Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen

Rating: for innuendo, discussions about sex (non-graphic/euphemistic) and scenes of a sexual nature (implied/non-graphic)

A/n: So when I finished Ask Me Anything, I originally had no intention of doing a sequel. But a fair few people sent me messages or reviews, asking what happened to Elsa and David or what happened next? And before I knew it, I found myself planning this. It's perhaps not your usual story. But from the beginning of Ask Me Anything, I had a feeling this is how it would turn out. The genre of this story is not "General" but, due to the nature of this story, I'm not assigning its genre until the end. I aim to update every 1-3 days. There will be 5 chapters.

I'll put a short summary of Ask Me Anything below for those who have forgotten/ignored that this is a sequel (8 years on this site has taught me that people do this regularly). Otherwise, this is for everyone who asked me to do this (and, specifically, CrimsonMoon24 who kept reminding me to do it (it's up. Stay awesome); FrozenDaily who answered my questions about GUNDAM models (this doesn't come up at all in the story but I was curious); and the person who told me that interesting fact about Dr Who (no idea if you're reading. I have my reason for not naming you (yet) but this may well not have been written if not for you)). Hope you enjoy!

2 minute summary of Ask Me Anything: The prequel focuses on Elsa and Anna's relationship after Frozen. After mutually realising that they know very little about each other, Elsa tells Anna that Anna can ask any question and Elsa will answer it truthfully. During the course of the story, Elsa plans to court and marry a foreign prince to stabalise Arendelle's economy, something she does not want to do. Part of her worry is that she does not know what her sexuality is. She enters discussions with a prince who is equally reluctant to marry her. Although they get on with each other well, neither of them is sure that they feel what they should about the other, although the prince confesses to feeling "something". Anna suggests that if they show that the two countries can unite through other means, a marriage could be avoided. The story ends with the prince returning to his country to put forward the proposal to his father, while the sisters realise that even though they don't know everything about each other, they know enough.

You Want This To Be a Love Story?

1) The Carrying On and What It Began

The first time Elsa shows Anna one of her small ice sculptures, Anna doesn't know what to say. It's a small reindeer, about the size of Anna's fist. Its head looks backwards and its legs are caught mid-run. Anna glances up to see nervousness in Elsa's expression.

All Anna wanted to know was what Elsa had been doing when Anna knocked. It was partly curiosity and partly a prelude to asking Elsa about ice export. If Elsa had said she was counting dust particles, Anna would have been satisfied and moved on. But, as is so often the case with Elsa, any innocent question can hide something deeper.

She peers again at the reindeer. It doesn't look like Sven, who has more personality than Anna would have expected from any reindeer. This reindeer could be slowing or running faster. It has either spotted something that makes it stop or it's being chased. It has one broken antler and one whole antler. Elsa is trying to say something with this. Everything Elsa does, she does for a reason, even if she won't share that reason with anyone else.

"Um," Anna says. Feeling Elsa's gaze, she tries to think of something more intelligent to say. "It's, you know, icy. Kinda cool, I guess. Ha, cool…" She trails off as she sees disappointment in Elsa's eyes. Not at Anna's terrible pun. Is it because Anna isn't telling Elsa what she thinks? Or because Anna doesn't know what the answer is? She could ask – Elsa promised, months ago, that she would answer any of Anna's questions truthfully, and she's never gone back on that – but this feels as though Anna should know.

There are many things Anna's supposed to know. Some days, knowing everything she's supposed to know feels like a harder task than scaling the North Mountain by hand would have been.

"You don't like it?"

"Um," Anna says again. She needs to get a better response. "It's very well-made? Though you are kinda cheating. No one else has complete mastery over ice and snow. Hey, that's an idea! Become an ice sculptor. You'd be really good at it."

"I'm that bad at being a queen?"

Anna hesitates and then says, "What's wrong?" When Elsa's breath hitches, Anna adds, "You're a great queen and you know it. C'mon, tell me. What's wrong?" She looks at the icy reindeer, which is already beginning to melt from the heat. Funny. Elsa probably could make ice that would never melt but she doesn't. "You told me you used to make ice sculptures when you wanted to think. Or when you were upset. But you can't expect me to guess from a miniature reindeer. Don't get me wrong, I'm a genius but all this tells me is that you know what reindeer look like? Unless that's the problem? 'Cause, I mean, queens don't need to know what reindeer look like – not, like, in really great depth – so you're safe on that count."

Elsa smiles slightly and holds her hand out. As soon as the reindeer touches Elsa's skin, it stops melting. There's probably a metaphor in there somewhere but if Anna is having trouble with the symbolism of one icy reindeer, she's going to have no luck with this.

"I'm sorry," Elsa says. She says that a lot. A tree could collapse in a forest with no one nearby and as soon as Elsa heard about it, she would probably apologise for it. "I've been thinking."

"About David? Have you heard from him?"

Elsa shakes her head. This is another touchy subject. Anna has never told Kristoff that Elsa's potential betrothal to a foreign prince is the product of Elsa not wanting to break Anna and Kristoff apart; that Elsa only began to court the princes because Arendelle is headed towards an economic disaster; that Elsa is willing to be used as a threat and marry a man she doesn't think she loves for them; and that Anna offered to leave Kristoff to save Elsa again and Elsa refused. She doesn't know what Kristoff's reaction would be. Probably, he'd never be able to look Elsa in the eye again. Or David. Because for all that the situation is horrible, it would be much worse if Prince David of Burakoem were anyone other than himself – a man not raised to be a king, who is almost as reluctant as Elsa to enter into a marriage this way and who agreed to Anna's plan to encourage a union between their countries through other relationships. Who is, right now, in Burakoem, discussing said plan with his father.

"You said that even if the plan works out, you'd consider marrying David," she says tentatively.

"Yes, but I suppose I should consider marrying anyone," Elsa points out. She sighs. "Anna, even if this works out, what's to stop me having to marry someone else if another … disaster hits Arendelle?"

"…Because you're a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a man?"

Elsa smiles. "I didn't say I need to marry someone. But are you suggesting that Arendelle is a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a man?"

"I don't think countries need men." Elsa raises an eyebrow and Anna blushes. "Well, you know, apart from to help populate them. And, uh, I suppose they're good for other stuff. Like, uh … Kristoff told me all the ice cutters are men. Though I don't see why the women can't be. Hey, maybe we could pass a law about that?"

"It was passed fifty years ago. Anna, are you ever going to read the law books?"

"Why would I? I can just ask you."

Elsa smiles. "One day, you're going to need to know all of this." Before Anna can argue the point further, Elsa says, "So, did you have a reason for coming in to see me? Apart from my wonderful company?"

The question indicates that this is the end of the matter so Anna asks her question and then Elsa leaves for a meeting. It is only later, when she meets Kristoff and sees Sven, that Anna realises that Elsa didn't answer her question initially – Anna assumed David was what was bothering her – but brought up the possibility of having to marry another prince anyway. It hasn't occurred to her before but Elsa has a point. That makes her wonder – did Elsa think of it when Anna first suggested the plan weeks ago? And if so, why didn't she mention it earlier?


Einion the Burakoemin messenger arrives at the castle the next day and hands over some scrolls. Elsa searches the man's face for any hint of what is in the papers but sees none. She supposes that a messenger wouldn't read the messages he's charged to deliver.

She doesn't open the scrolls immediately. Instead, she waits until she has a quiet moment before heading to the library. It's a stupid idea, she thinks as she separates the main scrolls from the others and places them onto a table. The library was where she and David usually ended up, chatting. More than chatting. Subconsciously, she wipes her lips, and immediately feels unsettled.

The moment frost creeps onto the main scroll, she drops it. For a few minutes, her hands tremble too much for her to risk picking it back up. She isn't sure what the Burakoemin King would say if Elsa were to say she hadn't read the scroll because she froze it. She doubts it would be pleasant.

When she's calm enough, she picks it up and slowly unfurls it. Her eyes scan over the words. She checks the attached scrolls. Her lips thin as she reads the scroll again.

Finally, she exits the library, beckons the nearest servant and asks her to send Anna to Elsa's room.


Anna runs into Elsa's room, realising only at the last second that perhaps she should have knocked first. Elsa is touchy about her room. Anna's only been in there a handful of times; its broken state always tugs at something in her but she knows that Elsa will never fix it.

Elsa flinches. A spike of ice forms from the floor. Anna skids to a stop and falls just short of it.

Right. Definitely should have knocked.

Elsa's hands to go to her mouth as Anna picks herself up. "Anna, I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"It's fine," Anna says, brushing dust from her dress. Funny how she once thought Elsa had a thing about dirt. If she won't fix this room, she could at least stop trying to clean it herself. "Honestly. I should've knocked. It's my fault." She smiles because if she doesn't, Elsa will feel even worse than she does now and Anna will not do that to her. "So, what's up?" she says in what is probably too casual a voice for someone whose sister nearly impaled them on an icicle. But it's fine because Elsa can't hear her wildly beating heart. "Ory said you wanted to see me as soon as possible? Is … what's wrong?"

Elsa is still pale. "Nothing. Something." She picks up a scroll from her desk. "Anna … could you read this and let me know what you think?"

Suddenly, Anna doesn't want to take the scroll. Anna wants to back away slowly and bury her head under her pillows. But her traitor hands don't listen and the scroll is unfurling quickly because her traitor body won't let her do anything slowly.

Your Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I write in relation to your potential betrothal to my son, Prince David of Burakoem. Specifically, I write in relation to the proposal that you and he wished to present to me – that you and I open our borders to each other's people as a sign of our countries' union. Prince David informs me that you also hope that nobles of our countries may marry – and that Lady Angharad of Deryn's Hill, is courting one of your nobles. He stresses that this would provide both of us with advantages as our countries would be allied and that you and he would be free to marry for other alliances, if need be.

Cousin, I appreciate that this marriage is a great thing I ask of my son – and, undoubtedly, that you ask of yourself. I also do not doubt that you would remain true to your word. In addition to your reputation as a just and fair ruler, it may not surprise you to know that Prince David holds you in very high regard. As a father, I would bless this proposal and allow my son and you to cultivate the friendship I believe you and he have established.

However, as King, I must set out the difficulties in such a proposal. Our need is dire enough that we must be joined to Arendelle by more than mere treaty. We need to show that Arendelle and Burakoem will support each other in the face of any danger. Our countries are not close – a union such as you suggest would require my people to remain in Arendelle, or your people to come to Burakoem. Should anything happen to sour relations, those people would be in danger with potentially no way to return to their homeland. In addition, this proposal relies on the goodwill of our people. Should that fail, we are left bound only by an agreement. Finally, the Prince reminds me that you will not use your powers for violence but would publically declare your support for us in the event of an attack. Cousin, this is a great sacrifice you offer to make for us, but, on reflection, I wonder if such a proposal would not endanger both our countries. By declaring your support for us without a marriage behind it, I wonder whether other countries would take this as a threat from us, or perhaps an annexation by you.

I hope, therefore, that you will accept my compromise. I suggest that we enter into the agreement as you and Prince David have agreed – except that in relation to defence, a statement stating that you support our right to territorial integrity should be sufficient – allowing the alliance without your marriage – unless there is any suggestion that our nobles and your nobles will not come together or if any other materially adverse event to Burakoem's safety should occur. In this event, you and I shall sign a letter agreeing that this has occurred and you and Prince David will agree to marry within four months of that letter. Should no such event occur within two years, then you and my son shall be released from your obligation to marry.

My son will return to Arendelle shortly – may, in fact, be on his way – and I do not expect an answer immediately. I enclose, with some hope, two copies of the proposed agreement, signed by me. Should you agree to the compromise, please sign both and return one with Einion the messenger.

With the kindest regards

King Guto of Burakoem

Anna looks at Elsa. Elsa isn't fidgeting, which is a bad sign.

"David's coming back?" Anna says quietly.

"I guess so," Elsa says. There's no joy in her voice – not the kind she's so used to hearing in Kristoff's when speaking to her – but she doesn't sound gloomy. "I need to have an answer by then."

Anna looks down at the scroll again, hoping for inspiration. Elsa obviously doesn't like the Burakoemin King's suggestion. But she must be considering it.

Or maybe she wants Anna to think of a way out of it.

"Anna?"

She does. She wants Anna to say something. Something useful. Something meaningful. Something that will save the day.

"Materially adverse event? What does that even mean?"

Meaningful as in useful, not meaningful as in a definition.

"It's just legalese," Elsa says quietly. "One of those things that you put in an agreement to cover yourself. No one knows what it means until it happens." Her arms cross herself – a gesture Anna hasn't seen for a while. She takes a step forwards, reaching out to Elsa, but her hands still contain the scroll and she has nowhere to put it.

"It's … it's not bad news," Anna says. "He said you don't have to marry. And if no one knows what that material adverse event thing means, that doesn't matter. So … it's a good thing. I think you should agree."

"And if Angharad and Lars stop courting?"

"They won't."

"You don't know that for sure."

"Have you seen them together? They're adorable."

"Not every story can be a love story, Anna."

Even though there is no rebuke in the words, it stings. "I know. How couldn't I after … Hans?" Anna gulps, pushing down the memory of a man, laughing with her, holding her close, and then lips that move away and a fire being snuffed out. "Elsa, I was the one who thought of the plan to stop you and David getting married."

"Anna, if you don't think every story can be a love story, what makes you so sure that Angharad and Lars will stay together?"

For a few, long seconds, Anna can only stare at her sister. Finally, she says, "Because I believe every story can have a happy ending."

Elsa is quiet for even longer than Anna was. She doesn't look at Anna as she says, "I wish I could too."


David arrives at the beginning of the second week of winter. He is already sick of ships and part of him – a very small part – hopes that Elsa intends to marry him just so that he can stop travelling on the stupid things. Except his father would expect them to visit every so often so they'd eventually have to get back on the ship. Right now, the mere thought is making him queasy.

Llew thumps him on the back as they head to the gangplank. "You're green, Dai," he murmurs. "Could go round the other side and let it all out, if you know what I mean. I'll distract the pretty ladies."

"We want an alliance, not a war, Llew. You're going nowhere near them without me."

"Wait, we want an alliance? Dai, lad, they've already seen your face. We've no hope of peace now."

"If you're not careful, I'll let it all out on you."

Llew laughs. David likes that about him. Many men and women are anxious near him, scared they'll say the wrong thing, never realising that David lives his life watching every word. But Llew has been his friend ever since they took sword fighting lessons together, and he has never treated David as anyone other than himself.

He staggers to the gangplank and sees Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Official Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer Kristoff and Olaf waiting, along with a few of the Arendelle nobles and some of the remaining Burakoemin nobles. His heartbeat speeds up as he sees Elsa smile at him, her hair done up perfectly and her dress sitting wonderfully on her.

Close as he is to Llew – close as he is, even, to his family– he has not told any of them about the kisses that passed between him and Elsa on his previous visits. Not because he's ashamed (which he isn't) or uncertain (though he is), or even that he thinks Elsa would want to keep it a secret (which he knows, without asking, that she does), but because they would think he and Elsa are falling for each other.

Are they falling for each other? David isn't sure. He likes her – and he liked kissing her – but he doesn't think that means anything. Probably. Maybe. And as for Elsa…

Anna says maybe I'm overthinking it but I think maybe I'm broken. It would make sense. I don't even think someone like me is supposed to reproduce.

Elsa might fall for him. She might fall for other men. She might fall for women. She might fall for no one at all. All he knows about Elsa is that she has no idea how she feels.

He walks onto the dock and hopes he looks less green than he feels. He bows to Elsa, careful to stay back. The first time they met, he'd attempted to kiss her hand, as per the Burakoemin custom. Her calm mask had slipped into panic, and she'd nearly hit him in the face before she realised what he was doing. He'd been glad, then, that Elsa had insisted on meeting him privately, with only a few of his guards and nobles to witness. Since then, although neither of them has mentioned it, he never reaches for her unless he is absolutely sure that she is expecting it.

Elsa curtseys, bobbing her head in respect. David turns to Anna and bows again. He can almost feel the exasperation rolling off her. In truth, Anna scares him more than Elsa does. Llew and some of the other nobles can't believe that but they don't know the sisters as he does. Elsa is someone who is scared of feeling and that makes her act coldly. But she plays with children in the snow, listens to every problem, no matter how busy she is, and refuses to use her powers for anything violent or economic. You only have to talk to her to realise how gentle she is.

Anna, on the other hand, is someone who is scared of not feeling. That makes her loud and boisterous but also makes her desperately try not to lose what she has. Beneath the loveable, clumsy girl that everyone views her as, there is someone who can be unthinkingly cruel. Someone who can shout truths without realising they hurt and can rally people to her side. Someone who might laugh and joke and act self-deprecating but who will do anything to defend her sister. She could feel anything and do anything – especially if she doesn't like you. He is always more anxious around her and that probably doesn't help.

Anna's curtsey is almost as graceful as Elsa's. She elbows Kristoff, who blinks for a moment, and then sticks his hand out. As Elsa's eyes widen and Anna groans, David hesitates but shakes Kristoff's hand.

Kristoff sees Anna's expression as he releases David's hand. "What?" Anna lightly smacks his shoulder. "What? Come on, that's no way to behave in front of your guest." He looks at David, Llew and the soldiers. "OK, fine, I was supposed to bow, was- hey!" Anna had swatted him again.

"Elsa and David haven't even said hello yet," Anna hisses and now David is struggling to keep the laughter from his lips. For all that Anna scares him, he can't deny that there's a reason she's so likeable.

"They did the whole bowing and curtseying thing, didn't they?"

"Well, yeah, but they're also supposed to speak. You know, since they're potentially getting engaged and all, they might like to at least say hello."

"I'm not stopping them."

"You are if you keep talking, Kristoffer."

"Oh, come on, we agreed you'd stop calling me that."

David feels a tug at his trousers. Looking down, he sees Olaf, standing there, smiling. He immediately drops to one knee to embrace the little snowman, apologising for forgetting about him. In all honesty, he still hasn't worked out what the protocol for greeting Olaf is – bowing to a snowman just feels ridiculous – so he'd been hoping that it would somehow work out. Except Olaf's a bit like a small child – he doesn't realise that David has certain formalities he's supposed to follow.

Once he stands up, he realises that Llew is staring at Olaf. Most of the Burakoemin nobles have barely seen Olaf, and Llew didn't come the first time to Arendelle, only the second. Olaf, of course, waves.

"Am I supposed to hug you?" Llew asks somewhat uncertainly, eyes wide. David will definitely bring this up the next time Llew mocks him.

"You don't have to," Olaf says, "but it'd be nice. I love warm hugs."

"Right then." Llew bends down and hugs the snowman briefly, before jumping. "You snowed on me!"

"Yeah, it's kinda my thing. Isn't it amazing?"

As Llew stutters an answer, Elsa walks over to David. "I'm sorry," she murmurs but he can see the amusement in her eyes. "I had hoped to provide you with a more formal greeting."

He watches Anna and Kristoff bicker while Olaf enthusiastically tells Llew about the snowstorm, not realising that he's speaking too quickly for Llew to keep up. The surrounding nobles all have varying degrees of confusion on their faces. He can't help himself – he begins to laugh.

"Not at all," he says. Elsa smiles that very small smile she wears when she's relieved. "I expected nothing less from Arendelle."


That evening, there is a formal dinner as Elsa welcomes David back to Arendelle. Anna can feel the impatience of some of the nobles around the room. All news of the betrothal has been suspended and so all the people have are rumours.

Anna hasn't told Kristoff about the plan but he's guessed that there's something going on from the way Anna's mood changed from gloomy to cheerful so quickly. She wants to tell him but she knows she's bad with secrets and she's worried what will happen if both of them know. She suspects that he's annoyed that she's hiding something from him but he hasn't pushed. Not really.

At the dinner, she watches David and Elsa. They both seem genuinely happy to see each other again and it makes Anna smile to watch them. Elsa worries that she can't feel emotions properly but when Anna sees her like this, she knows better.

She looks out over the gathering, to see Baron Lars and the Burakoemin noble, Angharad. Neither of them realises how much of Elsa and David's future relies on them.

When the evening is over, most of the nobles disperse. Anna stands up, to walk Kristoff to the castle gates, when Elsa beckons her over.

"Could you accompany me to the library?" she asks quietly, glancing at Kristoff. That tells Anna what this is about. Elsa has to make a decision and she wants Anna to be there.

She glances at Kristoff and feels a pang of guilt. They have been together for over five months now. She would trust Kristoff with her life. She would trust him with Elsa's life. But she doesn't know if Elsa trusts him and this is Elsa's secret, not hers.

Elsa sees Anna's glance and, for a split second, there is hesitation on her face. Then she turns to Kristoff.

"Kristoff, I'm sorry to take Anna off you like this." She swallows and, suddenly, she looks like an awkward teenager rather than the adult Queen of Arendelle. "I've forbidden Anna to discuss the betrothal negotiations with anyone except me or our foreign relations minister. There is something going on which we haven't told everyone. I'm afraid that the more people who know exactly what it is, the more difficult it would be to contain it."

Kristoff's expression is somewhere between irritated and apologetic. "That's alright, Elsa." He coughs. "Um, your Majesty. Anna's the heir. I know she's got stuff to do. And you've got to keep the country running. I know." He hesitates and turns to Anna. He starts to lean towards her but hesitates and kisses her quickly on the cheek instead. "I'll see you tomorrow," he says. He turns to Elsa and bows. "Um. By your leave, your Majesty."

Anna can see the horror in Elsa's eyes even as the rest of her face is still. She doesn't reach out but her fingers curl and frost forms on her palm. Elsa sees Anna's gaze and immediately shoves her hands behind her back, at the same time excusing Kristoff. Once he's gone, the sisters look around – luckily, no one appears to have overheard their discussion.

Elsa looks as though she wants to say something but Anna suddenly feels tired. She begins to walk away before Elsa can speak.

David is sat in the library when she arrives. He immediately leaps up. She told him once to stop bowing to her, and he clearly remembers that because, after a second, he sits down again. She would smile but, somehow, she's not in the mood.

Elsa follows them in and then locks the library door. "Thank you both." She sounds as exhausted as Anna feels. "David, I'm sorry to drag you into this on the first night of your visit. Anna, I'm … I'm sorry." Before either of them can say anything, she says, "David, I assume you know what your father proposed?"

David nods. "I do." He hesitates and then says, "I know it's not ideal, Elsa, but I think it's the best compromise he can give. You'd still get the money and food you need, mind. The only catch is…"

"If something happens to suggest Arendelle and Burakoem aren't united," Elsa finishes. "Such as Angharad and Lars ending their courtship with no other nobles courting."

"It might be different if our countries start more trade dealings though," David says. "It might not matter then, see. I know it looks like my father's trying to trick you into marrying me but he … he's trying. He's not a bad man, see."

"You love him."

David turns to Anna, surprised at the comment. "I do."

She remembers that feeling. Remembers hearing of people who said they hated their parents and thinking there was something wrong with those people. But she cannot – will not – forgive her parents for what they've done to Elsa.

Elsa shoots Anna a warning glare before turning to David. "I understand," she says. "I appreciate that he's allowing this compromise at all."

"But?"

"How did you know there would be a but?"

"There's always a but after a sentence like that."

Elsa doesn't smile. "But you must admit that this limits me. I will likely have to marry you and I can't investigate other … prospects. Burakoem would be a good ally but you're not the safest."

Anna looks at David, to see if he's offended. His expression isn't one of offence but it's not positive or neutral either. She glances at his eyes. They're still the same as Elsa's. Sad eyes.

"If you don't value Burakoem as an ally then why did you agree to negotiate a potential betrothal?"

"That's the point," Elsa says. "We didn't agree the betrothal in the end."

David still doesn't look angry. Anna, however, can't stop herself from staring at Elsa. Elsa likes David. Why is she acting like this?

"But had you married me, see, you'd be even more bound than you are now. If anything, this gives you more freedom."

"Had I married you, I would have gained certainty in my political standing. Other countries would have known that a marriage was out of the question. With a secret like this in place, I must fend off other suitors and risk their offence. Burakoem is blessed with three princes. Arendelle has myself and Anna only." David glances at Anna. Elsa immediately says, "I'll rephrase. Arendelle only has me."

David nods. "I understand," he says, his voice husky. "Elsa, my father has been in talks with other countries, with eligible princesses who I could marry. This is a great concession on his part, see." Then, very quietly, he adds, "He thought I'd be happier this way than potentially marrying someone I hated."

"I know," Elsa says and closes her eyes. "David, I know that. And I'm grateful for it. You're not the first prince I courted but believe me when I say that you are by far the one I'd be happiest to marry on a personal level. But much like your father had to look at the problem as a king first and a father second, I have to approach this as a queen, not as me."

"I know," David says. He looks down.

"Anna thinks we should agree."

Both of them turn to her. She starts to splutter, choking on … absolutely nothing. How has she even managed that?

"I … well, I mean … I said that but … I just thought … you know, you two get on. And Burakoem can obviously help us if Elsa was considering it at all. Not that I'm saying she wouldn't consider you for other reasons, because she would, people would, I mean, not me, I have Kristoff, but other people and … anyway, my point was, Burakoem and Arendelle would get what they need and you two wouldn't need to marry. Possibly." She coughs again, glancing at Elsa. "But, uh, Elsa has a point. She can't marry anyone else if she might be marrying you."

Elsa regards her slightly quizzically and then says, "But now that you've heard what I think, what's your opinion?"

"Um. In front of David?" She looks at David. "Sorry. Not that I don't like you. I do. Not like-"

"It's alright," David says with a small smile, "you've already said that plenty of people would marry me. My ego's big enough right now."

"Right. Wait, what? That's not what I … uh, I mean, that's totally what I meant!" She groans. "Can I start again?"

David smothers a smile. "You know what, I think I'll step out for a moment. Just for a breath of fresh air, mind." He stands up and exits the library.

Anna takes a breath and turns to face her sister. In the months since the Great Thaw, they have been making efforts to get to know each other. On some days, she feels as though she knows exactly how Elsa thinks and acts. On other days, she looks at Elsa and sees a stranger.

"Sorry," she mumbles.

Elsa laughs, fingers to her lips like always, as though scared to let the sound out. "Anna, I wanted your opinion without David here. It would have been rude if I'd asked him to leave."

"And it wasn't when I did it?" She doesn't know whether to be offended or not. There's something cruel about the way Elsa set her up to make an idiot of herself.

Elsa picks up on Anna's mood. She moves closer to Anna but doesn't reach for her. Elsa rarely touches Anna of her own initiative. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant … everything I've said so far, I've had to say as Queen. I wanted you here because you're so honest. And…" She expels a breath. "I shouldn't have done that, should I?"

Elsa is so regal and speaks so well that Anna often forgets that she doesn't fully understand emotions and interaction. Too scared. Too many years.

"It's OK," Anna says. "I mean, David took it fine and … I mean ... I'm just-"

"You're not just anyone, Anna." She blows out again. "I'm sorry. I should have said I wanted your opinion in private instead of letting you do that. That's twice I've made people feel like I don't value them tonight. Tell Kristoff I'm sorry as well." She glances down. "I just thought, if he's being kept out of the loop, he might as well blame me, not you."

And how can Anna be angry with someone who would let her sister's boyfriend hate her just so that he won't be angry with Anna?"

"It's fine. Honestly, it is. Elsa, I still think you should agree. The longer this goes on for, the more desperate Arendelle is. And d'you think you're gonna find another prince who'll agree to try something like this? Or, or, what if you hate the rest of the princes as well? You have a chance, this way." She pauses. "And, uh, I know you like David and I know you said you don't know if you like him like, you know, like I like Kristoff, or who you like or anything but you could use the time to find out more about yourself." She coughs because this is a conversation she never imagined she'd have with her sister and she's already had it once. "I mean, uh, you know, have you thought you might like women? I mean, it can't be impossible, right? Maybe you'll meet a woman you love and … you could change the law. Or … you might meet a handsome soldier or something and fall in love. You'd have time."

She doesn't say you could be happy but she thinks it.

An ice-cold arm slips around her shoulders and Anna finds herself being pulled towards Elsa's body. She winds her arm around Elsa and leans her cheek on Elsa's shoulder. The flinch is barely noticeable.

"Thank you," Elsa murmurs. "Thank you for always trying no matter what I do."

"Elsa-"

Elsa turns her head and smiles. "Anna, if you think I should do it, I will."

That's when Anna realises: Elsa wants to take this option. She doesn't want to marry David but she doesn't want to reject him and have to rush into marriage with the next prince who might be ten times worse. She wants this middle ground for personal reasons. But she can't say that because she has legitimate concerns as a queen and she can't say anything aloud for herself.

Anna can. Because Anna's the kind of person who can be trusted to say things without thinking about politics.

But Anna's the Crown Princess. She should be thinking about this.

So maybe it's because Anna is possibly the only person in this entire country –including Elsa – who cares about Elsa's happiness as a person, not just Elsa's happiness as Queen.

Elsa trusts her. If Elsa trusts her, and Elsa knows what Anna wants to say, then Elsa must think the answer is OK.

"Do it," Anna says.


Elsa signs the agreements and sends one back with Einion the messenger.

David and Elsa announce that their countries will enter into relations while considering whether a betrothal would be best. People cheer. Burakoem sends food, money and potential trade contacts. Arendelle sends ice, food and announces its support for Burakoem's right to territorial integrity.

Lars and Angharad are happy and their happiness infects both sets of nobles, who begin to spend more time around each other. Kristoff remains awkward around Elsa but he, too, seems content. Sometimes, Elsa sees Anna and Kristoff together and knows that even if Kristoff were to hate her, she would never be able to separate them.

Anna and Elsa continue to eat dinner every night together, continue to talk. Sometimes about serious topics, that make Elsa cry and Anna tighten her jaw as she blinks to stop her tears; sometimes about light topics, that make Elsa snort and Anna giggle. Sometimes they ask questions – whether Anna likes to wear heels; Elsa's favourite play – but it feels as though they do it for old time's sake. Sometimes. On Elsa's twenty-second birthday, Anna gives her a whole collection of small items, books, foods, things that Elsa has mentioned liking. Just half a year ago, Anna wouldn't have known any of it.

David is laughing and joking and generally representing the Burakoemin delegation. He is due to leave in the New Year. He has not attempted to kiss her once this trip but he spends some of each day with her. On her birthday, he gives her some traditional Burakoemin carvings – including a lovespoon but with platonic carvings. The more she speaks to him, the happier she is that they've reached this medium. It's almost like talking to Anna – joking, friendly, some topics serious, some less so, and no other pressure surrounding them.

She makes no move at all to touch him and he makes no move to touch her. Sometimes, she can see something in his eyes and she'll look in the mirror afterwards but, try as she might, all she can see in her own is uncertainty. On those nights, she tries to remind herself that she can feel, she has to feel, because she can't be more broken, more different, than she already is. She tells herself that she will use the time to find out who she desires and that she just hasn't gotten round to it yet. And then David will give her that look and she'll look in the mirror again.

But she thinks, if she could feel properly (and clearly, given her uncertain eyes, she can't), she might be close to happy now.

It's almost perfect.