AN: Mature content will be appropriately marked. Story context and description in bio.

Update: I first titled this chapter "It's Not Easy Being Queen" because I couldn't think of anything better. I thought of something better. It's now "Love To Burn" because of the song of the same name by Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Sorry for any confusion. Also, thank you to the 10 followers and 5 favorites.

Chapter 1: Love To Burn

"Elsa, what's wrong? Is it the work? Do. . . do you want to talk about it?"

It was a week since Hans' plot had been foiled, since she had restored summer to Arendelle and the castle gates had been opened for good, and nothing had changed. The anxiety, the pressure to fit nicely into a role that wasn't quite her size, it had all been looming in the shadows since the reality of being Queen set in. It hadn't just gone away.

Nothing had changed. . . yet everything was different. This was a new room, the Office of the Chamberlain, one that was built entirely of hardwood and duty. Of all the empty rooms in the castle, Elsa chose this one because of the impressive desk here that she could use for her myriad responsibilities. The desk was now littered with official documents; treaties that had accumulated for the past three years that the Steward hadn't the authority to sign. Arendelle's international relations had been nothing but one stoic message about the King and Queen's passing followed by silence. It had taken Elsa the week just to get through the backlog, soon gritty negotiation terms would be returning.

But nevertheless, Anna had portioned off a spot for herself so they could spend time together, balancing out the dire feel of the Office of the Chamberlain. Although the redhead was far too restless to stay still for the amount of time required by the work, when the sun set and Kristoff was on his way home and the Castle was preparing for bed the young woman would settle into the high-backed green chair in the corner and imply that she might be doing something productive.

Elsa couldn't blame her. Especially as she rested her forehead on two balled fists and Anna's words reached her; she was reminded that her sister was there. That was a welcome change, and it made all the difference. She was in the same room, not on the other side of a door. She was within sight, able to notice the tension in Elsa's back and the chill in the air.

"No, it's not the work. I finished this an hour ago. I-" Elsa started, cutting herself off.

"It's okay, I'm here."

"It's the ball," Elsa said with a concerted effort. She turned away, looking into fireplace along the wall. Verbalizing her emotions would take some getting used to. It was almost as unusual as letting the streams of magic vent from between the fingers of her clenched fists. It lost all form and trailed to harmless steam in the contrasting heat of the hearth. "I- I don't like. . . anticipating it. It's agony to wait. I wish the damned thing would just happen already."

She heard Anna come around the desk behind her. A hand fell across her left shoulder. Not very long ago she would have flinched away. As it was, the touch warmed her in ways the fireplace couldn't. "It's not going to be like last time. Remember when we said we wished these parties could happen more often? Now they can. And there won't be anything to hide, so it won't- end badly. Everyone knows about your powers, and that's okay." When she didn't respond Anna continued, "You aren't worried about the magic, are you?"

"No. . . well, yes. But I think I have that under control enough to be around people. It's. . . the people."

"Oh, but the people are fun Elsa!" Anna said, coming around in front of her older sister with a smile. "There was this mountain guide that came a few days ago and Kristoff got all flustered at him. They had the funniest argument about which game trails are best."

"Yes, but sometimes I just tire of the crowds, and being held there by some social obligation. I know I can't escape and that's when I wish I could just get away. Just run off to the ice palace. Find some peace and solitude for a while."

"Oh."

Elsa stopped, wondering how Anna might have heard that. "No, Anna, I don't mean away from you. I love you. It's just that I have- we have been on our own for so long, it can get overwhelming."

The smile returned to Anna's face and she moved in to hug her sister. Elsa squeezed back. "Don't worry. If you really need it, Kristoff and I will be there to cause a distraction for you to slip away for a few minutes. How about that?"

Kristoff and I. A new fear reared its ugly head. It was one that had been present all along, but up until now it had been pushed aside by the problems her magic caused her. This didn't have the same bite to it, though. Either it was just feeble in comparison, or else Elsa was starting to feel more comfortable with the emotion and its management, but as soon as it dawned on her she shared it with her sister.

"Also all my suitors will be there."

The ballroom was packed. Anna managed to be even less prepared this time, stepping on more than a few toes and exchanging elbows to belatedly reach her place. Since people started arriving and mingling hours before the ball actually started she had been socializing long before her official entrance. There were people to talk to. Conventions be damned.

As the herald stepped away and the rhythm of the party recovered from the brief stutter, the two sisters had a few moments to themselves.

"You know some of the lords and ladies are gossiping about the decorations. Do you understand how expensive ice sculptures are?" It was so unexpected Elsa snorted with laughter before quickly putting a hand to her face. "Yes, they're wondering if they will be the new style in the other kingdoms."

"That's good to hear. Hopefully we'll get some free negotiation power out of everything that's happened."

"Pfft. It's a party, Elsa. Now that Weasel-Duke is gone there's nobody here thinking about negotiation power. In fact, most of the guys are thinking about how attractive the new Queen is. . ." Anna trailed off suggestively. She was trying to help, that was obvious. But Elsa was of a different mindset when it came to that; she'd rather not be in the spotlight at all.

"If you knew what people thought, I would take that as fact."

"Well I just assume that's what they're thinking about. A person usually has to think about something to talk about it with their friends." The facade broke then, just for a moment. It was enough for Anna to notice. "Dammit, I'm not helping, am I? I'm sorry."

"It's alright. The sentiment was enough." A suitor was approaching, so she didn't have time to reassure Anna as much as would have liked. Elsa recognized his colors, white and burgundy, and a wealth of information aligned itself in her mind. Tutors in statecraft, as well as most of the subjects appropriate for young royalty, had been of the few staff allowed after the gates were closed.

"Queen Elsa. I am Prince Viktor, of Kvenland."

Eldest son of seven; Kvenland already an ally; smaller and weaker than Arendelle by half; not viable.

"Hello Prince Viktor. It is an honor to host you here in the castle. Are your brothers present?"

"Yes, they are." He flashed bright teeth at her. "Although I don't know why my father the King decided upon sending all of his sons on a diplomatic mission such as this. It would have been more efficient to send one. May I have your first dance of the night?"

Elsa looked at Anna, who was busy backing away. The moment they made eye contact she said, "Oh look there's Kristoff!" and was gone. It was obvious she wasn't going to fall for that again.

The Queen turned her attention back to Prince Viktor, who was busy prostrating himself with a gloved hand outstretched and awaiting hers. "I would, but. . . well you may have heard of the powers I have. I'm not sure if it would be in your best interest."

His voice changed, losing a bit of his formality. If she had to name it the word she would have used was 'sly'."Yes, I've heard rumors that your touch is magical. Will my gloves not suffice to protect me? If you aren't sure, I'd be willing to take that chance. Few who live today have danced with such a unique woman, nor one as beautiful as you."

Elsa had no idea how to respond. An odd feeling in the pit of her stomach started to bubble, but all the colors of his attire bespoke unworthy.

After a moment she said, "I didn't pay much attention in my dancing lessons, unfortunately." There hadn't been any dancing lessons, all the subjects that required contact with other people had been forgone.

"I can be patient."

No more courtesies or excuses came to mind. Taking Prince Viktor's hand, Queen Elsa realized it was going to be a long night.

"Anna, can we talk?"

They were in the Office of the Chamberlain again, a day after the ball. In hindsight the event had gone well, though Elsa had felt conflicted throughout it. There had been a line of suitors ready and willing to brave her touch, and the night had been a procession of Counts, Dukes, Archdukes, and Princes, oh so many Princes.

Their dancing prowess or lack thereof was the first thing she noticed. Without any herself, if they couldn't quickly adapt it was a stumbling mess. Whenever that occurred she would offer to sit down and talk, and they would until the next song started and another suitor would come asking to dance again.

Some could be charming when she bothered to look past their far too immaculate self-assurance. Viktor had been one such candidate. Some were not as charming, just simply pigheaded. That had been a tall, dashing Archduke named Yolout from Denmark. Very influential, if a tad older than she would have preferred. His family was wealthy enough for his hand in marriage to be more valuable than half of the princes waiting on her, if she were to judge only by gold. Some were nervous. Elsa would have thought the lack of pomp would be welcome, but their attitudes put her on edge in a different way. It was an awkward uncomfortable, as opposed to a defensive uncomfortable.

But the whole time her facts and figures were running through her head. Each one's family, their prestige, their country's relations with Arendelle and with her allies and with past enemies and everything that she knew about the country they represented.

Only one had managed to get her to forget the purpose of the interaction for a while. Dancing slowly and stiffly so he didn't make a mistake, Oakir of Kvenland had been one of the nervous suitors. He didn't have a carefully crafted smile to present to her. But he also didn't wait through the silence like the most timid ones. He and Elsa started off slowly, and somehow strayed to the topic of monks, and how they always seemed so peaceful. That kind of serenity was something that they both found they wanted.

Then the song ended and another goddamn suitor was asking for her hand and the war the new one's grandfather had started a hundred years ago with an ally came to mind.

Since then, as she reflected on that night's events, it got her more and more worked up. Finally, when the snow was a few inches deep in the Office of the Chamberlain, she decided to go out on a limb and talk about it.

"Anna? Did you hear me? I asked if we could talk?"

At the sound of Elsa's voice the redhead jumped up. She had fallen asleep face-down on the edge of the desk to Elsa's left, but unlike any other time it seemed she was awake in an instant. But that might have been the cold.

"What? Yes! I'm here. Just let me- sorry," Anna said as she pulled hair out of her mouth.

Elsa could not help but smile. Anna was always able to make her smile, even when she was just being Anna. "Well I- it's the. . ." There was a moment of silence before she could push through and say, "I don't really like any of the suitors."

"Oh. Well that's okay. That's why we, like, sort through them an stuff."

"No, I mean that's the problem. I feel like I might like some of them, or not I don't know but this whole picking thing is messing it up." Her sister's brow furrowed in thought. "I mean there are too many things to think about. Some of them are much more valuable when you consider improving the relationship with their country, or building up our own influence, so that's a start. But I can't just tell all the ones from lesser houses to go away, that would be rude. But aren't I wasting my time and theirs by entertaining them?"

"Elsa, what do you want? You're only talking about what is best for Arendelle."

"Isn't that most important?" Anna opened her mouth to respond but her protest was unneeded. "No, you're right. I mean, that's, well, the bigger part. I'm going to be spending the rest of my life with this person. Once I start seeing past the emblems on their tunics, what qualities do I even look for? How am I supposed to handle a situation like that?"

"It's alright. Calm down." She looked around and noticed it was snowing. Again. The wisps that had been coming off her palms had turned into two weak beams, coating the desk and papers with a slowly expanding sheen of ice.

Elsa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could not feel the magic when it escaped her hands, only see it and feel the temperature change. That's one reason why it was so dangerous, and why she could not tell when it stopped. That gust of wind, was it from the window or from her? Another deep breath.

When Anna's warm arms circled around her shoulders she knew it was over. "Sorry. I didn't. . . think it could get out of control that quickly."

"It's okay. We're fine, aren't we?" Anna said, smiling as she let go of her sister. "Okay, here's what I think. Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you need a Hans." For a moment Elsa did not register the name. Then slowly snowflakes began to form in the air again. "No, it's okay! Hear me out! I made a mistake trusting Hans. We both know that. But. . . no one gets anything on the first try, right? I'm lucky that I got it on the second.

"It sounds to me like the pressure of only having one shot at something important is what's getting you. I understand that. I thought I was going to face the same thing before a certain sister of mine let me off the hook by giving a certain someone some made-up title." They both smiled at that. It was only after Anna asked about Kristoff's new position that Elsa had explained the nuances of the decision. Now a titled member of the nobility, he was legally a suitable husband for a princess, should they chose to marry. In the future. "What I'm saying is maybe you should forget about the suitors for a while and just. . . just talk. With, like-"

"A man?" Elsa asked.

"Uh, yeah I guess, but-"

"But what?" The rush she had felt a moment ago had the legs kicked out from underneath it.

"Nothing, it's just that expression. Suddenly you looked. . . saucy."

Elsa giggled and her confidence returned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know! I can't really explain."

"That's okay. Yeah, I guess that's another thing. I wasn't really looking at them as. . . men. Just as diplomats. Diplomats that were. . . considering the castle as a possible embassy here, or something."

Anna gaffed. "What? What does that even mean?

"I don't know!" she laughed back.

A moment passed, and a seriousness crept into Anna's voice. "You know, Elsa, because you're Queen now. . . you can get away with quite a lot."

"I'm not sure what you mean. Now that I'm Queen I need to keep from 'getting away' with anything. How I act reflects on Arendelle."

Anna's eyes were wide with compassion and honesty. It was the only thing that kept her words from sounding like conceit. "Isn't that a bit naive? No one's perfect. Not even royalty. It's okay to make mistakes. You know the lines that people put around us that we're not supposed to cross. But if there's something on the other side, maybe some experience that we want, or even need, well. . . what people don't know won't hurt them."

"Anna, I understand your point in general, although I disagree with most of it. But my question is how is this relevant to the conversation?"

"Well," she laughed once, "with all the talk I overheard at the ball, not all of the m. . ." Anna trailed off mid-sentence, then said, "Yeah, I don't know where I was going with that. Yep! So that's that, right?" She hoped out of her chair, a huge grin on her face. "We're good here?"

"Yeah, I think so. What's up with you?" Anna was now pacing excitedly around the room.

"Oh, nothing. Just happy for, you know, stuff. We don't have a door between us, and the kingdom's happy, and you're getting things off your chest and I'm helping and yep. Good times in Arendelle. Well I'm off to bed."

Elsa contracted the infectious grin, but tried to dredge up some authority with which to call after her sister. "Wait! What are you up to?" It turned silly at her sister's antics, as Anna bolted for the door. "Anna get back here I'm the Queen goddammit!"

The laughter from down the hall was her only answer. With a smile and a sigh, Elsa put her things away, thawed off the office, and headed for bed.

Two nights later, everything was made clear.

It was well past midnight when Elsa woke to a light sound. "Hello? Who's there?"

It repeated, a knocking on her door. "Are you awake?"

"Yes, now I am. What is it Anna?"

"Get dressed and come with me, we have guests."

"Guests?" She jumped up and started throwing things over her nightclothes. "Did a ship come in? Which country, and why is it so urgent? Is anything wrong?"

"No, silly, not the royal 'we'. Just you and I. Well, I guess that is a royal we, but. . . . Look, it's just a little meeting with some friends I invited over. Get dressed and com'on! Hurry up!"

She emerged from her room to see Anna as antsy as ever. "What is going on, Anna?"

"Here, I'll show you." She grabbed Elsa's hand and they sped along the hallway towards the west wing. That area was still the most vacant. Even with the recent increase in staff and the dignitaries that she was obliged to keep in the castle, there was still space aplenty. One of the corridors had windows along it's right side and Anna stopped at one, looking out.

After a moment Elsa asked, "So what is this again?"

Anna looked distractedly at her older sister before saying, "Oh, this is where I told Kristoff and his friend to meet us."