I'm so happy for the reception that my story got! I want to thank to I prefer food, sophie65, KatieBug1017, MidnightAmber, TheWildeFiles, Gracie and two unknown Guests for their reviews, they cheered me up! I also want to thank to all people who read my fic and waited for this.

And also, last time I was so excited that I forgot to mention a few things:

-Elsa is 15 years old.

-Anna is 12 years old.

-Linus is 18 years old.

Disclaimer: 'Frozen' & 'Rise of the Guardians' are not from my property.

The Disney Villain song "Hellfire" inspired this fic.

English is not my first language, please pardon mistakes.

::·::

YOU BELONG WITH ME

Life is like a boat in the bottle

Through the glass you see the same faces

When your life's a boat in a bottle

You're surrounded, drifting alone

"Is Elsa going to marry that prince?" Anna asked her mother while the queen brushed the little girl's red locks.

"It's too soon to know," she replied, a small smile on her lips. "Well, my little princess, it's time to sleep." She kissed Anna on the forehead. "Good night, sweetheart."

Since the day that Prince Linus brought flowers to her daughter, everyone in the palace has been talking about it. Life in the palace—since the gates were locked—was monotone; everyone always had the same routine, although Anna tried to find something fun to do everyday.

Queen Jennifer was happy for her daughter, yet a bit sad for the Prince at the same time. He seemed like a good guy and it hurt her that they had to lie to him. Elsa was not in an equitation class when he came to give her the lilacs; in fact, she hadn't taken an equitation class in years —she was afraid of freezing the horse. She was in her room— like always. It also made her sad that she realized how Elsa was losing her life and her opportunities to experience love and friendship. To live at all.

"Elsa, dear, it's fine if you walk around the palace or speak to your sister in the garden. You don't have to stay in your room all day; you're not a prisoner," said her mother.

"I know, Mother. And I'm not in my room all the time; sometimes I go to the library," replied Elsa.

"To study." Her mother added.

"Your mother is right, Elsa. Maybe you should go out more. You seem to be in more control; it has been two months since the last incident," reassured her father.

Elsa didn't answer, she just kept looking at the stars through her window. During the last accident, which was two months ago, she woke up after a nightmare and her room was completely frozen. Her parents had to change all the furniture after the ice melted. She didn't tell her parents how sometimes when she was playing piano alone in the music room, there was a fine layer of frost in the shape of beautiful snowflakes on the floor near her. Nobody knew of those little incidents because she made sure to clean it all.

"I can't. I'm afraid," she said, closing her eyes.

The king sighed, defeated.

"Good night, Elsa." He brought his hand to her face to caress it, but Elsa took a step back. He pursed his lips and drew back "Rest well," the king muttered.

Before leaving Elsa's room, the queen said, "We love you, Elsa."

"I know. Good night."

They closed the door. The king and queen walked to their chambers in silence; Queen Jennifer knew he was fighting the tears in his eyes. She was too. It was painful not to be able to kiss and hug your own daughter—to show her how much you love her.

It's true. Elsa's not living at all.

·

Back in Tallak, The Council was relieved after hearing the good news about the successful trade with Arendelle. The kingdom was saved.

"Linus!" shouted a young boy who was running towards the prince as soon as the latter stepped into the courtyard.

"Markkus!" he shouted back.

They embraced and clapped each other's backs. Markkus was a guy of the same age of Linus; he's as tall as the prince, but his back and shoulders were wider due to the hard work he did since childhood. He had light brown hair, clear hazel eyes, and slightly tanned skin from working long hours under the sun. Markkus is Linus's best friend and confidant; after all, they've known each other since childhood. They started walking to the palace side-by-side.

Markkus was an orphan who escaped from the orphanage and came to the palace to ask for a job. He had lied, saying his father was sick and really needed the job to buy medicine. He was hired to clean the cowshed and feed the horses. He stayed to sleep in the kitchen. One day, Markkus was on his spare day; he decided to walk along the river and contemplate to himself. Little did he know that robbers were raiding the palace. When they appeared in front of him, he tried to defend himself, but it was a twelve-year boy against three buff men. They beat him badly. One of them took out a knife from his belt; he was going to kill him. He screamed for help and the robbers just mocked him. But suddenly, the young prince appeared on his horse, yielding a long sword and frightening the men away. Linus dismounted his horse. "Are you alright?" he asked. Before answering, Markkus saw the man with the knife come back, ready to stab the prince from behind. "Behind you!" he shouted, and the prince whipped around, slashing the man with his sword. They saved each other's lives that day. Soon after, Markkus became Linus's personal servant and play-mate. Since then, they've been like brothers and Markkus vowed he would always protect and follow Linus.

"How was the journey? Are Arendelle ladies much prettier than the women here?"

"Well, I believe I just met my future wife."

"What?! So has the elusive Prince Linus finally been smitten?" Linus just smiled in response. "Cecile won't like to hear that."

"Lady Cecile is just a good friend. Besides, I never gave her signs of something more."

"Got it. So, who's the lucky woman?"

"Crown Princess Elsa of Arendelle," he said, waving his hand in the end like putting her name in a cartel. "She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

"Wow. It hit you hard, my friend. And I'm guessing that you made her fall into your arms and she can't wait to see you again, am I right?"

"Well… hum…" Markkus looked at him, utterly confused. "I never really talked to her." Now Markkus was looking at him in an astonished expression.

"Was she so beautiful that you forgot how to speak?" said Markkus playfully, a smirk forming on his face.

"She looks like an angel, and no, I did not forget how to speak."

"Then what?"

"She was busy." Markkus was incredulous. "I told you, she's the crown princess," Linus said, defending himself and his manhood. "When I wanted to spend time with her or speak to her, she was either having a lesson or studying."

"She told you that?"

"No. Her father, King Maurice, did."

"Sounds like he didn't want you near his princess."

"Ha. I've come to believe he was hiding her from me."

"Don't blame him. He might hear of how many hearts you've broken."

"I've never broken a heart! I've always been sincere. If I'm not interested, I tell the girl."

"Then how did you fall for her?"

"I just met her once, told her my name, and kissed her hand. That was it. I know it sounds silly, but it was love at first sight."

Months passed and the relationship between Tallak and Arendelle grew stronger. Although they were never invited back to Arendelle, King Andor invited his new trade partners to the kingdom a few times, mostly to the insistence of his son. Arendelle's monarchs were able to visit Tallak just a few times, but, unfortunately for Linus, never in the company of their daughters.

∞·∞

"Your Highness, the royal portrayer is waiting for you," said Gerda through the door.

"I'm ready." Elsa stepped outside her room.

She was wearing a blue and purple gown with a tight neck and a turquoise gem adorning the center. The bodice had beautiful and complicated floral needlework added by Elsa; her hair was styled in a complicated bun, with many braids and twists and turns.

"Why do I have to pose?" she asked as she stepped down the spiraling staircase.

"It's tradition and protocol to immortalize the image of the royals to the future generations, your Highness," replied Gerda.

'I don't feel in the mood to immortalize my misery', thought Elsa bitterly.

"We're here," announced Gerda when they reached the lounge.

"Oh. Your Highness, you look absolutely stunning," said the portrayer when he saw the two women arrive. "Sit here, please." He pointed politely to an elegant chair near the window. She did.

"Now, please stay still. I'll be done soon."

Elsa just smiled. She remained regal and calm. The man started his job. She only had to stay there, sitting the whole time. No speaking. No moving. It was easy.

'Well, at least this is something I can do', she thought. But it's so boring.

From time to time, she moved her eyes to the window. Anna was outside playing. When the younger of the two noticed her big sister looking at her, she smiled and waved her hand to say 'hello'. Elsa didn't wave back, but Anna knew it was because she had to stay still for the portrait. Anna wondered how her sister could stay still for such a long time. She herself hated being painted; she couldn't stay still for so long and always grew restless. The portrayer was always losing patience with her; it was funny to see his expressions when she accidentally moved. She giggled and made funny faces to make her sister laugh, just to annoy the royal portrayer. But Elsa didn't laugh. She stayed stoic.

While Anna was trying to make her laugh, Elsa was lost in her own thoughts. She missed spending days under the sun; she missed to laugh at her sister's jokes; she missed to walk in the garden; but mostly, she missed Anna. She looked back to the front before it was too irresistible to laugh and ruin the poor man's work.

·

Elsa was in her room, sewing the bottom and sleeves of Anna's new summer dress. Anna asked the tailor to sew needlework similar to work on the dress that Elsa wore on her portrait. When she was told that it was her own sister's handiwork, she rushed to her door and begged for something similar, but Elsa never responded. Anna went back to her room, disappointed. Feeling guilty, Elsa asked the tailor for the newest dress she designed for Anna.

And that is how she was currently sitting under the moonlight beside her window, sewing birds, ribbons, and flowers. When she finished, she admired her work; she was getting really skilled. After all, she had a lot of time to practice sewing, drawing, singing, playing music, cooking and studying. What else could she do in her room?

She liked sewing. It was something she could do without her gloves because it required all her concentration to be put into the needlework. At first, she tried to do it with her gloves on, but they were hindrances. It turned out that if she only focused on the needle and thread, she could do it without freezing anything. She thought that concentrating on only one thing was the key to keeping her powers concealed, but it didn't work when she went out to the garden and accidentally froze a worm that scared her.

It looked like the curse was only in control when she made things for her loved ones.

·

It was Anna's birthday, so they were celebrating in the little piece of beach that was inside the grounds of the palace. Anna loves picnics at the beach. She was having a good time running in the shore and touching water with her feet.

"How does it feel to be thirteen?" asked her father.

"Good! But I don't feel or look any different than yesterday when I was twelve. Maybe tomorrow or in three more days something will change and I'll feel different. Anyways, it feels great! Oh my gosh! I'm thirteen! I'm a teenager; it's amazing!"

"Now, it's time for presents!" said the queen.

"Yay! My favorite part! Well, except for cake and, of course, you two. Is Elsa coming this year?"

"Sorry dear, it's just the three of us," said the king.

"Aww." Anna looked down. For once, she would like to have her sister to celebrate her birthday with her.

They walked to the cowshed and the king showed her the new horse that he and his wife bought for her. Anna was delighted.

Back in the palace, Kai waited for them with a fancy wooden box.

"It's a birthday present from the Prince of Tallak," Kai explained.

Inside there was a delicate and beautiful china doll. It had so many details; her black hair was silky and her tiny clothes were colorful.

"A doll?" said Anna when she opened the box. "I'm too old for dolls. How old does this prince think I am? I'm not a little girl anymore, you know." The queen just giggled.

"This came with the present, your Majesty." Kai presented an envelope to the king.

"Thank you, Kai," King Maurice said, taking it. "Honey, can I talk to you in private?" he said when he finished reading the letter.

The queen went with her husband to his private office. Anna headed to her room, still mumbling about how she was too old to play with dolls.

"What am I going to do with you? I like you, actually. I mean, you're pretty, but I can't play with you. Now I'm a teenager, and teenagers don't play with dolls.. but I guess I could make a tea party to introduce you to Joan, Mary, Sophie and—"

She stopped speaking to her new doll when she spotted a carton box in front of her bedroom door. She picked it up and entered her room. When she closed her door, Elsa opened hers. After a few seconds of silence, a gasp came from Anna's room. Elsa smiled and closed her door again.

·

"What is it honey?" asked the queen when she closed the door. The king was behind his desk. He looked worried.

"The letter is a request for my permission to allow Prince Linus to formally court Elsa."

"Really?" said the queen happily. "This is the fourth letter he sent about the matter."

"I thought he'd give up after I refused the last one, and I'm running out of excuses!" the queen just laughed.

"Perhaps you should give him a chance." She put her hands over her husband's shoulders. "How many letters did you send to my father before he allowed you to court me?"

"Hundreds! Even after he threatened to cut my head off if I didn't leave you alone. When we announced our engagement, I really thought he would decapitate me." Both monarchs laughed. He paused, hesitating. All traces of laughter were gone, and a somber mood fell upon the room. "But...this is different," said the king seriously.

"Maybe if we explain to him he could understand. He seems to be really interested in Elsa."

"No. I refused to expose Elsa to a stranger. What if he loses interest after learning the truth and then decides to expose her powers? Besides, I don't want him to break her heart."

"And what if he doesn't? We can't let Elsa lose her chance to find true love; we already took her sister and chance of a normal life. And you know it!" the queen was getting upset. The king stayed silent. "I'm sorry, darling," she said after a few moments of silence. She hugged him. "I didn't mean to blame you."

"It's fine. I'm just being overprotective; you and the girls are my biggest treasures." The queen smiled. "That's the price I have to pay for marrying such a gorgeous woman and getting two beautiful daughters," the king said playfully. "I must scare any suitor that wants to take away my treasures. Any other way, I'd disappoint your father." They laughed.

"I love you," said the queen.

"I love you too."

They kissed.

·

Anna put the box on her bed and the china doll on a shelf beside Mary and Sophie. She turned back to the box and saw that there was thin paper enveloping something. At the top of it, there was a note written in fancy and perfect calligraphy.

Happy Birthday.

Elsa

She placed the note on the bed and unwrapped the thin paper. It was a dress. She took it out and saw it was the new dress that the tailor designed for her, but there was a delicate needlework sewed in the sleeves and skirt. She gasped.

'Elsa made it!'

She ran to Elsa's door.

"Elsa!" she knocked. "Thank you! Thank you! I really love it!" Elsa didn't open the door. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you. By the way, did you know your boyfriend sent me a doll? A doll! I don't play with dolls anymore. Well anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I really love your present."

"I'm glad you liked it," Elsa said quietly, as to not be heard.

She liked to hear that Anna liked her present. When Anna went back to her room, Elsa stared once again through her window at a pair of birds flying.

'Sometimes I wish I could fly away like you', Elsa thought.

Back in her room, Anna stared at her sister's present. She touched the birds on it. Elsa confuses her. They used to be best buddies, but next day Elsa moved her belongings and ignore her out of blue with no explanations. She thought that maybe she did something that made Elsa hate her. One night she cried on Elsa's door asking why and begging for forgiveness for wherever she did, but Elsa never answered back. And few days later, there was a hot cocoa in front of her door with a note: I don't hate you.

But no matter how much she tried, she never made Elsa open the door. And every year there was a present for her made by Elsa: chocolate chip cookies, a doll, a drawing of her, and now the dress. In the past, she dared to believe that Elsa might not hate her, but didn't love her either, and then the presents started to appear every year; it was proof that Elsa does love her. She might never make Elsa open the door, but it was great to know that her sister still loves her even if she would never know why they're not as close as they used to be.

∞·∞

Cecile was brushing her long, blonde hair. She looked at herself in the mirror; the jade necklace she wore made her green eyes glow. She was ready to visit Linus, her love. She entered the palace with confidence; being the daughter of one of the members of the council gave her the influence she needed to see the royal family without the need of a conference. Agnes, a gentle and elder maid, informed her that the Prince was in the garden.

There he was, playing the flute near the fountain. He looked a little down. It didn't bother Cecile, it gave her the chance to cheer him up. She walked towards him and sat on the fountain.

"Why the long face?" she asked.

"Hello, Cecile. How's your father?" He asked, dodging her question.

"In a meeting. But you didn't answer my question. What's eating you up? Can I do something?" she blinked flirtily.

"It's nothing." He tried to evade her.

"I know the reason!" Markkus arrived carrying a rectangular, brown package.

Cecile looked annoyed; she never liked Markkus. She had always thought that people like her and Linus should not be involved with people like Markkus.

"And what would that be?" said Linus.

Markkus grinned. "You were rejected again."

"Not funny."

"Rejected? Linus? Who dared?" said Cecile, offended, but inside, she was glad that there was still a chance.

"Princess Elsa...or should I say King Maurice? What is it? The tenth or twentieth letter you sent?"

"The sixth one," corrected Linus, not amused.

"Why do you keep humiliating yourself like that? She obviously doesn't deserve you," said Cecile, exasperated. "There is somebody who would be glad to be yours," she said while she played with the tips of her hair, referring to herself.

"Anyway, I got you something to cheer you up." Markkus put the package in Linus's arms. "I was planning to give it to you on your birthday, but there's like a ton of months for that and the moment warrants it. Come on! Open it!"

Linus ripped the paper and gasped when he saw what was behind it, and then he finished ripping all the paper apart to discover the image. When it was done, he held the portrait at the level of his eyes to admire it. It was Elsa. He could see her from her face to her waist.

She was wearing a purple and blue dress; the dress's neck was up and adorned with a gem, flowers were on the bodice, and her hair was in a bun and her face… she was as beautiful, or even more, than he remembered.

"How did you get it?" said Linus without take his eyes from the portrait.

"I know people who know people," he said proudly. "Arendelle's Royal Portrayer painted her a few months ago, and, well, he has a nephew who has a cousin from Tallak that went to visit to learn some new painting techniques and that kind of stuff. However, Elsa's portrait was not delivered to palace yet, so let's just say he took the liberty to copy it."

"Did you ask somebody to forge a royal's portrait? That's a crime!" said Cecile, alarmed. "Linus, this man is a criminal! Imprison him!"

"It just a crime if you do it to sell the original." Markkus rested importance to the matter. "And, as far, I know the original is hanging in Arendelle's palace."

"Thank you, my friend!" Linus hugged him.

Elsa's portrait was hung on the prince's chambers in front of his bed. He wanted it to be the first and last thing he saw everyday. Linus ordered to the servants to always keep a bouquet of fresh blue lilacs under it. He was really grateful with Markkus for the gift and Markkus was glad that he made his friend happy while it made Cecile mad; he loves to annoy her. What nobody knew was that this started the beginning of something dark inside the prince's heart.

I love you so

I wanna meet you again

::·::

What do you think? It might be a bit slow for now but it'll get better, I promise.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

* The lyrics from the beginning and end are taken from the songs "Ten Black Roses" The Rasmus & "Tiny Heart" Flyleaf.