Disclaimer – I do not own Frozen of any of the characters belonging to Disney.
Kingdom of Shards
Chapter 1 'The Promise'
Elsa turned her head absent minded, her silver hair pooling around her. In the haze of her sleep she opened one eye, seeing a light spilling into the darkening study she groaned. Outside the sky was fading from its sky blue to a vibrant hue of orange. She slowly pulled away the strands of hair plastered to her brow, wiped the sleep from her eyes and looked over the progress of her work.
It had seemed that she had drifted off while she had been administrating appeals, it was no wonder she had fallen asleep she thought.
Over a week had passed now since she thawed Arendelle and the continuation of the post coronation celebrations had come to a gradual end.
It was reassuring that her people welcomed her back warmly as the news spread of Prince Hans' deceit and Anna's unrelenting efforts to save their little kingdom. And so began a strange influx of letters of concern, anxiety and relief being expressed by lords, ambassadors and neighbouring kingdoms alike.
The prolonged festivities were dedicated to the return of summer and the 'Winter Queen', as she had now been titled. This was not only a political tactic in order to regain favour with her subjects but also because it delighted Anna more and more with each passing day.
Despite this there was much work to be done in the way of re-establishing her relationship with the kingdom. But she could breathe easier knowing the palace wasn't going to be mobbed by fearful crazed citizens.
With a tired yawn Elsa held her neck quietly for a moment before tidying her desk of parchment. She placed all stray pieces into the correct places, until her eyes fell onto an old book sat on the edge of her desk.
Her eyes darted to the open door. As a strange chill filled her she let her hand rest on the old leather bindings. The young queen hesitated before picking it up and stuffing it into the desk draw, locking it away with the sharp turn of its key. She clutched the small cold piece of metal tightly as if afraid of it falling from her grasp.
She knew nothing good would come of delving further into that book. She was already cursing herself for even opening it.
A gentle knock at the door snapped Elsa out of her thoughts and Gerda let herself in carrying a silver tray.
Seeing the queen awake she smiled "You were working so hard right through dinner I thought I would bring you a late supper and some hot chocolate."
"Thank you Gerda." Elsa returned her a heartfelt smile grateful for the distraction.
The aging servant laid the tray on the empty table and Elsa set her eyes on the food, a selection of jams and conserves alongside freshly baked scones, probably the last of the day. While taking in the appetizing fragrances for a blissful moment she slipped the key into her sleeve without a slight hesitation.
"I take it Anna has already eaten?" Elsa asked as she began to eat with delicate fingers, while Gerda busied herself lighting candles, bringing more light to the room.
"Oh yes, she and the Kristoff boy are having quite the romantic evening."
"He is still here?" Elsa said surprised looking up from her hot chocolate.
"They were taking a walk around the palace just as I was preparing you supper. To be young and in love again, there is nothing quite as exciting." Gerda sighed.
Elsa hummed in unconvincing agreement as she ate. Wary of the hour she glanced again at the darkening window.
"You should consider finding a young man for yourself, your majesty. If you forgive my saying." Gerda said with thoughts of a palace once again filled with the laughter of children.
Elsa looked away, setting her cup down on the table. Her stomach dropped a little. "It's quite alright."
In truth if Elsa's life had been any different she may have had hopes of marriage, perhaps even children. But she had long since resigned herself from such thoughts. Throughout the years the only thing she really coveted was what she had lost, now she had Anna back she had nothing more to ask for, deserving or not.
"Excuse me Gerda, I should go and find them. If it gets any later Anna will insist he stays the night and then there will be.. unnecessary talk." Elsa said with a small smile. She stood and turned away to walk over to the window and get a better view of the grounds her eyes scanning across the courtyard. "Thank you for your hard work today, I'll see you in the morning before breakfast."
Gerda bowed before picking up the tray and exiting the study.
Elsa waited a moment before following suit. She wandered the corridors of the palace, checking the drawing rooms and then the great hall adjacent to the ball room. Even Anna's bedroom, the room they used to share before Elsa had to remove herself, but it was to no avail. Growing frustrated and running out of ideas the queen decided to try the gardens. She felt for sure that would be where the princess would be.
The gardens were already illuminated by lanterns as she stepped through the arches, the guards stood like statues as she passed by.
It occurred to her then it had been a great number of years since she had even been in the gardens. While the same could be said about many things she felt that surely she would have recognised the garden but it was completely different. The aromas of gladiolus and carnations of pink had replaced those of calla lilies and anemone. While she walked she looked up a mixture of gladioli and bluebells hung like a canopy from white lattices, caging her with a purple veil.
The choice of flowers seemed strange to Elsa but she had to admit the arrangement was lovely, making for quite the romantic setting. She immediately rolled her eyes at herself, annoyed that Gerda had even put the idea of courtship into her head. With Anna nowhere in sight she pressed on before more absurdities came to mind.
When she climbed the last steps of the outer wall she let out a long sigh, looking out across the fjords peacefully lapping against the walls. It was then that she heard the sound of heavy panting from behind her.
"Now that's a lot of steps. Ha! I don't know you do it." A familiar yet rather exasperated voice said.
"Olaf?" Elsa turned to face the snowman. "What are you doing up here?" Her creation was bent low over his midsection panting. He looked up at her with a wide toothy smile.
"Well, you know, I was just in the garden - watering the flowers and then I saw you. And you looked sad, so I tried to call out to you but you were in your own little world. I thought you could use the company." He gave a light hearted chuckle.
"I'm sorry, I was looking for Anna. But I couldn't find her so I came up here to think." She turned back and stared out at the glittering lights of the city reflected in fjord's waters. The quay side inns and coffee houses looked warm and inviting. She could faintly hear the light chatter of talk and music from those taverns with patrons still celebrating. She tried to imagine what it must be like to be one of those people enjoying themselves, to live a simpler life, without any of her concerns.
"The view isn't quite the same as the north mountain huh?" Olaf said.
Elsa smiled, she didn't know about that. From the wall Arendelle certainly had its own degree of beauty. "Well at least the company is better." She placed a hand on his head, giving him a warm smile.
"You know you could try the stables, I know Sven is in there - and Kristoff is never sure to be too far away from him. Which would mean Anna could be close too." Olaf said thoughtfully.
"Do you think so?" Elsa asked unsure. To which the snowman nodded vigorously.
"Why is it you need to find her anyway?" He asked.
"I- er its really nothing important. I just-" Elsa wasn't even sure what to say exactly, especially as Olaf's eyes widened in a curious and expectant manner.
Was it so bad to want to have some time with her sister to herself? She had spent all day working and she was tired. It felt like she hadn't seen Anna for weeks, when in reality it was only since lunch the previous day, but even then Kristoff and Olaf had joined them.
"I should go, thank you Olaf!" She said finally turning to the steps as the snowman wished her good luck with a loud excited cry.
As Elsa gradually came towards the stables she felt her pulse quicken. Ignoring this she gulped down with one hand on the main door, she realised her palm was damp with a thin layer of sweat. Opening the door she thought she would find her sister saying her farewells, perhaps feeding Sven and their horses carrots. Instead the stable, save it's inhabitants plus a reindeer, was empty.
Elsa closed her eyes ready to give up on her seemingly futile endeavour, that was until she heard a muffled giggle. One that was undoubtedly female.
With careful footsteps she walked the length of the stables, checking each stall as she went. As she came upon the last enclosure Elsa froze. Her nails dug into the wooden beam beside her and her breath hitched in her throat. She fought to remain in control, forcibly keeping the temperature from plummeting around her.
Well at least she had found Anna.
The princess was pinned to the wall locked in a kiss with Kristoff. He had his hands around her waist leaning down as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The fiery headed princess was for once not wearing her hair in her traditional double braided pigtails. Though a little messy, she had swept it to one side and tied it with a bronze coloured ribbon.
Anna moaned a little into Kristoff's mouth. The kiss itself was not obscene; whilst rather chaste it was clearly not lacking passion. The older sister breathed in relief as she saw that Anna was still in her dress, not a lace undone.
While Elsa wanted to tear her eyes from the sight, she couldn't bring herself to avert her gaze. Instead Elsa's eyes trailed downward past Anna's flushed neckline. Elsa felt an awful pit swell in her stomach that she put down to intruding on her sister's privacy.
The queen made a subtle cough. Removing her grip from the column that had supported her during her initial reaction. Folding her arms she could not help but grin as Anna's eyes flew open.
The queen thought she would break off the kiss immediately, but as Anna met her gaze she could see her sister's blue eyes unfocus and mist over.
Elsa blinked in surprise.
Instead Anna deepened the kiss forcing eye contact that made Elsa uncomfortable. It was a look full of what she could only describe as lust. Something Elsa could not ever had imagined seeing in her innocent sister's eyes. The princess closed her lids once more her expression turned to one of confusion before she opened them again.
Elsa's smile reappeared not as wide and more forced as Anna, in her realisation, finally noticed Elsa was stood right before her. She quickly pulled away from her companion who had been completely oblivious to the exchange.
When he turned and saw the queen standing in front them his lips pursed, he jumped with his back to the wall and turned a shade of red.
"Your majesty. I er we weren't. I- we were just saying goodbye - I" He stammered coughing and gesturing to the door.
Elsa cocked an eyebrow while Anna was all of a sudden finding her shoes to be rather fascinating.
Seeing no easy escape he turned to Anna "I guess I'll be um seeing you." He hesitated before placing a kiss on Anna's cheek who smiled in return.
Keeping his distance Kristoff maneuvered himself around Elsa. The queen smiled crookedly, bemused by the interaction. Anna looked up tucking a stray curl of hair behind her ear.
"Good evening?" Elsa said still smiling gently.
"You're not mad at that?" Anna looked up hopefully.
Elsa gave her a quizzical look. "Of course not."
"It's just I thought you wouldn't approve of us, of me, doing that, you know - with him, so soon after, well." Anna managed to say, albeit so fast Elsa nearly didn't catch her words.
"If you like him I trust you to be.. sensible." The queen replied reassuringly.
Although strong willed and hot headed, Elsa was certain Anna knew at least not give herself completely until she was sure she was ready.
It was only now that she had Anna in full view she could appreciate how mature and insatiably beautiful her sister looked that night. Her dress was a sunflower yellow with maple rosemail patterns, short sleeves for the summer night and a black velvet corset. Elsa had to take a moment to compose herself. "Besides I gave you my blessing, what kind of sister would I be if I went back on that?" She took a step closer, trying not to hesitate she began to pick the pieces of straw from her hair.
Anna took a deep breath and chewed on her lip. "He's leaving." The princess blurted out.
"I think you mean he's already left?" Elsa stared.
"No as in, it's kind of.. over." Anna was wringing her hands, a nervous trait both of the sisters shared.
Elsa had to do a double take looking at Anna with confusion.
"But you were just-?"
"It's like he said, we were just saying our.. goodbyes." Anna gave a half smile, showing no sign of any real hurt.
Anna took Elsa's arm with her own and let her sister lead her out the stable. "I don't understand I thought you liked- no loved him?" The queen asked trying to focus on the warmth intertwining with her hand. Although she was getting better with each day, Elsa had to remind herself not to flinch or pull away from Anna's touch.
"I do, I think. Don't get me wrong, but - we mutually decided it would be better for us to wait before entering in a serious relationship. His work means he has to travel a lot but he'll be back to visit. And besides, I have Princess things to do here, with you."
"I see, and you're okay with that?" Elsa's concern lessened.
"Hey I was the one who told him I wasn't really ready, you don't need to worry about me. And Kristoff is a great guy, we said when we're older if we both still feel the same we'll pick up where we left off.." Anna smiled and looked up at the sheltering night sky above them. Elsa held her ever optimistic sister closer.
Elsa could not help but wonder if there was something else behind her motives in postponing the relationship that she had appeared to be smitten with. Perhaps something to do with the way her trust in Hans had been violated but it did not seem that the princess was doubting either herself or Kristoff.
Elsa decided to think nothing of it, as long as Anna was happy.
"That's very grown up of you Anna." The Queen smiled "I'm.. proud." Anna swelled with relief and rested her head on Elsa's shoulder as they entered the palace.
"So, your hair." Elsa said changing the subject.
"Do you like it?" Anna asked, apprehensive.
"It looks beautiful, and the ribbon, such a lovely touch." Elsa couldn't help but run her hand through the red hair as if it was satin.
Anna had done it all herself, taking great care, wanting to look memorable for that night. She didn't know if it was too daring but having such high praise from her sister lifted her spirits immensely. Anna reminded herself that for special occasions she would have to recreate the look especially for Elsa.
"Are you tired? because I don't know about you but I could kill for some apple pie." Anna said pulling on Elsa's arm in the direction of the kitchen.
"You are impossible." Elsa gave a light laugh letting Anna her lead her away.
Anna of course had double helpings, rushing to shovel the sweet pastry dish into her mouth. All the while watching and talking with her sister. Elsa on the other hand only had a small slice having just eaten, Anna observed the way she chewed a rather large mouthful and just like the way she laughed, with one hand covering her mouth.
"I think we should definitely be hiring a nightchef." Anna groaned in pleasure with a nearly full stomach. "That way we could have freshly baked pie and cake at all times. Oh think of all the midnight feasts!" She leaned back in her chair stretching out in a very cat like manner. "What do you think Elsa?" She looked up to the platinum blonde who had taken their dishes to the wash sink.
"Is that alongside the permanent brass band and us getting rid of the guard's hats?" Elsa asked sitting back down at the kitchen's rustic table.
"Of course, I mean those hats have got to go!" Anna's enthusiasm elicited a clear bell like laughter from the Queen.
"Well I'm sure some changes can be made. But a brass band?" Elsa asked incredulous and amused.
"You know on second thoughts, no brass band. We can do better than that." Anna said thoughtfully before laughing and shaking her head.
"You still haven't told me what it's for yet, what could we possibly need musicians for at all times?" Elsa noted in mock annoyance.
Anna looked at her with one eye open and bit her lip. "Do you reeaally want to know?" Elsa rolled her eyes as Anna elongated her vowels "Because it was going to be a surprise. " She said in an airy manner.
"Then you should know that I don't like surprises." Elsa replied with a voice just as nonchalant.
"Hmmm, then I suppose I could be persuaded to move said suprise's schedule forward, if that is what my queen demands. So.. how about right now?"
"Right now?" Elsa looked around trying to think of something else to say but Anna had already grabbed her hand positively beside herself.
"Right now. Come on."
Elsa held on tightly to Anna's hand once more unable to stop her self from laughing.
"Where are you taking me?" Elsa asked as the stormed their way up the second floor leaving the last of the palace guards at the staircase.
"You'll see, just be patient sis." They slid into the drawing room adjacent to the study. Candles were still lit and the fireplace roared with life. The doorway to the study was on one side, on the other a book case in the corner and a table beside the wall with pictures adorning the wall.
"Can you wait here for one minute? Oh and move the furniture so we have some space in the middle." Before Elsa could even say another word Anna had shot out the room.
Anna returned heaving a heavy looking wooden box. Elsa peered on curious as to what it was and why Anna was grinning to herself because of it. She noticed how it had rather ornate carvings, a hinge and a handle of some sort. Anna breathed in relief as she placed the oddity on to the table Elsa had moved to the corner.
"Now close your eyes. Just for a minute, it'll be worth it I promise." Anna commanded, Elsa obeyed shaking her head in her amusement. As she did she other than silence and her sisters short breaths the queen could hear a soft metallic grinding. The grinding stopped soon after.
"Okay now open them."
As she did she saw Anna in front of her standing very close, she was chewing the bottom of her lip and looking down. After a deep breathe she took Elsa's hand and placed it on her side. Elsa looked around confused and saw the box was now open. Inside was a brass disk, with many holes in it and a pin slowly moving.
"Hey, eyes on me." Anna said, but she herself was struggling to maintain eye contact. She held one of Elsa's hands and placed her other hand on her side, just above the small of her back. She swallowed down hard. Elsa was sure she could feel her heartbeat through the fabric of her dress, it was fast like the wings of a hummingbird. Then softly, so softly she nearly missed she began to hear a rhythmic chime come from the box.
"What is this Anna?" As she asked a velveteen melody escaped the music. Anna just smiled, taking a step back and to the side in time with the music.
"It's called a harmonium. It was a birthday present."
"It's beautiful, really, but what I meant was what is this?" Elsa said following Anna's movements as best she could.
"Well you said at your coronation you didn't dance. So I thought I'd have to teach you."
Elsa was caught off guard. Completely and hopelessly she could only look at her sister in wonder.
"You need to step to the side here..and spin. Perfect!"
She coiled herself in Anna's arms trustingly while the harmonium played honeyed notes and corresponding with the way Anna lead her and like a spring she swung out arm out stretched before returning.
"I mean, it is kind of necessary if we're going to attend anymore parties and balls. Cause I'm the princess and I think it would be best if we had a few a year, at the least."
"At the least?" Elsa choked.
"Mmhm." Anna nodded "Although it looks like you don't actually need any lessons." Anna noted impressed. Elsa stepped on her foot in alarm, half smiling in retaliation to that comment. Anna's eyes narrowed as she laughed receiving her sister's message loud and clear.
Anna then in her daring tried something she hadn't done before, mostly because in her own lessons she never led. Taking Elsa's weight at the small of her back she gently lowered her, Elsa was a natural knowing exactly how to arch herself elegantly in her hand. Anna couldn't help but breathe in her scent, it was fresh like morning dew and frost. Anna's eyes widened as she realised it was too late to pull Elsa up. As she looked down she saw she had stepped on the mantle of Elsa's ice gown. She was slipping, she tried to move her foot.
Anna lost her balance and her grip in a short moment of trying to show off. Elsa unable to do anything fell under the weight of her sister. With one arm she held Anna close trying to cushion her from the fall but her arm flailed out and in her moment of panic she accidentally sent a force of ice into the direction of bookcase.
"Ow. Sorry- Are you alright?" Anna said, the auburn haired princess noticed she lifted herself off and fell to one side, a heavy breath escaping her.
"I'm fine." Elsa opened one eye and turned to look at Anne. "We probably should have seen that coming." She teased. Anna gave her a shove and a short laugh. The short laughter grew, and Elsa could not help but join in a chuckle escaping her growing more uncontrollable. They lay there in hysterics as the music played out until they had tears rolling down their faces and their insides hurt. As the last note played all that could be heard was breathless gasps for air the two women young women were making.
"Ohhh." Was about all Elsa could manage to say at that point.
"I know."
"I haven't laughed like that since, well forever." Elsa had to rub her eyes and rested her hand on her forehead which was now burning up a little.
"Me either, it felt good." Anna replied still wanting for air.
Elsa could not help but stare at her sister.
"What is it?" Anna asked as she caught the look Elsa was giving her. "Do i have something in my teeth again? you could have told me before we hit the floor you know"
"No, your teeth are perfect, i was just thinking, your eyes look bluer than before." Elsa observed. Anna stared for a moment before shrugging. She jumped up to her feet and held out a hand for her sister. Elsa took it shaking her head and smiling. Seeing her crown was on the floor she picked it up and carefully placed it in her hair, her hand running down her platinum braid. As she did so so she could feel Anna pulling on her icy blue sleeve.
"Elsa." She said pointing. "Did we always have a large secret doorway or is that new?"
The queen nearly choked as she turned to look at what her sister was talking about, but there between the bookcase the painting was a large rectangular foreboding gap. The missing section of the wall had swung inwards exactly like a doorway.
Elsa took a step closer as Anna held onto the back of her mantle, stepping carefully into the darkness. The queen ran her hand on the side of what had been the wall, feeling the place she had struck with ice. She guessed the force of the blast had opened up the doorway. She had no knowledge of any passages within the palace, she would have to check the blueprints wherever they were. With the wave of her hand the ice vanished into the darkness, but the doorway remained open.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Anna said, slipping her hand into Elsa's but not moving forward. "We can't just find secret passages and not follow to where they lead."
"I suppose you are right, just - stay behind me okay?"
Anna nodded staring confidently into the darkness. As they walked they felt steps beneath them descending. Anna ran her fingers along the wall feeling the cobwebs. The walls were of old bare stone, Elsa must have guessed it had led them between the walls of the palace somewhere, and judging by the amount of time the spent going down well past the ground floor and the cellars.
Elsa paused as the ground leveled no longer descending, in hindsight she had wished she brought a torch or a candle to light their way. Instead she felt around the walls until there was a change from the stone to what felt like iron. She realised it was a door and a handle.
"Anna, here - push." She whispered. Between the two of them they made their way through what appeared to be a large doorway, so large it was more akin to a gate than a door.
While they were undoubtedly underground where they found themselves strangely seemed to have its own source of natural light. Yet what lay before them froze the two in pure awe and admiration. A floor of pure crystal with white marble statues of the ancient deities of carved into the pillars above them, gilded with seems of silver and gold, like ivy growing upon an ancient oak. Lastly they noticed sitting majestically at the farthest end of the titanic hall were two thrones.
"Is this what I think it is?" Elsa struggled to find the words her breath even stuck in her throat with little hope of escape.
Elsa noted embedded on the white stone floor was silver and gold six pointed star. That image of the star looked to familiar to Elsa, she was sure she had seen it somewhere before.
"Incredible, grand doesn't even cover it, I don't even think- I mean- it's just so - so beautiful." Anna finished.
"Do you think this has always been here?" Elsa wondered out loud but Anna was too mesmerised by the scenes painted on the ceiling to even answer. Anna was even more clueless and she thought in her most boring waking hours she had explored every inch of the palace.
Neither of the two young women could not stop spinning, it was like a dream, their eyes were to busy trying to devour every inch, every corner.
Anna grabbed Elsa's sleeve "Over here look."
"What is it?"
Pulling Elsa into the alcove she spotted were two plinths, with no statues on either. They stood silent for a moment.
"Do you think this is could be where Momma and Papa are supposed to go?" She asked. "If you look, there are others, they look like they are all kings and queens."
"It's possible, I guess they never got around to.. It's not like they could have expected" Elsa trailed off.
A sudden realisation crashed into her chest, winding her of all breath as she released a sudden gasp that chilled the air.
Elsa crumpled to the floor her head in her hands. Gentle snowflakes began to fall around her.
"Elsa! What's wrong?" Anne crouched to face her and held her hand, looking into her eyes. In the whirling blue tears began to fall. Elsa looked away.
"I'm sorry. I just- I should have forsaken father's orders as soon as they were gone." Elsa buried her head into Anna's neck. "I was so angry, but i thought i had to carry on and I left you all alone. All that time! I just continued the way he told me I should - without me even visiting their graves." I am a monster she thought "You need to know everyday I wanted to-" She whispered resting her head on Anna's shoulder.
"I know Elsa." Anna murmed stroking her sister's platinum hair.
"And now I miss them and I feel like I've lost the right."
"Shh shh, I'll take you tomorrow. And we can tell them how wrong they were together, okay?." Embracing her sister so tightly that she wasn't even sure she could ever bare to separate herself. Elsa concentrated on the warmth in Anna's chest as to not lose herself to her emotions. Anna placed a hand on Elsa's cheek and lifted her face back up to hers.
"They were wrong." Elsa repeated confidently but the memory of Anna as a statue of ice still raw in her mind. the flurry began to subside.
"They loved us Elsa, but what they did, keeping us apart for so long, changing my memories of you - it was all wrong. They thought they were protecting us but they just did more damage, it's okay to be angry them a little for that. But they still loved us."
Anna stood Elsa back up, both of them lightly dusted in white.
"So" Anna said smiling "why don't we leave something here for them. I think they earned that much."
Elsa nodded in agreement wiping her eyes. After a minute of gathering herself she took Anna's hand and faced the plinths and with a graceful mesmerising motion of her free hand she formed two pillars of ice, slowly forming into statues. They grew upwards in fissuring patterns as the white magic danced. Stood holding each other looking proud, crystalline ice formed artfully into the embodiment of their parents, their pearlescent faces smiling.
Anna could do nothing but stare at their parents magnificent likenesses standing before them, no breath and fumbling words escaped her.
"I think it's time to go to bed." Elsa said looking at Anna who wiped away the tears from the elder woman's cheeks.
Anna did not want to say anything of it, as she did not know how to explain it herself. But if she had to put up what was on her mind into words it would have been that through Elsa's touch she felt the magic, not in the air like she normally could, with cold and feeling of static but in her very being, warm and coursing, like a rush.
It was a daze the journey back up, but it did not seem to take as long as the descent. They closed the doorway carefully, moved back the furniture and the seal turned invisible as the wall appeared whole once again, meaning only they would ever know.
The two wandered off never letting go of the other. The older sister was barely aware of Anna crawling into her bed, her eyes glued to Elsa's form beneath the ice gown she wore as she closed the door and filled the room with darkness. Elsa smiled to herself as she pulled Anna close to her and let herself drown in the presence of the princess.