Authors note: I want to thank you all for reviewing and reading the last chapter. Hearing your opinions means a lot and they also help if I need to edit or make something better.

Any way, welcome to a brand new chapter of the firebird and special chapter, lol you can call it Christmas in summer. lol While I congratulate the guest, yes the key to everything is Elsa being true to what she feels... and yes it will be difficult to achieve...as for what the Duke is planning...its a most difficult task as he has a lot to gain if Hans fails his trials.

I will say more, but it would spoil this chapter...so for now please enjoy this latest chapter and please review when done as again I love to hear your opinions and so forth.

A bracing chill could be felt all throughout Arendelle as snow continued to fall throughout the following days. As the temperature continued to drop, people began to stay indoors more often and bundled themselves in thick coats and warm furs whenever they went outdoors. In fact, it had gotten so cold that even the Firebird was forced out of his self-imposed seclusion to face the holidays in the warmer parts of the castle.

But instead of happiness, he only felt dread. Wherever he looked, he only saw the painful reminders of his less-than-idyllic childhood at the hands of his abusers, the horrible times he spent with his family during what was supposed to be a time of innocence and joy, a time when children were supposed to be pampered and indulged.

Because of his abusive upbringing, he had grown up deprived of such pleasures and his holiday experiences had scarred him so much that he had essentially sworn them off for life, leading him to often migrate to the most remote corners of the globe, to places untouched by time.

Suddenly, the Firebird's melancholic thoughts were interrupted when a plate of cookies were thrust into his face, courtesy of Anna. "Want one?" she offered.

"Gah!" he yelped and promptly ducked behind a tapestry.

"Whoa! Are you okay?" Anna asked.

"Er, yeah…" the Firebird replied as he breathed deeply to compose himself. "You just caught me by surprise, is all."

"Oh, sorry about that," Anna said, "I was just wondering if you wanted a cookie." To emphasize, she picked up a gingerbread man and bit its head off. "They're pretty good this year," she added between mouthfuls as she thrust the plate towards him once more, giving him an eyeful of the snacks in question.

As expected of the castle cooks, the cookies were done beautifully – chocolate shortbread, sugar cookies, and gingerbread all cut in a variety of shapes and decorated with festive icing of red, white, green, and yellow. But despite the skillful aesthetic, the very sight of them made the Firebird nauseous.

"Thanks, but I'll pass," he said as he turned his head away.

"Come oooonnnnn… Just one bite!" Anna wheedled, waving the half-eaten gingerbread man in his face. "Live a little, it's the holidays!"

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, racking his brain for a valid excuse, "But I, uh… …Ihavetogo!" Before Anna could say another word, he took off, leaving her quite perplexed.

'Well that was new...' The ginger-haired princess gazed confusedly at her friend's retreating form. She had never seen him act in such an odd manner. Ever since the holiday season began, the Firebird had become quite skittish and jumpy, which was so unlike his normal behavior. Even under pressure, he was always as cool as a cucumber, so to see the normally unflappable avian so unnerved opened a lot of questions.

And then there was the Firebird's reaction upon seeing the cookies. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. Anna took a whiff and took another bite of gingerbread. They tasted perfectly fine, so why did the Firebird react as he did when he was offered one?

'Did something happen?'

St. Lucia's Day had finally arrived, and that morning, everyone gathered to St. Olaf's Cathedral to attend Mass. After the service, the townsfolk would then proceed to the Palace Square for the Winter Festival, and to close it off, the church bells would be rung to announce the beginning of the Christmas season.

Having taken the mantle of queen regnant since her parents' premature demise, Elsa had presided over the opening ceremonies for the Winter Festival year in year out without fail. However, this year it would be different as her fiancé would be performing the ceremony in her stead. This arrangement was part of the Firebird's plan to help her overcome her near-pathological need for control, and Elsa could not help but feel rather apprehensive.

She smoothed down the white robe she was wearing and adjusted the wreath of candles pinned to her hair. As the eldest daughter of the household, she would be playing the role of St. Lucia as she did every year, but this would be her first time to perform the role in public – as per the Firebird's suggestion to endear her to her subjects.

She still had no idea as to what possessed her into letting him persuade her into this particular arrangement, but she prayed that everything would proceed smoothly.

Just then, she heard the door creak open and she whipped her head to see the Firebird enter the room. For longest while, he simply hovered near the door, his gaze fixed on her waifish figure, making her feel even more self-conscious. Already, she could feel her face heating up from his scrutiny.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, after what seemed like forever.

She turned away, feeling even more bashful than ever, her blush spreading like wildfire. "You're just saying that…"

"I mean it," he said as he glided over to her side and pressed his head against her side. "White looks good on you. I can't wait to see you in a white wedding dress."

"Right…" she mumbled, managing a serene smile in hopes of convincing herself. But inside, she was in turmoil. 'It's just for show, you don't love him!' said that nasty voice in the back of her mind. 'This whole marriage is a sham! But I'm sure it's no skin off your nose. After all, your entire life has been one masquerade after another, hasn't it?'

As much Elsa wanted to deny it, she knew her conscience was right. She could see that the Firebird was utterly devoted to her, but she felt nothing more than a sense of platonic camaraderie. Despite his merits, she just could not find herself falling for him. But she had made a promise that, if broken, could risk the future of Arendelle itself; so for the sake of her homeland, she had to pretend.

'It shouldn't be too complicated,' she said to herself. For the longest time, betrothals arranged with the promise of wealth, power, or some other favor that could benefit both parties had been the status quo. 'But why does it feel so wrong?'

"…sa! Elsa!"

She snapped out of her daze to see the Firebird peering at her concernedly. "Are you ready?"

"Ah yes, of course," she replied, smoothing down her skirt once more. "Shall we?"

St Olaf's Cathedral was said to be the oldest medieval church in Arendelle. Even after the populace had converted to Lutheranism during the Protestant Reformation, it still remained in use as the kingdom's primary house of worship.

Taking his place beside Kristoff and Anna, the Firebird marveled at the sight before him. The cathedral's interior was just as imposing as its facade – sculptures and stained-glass windows depicting the timeless tales of the Biblical heroes, bas-reliefs recounting he Fourteen Stations of the Cross, and decorated pillars that showed the dedication of the architects, workmen, and patrons who had given their all to the glory of God.

He peered over his shoulder to see Elsa taking her place among the other white-robed procession participants – the girls wearing holly wreaths much like Elsa's, but without the candles and the boys wearing star-spangled conical hats.

'Was that how it went?' he asked himself. It had been so long since he had attended his last St. Lucia's service, and what he could recall was not particularly good...

"Please let me in! I promise to be good!" three-year-old Hans Westergaard begged as he frantically knocked on the cathedral doors. However, there was no response; only the sound of church hymns as his parents, brothers, just about everyone else in the Southern Isles ignored he's pleas and proceeded to celebrate the holidays without him. He knocked harder still. "Please, someone! Anyone!" His voice raised to a plaintive wail as he shivered and he huddled deeper into his sheepskin coat, his only protection against the biting winter winds. "It's cold! Please let me in! Please… …let me… …in…"

"Firebird…?"

He blinked and turned to see Anna and Kristoff looking at him with expressions of concern.

"Are you okay?" Anna asked in a hushed voice. "You suddenly got all quiet and stuff."

"I'm fine," the Firebird replied as he forced himself to smile. "Why shouldn't I be?"

"Are you sure?" Kristoff asked, doubt marring his features. "You looked like you were about to faint."

The Firebird opened his beak to reply, but before he could get a word in, the sound of organ music filled the air as the choir began to sing:

"Now descends the blackest night

O'er the yards and parlors.

As the sun has gone away,

The shadows spread their sorrow.

But from the darkness,

She arises, with candles all aglow,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!"

With a quick and sudden flap of his wings, the Firebird dimmed the lights, plunging the cathedral into relative darkness, the only reliable light sources being the lanterns and candles carried by the procession participants.

Soon, the procession began and starting with a little boy, aged around six or seven, dressed like a tomte carrying a lantern, the participants slowly marched down the nave towards the apse. Following him were three older boys wearing brightly-colored robes and crowns carrying star staves. If the Firebird's memory served him correctly, they were supposed to represent the Three Wise Men of the East.

"The night is dark and silent

Now hear it softly flutter

Quietly, calmly in every room

Whispering like gentle wings.

Lo, by the doorway there she stands

Clad in white, haloed in light

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!"

Now, two by two, the Star Lads began to march down the aisle, singing along in bright, clear voices. Close behind them were the holly-wreathed girls, their candles casting a warm glow inside the church as they lit the path for Lucia herself.

"Darkness has been banished,

From the hills and vales.

With wonderful tidings

To us she hails:

A brighter tomorrow will rise again

From the rosy sky…

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!"

And now Elsa as St. Lucia herself joined in, gliding gracefully as she made her way to the apse. The soft glow of the candle flame created a halo of sorts, making her look very much like an angel from Heaven. The very sight of her made the Firebird's heartbeat quicken. With a flick of his wing, he willed the candlelight to burn even brighter, further illuminating those elfin features that had so enamored him.

By the hymn's last verse, the Firebird had the candles spark back to life, bathing the entire congregation in light. It was quite a symbolic gesture too, for not only did the name Lucia mean "light", but it also echoed the very first verse of the Bible, where one of the things in the first day of Creation was the gift of light itself.

"Did you see how those lights were earlier?" Anna gushed once the service was over. "First it was all bright, then it suddenly got dim, and then it got all really bright!" She turned to the Firebird. "That was all you, wasn't it?"

"Well I wouldn't be called the Firebird if I couldn't control something as simple as candle flames now, would I?" he joked.

Anna giggle. "That's true."

"I have to admit, it was a very nice touch," said a new voice.

The trio turned to see Elsa approaching them from behind. She had since then changed out of her costume and was now dressed in a fur-trimmed winter gown. "Everyone in attendance was absolutely enthralled by the light show," she continued, "You really outdid yourself."

"Thanks," he replied. "But this couldn't have been possible without you."

She blinked "Why so?"

"It's because you inspire me," he said. "You, Elsa, are my light."

In the days leading up to Christmas, the Firebird's already strange behavior had grown all the more erratic, much to the consternation of his friends. He had become quite withdrawn and began to miss his meals to the point where it would be a full day or so before any of the castle's residents would see him again.

The only person to see him on a regular basis was Elsa as they shared the same quarters, and even he was acting rather distant with her. Their conversations had dwindled down to nothing more but a few short exchanges whenever they saw each other at night, and he would usually be gone by the time Elsa woke up the next morning.

"Elsa, I'm worried," Anna spoke up at breakfast on Christmas morning. "What do you could be troubling the Firebird?"

"I can't say…" Elsa told her, "He's been quite tight-lipped lately. Do you suppose he's sick?"

"Doubt it," Anna said, stirring a pat of butter into her porridge. "He doesn't seem to be the sickly type."

The blonde took a hearty sip of her coffee. "Or maybe he just wants to be left alone."

"Well that's no good!" the younger Solberg declared, slamming her palms on the table. "It's already bad enough that he missed the Christmas Gala last night. No one should ever spend their Christmas alone. That's just… …inhuman!"

"Anna, it's his decision. I think we should–"

"No!" said the princess, "No friend of ours is going to have a lonely Christmas. Not on my watch!" She dragged Elsa out of her chair and towards the halls. "C'mon, let's go look for him! It's intervention time."

Up in Arendelle Castle's northeast tower, the Firebird, now in his human form, stared listlessly out the window. He felt a slight pang of remorse for rejecting the sisters' invitation to the Christmas Gala the night before, but his childhood experience with a similar event just kept coming back to haunt him.

The Southern Isles, nineteen years ago…

"Merry Christmas," said a large, solidly-built man as he presented his gift to his wife, the queen. He smirked as she oohed and aahed over new tiara she got.

The Jul celebration was in full swing as everyone in attendance ate, drank, and exchanged gifts, chattering happily all the while – everyone, that is except one. Four-year-old Hans quietly sat in a forgotten corner, invisible and unnoticed. Green eyes flickered to a nearby grandfather clock. Eight-o'-clock, it read.

'Just one more hour,' he thought to himself. Once the clock struck nine he would be allowed to retire to his bedroom, his only safe haven inside the entire palace. Discreetly, he crossed his fingers, hoping to make it through the night, unscathed.

However, it seemed that fate was not on his side that night. "You there! Boy!" the older man barked, pointing at him.

Hans felt his stomach drop at the man's harsh tone. Slowly, he turned to stare at the man, praying that he had misheard. Nothing good ever came from being the center of his father's attention, and he was sure that this time would be no different. "M-me, sir?"

"Who else could I be talking to?" the king snapped, "Now do as you're told and get over here!"

Nervously, Hans got up and walked over. Expecting to be punished, it took him every once of courage he had not to shake in fear as his father would get angrier if the young prince showed even a smidgen of weakness. So it was to his pleasant surprise that the king simply handed him a Christmas present. "For you," he mumbled, not even bothering to look at his son.

With trembling hands, Hans accepted the gift, but not before thanking his father politely. He carefully unwrapped his present to find a tin of beautifully decorated cookies cut in various shapes such as Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, and even gingerbread men.

Upon seeing this, Hans felt happy tears prick at his eyes. This was the first time his family had ever given him a nice present.

"Aren't you going to give them a taste?" prompted Jürgen, the sixth brother. Behind him, the others chuckled.

That in itself should have set off the warning bells, but in a combination of sheer joy and childhood naïveté, Hans had chalked it up to them being happy for him. He took a cookie and promptly bit into it.

"So… How is it?" Caleb asked.

"It tastes rather funny…" Hans told him, frowning a little. "Is this a new recipe?"

"It is…" Rudi piped up. His grin then turned malicious. "…for dog food!"

"And if you are what you eat, then that makes you a dog! Right, Lars?" Runo added, nudging his older brother.

"True…" the third prince replied, dismissively taking a sip from his wine flute.

At that punch line, everyone in attendance burst into cruel, mocking laughter with no regard at all for the shock of the littlest prince who had dropped the tin at this horrible revelation. The fabricated treats spilled out onto the floor, but Hans did not bother to pick them up. He could feel the bile rising to his throat, and the very sight of those cookies made his stomach churn even more.

And Lars… Had he known this whole time? If so, why didn't he warn him? Why wasn't he making an effort to stop them? Why wasn't he doing anything? Already, he could feel his breath hitch and his eyes water,. It hurt so much, not just his humiliation, but also from the sting of betrayal of the one brother who had ever treated him kindly.

"Oh look," Caleb sneered, "The baby is going to cry."

That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Without another word, Hans dashed out of the hall and up towards his room, not wanting to give his family the satisfaction of letting them see him cry. Once inside, he locked the door and threw himself on his bed, weeping bitterly.

Hans felt his eyes well up with tears, which he then quickly wiped off with his palms. He clenched his fist. He had to be strong. He had promised himself that he would give the holidays a chance; but even though many years had passed, the memories of the abuse he had endured was still too much to bear. Still, he could not let his past suffering taint what should be a joyous affair. It wouldn't be fair to the Royal Sisters who had worked so hard to bring good cheer to their subjects.

'Think happy thoughts… Think happy thoughts…' he chanted, focusing his mindscape towards happier times. Learning new things. Helping people. Making new friends. Falling in love. Yes, life had not been to kind to him in the past, but in time, he had been able to meet good people who had been able bring him back from the brink of despair. Agathe, H.C., his friends back in the Underground Realms, Kristoff, Anna, Elsa…

He felt his lips quirking into a light smile. After everything that had happened, things did eventually turn for the better. 'Maybe…' he thought, placing a hand on the glass pane, 'Maybe, just this once… I could give Christmas a chance…'

"What makes you so sure he's hiding somewhere around here?" Elsa asked as Anna led her through the northeast wing. She suppressed a shiver as they walked down the gloomy corridors. This particular part of the castle was mainly used for storage and therefore rarely frequented, even by the castle residents.

"Just a hunch," Anna replied. "Not to mention that both you and he are a lot more alike than you think."

Elsa stared at her. "Wait, what?"

"Believe me when I say he's just like you, what with all the bottling up your feelings and hiding away and stuff," Anna said, peering into a doorway. "Firebird? Are you there?" she called. No response. "Phooey! Another dead end…"

"I don't think he's here anyway," Elsa said, frowning. "If the Firebird wanted to be found, he'd show up on his own free will."

"Maybe you're right," Anna agreed, discouraged. Her stomach growled. "Let's go back."

But just as they were about to leave, they suddenly picked up the sound of someone singing. It was faint, but still audible if they listened closely enough.

"Though the winter blows bitter cold

And bright days are done

There's a season we'll soon behold

When we'll all laugh in the sun."

"Hey, did you hear that?" Anna asked.

"Yes," Elsa replied. "Who do you suppose it is?"

The princess shrugged. "No idea." She turned to her sister, grinning mischievously. "Shall we conduct an investigation?"

Elsa sighed, though her matching grin suggested a different mood. "Lead the way…"

"Though we danced and sang through the night

Now those nights are gone

Soon there'll come a new morning light

And we'll sing and dance in the sun."

"What a wonderful voice," Elsa remarked as she and Anna followed the music towards its source. Judging by the increasing clarity of the sound, they were definitely on the right path.

"I know, right?" Anna replied. She leaned forward, trying to listen better. "Say… Have you noticed how our mystery singer sounds a lot like the Firebird?"

Elsa raised a brow at that. "Really? I know he's a bird and all, but he never seemed like the singing type to me."

"Well you'll never know…" said the ginger-haired girl, "He's always had a knack for throwing us out for a loop."

"Though the fates have torn us apart

And we don't know how or when

With the dawn I know in my heart

We'll be together again.

"I've known you a life and a day

But we've just begun

Come with me I'll show you the way

We'll soon live free in the sun.

"We'll soon live free in the sun."

Listening carefully, the sisters followed the sound of music up to the northeast tower. They were very close now with the lyrics and melody becoming clearer still as they drew closer. The traced the song up to a room at the top of the tower, but as they got there, the song suddenly stopped.

Trembling with apprehension, Elsa reached for the doorknob, and in one swift move, she opened the door and stepped inside, only to collide with the Firebird and accidentally knock him on the floor.

"Smooth…" Anna commented, earning her an exasperated glare from her sister.

"Ow…" The Firebird winced as he nursed the area of impact. He blinked confusedly when he saw the sisters reach for him and help him back to his feet. "Thanks…" he said, "Elsa? Anna?"

"Long time no see!" Anna teased. "By the way," she went on, "was that you?"

"Wha–?"

"The singing," she clarified, "Was that you singing?"

"Yes," he replied, "But what are you two doing here? Shouldn't you both be at breakfast?"

"It's Christmas morning, and it didn't seem right that you'd spend it by yourself, so we thought it would be nice if could come downstairs and spend some time with us, even if for a little while," Elsa explained.

The Firebird smirked and drew close to her. "Does my darling wife miss me already?"

The queen flushed. "Stop being so brazen! And in front of Anna no less…"

A loud cough brought their attention back to the younger Solberg. "Anyway, we were looking for you because it's time to open presents!" She said this so brightly that the Firebird could have sworn that the sheer warmth of her smile could bring rival that of the sun. "And as to how we found you, we listened!" She playfully flicked him on the forehead. "How could you have hidden such an heavenly voice?"

He looked away. "I'm not that good…"

"Are you kidding me?" Anna exclaimed, "You're amazing! You have to sing more often."

"So anyway," Elsa cut in, gazing at him expectantly. "About joining us?"

"Sure," he replied, despite his reservations about the gift exchange. "Lead the way, my dear."

After breakfast, Elsa, Anna, and their respective fiancés then gathered to the sitting room to celebrate Jul in their own special way. It was an intimate affair, just the four of them having fun like how anyone else their age would and should.

"Thanks Kristoff!" Anna beamed as she accepted the beautifully wrapped parcel. She shook it, but heard nothing; however there was a certain weight to it that indicated that the box was not empty. "Ooh… What is it? What did I get?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," Kristoff replied, laughing.

She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. "Meanie." She peeled off the wrappings and opened the box only to shriek happily at the sight of the new dress she got. It was of a light tea-green shade with ruffled, quarter-length sleeves of cream-colored muslin, and had lilac flowers embroidered onto the outer skirt and bodice.

"It's gorgeous!" she gasped, holding it over her body as she twirled around. "I love it!" she squealed as she hugged Kristoff and smothered him in kisses. "Thank you so much!"

The blond ice harvester blushed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "It's no big deal… I just thought it would look great on you."

"Well it does," Elsa agreed with a light laugh. She turned her attention to Kristoff and passed him a similarly wrapped parcel as well. "And don't think I was going to forget about you."

Thanking her, Kristoff opened it to find a formal suit. It had a brocaded overcoat of the same tea green shade as the dress, a stylish burnt-orange waistcoat, a pair of dark blue pants, and to finish it off, an elegant, yellow cravat. It was a very dashing ensemble which nicely complemented Anna's new outfit, something that the Firebird was quick to notice.

"Matching outfits?" he teased, aware of Kristoff's distaste for formal court dress. "I feel so sorry for you. But to be fair, at least there won't be any dispute that you and Anna are a couple."

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," grumbled the burly male. "At least I won't be naked, unlike you."

"Oh, that reminds me," Anna piped up, her eyes twinkling vivaciously, "I got a little something for you too!" She handed the Firebird a small, flat box. "Open it!"

Under the expectant gazes of his friends, the Firebird swallowed nervously. It was like his childhood all over again when he thought maybe for once his family could be nice to him, only to have it cruelly subverted in the end. He could still vividly remember the jeering laughter of his brothers when he had eaten those cookies. 'How could you even think that?' rebuked his logical side, 'Anna is your friend! She would never play such an awful trick.'

Inhaling deeply to calm his jittery nerves, he opened his gift. He stared puzzled at the purple cravat that innocently lay inside.

"When I saw it in the store, I just knew it was meant for you!" Anna chirped. Before the Firebird could even protest, she took the cravat and promptly fixed it around his neck. "Aren't you just a-do-ra-ble?" she squealed.

"Oh yes, quite…" he agreed, smiling tightly, mentally glaring at a snickering Kristoff. Even Elsa, his beloved Elsa, was suppressing her giggles in the guise of a rather fake cough. Even so, he genuinely did appreciate the princess' kind and thoughtful gesture.

"Yeah, a regular darling. But at least now I feel much better about wearing a suit," Kristoff quipped. He rolled his eyes at they Firebird's dry expression. "Hey, you started it. What comes around goes around."

"Alright children, that's quite enough…" Elsa laughed, playfully chiding the bickering males. She gently took the Firebird aside and handed him a small box. "This one's for you."

Opening it, the Firebird was surprised to find a small bejeweled brooch. With gentle hands, the young queen pinned it into his cravat. "There," she smiled, admiring her handiwork. "Now you look a tiny bit more kingly."

He stared at Elsa, stunned beyond words. First Anna, and now her… He would be lying if he said he wasn't touched by the sisters' kindness. For the first time in forever, someone had actually made the holidays feel like it was worth anticipating. It would take him some time before he could fully recover from the trauma of the past, but he would be lying if he said that this wasn't the first Christmas that he truly enjoyed.

To be continued...

Beta and cover image: Nightrain and Brownstone

Authors note: Isn't that sweet? There is nothing better than Christmas.:) Oh also before I forget Hans will be mentioning the wedding and such from time to time, but its to see her body language, he knows the truth, but will not say... if he does not manage to get to feel true affections he will give up.

Any way, for now I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review to tell me what you think and stay tuned for the next one.