It, like all things, had started off so innocently. Anna could still remember that night as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. There had been another ball going on, but this one was different. This one actually mattered. For hundreds of years, it had been tradition: once a princess turns 18, she must find a suitor. But not just any suitor, he must be a prince; a king with some fancy title from some far off land that would come in and sweep her off her feet, carrying her off to her happily ever after. Anna knew this, she had grown up knowing this her whole life.
Since Elsa had become queen, she was free of this requirement, not that she even had time to concern herself with frivolous things like love and romance. Anna on the other hand, was stuck.
She had been fine at first, but then on the night of the ball, when she'd walked in on a room full of people, knowing in her head that she was going to be forced to marry one of them-no matter how she felt about it, she cracked.
She had been standing right in front of everybody, about to bow down to the first prince when it'd happened. She'd took one look at his outstretched hand and ran out of the room, tears blinding her vision. She heard Elsa calling her name as the crowd gasped, turning to whisper roughly to each other. Anna drowned it all out, pushing the giant wooden doors out of her way as she fled. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew she just had to get away from there. Her heart clenched as she felt the hot, stinging tears pour down her face. She couldn't do this. She didn't want to do this. She wasn't ready! She was scared.
She ran and ran and before she knew it, she found herself in the palace stables, huddled over a pile of hay, sobbing her heart out. She didn't want to be forced to marry someone, especially if she didn't even love them!
She lay there for what felt like hours, not caring that hay and mud were seeping through her pink ballgown, or that it was rather cold out here. She just cried and cried and cried.
After a while, it felt like she had no more tears left in he, and she turned over to stare up at the ceiling. Her eyes were red and her chest felt heavy, like there was a great force pushing down on it. She suddenly heard a shuffle of movement and sat up, terrified at the thought of someone finding her like this.
Her heart seemed to freeze and she felt her face blaze with shame as she saw a palace stable boy eyeing her, a frightened look on his face. He looked to be about her age, had messy blonde hair, and a splay of freckles across his nose. "Uh…your highness?" He asked hesitantly.
Anna stood up. "Ah, sorry!" She exclaimed, trying to quickly fix herself up. "I-I was just…" She let out a yelp as in her haste she tripped over her own skirt. She tumbled forward, blushing even more as the stranger reached forward and caught her.
He still looked very uneasy as he held her, pulling her up so she was standing face-to-face with him. "Hey, careful," He said, laughing a little.
Anna blushed. "Sorry," She muttered. Up close, she got a good look into his eyes, which were a nice, warm brown with a few flecks of gold in them. She found herself thinking he was quite handsome, which caused her to turn even redder, chiding herself.
He let go of her and backed up, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "So…uh…are you sure you're okay? Because I could have sworn I heard you crying, unless you're going to tell me that it was one of the horses?"
Anna bit her lip, feeling even more embarrassed. "I was just…I just….tonight didn't go well," She finished lamely, sitting back down on the floor of the barn. She rested her head between her knees and sighed.
She felt him sit beside her, sighing as well. "It couldn't have been that bad," He said, sounding a little judgmental. "Isn't today your big birthday ball, or whatever? I can't imagine how getting a cake and presents and dancing all night would be so horrible."
Anna sat up, turning to face him with folded arms. "Trust me, it was. It's not just any old ball, I'm supposed to pick a suitor tonight. To get married to."
"Marriage? That's it?" He scoffed.
Anna's eyes narrowed. "Yes." She had never had anyone talk so bluntly or critically to her before. She couldn't decide if she liked it or not yet.
He looked right back at her, an incredulous frown on his face. "You know, it could be worse. At least you're not forced to work in a stable all day for a living."
Anna frowned. "Well…no one's forcing you to do anything. You could just quit, if you're so miserable here."
"And do what?" He countered. "You know, not everyone has life handed to them on a silver platter. Some people actually have to work for things."
"I work for things!" Anna protested, standing back up. "And I have a right to be upset! I shouldn't have to want to get married to some complete stranger who I don't even have any feelings for!"
The stable hand stood up as well, looking just as aggravated. "Well, you have my apologies, Your Highness."
Anna didn't know what it was, but when he addressed her like that, it made her title seem so…stupid. She stood there, opening her mouth wordlessly, trying to think of something to say. "I just want to be alone." She finally huffed, folding her arms and turning her back to him.
They were silent for a moment as both scowled over their encounter, until Anna turned to look back at him again. "And I do have a name you know," she huffed.
"So do I, Anna." He smirked.
"Oh yeah?" Anna said dryly, feeling her cheeks grow hot again. "What is it? Annoying…stupid…face?"
"Very funny," He said, going over to stand in front of her. "It's Kristoff, actually." He held out his hand and Anna hesitantly shook it.
"Well, it was…interesting to meet you…Kristoff," She said, choosing to ignore the fact that their hands felt nice together.
"As to you." Kristoff replied, a hint of a smile on his face. He turned to look her over. "Do you want any help with…that?"
Anna looked down to all the mud and hay on her dress. She looked like a mess. "Um, no," She said. "I think I'm going to just go to bed anyways. I don't want to go back to that ballroom."
"Alright," Kristoff said. He noticed she was shivering and found a blanket to awkwardly place over her shoulder. "Er…here."
"Thanks." Anna blushed, and was surprised by the sudden burst of butterflies in her stomach. Where had those come from?
"Sure. Just try not to fall again, okay?" Kristoff said, walking over to tend to one of the horses.
"I'll do what I can," Anna said, giggling. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave him one last curious glance before leaving the barn, unable to keep a silly smile from spreading across her face.
***
The next day Anna returned to the stables. She peered around for Kristoff, wondering if he was there yet. She bit off part of a hunk of chocolate, something she'd "borrowed" from the kitchen. "Excuse me?" She called, looking around the stable. "I uh…need a horse?"
She peeked around a corner, but saw no one. Huh. She turned in a full circle, calling out again, but suddenly felt herself ram into someone. They both fell to the ground, Anna now sprawled over the stranger. Her cheeks were blazing bright red, and she looked to see who she had injured this time. "Oh God, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed.
She felt her cheeks blaze as she saw it was Kristoff, who was closer to her than ever. "Why am I not surprised," he grunted, looking up at her. "I should have known it was you. Now, tell me, are you always this graceful?"
Anna's mouth opened and closed wordlessly, feeling completely embarrassed. The butterflies from the night before had come back again, only this time they felt more like pterodactyls. Why was she so nervous? He was just a stable boy. He worked for her. "I…I just-" She stammered.
Kristoff raised an eyebrow.
Anna blushed. "I mean…I just wanted…you…no, wait, I don't want you! Not that I don't like you, you're nice! For a stable-hand-person!" She wanted to disappear as she heard herself ramble. "Ah…chocolate?" She offered, holding out her hand.
A smile tugged at the corner of Kristoff's lips, and it looked like he was holding back a laugh. "Didn't you say something about wanting a horse?"
Anna blushed some more. "Yes, but…I don't anymore."
Kristoff rolled his eyes. "Just like a royal, always changing their minds." He smirked up at her before leaning up to take a bite of the chocolate.
Anna pushed him playfully. "Just…shut up."
Kristoff's eyes widened slightly. "Harsh language for a princess," he chuckled, mouth still full of chocolate.
Anna smirked at him. "Bad manners for someone in the presence of royalty."
Kristoff swallowed, a tinge of pink appearing in his cheeks. "Touche." He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted both of them up, making sure to set Anna down gently. He walked over to one of the horses, petting it's mane absentmindedly. "Do you still want to go for a ride? Because I can…ah…assist you or whatever."
Anna smiled at him coyly. "Will you come with me?"
Kristoff smiled back. "Just as long as you don't accidentally run me off a cliff, or something."
Anna giggled. "I'll try not to."
And so, no matter how unconventional it might have been, they became friends.
***
After much begging and pleading (and not to mention apologizing), Anna had managed to convince Elsa to postpone the engagement planning and so, at least for now, she was free. Anna found herself lurking more and more around the stables, coming up with every excuse in the book for why she would be there. Sometimes she and Kristoff would just spend hours together, talking and laughing about anything and everything. Anna loved how he was always just himself around her, how he wasn't afraid to say exactly what was on his mind. He just felt so real.
One day they had gone out for another ride together. Winter had settled in Arendelle by now, and snowflakes were swirling down peacefully. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Anna had pulled her horse to a stop and jumped off, plopping right down into the snow.
"What are you doing?" Kristoff had asked, raising an eyebrow.
Anna beamed. "Making a snow angel." She lay on her back and proceeded in doing so, giggling as all the tiny snowflakes from above dissolved against her cheeks.
To her surprise, Kristoff lay beside her, and made his own angel, which in the end didn't come out nearly as neat as hers. "Guess I'm not much of an angel, huh?" He chuckled, wincing at his handiwork.
"Yes you are," Anna said without thinking, immediately placing her hands over her mouth afterwards. "I-I mean…you're nice…and big…like an angel….and stuff," she stammered.
Kristoff grinned knowingly. "Sure." He dragged her over, ruffling the top of her hair.
Anna rolled her eyes and pushed him back in the snow, following him soon after as Kristoff yanked on her leg. Anna let out a squeal as she fell, once again landing squarely on his chest.
Anna couldn't help but smile down at him, almost sighing out loud. She had to admit to herself, he certainly was cute, even if he was common. He was certainly unlike any prince she'd ever met; he was much rougher and bulkier for one thing. Just lying here, she could feel all the muscles in his arms and chest, as well as the rapid beating of his heart. She felt herself involuntary pressing herself against him, subconsciously wanting to be closer.
She felt her cheeks grow warm as she suddenly realized he was staring back, his eyes wide and bashful. There were a few more long moments of them lying there in the snow, looking at each other in anxious wonderment, before they both turned bright red, each stammering their apologies.
Anna reluctantly peeled herself off of him, unable to stop the unexplainable pounding in her chest. "We should be heading back," she said, playing with the end of her braid.
Kristoff gulped and nodded. "Yeah."
***
It wasn't long before Anna found herself daydreaming about the stable hand. At first, she tried to stop this from happening as much as she could, but it was just so hard. One day Elsa had been giving her another lesson in etiquette when Anna had spotted Kristoff through the window. He was loading more hay into the stables, and Anna couldn't help but stare longingly. When he bent over, she could see the muscles in his back clench in the best of ways. Every now and then he'd flip his hair out of his eyes, and the action alone sent shivers down her spine.
"Anna!" Elsa snapped, waving a hand in front of her sister's face. "Focus!"
Anna straightened up, her cheeks now tinged pink. "I'm sorry," She said quickly. "I was just…distracted."
Distracted would prove to be an understatement. At dinner, she couldn't stop analyzing the way he'd smiled at her when she said she loved spending time with him. During her lessons she giggled as she thought of the snowball fight they'd shared, and how she'd felt when he'd brushed the hair out of her eyes, mumbling something about how they covered up her face. At night she could barely fall asleep, all she could think about was when they would meet again.
She was falling in love with him.
But instead of spending her days drawing hearts in the margins of her manuscripts, or staying up late planning ways to see him again, Anna found herself feeling miserable. She knew there was no way they could ever be together-he was common, Elsa would never approve. Anna had to marry a prince-it was her destiny, her duty. What would the people of Arendelle say if the princess married a stable hand? And besides, Kristoff probably didn't even like her, he was just being nice.
But what was she supposed to do? She couldn't deny her feelings for him, she couldn't say that her heart didn't speed up when he said her name, or that the way her body tingled whenever he was near was fake.
She had all these thoughts and feelings bottled up inside her, and it was becoming harder and harder to hold them in. One night, she snuck out to the stables, wanting to speak to Kristoff. She opened her mouth to call out to him when she was suddenly interrupted by the soft sound of a lute playing. She tip-toed around the corner, smiling as she saw that it was no one other than Kristoff. He was sitting in a pile of hay, strumming the instrument expertly as he hummed some unknown tune.
Anna stood there for a few moments, mesmerized by the rich tones in his voice and the calming melodies of his lute. She had never felt so relaxed and anxious at the same time as she pressed her back up against the wall, drinking in every note like water. This was not helping her…situation at all, as she now found herself wanting to do nothing more than tackle him to the ground and-
"Are you going to come over here or what?" Kristoff suddenly called out, pausing his lute playing. Anna could hear the humor in his voice, and she blushed. "I heard you come in," he added as she left her hiding place and walked over to him.
Anna stammered shyly before she finally found her voice. "That's a beautiful song," she said, sitting beside him in the hay.
Kristoff shrugged and set the lute aside. "It's nothing really, I was just messing around. It…ah…helps the horses get to sleep."
Anna smiled at him, sliding slightly closer to him. "Well, you're still really, really good."
Kristoff blushed. "Thanks." He paused, glancing out the stable doors. "Isn't it really late?" He asked, looking at her concernedly.
Anna smirked. "Your point?"
Kristoff smiled back. "Don't princesses have to be in bed at like 4 o'clock? To get your beauty sleep?"
Anna pushed him and giggled. "No! That's ridiculous!"
Kristoff surprised her by pulling her over to him, proceeding to tickle her all over. Anna squirmed in his arms, squealing with delight. She laughed and pushed his hands away, even though she didn't really want to. Kristoff obliged but still held her in his arms, looking down at her with that adorable half-smile of his.
Anna looked up at him, feeling so peaceful and content. He was just so perfect, and sweet, and everything she'd ever dreamed of, but she knew he could never be hers. The thought broke her, and suddenly all her emotions she'd tried to keep hidden came bursting to the surface. She got up from his lap and walked away, unable to stop herself from bursting into tears.
Kristoff followed her, placing both of his hands on her sides. "What's wrong?" He asked. "Don't tell me you're having another ball?"
Anna shook her head, refusing to look at him.
"Then what?" Kristoff asked, sounding more worried. He turned her around and tilted her chin up so she was forced to make eye contact with him. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Anna opened her mouth, but no words came out. She shivered as Kristoff raised his thumb to wipe her tears away. "I-I c-can't," She said, her voice cracking. She could feel her heart getting heavier with every word and she felt like she was going to fall apart.
"Yes you can!" Kristoff insisted. He grabbed both of her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "I hate seeing you like this! Please, tell me! Why are you crying?"
Anna gulped as more tears started to leak from her eyes. Her mouth opened and before she knew it, words were tumbling out, without her even thinking about it. "B-because," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I-I love you and I k-know that we could never be together." She felt her voice crack as she crumbled, and began to cry again. She probably looked so pathetic-she was pathetic, actually. She couldn't bring herself to look at his expression, but she assumed he had to look either very shocked or angry. He'd probably never want to speak to her again after this.
But to her surprise, Kristoff yanked her off the ground, smiling at her before pressing their lips together in a firm kiss.
Anna froze. He was kissing her. He was kissing her! She had so many different emotions flying through her at once, each one different than the next. She could tell he was hesitant and nervous, his hands wrapped around her waist, holding her in place uncertainly.
Anna smiled against his lips, flinging herself into his arms and kissing him back with just as much fervor. Kristoff smiled back and his arms wrapped around her more tightly. He lifted her off the ground slightly, causing her hips to swing side-to-side. Anna tilted her head to deepen the kiss, gripping every part of him that she could reach. The stables were quiet and still, all except for a few shaky breaths and sighs of pleasure on Kristoff and Anna's part.
Kissing him just felt so right. Anna found herself scowling mentally; why hadn't she done this sooner? They could have been doing this instead of her moping around the castle all day! This would have been far more entertaining. She shivered as Kristoff traced his tongue against her bottom lip, asking for access. Anna happily let him, the new sensation driving her wild. Her body fell limp against his, and she clutched onto the front of his shirt for support. He tasted surprisingly like sugar and cinnamon, and she growled slightly, wanting more.
Kristoff chuckled against her mouth, suddenly pulling away to catch his breath. "I love you too," He stammered breathlessly. "But I thought..I thought you-"
"I know," Anna finished, smiling at him. She cut him off by leaning in to kiss him again, and Kristoff moaned, picking her up to lay her down in the hay. Anna let all her worries drift away as they lay there in the stable, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears and kissing until they were both gasping for air.
***
And so their game began. It was full of excitement and romance, but it was also tricky, trying to find ways to be together without getting caught. Most of their exertions would take place at night, in which Anna would awake to hear him calling out her name and tossing pebbles against her window.
She'd crawl out of bed excitedly, waving out the window to him before running out of the castle, nightgown and all. Then she'd run over to him, tackling him in a big hug. He'd tumble backwards, and Anna would laugh, giving him a quick peck on the nose. Then they'd go off on whatever crazy adventure Kristoff had planned for the night.
Anna felt like she was one of the heroines in one of those romance novels she loved reading. Her boring, regular, mundane life had now been replaced by one of passion and excitement. She had never felt more loved or needed than when Kristoff would take her into his arms, rubbing her back softly as they watched the Northern Lights shine over the fjord. "I love you," he'd whisper, placing a gentle kiss against her temple.
Anna would blush and giggle as she always did, and cuddle up against him. "I love you too."
Things were more difficult when they were in public, and Anna had to act like she didn't know Kristoff, let alone that they hadn't just spent a very passionate and risqué night together just yesterday. Elsa would take Anna down to the stables, wanting to go on a ride with her through the countryside. Kristoff would act completely natural, calmly telling Elsa which steed he thought would be best for their excursion, but Anna would have to force herself to stare at the floor, her cheeks crimson.
There were other times when Kristoff would be a bit more…emboldened. On one day, the royal court had been traveling through Arendelle when Kristoff had called her over, claiming that he wanted Anna's advice on whether or not the saddle was placed correctly.
Anna had headed over to him, a knowing glint in her eye. "What's this about a saddle?" She'd asked, running a single finger down his arm.
Kristoff had smiled and checked to make sure Elsa wasn't looking before dragging Anna into an alley, pressing her up against the wall and proceeding to attack her neck.
"K-kristoff!" Anna had gasped, trying to ignore how good his ministrations felt. "Elsa's only a few feet away! What if we get caught?"
"We won't," Kristoff had mumbled, still kissing her collarbone.
Anna rolled her eyes. She knew it was risky, Elsa wasn't an idiot after all, but nevertheless she still found herself grinding her hips against his and kissing him back. She would be annoyed at him after events such as these occurred, but that still didn't stop her from letting him into her bed chambers in the dead of night.
Anna knew she shouldn't be involved with him like this. She knew that they should forget about each other and move on to safer things. But hard as she tried, Anna couldn't just forget Kristoff. She didn't want to just let go of all those memories, she didn't want to forget the way he actually listened to her, and talked to her like she was a real person. Kristoff seemed like the only person in the world who saw her as Anna, and not just the princess of Arendelle. She didn't want to forget his laugh or his smile. She didn't want to forget the way he'd press her up against the stable walls, the way he'd growl her name as he kissed all over her body. He made her feel so alive, like her whole being was on fire, and her mind was numb. With him, she'd experienced things she didn't even know were possible, things she wasn't just going to forget.
Elsa was growing suspicious, Anna could tell. There were a few too many times when Anna would come back from one of their exertions, rushing to the dinner table with disheveled hair and smeared lipstick. "Is everything all right?" Elsa would ask, looking at her skeptically.
Anna would nod fervently, trying to keep herself steady. She hated lying to her sister, but she was just so scared. What if Elsa forced her to break it off, or worse, never let her see him again? Elsa wanted what was best for Anna, and Anna was terrified that she wouldn't understand that what she needed was Kristoff, not some fancy prince.
Anna would tell her, eventually. She just knew that one day, she'd be able to walk in a room with Kristoff, and they could stand side-by-side, hand-in-hand, and she could let the whole world know that they had both found love; that they'd found each other.
But there would be time for that later, and for now, Anna was content loving him in private; in secret letters and midnight murmurs, in kisses covered by purple twilight and knowing looks from across the room.
Yes, it was unconventional, and yes, maybe even a little crazy, but at least for now they had each other, and that was all that they needed. Her happily ever after was within reach, she was ready for it, and now she just had to go get it.