Act 4 Scene 2
Her head was aching, and her body was numb from the coldness. Anna was in pain in many places, but somehow, she found the strength to open her eyes and wake up. She expected to have been surrounded by white and grays, covered in snow. But to her surprise she found herself laying on something much softer. Surrounding her were shades of dark green and oak brown, stones and crystals of many colors and shapes decorated the mud hole she found herself in. The Princess managed to sit up, becoming fully conscious while figuring out where she was. Her head managed to settle but her chest seemed to still be cold for some reason. Thankfully, there was a blanket on her body that she used to cover herself, which helped warm her up a bit.
"Oh my, awake already I see." Anna's ears picked up that familiar voice, turning her head at the source. She was not disappointed in who she saw, a being made of stone with teal and turquoise moss for clothing. Her frizzy white hair made her stand out, and it made Anna know who it was. A smile graced the Princess's lips as she saw her Troll Godmother approaching her with a wet cloth. "Thank goodness you are still in the land of the living. We were worried you had been lost and sent to Hel for her to guide you to the underworld." Opal mused, patting the rag on Anna's forehead.
The Princess chuckled, looking up at the elder Troll. "It's great to see you, Opal. But… where am I?"
"My home, of course." Opal gestured to her area, a mud hut in the ground covered in moss and crystals. "This must be your first time in my den. I apologize for the mess, but I wasn't expecting company today." She mused, pulling the cloth from the Princess and taking it to a stone bowl filled with water.
"But… How did I get here?" Anna questioned, still blanking on what happened. The last thing she remembered was pushing Elsa out of the way before the snow caused by the avalanche buried them all.
Opal soaked the cloth in the water to get it freshly wet while she explained. "Kristoff managed to dig you and Sven out of the snow. You were unconscious, but alive." She walked over to the auburn-haired human, patting her skin with the warm rag which made Anna happy. "He brought you here for me to take care of you. Good thing he did, you were practically freezing."
Hearing that made Anna remember the ice harvester, and knowing he was here with Sven calmed her down somewhat. She couldn't believe Kristoff had risked himself to get her out of that mess. Then again, he would have been equipped with such tools and plans given his profession. The Princess thought back to the others that were in that storm, and she grew worried once more. "Your sister and friends have not appeared or were with Kristoff." Anna was caught off guard when Opal told her that. The Elder Troll merely smiled at the young royal. "You do not need to fear, Princess Anna. Your sister has the power of ice and snow within her. A mere avalanche is not enough to keep her down. I am certain she and your other companions will be fine." Despite Opal's reassurance, Anna couldn't help but be worried for her sister. Just when they were taking a step forward in their relationship, somehow, they both took two steps away from each other, putting more distance between them. It caused her to feel doubt and guilt to build within her, believing it was Anna's fault that her sister felt attacked and scared.
Opal took one look at the princess and noticed how depressed she looked. The elder Troll could have asked her many questions, but she didn't want to pry. After all, she already knew everything, and dared not have Anna relieve her failure. Opal continued to wipe Anna with the warm cloth to help get her temperature back to average. All the while she tried to take the Princess's mind off the bad. "You know, the last time you came to the Valley of the Living Rocks was for me to help you pick out some crystals for Elsa." Anna perked up when Opal was talking, but didn't say anything, she just let the elder talk. "You wanted me to help you make that snowflake to symbolize your country and kingdom, since you wanted it for your sister's coronation into the Queen."
"It was a traditional thing…" Anna remarked.
Opal mused. "Still, a very nice thing to do. Especially given what Elsa has been through for many years. But… you probably don't remember everything, do you?"
The Princess glanced over at the elder Troll, who merely smiled at her, as she knew something Anna believed she didn't. The human gave a shrug, not sure what she could tell Opal that she didn't already know. The Troll smiled at the Princess. "Your memories may not come back fully, but you are now aware of what happened in the past. And you want to try and fix everything."
Anna turned her gaze away from Opal, staring down at her hands. "I just… I want Elsa to know she wasn't alone. She had me…"
"My dear, just because Elsa has you now, does not make up for the years you two were apart. There is much more that your sister is dealing with that only she can truly understand. And while you may feel helpless, there is only so much support you can give. But being by your sister's side and reassuring her that you will stick with her no matter what, is the best anyone can do. In the end, it is only up to Elsa to decide if she wants to let you in or if she chooses to keep you out. We cannot force a person to accept help if they do not want it. We can only offer them the chance to pick themselves up. If they wish to remain laying face first in the dirt, then so be it. But if they really want to stand on their own two feet, then they will reach out."
"But what if Elsa never takes my hands?" Anna questioned her with concern. "What if she keeps me shut out forever? What if… I never see her again?" The very thought of losing her sister was too much. Anna had already lost her parents, so Elsa was all she had left. She wasn't sure she would be able to press on if she had to do so alone.
Opal reached over, placing her stone hand into one of Anna's. The Princess made eye contact with the elder, who bore a sympathetic smile. "My child… Elsa has been battling many of her inner fears for a long time. And even with all the support, those demons won't just go away. She is facing many issues every day, and as she grows older, those insecurities and anxieties only grow with her. But… I know for a fact that even though she has suffered many times, she still finds resilience in herself to press forward. She needs to decide what path to follow that will lead her to a better version of who she is. And if that path ends up leading her to you… then it was meant to be. You have already done so much Anna… but Elsa needs to take charge of her own choices."
"Even if that means… she may never want me in her life again?" Anna questioned.
Opal gave a heavy nod in the Princess's direction. "If that is what she feels must be done to give herself the security and comfort she needs." That answer made Anna's heart sink. Despite her attempts to reach out to Elsa and help her, in the end she was unsuccessful and there was a good chance their last encounter would only cause her older sister to grow more distant from her. Even though Elsa was suffering the most from the past, Anna had been affected in some ways as well. But she knew that her traumas and pain were nowhere near as grand as Elsa's, and it wasn't fair to compare them either.
"Did your sister like the gift with the snow quartz in them?" Opal questioned, once again changing the subject.
Anna perked over at the elder Troll, being reminded of the necklace she gave to Elsa before her ceremony. She recalled her expression and gratitude towards it, making Anna smile at how surprised Elsa was. "She loved it… and I saw her still wearing it." Anna realized, remembering how that necklace still hung around her sister's neck even after everything that happened in the past couple of days.
"Well, as long as she wears those snow quartz… I think it will be more beneficial for her. After all, every stone has its properties, and the snow quartz is not that different."
"What do you mean?" Anna asked, becoming curious for a moment.
Opal merely smiled back at her. "The answer to that question is not of importance right now." It was all she would say, which confused Anna. Would the snow quartz help Elsa? How? "Why don't we get you out of here. You could use the fresh air." Anna didn't object to that, as she wanted to see how Kristoff and Sven were doing, so they could figure out their next move. The elder Troll helped the Princess up from the small bed, but due to the size of the hole, Anna had to keep herself bent down so she wouldn't hit her head on the ceiling. Opal led her through her home and up the tunnel, coming out of the hole in the ground. Surrounding them was a large boulder that covered most of the hole with a rounded body and head for a roof. There was an opening that Anna managed to slip out of the rock covering the entrance to Opal's den.
When the Princess managed to be out in the open, she took in the small area covered in multiple stones ranging from different sizes and shapes. Beneath her was grass, covered in frost and a bit of snow. Most of Arendelle was always covered in the white powder year-round, but for some reason the Valley of the Living Rocks was the only place that seemed to not be affected by the weather that much. There were times when the grass would be lush and green, others where it would be dried up and yellow and at times it would blend in with the environment by being covered in the blanket of white. Anna always believed that because of their magic, the Trolls made their home to keep out the harsh elements of the year-long Winters.
The Princess walked around with Opal by her side, seeing many of the Trolls had gathered around in a crowd. Anna headed over to them, wondering why they had gathered. When she approached, she looked over their smaller figures and was surprised to see the Ice Harvester and his reindeer interacting with the younger Trolls. To the Princess's surprise, Kristoff was laughing as he was carrying around some of the younger Trolls over his shoulders. A smile graced his face as he let them climb all over his body, lifting them with ease. Sven was playing with some of the children as well, letting them slide down his back and hang some vines on his antlers. Anna was stunned to see how cheerful Kristoff was, especially considering how aloof and pessimistic the Ice Harvester was around her and Hans.
Sven turned his head to notice the Princess standing in the sea of Trolls. The reindeer grunted, trotting over to her as Anna was reaching out. Her hands petted the animal as she embraced him. "Good to see you're alright, Sven." Anna sighed in relief.
Kristoff noticed his buddy had walked off, but when he saw Anna walking about, he relaxed. Some of the younger Trolls, upon noticing the Princess, climbed down Kristoff and rushed towards her. "Princess Anna!" They cried out, surrounding the woman. The young Arendelle royal pulled away from Sven, drawing her attention to the younger creatures of rock and moss. They were drawn to her optimistic demeanor, and Anna was not hesitant to approach them either. She even picked one of them up in her arms, her smile warmed their hearts.
The Ice Harvester began to approach as well, keeping his happy expression as he was pleased to see Anna. "About time you woke up. For a while, I thought you wouldn't make it." Kristoff jokes.
Anna gazed over at the blonde, returning his sarcasm. "I'm surprised you actually saved me. Considering how often we've bickered since meeting each other."
"Hey, I may harvest ice for a living, but I'm not cold hearted. I couldn't leave a defenseless person trapped in the snow to freeze to death."
"Is that another Ice Harvester code?" Anna questioned.
"It's a moral code," Kristoff answered. "Besides, if you died, I wouldn't have gotten my sleigh replaced."
Anna rolled her eyes at the remark. "So, you need me around for compensation."
"Well, you are the reason my sleigh did get destroyed." Kristoff reminded her. "Still, I'm grateful you didn't get frostbitten…" He added in a mutter.
Anna smiled at him, as she was aware that despite how obtuse the Ice Harvester could be, it was clear he wasn't completely emotionless and had some compassion for others of his kind. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?" The Princess asked while looking over Kristoff and Sven, trying to eye any injuries they could have had.
A scoff came from the blond. "Please, I've been in more storms than I can count at this point. It's just second nature to me to know how to get out of large snowfalls. And Sven is no different." He reassured the Princess.
Anna couldn't believe how much Kristoff was boasting despite their situation. Either he was that cocky or trying to keep the mood light for her sake. "Did you happen to see my sister, Prince Hans and Olaf while you were heading down here with me?"
That question was what made Kristoff lose half his smile, making him turn to the ground as his head slowly shook. "I… tried to look for any sign of them. But neither I nor Sven managed to catch any of their scent or trail." That part made Anna feel worse, as it proved that there was no guarantee that they had survived. Kristoff tried to reassure Anna when he noticed how depressed she was becoming. "Hey, I'm sure they're alright. Just because they don't have the survival skills I was raised with; doesn't mean they won't survive. Besides, your sister can control ice and snow… for some reason. So that should be enough of a reason to believe they lived."
Anna knew that he was trying, and she did appreciate his efforts. Of course, Kristoff was still trying to wrap his head around Elsa's magic, but he tried not to overthink it as that was the least of their worries. Regardless, Anna was grateful that they at least made it and managed to seek shelter to rest. "But… What about you?" Kristoff questioned Anna.
The Princess waved her hand in his direction. "Me? Fit as a fiddle…" She stood tall with her hands on her hips for a second. Only to suddenly wrap her arms around her body as a sudden wave of chills crawled up her skin. "But… I do feel a bit cold. Maybe it's just some frostbite."
Kristoff and Sven looked at Anna with raised brows and concerned expressions. "Then the frost must be biting your hair, because it's turning white."
"Turning what?" Anna was baffled by Kristoff's statement. She thought he was merely joking, until her eyes caught the strands of her hair. She became surprised as the color of her mane was slowly shifting from auburn brown, red to frosty white. Kristoff and Sven were just as baffled, while also being worried as well. "My hair…" She whispered. Why was it turning color like that? How was this possible?
"Okay, that's not normal." Kristoff realized. Anna tried to think back to the cause. Her mind searched for answers, only to find the key within her memory. She thought back to what Elsa had admitted back at the castle, the truth about why Anna forgot about that night and why she had that piece of her hair in a different shade. Anna's eyes went wide as she also recalled how a blast from Elsa's magic accidently hit her very chest when she was pushing her sister out of harm's way, just before the avalanche had buried and separated them. The Princess's eyes went wide as the pieces were put together.
"Elsa…" She realized. The Ice Harvester heard her whisper the name, becoming curious about what she meant. Before he could ask, the other Trolls pulled aside as the two head figures came over to the humans. Opal was one of them, and next to her was none other than her son, Paddie. They approached the guests as the male Troll seemed to look distressed.
"Princess Anna… mother told me that you were here along with Kristoff and Sven." Paddie went towards them, mostly towards the woman. "I apologize for not being here sooner. We were trying to find your other friends and I was gathering some supplies and materials to treat any of your wounds."
The Princess knelt so she could be at eye level with the elder Troll. Despite the circumstances, she managed to bear a smile upon her face. "It's good to see you again, Paddie. I just wish it was under better circumstances."
Paddie nodded. His eyes shifted over to the changing of Anna's hair. "Mother told me she sensed some magic within you." He admitted, just as Opal approached with her wooden staff with the gems.
Anna rubbed her arms together, trying to keep herself warm. "I… was hit by Elsa's magic again." She told them, then elaborated quickly. "But it was an accident on my part! I pushed her out of the way because an ice chandelier was going to fall on her. She was in the middle of casting her powers to keep the avalanche away from us. When I shoved her, her hands redirected towards me and the magic along with it." Her hands went up to her chest, where she felt the coldest. Upon seeing this action, the two elder Trolls realized where the magic had struck the Princess.
"It is just like what happened those years ago…" Opal realized, approaching the woman to take her hands. "Princess Anna, if you are not able to subdue the spell that has been placed onto your heart, I fear you will be overtaken by the cold. Your body will turn to ice, and you shall become as lifeless as a statue."
When Kristoff heard that, he was shocked and even worried. Anna had a bit of a fearful look in her eyes as well, but she tried to stay positive. "But… you can heal me, right? You did it before." Anna reminded them.
The look on Opal and Paddie's face proved otherwise. "I'm afraid not, young one." Paddie admitted. "Our magic is only able to disband the spell of Elsa's powers if it were to hit the head. An easy fix despite some side effects, but usually it is nothing to worry about. But the heart is more fragile, and our powers are useless at that point. Even if we could attempt it, there's no guarantee that it would work without doing some more permanent damage."
Kristoff finally stepped forward, getting involved in the conversation. "What sort of damage?"
Paddie turned to the Ice Harvester, not sugar-coating his explanation. "If we were to try and remove the magic from Anna's heart, and she survives… the Princess will not be able to feel any kind of emotion from here on out. No happiness… no sadness… and most of all, no love of any form."
The very concept sent a shiver down Anna's spine, and it wasn't just because of the cold. Sure, it was a chance for her to survive. Yet the thought of her no longer being able to have any emotions was quite torturous. Especially with how expressive she was, losing that would make Anna… no longer herself. The look in her eyes made Opal realize she didn't want to take the chance, and the elder Troll did not blame her. Kristoff held onto Anna's shoulders, questioning what could be done to save the Princess and spare her of a frozen fate. "There is one other option…" Opal spoke up, which gained the attention of the group to gaze at her. "I have heard that an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart."
"An act of true love?" Kristoff repeated.
"Yes… whether it would be something small like a hug or a kiss, or something grand like a sacrifice. As long as it is by or for a person that Anna deeply cares for, the act alone would be enough to break the spell within her heart." Opal's stick pointed directly at the Princess, as the female Troll had decreed the answer.
"And it will make sure Anna can still keep her emotions?" Kristoff questioned.
Opal gave a small nod. "She will be spared any kind of consequence. But only if she or the one she loves commits such an act."
That seemed to have been their only option with the best outcome. Yet the question remained, who would be the person Anna loved more than anything and what kind of act could they commit that would be enough to break the spell? Kristoff was not sure, but the Princess could only think of one person in her mind and heart. Getting back to her feet, with the remaining strength in her, she became determined with a decision. "I need to find Elsa… Despite everything, she is my sister. And to me, there is no greater love than being there for your family."
The female Troll gave a warm smile towards the Princess. She did not need to say that the idea was a good one, since she had already figured that was going to be Anna's plan and it would work out well. It was clear there was still much healing the sisters needed to do, but removing the spell from Anna's heart would be a step in the right direction and only prove that they still care for one another despite all the pain and trauma that have occurred over the years.
Kristoff didn't seem too pleased with the idea, yet had to go along with it as Anna's life was practically on the line. And it wasn't as if he could help break the curse, since they were still technically strangers. "We better work fast then! Let's check around the rest of the base of the mountain. Hopefully we'll find some clues to tell us where they are." He helped Anna onto her feet, then went to bring her up onto Sven, who tried to make sure she was comfortable. Anna petted the reindeer, as he neighed.
"Be careful Kristoff…" Paddie advised him.
"And take care of her…" Opal added.
The Ice Harvester nodded, climbing up on his animal companion, then allowed him to walk. Sven took the two and rushed out of the Valley, heading deep into the woods for their search for Queen Elsa. Anna held onto Kristoff tightly so she wouldn't fall, while he held the reins and kept his eyes peeled. He made sure Sven didn't go too fast; in case they would miss something. "It's hard to say where Elsa would be. But we can check around where the Trolls found us first, then go from there." He suggested trying to plan their moves as he was unsure how much time Anna would have.
The Princess perked up and stared at the blonde. "Do you think they would be around here?"
"No idea," Kristoff admitted. "But usually avalanches tend to take things as low to the base, so it's easier to start there and work our way up. Still, we need to act fast." He turned to look into Anna's eyes, then checked back at her hair, as another strand was being dyed white. "It'll only be a matter of time until you become an icicle Princess."
Anna held onto her chest, still feeling cold so she huddled against Kristoff for some warmth. The Ice Harvester noticed this and began to worry for the Princess. He took hold of his hat on his head, then placed it onto her. When she felt the fabric, it helped give her a sense of warmth which she embraced. She smiled at Kristoff. "Thank you." She was pleased that he was making a gesture towards her.
He merely gave a nod with a small smirk of his own. "Like I said, I'm not going to have you die on me."
"How long do you think I have?" Anna had to ask.
Kristoff shrugged. "Not too sure. I was never good with the magic stuff, despite Opal trying to teach me. But usually, if one gets struck with snow magic in their heart, they would turn into ice by the end of the day." With that explanation, the blonde looked up into the sky to see the dull sun, hanging over them as it was almost in the center. At best, they had maybe six to seven hours before the sun went down and the transformation would be complete and permanent. Until then, Anna would grow colder and colder from the inside. "Opal did tell me that as long as you could stay warm with clothing or being near a fire, it would delay the spell. It won't reverse it, but it could give us more time." Kristoff added.
"A fire actually sounds ideal right about now. I can imagine myself sitting near the fire in the castle, drinking some hot chocolate with a shot of Valhalla Nordic Herb! I love the taste of the combination between the citrus, bitter herbs and licorice root. I know it has a strong taste, but it's also gently bitter, sweet and rough and has a fresh aftertaste. It was named in honor of the ancient Nordic spirit, so it's as if you are drinking the past when you take a sip. Of course, I couldn't always drink it until I turned 18. But as long as I was with my parents or with Kai or Gerda it was alright." Anna mused. "Plus, I only drink it on really cold nights, which were often but I wanted to save it for special occasions. Elsa herself prefers more of a mint kind of shot in hers when she drinks hot cocoa. I tried the mint once, but it tasted too sweet. Still, I tried to reassure Elsa I liked it, even though she knew I was lying." Anna kept smiling as she thought back to those memories with her and her sister.
When she had finished, Kristoff merely gave an 'uh-huh' as a response. Anna realized she had once again rambled on and began to apologize. "Sorry… for my rambling I mean."
"Do you usually just talk about what's on your mind like you're making a speech?" Kristoff asked her.
"...Yeah…" Anna admitted with slight embarrassment. "But I usually like to overshare my thoughts. I tend to do that whenever I'm nervous. If I talk about my thoughts and let my mouth do the running, I'm able to distract myself from all my bad thoughts. And they don't matter as much after a while. Gerda believed it's a coping mechanism I came up with after me and Elsa were separated. And it only got worse after our parents died."
Kristoff stared back at her when she explained that. It must have been how she was able to process her grief. Opal once told him that grief affects people in different ways, and it can have a greater or lesser effect on the person. Despite how slightly annoying he found her chatting, he wanted to try and think of Anna. "Does… talking help take the pain away?" He asked her.
Anna held herself when he asked that question. "...It does. Talking distracts me from mental and physical discomfort."
"Well… then let's continue to talk." Kristoff advised. "It could help distract you from the spell and… to take our minds off of the events."
Anna liked that idea, showcased by the smile on her face. "What should we talk about?"
"Anything you want, you can even ask me anything."
Anna thought for a moment, taking up Kristoff's offer. "Well… if you don't mind me asking, how are you so friendly with the Trolls? I mean, the only people who ever had any contact with that race were the royal advisors, like on my mother's side. And I know for a fact you are not one of them, so how did the Trolls know you? Unless you Ice Harvesters seem to have a connection with them as well, though you'd think if that were true, I would have heard about it."
Kristoff interrupted her so he could explain. "Ice Harvesters don't associate with Trolls." He answered and elaborated. "I met them because of my father."
"You're father? So, he was a royal advisor?"
"No, he was an Ice Harvester just like me." Kristoff explained. "But… he told me my mother had met the Trolls and became friends with Opal. And no, my mother was not an Ice Harvester or a Royal Advisor…I didn't know what she was. But, my dad always told me she was strange, yet he loved her. I was told she was exotic, so I assumed that meant she wasn't native to Arendelle."
Anna listened to him, learning more about Kristoff as they kept walking. "...Did you ever meet your mother?" Anna asked hesitantly.
"I have some memories of her, mainly of her face. But… she died when I was young so any memories I have with her were very few."
Anna felt her heart break when he explained that. "I'm sorry…"
Kristoff shrugged. "It's not like I was that close with her… I'm lucky I at least remember her. Anyways, I officially met the Trolls when my dad brought me to the Valley. Apparently. he was planning on doing an ice quest that would be really dangerous, so he didn't want me to come with him. He left me in the care of Paddie and Opal…" The man trailed off, thinking back on that day where he watched his father head off into the forest, disappearing within the trees. He remembered sitting at the edge of the large stone circle, waiting for him to come back despite the many days that had gone by. "...I never saw him again."
Anna wanted to apologize to Kristoff again but couldn't as she knew he didn't need it. Sven neighed up at Kristoff, sensing his human was a bit upset. The Ice Harvester patted his reindeer for reassurance, then went on with his story. "Opal and Paddie took me in. I continued in my father's footsteps to be an Ice Harvester and got to have my own camping gear so I could sleep anywhere. Now and again, I visit the Trolls and they let me stay overnight. But… I've gotten a bit too big for their homes."
Anna slightly chuckled at that remark, reminding herself how low she had to keep to the ground when she was being cared for by Opal. "I'm glad you at least got to have a surrogate family to take care of you. But… It is a bit surprising. I was told Trolls don't associate with humans that often, the only exception was the royal family. So how was your mother able to befriend them if she had no ties to the castle?"
Kristoff shrugged. "No idea honestly. I tried asking now and again, but all Opal and Paddie ever told me was that she was welcomed due to her origin. I guess since my mom reminded them of some other place she was from, they welcomed her."
"Did they ever say where she was from?" Anna had to ask.
"They told me it didn't matter because where she was from was unable to be reached at this point. So, I guess she must have been from somewhere far away." Kristoff stated. "But regardless, they took care of me as one of their own. And I try to see them now and again when I have time."
"Have you ever brought any of your friends or workers to meet them?" Anna questioned.
"Nah, like you stated they don't associate with other humans unless they are the royal family. Plus, even I doubt any of my other co-workers would believe me if I told them I was raised by Trolls. The race has become more or less a legend for many people at this point and seeing one is a rarity."
"So, that means I was the first one you've brought to their home." Anna realized.
Kristoff mused at her explanation. "You are. The first girl as well, actually."
"Wait… the first girl?" Anna repeated, which made Kristoff nod to confirm her thought. "Woah… I mean that is a pretty big thing for a man to bring a woman home. I'm surprised they didn't make more of a big deal about you bringing a woman to them. Though granted, I have already been there plenty of times before, so they know who I am which might explain why they weren't confused. And it wasn't as if we were heading there, they just found us, so it was more like they brought us to them instead of us heading their way. But still, I'm curious why they didn't make the assumption that the two of us were together."
Kristoff allowed her to rumble on until she stopped, so he could give her the explanation. "They don't care if I bring women home… because they know I don't care for them in that way."
When she heard that, the Princess was a bit confused at first. What did he mean by that? "Oh?" She continued to stare at him, while he glanced in her direction with a stern expression. That look seemed to be the answer, as it made Anna's eyes go wide with realization. "Oh!" She gasped. "S-So you're… I mean you aren't… I would have thought…" Anna trailed off as she wasn't sure how to address this situation.
"Are you disappointed?" He asked with slight amusement.
"What?! No! I mean, I never even would have thought of you like that!" Anna defended herself. "I'm just surprised. I'm not judging you, though! I want to make that perfectly clear! I don't believe there is anything wrong with loving someone of the same gender as you as long as it's consensual and you are of similar ages. At least that's how I view any romantic relationship, which shows how equal it is to if a man and a woman loved each other. I'm just baffled because you seem like the kind of man that any woman would swoon over, so the fact that you are not into women in general took me off guard."
Kristoff couldn't help but let out a fit of laughter as Anna tried to explain herself. The Princess was worried she might have offended him yet based on his actions he seemed to be alright with her words. "Relax, I was only joking. And I know you don't mean any harm." He reassured her, which caused her to sigh in relief. "And I know I don't make it seem obvious, but it's not like I want it to be known by-"
"Everyone?"
"Strangers." Kristoff corrected her. "It's not that I'm embarrassed or ashamed, I'm open about who I love. I just don't go around announcing that I prefer to be with men instead of women. Especially with others that I have only just met."
"Yeah… that's fair. I guess there are some things you shouldn't explain to a stranger…" Anna realized.
"Exactly. Plus, I didn't want the Prince to think I'd come onto him. I don't know what his views on the subjects are, and I don't want to make him uncomfortable. Especially after learning what kind of guy he is. But he isn't my type."
Anna raised a brow at the last sentence. "You have a type? Other than men?"
"I prefer someone who can carry their own weight, isn't too clingy but doesn't mind being around me at times, and has an appreciation for animals, especially reindeer." Kristoff mused as he rubbed Sven's head. "Though if I can find someone with at least one of those traits, I'll consider it a win."
Anna was the one who let out a laugh now. "Sounds like you have an ideal concept of your partner."
"I mean, we all want an ideal partner, right? That's just what many of us who want to be in a relationship want." Kristoff retorted. "I'm not saying that the man I will fall for will be perfect, but I at least want to make sure he understands me and treats me equally, so I know the relationship is worth it."
"Spoken like someone who is a master of love." Anna teased with a sly smile.
Kristoff glanced at her as he noticed how cheeky she was being. So, he tried to match it. "I'll have you know many of those Trolls know a thing or two about finding love. Especially Opal, she is wise in many subjects other than just history and magic."
"Really? Because I've known Opal since I was born, and I never heard her talk about anything related to love." Anna pointed out.
"Well, that's because you probably never went to her for advice on the subject." Kristoff suggested. Anna opened her mouth as she seemed ready to protest, yet she remained silent, indicating he was correct. "She taught me a bit though, at least from what she has heard over the years."
"Like what?" Anna questioned.
"Well…" Kristoff began as he tried to think. "The first thing you have to understand is boundaries. Everyone has something they don't want anyone to cross, no matter how close they are. It's important that when you start a relationship with someone, you know your limits and the do's and don'ts. That way, it's a testament of your trust in your partner. If they respect your boundaries, then you know they care. They may not agree with them, but the important thing to note is that they understand them and must back off."
"That… sounds fair." Anna agreed, thinking it over.
"You also must not rush into a relationship, especially if neither of you are ready for one. Maybe it's because you have some baggage from your past or you are unable to cope with your insecurities. A relationship is not going to fix your personal struggles, and it might only hurt you and your partner. If you do get into a relationship with someone, then you need to be honest with them about your issues. So, they know what they are getting into. And it's all the more reason to set boundaries in a relationship for such a reason. Everyone has their good and bad traits, and every relationship has its ups and downs. You have to take the good and the bad with your partner, because there may be times that you two won't agree on something or you might be upset with them for some big or small reason. But how you address and settle the situation will determine how healthy you and your partner are. If you can handle the problem calmly and rationally, then that is proof you two really care for each other.
"Love also takes time, there's no such thing as love at first sight, they call that infatuation. You can't really care for someone if you don't actually know them. So, it's important to get to know your partner before going all in. That way you know what they are like, their strengths and weaknesses, and if you still feel confident to be with them, then you go for it. Still, it's okay to take things slow. And love also requires compromises, not necessarily sacrifices, but there will be times when you want something, but your partner doesn't like it or vice versa. If that happens, open communication is key and finding a middle ground so you can both be happy is what matters. Those are the keys to a happy and healthy love life."
Anna was speechless at first with how detailed Kristoff's advice was. The Princess found herself somewhat impressed that an Ice Harvester was able to be so comprehensible with such an abstract subject. She blinked a few times, while her brain processed the words that came out of Kristoff's mouth. "What? You thought you were the only one that could jabber someone's ear off?" Kristoff retorted.
Anna finally smiled at his remark, musing as he was keeping the situation light and helping to distract her pain. "Opal really did teach you well."
"Told you." Kristoff turned to face the road ahead of him. Sven continued to carry the pair further into the forest, leaving prints in the snow as they were miles away from the Trolls, but nowhere near close to finding the others. Anna was becoming worried as they had searched for a long time with no sign of her sister or Hans. She started to have the worst thoughts, even though she wanted to be optimistic. "We should be heading out of the forest soon…" Kristoff told Anna as he held the reins of his ride. The Princess continued to shiver, hugging herself and nuzzling closer to the man in an attempt to stay warm. Kristoff noticed this and became worried. Even Sven grunted with concern as he felt Anna becoming uncomfortable. "Maybe we should stop and make a fire…" The Ice Harvester suggested.
"No!" Anna interjected immediately. This caused Kristoff to turn and face her, looking at her state. "I-I'm fine…" She lied yet persisted with the idea of continuing on regardless. "You heard what Opal and Paddie said… I may not have a lot of time left and we need to find Elsa, Hans and Olaf."
Kristoff wanted to argue, as he could at least stall the curse in her. Yet he knew if he tried to argue, she would be defiant and would force them to continue onward. Anna may have been stubborn, but she was also selfless in her own right. Before they could continue their conversation, Sven stopped his pace and snorted. Kristoff and Anna felt the reindeer cease his movement, looking at the animal as they were concerned about why he wasn't moving now. Kristoff tried to reassure Sven by patting his side, while the Princess gazed ahead to notice some people approaching them. At first, her face lit up with the possibility that it could have been her sister or Hans or both. Yet her hope turned to slight disappointment when two horses carrying a set of familiar twins approached the couple with their steed. Rudi and Runo pulled the reins on their horses, making them stop so they could hop off their rides and approach the Princess, the Ice Harvester and the reindeer.
Kristoff held onto Sven, as the buffed man did not trust these two newcomers. They seemed quite hostile and possessed a malicious aura around them. Anna, however, smiled as she recognized the two coming towards them. "Prince Rudi! Prince Runo!" While she was a bit disappointed that they were not her sister or Hans, at least they were a familiar face regardless.
The twins approached the pair as they were cautious and curious about the situation. Rudi was the one that spoke up in an elegant and concerned manner. "Princess Anna, it's a relief to see you here."
The Princess returned his words with a smile, despite her state. "It is nice to see some familiar faces… But why are you two here?" She questioned.
"When you and Hans didn't come back the next day you left, your servants and guards grew worried. They wanted to send some search parties, but me and Runo volunteered to find you." Rudi explained.
"That was very considerate of you two." Anna commented. "You must have been worried about your brother."
Runo chuckled. "I ain't worried about Hans, nor is he. He may have his face in books whenever he has one in his hands, but he was raised to fend for himself even at a young age."
"Well, regardless. I am grateful we ran into you two." The Princess admitted. She tried to adjust herself on Sven, sitting up properly so she could explain. "Hans and I managed to scale the top of the North Mountain, all thanks to Kristoff here. He's an Ice Harvester, so he knows his way around these parts. We did have a few minor obstacles, but nothing too dangerous. I mean, I suppose they were life and death situations, but we survived them regardless. When we reached the top, I was able to find Queen Elsa stationed in a castle she created herself out of ice. It was pretty impressive; the architecture was well made. I was able to talk to her and it seemed we were hitting it off, but she began to grow offended because she thought that by coming back to Arendelle, she would have to hide her powers again. Which, I didn't understand why she was offended because I thought that was what she wanted, seeing as how she had been doing that for many years. Though thinking about it now, I guess she is happy to not hide them anymore. Either way, I take responsibility for not understanding the situation."
Runo approached the Princess, growing tired of her rambling and wanted to get straight to the point. "And the Queen? Where is she?"
Anna stared at one of the twins, seeing how impatient he was becoming. She realized how much she was talking, so the Princess went to the bad news. "We got interrupted by an avalanche, it swept through the ice castle and took us with it. Elsa tried to protect us with her magic, but I got in her way and got hit."
"Hit by what?" Rudi questioned.
"Her magic," Anna didn't skip a beat. Kristoff didn't like how openly she was being with these two, despite her knowing them. It was the fact they didn't seem too friendly that worried him. "But it was an accident, and I got in the way when she was shielding us because some ice was going to fall on her. And now, because her magic hit me, we need to find a way to thaw my heart."
Rudi and Runo looked at one another as they were processing this information. Anna had hoped they would understand their predicament, and tried to ensure Elsa would not take any blame. She didn't want to scorn her image any more than it already was. When the twins turned back to face Anna, Runo pressed for more details. "So, Queen Elsa placed a curse on you?"
Immediately, Anna was stunned by the conclusion and tried to deny it. "No! I mean, not intentionally. If her magic hits my heart, it freezes me from the inside. But she didn't mean to cast it my way!"
"And yet she let you get hit with it regardless." Rudi pointed out. "She also wasn't willing to come back to thaw out the fjord and allowed her sister and our brother to be crushed by snow. For someone who can control snow and ice, she couldn't stop an avalanche and find her family."
Kristoff knew where these brothers were going, while Anna was still defending Elsa. "That's not true! She's just scared. If I can find her again-"
"No!" Runo raised his voice as his annoyance grew. "We gave you a chance, Princess. And you have not been able to deliver on your word. The fjord is still frozen over, our brother is missing, the Queen of Arendelle has fled once more and now you have been cursed by her magic to suffer a fate worse than death. As far as I'm concerned, she has proven to be an ineffective leader who does not care for the well-being of her people."
"You're wrong! She-" Anna tried to keep arguing, but her heart began to ache once more. She held her chest, wincing as more strands of her hair began to turn white, outnumbering the red. Kristoff saw the progression of the magic within Anna, growing worse without any sign of a cure. When the twins noticed this, they knew what had to be done.
Rudi stepped forward, grabbing hold of Anna in a tight grip but tried to not come off as threatening. "Sorry Princess Anna, but we can't argue over what we have seen so far. Queen Elsa has cursed this land and her sister, and it must be made public so we can come up with a plan before we suffer even more." Anna tried to get out of his hold, but in her weakened state it was nearly impossible.
"Hey, don't be so rough with her!" Kristoff shouted as he rushed over to Rudi. Before he could get to him, the other twin grabbed the scruff of the Ice Harvester and pushed him down to the ground to render him immobile.
"Stay down Ice Harvester."
"Kristoff!" Anna cried as she saw the blond man getting hurt. Sven whined as the tension around the four humans grew. But he couldn't run and leave his human behind, nor could he fight back. Runo went ahead to take care of Kristoff and Sven, while Rudi held onto Anna. The Princess felt her heartbeat as much as it could, despite the icy state it was in now. Though she still had no idea what the twins of the Southern Isles had planned, she was smart enough to know that it would not end well for Elsa or Arendelle. Unable to put up any defiance, they were being treated like prisoners instead of a Princess and worker. All she could do was be carried off by the twins as they headed down the path towards the town and castle of her birthplace.