Shivering, Elsa let her fingers trail along the walls of her new castle. Droplets stuck to her skin as she pulled away, and she felt herself tremble slightly. Her sigh echoed along the vast corridors.

"I guess," she said aloud, "It does get lonely, huh?" A booming echo repeated her, trailing away until it faded, leaving behind the whistle of the wind. Maybe I shouldn't have left the castle, Elsa thought forlornly.

"Well, it only gets lonely if you're alone, no?" asked a voice. Elsa jumped, spinning on her heel. No one was there. Strange, she thought, that voice sounded familiar somehow…

"You know," the voice came again, "you really have built an exquisite home for yourself." Elsa gasped- it was the man's voice… from the coronation! The wind came through the rooms again, almost shrieking now. Pushing her hair out of her face, Elsa let her blue eyes dart around until she spotted him.

He was standing in the corner, concealed by the deepest shadows there, almost swallowed, save the peculiar golden eyes that were boring in on her now. She saw the bright smile in the dark as he emerged, wearing the same blackened robe as before. Running a hand through his spiky black hair, he sighed, adding, "I mean, it certainly doesn't measure up to the hole I've been living in, but I could get used to it." He smirked, "Know what I mean?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to say no, I don't know what you mean…" Elsa trailed off, her voice barely audible, a little more then a whisper, but not quite. The man shrugged, taking a few long strides until they were face to face, up close.

"I now someone who's very much like you, Princess Elsa," he said, then corrected himself, "or should I call you Queen, considering the coronation was today?"

"You were at the coronation," she repeated, her voice filled with hideous realization. He nodded, waving it away as if it were a fly buzzing annoyingly in his ear.

"Yes, i was," he chided, "quite touching, really. But that type of thing isn't for me, really. Do you know what is?" Biting her lip, Elsa took a step back, shaking her head and answering, "N-no…." There was a sudden blur of black, almost like smoke as she found herself backed up against the wall, the man banging a fist next to her head. She jumped, letting out a piteous yelp.

"That," he grinned, baring perfectly white teeth, a star in the midst of black velvet, "is for me. That look in a person's eyes as they realize it's over- or the realization that it might be over for them. Sweat beading on their skin, getting prickly-" at this, he ran a hand along her arm, making her shiver, "- every hair on your body standing on end, just waiting for it- no, wanting it to be over and done!" Ducking, she got out from under his gaze, heels clicking as she trotted to the opposite side of the room.

"Are you saying that I'm scared?" she asked, trying her best to sound confident, although she knew she wasn't. In all honesty, she was scared. The man chuckled.

"Don't feign confidence that isn't there to begin with, Your Highness," he chuckled, rolling his eyes as she held out a hand defensively, "And forget about that. Like I said, I know someone very much like you. I know how to deal with your little talents."

"S-someone like me…?" Elsa whispered, eyes widening. The man nodded.

"With him- and yourself, of course- we are able to create something…. beautiful," he explained.

"I don't understand," Elsa cried.

"Of course you don't," he sneered, "you're scared! It's a new feeling! But-" he held up a finger, wagging it, "- don't fight it. Embrace it! Let it influence you to do amazing things! Hand in hand!"

"Hand in hand? What do you mean by that?" Elsa asked. The strange blackness trailed behind him as he ambled over to her, head held high, as if he were a mighty king and she a mere peasant.

"What is it that manifests in people everywhere?" he asked. Without waiting for an answer, he nodded, "fear. Fear is what feeds me, keeps me alive!" Elsa spit at him.

"That's disgusting," she sneered.

"True, true," he agreed, "but I live in the darkness- I am darkness, don't you see? Fear and darkness are what work best together!" Elsa shook her head. What was he talking about? It wasn't making any sense!

"What…. what is it you want?!" Elsa growled, keeping her stance as he circle her, looking almost bored.

"The same as you, Elsa," he said, "to be loved. Appreciated for what it is I can do." She gave him a cautious glare, furrowing her eyebrows as she asked, "And what is it you can do?"

"Besides striking fear into the hearts of men, women and children alike?" he asked, somewhat joking as he raised a hand, "this." Instantaneously, he sent shards of blackness at her. Waving her arm roughly, she sent a wave of ice at the attack, the two merging as they collided. Once snow and dust had settled, the man had a triumphant glare as Elsa reveled in what she had done- what they had done. Glancing at her hands, she gave the man a look of innocence, asking, "I…I did that?" He nodded. The ice had merged with the darkness, creating a shimmering black statue, a monument that would live forever in the cold. He walked over to her, admiring their handiwork.

"No," he said with a shake of his head, "we did that." Carefully, he took her hands in his, holding her closer then she would have liked.

"But-" Elsa began, the man cutting her off.

"This is what we can do!" he said encouragingly, "we can create this timeless beauty for all the world to see!" Elsa looked at the blackened ice, then back at the man. He said he lived off people's fears, she thought, then pushed herself away from him.

"I- I can't!" she shook her head, "I've already hurt too many people!"

"People hurt themselves anyway, and they don't even know it," he explained.

"But that means hurting my sister," Elsa shot back, "I don't want to hurt her more then I already have."

"But it wasn't your fault. She was the one who hurt you first," he said. Elsa turned around, and he had his arms open, wide and inviting.

"Come with me, Elsa," he said, turning on a warm, sympathetic smile, "I can protect you from them. From anyone who wants to hurt you." Elsa felt the tears brimming in her eyes as she raced towards him, almost knocking him over as she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his robes. Gently, he patted her head, going with the silvery white braid that trailed down her back as she began sobbing, wails bouncing against the empty walls.

"Together," he said, "it will be just you and me. Elsa and Pitch Black."