Chapter 1: Spring Break...?

As I looked out over the balcony I could see nearly every inch of my still sleeping kingdom being washed over in the early rays of morning light. To think that its been just over a year now that I had entirely lost control, and frozen over all of Arendelle and its poor unsuspecting citizens, makes me shudder. By now, of course, I had learned to control my powers to the best of my ability through love, however there was still always a part of me that was scared I might slip off track. That this certain delicate balance within me would shatter and I would be hopeless to stop the power coursing through my veins from unleashing, and causing utter chaos yet again.

Grand Pabbie told me so many years ago that fear would be my enemy, as I had learned during my traumatizing experience after my coronation, but even now I reflect on those words. But the more I processed it and ripped and distorted the situation, the more my head began to ache at the idea of fearing my own fear! This was a reoccurring habit of mine, to constantly overthink every little thing until I was rendered paralyzed by the aching migraine I got in return from all the thoughts whirling and spinning like a blizzard in my mind.

Lately however, I had been constantly plagued by the stress and duties that accompany being the Queen. All those years of studying politics and strategies necessary to assume the throne, did absolutely nothing to prepare me for what it was actually like! There would be times the servants would find me in my study asleep at my desk, with my quill still in hand, or find me passed out amongst old literature of ancient kingdoms in the library. Needless to say things were extremely stressful, but one positive outcome of the stress that accumulated was that I didn't have to worry as much about my powers as I was always too busy for them to interfere.

My thoughts were interrupted, by a firm knock on the large wooden door to my bedroom.

"...Elsa?" a voice called softly, almost uncertainly.

As soon as I heard that voice, I couldn't help but smile as memories came rushing back to me of times spent playing in the grand ballroom, with my beloved sister.

"Elsa are you awake?" the voice called again, this time a bit of worry appeared in the voice's tone.

"Yes, I'm awake. Come in, please." I responded.

I took one last look at Arendelle and the fjord below almost entirely engulfed in the morning sunlight before turning to walk to my door.

I saw the door slowly open and watched as a timid girl peeked her head through cautiously, before stepping into the room entirely. I took in the vision before me and couldn't help but smile again. The girl had her strawberry blonde hair secured into two neatly formed braids that hung a few inches below her shoulders. I cringed inwardly as I saw the white streak run from the front of her bangs and snake its way in and out of her right braid. Still seeing that little white streak was enough to bring back awful and tormenting memories of hurting my sister so many years ago, as a child. A vivid memory of her lying there unconscious on the floor, ice cold and innocent. The sight of her laying limply in my father's arms as Grand Pabbie removed my dangerous ice from her head, as well as removing her memories, was still burned into my mind.

I shivered, an unusual occurrence for me considering the cold never bothers me, and chose to brush off the taunting memories.

"Anna, you're awake!" I chuckled quietly. "I'll be the first to admit, I'm a bit surprised to see you awake and functioning properly at this hour in the morning."

I smiled at her, and as she smiled back I couldn't help but notice the slight tinge of worry in her eyes, that matched the one in her voice.

"Yeah, I guess it is a bit uncharacteristic of me, huh?" She replied quietly. I walked over to her and placed my arms on her shoulders.

"Anna, are you alright? It seems like something's troubling you."

"Well, that's what I came here for." She shifted uneasily and I could tell was upset, although what about I wasn't sure.

"If you're not too busy, Elsa...well...I...I was thinking I could come talk to you about it but if..." she trailed off and I picked up where she left off.

"Come on," I said as I led her over to my bed, "tell me all about whats bothering you."

And for once let me be the one who's here for you, I thought.

She took in a deep breath before replying. "Well you know this past year has been wonderful, what with you successfully ruling Arendelle and all, but I think a break may be in order..." She paused, as if waiting for my reaction, and I nodded in approval telling her to continue, realizing that this was about me and not her.

"Well that's just it..." she laughed nervously and a hopeful smile began to spread across her face, "I think you need a break, Elsa. I can tell the stress has really been getting to you and-"

I cut her off before she could finish, "Anna, I can't just 'take a break' from being the Queen!" I accepted this role on behalf of mother and father, as well as the rest of Arendelle and I knew what I was getting myself into."

Her face fell a bit at the mention of mother and father. It had been 4 years since their death and it still was not any easier for either of us to talk about, especially Anna. When I was busy isolating myself, she was alone in the castle and they were the only friends she had.

"Elsa, I have seen how you get with all this stress! I mean just look at you!"

She motioned to the mirror and I follow her gaze. When I saw my reflection I gasped silently.

My eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and there were large purple bags under my eyes. My face seemed paler, if that was even possible considering my already pale complexion. Even my once bright blue irises seemed duller and faded like...like how I felt nowadays.

"I...I guess I have had trouble sleeping lately." I admitted.

"Is it..." Anna hesitated before continuing, "...the nightmares, again?"

I slowly nodded in confirmation. Anna was the only one that knew of the nightmares I'd have occasionally. And oddly enough, they always got increasingly intense and more frequent whenever my 'Queenly Stress Level' was at a high. I don't know why I never realized that until now, but still a nightmare is just a nightmare. So as always, I just shrug it off.

"See this I what I mean, Elsa. I reaaaally think you should take a break, and you could, ooh I know! You could head up to your ice palace! And...and you could take a nice little vacation up there oh and Kristoff and I would gladly take care of anything you needed here. Even your queenly duties! And...and-"

"ANNA!" I yelled. I took a deep breath and composed myself, "Enough." I said quieter. "Look I can't just go running off to my ice palace, as lovely as that does sound, and abandon the kingdom again! Remember what happened the last time their 'Ice Queen' suspiciously ran away and fled to the mountains after freezing everything around her!?" I snapped.

I then saw the hurt look in Anna's face and realized just how hurtful and condescending my words had been to her. I sighed. Maybe she was right, maybe there is something the matter with me! I just don't see how I could pick up and leave everything as if I had not a care in the world.

"Anna, I... I'm sorry. Maybe I should take a break for a few days just to...Oof!"

I was interrupted by Anna literally throwing herself at me and nearly crushing me to death in her bear hug. Once she loosened her grip I couldn't help but smile down at my baby sister and hug her back. She was incredibly childish and naïve but that's the way I loved her and after all, she was only looking out for me and caring for my own well being.

"So then its settled! You'll be taking a teeny leave of absence while Kristoff and I manage the kingdom for you!" She said excitedly still hugging me.

I laughed and stroked her back before a serious though occurred to me. We finally pulled away from our embrace, and I held her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Anna, now you have to promise me to be careful when handling all affairs dealing with the kingdom. And leave any documents you are unsure about on my desk for me to handle when I get back." I say in a serious tone.

She waves me off as if I was annoying her and said, "Yes I know, I know!"

"Oh, and do be careful around the kitchen. We wouldn't want a repeat of last months kitchen fire now would we?" I asked with an eyebrow raised, chuckling lightly.

Anna rolls her eyes, "Yeah, yeah...Hey but in my defense, that frying pan came out of nowhere!" She insisted.

I just laughed and she eventually joined me. One thing about Anna was that the poor girl was miserably,and yet hilariously, clumsy.

"Alright now we have to get you packed and ready to go!" Anna said triumphantly.

"Anna? Did you forget that anything I need I can conjure from ice and snow?" I questioned with an eyebrow raised.

Anna pursed her lips in thought at this before giving in. "You really think you'll be okay without anything?" I laughed lightly.

"I'll be fine! Now let me go finish up and organize all my work for you and...oh! Are you sure you don't want me to bring any of it with me? I could work from the palace and-"

"NO!" Anna objected firmly. "You are going on a break, which means no working," she said putting her hands on her hips, "it will be like a little...spring break." She suggested smiling, liking the name she had created for it.

I laughed and smiled at her, "Is that what you're calling it?"

Anna pondered for a moment more before responding, "Yes, I quite like the name of it! And who knows, it may become an official thing one day!"

I chuckled as she continued rambling about how brilliant her creativity skills were and how she should use them more often. I used this as my opportunity to slip out and sort my work. I walked out of my room waving to Anna as she continued talking to herself before heading down the long hallway to my study, the place where I spent most of my time nowadays. I walked into my study and over to my large wooden desk.

It was made of a natural maple that was painted so it turned slightly white and glossy, and had intricate designs painted on it resembling frost and snowflakes in multiple shades of blue. It was a gift from the Prince of Andulasia, Edward, and it contrasted the rooms dark blue painted walls. On the wall behind my desk was a large window, and hanging above the window were navy blue drapes, with silver stitching and embroidery of swirling snow patterns down the sides, that pulled back to reveal the castle gardens, including a pond her and Anna frequently skates on.

My work was strewn all over the desk and I sighed and mumbled something about 'being more organized' as I walked over to clean it all up. I thought back to my clumsy, young sister having to sort through all of this and handle it on her own, and it made me second guess my decision. Then I decided to go with it, considering she'll never leave me alone until I agree to leave, so I might as well make it easier. I was just about finished sorting, and decided to go freshen up before leaving for the ice palace.

I traveled back to my room and went to quickly wash my face, allowing the refreshing cool water to splash against my face and neck. I dried my face up, applied a quick layer of light makeup, and put my hair up into its usual formal bun, before moving onto my wardrobe to choose an outfit.

I picked out a dark turquoise dress that had navy blue swirls along the bottom of the skirt and on the bodice. There was silver stitching throughout the swirls making them appear to shine like swirls of snow. I grabbed a navy cape with silver and turquoise lining the edges that formed into a snowflake design towards the back where it fanned out into a trailing train behind me.

Satisfied with my outfit, I looked in the mirror one last time before deciding to head out and leave for my little 'spring break.'

I chuckled to myself, "Spring break...ha! What a novel idea!" I rolled my eyes at the thought of my sister and made a mental note to tease her about that upon my arrival back.

"Actually spring break is a lot of fun, usually leads to partying and...fun, my specialty." Said a low voice.

I whipped around and gasped at what I saw. My thoughts instantly started racing and I could already feel the impending headache.

Who is...and how did he...is that even possible? I'm going insane...

A/N: Oooh so who's that guy? (I don't recogniiiize) Sorry HSM3 moment there...haha

Ooh and did anyone catch the Disney reference in this chapter? Its from a Disney princess movie... *hint hint*

Anyways I'm hoping the next chapter will be up soon within the next few days, being as I'll be on vacation visiting family and will have nothing netter to do that update :) And yeah, haha, can you tell I've got spring break on the brain?

R&R please! Comments, concerns, criticism, and suggestions are all welcome here!