A Boy and His Reindeer [ON HOLD]

Chapter Two

"C'mon kid, let's get you home," Erik said, standing up and holding his hand out to me.

I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up, reaching out and adjusting my hat that was slipping off my head.

"So I guess you're not going to tell me why you ran away, huh?"

I nodded.

He sighed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Do.. Do your par-"

His question was interruped by barks that were echoing in the distance. "Kristoff!" a familiar voice called, that seemingly had a worried tone to it, but I knew better.

Erik and I froze, staring at each other. "Is that your father?" he asked.

I didn't reply. I just ran.

"Kid!" Erik yelled, muttering profanities. I could hear his boots crunching through the snow as he jogged after me.

I continued running, my breaths coming out short and choppy. My old boots groaned and I heard a ripping sound. My feet started to ache and I could feel sweat dripping down my cheeks. Maybe it was tears, I couldn't tell the difference at that time.

The cold air felt refreshing, different. All of the beautiful, glistening snow was like a wonderland, complete and blissful. I would stay here forever if I could.

Dreams are wishful thinking- I learned that at an even earlier age. Erik caught up to me all too soon and scooped me up. I didn't realize tears were streaming down my face until he wiped my cheek with his thumb, whispering gently, "Shhh... shhh, kid, it's alright. I'll getcha out of here, okay?"

My heart soared. I wrapped my arms around Erik's neck and sobbed. "Thank you," I sniffled.

The mountain man continued rubbing my back, as he walked, telling me a story about how he thought for sure he saw rocks moving and rolling around, on their own. I giggled, feeling a little better by then.

Hours passed, and we thought for sure we lost my "rescuers," since we were quite a distance away from the spot where Erik found me. Snow started to fall too, much to our advantage. "It covers up our footprints," he explained.

I helped Erik set up camp beneath some trees. We were soon settled in his tent, muching on some carrots while he was telling me about all sorts of adventures he had in the mountains, and even down in Arendelle, cutting ice with his buddies. I listened intently, absorbing every word he was saying.

"And then out of no where my buddy just started singing while hacking the block of ice in two. He was singing something like.." Erik scratched his beard thoughtfully. "It went something like this.. Cut through the heart, cold and clear... Strike for love and strike for fear..." He cleared his throat, and paused for a moment, his eyes trailing upwards, lost in thought. I was dissapointed; I wanted him to keep singing. His voice was low and bass-like, but light and warm at the same time.

"See the beauty sharp and sheer... Split the ice apart..."

I smiled as he continued. Ice really was beautiful.

"And break the frozen heart..."

I clapped wildly and grinned up at Erik, and he chuckled at my smile. I had lost a tooth a few days before. "Can you teach me the song, Erik?" I asked, giving him my best begger's look. I had mastered it months ago.

The gruff mountain man's green eyes were soft as he nodded, picking me up and plopping me down in his lap. "Well Kristoff, I believe that was just a part of the song. But it starts like this..." 

Soon we were dancing, hopping, and skipping crazily around the tent singing the song. 

"Beautiful!" I shreiked, giggling.

"Powerful!" Erik countered, bending down in front of me and flexing his arms, giving me a playful mean look.

"Dangerous!" I put my hands on my hips and glared at him.

"Cold!" Erik and I were nose to nose.

"Ice has a magic, can't be controlled!" I sang loudly in his face, waving my hands in the air and jumping around Erik, who was surprised at my sudden outburst. He chuckled to himself as he watched me acting like a maniac.

"Stronger than one, stronger than ten!" I cried, trying to quickly build a step out of the snow.

Erik watched me, amused.

"Stronger than a hundred men, HUAH!" I schreeched, leaping off my step and flying onto Erik, which sent us toppling down into the snow. 

"Kid!" he laughed, gently pushing me off of him. I was giggling like mad. I knocked Erik down! Like a superhero.

"You hiding wings from me or somethin'?" he asked, poking my back.

I giggled again and slapped his hand away. "I do have wings," I whispered, leaning closer to Erik. "But you can't tell anyone," I added seriously.

"Okay," Erik nodded, trying his best not to laugh. He ruffled my hair affectionately. "Got it, kid."