After everything was said and done, there was no avoiding the rising tensions surrounding Arendelle's foreign affairs. Despite the queen's best efforts to quell the fervor, it was hard to miss the fact that foreign diplomats quaked in her presence and attempted to keep a safe distance from her at all time, which turned out to be roughly a few yards. It made discussing private matters harder when you had to yell quietly across a table at each other. And although nearby kingdoms didn't withhold trade following the episode, they kept further interaction with Arendelle minimal at best.
Something needs to be done, Elsa thought. She rubbed her temples and sighed. Her back hurt. And her shoulders. And her neck. Her whole body ached from bearing the weight of her actions. If only I hadn't over reacted then…but then what?
"You don't look so good." She snapped out of her reverie and found herself staring straight into her sister's inquisitive eyes. "What's wrong, Elsa?"Anna peeped, brushing a stray hair from Elsa's brow. The queen felt her ears burn from the contact and turned away.
"The usual queenly duties," Elsa replied, in an attempt to brush off her concern. She softened at Anna's touch but averted her gaze all the same. "Boring matters, to be sure. You needn't concern yourself with them," she ended quietly, gripping her quill a little tighter. It frosted over in a matter of seconds. Anna furrowed her brows suspiciously.
"Elsa," the princess growled, and with both hands, turned her sister's face and reluctant eyes back to her, "tell me."
Ugh, the queen groaned inwardly. How could I resist those eyes?
"So…" Anna began after making Elsa spill the details, "it sounds like you need someone to bridge the divide between kingdoms," she looked at her sister for confirmation. The queen nodded slowly as Anna circled her chamber. "Someone with exceptional wit, in-depth knowledge of Arendelle's history and dealings, as well as excellent interpersonal skills." She glanced back at her sister, "someone who can convince them that you are as beautiful and graceful a queen as you are a generous, honorable ruler and trading partner…etcetera"
"Well yes, I suppose," Elsa responded, warily. She didn't like where this conversation was going.
"And naturally sh-I mean-this person-should probably be someone who can kill it on the dance floor, too."
"Hm." Elsa sat stone-faced.
"An ambassador of Arendelle,"Anna continued, feeling a bit self conscious about the next words: "That is to say, me!" Anna chirped nervously and flitted about the room rearranging Elsa's things while her sister's glowering eyes following her. "I'm just what you need."
"No." Came a swift reply.
"No?" Anna huffed, with hurt in her voice.
"No, Anna," Elsa repeated, firmer than the first time. "I can't be sure what you may be getting into. After all this…all that's happened," she faltered, looking pleadingly into Anna's eyes for some shred of understanding. "Listen. Chances are, other kingdoms see us as more of a threat than ever and they could hurt you. I can't risk that."
"…But that's EXACTLY why Arendelle needs an ambassador more than ever!" Anna interjected.
"We already have one," Elsa countered.
"But not one that's a princess! Who could give better insight on the goings on in our kingdom and the many riches & opportunities it holds other than me?" came the princess' retort. "Who could sing of your praises, of your due diligence, your struggles, your passion and dedication better than me?" She continued, gaining momentum. "You know it's a good idea, Elsa, so why are you fighting me so hard?"
"Anna, I-" Elsa began, but the words got caught in her throat. It was a sound proposal, and Anna had great potential despite her lack of experience. But even so, "I just got used to greeting you in the morning," she mumbled.
"What?" The princess sputtered, thrown by the change in topic.
"I…I'm only just meeting you for the second time and there's just so much I want to know about you and I want you to know," her words came out frantic, "Arendelle must have felt like a prison for you too during all those years, didn't it? And now that the gates are open and you can go anywhere, do anything, I..." She had to stop herself in order to keep the tears at bay. It wasn't part of her plan to say all of that at once. In fact, she hadn't planned on saying any of it ever and now she could feel her rising embarrassment turn the air crisper as a result.
"I will return, no matter the cost," Anna promised earnestly as she brushed the unwept tears from Elsa's eyes. "With new allies, alliances, and all that other junk you care so much about," she smiled tenderly and knelt before her sister. "And I will do it all for you," she whispered as she caressed Elsa's delicate hands, "because that is what a princess does for her queen," she finished, punctuating each word with a kiss to a knuckle. Elsa felt her face flush as she studied Anna's features bathed in soft orange and yellow hues from the hearth's fire. Not quite the words she was hoping to hear, but good enough. In any case, she wasn't sure if she wanted Anna to leave the kingdom if she could act this disarming.
"Ah…"
"Elsa?" Anna turned her focus from Elsa's hands to her face. "What is it?"
"…There is truth in your words," Elsa halted, "I can't deny that. But you will need some training before I can allow you to represent this kingdom abroad."
"Oh, I knew you'd come around!" Anna squealed and enveloped her sister in a fierce embrace. "Thank you, Elsa! You won't regret it."
"I'm regretting it plenty already," Elsa wheezed, trying her best to sound annoyed while gasping for breath from Anna's choke hold.
"Oops! Sorry, Elsa. Guess I don't know my own strength, huh?" giggled the princess as she released her sister. "Er, so when…?"
"8 a.m. sharp in the courtyard tomorrow," Elsa cut in while straightening out her ice-sequined dress, "for your fencing lessons."