Frozen

The Silent Spare

Don't own Frozen, haven't even seen the film but love the characters anyway

Elsa was frantic. It had been a month since she had returned to Arendelle. The people had welcomed her back with open arms, and taking up her royal duties had been boring but not difficult. There had been some damage to the kingdom from her cold snap, a new trade partner to be found after cutting of ties with Westleton, but she had capable staff to help with these issues. No, what had her frantic and worried was that she had barely seen her sister in all that time. Anna had been so adamant about bringing her home, and had stayed glued to her side during the homecoming celebration, but after Elsa had began her duties, Anna had "vanished". Elsa still saw her during meals and in the halls between meetings, but other than that, nothing. Anna never came into her study to talk, never asked her to come play or build a snowman, nothing.

"Anna, what's wrong?" Elsa wondered as she searched for her sister in her room, the library, courtyard, and finally the stables where she found Kristoff with Sven. When she had named the man royal ice harvester she had given him space in the stables and leave to come and go from the palace.

"Kristoff?" Elsa asked.

"Your majesty?" Kristoff asked.

"Please just call me Elsa" She said

"Okay Elsa. What's the matter?" He asked seeing her face.

"Where's Anna?" Elsa asked.

"At this time, probably finishing her walk around town. She's been taking one every day. You know, seeing the sights, meeting the people" He said.

"Oh, alright" Elsa said relieved, turning to walk back to the palace to wait for Anna.

"Would you like to talk?" Kristoff asked, causing Elsa to stop

"I know I'm not Anna, but I'll still listen. I mean, you two kind of changed my life, listening to you is the least I could do" The man said embarrassed. Taking a deep breath Elsa turned around.

"Do you know why Anna's avoiding me?" Elsa asked.

"Why do you think she's avoiding you?" Kristoff asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Because I barely see her!" Elsa almost shouted.

"She barely talks to me at meals, doesn't say anything if we pass in the hall, and never comes to my door or visits me when I'm working" Elsa said beginning to pace. Kristoff blinked and coughed into his hand.

"Well, there is a good reason for that, but I don't know what Anna would do to me if I told you" Kristoff said.

"Kristoff, please, tell me if Anna is angry at me for some reason or if she hates me?" Elsa pleaded, frost beginning to creep out from her.

"Whoa, it's nothing like that I promise" Kristoff said, hesitating before putting his hands on her shoulders to calm her down

"Then what is it?" She asked, beginning to tear up.

"She's…intimidated" Kristoff said, and Elsa blinked.

"She's afraid of me?" She asked turning to pace, only to have Kristoff's large, strong hands hold her in place.

"Not afraid, intimidated. There's a difference" The man said.

"Why is she intimidated?" Elsa asked, calming down. Seeing the ice retreat Kristoff let her go.

"That's obvious isn't it? You're the Snow Queen whose beauty and power is swiftly becoming legend across the world. Add to that you're a smart, strong, and beloved Queen, and Anna's feeling…inadequate, and a bit unworthy. At least that's what she told me" Kristoff said as she pulled out oil, lacquer and a cloth.

"That's ridiculous" Elsa said going back to pacing.

"That's what I said" Kristoff told her as she beginning to pace again. The man sighed and started waxing his sleigh.

"Anna is nicer, sweeter, kinder, stronger, and braver than I will ever be" Elsa said.

"Well, she thinks you're smarter, more beautiful, more elegant and more perfect than she can ever hope to be" Kristoff said shaking his head in bemusement

"What is it with these two?" He wondered.

"So she's been avoiding me because she thinks she doesn't deserve to be around me?" Elsa asked.

"Pretty much. She realizes how much responsibility you have and how important you are and has tried to keep out of sight as much as possible so as not to embarrass you or make a fool of you. I think her words were "staying out from under foot" Kristoff said, and it felt like a blow to her heart, causing the temperature to drop.

"Thank you master Kristoff" Elsa said and stalked off.

"So boy, what do you say to a long trip up to the mountains tomorrow?" Kristoff asked and Sven nodded vigorously.

Anna walked back to the castle after her daily trip to the town. She loved getting to know her city and its people and they seemed to like here, or at least she hoped so. She was always greeted with warmth and smiles, and she was given gifts, all of which she politely declined.

"You all work so hard for everything, and I can't bear to take away even a small piece of your livelihood" She told them, causing many of them to tear up and thank her profusely. Now as she gazed at the castle she remembered how insignificant she was in the grand scheme of things next to her sister Elsa. Her sister was so beautiful and strong and powerful and smart, Anna couldn't hope to compare. Not that she was jealous, far from it. Anna loved Elsa more than her own life. It was just that since Elsa took up her throne and showed just how incredible she really was as Queen; Anna had realized that she was just the second, the spare.

"Elsa can do anything, I…I don't know what I can do" Anna sighed as she walked to the stables to find Kristoff hunched over his sleigh. Sven brought up his head as he smelled her and Anna put a finger to her lips to quiet him. She could swear she saw the reindeer smile as he lowered his head. Anna crept up quiet as a cat and with a yelp leapt onto the large mans back.

"Anna!" He yelped as he stood up, the small girl hanging off his back easily.

"Hey you, been in here all day?" She asked kissing him on the cheek before hopping down.

"Yeah, got an ice run tomorrow" He said

"Oh" She said sadly.

"Come on feistypant's. I haven't been out in a month and I do have to work for a living unlike some people" he joked and she smiled.

"Yeah you're right, and it's been great that you've put off so much work to spend time with me" She said and kissed him on the lips. When she separated she smacked her lips as if tasting something.

"Have you been sharing you're carrots with Sven again?" She asked glaring at him. She had made him swear that if they were going to be a couple she would not under any circumstances kiss a mouth with reindeer germs.

"Um…Elsa came looking for you" Kristoff blurted out trying to change the subject, only to go cold as Sven glared at him

"What did you just do?" He could almost hear his friend shout at him.

"Elsa, why?" Anna asked, frowning.

"Um…she wanted to know why you've been avoiding her" Kristoff said resigned. One thing he had made a promise to himself was that he would never deceive Anna like everyone else in her life had at one time or another, and now that he had told her he couldn't go back.

"And you told her?" She demanded.

"Anna, Elsa's been worried sick. She thinks you're angry at her" Kristoff said.

"That's ridiculous" Anna said and Kristoff and Sven looked at each other

"Here we go again" They thought at each other.

"Anna, go talk to her" Kristoff said taking hold of her shoulders. The sunset spilled into the open barn door and set the girls hair on fire.

"My life may be about ice, but that makes coming home to someone so alive all the sweeter" he thought as he could all but see the light and life pouring out of the girl.

"Feisypants, you climbed a mountain in a dress, fought wolves, and had you're heart frozen. Why are you so intimidated?" He asked her.

"I just don't want to disappoint her" Anna said.

"I think you're disappointing her by being so distant" He said and saw her flinch.

"Your right, I'm going to talk to her" Anna said and walked back to the palace.

"And once you get back, you and I are going to have talk about a few things" Anna said glancing back over her shoulder. Kristoff sighed and looked at Sven.

"Don't look at me. You got what you deserved" he read on his friends face.

"Thanks a lot" He told the reindeer, but as he watched the girl walk into the sun, her hair alight, he smiled and hummed the ice harvesting song as he finished his preparations.

Elsa tried to read the book in front of her, but couldn't see a single word. The conversation with Kristoff kept going through her mind.

"How can Anna have such a high opinion of me, and such a low opinion of herself? Can't she see how amazing, wonderful, perfect she is? She's strong, and fearless, and funny, and never sees the bad in anything or anyone. She saved this kingdom by thawing my heart and helping me control my powers. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be queen right now. How can I convince her of that, throw her a parade?" Elsa thought to herself half in jest, but then the thought took root. She closed her book and thought about that for a time.

"Kai?" She called and the ever faithful butler came at once.

"Yes your highness?" He asked.

"Tell me, what is the opinion of Anna down in town?" She asked.

"In regards to what?" Kai asked.

"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.

"Well there are a few things" Kai said.

"Tell me everything" Elsa said, surprised.

"Well, first and foremost around town she is known as the summer princess for her open and warm personality. She walks around town visits the shops, talks with the people and overall lifts their spirits. She plays with the children, reads to them and show's that even as a princess she cares for them no matter who they are. Overall she is quit beloved" He said smiling fondly

"Of course she is" Elsa thought with an upwelling of pride, followed closely by a spike of jealousy. She knew it was selfish, but she couldn't help feeling that they had been taking her sisters time away from her.

"And what about in regards to me?" Elsa asked.

"Pardon?" Kai asked.

"How do the townspeople fell about Anna and the way she resolved the "incident"?" Elsa asked.

"Oh in regards to that they view Anna as the hero of the realm. The fearless princess who melted the heart of the snow queen and returned summer. That's most likely where the title summer princess came from, though she hates the title" Kai said.

"Why?" Elsa asked.

"You're sister, has always had a rather low opinion of herself" Kai said. He had practically raised the two girls, and knew them both well.

"I just don't get that" Elsa said rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Why can't she see how amazing she is?" Elsa asked.

"With all due respect, but standing next to you her whole life has left her feeling, overshadowed. You're parents spent much of their time with you, and even with your, problems you still mastered every lesson put before you and have taken to your responsibilities admirably" Kai explained.

"But they spent so much time with me because they were trying to help me, and I wasn't ready to be queen. I ran" She sighed.

"There have been a few… hiccups, but you've prove that you're more than ready" Kai said.

"All thanks to Anna" Elsa said.

"You don't feel she's been given her due reward?" Kai asked smiling

"No, she hasn't" Elsa realized standing up.

"Ann is the realms hero. It was her courage that helped me realize my mistake. Her love keeps my powers in check. When everyone wrote me off she was the one who stood next to me even after I almost killed her twice" She said to herself

"And even after all that, she thinks I'm perfect" Elsa thought bemused.

"If you're thinking of some celebration or recognition ceremony, Anna will never allow it" Kai said.

"Why not?" Elsa asked.

"You sister is kind, sweet, daring, and courageous, but above all she is selfless and humble. She will never accept the recognition that is due her" Kai said as Elsa flopped down in her chair.

"What do I do kai?" Elsa asked.

"Talk to her" Kai told her.

"How, she won't see me?" Elsa asked.

"You highness if I may be so bold. Anna climbed a frozen mountain and all its dangers to find you" Kai said and leaving it at that withdrew.

"Of course. If Anna did all that for me, the least I can do is got up off my behind and at least look for her" Elsa thought and getting up walked to the door and opened it to go searching for her sister.