Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to the first proper chapter. I've also started a Frozen AU called 'The Bonds We Forgot' so if you're interested please give that a read as well. Thank you those who've shown their support so far and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.

Chapter 1

If anyone asked him about his parents' funeral and the days that followed, Kristoff would honestly be unable to tell them anything.

It was a blur of strong emotions and changes that wiped the details from his head. He'd been sure he'd wept constantly, thrown tantrums, screamed at everyone and even outright denied the fact his parents were gone. It had been long days of mood swings, tears and even deliberate destruction until he eventually found himself sat on a bed in the orphanage accepting the reality that he was now alone, not really sure how he'd got there.

In the years that followed, Kristoff felt slightly guilty about how he'd acted in those first days. He'd put a lot of stress on the people that cared for the kids there but they'd simply run with all of his tantrums and tears without complaint, making them some of the few he remembered with fondness.

He'd been fortunate in the fact that the orphanage he'd ended up in was actually one that genuinely wanted to nurture the children that lived there, the staff were warm, kind and were there because they truly desired to give orphans a loving home. However, being in a place with dozens of other kids was not comfortable for him.

His family had lived in a cabin right up in the wild woods, away from the villages and towns that most called home. While there had been other families with children in the area, they were often too far away for him to simply nip over and find out if any of them wanted to play. They'd mostly been hunters and gatherers, living out in the wilds near to the creatures and resources they built their livelihoods off. Spoils of their kills were treated and then taking to the nearest trading town in bulk to sell, tanned pieces of leather, carved antlers, bone trinkets, meat that had been kept cold in icehouses to keep it fresh, all of it would either be used by the families or sold for profit and this sort of lifestyle did not lend itself to much social interaction.

In short, Kristoff was used to spending time alone, to the point that being surrounded by other people was unnerving.

He stayed away from the other kids, amusing himself in some corner while they ran riot everywhere else. As time passed, he started to feel penned in by the village, until now he'd had a whole forest to himself and although his mother had put in boundaries (like don't cross the river), they had encompassed a far larger area than the relatively tiny garden of the orphanage. He wanted to get out and back into the wilds, where there was so much to discover and find, where things changed and something simple like slightly different weather created a whole new adventure. Not be stuck in the same old garden with kids he didn't really want to play with.

So, he started sneaking out.

With a light clatter, the loose plank fell back into place, concealing his secret exit from the orphanage grounds.

With a quick check that no one was around, Kristoff darted off towards the forest that started behind the orphanage, hoping that he hadn't been spotted. He'd been caught once by one of the carers, Mrs Daghild, and he'd received a stern lecture and a couple of swats to the backside for it (once her panic at the thought of him being alone in the woods all day had calmed) and he did not want to repeat it.

His entry into the trees signalled another successful escape and he giggled before running off in a random direction, eager to discover some new secret place. Winter was still in full swing and he left a deep furrow in the snow as he ploughed through it, he was used to fighting the snow and it did little to halt his progress, even if it did make him move particularly slow.

He encountered a reindeer track and without a second thought, followed it.

He'd seen reindeer before with his dad who'd told him all about the animals and how they lived. Both his father and mother had been descended from the Sámi (though they'd somewhat embraced the culture of Arendelle) and they both had extensive knowledge of reindeer. Kristoff had been enamoured with the beasts when he'd seen them and he wanted a glimpse of one again.

Walking in the tracks of the reindeer, he followed the trail as it wound between the trees. He wasn't concerned about how far he was going nor where he'd end up, he just wanted to see reindeer. He stuck determinedly to the tracks and pressed onwards until he caught a glimpse of fur up ahead. Slowing his pace and trying to tread quietly, he stole forwards and snuck behind a low mass of tangled branches, belonging to one of the bare bushes. He peeped out between them and his eyes fell upon the reindeer before him.

There was only one, unusual since they often travelled in herds, and it was clearly searching for food. From his hiding place, Kristoff's mouth dropped open in awe. He'd always found these animals breath taking and they were by far his favourite, he'd even owned a toy one which he'd cuddled at night. In Arendelle, it was animals such as cows, sheep and horses that were prominent in farming but his father had told him about the semi-domesticated reindeer herds his ancestors had shepherded. He'd read in the orphanage's story books about dashing princes riding heroically on majestic horses but personally, he thought they should be riding reindeer.

With their great antlers, reindeer were far more impressive than their antlerless counterparts and he'd sometimes imagined himself riding through the snowy forests, astride a mighty reindeer bull.

Wanting a closer look, Kristoff tried to slip quietly out from behind the bush but some twigs snapped loudly as he stepped on them.

Instantly, the reindeer's head shot up as it sought the origin of the sudden sound, its eyes fell upon him and he froze. For long moments, they both did nothing but stare at each other until Kristoff waved awkwardly at it,

"Um…hello."

The beast snorted then apparently decided that the human watching it wasn't dangerous and resumed foraging.

Kristoff moved a little closer and sat down in the snow, he waited a bit then suddenly spoke again, "So, where's the rest of your herd?"

His father had told him reindeer usually travelled in herds so he was curious as to why this one was on its own.

The reindeer grunted as it continued its search for food. The child that he was, Kristoff considered this an answer and he responded, "Okay, I guess if you don't want to say so you don't have to."

He was silent again for another couple of minutes before asking another question, "Are you a boy or a girl reindeer."

At this, the beast raised its head and gave him a look that was so expressive, his imagination couldn't help but supply a voice.

'What do you think?'

The boy scratched his head and thought for a moment, "Are you…a boy?"

He received a look of indignation.

'A boy? Really!?'

"Okay, you're a girl!" He shuffled guiltily, "Sorry I didn't realise."

The reindeer grunted and took a couple of steps away as she located more food. Her movements allowed Kristoff to spot the slight bulge in her belly and his father's lessons reminded him of what that meant.

"Oh, you're expecting a baby!"

The reindeer raised her head and seemed to nod.

'Yes, yes I am.'

He grinned, "That's amazing!"

She gave another grunt and continued snuffling in the snow for edibles. Kristoff sat and watched her for a long time, while she just continued with the business of surviving and ignored the small boy nearby. Time passed and he realised that he'd have to get back soon or he'd be caught.

Reluctantly, he stood, not caring about the snow that had melted through his clothes, and turned to leave. He hesitated then turned back to the reindeer, "I need to be going now so goodbye."

His answer was a snort and he shuffled off, following the tracks back the way he'd come. Unnoticed by him, the female reindeer raised her head and watched him until he was out of sight. Then, she turned and went in the opposite direction, seeking more food for herself and her unborn calf.

PS-And there was Kristoff's first 'conversation' with a reindeer. Please let me know what you thought and I'll hopefully update soon.