I was worried it might depress whoever read it. Oh well. As for Oaken knowing the King...I thought it would be nice for them to have a little history together. I make a few things as I go, but I know where it's going.