Mark slowly rose to his feet to look in the direction of the broken waterfall to look upon the person who had spoken. As their eyes locked, Mark's heart raced laps in his chest with excitement. He hadn't seen the prince since he was young, but he'd know his face anywhere. It surprised him to see him dressed in such light clothing at this altitude. Even if there was no storm, the air up here was still enough to freeze someone. Yet, he looked perfectly fine. Bowing his head to the man, he told him respectfully. "I came here looking for you, Highness." The King snorted with disgust, grumbling out. "I don't want to be found. Leave. Before you get hurt." The King turned to leave back into the larger hole that he'd somehow made without a sound behind the waterfall. Moving closer to the frozen lake edge, Mark rushed out. "You shouldn't stay here. They'll come for you." The King looked over his shoulder, telling him in a voice full of dark warning. "Then you should go back and tell them to stay away." Mark narrowed his eyes on the King, before saying a bit grimly. "They wouldn't believe me. I'm not... welcome there."

The King huffed lightly, uttering out numbly. "Well, you're not safe here. Leave." The King moved into the cave, letting out a low haunting whistle that spurred the tiny ice creature to hop through the snow after him. The King waited as the tiny creature leapt out onto the ice and started to slide across the surface. Stepping cautiously out onto the ice himself, Mark curiously asked aloud. "Wait! You have to come back to Arendelle. You have no idea what has happened-" The King turned around, cutting him off as he blurted stated out. "That's the past! I don't care. I choice THIS life. Just leave me alone. Please. Just let me go." Mark exhaled heavily, before starting to tell him. "Look, I get it. You wanna be alone. As a mountain man myself, I understand that. But you don't understand... Arendelle is-" The King picked up the tiny creature, snapping out to cut him off. "I'm sure you mean well. But I don't care. That part of my life is over. I'm finally happy. Now just leave me be!" The King waved his hand and the waterfall reformed to solid ice to block the entrance to the cave. Mark dashed across the frozen water but ran into the solid ice. Hitting it with his fist, Mark grumbled out to himself. "Great... This is going to be much harder than I thought."

Donner walked over, letting out a low bellow that spurred Mark into telling him frankly. "I know... but... I don't want to go back just yet. Maybe I can... Talk to him." Donner snorted as Mark tried to find an opening along the sides of the frozen water. When he couldn't find any, he tapped the ice and grunted out. "Too thick for me to chip away at... I guess, we'll keep going up." Mark carefully made his way off the frozen lake, where Donner stood practically in his way. Pushing him a bit to get around him, Mark grunted out to him. "What's the rush to go back? They don't respect us anyway. Those assholes are more likely to lock me up than pay me... but him. I've got questions." Donner blinked unfazed, causing Mark to state out with excitement. "Oh, come on! He made a living creature out of ice! Tell me you aren't thinking what I am?" When Donner only stared at him more, Mark cupped his big warm nose, excitedly telling him. "You know how much easier our job will be if he can make ice all year round?! Anytime we need help, he can just make the help!" Donner snorted and turned to walk away, but Mark grabbed his reins, pulling him onward as he said coolly. "Come on. I'm not afraid of a little snow."

Pulling Donner along, Mark continued to make his way up the North Mountain. The hours past as he stumbled up the deep snow of the mountain. He wasn't sure what he was looking for but kept his eyes open for any sign of the King. After a few hours, Mark took a moment to rest as the air got thinner and muttered out under his breath to himself. "I should have tried busting into that waterfall... It would have cost me my pickaxe... but if I came up all this way for nothing. When he's just sleeping in some dark gloomy- What?" Donner's ears perked up and his head tilted to the sound of something that Mark couldn't hear. Walking around him, Donner made his way around the last rocky mounds of snow and out into the open valley that revealed the peak of the North Mountain. A lavish bridge of flawless ice spanned the crevice between them and the peak. While on the other side, nestled against the pointed peak of the highest mountain in all of Arendelle was the most gorgeous ice castle. The castle was entirely made of sturdy flawless ice that gleamed with colors of the rainbow in the fading sunlight. It was as tall as the peak and the longer you looked, the more details there was to be seen. Mark's jaw dropped as he gazed upon it.

Having lived his whole life around ice, Mark teared up at the sheer beauty of it. He had seen ice sculptures, but this was beyond anything he could dream of ever seeing. Marveling at it, he told Donner in an emotional tone of voice. "Look at that... I might cry." Donner trotted up to the bridge, but Mark grabbed his reins to keep him off it. Pulling Donner back, he told him reluctantly. "No, Buddy. Stay here. If you slip you could break it and..." Mark gestured to the large dark crevice below. Donner whined but backed up. Moving up to the bridge, Mark removed his glove to run a hand along the smooth flawless surface. It was so smooth that Mark couldn't help purring out with a deep regard for the craftsmanship. "It's so flawless... This bridge alone would have taken years to build... look at this. No seams. No flaws. It's just... breathtaking. I wonder how long it took him to-" Mark stopped mid-sentence as a voice behind him answered softly. "Only took me a few minutes to build everything." Mark winced, jerking his hand off the railing like he was leaving fingerprints. Straightening up, he once again turned to look behind him and saw the King holding a woven basket made purely of more flawless ice and it was filled to the brim with little red and blue berries.

Beside him, the tiny creature was pulling a sled made of ice with another basket of berries. A strange rope of snow in its mouth to pull the sled with. When the creature saw them, its tail wagged a little, looking from the King to Mark with big glowing white eyes. The King exhaled heavily, stating out dryly. "Why are you still here? What do I have to do to get rid of you? You don't seem to get it. I told you to leave for YOUR safety. Not mine. Now-" Mark cut him off, asking with complete fascination. "You made all this in a few minutes, and it looks this good?" The King raised an eyebrow, glancing at the tiny creature. The tiny creature dropped the rope into the snow and squeaked with excitement. Mark lost himself, pointing to the tiny creature as he said thoroughly impressed. "You made her? How? I mean... I've NEVER seen ice like that! That's just... It's amazing! Does it have a name?" The King looked speechless and a little spooked. Turning his head, a little, he answered very softly. "Aputsiaq. She's a dragon." Aputsiaq's little wings sprang up and she hopped and hissed, before composing herself into a soft purr that sounded like tickling ice.

Mark kneeled, trying to coax her over. Without hesitation, she bounded through the snow toward him. Arching against his leg like a cat as he pet her. The King scoffed a little but said reluctantly. "She seems to like you." Mark chuckled, petting her from head to tail as he replied. "I like her. She's a masterpiece. You even named her after her beautiful features. Aputsiaq... What a lovely name for a dragon like her." Aputsiaq licked his hands, purring louder. Mark cringed a bit at how cold and wet her tongue was but didn't stop touching her. Donner moved closer to sniff her and when she licked his nose, Donner snorted and jumped back. Shaking his head, the King told him reluctantly. "Wait here. I'm going to finish and then chase you off." The King headed for the steps with the basket and Mark looked up to see the basket on the sled. Getting to his feet, he made the King jump in fright, before he asked nicely. "I can help." Staring him down, the King growled out. "No! Just... Sit there and do nothing. I'll be back." Mark gestured to the castle, blurting out. "You're going in there, right? Come on. Let me help. Please?! It's a palace made of ice! Ice is my life!" The King glared at him, retorting bluntly. "I don't trust you. I don't even know who you are."

Mark winced, then told him nicely. "I don't blame you for not remembering me. I'm Mark. I was there when the-" The King looked at Donner, slipping out in a distant voice. "The Troll King... I do remember you now." Mark swallowed, asking nervously. "All good things, I hope." The King turned nervous eyes on Mark, asking a little nervously. "They still exist? I'm not crazy?" Mark scoffed lightly, answering honestly. "Ya. They've been worried about you ever since... Well... They know you've been on your own. Couldn't have been easy." The King relaxed, holding out the basket for Mark to take from him. Cautiously accepting it, Mark tried not to show any shock at touching the King's cold skin. The King quickly removed his hands once he had it, telling him a bit more open. "I'm Nathan. Nate to those who know me. Which isn't many anymore." Nate turned to retrieve the other basket, telling Aputsiaq casually. "Aputsiaq, take the reindeer around to the tunnel entrance. He won't make it up the steps with those hooves." Aputsiaq dashed around Donner's legs, then jumped out to lead him away. Donner hesitated, looking to Mark, who waved him on with a smile. Keeping his head low, Donner followed Aputsiaq cautiously. Hefting the basket, Nate then started walking up the icy steps as he told Mark a bit nervously. "Follow me. Try not to drop that. There isn't much food on the mountain."

Walking slowly up the icy steps, Mark carried the heavy basket easily. He'd lifted solid ice that was heavier. Reaching the top, Nate waved his hand and the thick heavy doors of ice slid open for them. Mark marveled at the basket right up until he stepped into the castle. Lowering the basket, he took in the large open space. The dual staircase that led upstairs was so sleek and clean looking. The fountain of wispy snow that shimmered like water was an eye catcher, but the massive chandelier of large fractals was simply mind blowing. The frosted and carved details on the walls had him awestruck. He couldn't bare to move an inch until he'd taken in all that he could. Nate walked on toward another door on the first floor, telling him swiftly. "You can put the basket in here. This is... Well, it's what passes as a kitchen for right now. I'm still working out some design hiccups." Nate set his basket on the kitchen counter, then did a double take when he noticed that Mark wasn't behind him. Strolling quickly back to the doors of the kitchen, he stopped to watch Mark. Mark had set the basket down and was on all floors, looking over the detail of the floor.

Sliding a hand over the surface, Mark asked him with a grin. "How did you get that massive snowflake inside solid ice?!" Unable to stop himself, Nate walked over to Mark and kneeled in front of him. Holding out his hand, he created a small cube of ice with a frosted snowflake in the center by just creating it inside of it as he made the cube. Mark didn't back away from him, he scooted closer to watch. When he finished the cube, it fell to his palm and Nate held it out for him to take. Mark took it without hesitation to look it over, then told him with a beautiful grin as he looked into his eyes for the first time. "You're amazing." Nathan shook a little as he looked into his eyes but told him in an emotional voice that was barely above a whisper. "Thank you." Mark's heart ached at the sound of his voice. Had no one told him that? Nate quickly looked away from him, getting up to grab the berry basket. Hoping that he hadn't hurt him, Mark touched his arm, warmly saying. "I can get it. Are you ok?" Nate's hands jerked up to hug his chest, avoiding contact with Mark, but told him without looking into his eyes. "I'm fine. I just... You're hurting."

Mark blinked, then reached up to touch his face. When his hand came back with dried blood, he chuckled out. "Ah... Ya. I took a beating from some brutes. But I'm alright. Sorry. Does blood upset you?" Nate shook his head, inching from him as he said gently. "No. I just wasn't expecting... You shouldn't stay. It will be dark soon and it's a long way down the mountain." Mark picked up the berry basket, almost chuckling out. "If I leave now. It will be pitch black before I get halfway down. Something could happen to me." Nate locked eyes with him, stating back seriously. "If you stay. Something bad could happen to you. I'm not... in control of myself." Leaning closer to Nate, Mark whispered over his shoulder. "I'll risk it. I wanna see the rest of the castle." Nate followed him into the kitchen, blurting out in shock. "Does the fear of being frozen to death not register with you?" Mark put the basket on the ice counter in the kitchen. Then walking around the frozen kitchen, he chuckled out. "Well, if I had to pick between dying by fire or ice. I'd choose ice. It's peaceful. You just get so cold and then you start feeling warm and... fall asleep. I wouldn't mind going out like that."

Nate shuffled his feet, mumbling out. "I guess... but aren't you afraid?" Mark leaned into the large frozen fireplace with a little frozen fire, chuckling out. "People scare me. The ones that call themselves 'normal.' The ones that fear those that are different." Turning to face Nate, Mark leaned back against the fireplace, telling him warmly. "You're different. I hang out with Trolls and you can do all this. I'm not scared of you. I'm fascinated by you." Mark walked closer to Nate. Nate backed up from the kitchen, half hiding behind the door as Mark rested an arm on the doorframe and purred around the corner to him. "Are you scared of me? You are in the presence of the Troll King. Are you not scared that I'll hex you or something?" Nate rolled his eyes, a small smile spreading on his face, when he told him shyly. "No. A hex is the least of my problems. And from what I remember... The Trolls were trying to help me." Mark smiled brightly, asking with a childish hope. "So...? Wanna show me around?" Nate blushed but straightened himself up and gestured for him to start walking around. To Be continued...