Chapter One

Elsa sighed and rolled her eyes. “How many more?” She grumbled, as Kai passed her yet another scroll.

He chuckled, his big belly wobbling with the sound. “This is the last one, Your Majesty. I promise,” he said.

She peered up at him. Of all the servants she accommodated, Kai was the most familiar and the most loyal. He’d always been there; looking out for her family’s interests and well-being. When her father and mother were alive, he gave them council. When she and Anna were young, he told them of the lands, the mountains and seas far beyond the castle walls. He amused them with his magic tricks, impressions and funny accent. He’d always been there; a mighty man with a mighty stomach, a great nose and auburn hair. He wasn’t just a servant. He was a dear friend.

But presently, he was a thorn in Elsa’s sight. She had endured his presence all day. His dry humour did nothing but irritate her. She felt his constant and expectant gaze on her all the time. It dampened her spirits enormously. She had enough worry and pressure on her shoulders without another individual adding to it. Elsa turned away; pinching the bridge of her nose. She took the scroll from him.

“That’s what you said last time,” she murmured. She hadn’t intended him to hear, but he did. He cleared his throat and stood taller.

“This is the last one,” he reaffirmed, his tone thick with fear. “I promise.”

Elsa sighed; her eyes threatening to close. It was late, too late. The world outside was dark and cold. All along the walls and in the yard below, fires and lanterns were lit; the castle bathed in orange light. The stars were out and winking. The moon was full and glowing. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. It was a fine October evening, and she was wasting it in her chamber; reading cries for help from foreign princes and companies, whose people are struggling. She wanted to help, she did, but the people of Arendelle came first. Her people had endured enough. They needed her care and protection. They were her top priority now.

Supressing a yawn, she tugged at the fine red ribbon that was tied around the middle of the scroll. It fell onto the table. The parchment crunched, as she uncurled and stretched it out. As it was expected of her, she read it slowly and carefully. As much as she wanted the night to be over and done, she couldn’t rush into things. She could miss something important. She couldn’t afford to make a mistake. She’d made too many in her life already. Elsa finished reading with a moan.

“It’s from our old friend, the Duke of Weselton,” she revealed dryly.

“Weasel town,” sneered Kai, as he snatched the parchment from her hands and crushed it into a tight ball. “Begging for forgiveness and trade again, is he?”

He strutted across the room to the fireplace; anger and loathing in every step. Elsa watched him, as he cast the ball into the excited flames. It caught on and disappeared in an instant. He clapped his hands together; wiping himself clean of the trouble. Elsa felt some relief, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy her. She still felt drained.

“He hasn’t asked for anything else,” she sighed, rubbing her eyes. “This makes it the fifth message in two months. That man will never give up.”

With their partnership broken, their reputation ruined, Weselton was struggling. Or so the Duke had wrote time and time again. They needed help. They needed Arendelle, but Elsa knew better than to trust that man again. He had wanted to exploit, dethrone and kill her just because she was gifted, just because she was different from everybody else. He tried to turn her own people, her own sister against her! He wasn’t a partner at all. She couldn’t trust him, and she would never forgive him.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” said Kai, sincerely. Elsa managed a smile and got to her feet. “Had I known it was from the Duke, I would have never-”

Elsa approached him and waved her hand. The servant fell silent. “There is no need to apologise. It’s done. The Duke and the people of Weselton will just have to make do. Arendelle comes first, and that’s all there is to it,” she affirmed with authority.

Kai beamed and straightened his back, proudly. “We are so fortunate to have you, Your Majesty.”

Elsa felt her heart warm and beat faster. Her tired body swelled with intense emotion. It was still so alien to her, being accepted and appreciated by her people. It was strange just walking through the castle, the town, being among other people without an ounce of fear. She had grown up believing she was a monster, believing she was a danger to everyone around her, but that just wasn’t the case. She didn’t have to hide her powers over ice and snow anymore. For the first time in forever, she was in control of her emotions, of her fear. She refused to let her power influence her actions. She wasn’t a monster. Her people embraced her abilities with open arms, laughter and smiles. Men, women, children of all ages looked up to her. Young girls fashioned themselves to be like her. Everyone had unbelievable faith in her. For the first time in forever, she was loved and adored.

That simple thought made her smile and the tiredness faltered away. A new energy overwhelmed her. Suddenly, instead of wanting to sleep and mope, she wanted to sing and dance like a child. And she almost did, if not remembering Kai was still in the room. She straightened her back and moved towards him; placing a gentle hand on his forearm.

“I am fortunate, also, to have such faithful people by my side,” she smiled warmly. “Thank you Kai, for everything you have done for me and my family.”

Kai blushed. “It has been nothing but an honour, Your Majesty,” he admitted, resting his hand on top of hers. “I hope I continue to be of valuable service to you and Princess Anna.”

“I hope so too.” Elsa quickly glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece and gasped. “It’s almost ten o’clock. Your dear wife will be wondering where you are.”

“She will be indeed, but between you and me, she gets ratty whatever time I arrive home,” he chuckled; his second chin bobbing up and down like a wave. She couldn’t help, but laugh with him.

“Well, there is no need to irrigate her any further. You are free to leave.”

“Yes my Lady. Thank you.” He bowed his head and smiled down at her. “Sleep well Your Majesty.”

“You too. Good night,” she replied.

Elsa looked on with a strange longing, as Kai left her side and ambled across the room. Only a few moments ago she was tired of his company and now, all of a sudden, she wanted him to stay. She wanted to talk to him about...well, anything. She wanted to reminisce, ask after his family, and ask if he needed anything. She just wanted to talk to him. She just wanted him near, but she couldn't ask it of him. He had his own family to return to, his own life and happy bed. So, she remained silent; feeling the pit in her stomach deepen and darken.

Kai left without another word or gesture. The door closed gently behind him and the lock clicked into place. Silence once more consumed the room. Even the cackle and hiss of the fire did nothing to soothe the tension it created. Elsa felt it. Of course she did. It had been her companion for too many years. It was no stranger, but it was no friend either.

Her heart again heavy, she strolled to the window and looked out into the night; trying to arrange her thoughts, trying to figure out why she wanted Kai to stay. The answer came swiftly, as if she had always known it. And it hurt.

She had spent so much of her childhood alone and with no one to talk to; just her own reflection in the mirror. She’d spent so much of her life locked away in her room, isolated, and with no means of ridding herself of the loneliness it imposed upon her. She could close her eyes and pretend that she was alright, that everything was fine, that everything was as it should be, but that would be a lie. She was lonely, devastatingly so, and in need of a companion. True, she had Anna and Olaf, Kristoff and his rather charming reindeer Sven, but she had no one to call her own. No one to turn to late at night. No one to comfort her when she was upset. No one to hold for the sake of wanting to. She had no one to love, and no one to love her.

Despite the ache and sadness that was slowly seeping through her, Elsa had to laugh. It was utterly foolish to think of such romance; to think true love actually existed. Yes, she had saved Anna from being an ice sculpture forever, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't the kind of love that Anna and Kristoff now shared. A year on and their relationship had truly blossomed. They were together all the time; holding hands, sneaking a kiss or two, laughing and joking together. Kristoff had taught Anna to skate, how to navigate by the stars, how to track animals through the forest. He made her smile. He made her happy. Something Elsa had refused her all her life.

And in return, Anna had treated him to new clothes, a new haircut, and a room in the palace and food in his belly. She helped his ice business take off. She laughed at his cheesy jokes and his improvised conversations with Sven. When he played his guitar, she sang with him; producing the perfect duet. She took care of Sven when he wasn't around. In other words, she showed him a whole new life, full of love and promise.

A love that was forbidden to Elsa. 

She was the Queen of Arendelle, and she was born with specific obligations. The very idea of marrying for love, true love, wasn't an option for her. Just as her parents had before her, she would have to marry for the good of her kingdom. She had to. It was the only way her people would be safe. It was the only way her family’s legacy would survive.

She could pray, wish and beg as much as she wanted, but nothing would ever change. Her fate, her destiny was set; determined before her time, determined by her blood and heritage. There was nothing she could do, nothing anyone could do to change that design.

Elsa gasped, suddenly, and stared down at her hands. They were tingling, burning with magic. Her heart pounded in terror, and with powerful emotion. Out of nowhere, a chilling and frightening wind whipped around her. Her hair danced and broke free. Her papers went flying. The fire flickered violently; threatening to go out. The temperature in the room dropped radically. Frost started to crawl up the windows like grabbing hands. Elsa could see her breath in one great cloud. The smallest of snowflakes started to fall. 

"No, no, no," she whimpered; taking hoarse, desperate breathes to restore calm. She closed her eyes tightly. "Get it together. Control it. Don't feel. Don't let them-"

Two quick knocks on the door caused Elsa to jump. She glanced round; her hands in tight fists. Her heart leapt into her throat. Who could it be at this late hour? She thought. She shook uncontrollably; afraid and cold. Goosebumps covered her body. 

"Elsa? Are you in there?"

It was more than a relief to hear Anna's kind voice. It was a blessing. It was a ray of sunshine. It seemed to chase the darkness away. Instead of fear, Elsa was overwhelmed with love. Like a show, she remembered the snowball fights they had as children, building snowmen, making snow angels and drinking hot chocolate by the fire. She saw Anna’s warm smile; felt her tight, loving embrace. She remembered Anna's sacrifice, her own redemption, their sweet reunion. Anna was her sister and her only family. When everything else was in shades of grey, Anna was the colour; vivid and beautiful.

She just had to remember that, and she would be fine. She would survive.

Elsa looked on with relief, as the frost on the windows quickly melted. The snow and wind vanished. The fire danced gracefully in the hearth. The room was warm and inviting again, although covered in loose papers and notes. She quickly rushed about and gathered them. Anna could read her like a book. One look, one suggestion, and she would know that something was wrong. She loved Anna, but she couldn’t allow her to see her moment of despair, to see her lose control. She wouldn’t bring her sister down with her own worries. Not again.

Once the papers were piled neat and tidy on her desk, Elsa quickly fixed her hair and turned to the door. "I'm in there," she called; hoping her tone was neutral and calm. The handle rattled for a brief second, before the door swung open and Anna strode in.