Chapter 1: Royal Embassy

Elsa ran her slim fingers over her bags one last time, mentally going over what was in each one and making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Reyendor was a kingdom much warmer than Arendelle. Even now, in autumn, the weather there would feel like the heat of summer. Thus she and Anna had been forced to raid the back of their closets, finding their summer dresses and shoes to pack for the journey.

It was October now, four months since Elsa's panic attack where she had frozen her kingdom. Now the kingdom was at peace, finally getting back into farming and rebuilding buildings and ships damaged by the ice. Now that Arendelle no longer traded with Wesselton, they needed a new trade partner for many of their exports. Elsa believed Reyendor could be that mutually beneficial partner.

Someone knocked on Elsa's door. It was the customary five-knock rhythm Elsa had been forced to ignore all her life, and was elated to finally be able to answer. Elsa called her sister in. "Elsa, it's time to go!" Anna chirped, bouncing up and down. "The carriages are here!" A butler stood behind her, looking annoyed. Clearly he had come up to tell her the same thing, and Anna, passing by, had decided to do it for him.

Elsa nodded to him. "I'm ready. Are you? Where are your bags?" she asked her sister.

"A servant already brought them down," Anna said. The butler walked in to grab a couple of Elsa's bags, calling for a serving boy to come grab the others. Elsa stepped out into the hallway, heading with Anna towards the stairs. Anna was practically sprinting, and she slid down the railing of the stairs rather than walking. Elsa would normally reprimand her, but Anna was too far away and Elsa didn't want to shout.

When Elsa reached the bottom of the stairs, she found Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf waiting there to see them off. Anna ran and jumped into Kristoff's arms, kissing him goodbye. The kiss was simple and short, as all of their kisses were. One thing that Elsa felt blessed by was her little sister's innocence. If she had to spend her time chasing Anna around making sure she stayed out of boys' beds Elsa knew Anna would be the next to find herself in a kingdom of isolation.

Kristoff set Anna down and bowed to Elsa. "You look lovely, your highness. I hope you have a safe journey." He looked down at Anna. "Both of you."

"I hope so too," Elsa said honestly. Reyendor was far from Arendelle, and a trip by land would take nearly three weeks one way. By ship, however, the commute was only five days. After what had happened with their parents, the sisters were not particularly thrilled about the mode of transportation, but they knew it was necessary.

Anna moved away from her boyfriend and turned to look at the trio. "Now Sven," she said, addressing the reindeer. "As the smartest of the group, I expect you to keep these two safe while you're in the mountains and we're away." Sven sat back on his haunches and gave Anna a sharp nod.

"Hey, Sven's not the smartest!" Kristoff protested. Elsa wasn't so sure she felt the same.

"Can I be the smartest if I don't have a brain?" Olaf asked from the ground. His flurry hovered over his head, dropping magic snowflakes onto the little snowman's head.

"No, you can't," Kristoff huffed.

"I guess that rules you out too," Elsa remarked with a smirk. Sven began to laugh, honking and rolling over.

"Your highness," a voice said from behind Elsa. "The carriages are waiting." She turned to see Damien, the steward who had run the kingdom between her parents' death and her coronation.

She nodded to the balding man. "Thank you, Lord Damien. I trust the kingdom will be in good hands while I'm gone."

He bowed to her. "I believe so too. I will do everything in my power to keep Arendelle calm."

Elsa turned to the young princess. "Ready, Anna?"

"Ready!" Anna said, giving a grumbling Kristoff one more kiss before bouncing over to the door. Just before her hand reached the handle, however, she caught a glimpse of the disapproving look on her sister's face. Anna took a deep breath and dropped her hand. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Elsa sighed. "Anna, I love your optimism, just as everyone else does. But this is a very important diplomatic mission, so I need you to be more professional and dignified."

"Fine, then. I suppose I'll just have to act like you," Anna huffed. This would have been fine with Elsa, if her sister hadn't then promptly done the most ridiculous impression of Elsa ever seen. Anna stood up straight, extending her spine and puffing out her chest. Then she scowled and looked down her nose, strolling around slowly. "Oh, look at me, I'm the Snow Queen," Anna said in a haughty voice. "And I don't need happiness or fun. I'm too dignified."

Elsa was so surprised that she dropped her own dignified manner. Olaf and Sven were laughing openly, while Kristoff at least had the sense to try and hide his grin by turning away. "That's a perfect imitation!" Olaf cackled.

"It is not!" Elsa argued. "I do not act like that. Or walk like that!" she snapped, as Anna continued to strut around, extending her legs and pushing out her chest.

Anna dropped the act, breaking into giggles. "Well, I had to exaggerate and stuff. Obviously no one struts like that, and your boobs are way bigger than mine; you don't have to puff out your chest as much."

"I-what?" Elsa managed, suddenly flustered. She pulled her silver shawl over her shoulders and over her chest, crossing her arms. She turned away, feeling her cheeks burning. In an attempt to soothe the blush before heading out into public, Elsa allowed her magic to freeze the tips of her fingers, which she then used to massage her crimson cheeks.

"Oh, Elsa," Anna said, starting towards the young queen. "The fact that you're so curvy is nothing to be ashamed of."

"Anna," Elsa complained, glancing over at Kristoff, who seemed to be making a special effort not to look at the…objects in question. The boy did have some sense.

"Or if you're so freaked about it, why do you make yourself such form-fitting dresses?" Anna asked, oblivious to Elsa's growing sense of panic.

"Anna, that's enough!" Elsa snapped, throwing her fists down and causing an ice burst that blossomed across the foyer. As the ice spread, Anna looked at her elder sister with hurt in her wide eyes. It was not uncommon for Elsa to have outbursts, but rarely were they directed at Anna. Taking a few deep breaths, Elsa regained her composure. She looked around at the damage, noticing the now solemn faces of the ice boys.

Lord Damien walked up to her, reaching as if to put his hand on her shoulder, then letting it drop. "Your highness, if you do not feel as if you can handle the trip…you know that I would be more than happy to go in your stead. I will tell King Matthias you were not feeling well enough to travel-"

"I am fine, Lord Damien," Elsa interrupted, "But thank you." Not allowed to argue with the queen, he bowed and backed away. Swirling her hands, Elsa pulled the ice away from the room and dispersed it into the air.

Looking over at Anna, Elsa motioned to the door. Anna opened her mouth to speak-to protest or apologize, Elsa wasn't sure-but was cut off by a wave of her sister's hand. "It's time to go." Anna ducked her head and moved to the door, which was opened by a butler. Outside, the people of Arendelle who fit into the courtyard began to scream as the royal sisters stepped out of the doors. Elsa knew the rest were waiting at the docks to see them off.

Even after the incident inside, Anna's spirits were as bright as ever. She ran across the courtyard, zipping back and forth from family to family with her pale green dress flapping around her legs. Even though Elsa was queen, it was Anna who handled most of the domestic affairs. When people came to the castle to discuss debt or assault, Elsa was there to listen. When one mother's child had scratched the other, they were sent to Anna. She knew everyone in town, knew when they formed relationships and when their lives went up and down. Elsa oversaw the professional matters. She was more than happy to have the gates open again, but many people had taken this as an invitation to come to the queen with every small issue that bumped across their lives.

When Elsa stepped out of the gates, the clamor of calls settled, and people instead began to bow reverently as she passed. Today Elsa was clad in a deep blue dress with silver swirls up and along the hem, with a sliver shawl wrapped around her torso. It fit her body, but after Anna's comment, she wished she had made it a little looser. At least she had the shawl.

After the freezing crisis that summer, the people of Arendelle had opened up to Elsa much more quickly than she had imagined. Even so, they were wary of her, and she could sense it. It didn't really bother her so much, she wasn't much one for casual human interaction, but it was strange to see the immediate difference between their reactions towards each of the sisters. Elsa smiled serenely and waved to the people as she walked by. They waved back, smiling and complimenting her. It wasn't that they disliked Elsa, it was simply that they did not feel the personal connection with her that they felt with Anna. And in all honesty, that did not bother the young queen at all.

The carriage driver bowed to Elsa as she stepped into the carriage, and he closed the door behind her. As the carriage lurched into motion, the courtyard slid away from the window and the view changed to one of the town. It was not far to the docks, but it was too far for the girls to walk and Elsa did not like riding horses. Out of the corner of her eye, Elsa caught a glimpse of Kristoff and Sven riding through the crowd, trying to beat the carriages to the ship.

Once they were at the docks, Elsa stepped out of the carriage first, then waited for Anna. Together they walked the short distance from the road to the ship, waving to people as they passed. They stood at the railing of the ship waving and saying goodbye as the crew loaded their luggage and double checked the supplies.

The ship opened its ivory sails and slowly drifted out into the fjord, heading for open waters. The day was bright and clear, with skies so blue it was almost harsh. Elsa had a bag of books she had brought to pass the time at sea, but really she was content to just sit on the deck and watch the water splash against the sides of the ship. As it gained speed, she heard the commands of the sailors around her, setting the ship up to sail uninterrupted. After they had been sailing for just under an hour, Anna came and sat next to her sister.

"What are you doing?" Anna asked, looking at Elsa.

Elsa gave a small smile. "Just sitting. It's calming to watch the water. It's like meditating." Anna nodded and stayed quiet. After a moment, she began to squirm and look around. Elsa's smile widened slightly. "You don't have to sit here with me Anna. I know you're not much one for meditating."

"No, no, I want to sit with you, really," Anna said. "Just…not in silence."

Elsa laughed. "Well, talk to me then. I doubt you want to hear about the kingdom's professional affairs."

"I don't," Anna admitted. "Do you want to hear about some big news from people in the kingdom? You've never expressed much interest in their personal lives before."

"It's not that I'm not interested," Elsa corrected her, "It's just I don't have time to run the kingdom and sort out personal mishaps. That's why it's so good that there's the both of us. I can handle survival while you handle life."

After a few more beats of silence, Elsa spoke again. "That imitation you did earlier…you don't…you don't really think I come off as that haughty, do you?"

"What? I told you I didn't!" Anna said, surprised. "I was just teasing. I mean, it used to be like that, back before I knew you had magic, but now it's just like it used to be, when we were kids."

Elsa looked at her sister's wide, honest eyes. "But do you think I come across to the people that way? I mean, they treat us so differently from one another."

This again surprised Anna. "Well, yeah, but I thought that's what you wanted. That's what everyone thinks. They're just trying to respect you."

"It is what I want, actually," Elsa said. "I don't have the energy you do, to spend time with each person. But I still want everyone to like me. I'm tired of being the Snow Queen."

Anna smiled at Elsa and took the queen's hand in hers. "Elsa, the Snow Queen is so much better than what you used to be. Sundays skating in the courtyard, open gates, freedom to travel…it's all made Arendelle so much better. I have always loved your magic, and I always will. Don't let yourself lose confidence. You're incredible."

Slight heat rose to Elsa's cheeks, but with her pale complexion, every blush looked intense. "Thank you. I know I don't have your social prowess, but I just don't want people to be scared of me anymore."

Anna smiled. "They aren't. Why are you worried? Do you want me to help you go out, make some friends?" Then Anna's eyes really lit up. "Oooh, or maybe a special friend?"

Now Elsa really blushed. "What?"

Anna bounced up and down. "Oh, is that it Elsa? Do you want a boyfriend? There are some cute guys in town, and you're so stunning, you could bat your eyes and they'd fall over themselves for you."

Elsa recoiled. "Whow, whoa, honey. I'm not looking for a boyfriend."

Anna pouted. "Why not?"

"Why not?" Elsa repeated incredulously, "Because I'm perfectly fine on my own. I don't see myself as much of a romantic."

"Well, don't you want to get married someday?" Elsa shrugged and Anna stared at her in shock. "You don't know? I've been planning my wedding since I was seven! Don't tell me you haven't ever thought about it."

Elsa looked down at the water. "I did but…I never thought it would happen. I expected to be in isolation until I had no choice, remember? I imagined it as a "what if" scenario, not something that would actually be reality."

"Elsa…that's really sad," Anna said honestly. "You have to think about it now. Get ready, be happy. Your life is going to be incredible," Anna said sternly, pointing her finger at Elsa.

Elsa laughed. "Well, I already have an incredible sister to help me get through it."

Anna grinned. "Aw, now I'm blushing." The girls went back to silence for a few minutes before Anna groaned. "Five days at sea is going to kill me." It was the realization Elsa had been waiting for, and it made her smirk.

"I brought some books to read if you'd like one," she offered.

Anna made a face. "I've never been much one for reading."

"I know," Elsa said, "But it never hurts to offer."

Anna nodded and looked around. An idea struck her. "Hey, do you think one of these guys will teach me to help sail a ship?"

"Anna, why would you need to sail a ship?" Elsa asked with slight exasperation.

Anna shrugged. "I don't know. What if something happens, and suddenly I'm the only one who can get us to safety?" It was a joking comment, but it reminded the girls of what had happened to their parents, and the mood became very solemn. Then Anna said, "But I don't feel worried about anything."

"Really?" Elsa asked.

Anna nodded. "Well, yeah. If there's bad weather or anything, you can just freeze the water and stuff, right? You'll keep us safe."

Elsa looked away, surprised by her sister's confidence. "Maybe. But if you want to learn to sail, just make sure you don't get us lost. 'I'm sorry we showed up a week late, your highness, my sister got us lost at sea.'"

Anna huffed. "Please, I'll be a great captain." With that, she turned and ran off to flag down a sailor. Elsa laughed softly to herself and headed back to her cabin to get a book to read.