Hey all! So I am sorry it has been so long. A few things
1. This is the last time we will see Anna's point of view for a while so enjoy it!
2. I used a lot of the lines from the movie for the Elsa/Anna interaction, with some editing.
3. Don't hate me.
OH! And please REVIEW!
Anna had just finished her breakfast when she heard the sounds of horses and men from outside. She looked up at Oaken and he smiled at her. He stood and walked outside. Anna sipped at her cup of tea, with her eyes moving from the door back to Oaken's family. None of them seemed to speak clear English like Oaken. It was a shame, but Anna was a bit relieved, as she wasn't sure what she could talk to them about. She lived in a completely different style, and she hadn't spoken to anyone but servants for a long time.
She was pulled from her musings, as the kitchen door opened up and Oaken walked through. Moment's later Hans was standing in the doorway, and Anna caught his eye. There was a flash of an emotion, but then relief filled his features and she couldn't help jumping up. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her nose into his chest taking in his manly smell. His hands wrapped around her seconds later. "Oh Anna, I was so worried!" His voice sounded a bit off, but she decided that he must be winded.
She stepped out of his embrace and smiled up at him. "Hans." She breathed his name, loving the feel of it on her tongue. "I am so glad you are here. My horse ran away from me yesterday."
"Your horse returned to us, and we immediately set out to find you. I am only sorry it took this long."
Anna felt her smile broaden. That he had been so worried to come looking for her immediately made her heart fill with a new warmth. "I am just glad you are here." A throat was cleared and Anna turned to Oaken. She felt a faint blush on her cheeks. "Thank you so much for the kindness Oaken. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, no!" The large man said as he waved his hands defensively.
"Well if you ever think of anything, just visit me in Arendelle." She leaned forward and kissed the man's cheek. "Now we should be going."
"Right you are. Thank you my good man." Hans nodded and then held the door open for her. Anna grinned at him before leading the way out. Outside there was a large group of men gathered, as they saw her they all crowded around her. Most of them expressed their relief, and Anna couldn't help noticing two of the men standing stoically at the back of the group. The taller of the two had large side burns and a full moustache But the younger caught her eye. He had large side burns also, but his eyes caught hers and she felt herself being drawn into them.
But she snapped out of her trance when she heard Hans speaking to the men, preparing to go back to the castle. "We can't go back! We have to find my sister!" She turned her eyes to Hans, begging him.
Hans looked as though he was going to argue for a moment, but then sighed and massaged his temples lightly. "Anna, I don't think that is a good idea. She has isolated herself, we should let her be." He let go of his head and reached his hand forward as though to take her shoulder.
Anna found herself stepping back automatically. "No! I came here to find my sister. That is what I am going to do!"
Hans sighed once more. "Ok. But you aren't going alone this time. I shouldn't have let you go by yourself last time."
Suddenly Anna realized what the results of Hans being there meant. "Who is watching over the people?" Hans opened his mouth for a moment as though to say something then closed it. "You need to go back! It could take days to find Elsa!"
"You aren't going alone!" He insisted.
"We will go with her, Your Highness." Anna turned and saw the man was the moustache step forward.
"You are from Weselton?"
"Yes M'Lord. We are Lord Weselton's bodyguards. He sent us to help look for Princess Anna. He would of course, want us to accompany her as she continues her search."
Anna turned to Hans to find him nodding his head. Hans turned to Anna. "You can go only if you let these two guard you. Otherwise, you are coming back with us."
Anna looked over at the two men. She really didn't want anyone else there when she spoke to Elsa, but Hans was serious. Anna kept her eyes from the second man, looking only at the one with the moustache. "What are your names?"
The moustache-man stepped forward and bowed. "Charles M'Lady."
Anna felt her eyes drawn to the intriguing one. As he stepped forward, she felt as though time slowed. She watched as his slicked back hair swayed gently in the breeze, how the snow had tinted his cheeks and nose red. He began to bow, and Anna shook the thoughts from her mind. They were too similar to when she had first met Hans. But she had Hans, she couldn't look at anyone else. She almost missed his name, so caught up in her own thoughts. But his deep voice imprinted his name, "Robert, M'Lady."
Anna forced herself to look at Hans. Hans was watching her carefully, so she quickly filled her face with love for him. "Very well. If you think it best Hans."
There was a moment's pause. "I do."
"Ok then." Anna looked at the horses gathered and spotted her own among them. "Than let's get going. The sooner we find Elsa, the sooner we can bring her back." She strode over to her horse, not waiting for the other two to follow her. Her beautiful horse greeted her happily, and she felt relief that she hadn't been hurt. She put her foot in the stirrup and swung up. She led her horse from the group, and only caught sight of the other two following suit from the corner of her eye. She led her horse over to Hans. He placed a warm hand against her leg, the feel of it clear even through the heavy skirt. "I'll be back as soon as we find her."
"Be safe."
"Always." With that Anna turned her horse and urged it forward.
Anna was relieved when Charles had spotted the castle on the North Mountain. It had only taken them a short while to lead their horses that way. They had to tie their horses a bit off, due to a large ice staircase that led to the castle. Anna couldn't help but be amazing at what Elsa had created. It felt as though her brain itched as she looked at it though. But she shook the feeling off and resolutely began climbing the stairs. About halfway she slipped and fell against a sturdy chest. Glancing up she spotted Robert. Gulping she stepped away from her.
"Are you alright Princess?" He asked, and Anna felt like he was far too close and yet too far. But her throat was dry so she merely nodded. Turning forward she closed her eyes for a moment to refocus her attention, and climbed the rest of the stairs. She found he mind focusing on Elsa the more she climbed, and once she was at the door, it was only a distant awareness of the man who helped her remember he was there.
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Moment's later it swung open and Elsa stepped through. But she quickly turned to the two men, keeping her eyes focused on Charles. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."
The door slid shut behind her and she walked bravely forward, slipping a little on the slick ice. "Anna?" Anna looked up and spotted her sister above her. She took a moment to take her in. This was not the reserved sister she remembered, this sister looked wild, and gorgeous.
"Wow Elsa! You look... different." Anna cringed slightly at the word. "It's a good different!" Anna rushed to assure her sister. Anna looked up and kept speaking, not quite sure what she was saying. "And this place it's amazing" Her words echoed around her a bit.
"Thank you." Anna turned back to her sister, and saw her sister looking proudly around her. "I never knew what I was capable of."
Anna felt the pang of loss for the sister she used to know. "I'm so sorry for what happened. If I'd've known..." Elsa cut her off.
"No no no." Anna watched with relief as she her sister show familiar ticks as her hands warded her off. "It's ok. You... You don't have to apologize." Her sister backed away more. "You should probably go." Elsa turned away from her. "Please."
Anna felt her heart ache. Her sister had never asked her to leave before. She always seemed to just leave. Maybe she could fix this... "But I just got here."
Her sister continued to back away, "You belong down in Arendelle." Anna heard the unspoken words.
"So do you." Anna said with all the conviction she had.
"No. Anna I belong here. A..." Anna watched as her sisters eyes turned to look above her for a moment. "Alone. Where I can be who I am." Elsa let out a pained sigh.
Anna wanted to bring up that it wasn't true, but she couldn't help but focus on her sister turning away from her. "Elsa, we were so close." Anna felt her voice speak in invitation. Hoping with all of her heart that she would accept. "We can be like that again."
Anna watched as Elsa smiled, but then her face filled with pain and sadness. Anna watched as Elsa took another step back. "No." Elsa's arms wrapped around herself, and Anna felt her hope start to die. "We can't." Anna stopped breathing as Elsa turned. "Goodbye Anna."
Anna had to do something. She took another step forward, trying. "Elsa wait!"
"No!" Elsa continued to walk away, and Anna stood frozen in the spot at her sisters denial. "I'm just trying to protect you."
Anna gathered her courage and climbed further up the stairs, trying to reach her sister. "You don't have to protect me. I'm not afraid!" Anna declared. And it was true, she had no fear, her sister would never hurt her. But her sister kept going. Anna focused on her sister, following her desperately. She didn't know what she was saying at this point, but she was hoping that something she would say would make her sister change her mind. All the hurt that had accumulated over the years started pouring out, and it was all Anna could do not to cry.
Finally her sister stopped moving. They were standing in a room where the sun glistened through the window. Anna hoped that she had changed her sisters mind. "Anna." Elsa turned to her, and Anna saw the determination in her sisters face. "Please go back home. Your life awaits. Go enjoy the sun and open up the gates."
Anna came closer. Elsa had to come with her. "Yeah... But..."
Elsa held up her hands again. "I know you mean well. But leave me be. Just stay away and you'll be safe from me." Anna approached her sister's turned back and pressed her hand to it. "No!" Elsa jumped back. Anna looked down and watched her glove slowly begin to freeze over. Suddenly panic filled her, and she tried to take it off. It was stuck frozen, freezing her fingers.
"Elsa!" Anna couldn't help but cry out. Looking up for her sister's help, she saw Elsa backing up again, but this time there was a flurry of snow starting to swirl around them.
"Anna! Go away! You can't... there's no way to escape the ice inside of me." Anna wanted to follow the retreating form, but the wind was battering at her, and Anna kept trying to tug the glove off. Looking up, Anna caught the sight of a form entering the storm from the left. She didn't recognize whoever it was. She cried out for Elsa, worried.
Kristoff had been tracing the designs in the ice with his finger when he heard a voice approaching. From the words, Kristoff had no doubt that whoever was talking was trying to convince the lady of the castle to go back to Arendelle. It was obvious that the person speaking knew the lady, so he stayed where he was. But moment's later he heard the lady cry out. Than seconds later, the speaker cried out "Elsa!" So that was the lady's name.
But he heard a rising wind, and opened the door. Following the sound he found himself standing in another tower, but this was containing a snow storm. In the center stood Elsa, and before he knew what he was doing, he was pushing through the wind to wrap his arms around her. She struggled at first until she looked up and saw who he was. She leaned forward, and whispered. "Help my sister. Help Anna. Please!" He caught her eye and saw the tear. He wiped it away before it had time to melt.
Pushing through the winds which were starting to calm down, he found a girl tugging at her glove. Spotting the blue tint, he knew it was frozen over her hand. He took the hand from her grasp and ignored her as he examined the shape. He spotted a weak point on the outer edge of the glove, signs of previous use. Glancing around on the floor quickly, he spotted a small piece of ice about the size of his thumb. Picking it up he held it to the weak point. Carefully he smashed the ice on the point, and the ice glove opened a seam that ran on the outer edges of the glove.
Taking the two parts apart he dropped them, and began to rub the hands between his own, until they warmed of their own volition. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Elsa standing with their back to them. But Kristoff noticed the slight shaking, and knew the lady was crying once more. So he turned the other girl toward the stairs and walked her toward them, his hand on the small of her back to prevent her from turning.
"How dare you handle me like this!" She spat angrily.
He ignored the comment, and grabbed her arm, keeping her walking forward. And the stairs, he muttered "Be careful." The little hellion struggled and tried to get away from him, but the ice worked in his favor, her balance much less sure than his own practiced footing. Finally they stood at the top of the staircase that led to the main doors. He turned the girl to him. "Look I don't know who you are. But you need to leave."
"How dare you tell me to leave!" She yanked her arm from his grasp. "I'll have you know that I am the Princess of Arendelle, and if I want to talk to my sister. It is my right!" The girl continued to speak to him, but Kristoff was stuck with the realization that the lady upstairs was not just any Elsa. But Queen Elsa. He suddenly felt so insignificant.
He lifted a hand to her mouth, silencing her. "Princess, I am sorry to be rude. But your sister needs to be left alone. At least while she learns to control her power. She could hurt you if you are here too soon."
"Control her power?"
"Of course!" Kristoff looked at the incredulous girl. "All power can be controlled to a certain degree. Your sister will learn how. But until than, you are only worrying her by being here."
The girl suddenly looked him up and down. "And who are you to tell me all this?"
"Just a friend." Kristoff sighed and led the girl down the stairs once more.
"I'm not leaving without Elsa!" She insisted.
"Princess. Please. Give her this." They paused and the girl looked him in the eye.
"And what should I do? I don't know how to run a kingdom. Elsa was taught all that. What good can I do? We need Elsa!"
Kristoff smiled at her words, knowing that there was love there. But there was no doubt in his mind, that if her little sister was alway around, or if Elsa had to always worry about the people. The power would grow out of control. "You will do fine. Tell me, which do you think is more important. The people? Or your sister?"
"My sister of course!"
"Than give her the space."
"I..." the girl closed her eyes. "Fine. I... Hans will know how to rule the country. But I will be waiting to Elsa. Whenever she returns."
Kristoff nodded his head. The girl paused only for a moment before continuing down the stairs on her own for a few more steps. But then she paused and turned back. "What about the winter?"
Kristoff smiled at her again. "It is already warming up. Arendelle is being released from the icy spell."
"You better be telling the truth." She glared a hand on her hip.
"And why would I lie?" She narrowed her eyes but then moments later turned and continued down the stairs.
Right before she went through the doors she called out. "Take care of my sister." And then the girl was gone.
Kristoff didn't hesitate. He immediately rushed back up the stairs and to his lady's side. He turned her away from the wall she was facing, and was surprised to find she wasn't crying. But she pressed her forehead to his chest and took deep shuddering breaths. He wasn't sure how to react to the Queen. But followed his instinct and wrapped his arms around her. "Things will work out." He reassured her, and felt as the tension slowly slipped out of her body. Moment's later he realized she had fallen asleep standing. Gently, he lifted her and carried her out of the room, peeking through doors until he found a bedroom. He laid her on the bed and was surprised when she sank into it. But almost laughed at the snow blanket that made up the bed. Figuring, she would be alright for a little while, Kristoff decided to go and check on Sven.
After the door shut behind her, Robert and Charles rushed to her side. "Are you ok Princess?" Charles asked. Anna immediately noticed that each of them had crossbows.
"What are those for?"
"Just in case." Charles said.
"In case of what?" Anna demanded pressing close to him. "My sister wouldn't hurt anyone!" Anna started down the long staircase. "Let's go!"
"And your sister?" Robert spoke up.
"She's staying. And we are going!" Anna heard them following her down the stairs after a moment and she continued down. She was surprised to find a reindeer standing near their horses, but he stayed out of reach of the three of them. She noticed the reigns on the beast, and wondered whether it belonged to her sister's companion. But she ignored the beast and mounted her horse once more. "Let's go."
The sun was starting to set before they had gotten back to Oaken's, and the Anna couldn't' help but watch the dark nervously. The sky was barely lit when a wolves howl ripped through the night. Her horse started and threw her. Once again she landed on the ground to watch her horse flee, the snow having melted already. But then suddenly there was an arm around her waist and she was being lifted. She found herself sitting in front of Robert. "Stay quiet Princess." He whispered directly to her ear and she shivered at the husky sound.
Charles suddenly gave a shout and shot a bolt from his crossbow into the trees on his left. There was a yip, and Anna suddenly realized that they were in real danger. Fear froze her, and time seemed to move slower. She was relieved when she spotted the trail that led to Oaken's. They would be there soon. But then Charles' horse gave a scream, and Anna looked over to see Charles get pulled from his seat by a wolf and the horse taken down by three others. But then they were past the sight, and she couldn't see it anymore. "We need to help him." Anna said, unaware of tears running down her face.
"I have to keep you safe." Robert replied, speeding the horse on. Anna felt her body begin to shake as the tears started. Fear and sadness seemed to take over her and she clung to the arm wrapped around her waist. She wished the gates had never been opened.
Olaf found the morning to be unusually warm. Looking around he spotted the ice from the trees starting to melt. Olaf was excited, and wondered if this meant that summer was truly coming. He explored and found that there was green underneath all the white of the snow, fascinated he explored. But as the day went on, he felt himself start to warm. Olaf went to his favorite tree and sat beneath it. The sun set, and Olaf watched at the darkness revealed the night sky. Olaf looked at the lack of snow all around him, and looked up at the sky.
"Yep." He said the tree. "The summer stars are prettier than winter stars.
Don't hate me please! With the changes in plot, I could find no way to avoid that ending.
TO BE CONTINUED...