Endless Horizon



Chapter One

Of all the things that wanted to hurt him in the world, heat, thankfully, was not one of them.

A big upside when you're running through the trees on a blisteringly hot summer day.

His feet flew like birds as he nimbly sprinted through the forest he had been trekking through for the past few hours. The familiar feeling of cloth brushing the top of his hair confirmed that his hood was still safely over his head.

His ears were tense, listening for any sign of those who were following him. One hand gripped his sword tightly. The other began to smoke.

He entered a clearing. Before the first arrow flew, he knew he had walked into a trap.

The sound of several clicks filled his ears as seven crossbows fired simultaneously, headed straight for his heart.

In a split second, he had thrust his hand to the ground, and an intense wave of fire burst out from him, deflecting the arrows with the force of the explosion. He lifted his head, his scarlet eyes lit with determination.

Seven Bankmen jumped from the shadows of the trees and charged at him. The one who got to him first thrust his straight sword at him. The red-eyed man drew his in a flash and parried the swipe, bringing his free hand around to deliver a blow to the vulnerable killer. Seeing him go down, he turned his attention to two others, who attacked him with knives. They slashed at him like dancing leaves, but he was quicker. The blades never hit their mark, and as they spun around once again to try and plunge the silver daggers into their target, he flipped over them and grabbed their heads, smashing them together with brutal force. They fell lifeless.

The fourth attacker was silenced with a sharp blow to the head with the hilt of his sword. The fifth fell to his blade. The sixth and seventh were unfortunate enough to receive a full blast of his flames.

He scanned around at his fallen pursuers. There were several groans.

Always a good sign.

He looked at his sword. Then he looked at one of the helpless Bankmen.

A familiar thirst spouted from his gut with animal-like ruthlessness. Gritting his teeth, he squelched the feeling.

Sheathing his sword with forceful anger, he took off through the trees once again. It had been like this for weeks. He'd be confronted by a group of bankmen, beat them all to groggy pulps, and then not two days later be attacked again. They were getting more persistent. And it wouldn't be long before his exhaustion caught up with him…

It was difficult to find a happy thought these days.

But if anything could help him forget just how hopeless his situation was, it was the rush he felt when he ran. The trees flying by him, his own breath coming in quick bursts, the adrenaline as he exercised his toned muscles. It was probably nothing healthy, but it at least helped him keep his sanity.

Upon leaping from a branch and landing, he looked up and found that he had reached the end of the forest. Then he saw quite a sight in front of him.

He had reached a large Kingdom. There was a large fjord hugging the shore of the town, and in the center of large body of water was an exquisite castle.

The red-eyed man smirked to himself, recognizing the place instantly. If Arendelle was anything, it was certainly memorable.

He looked closer, eyes furrowing a bit in interest. There were certainly a lot of ships in the harbor. Some sort of event must have been happening. Some ball perhaps? He wasn't dumb, but he wasn't exactly in the loop concerning local parties and politics.

The red-eyed man toyed with the idea of attending. For about a second. Then approximately fifteen reasons why that was a horrendous idea beat that idea to a bloody pulp.

So he sighed and turned away.

Then he was struck by a thought.

He had no business going to whatever was happening in the kingdom. He was, by all means, the most reclusive bastard in the world. He couldn't even take down his hood, let alone interact with others.

So why would the Bankmen look for him there?

His heart began to speed up with the thought of actually losing the accursed men. He calmed it, and thought rationally. If he went to this party thing and stayed there for the night, maybe even until morning, the Bankmen who by now were surely tracking him would have thought him to go past Arendelle.

He tried not to grin. It was crazy, and could fail horrendously, but the prospect of not having to worry about an ambush was too much for his willpower.

With a swish of embers, he took off towards the brightly lit town.

00000000000000000000000000000000

It didn't take long to find the source of the commotion. The castle was brightly lit, and the sound of jovial laughter and music could easily be heard.

Th red-eyed man leaned against the wall of the castle, underneath a balcony. His resolve was beginning to weaken a bit with the idea of mingling with people, especially people of such high status. He had hardly spoken out loud for years. He wasn't even sure that his voice worked anymore.

Then again, he'd been through a lot worse.

He looked at his reflection in the water. His ragged, worn clothes and hooded face would never pass at this party.

He thought hard. Revealing his face was not an option, but a hood in a place like this would certainly raise some flags.

Then he smirked, hatching another idea.

Flames slowly rose form his body, burning away his old clothes and replacing them with shiny, stylish formal wear, complete with laces, boots, and to his eternal shame, man-leggings.

To top it off, he waved his hand, and a black, brimmed hat appeared out of the flames, with gold and red imagery on it. Putting a little extra magic into it, he donned it and checked his reflection again.

He nearly fell over. He looked like a prince (aside from his face, which was hidden by the shadow his hat cast due to the magic he had put into it).

Smirking, he looked back up at the balcony. He was pretty sure this would be acceptable clothing.

Taking one last breath, the red-eyed man leapt up and grabbed a wayward brick. Pushing his legs against the wall, he jumped backwards and grabbed the lowermost part of the balcony. He carefully turned himself around so that he was now facing the castle again, and climbed over the railing swiftly.

Looking around, he saw that he was alone on the balcony. The door was open, but no one was looking through it.

Successful infiltration.

Jarring himself from his fantasies of espionage, he put on a pair of freshly-made, coal colored gloves and entered the party.

There was some unique, yet oddly charming music playing in the corner of the room, and most of the guests were mingling in the center of the room. He grimaced. Last thing he needed was mingling…

Skirting around the edges of the group, he took the time to look around. This was a lovely room, with lush carpets and exquisite tapestries. He had been right to wear such formal clothing: nearly every person in the room was dressed in their best clothing.

He breathed. So far so good…all he had to do was stay here and remain inconspicuous.

Suddenly, his eyes zeroed in on the biggest buffet table he had ever seen in his life. It was piled high with punch, fruits, roasted insert-animal-here, and several other dishes he had never seen before.

His stomach growled. A life on the run didn't really provide much good food.

Trying as best as he could not to run over and scarf down the whole table, he walked in a dignified manner towards the glorious feast. He then snatched a plate and piled it high with food in the blink of an eye, slowly walking away once again.

He carefully deviated himself away from the crowd (as he had learned to do over the years) and positioned himself in an inconspicuous position.

Without going into the less-than-pretty details, the plate was empty in a matter of seconds.

He sighed in relief. Food like this was not easy to come by.

His eyes wandered back to the table.

Grinning, he walked over for a second helping. His hand went for a bowl of chocolate, only to bump into another person's extended hand.

"Oop, sorry-"

"Sorry!"

He smiled and signaled for the woman before him to go first. She thanked him and gingerly took a couple pieces. Inwardly, he imagined that she'd have grabbed a lot more had someone not been watching her.

Looking at her, he realized the woman was quite cute. She had her ginger hair tied into a lovely bun, which clashed magnificently with her turquoise eyes. Her face had a few freckles, and she was wearing a very pretty green dress. Altogether, she looked very fetching.

The gentleman next to her must have noticed, as he was talking with her in a very informal and suave manner. He was wearing a white uniform and had some rather large sideburns, also a ginger color.

He looked at his own clothes, feeling a small tug of inadequacy.

As he nonchalantly put more food on his plate, he couldn't help but overhear some of what they said.

"-how exactly are we going to ask her?"

"I…oh…oh, man. How are we going to ask her?"

"Well…you know your sister best-"

"Actually, I-"

"Oh! Right, sorry…well, maybe we should just be straightforward? Just tell her?"

"Yeah! That's perfect! You're amazing."

"You're amazing."

The red-eyed man felt like the word "amazing" had forever been ruined for him.

Trying not to vomit at the gushy nonsense he just overheard (as well as at the excess of meat in his gut), he walked away from the duo, dumping his plate.

There were so many faces in this place…it made him uncomfortable. He wanted to leave now that his appetite had been fulfilled, but he knew he had to stay longer if he was to completely fool the bankmen.

So he simply stood there awkwardly, flapping his hands at his sides, drumming lightly.

Then he saw someone across the room talking with two guests. His eyes widened just a bit.

He was looking at a woman whose face was easily the most attractive he had seen. Her platinum blonde hair was in a carefully tied bun as well, and her eyes looked like they were the color of a frozen lake. She was in an amazing…or, rather breathtaking dress, complete with gloves and a very pretty tiara.

He couldn't stop sneaking glances at the woman. Then he noticed something else. The woman held the same posture that he had. Straight, perfect, practiced, and utterly, utterly fake.

It looked like she didn't want to be here as much as himself.

The two men walked away after nodding to her. He felt a twinge of uncertainty, but it faded gently.

At least say hello.

And so, trying to act as casual as possible, he walked towards the lovely woman.

"Hello." He said to her, trying to sound cheerful. He tried not to marvel at the sound of his voice. It was much deeper than he remembered.

She immediately turned to look at him. She seemed a bit confused.

"Hello?" She answered uneasily.

He thought he had made a bad impression. She looked like he had just skipped over some sort of well-known tradition of speech.

"I hope I don't come across as forward. I'm not as socially aware as some of the other guests here today." Ignus said, sheepishly.

The woman gave him another confused, and somewhat offended look. He felt a bead of sweat.

"…I see." The woman answered coolly.

His stomach slowly twisted with embarrassment.

"Is there something you wished to discuss?" The woman asked him curtly.

So formal…

"Not particularly. I was just looking to talk to a kindred spirit."

The woman now looked more confused than ever, and was now looking at him suspiciously.

"Well, in all honesty, I'm not good with crowds. And, forgive me for being blunt, but it looks like you aren't either." He continued obliviously.

The woman's eyes widened a bit. She looked torn, like she couldn't decide whether to be offended or relieved.

She chose the first.

"That's a bit rude for you to assume, isn't it?" she responded icily.

If an inner voice was a physical thing, I'd cut the damn thing out of my head...

"I suppose so. My apologies." He said, lowering his head a bit, so the brim of his hat covered his eyes.

Elsa looked at him again. Something seemed to soften.

"No...I apologize." She said, suddenly. "I'm not accustomed myself to social matters. I can be a bit…"

"Cold?" He suggested, smiling.

The woman practically jumped out of her skin when he said it. It was like he had slapped her.

"Wh-what?" She spluttered.

Now he was confused.

"Icy? Reserved? Introverted?"

The woman seemed to calm down.

"R-right. Well…yes. I can. So I apologize."

He nodded, content.

An awkward silence followed.

"What is your name?" She asked him, suddenly.

He hesitated. Names were dangerous in his situation.

But he had to say something…

"It's…Spice. Sir Spice."

The woman's eyebrows nearly shot off of her head. His brain slapped it's own forehead.

"Sir Spice?"

'Sir Spice' tried to swallow the humiliation at his spontaneous and equally stupid pseudonym.

"Yes. Foolish name, I know, but it's all I have."

The woman looked at him with caution.

"What Kingdom are you from?"

He tried to calm his nerves. He wanted to chat, but he wasn't getting that private…

"Before I answer, could I at least learn the name of the person that I've forced into this awkward and embarrassing conversation?" He asked her apologetically.

She almost laughed, covering it quickly. Then, with an air of mischief, she answered.

"My name is Elsa."

"Pleasure to meet you, Elsa."

"Queen Elsa."

"Ah, sorry, Queen El-"

His brain ceased functioning.

"Queen...Elsa."

"Of Arendelle."

He felt every molecule in his body erupt into a frenzied explosion of humiliation.

Queen Elsa was obviously enjoying the show, smiling at his flustering, like a cat that had just informed a mouse that it was caught in a trap.

"And don't you think it's a bit strange that someone invited to my coronation would not even recognize me? Not even after the coronation procedure, in which everyone attending saw me and could easily identify me?"

The walls seemed to close in around him.

Time to go.

"So, to me, it would seem that there are three possibilities, either you are blind, have an extraordinarily inadequate memory, or you are a party crasher."

NOW.

"The fact that you can see my expression as well as your refusal to state your kingdom and your informal speech convinces me of the latter." Elsa finished, dealing the final blow.

She stood straight.

"Take off your hat. Identify yourself."

Her request jarred him back to his senses.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He said evenly, channeling every ounce of skill he had as he slowly slid his feet apart, readying himself.

Elsa was not fooled. "Remove your hat or I will call the guards."

"Perhaps some punch would cool your heated thoughts?"

Elsa's face hardened. "Remove it or-"

"Punch it is, then!"

And without another word, he shot away from his poised stance, flawlessly disappearing into the crowd.

He swiftly moved between dancers and chatters, eventually coming to a halt behind one of the columns. He peered around it, and to his relief saw Elsa fruitlessly searching through the crowd, a frustrated look on her face.

He breathed out, feeling a painful sense of humiliation. There were not many ways that could have gone worse…it's what he got for talking to a pretty girl.

Queen. You talked to a pretty Queen, you cock-up.

His self-criticizing thoughts ceased when he saw the cute red-head he had bumped into earlier run up to the Queen excitedly, Mutton-chops right next to her. The Queen was forced to discontinue her search for him. Ignus breathed in relief.

They said something in a rush, and the Queen's face dissolved into confusion. He watched as the faces went from excited, to confused, to hurt. Whatever they had asked her, it had obviously not gone so well…

Finally, the Queen gave them a curt statement and walked away. The redhead grabbed for her and took a glove, which seemed to frighten the Queen.

He felt a strange sense of foreshadowing. His face darkened.

The Queen was now walking away from the redhead, who looked ready to cry. Her voice rose into a shout.

"…why do you shut the world out? What are you so afraid of?!"

"I said enough!"

The Queen dismissed the redhead with a wave of her hand.

Except she did more than wave.

A streak of blue flew from her hand, hit the ground and exploded into a series of spikes that menacingly stuck out at the party members.

Whatever piece of Ignus' brain remained from the ordeal he had just suffered through was now lost in a storm of bewilderment.

Because those spikes were as clear as crystal, and could only have been made of ice.

He felt his fingers catch fire in disbelief.

The Queen backed away in terror. She looked like her world had crumbled. Then she ran from the room, her cape swishing behind her.

He stared dumbfounded at the sight of the ice.

And then his feet moved.

00000000000000000000000000000000

He ran towards the front gates and saw a short man with a ridiculous white wig pointing at the Queen and shouting something. In the next moment, he flew backwards as ice exploded around him.

He was shocked. She was attacking people now?!

"Monster! MONSTER!" The man shouted angrily.

He winced at the word. It dredged up some very painful memories…

He thought about how Elsa had come across so coldly…and now it was easy to see why.

He charged past the old man, shouldering him with deliberate force and knocking the old coot onto his ass again, then raced after the Queen. He could hear a woman's voice crying out behind him.

He caught sight of the fleeing Queen nearing the like.

"Your majesty!" He called, hoping that she'd hear. If she did, she ignored him.

"I need to talk to you!" he tried again. The Queen was now at the edge of the water.

He walked down the stairs, thinking she wouldn't run anymore.

How jovially wrong he was.

The Queen stepped out onto the water, ice shooting out from her feet and freezing the lake. He was amazed at her abilities.

"I can't explain now, but please just-!" He called out, but he knew she'd never trust his words. The only thing to do was pursue her.

He looked down at the ice. Gritting his teeth, he ran out onto it, trying not to slip over it. She had just run across it without even missing a step! How?!

He got about twenty feet before he heard an unpleasant cracking sound.

Looking down, he saw that his feet were causing the ice to melt. His excitement was causing his body temperature to increase.

He had about two seconds to say, "Ah, shit..."

Then he broke through the ice and into the water.

00000000000000000000000000000

Water was not good for the red-eyed man. At least, not when it was ice cold and surrounding him.

He awoke with a start, coughing violently. He groaned and spat out some lingering seawater, then looked around. He was lying on the shore of the castle. Miraculously, his hat had managed to stay on his head.

"Are you alright?"

He looked to his left to see the redhead sitting next to him, looking very worried. Beside her was Mutton-Chops.

"Y-yeah. Th-th-thanks." He managed through his chattering.

"Are you sure? You were under for a while before Hans pulled you out."

He looked from the redhead to the man with the Mutton-Chops (or rather, Hans.) Looking closer at him, he could see that he was soaking wet.

"It was no trouble." Hans said, smiling a bit.

"Of course it was! You nearly drowned!" The redhead gushed.

He felt a twinge of discomfort at the overly affectionate tone.

"Well, thank you. I'm not a very good swimmer." He lied. He was in fact a very good swimmer, but only in warm water.

Speaking of which…

He looked out at the lake. His eyes popped open. What was once a summer fjord was now a frozen tundra. The ships were stuck in the ice. Snow fell in the air.

This woman…this Queen…she was seriously powerful.

"Incredible…" He breathed, taking in the sight.

Anna looked at him worriedly. "Did you see where my sister went?"

He whirled around. "Your sister?"

"Um…yes. I'm Anna. Princess Anna. That was my sister, Elsa."

He managed to swallow his surprise that someone like this "Anna" was actually related to the introverted Queen he had bumped into.

"Well…no. I only got out a few feet before..." He pointed to his wet clothes.

Anna looked out over the lake in worry. "Oh, Elsa…"

He stared out at the lake as well. His red eyes were stony with thought.

"She's powerful..."

Hans noticed his tone. "Did you know about Queen Elsa?"

"No. Not until just now. Wait…did you not?"

Anna helplessly shook her head. "No."

He was now more confused than ever. Not only had she frozen over the kingdom, but she had never told her sister about her powers?

The image of the Queen's frightened face as she ran from the room re-appeared in his mind.

"Well…strange." He muttered.

"Why were you chasing her?" Anna asked, suddenly realizing the very fact.

He was silent. Truthfully, he just wanted to ask her about her powers. That was honestly about it. It sounded like such a poor excuse now that he considered it, but walking away from the sight he just witnessed simply didn't feel possible.

But he wasn't about to say that.

"I'll explain as we head back to the grounds." The red-eyed man said, getting to his feet.

Hans nodded and stood up as well.

"Lead the way." He said to Anna.

She immediately walked off up the stairs, Hans right beside her. Then, realizing something, she turned around.

"Wait, what did you say your name wa-"

She stopped.

The red-eyed man had taken the opportunity as soon as they faced the other way to disappear, climbing the nearby wall in a flash and hopping over the railing.

"Hello? Sir?!"

Anna's voice called out hopelessly as the red-eyed man remained where he was.

"Let's just go…" Hans said gently.

Anna hesitated, but acquiesced. "Who was that guy…?"

He sighed, pulling a freshly-made hood up over his head. That was a very familiar phrase.

Then he turned his attention to the other side of the lake.

There was a clear path of ice leading up the hill he saw, leading into the mountains beyond. The Queen had no doubt gone that way.

He looked around again at the snow gathering around him with unabashed amazement. He had to know more about this Queen.

And…also perhaps convince her to undo whatever she was doing to Arendelle.

And so he flexed his arms and jumped from his balcony, using his own powers to jet himself towards the large slope, the lingering fire in the air slowly dying from the swirling snow buffeting the air.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

Elsa was playing with her hair.

Which may not be that strange, but she never played with her hair. It was always in a lovely bun, or some elaborate braid. Now it was just…there. Free and flowing. Just begging to be played with. She almost giggled as she twisted it with her finger.

It was one of the many new freedoms Elsa was currently enjoying. It was hard to focus on anything aside from the fact that she could create as many snowballs as she wanted without harm.

No one could see her. No one could be afraid of her. No one could be hurt by her. And it felt good. Her relief had even manifested into some sort of song that she came up with on a whim.

She blushed a bit. It was a good thing no one heard it. She must've sounded ridiculous.

The revelation of her freedom had hit her like a ray of sunshine out on the mountain, and she had gone from fearful and melancholy to jubilant and as excited as Anna on a-

Elsa's face fell.

Anna.

It was the only thing she regretted. She had left Anna without a word, without even a goodbye. She could still recall the shock in Anna's eyes after her powers were exposed.

Elsa shook her head swiftly. This wasn't the time to feel bad or to be upset. She was liberated at last!

With a smile, she flicked her hand, and a large, inexplicably-comfy-looking chair made from ice appeared in front of her. She almost giggled. It was, to be blunt, too darn fun.

As she sat in the chair relaxing, she took a moment to appreciate the silence around her. It was extraordinary…like everything in her fragile life had finally solidified, like the castle around her.

She sighed happily and closed her eyes, reveling in her quiet nirvana. She could have napped. Good lord, how long had it been since she had been relaxed enough to take a nap? It sounded like heaven.

Crrreeeeeeeeak.

"Hello?"

Elsa's eyes shot open.

A wild panic tore through her euphoria like a fierce animal.

A voice had echoed through the castle. Someone had entered…intruded into her home. Her only solace.

She should have felt anger, but all she felt was fear. How very like her.

She swiftly got to her feet and crept to the edge of her door, so she could just see over the balcony in front of her and down into the main foyer.

A single, solitary figure was standing in the middle of the room. It appeared to be a man. He was wearing very plain-looking clothes. A black climbing jacket with a red shirt beneath it, black trousers, and raggedy-looking boots. He was slowly spinning around, like he was taking in everything around him. And yet, to Elsa's confusion and alarm, his face was hidden by a hood pulled over his head.

Her breath came quick. What on earth should she do?! She didn't want to confront him, not when she had finally attained the solitude she sought, but he didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon…and he certainly didn't look friendly.

Then she had a genius idea. She would simply avoid him until he left. It was an enormous palace, and she could surely keep tabs on him while she moved around.

Oh yes. Genius plan indeed.

Elsa silenced the skeptical part of her brain and retreated into her room. She could again her the person's voice.

"Queen Elsa?" Elsa's pulse spiked. "I don't mean to intrude…alright I'm probably intruding…but I mean you no harm. I only wish to talk!"

Elsa remained where she was, not trusting the man. The voice seemed familiar, but she wasn't sure where from.

"…alright then…"

The voice sounded a lot more dejected now. Her hopes rose a bit.

"I know you're probably…tense, after what happened down there…and I can understand that. To a startling degree…"

Elsa's fear was replaced with a derisive skepticism. Something told her he didn't.

"And…also, well…sorry, I just can't concentrate, this place is spectacular!"

The voice had now become excited. Elsa was a bit bemused by this person's fluctuating emotions.

"Did you make it by you-what am I saying, of course you did…I've never seen anything like it."

There was a silence as Elsa attempted to calm the rush of pride she felt at the compliment.

"…you are here, right? Because…" The voice was much quieter now, "…this'll be a bit awkward if you're not…"

Elsa had to stifle a laugh. This man was as awkward as they-

She stopped. The voice finally clicked in her head.

The man from the party?!

"Queen Elsa?

Elsa held her breath. The stranger from the party had followed her. Was he some kind of stalker?!

"I realize you must not trust me, and you're absolutely right to. But I can't leave until I talk to you."

Elsa snuck a glance at the floor below, trying to see where the man was. He was now walking up the stairs.

She tried to calm down, thinking about her options.

Coming to a decision, she exhaled shakily. Very well. But if he doesn't leave…

Frost seeped from her hand.

Elsa stepped out of the room and onto the balcony. The man noticed immediately and turned to face her. Though his face was hidden, she could see his eyes widen as he looked at her. She was shocked to see that they were scarlet red.

Somewhere beneath her fear, she felt a sense of insecurity. No one had seen her in this dress before…she now was regretting including the open seam in her skirt that exposed her leg, especially when it was being seen by a man with those eyes.

The man seemed to be lost for words. Elsa put on a serious face.

"What do you want?"

The man hesitated before answering. Or perhaps it had taken him a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Only to talk." He answered in a dazed voice.

"You were the strange man at the party, correct? Sir Spice?"

"Ah…yes. That'd be me." The man had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed.

"You didn't honestly believe I'd fall for that, did you?"

"Well…it was the first time I had talked to someone in a long time. My impromptu abilities failed me."

"Then you did attend that party uninvited?"

"I did, yes."

"Then what is the true-"

Elsa's words ceased as she looked down. The ice around her feet had begun to whiten from her agitation.

She recoiled immediately. What am I doing?!

"N-nevermind, It doesn't matter! You aren't welcome! I don't care who you are or why you came, but you are not safe here! Leave!"

The man was obviously taken aback by this outburst. He looked very confused.

"What do you mean 'not safe'? This place looks sturdy enough, if you ask me."

"No, I mean-" Elsa turned away. "Just leave! I don't want to hurt you!"

When the man spoke again, he sounded indignant.

"Your majesty, I only came to talk. Is it necessary to threaten me?"

"I'm not threatening you. I'm warning you." Elsa said quietly.

She looked again at the man. His eyes now had an air of concern in them.

"I'm sorry…I don't understand, Queen Elsa."

"I'm not the Queen anymore! I just want to be left alone! So no one is hurt by me anymore…"

The image appeared in her mind again, the same image that had haunted her for her entire life. A slide. A snowman. An elated laugh. A scream. And a flash of blue.

And her sister lying motionless on the ground.

She could not let that happen again, to anyone.

"Now leave!" Elsa warned again, trying to sound forceful.

The man stood his ground, but there was no defiance in his eyes. There was instead a look of intensity, like he had decided something.

"Whatever you think you can do to me, I assure you that-"

"Enough!"

Elsa had tried to warn him, but she could feel the ice in her veins spilling over. She needed him to leave before she lost it.

So she would make him leave…

Hoping this would work, her hands shot out, and a flash of blue lit the room. A swirling cloud appeared, manifesting slowly into the form of an enormous and ferocious-looking snow monster.

The man's jaw fell open.

The snowman snarled, already aware of it's purpose. It thumped towards the hooded man and extended his hand, aiming to grab him.

The man looked ready to run, but to Elsa's amazement, he did not move. Then she saw his eyes again. They almost looked like they had a fire burning within them.

"This is a bit more dramatic than I'd hoped it'd be, but..."

The snow monster clasped it's hands around the man.

Then it let out a yell of pain.

It's hands flew away, and to Elsa's utter bewilderment, she saw that they had been melted to the wrists.

She whirled her head back to the man. To her shock, she saw that steam was flying off of him, and she could hear the sizzle of the water boiling on him.

"Wh-what…?"

The man regarded her with warmer, almost apologetic eyes. Then he brought his hand up.

A bright flame sprung from his palm, glowing radiantly and making the reflective walls of her palace sparkle. For a few moments, the only movement in the room was the soft dancing of the flame.

Elsa felt her whole world flip.

The man in the hood said nothing, waiting.

Almost every inch of Elsa's brain erupted into bedlam. Confusion. Disbelief. Shock.

Sweet, sweet, relief.

"You…you can, too?"

The man silently nodded.

Elsa was filled with a desperate craving for understanding.

"Who are you?"

The man remained silent.

Elsa should have felt indignance, but she only felt a sense of desperation. She needed to know more about this fire man.

"Please. I…I need to know."

The scarlet eyes looked at hers for a moment, then looked away in refusal.

"I just came up here to talk."

Elsa was taken aback. "Why?"

"Because…I've never met anyone with abilities similar to mine. Ever. And I've met a lot of people over the years."

Elsa gazed at him. Then a silly request escaped from her mouth.

"Can you show me more?"

It was quite immature of her, really. But the man almost looked amused. With a wave of his hand, a stream of fire flew from his hands, swirling around her and spiraling into the air, where it vanished in a puff.

Elsa was at a loss for words. She let out an elated laugh that almost immediately dissolved back into a look of shock.

"You…I mean how…"

Then her mind solidified into one, desperate plea.

"How do you control it?!"

The man's eyes opened in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"Please!" Elsa almost grabbed him. "Please tell me!"

"Your majesty…you mean you can't?"

Elsa felt a surge of shame. It was so bizarre, yet so embarrassing. She had never met anyone who could even remotely do what she could, and yet now that she had, she felt a completely inadequate.

"I…" She swallowed. "No. I can't."

The man seemed stunned. "But…this place!"

"I mean…I can when I'm alone, but…"

She looked down. "I spent my whole life hiding my powers from others. To…conceal and not feel. It's become my mantra."

She expected more confusion from the man. Instead, his eyes reflected nothing but sympathy.

"I'm sorry. It was just so spectacular, what I saw down there…I didn't mean to sound arrogant."

"No, no, it's…it's okay." Elsa assured him.

Then she realized something. She laughed once.

"I can't believe I'm having this conversation." She said, smiling in amazement.

The man misunderstood, looking embarrassed. "I don't mean to be intrusive-"

"No, no! Not that…I just never expected to ever meet anyone with whom I could talk with about magic powers…at least on even ground, anyways."

The man smiled. "Me neither, your majesty."

She gave him another look.

"You still won't tell me your name?"

The man continued to look at her.

Elsa smiled, a new sense of fun burrowing into her brain. "Very well. I'll give you one."

The man almost laughed. "If that's what you want."

Elsa thought for a moment, not entirely sure if she was serious about this.

"I'll call you Brann, then."

The man really did laugh this time. "Imaginitive."

"You're the one refusing to identify yourself! And if I can't know your name, I'll simply identify you by your fire." Elsa said smartly.

The man cowed a bit, an uneasy smile on his face.

"Fine. Brann it is."

"Excellent."

Elsa stared at his hidden face a bit longer. She was finally free for the first time in her life, yet now all she could think about was finding out more about this strange man.

"Oh, and…your majesty-"

"Elsa. Just Elsa is fine. I'm not really a Queen anymore, anyway…"

"Elsa…if you want…I'd be honored to help you.

Elsa felt like someone had just handed her the keys to paradise.

"Thank you." She answered, trying not to sound too desperate at the prospect of never having to hide her powers again.

"I mean…I don't know how much I could help, but I'll try to-"

"It's okay!" Elsa assured him, surprised at his flustered state. "I think any help is good help."

The man she had named Brann smiled again. His eyes had a soft and excited glow to them.

"Then let's get started, shall we?"