AN: Dark-ish AU I haven't written in quite a while so bear with this and all it's horrid mistakes. This was meant to be tiny, but promptly got away from me and became 2,371 words. Mostly got my inspiration from listening to Enya "Hills of Ireland" and watching sparkle poi, if anyone gets confused as to what the hell is going on.

Anna had never seen Arendelle, but she'd heard the stories. The kingdom of perpetual winter, a castle covered and reinforced with pure ice, a dangerous army mixed with men and snow golems at the beck and call of the Snow Queen.

Everyone knew the tale, how on Princess Elsa's 18th birthday, the Southern Isles attempted to take over the kingdom.

They had succeeded only in killing the King and Queen of Arendelle, but in return Princess Elsa froze and shattered their armies, crushing the warships in the fjord. Some say the Princess kept the head of the Prince who attempted this in her throne room. A warning to any who enter. And a symbol to other kingdoms that Arendelle would not take kindly threats of any sort.

That was 3 years ago, who was Anna to say they were true or not? To her they were only stories.

But standing in front of the massive gate, Anna wasn't quite so sure they were merely tales.

Anna had been with the traveling circus for most of her 20 years, she was raised by the family of tumblers and acrobats after being found along the side of the road as the caravans passed by. Bulda had scooped her up off the road, set her down on the front bench of the wagon and Anna had a family.

A loud and rambunctious family, but one nonetheless.

Over the years she learned to dance, adding in the acrobatics she picked up from her siblings. It was not a pretty sight in the beginning, Bulda was always cleaning scrapes and cuts, resetting broken bones.

"You have the grace of a new born filly, my dear. But do not worry! You have all the time in the world to get it right." Bulda would say while wrapping up Anna's arm after she accidently backflipped into the knife juggler.

So she practiced and practiced, became one of the circus's most loved shows. But she wanted to make it more exciting, so she added fire.

Surprisingly, to everyone, Anna took to the fire dancing like a fish to water.

Twirling batons, staves, swinging hoops and poi, anything she could add a flame to she used. Anna became known as the 'Girl Who Dances With Fire.' This brought much fame and popularity to the traveling circus.

It also got the attention of royalty.

This was how Anna got the attention of the Snow Queen.

"Whatever you do, everyone, be quiet, be calm and do whatever she asks." Gran Pabbie told them as quietly as he could, while they were being led to the ballroom, where Her Majesty Queen Elsa of Arendelle requested a private showing of their circus.

Anna shuffled around the back of the group, fidgeting with the end of a braided pigtail. She kept glancing around, taking in the sights of the walls and ceiling. The ice was everywhere, such painstaking details and breathtaking beauty. She couldn't believe that a tyrant was responsible for all this.

If it wasn't for the guard behind her holding a pretty large halberd in his hands, she would've liked to just wander the halls and see all the wonders.

Soon enough the entire group was ushered into the entrance of the ballroom, the guards setting down some of the supplies that they were allowed. Some of the performances couldn't be so easily set up and had to stay behind with the wagons. Gran Pabbie had brought in her family, the acrobats and tumblers, a few of the more tamer animals, the juggling quartet, husband and wife knife throwing act, they are going to try the clowns to see if perhaps they could get a laugh out of the Queen.

Anna's fire dancing act would be the last to go and now looking around the ballroom she saw that there would be enough room to use the sparkle poi's she saves for special occasion. She kneeled down by the box containing her gear, but she glances up as the silence finally reaches her ears.

Wide teal eyes meet sharp arctic blue.

Her breath caught in her throat, Anna could barely remember what was going on. Still staring she could've sworn there was a glimmer of something in those hypnotizing blue eyes. Startled she tried averting her gaze only to find herself staring at the Snow Queens pale lips that seemed to be smirking. Anna had to be imagining that tiny quirk of the edge of her lips, there was no way. But as the seconds pass, she realizes what she's doing and blushes heavily, her cheeks feeling like they could easily light up the whole room they were so red.

Flustered, she shuffles backwards only to knock a few props over, the juggler clubs clatter against the ice cold stone floor, sounding like a crack of lightning. Anna lets out a squeak and grabs for the clubs, clinging the heavy weights to her chest and hoping her breathing stops sounding so loud in her ears.

Keeping her gaze to the floor she feels Bulda place a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. Glancing up she gives her mother a small smile, gently handing the clubs to her mouthing an apology.

"No worries my darling, we're all a tad nervous, now take a deep breath, calm those nerves." Bulda patted her shoulder once more, "Make sure your gear and outfit is ready. And remember my dear one, we love you no matter what." With that she walked back over to her other children to go over some last tips for the performance.

Fidgeting with her hair again, Anna turned back towards the box by her knees gently pulling her poi and materials out of it. From the corner of her eye she glances at the Queen, taking in the whole image rather then blatently staring into her eyes.

Queen Elsa was seated on a simple throne of dark mahogany wood, silver accents placed along the top and arms to resemble a beautiful snowflake, the one Anna kept seeing in all the ice around the castle so far. The Queen herself wearing what looked like a dress made of glittering diamonds, the shade of the blue alternating between the lightest of blue and a color a touch darker then her eyes. Her skin, so pale it looked to glow under the lights, contrasted well with the various shades of blue.

Her platinum blonde hair was tied into elegant braid that rested over her left shoulder, loose bangs were pushed back over the top of her head, while some still escaped and framed her face. Anna would admit that the look gave her a wildness, a predatory air, especially since the Queen had such a blank expression but her eyes were narrowed slightly. Like a hawk searching the ground below for prey.

Those stunning blue eyes looked towards her again and Anna near about fumbled the sack of charcoal in her hands.

With her hands shaking, she gently places the bag down and presses her face into her hands.

"Breathe Anna, breathe. Everything will be okay, just stop thinking the Queen over there and those georgous eyes of hers, focus! Focus on your act, breathe in, breathe out, be calm" She silently told herself. Taking another deep breath, she looked towards Gran Pabbie as he slowly and carefully walk towards the center of the room. As close as he dared to the Snow Queen.

"Your Majesty, we thank you for allowing us to perform our humble show for your viewing pleasure," he bows as he can with his cane, "If it would please you, Stransgart Circus would like to start the performances off with the Ombrien Family Acrobats, unrivaled in their daring feats."

He glanced up for the briefest of moments, only to see her nod and lean back in her chair.

All the performances so far had been the best that they ever had been, her family had done some more of the daring stunts and tumbles, the jugggling quartet had made flinging and tossing swords look so effortlessly easy, and the animal trainers and their companions were in top form, hitting all their tricks. But yet, the Queen looked unimpressed, she had even taken to talking to a guard during the short interlude between the clowns and the knife throwing duo.

Anna knew that she was the reason they were all there, her show had gotten too much attention and now it looked like they would be in so much trouble. Undoing her cloak, she let it fall to the floor, kicking it to the side. Anna fidgeted with the strings on the sides of her vest, tightening it to make sure it was secure. The dark green leather gave her great freedom to move her arms unhindered while protecting her upper body from the flames. Kneeling down she retied her knee high boots, making sure the black pants were tucked in neatly and wouldn't pull out while she moved about.

Content with her clothes she quietly made her ways towards the band and kneeled next to one of them.

"Eliah, would you be able to play that song we heard in the taverns in Ireland? The one with the drum, flute, violin, and guitar? I just think it would be the best music for this and I know we haven't played it all that much bu-" A strong hand ruffled her hair, interrupting her nervous rambling.

"That will be just fine lass, we know it well enough. Now off with ya, you're nearly next here and we don't want to make her wait." Eliah smiled gently at her, nudging her with his knee.

Anna beamed at him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Dashing back to her gear she picked up the poi and made her way towards Gran Pabbie. The knife throwing couple were bringing their equipment back to the group. Anna nodded and smiled to them as they passed. Gran Pabbie walked back towards a few paces ahead of her to announce her act, but it was all Anna could do to keep her head bowed and not to look up at the Queen herself.

Promising herself just a peek, she peered up through her bangs and saw that she was watching Anna intently and had sat up straighter in her seat.

"Breathe, just breathe, focus on the dance, on the fire. It's just like any other performance night." Shaking her head slightly Anna prepared herself. Standing up straight, shoulders back, head held high, she started walking towards the center of the room.

Only to be stopped by two, quite large guards. Staring up at them, she could only gape as they took the poi out of her hands.

"Um, wait, I need those..." she said quietly, even as they turned and walked away to a side of the ballroom. Confused, she looks towards Gran Pabbie as he walks back towards her. When he reaches her, he takes her hands in his own, gently rubbing the back of them with his large thumbs.

"I know Anna, it's all become a mess, but you still have a show to put on. Now don't worry," he smiled sadly and brought her hands up to lay a kiss on the knuckles, "Be calm, be steady, let it come to you and above all, be free. We all love you Anna, now off with you." With one last kiss he released her hands and walked away from her.

Turning slightly, she watched him hug Bulda tightly. Gripping the bottom of her vest tightly she faced back towards the front of the room, focusing on a point above the throne.

As she reached the center of the room, she kneeled down on one knee, hands out on either sides with her fingertips resting against the cold floor. Anna stayed in this position as the drums started playing, setting the tempo. Taking a deep breath she stood as the flute added itself in and she began her dance. Mostly a few bends and twirls till she had the next instrument playing and her postion was just right.

Right before the violin began, she did a slow backflip to balance on a hand before she placed her feet back on the ground.

And as her heels touched the ground, Anna let the fire free.

Flickers of flames leapt from the ground with every tap of her feet to the ground. Tendrils of fire coiled around her forearms to drape towards the floor, making it seem she carried a whip in each hand.

Anna grinned and began her dance in ernest.

She twirled and leaped flames leaping from each step she takes, letting the fire follow her movements and create elaborate designs in the air surrounding her. The fire itself lingered and curls before dissipating.

As the music hit the crescendo she spun the flames in her hands quickly, creating a fiery circle on either side of her. Taking a deep breath she brought the two circles together with force and the fire started to spark, spit, and sputter embers. Bringing the circles back to her sides, she twirled them harder, the effect making arcs of embers and flames fly out and away from the main form.

Moving closer to the finale she swung the flame up above circling her body and letting the fire curl around her in a cocoon. With a final move she swung her arms up and quickly dropped to her knees, slamming her fists onto the ground, letting the fire whip down and leave a trail of burnt ash on the ground in front of her.

Breathing heavily, Anna sat there on her knees trying to get her bearings. It had been such a long time since she let herself go and freed the fire inside.

A cool hand pressed against her cheek before cupping her chin, tilting her head up. Anna slowly opened her eyes only to come face to face with Queen Elsa, staring at her intently.

"You will be staying with me, from now on, little fire dancer." Her Majesty whispered to her, cool breath ghosting over Anna's skin.

Anna promptly fainted, exhaustion taking over.