Mountain Man

"I have?" she asked confused for a moment. "Like what? And… I want to get you something for Christmas," she said seriously, pausing in her decorating her hang her head down in front of Kristoff’s face. "You have to tell me what you want, otherwise I might get you something stupid, or too big," she teased, kissing his nose before sitting up straight again. She was serious about wanting to get him something though. She’d already planned out Elsa’s gift, but she was at a loss for what to get him.  

Kristoff thought back to his childhood with the trolls-- it was a rather unusual one as far as childhoods go. "Well we all exchanged small gifts. Nothing like what all the other children I saw got. Bulda tried her hardest to to make me happy... Well anyway, we played games and sang carols. Those sort of things." He shrugged and nearly knocked her off.

Squealing as she was lifted, she looked down at the blond head under her and made a face, then laughed as he handed her another ornament. “Well, this is efficient,” she had to murmur, hanging the ornaments as he handed them to her, directing him to move around the tree as they did so so they would be evenly placed.

On the day of Elsa’s coronation ceremony, things had taken a turn for the worst. She and her sister Anna had gotten into an argument, which had caused Elsa to get angry and accidentally use her powers, shocking everyone. Terrified, she had ran out. Outside, the village people were chatting and having fun. When they noticed her, they all began trying to start a conversation or congratulate her. Once again, Elsa had accidentally used her powers. The Snow Queen had run away from home after that, causing an eternal winter to be put upon the village of Arendelle.

Elsa now lived deep in the mountains in an ice palace that she had created for herself. It was a nice life. She was alone and isolated. She couldn’t hurt anyone this way. Of course, people had searched for her, including her sister Anna. When Anna had come, Elsa had made her leave. She didn’t want to hurt her sister. Not again. A group of angry men from the village had come, and she had fought back. Elsa had won the fight.

Years had passed since the day of the coronation ceremony. Arendelle was still in a eternal winter, and Elsa was still alone and isolated. 

Kristoff took Sven out for another day of harvesting in hopes that there would be interest at the end of the day. However, as fate would have it, they got lost for the first time in many years. They had not ended up in their usual spot but somewhere near the North Mountain. Sure, he knew how to get back to Arendelle from here but he wasn't quite sure how he got here. 

He was about to have Sven turn back home when the reindeer pulled his master in the opposite direction, obviously distracted by something. He soon noticed what was so enchanting--the morning light beautifully shone off an ice stairwell. He realized that this must have been the place he had heard stories about--the castle where Queen Elsa had cut herself off from the world in. He was about to protest that they shouldn't get any closer when he realized that they were at the foot of the stairs.

"Corona?" her eyebrows furrowed for a moment. So then that’s what this city was called. "Well those lights have to be coming from somewhere, yeah? So why not there? I’m sure they’re coming from this ‘Corona’." Okay, no she wasn’t, but he didn’t have to know that.

When he said he would take her Rapunzel squealed and jumped up and down. “Really? You mean it?! Best birthday ever! Oh you are a lifesaver!” Rapunzel said. Pascal, was warily looking between the two and nodded. “Okay! So….. do you want to climb back down or have me lower you?” 

And then she didn't even know that the place was called Corona. He was really in deep now, wasn't he? "All I have to say is that it better be Corona. Or I might not ever get their business again. It's resting on your shoulders." Maybe the threat of his ice business would make her think things through. Or maybe not. She seemed a bit to crazy to carry out rational thought.

Kristoff let her walk past him as his arms crossed just a bit tighter. "I can climb back down I guess. Feel free to lead the way though."

Pointing to the place, Anna stepped back as Kristoff moved to place the ornament. Her smiled brightened and she nodded. “Yes perfect,” she acknowledged. 

Kristoff smirked at her reaction. Did she really think he would break his promise so quickly? He set her carefully on his shoulder and picked up more ornaments, handing them one-by-one to her so she could hang them.

The servants were taking care of most of the castle, but Anna had insisted upon decorating the tree herself, of course with Kristoff’s help. Mainly the heavy lifting so far it seemed. As Anna dragged him toward the tree, she couldn’t help but giggle as he spit some of the tinsel out of his mouth. Maybe there was a little too much…There couldn’t possibly be!

"I know I know," Anna responded quickly, dancing back toward the tree. "It’s just been so long!" She had spent so long looking for the perfect tree! They almost hadn’t been able to set it up. Anna was…a little excited about Christmas this year. "Should I get you a chair or something?" she asked, tilting her head to glance at the tree, and over at Kristoff. Maybe it was a little tall.

Kristoff took the ornament from her and followed her. He put it near the tree where she pointed, at least where he thought she pointed. It was kind of hard to tell when she jumped wildly."Good, right?"