A/N: Hi! Thanks to wonderful authors like Requ and Hunhund as well as my own giddy clapping at the idea after I saw the movie, I'm majorly shipping Elsanna, haha. I'm not sure if there's a story like this out there, but if there is I'm unaware and this is my own take ^^ Hope you enjoy/ let me know what you think ^^
Cover art by LunaHermione on deviantART, entitled "Heat and Ice"; see my profile for a link under "Image Creds."


Coronation Day, Part I: Bittersweet Beginnings

"Anna," Elsa took hold of Anna's wrist gently as she sat at her vanity, stopping Anna from fussing with her hair further as she stood behind her. Her voice was gentle and reassuring as she rubbed her thumb over Anna's knuckles sweetly. "It's fine, thank you."

It was more than fine. It was perfect. Anna had chosen the former queen's hairstyle for Elsa's coronation day. She wouldn't have thought of it herself. Anna always knew how to remind Elsa of her parents in subtle, encouraging ways that didn't make her retreat inwardly as so many others did. She appreciated the styling in her mirror, savoring the bittersweet moment.

Anna blushed slightly in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I just want everything to be perfect for you today, Your Majesty," she nearly gushed.

Elsa let out a single breath of a chuckle that went unnoticed by the other young woman. She watched Anna cross the room in her vanity's mirror. The girl had been her 'second in command' as they joked since she could remember. Every lesson, every meal, every bit of trouble she'd found herself in growing up had been spent with the feisty red head. She was, without a doubt, Elsa's closest friend—her only friend, really. Her parents had treated her like Elsa's sister, though Elsa disliked that categorization of their relationship for some reason.

Elsa smiled as Anna now fussed with her bed's pillows, straightening and beating them for more fluff. She stood in her coronation gown, turning to face Anna. "I have no doubt it will be perfect with you running the show, Anna." Though Anna was not technically under the crown's employ, she did more for Elsa and the castle than perhaps even Gerda, the head maid and Anna's mother.

Anna's hands froze at the compliment, hovering above the pillows at the opposite side of the bed, her frame bent over in order to reach. Elsa averted her eyes, but not before she caught the slight shock on Anna's visage accompanied with a faint blush.

The young woman stood to face Elsa who was donning her gloves with her back to her now. "Thank you…Your Majesty."

Elsa turned, leaning against her vanity with a warm smile. "No, thank you, Anna. For everything. You've always been here for me." Her expression became grave as she looked down at her hands in their gloves. "Even…even when…" she tried to speak of that time, the time she would never let herself forget. If it weren't for Anna's stubbornness and the trolls' reassurances that Anna was incapable of being frozen ever again, the soon-to-be queen would have shut herself off from the world after that horrible accident. She'd nearly lost her dearest friend. As it was, she'd cursed Anna, at least indirectly. How could she have known what the trolls would do?

Anna's eyes softened and a gentle smile took to her lips as she closed the gap between them to take her soon queen's hands in hers. "I'm too happy to be here for you, Your Majesty. Always. Don't worry; you'll do fine today. I promise."

Elsa squeezed the girl's hands. "Thank you, Anna." She sighed. "I just hope I don't freeze the ceremonial ornaments. Could you imagine?" She dropped her head in dismay at the thought.

Anna chuckled, making the queen look up at her in incredulity. "I certainly can, Your Majesty. The Duke of Weselton would probably faint on the spot. Poor little thing."

"Anna!" Elsa reprimanded her with a giggle and a gentle swat.

Anna unsuccessfully bit back her own giggle. "You'll be fine," she said again. "I know it."

Elsa's stomach curled as the younger girl looked up at her with absolute, devoted faith. Anna…

Before she could respond, a faint knock sounded at the door. Anna stepped to answer it, revealing Gerda. The woman entered into the room with smile. "Oh Princess Elsa, you look beautiful."

"Doesn't she?" Anna smiled brightly in Elsa's direction, making the future queen rouge slightly.

Gerda nodded, attempting to keep tears at bay. "Your-your mother and father would be so proud of you, Child."

Elsa felt a pang of regret and mourning resurface. She clenched her eyes shut and balled her fists, willing herself to conceal it. She'd always known she would take the crown when her parents passed. It was a painful reality of being royalty. A coronation was always a bittersweet day.

Anna was at her side instantly, enveloping one of Elsa's fists with her warm hands. "I'm certainly proud of you," she nearly whispered.

Opening her eyes, Elsa communicated her thanks wordlessly, relying on her expression to tell Anna how much she appreciated her now more than ever. Anna would know. She always knew.

And Anna did. She gave the faintest of nods and smiles before turning her eyes back to Gerda. "How long do we have, Mother?"

"Just a few minutes, now, Dear. I'll see you shortly, Your Majesty. I know I speak the truth in telling you that Arendelle could not have asked for a better queen to take the crown today."

"You are too kind, Gerda. I-I'll be right there," Elsa nodded. She let out a controlled exhale when Gerda was gone, still thankful Anna held her hand in comfort. Today was shaping up to be exactly what she'd always imagined and dreaded at once. A storm of emotions was brewing inside her as she simultaneously ached for her parents and hoped she would lead her people the way they deserved. She had an uncanny desire to run away to the mountains that surrounded her kingdom, taking no one but Anna with her.

"Are you ok, Elsa?" Anna interrupted her thoughts.

That brought a smile to the soon queen's face. She loved it when Anna dropped the formalities. Gerda had always disproved of their being so familiar over the years, more overprotective than the king had been, even. Every precious once and a while though, Anna tore down the royal wall that separated them.

"Stay with me?" Elsa asked her friend. "Don't make me walk to the ceremony alone. I might not make it," she chuckled nervously.

Anna chuckled softly in return. "I will be right here. We'll get through today together, you'll see. And, hey, there's the party to look forward to right? All the chocolate we can eat!"

Laughing, Elsa nodded. She straightened her dress though it was unnecessary and stared at the door in front of her. Stepping through it would change everything.

Elsa felt her hand becoming increasingly warm. She fought the temperature change brought on by Anna's secret with her own powers. "A little nervous yourself?" Elsa asked her, glancing down at the steam coming from their hands.

Looking down with another soft laugh, Anna replied "I can't say I'm not, Elsa. I promise not to burn the castle down if you promise not to freeze it."

"Deal," Elsa laughed with her.

"Ok," Anna squeezed her hand once before letting it go and stepping behind the almost queen to take up her purple train. She looked down a little sadly, knowing after today, everything would change.

"And Anna?" Elsa looked over her shoulder as she spoke.

"Hmmm?" Anna asked distractedly.

"You look beautiful too."