Chapter One

It was a typical January afternoon in the small town of Living Rock, Norway. This wasn't the most well known of town in the country; in fact you would miss it completely if you didn't know it was there. The people that inhabited the land were a simple kind folk; making honest livings and supporting the community. On the edge of town stood two large estates. The manors did share the plot of land, which consisted of 200 acres.

The head of households were Lord Dronning and Bjorgman, old friends from their time spent at university. They invested in the land after graduation and built their families there. Although they had the space, they chose to keep their residences only that of a quarter of a mile apart. Enough room to develop but still a stone's throw away. Both dwellings were expertly crafted in solid stone, the winter sun shining off of the artisan planked roof. They were pieces of art.

However, the aforementioned Lords and their Ladies were absent from their glorious properties on that day, due to a royal wedding in Corona, Germany. It was a glorious occasion that would last a fortnight in the kingdom. The Dronnings and Bjorgmans had even chartered a vessel for the journey but would return within the week.

Two small figures burst from the Manor of Dronning just at the sun rose to its highest point in the sky. They raced over the snowy knolls, not slowing down as they slide down the mounds. It was not often their parents took holiday, especially for an entire week.

"Hurry up Anna!" The first figure hitched his step as he noticed his companion had fallen behind, past a particularly large snow bank. The white powder was easier for him to maneuver in considering his matured height. But the petite form of the Dronning mistress was hindering her progress to their destination. Her caramel hair seemed almost golden in the sunlight as it was pushed out of her face by two small pigtails, resting at the nape of her neck. Her frustration showed clearly in her cerulean orbs as she narrowed them at the maddening obstacle in front of her. He could still make out her frustrated expression on her angular face through the flakes that had collected on it from her battle with the flurry. She was the younger of the two Dronning mistresses, being the only one that still occupied the manor with the Lord and Lady.

"It's not my fault! My legs can't reach over the snow, Kristoff!" She whined as she could feel the freezing substance melting through her stockings.

The boy only laughed as her freckled face clearly showed her discomfort. She was rather small for the age of six but she had been feeling a growth spurt recently. But the youngest Dronning still had a ways to go if she were to catch up to her elder comrade. Master Bjorgman pushed his golden-honey blonde locks out of his eyes as his hat shifted slightly from the sudden frosty breeze. His warm hazel eyes danced with laughter as once again his friend was covered in snow. His rosy cheeks instantly brightened from the influx of cold.

Anna finally made it through the wall of white powder and they continued to their target.

The river was just north of their landings and didn't take more than ten minutes to reach. Without delays. But the snow had fallen extra hard the night before and it took the two twice as long to reach their isolated setting. But it was well worth the excursion.

The banks were covered in inches and inches of untouched snow, the hard rocks and dirt forgotten beneath its beauty. The tall trees surrounding them were bear expect for the flakes that had gathered from the night. And the river was solid. No movement could be seen underneath the glistening ice. Only the sun's rays were reflecting from its frozen surface.

Anna gasped as she finally entered the clearing, "Its like a snow globe." She whispered loud enough for Kristoff to hear her. She was truly amazed by its beauty. A small smile graced Kristoff's coral lips. He had always loved the winter. He tolerated the cold but snow just made this his favorite time of year. He was so distracted by the white scenery that he didn't even see the ball flying at his head until the side of his face was covered in snow. He instantly snapped out of his admiring daze and whipped his head towards where Anna stood. With her hands behind her back she gave him her most innocent look. But couldn't hold it as chunks fell from the blonde's cheek. Her face cracked and a fit of giggled was released. She doubled over with laughter and that was when he engaged his revenge.

A large mass of snow struck Anna right on top of her head, so firmly that her furry purple bonnet flew from its resting spot. As her cerulean eyes looked to where Kristoff previously stood, nothing was left but footprints. He had taken cover behind a large oak tree and was waging an all out war on Anna.

They laughed and squealed as both opponents got good hits on the other. It wasn't until a long ranged snowball flew over Anna's head and landed on the solid river behind her. She instinctively stopped and turned her attention to the frozen water.

"Kristoff, look! Its just like when we ice skate!" She was so excited she jumped right onto the brook without hesitation. A worried furrow crossed Kristoff's face as he neared the snowy edge, "Anna, that's not safe. You need to come back over here." He reached his hand out for her to grab a hold of, but she disregarded it and slid across the top of the ice.

The blonde seven year old's stomach churned, as he was not at ease with Anna messing around on the frozen water. He knew not to trust things like this, as they usually were not frozen all the way through. Just as he was about to warn her again, she leaped again and laughed. But the sound was overpowered by the cracking of the surface beneath her. Before he even blinked, she was gone, disappearing into the water below.

"Anna!" Kristoff screamed. But there was no answer. She was under the ice now. The young boy did not hesitate even for a moment as he ran to the opening and dove in after her.

Despite the sun shining above the surface, below the frozen top it was almost pitch black. He searched the surroundings but saw nothing. Then he saw two large air bubbles float past his face and go towards the hole. He followed where the bubbles had come from and was just losing sight of Anna's gloved hand, reaching for him. He pushed his body even deeper and locked his hand around her wrist. Her eyes were lidded and her form was limp. He held her waist and propelled himself towards the only light above him.

They breached the surface, once again being met with the icy chill of January. He forceful lifted her wilted body on top of the ice, praying it would not give way again. As he hoisted himself out he was reminded of just how freezing it was. Anna showed no sign of awaking and he slowly started to panic. He had to get her back to their homes. So he forced his frozen arms to lift her small frame onto his back and ran back in the direction they originally came from.

His body was slowly shutting down. He could no longer feel his legs or arms but somehow he kept moving. Forcing the blood to pump through his veins. But the mass on his back stayed unmoving. He could feel her fading heart beat through his soaked jacket. She was even colder than he was. He needed to hurry. He pushed his heavy legs to go faster.

His front door was within range now. Only a hundred more yards to go. But his vision was blurring. He could not focus and he wasn't even sure if he was moving forward anymore. They were so close. He had to make it.

But darkness consumed him before he could reach the entrance.

It seemed like hours had past when hazel eyes awoke from their sleep. The room he was in was dark, the only light being from the blazing fireplace, but he could recognize it as his family's sitting room. His soaking clothes had been replaced with fresh ones along with piles of blankets and a hot water bottle. When a noise stirred next to him he remembered the accident. And Anna! He bolted upright and searched the room for her. Her body was snuggled right in next to his. Color had returned to her cheeks and she was breathing softly in her sleep. He short auburn hair was loose from its pigtails and framed her face.

She was alright.

Before he could wake her, Kristoff heard voices from the hallway. That was strange since him and Gerda were the only ones in the house since his parents, Cliff and Bulda, were in Germany with the Dronnings. He could tell the voices were rushed and alarmed. Then there was silence and the thick, cherry, double doors opened to reveal the elder Dronning sister, Elsa.

Kristoff furrowed his brow. Why was she here? She had left back for Sweden after Christmas and wasn't due back until June. The eighteen year old blankly stared at the blonde for a few seconds. When her crystal blue eyes refocused he could see the water brimming the edges. Was she mad at him for letting Anna get hurt?

A sob from behind the tall sister grabbed his attention. It was Gerda, his maid. He had known her all his life and never had he seen her cry. Large tears streamed down her rounded cheeks as her hands rung the apron around her waist. Hazel eyes confusingly looked back to Elsa for some type of answer.

"Kristoff…" she whispered. Her voice made his stomach leap. He had never heard it sound so sad.

Just then, Anna stirred again and yawned loudly. But Kristoff did not take his eyes off of the older woman in front of him.

"Elsa?!" the young girl noticed her sister and jumped towards her, not sensing the gloomy feel in the air. She was only focused on seeing her loving older sister.

"Anna." Elsa wrapped her thin arms around her younger sister and held her tight. "There has been an accident." Now it was like she was speaking to both of them. Kristoff listened intently, waiting to hear what was wrong.

"Momma and Poppa…" she paused to look back to the seven year old still wrapped in blankets, "Cliff and Bulda…"

She did not have to say anymore for Kristoff to understand what had happened. The look on her face said it all. His chest tightened and his voice was gone.

But Anna did not understand, "What are you talking about Elsa? What happened to Momma and Poppa?"

Elsa tried to hold Anna's small body in her arms but she pushed her way back. Elsa kneeled in front of her and took Anna's hands in her. "Anna, everything is going to be ok. You are going to come with me to Sweden." He could tell she was trying her hardest not to shed any more tears. She was trying to be strong for Anna's sake.

"Why Elsa? Why would I leave our house? Mom and Poppa are coming back next week!" Anna was frantic now. Her limbs struggled to free themselves from her sister's grip.

"Its going to be ok Anna. We need to go pack your things." Elsa stood again and took hold of her younger sister's hand, turning back towards the door. But not before Kristoff saw the floodgates of her lids open once again.

"No Elsa! Let me go! I want to stay here! I want to stay with Kristoff!" Anna shrieked as she fought her sister's strong hold. She turned back and reached for Kristoff, her azure eyes pleading for him to help her. Just as he moved from his spot under the fortress of blankets to go to for her, Gerda was there. Holding him back. Tears fell past her cheeks onto the floor and he couldn't do anything to stop them. He just stood there as his best friend was being taken away from him.

Large hazel eyes slowly opened to stare at the exposed beams of the apartment ceiling. It had been fourteen years since that day but still the dream haunted him. It had been a few months since he had last had it. But the look on her face, the last time he saw her, never left the back of his mind.

He moved his bare feet from under his covers onto the cold hardwood floor of his bedroom. He had better get in the shower; he couldn't be late for Chemistry again.