Frozen Heart (Kristanna & Elsamaren)

Chapter 3 • Anna

"Ahhh!" I wake up screaming, my throat raw. Luckily, the sun is rising so I don't have to go back to sleep. I walk down the hall and knock on the door to Kristoff's room. He opens the door, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Anna?" He asks, his voice low and sleepy.

"I had a nightmare," I admit, looking down at the ground, my cloak wrapped around me. I hear Kristoff sigh and he steps forward and wraps his arms around me, just holding me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks.

"Not right now. Just...just hold me, please," I choke out. I want to cry, but I need to be as strong as possible.

"Elsa will kill us...but come here," he says quietly. He pulls me into his room and he climbs into his bed. He leans back on the pillows and puts his arms out and I climb onto the bed and curl up next to him. He puts his arm around me and I suddenly start crying, hiding my face in his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry Anna. I wish I could've stopped that from happening. I should've known..." Kristoff says.

"It's alright. It isn't your fault..." I say and wipe my face.

"Here," Kristoff says. He sits up and takes a handkerchief from his bedside and gently wipes the tears from under my eyes.

"Thank you..." I say. I scoot closer to him and he pulls the blanket up over us. He lays back and puts his arm back around me. I find myself relaxing a little bit my eyelids are getting heavy. I try so hard, but end up falling asleep. I can't help it. I feel so safe and warm next to Kristoff.

"Anna!" I jolt awake when I hear Elsa's voice yelling my name in the hallway. She's too close for me to sneak out and meet her. There's a pounding on the door.

"Kristoff Anna's missing!" Elsa yells. Kristoff goes to get up and go to the door but Elsa is already busting in to his room. She must think he's still asleep.

"Kristoff, Anna is-" she starts but she looks at me laying in his bed.

"Elsa it's not what it looks like," I say and stand up. My nightgown is still on and my cloak is still wrapped around me.

"What's going on? Why is she in your bed?" Elsa asks, looking at Kristoff and pointing at me.

"Elsa I promise it's not that. I had a nightmare and I came to see Kristoff. I just...I needed to be with him, Elsa," I say and walk towards her. Her eyes are wide and she has a mixture of anger and confusion on her face. She looks at me, her eyes still wide, and starts to protest.

"I promise...Elsa, please..." I say and take her hands. She looks into my eyes and is clearly studying me, trying to search for any sign that I'm lying. Then she looks at Kristoff and studies his face and body language. She's always been good at reading people.

"I believe you. But...that doesn't mean I like it. Next time, at least wake me up and let me know first so I don't panic. And...no...funny business," Elsa says. She gives me a hug and sighs.

"I'm sorry Anna," she says quietly.

"I'm sorry too Elsa. I just...I'm struggling right now," I respond just as quietly. She pulls out of the hug and puts her hands on my shoulders.

"I know. Don't be afraid to talk to us. We love you," she says. She walks out of Kristoff's room, leaving the door cracked behind her. I sigh and sit down on the edge of the bed. Kristoff comes over and sits down next to me.

"What is it?" He asks.

"I don't know what to feel right now. But I'll be okay. I always am," I say. I kiss Kristoff's cheek and stand up.

"I'm going to go get cleaned up for the day and take a walk. Try to clear my head," I say.

"Okay. I'll be around, if you need me," Kristoff says. He stands up and comes over to me before I leave and puts a hand on my waist, turning me back to face him. When I turn to him he kisses me gently and I return the kiss. He pulls away with a smile, his face red, and opens the door, escorting me out. I feel myself blushing and I smile at him before returning to my room to wash up. I put on my undergarments and decide on a pale yellow printed dress with long sleeves. I put on my heels and wander down the hall and outside. It's a little chilly today, especially compared to yesterday, but the sun is shining and the fresh air is nice.

I inhale deeply and enjoy the sun on my face for a moment before heading out of the gates and along the docks; my favorite place to walk. I love the sound of the waves and the smell of saltwater air. I walk out onto one of the docks and stand at the end of it, letting the breeze hit my face and watching the ships sailing past Arendelle. One ship going by has a flag that looks familiar. And they're actually coming this way. I squint to get a better look at the flag and almost pass out: the Southern Isles.

My body is frozen as I watch the ship get closer to the harbor.

"Your highness, are you alright?" A man asks. I shake my head slightly and glance back at the ship coming into the harbor.

"Do you need help?" He asks, stepping closer to me.

"Kristoff..." I say, slightly under my breath. I can't back up any further or I'll fall into the water.

"Come along, ma'am, let's get you to the doctor," he says.

"Just...I need to go home," I say.

"Alright, if you say so," the man says. He escorts me back to the palace and as soon as the gates open, Elsa and Kristoff are there.

"Anna what's going on?" Elsa asks, thanking the man silently for bringing me home.

"I just...I went into a small panic...there was a ship from the Southern Isles in the harbor...I just panicked," I say. I look over at Kristoff, who is watching me with concern. He probably doesn't believe that that's all it is. Elsa has ahold of my hands and is giving me the same look of concern.

"I'm okay guys. Really," I say. I turn to Kristoff and step towards him and open my mouth like I want to say something. But I just close the space between us and wrap my arms around his torso, resting my cheek on his chest. He puts his arms around me and rests his chin on top of my head.

"Anna you're shaking," he says. I don't respond and just hold onto him tighter.

"Don't leave me Kristoff..." I whisper. I know he looks up at Elsa because of the wide eyed look on her face as she looks at Kristoff.

"I'm not going anywhere," he says and tightens his grip on me.

"Come on, let's get inside," Elsa says gently, putting one hand on my shoulder and one on Kristoff's. He nods and we all walk inside together, Kristoff not taking his arm from around me.

"I'm so sorry Anna. I didn't realize that we were still doing trade with them. I'll take care of that as soon as possible," Elsa says as we all sit down in the lounge room. I sit next to Kristoff on the couch and he puts his arm around me.

"It's okay," I whisper and close my eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Do you need anything?" Elsa asks. I stand up and rub my face, walking towards the doorway.

"I just...I need some rest. Goodnight," I say quietly. I shut the door quietly behind me and walk to my room, knowing Elsa and Kristoff are going to smother me in the morning. But I'm too tired to care. I simply fall face first onto my bed and within minutes, I'm out like a light.