The Ice Master

I seriously think I'll have to make a stop at this rate. The ice I am transporting to Shore's Supplies is in surplus amount; if Anna hadn't bought me this new sled there's no way I'd have fit it all in! We've been riding for a day now, snowy tree after snowy tree passes in huge groups either side of us, but where we are, we should have passed this morning! Now it's evening, and there's no way I can push Sven any harder, the poor guy's exhausted enough as it is.

"It's okay bud" I say giving his hindquarters a pat, "We'll stop at the next inn overnight and we'll leave again at dawn?"

"That sounds good Kristoff! Will there be carrots there?" He said. Well I said it but, you know…

"I'm sure there will be carrots! I'll run in and get some when we stop buddy."

"Okay!" That's another reason I love Anna as much as I do; she isn't freaked out by the conversations that me and Sven have. It has always been like that to be fair. As it was always only me and Sven before, well before I met Anna, I'd always talk to myself because there was just me. But I kind of feel that this guy listens to me and, whenever I talk FOR him, he always seems to make the right expressions for it! He can hear me, I know he can. Anna actually finds it funny when I answer for Sven, and she even has conversations with him, pretty detailed conversations as well! Sometimes I wonder if she ever thinks this IS a reindeer I'm talking to! but it never seems to bother her.

I appear to be giving this a lot of thought as it's Sven that gives a grunt to get my attention, and nods towards a fairly large cabin; I would have ridden straight past it! It does have a comfy looking stable that Sven likes the look of.

"I don't know bud… let me take a look," I say as I manoeuvre the sled to near the stables and hop off, "I'll take a look."

Sven slumps to the floor like a dog and waits patiently as I approach the front door. There's a sign above the door: Wandering Oaken's Bed and Breakfast.

It can't be him, Oaken and I didn't exactly part as friends when he literally threw me out of his front door, I can't believe Anna saw that... Just as I turn away I notice a signpost across the road: Fallcoach Valley – 2. Then underneath it another arm that read: Shore's Supply Depot – 38. To this day I still don't know what measurement that is, but I think I'm right in assuming that this is the last inn before Fallcoach. It's already dark as it is so I decide to swallow my pride and check in for the night, though Sven doesn't seem to approve of it as he gives me a bit of a dirty look as I guide him into one of the free stable.

"Yeah I'm not happy about it either pal but I made a promise to Anna and I don't want to break it. We have to make that trip during daylight, just in case."

"You said yourself there'd be no one out there! There never is whenever we've gone through there!"

"Yeah, and that has always been during the day hasn't it! I'm sorry buddy, but I don't want to take any risks if I don't have to. Cheer up, I'll go look for some carrots." This cheers him up and he tucks into some hay in the corner. I brush the snow off of myself and approach the door, wonder if this one has a spa too?

I give the door a push open, and I'm instantly hit by a wall of embracing warmth, the sounds of chatter, and the smell of pine which I welcome into my nostrils, it's one of my favourites! This inn looks more like a bar of sorts, with chairs and tables across the ground floor, and different groups of people talking to each other. The bar has three people around it, neither talking amongst themselves, so I slot myself onto one of the bar stools and wait to be served. It's not long before the familiar mountain of a person that is Oaken wanders through the door and checks on his guests. When his gaze meets mine he simply waves at me, "Hoo hoo! New customer? Can I get you something? Hot cocoa? Coffee? Tea?" He seems so eager to help as always, it's a little unnerving, though cocoa does sound good right now…

"Hey Oaken, Uh can I get one hot cocoa and some carrots please?"

"Ah! The carrot man, yes? I thought I recognised you from somewhere!" he cheerfully deciphers.

"Yeah that's me, no hard feelings right?"

"None whatsoever friend! Oaken always has to deal with annoying customers I get used to the feelings of sadness, betrayal and general evil! Just the carrots and the cocoa, ja?" Whoa- I wasn't that bad was I?

"Yeah," I say, awkwardly scratching me head. "So what brought you out here? Wasn't the trading post doing well?"

"Quite the opposite actually! Business has never been better up there, people keep wanting to go up and see the queens Ice Castle, tourism is at an all-time high!" Oh dear, I don't think Elsa would like that. "But I want to seek business elsewhere, so I leave post and sauna with family!"

"Wow, that's pretty good! Oh yeah, and a room and a stable for the night?"

"Oh no, no good, see I am fully booked for the night. No rooms until tomorrow!" oh man!

"You're kidding, nothing? Not even a small one?" I'm really desperate now.

"Nope, no can do, sorry carrot man! But I can take name from you, and maybe I have something tomorrow?"

I guess I could stay in the stable, but I'll want a proper nights rest before tomorrow. "Yeah okay, do that."

"Good good!" he says as he grabs a quill and book from under the bar. "Name?" he demands, licking the end of the quill and dipping it in ink.

"Bjorgman. Kristoff Bjorgman."

He makes a note of it, and spells my name wrong… "Okay! You are on the list!" he slumps the book back underneath the bar. So cocoa and carrots ja? Coming right up!" he says as he heads over to the other side of the bar.

I cross my arms in front of me, this place is really busy; there's people everywhere. I don't like it. I don't really like being surrounded by so many people, especially with my back to them.

"First time across Fallcoach valley?" a voice next to me says. I turn to see that it had come from a man much smaller than me; we're both sat down but I can tell he is shorter than me by quite a margin.

"Oh nah, not for me, I've done it so many times now. I have heard stories though so I'd rather take the journey during the daytime."

"I see. Kristoff? Did I hear that right?"

"Yeah, that's me." Wow, he pays attention…

"Shamus Guildar" he extends a hand in greeting.

"Good to meet you Shamus" I say as I take a hold of his hand- wow he's got a firm grip! Oww! "What brings you here?"

"Mercenary work usually, private hire" he explained. That doesn't surprise me, now that he has mentioned it he is in incredible shape for a man of his size, I certainly wouldn't wrong him. "Some people travelling across Fallcoach Valley will want escorts so I, and others like me, stay in here for business."

"Wow impressive! I'm an ice deliverer. Actually I'm Arendelle's official Ice Master!" I say I a rather proud tone.

"Really? I didn't know that was a thing?"

"I still don't think it is to be honest," I confess "but the Queen named me it after what happened with the great thaw. I helped out the Princess find her way to her Sister and then back home."

"Ah, you must be the ice deliverer that everyone's going on about then?" he said. Everyone? What does he mean by that?

"What do you mean?"

"The story of the Princess and her true love that saved her from the cold, living the romantic life in the palace together! You've not heard it? It's thrown around here quite a lot."

I didn't know that, but as he says this I notice a few heads keep glancing over to me; a family's children point and giggle at me. Am I that famous? "Wow, I didn't know it was that popular!"

Just then, Oaken returns with Sven's carrots and my cocoa, "That will be 7!"

Wow. Even out here he is expensive. I reach into my pocket and pull out 10 pieces by mistake, "Oh, well here are seven, and you can keep the rest for a bit of compensation after what happened back at the north mountain." I lied. I actually find it really hard getting to my pockets when I'm sat down.

"All is forgiven!" he says with a smile and sweeps up the money, but my new friend beckons him closer.

"This man is Arendelle's Official Ice Master, he really would benefit from a good night's sleep before crossing Fallcoach Valley tomorrow. Can't you squeeze him in?" Wow, I have a private mercenary backing my corner!

"Nope, no can do. See I'm fully booked!"

"Just check again" he said in a more serious tone, as he adjusts his seating position and something in his jacket has caught Oaken's eye.

"Oh, certainly!" he replied nervously as he grabs the book and whips it open, "Looks like we have a cancellation! I put your name here!" he said, but I quite clearly see him scribble out a name and replace it with mine, still spelt wrong... "There! All done! Sorry about the confusion Mr Bjorgman! Enjoy your stay!" his sudden eagerness is scary, something's not right. He then spins round and hurries off to the back room. Did I just hear him lock the door behind him?

"Oh look at that, you're next to me. Come, I'll show you to your room" something is definitely not right.

"Okay, just let me go check on my reindeer" I say, desperate to get outside for a bit.

I hurry outside and check on Sven; he'd fallen asleep, but his nose starts to twitch and he jumps upright, something he only ever does for carrots. "Here ya go boy, as promised" I have a chat with Sven about all that has just happened. "So get this: a random stranger has just threatened the innkeeper with some sort of weapon to get me a room? That just never happens. Ever. Is it because I'm considered a little famous around this area? If what he said is true, then I kinda am! You should have seen them in there Sven, they were craning their necks just to get a look at me! Am I honestly that important? All I did was escort Anna through the mountains!

My thought train halts there. I think of my little princess waiting for me back home to which, before I left, I promised that I would get back safely. I could never get into any sort of trouble around here, not while Shamus seems to have my back for now. Will he ask for money? I have enough to give to him but… Oh I don't know. I think my best solution is to just stay here the night, check out in the morning and be on my way through Fallcoach Valley by midday, that's best.

"Okay buddy, we're gonna stay here the night. Finish your carrots, but save some for breakfast tomorrow! You'll need your strength for that journey; I want to get through quick."

"Okay Krissy. Goodnight! Don't let the frostbite bite!"

"Hey, only Anna can call me that! But goodnight Sven" I give his head a scratch and head back into the inn. When I get in I find Shamus waiting with my cocoa in his hands, I actually forgot about that!

"This is gonna be cold by the time you drink it!"

"Oh yeah, thanks!" I take it and take several large gulps, and embrace the welcoming warmth that the cocoa instantly gifts me with. "So which room am I in?"

"Room 7, I'm in room 6. It's this way" he says as he starts to head towards the door.

"So have you had any business recently from people wanting escorts?" I say, making conversation as we head down the corridor, the wooden log cabin theme retains itself as we walk.

"I have actually; a client will be here soon for passage across the Valley."

"So you have to travel around a lot them? Have you ever been to Shore's Supplies?"

"I have! I was there but a few days ago! Is that where you're headed?"

"Yeah, it's my last delivery as ice master, and then I'm officially resigning to a life in the palace with Princess Anna." My mind fills with images of her again, and the sound of her sweet laugh, gosh I miss her.

"Aww good for you; finding someone the way you have, it's like a proper fairy tale!"

"I… I guess it is yeah" never really thought about it in that way before.

"Check you out!" he says giving me a playful elbow, "leaving an ice business and a shack behind for a life in the palace! Looks like you can say you did it!" When he puts it like that he has a point, I do love that shack, and I think Anna does too! I'll be keeping that I think.

"Well I think I'll keep that as a second home, I think life in the palace might be a little too much every now and then."

"Oh yes. How hard you'll find it living with your loved princess in a palace where you won't ever want for anything? I think you'll be okay bud." He says in a rather condescending tone, "Ah!" He says as our walk comes to an end outside my room, "This is yours. I will be off in a few hours but until then I'll be next door if you need anything"

"Thanks Shamus, and thanks for, whatever it was you did back there to free up this room, I really appreciate it."

"Not a problem Kristoff, have you ever stayed here before?"

"No, actually I didn't know it was here, I usually just daydream on my trips." It's true, it was Sven that spotted this place.

"Ah I see, well time goes faster that way! I hope you find it as comfy as your shack back home!" he chuckles.

I doubt that. "We'll see won't we? Goodnight Shamus"

"Take care Kristoff" he says as we both retreat into our room and click the doors shut.

Wow! How did I not know this place existed? The room was very cosy with a stove in the corner and a hotplate on top, with a teapot with cocoa powder in it! So much more cocoa I think dreamily. I fill it with water and place it on the hotplate. I take off my overcoat and hang it behind the door, though I leave my hat on. I never take it off. I then sit on the bed and gather my thoughts. I was stupid earlier, thinking everything was bad and that something could happen. It's an Inn for goodness sake, and it's right on the edge of Fallcoach Valley! Of course it's gonna be packed! I lay back and chill out for a sec, I'm gonna enjoy this stay, I can tell. A very soft, comfy bed, cocoa on the way, and a nice view over the stables so I can check on Sven, who is actually less than five feet away from me, and sound asleep. Pretty darn chilled if I say so myself! The only thing that would make this perfect would be Anna. As an ice master, I'm actually not permitted to bring anyone with me for security reasons, but I always found a way to smuggle her in. We have always said that if anyone were to find out, just use the 'I'm the princess of Arendelle' card. We'd stay up most of the night drinking cocoa and talking about anything we liked! The other night we talked about her cousin across the North Sea, Rapunzel she said her name was, she married a thief! I can't help but wonder whether Elsa approved of this, she's so protective of Anna that I wonder if she'd be the same with 'Blondie' as Anna calls her, although apparently blondie has brown hair? Meh, I'm too tired to think about that now, Shamus was right about this room though; I actually do think it's more comfortable than the sha-

How the hell did he know I live in a shack!?

I'm bolt upright. There's no way he could have known is there? I start reciting our conversations. I definitely didn't talk about where I lived, I didn't even say I lived in Arendelle for that matter, but that could be common knowledge from the tales that have spread, but the shack? No way. And I've never heard of any mercenaries that offer escorts either! No one takes this route other than deliverymen like me, and we aren't allowed to have anyone else with us when we travel, it's forbidden! Of course Anna was an exception. No, something's definitely not right. I jump to my feet, grab my coat and grab the door handle, but it won't budge! It's locked? I didn't lock it!

But I freeze. I can hear voices on the other side. I press my ear up to the door and listen. Yes, I can hear Shamus, if that's even his name, and he's talking to someone, someone that sounds like they're in charge. I can only just make out the words 'Kristoff', 'my lord', 'and Anna'.

My heart sinks. Anna! Why are they talking about her?! I need to get out of here, now! I look through the window and see Sven looking in as well. He must feel it too. I rush over and start to pry open the window, but the handle won't budge either! It feels very cold though, colder than the outside? I look at the handle to see it is literally frozen stuck, with ice? What the heck is going on? Sven starts panicking now; if I can get to him I might have a chance of outrunning them, whoever 'they' are! I tap lightly on the window and Sven comes right up to the glass, accidently hitting it with his antlers.

"Oooh whoa, you okay boy?" but Sven is scared now. Nothing can calm a scared reindeer until it feels it's safe. He starts thrashing about at the window, cracking it! "Hey! Hey do that again buddy!" He takes a small run up this time and sends his antlers straight into the window, and it smashes into pieces!

"Good boy Sven!" I say to him, but I hear the lock behind me being fondled with; they're coming in! I leap out the window and untie Sven from the stable and the sled. Sorry Anna, hope you understand! I say to myself as I jump on Sven "YA!" I cry out, and Sven fires off like a bullet back the way we came. Forget Shore's Supplies, I need to get back to Anna before those guys do- "WHOA!" I call out as Sven slams on the brakes. The way through the forest is blocked by a felled tree that's caught fire! That definitely wasn't there before, and Sven really doesn't like large fires. He's starting to rear and jump about "Okay calm boy! Easy, try that way!" I call pointing to the edge of the road, but this forest is so packed with rocks and trees there's no way out! "No! which way?" but Sven has already spun around and taken off again, flying passed the inn- the entire place has gone up in flames! I think about Oaken, and all of the people inside. Are they safe? Will Oaken find some way of getting them out? It sounds like it's just me they want, but why? I'm an ice deliverer! As we pass the signpost I read earlier, I presume that Sven worked it out before I did, and I had been avoiding it but it looks like it's our only option. We need to go through Fallcoach Valley, turn right before the road to Shore's, and use that mountain road to head back towards Arendelle. This was NOT supposed to happen! This was supposed to be my last trip, and it was supposed to be a breeze!

The scenery quickly changes around us. The stone road laid out for us becomes thinner, trees are replaced by rocks and mountain walls, and the fences either side of us now cease to exist, so nothing is between us and the sheer drops to the valley floor below. This place couldn't be any more creepy if it tried. The lush greenery has all come to an end and instead we are surrounded by all things rock; there's spiky rock formations, jagged rock formations, smooth rock formations, just rock everywhere! Sven has put a fair bit of distance between us and out pursuers, although I don't even know if they gave chase to us? I didn't see them, and I certainly don't seem them now. We slow our pace down a notch, though still an eager trot. So someone, or some people, for some reason, tried to ambush me at the inn. It didn't feel like a random mugging either, the keenness to get me booked in to THAT room for the night, the way Shamus was so welcoming to me, then it turns out he knows about my home, the ice on the window? This was all organised, someone is trying to grab me. But we've left them now, and Sven is much faster than a horse, on snow and ice that is, and there's very little of that here. I hope he can shift it on stone as well.

Okay, this is bad. We're now travelling through Fallcoach Valley with no food, water or any form of defense. I left all of that in the sled! I should have grabbed something! I just have to hope and pray that the rest of our new route is uninterrupted. Just as I say that, Sven halts in place, and his keen ears seem to be twitching as he listens.

"What is it pal? What do you hear?" But he's not listening to me. Whatever he can hear, it's big. Wait- I can hear it now? Pebbles and stones start to roll down the walls of the cliffs either side of as and stop at Sven's feet. As he lowers his head to sniff them I can feel it, very low rumbling like an earthquake. A fast gust of wind then catches me off guard as it carries my hat off into the distant valley. This wind is getting stronger though, much stronger. I peer over my shoulder to see what the source might be, and what I see horrifies me.

A huge wall of water casts its shadow as it rampages through the valley towards us! "Sven go!" I scream, but he's already ploughing ahead of us away from the ocean that seems to have appeared out of nowhere! He's really going fast, but I can't see us outrunning a tsunami. Pappie told stories of them; waves of water sent from the sea that engulf entire towns and cities, claiming hundreds, if not, thousands of lives and wreaking havoc in their wake. But not this one, there are no seas around here. The closest is the North Sea back towards Arendelle, but that's miles away! This monster must be the result of sorcery else it would have subsided by now but it hasn't. It's still going strong and building speed and there are no settlements in this valley, only us. Sven is now moving faster than he ever has in his life, but it's not fast enough. The wave is so close now that I can feel water vapour on my neck. I turn to look at our pursuer lapping up all the ground we are fighting to cover with ease, so close now that I can make out the foam at the edge of this enormous killer. I look ahead of us to see even more valley floor to cover that would no doubt twist and turn through the mountains. I quickly decide that there was absolutely no way we are getting out of this one. Being an ice deliverer and working so close to the sea, I know certain precautions to take in case of a tidal wave, but that involved open ground and a single wave. This is an enclosed Valley floor with an entire ocean chasing us, but I know I have to try something!

"Sven! Get ready to hold your breath buddy! Just keep still, follow the current and swim to the surface when you can see it ok?" He gives a chortle of approval and took a deep breath in. I then did the same and close my eyes, the second I finished inhaling, the wave strikes us, absorbing us into its body. The force of the impact winds me and shoves me into Sven; I nearly lose an eye on his antlers! I grip hold of his fur and try to keep hold of him, but he is ripped from my grasp and I find myself tumbling and turning in a whirlpool of currents coming from all around me, slamming me into rocks and the sides of the valley over and over again. Now I can start to feel the sheer weight of the water around us, it's making my ears pop! I force my eyes open, but all I can see is a flurry of blue and white that stings my eyes; I still can't work out where the surface is! My chest is of fire; I need air now! Where's Sven? I try and look around, but this is seriously making me dizzy now. I try and spot his brown blur through the water, but I can't make anything out through all these bubbles churning around me. My lungs are twitching now! I'm forcing my mouth and nose shut but they've got a mind of their own! My lungs twitch hard and water forces its way down my throat, and I start choking on the mix of water and small pockets of air in the foam. Foam! Foam floats! I must be close to the surface! In one huge effort, I thrust my limbs backwards and force my head above the water! I swallow so much air now, but I can only get a little in as my body's still fighting off the surge of water in my chest. I can feel the currents below me, but for now I am still afloat. I manage to grab some driftwood that must have come from the valley wall's supports and it is enough.

"SVE- *cough cough* SVEN!" I scream at the top of my voice as much as it hurts me, but way off into the distance I can see him! He's afloat also, coughing up water, and manages to bite hold of a felled tree to the side atop of the valley wall. The current is bringing me around him and I frantically fight to reach him. Every movement sends fiery pains into my lungs but, using up every last bit of energy and air my body has, I manage to grab his hoof and slowly, he pulls me ashore. I slump on top of his chest as it gently raises, gulping up grateful amounts of air. I look back to what were so nearly our watery tombs; the entire valley seems to have filled with water! Just as I think this, the water drains away just like that! It must have been sorcery, but I'm both physically and mentally exhausted, I can feel myself slipping into unconsciousness when I see them.

I can just about make out the purple jacket before darkness overcomes me…

Oh no! What is he going to do now? What does Lord Cyril have planned for his new guest? Will Kristoff be able to keep his promise to Anna?

You'll just have to wait and see!

Also thank's for 650+ views, That's crazy! I know I say it a lot, I think after every chapter... but it does mean a heck of a lot so thanks! And I'm very happy with the reception my new Characters have gotten, I was a bit unsure about bringing Hans back but it looks like it was a good decision? Please let me know what you think in a review, I'd really appreciate it!

One more thing also, I'm having problems with my keyboard and the "a" key seems to stick every now and then. I proofread everything anyway but if you do happen to see a lot of "aaa"'s around on their own, or in words like thaat, then you know why!

Now I think it's time to go back to Arendelle now for a little while, don't you?

See you in 7...

All the best,

-Dan