I'm not exactly sure how this day could get worse, thought Elsa. She paced the length of her bedroom tirelessly, moving into her sitting room to avoid ending her stride. Her ankle length powder, blue night gown swished along the rug. The weak light of dawn filtered through her tall windows, illuminating her problems. After thawing Arendelle, she had hoped things would simply go back to how they were. Unfortunately, the reality was not so easy. She sighed heavily and threw herself into a chair.

Although she was glad to be rid of that bothersome duke of Weselton, Elsa now had to figure out a new trade partner. Her country was practically water locked on all sides; goods were not exactly plentiful besides fish and pleasant weather. And ice, she mused. Her slender fingers pulled through her platinum hair mercilessly as she thought of the rest of her problems. Aside from being short a trade partner, she was short a sister, too. Anna had become glued to Kristoff's hip, and while Elsa wished her every happiness, she felt rather hurt that after all that had happened in the past few weeks, she was as alone as ever. She didn't have to hide her secret anymore, but she missed the company of the one person she wanted most, her sister.

At least now I don't have to worry about my secret getting out, she thought as she massaged her temples. Deft hands pulled her hair into a braid like second nature, and the young queen stood and took a deep breath. She had to go find something to occupy her mind, or else she would explode. Elsa made her daily rounds through the castle, smiling and conversing with the staff. Their love and respect comforted her, but nothing could sooth her selfish desire for an equal. Anna was her little sister, and little sisters never would quite understand what big sisters had to deal with. And honestly, Elsa liked it that way; she was glad to provide a comfortable life free from worry for Anna, after all her years of standing by through her coldness. Her feet led her through the kitchens as her mind wandered. She paused to sample a slice of fresh bread from the ovens, and graced the baker with a shy smile in thanks. The warm treat was polished off with no trace of unladylike crumbs by the time she reached the stables.

"Elsa! Look at me!" Anna's high voice sounded from a horse stall, her head peeking over the top. The young woman was perched on her large bay steed, Kristoff at her side. She nudged the horse forward and Kristoff nodded at Elsa, then walked out the back of the stable. "We're going to get ice today! And maybe explore the mountains a little bit. And go see the trolls, and then Kristoff said he would show me around the hot springs if I was lucky!" Anna chattered cheerfully.

"Oh really?" Elsa murmured. "Well, just stay warm, and be careful. Don't get separated and try to get home before dark." Elsa rifled through the saddle bags, making sure they had plenty of supplies in case something happened. Kristoff may know the mountains like the back of his mitten, but one could never be too careful. She hid her apprehension by scratching the horse behind his ears and looking at the ground. A chill began to clutch at her heart and mind; the queen didn't feel easy about letting her sister so far from her side. Her social anxiety could typically be assuaged by a tender touch or an ear to ear grin from her goofy sister, but with Anna gone she would be left to manage her feelings alone. Elsa buried her nose in the soft fur on the horse's neck; as hard as it would be, she needed to learn how to stand on her own.

Kristoff rounded the corner with a large sack of carrots over his shoulder. "We should get going, Anna. We want as much daylight as possible." Anna gave Elsa one last bright grin and let Kristoff guide the horse out of the stall. The blonde woman sighed and turned back towards the castle.

Then, almost as an afterthought, Elsa conjured Olaf to her side. "Go with them," she instructed, "and if they get in to trouble, let me know immediately."

"Yes, your highness!" The chipper snowman saluted, his personal snow cloud puffing just above his boneless head, and then, "Wait for me! Hey Sven! Anna!" And he hightailed it out of the stables and after the couple.

Elsa giggled quietly to herself and then made her way towards the gardens, deciding to spend a few hours amongst the greenery while it wasn't blisteringly hot outside yet. Her fingertips trailed over the hedges as she lost herself in the pleasant scene. It had been years since she had enjoyed the gardens. She remembered gazing at them longingly from the windows of her childhood, locked away by a power she had been born with.

Paved stones turned into lush grass as Elsa diverted from the trail and stopped at a large oak tree at the edge of an ornamental pond. A cushioned gaudy looking hammock was slung low on the tree, with gold tassels and the body of it embroidered with the colors of Arendelle's banners. She slipped into it with as much grace as the hammock would allow and wiggled to get comfortable. With a lazy wave of her hand, she lightly frosted the closest leaves to provide some cool. It wasn't long before the soothing sounds from the pond and gentle swaying of the hammock had her drifting off to sleep.

"Elsa! Queen Elsa, please wake up!" A masculine, hushed voice urged her. Her mind fuzzy with sleep, it took the young woman a moment to recognize the speaker. Startled blue eyes met worried green and she shoved at the man, pinning him against the ground with a thick coat of ice. Elsa floundered a bit in the hammock before righting herself and stalking towards the trapped man. She could hear shouts in the distance from the direction of the stone wall that enclosed the grounds.

Intense anger rose like bile within her as she prepared to hit him again with a fist mailed in shards of ice, but her fury was stopped with a puzzling observation: his hand was moving through her ice, like a hot knife through butter. And suddenly he was halfway free and struggling to rise, and words were leaving his mouth but panic was buzzing her ears and she couldn't make them out. All she knew was that he was a threat. Another layer of ice soon crushed his hands down to his sides, and Elsa placed a booted foot on his chest. "Please," he whispered, "help me, Elsa." She glared at him and leaned more heavily onto his chest.

"Hans."

So this is the first story I have written in a while. I already have a few chapters written and a clear ending written out. I really loved Frozen and I think This ship is really cute. Anyways, please rate and review! I live on reviews.