Hello all. I appreciate you taking the time to check out my story :) It's been rattling around in bits and pieces in my brain for many months now, I'm finally getting it rolling. I hope you enjoy it.
Rated M for possibility of adult themes, including violence, suggestive themes, etc. I will warn for anything, but as of now, pretty tame.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Frozen, which is trademarked by Disney. I do not claim ownership of Frozen or any of its characters. The story I tell here is of my own invention and is not purported or believed to depart of Disney's story canon. This story if for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I do however, own characters of my own design.
"An heir?" Standing before her appointed counsel, Elsa's icy blue eyes darted from face to face startled by the suggestion.
"Your majesty, we beg your pardon, but while your reign as queen has brought nothing but peace and happiness to our kingdom, we feel as though your subjects would be overjoyed to see produce an heir to the throne." Kai explained. Elsa's fine eyebrows drew together.
"That would first require I wed." Marriage. The very thought made fingers tingle as small, anxious pulses of magic awoke in her veins.
"Oh, but of course," Gerda tittered in response, her hand creating a gesture of dismissal, as if such a matter was so easily approached. Approaching ten years after the Frozen Summer, Elsa had not truly met her match. Elsa had thought herself, while at the height of the summer chill and after the Thaw, very content to stay alone. While some days she felt a longing in her chest as she watched the interactions between Kristoff and her ever-glowing sister, she found solace in finally being able to accept herself for who she was.
True, there had been a hopeful suitor or two over the years, but as sincerely as Elsa wished for a new kind of love to envelope her, a combination of unease and distrust after the debacle with Hans eventually had her seeming cold and withdrawn, driving them away. Not to mention not knowing what would happen when she shared a bed with her future husband. Her power rarely reached out unconsciously, but the risk of freezing her love in the middle of the night gave Elsa great reason for pause. Was she truly meant to be with another?
"Anna has bore what I had hoped to be the successors after my rule. They are of the same royal blood; surely they would be more than acceptable for the citizens of Arendelle," Elsa reasoned with a pointed voice, almost offended at the thought of her sister's children not being accepted heirs to the thrown. The eldest of two, Anders, was a rather calm child and very eager to care for his little sister, Eva, much like Elsa had been when she was younger. She had faith he would make a great king some day.
Kai and Gerda looked to one another, finally feeling the tension thickening in the room. Gerda, took a warm, motherly tone, approaching Elsa and placing a hand on her arm.
"What the kingdom could use is a little normality, to know that you are committed to being as much an ordinary queen as any. And dear, just know we only suggest this because not only because it will make the kingdom happy, but because we believe it will make you happy as well." Elsa's eyes found the floor, feeling despondent. She had been doing her very best for the kingdom, but somehow, all she had been giving, the great strides she had been making towards the well-being of herself and her subjects was for naught now? She couldn't wrap her head around it, felt the burning of frustrated tears behind her eyes. Elsa purposefully pulled her arm out from under Gerda's hand and raised her chin high in authority as she stood.
"Leave me be." She commanded evenly, leaving no room for argument. She looked down her nose as the two servants, now trusted advisors. Both recoiled and bowed, muttering a modest "Your grace" before slinking out of the throne room. Once she could no longer hear their footsteps, Elsa too exited the throne room, marching purposely to the solar.
As she entered the solar, Elsa was happy to find the doors and windows open, letting in the gentle summer breeze. Instead of listening for sounds of gulls calling or the wind through the fjords, the sound of Olaf's attempts to entertain Anders and Eva, as well as her favorite sound, her niece and nephew laughing, is what the queen searched for. Stopping to observe in the foyer, Elsa watched as Kristoff strummed his lute, changing the pace of his playing to cause Olaf and the children to dance in silly manners, ranging from slow motion to hyperactive. As Elsa approached, the children were spinning as fast as they could, hand-in-hand-in-stick with each other and Olaf, ending in a comical fall to the ground, complete with splaying their legs into the air until they flopped down, exhausted. Laughter filled the solar, warming Elsa's heart and calming the swirling iciness in her mind.
Anna, reclined on a settee, let a hand leave her belly, only far along enough to be a small bump under her loose dress, to allow her fingers to weave their way through her husband's hair. Her smile deepened as she felt him lean into her touch and as her eyes flickered to sister, Elsa felt a deep pang of awakened longing, and she cursed the suggestions of her advisors. Olaf broke her trance.
"Elsa!" he cried out, gaining the attention of the children as two small pairs of eyes found her. "Auntie Elsa! Auntie Elsa!" they shouted excitedly as they raced across the room, Eva reaching her first, clinging to her leg almost tight enough to make her fall over while Anders was happy to receive a cool hand resting atop his strawberry head. Elsa's anxieties melted away for the time being, and she found herself seated on the floor, curling her legs to one side and leaning onto a hand, letting her tightly controlled façade fall away, and relaxed with her family. Eva came to sit on her lap and, in a manner very much like her mother, chatted away about anything and everything her 6-year-old brain could think of. The day wore on with no interruptions other than a casual serving of dinner and the lighting of a fire in the hearth until Kristoff rose, to his feet, placing a kiss on his wife's forehead.
"I will put the children to bed. You relax here, sassy-pants," he said, using the old nickname when he saw her begin to rise against his offer. She continued to sit up, but allowed the mountain man to gather up their blonde daughter, who had fallen asleep watching dancing snowflakes over her head, courtesy of Elsa. Anders, not asleep but with heavy-lidded eyes, dutifully followed his father after giving a kiss to his mother and aunt. Once they had left the room and only the sisters remained, Anna laid knowing eyes on her sister.
"Okay, Snow Queen, fess up. I've seen that little knot between your eyebrows all day." Anna patted the cushion beside her in invitation. With Elsa in almost total control of her power, Anna enjoyed physical closeness that she had always longed for with her sister, using every chance to sit as close as possible, within reason. Elsa hardly ever protested, finding the natural warmth of Anna's presence a comfort above anything else. Today, Elsa again chose to sit on the floor in front of her sister, who took her cue to unravel the thick, blonde braid on Elsa's head.
Anna's fingers paused in Elsa's platinum locks as she took in the counsel's recommendation. Elsa felt the tension rolling off of her sister, knew that pregnancy tended to make her sister a less-than-reasonable individual. Elsa felt Anna's knee knock into her shoulder, the result of her sister bursting from her seat in a fit of ire.
"How could they suggest something like that? The nerve they have, acting as if it is any their business," Anna exploded, no longer the serene woman that she was earlier in the day. Immensely protective of her sister, Elsa could only raise calming hands toward her sister, hoping to calm the auburn-haired torrent. Cool hands found the shoulders of Anna, whose eyes finally found logical focus as they trained on Elsa's face. Embarrassed at her characteristic outburst, Anna flushed, and allowed herself to be led back to the window bench, where Elsa and herself sat looking into the dark night.
"So, what will you do?" Anna finally asked after a long silence. Elsa heard a groan sound in her own throat, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
"I don't know." Her fingertip nervously traced small circles in the windowsill. "I suppose it wouldn't be horrible if I tried to allow courting…again." Silence followed her statement, and Elsa visibly cringed as she awaited Anna's answer. Anna's head swirled. Elsa had gradually reached a point where she was happy, finally able to be herself and exude love to her family and subjects. Anna knew, however, that Elsa wanted to share love and life with another, and she could feel the fear emanating from her older sibling. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, all these things held Elsa back from her pinnacle of happiness. Anna also wondered if perhaps what Elsa feared most was the possibility that marriage and a family would make her less happy. Anna, turned her head, resting her cheek on her crossed arms and regarded her sister whose finger had left swirling frost on the windowsill.
"If you think that would be best, I will support you." She heard Elsa release a large sigh, shoulders relaxing a tad. Anna placed an arm around her sibling's shoulders, and their heads leaned inward until they were resting on each other. "Not to mention that if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, I will have one of the reindeer chase them out of the kingdom, or maybe I'll make them-"
Elsa allowed herself a small chuckle as her sister continued to prattle.
ooooooooo
Elsa sat at the center of a long table having just addressed her counsel on her acceptance of the resuming the search for the proper suitor. She raised her chin, attempting to keep her composure as those around her dined on an early evening supper. Elsa had long discontinued eating, as her nerves seemed to interfere with the taste of the meal. It was bland and tasteless, much like she worried her marriage would be. Anna was lucky: without the pressure of politics ever accompanying her, she was able to find love where she pleased, and Anna had found it outside of royalty. With a-she cringed at the use of the word-peasant already married into the royal family, Elsa most likely could not afford to search for a suitable husband outside of royalty. Not only that, but it would not look respectful if, especially after the Frozen Summer, she did not look to strengthen ties with other countries. Elsa was continuously working to rebuild bridges with kingdoms that had attempted to distance themselves following her loss of control, and she would be damned if she lost connections because she didn't at least consider the suitors they had to offer.
The snow queen took a reached for her goblet, but noticed it empty. Noticing her mood, Kristoff, who sat just across from her, motioned to a man standing at the far end of the table, pouring into a counsel member's cup.
"Bjarne, please…" Kristoff gesturing with raised palms pointedly toward Elsa with a painful look on his face, mirroring the discomfort coming off her in waves, though hidden on her facial features. The large man's eyes fell on Elsa, her back rod straight and hand still absently resting on the stem of her cup.
"Your majesty," he rumbled as to not startle her as he reached for her cup. Elsa's head snapped towards him, as if just noticing his presence, though she quickly covered her surprise with an air of gentle authority.
"Yes?" she asked, prompting Bjarne to speak.
"Eh, I just need your goblet, my queen. If you would…" his fingers below the lip of the cup, ready to pluck it from her hands the moment she released her increasingly strong grip.
"Oh! My apologies," she said softly, as she realized she was, again, letting her emotions get the better of her.
Conceal. Don't feel. The now sparsely-used mantra came into her mind before she could stop it. It had been a few years since she had chanted it to herself, especially in regards to her frosty powers. However, as it could be considered backsliding, she found some comfort in the chant, feeling total control over herself for the first time in the last few hours.
The broad man let out a small chuckle, a reassuring smile stretching above his strong jaw, "Think nothing of it, your majesty. Instead," he paused in his speech to concentrate on pouring a dark liquid into her goblet and passing it into her hands, "focus all your senses on this."
Elsa looked into her cup, seeing the dark burgundy of the drink sloshing back at her. She placed her nose over the top of her goblet, smelling…chocolate? An experimental sip made her immediately smile in surprise as subtle warmth of the cocoa with the bold fruitiness of wine inside was quite more tasteful than the food she had previously been dining on, bursting with flavor.
Bjarne smiled broadened as his queen hummed her appreciation, her cheeks finally gaining some color as she flushed in pleasure and from the alcohol. A swelling of pride bloomed in his chest when she looked at him gratefully and took another sip, as if he had done her some enormous favor, when he had only poured her a cup of his concoction.
"Thank you…" she paused, inciting the burly man to give his name. Still holding the heavy pitcher, the man bowed at the waist.
"I am called Bjarne, your majesty."
Anna took this opportunity to lean forward into her sister's line of sight, hair ribbon swinging forward with the momentum of her delight.
"Barne has a tavern in town," she smiled with raised eyebrows at Elsa. Elsa, happy to have something other than her impending engagement to speak about and at the same time feeling intrigued, mirrored her sister's eyebrows, raising them in interest.
"Oh? Why have I not heard of your establishment previously?" she inquired, hoping not to sound rude, but as she had been making her best attempts at integrating herself more into the community, she knew there were still things that went missed.
"Probably because we can't get you out of the castle for any fun!" Anna joked from across the table, earning a round of chuckles from those seated around her. Elsa blushed, discretely sticking her tongue out at Anna, taking the good-natured jest for what it was.
"Ah yes, please allow me to apologize not gallivanting around the kingdom with you, dear sister, dear brother-in-law," Elsa deadpanned, but with a smile pulling at the edges of her mouth. Barne's smooth baritone reached her ears, as he too chuckled lowly, waving a hand in front of him in a negating gesture.
"No, I'm sure it is only because I often am gone during half the year, returning when the winter begins to thaw and departing as the leaves begin to turn," he strode away from Elsa as he noticed Kristoff's glass was also empty on the other side of the table. Kristoff rose to meet him as he reached his chair, still unused to being served, especially by a friend. "Times such as those are often when a kingdom is awakening after winter, trading, and readying the harvest, very busy times for a Queen." Kristoff let his eyes go big and dreamy.
"Aw, how sweet. Coming to her rescue like a knight in shining armor," he taunted in a saccharine voice, squeezing around the tavern owner's shoulders. Elsa leaned forward, closing the gap between herself and Anna.
"What I could really use," she whispered, "is a rescue from this dinner." The two giggled secretly together. Anna straightened, looking over her shoulder to where her husband and Barne were still exchanging teasing words, Barne saying something about a reindeer. A glance around the table told her people were engrossed in the excitement of the upcoming courting and social engagements, trying to guess whom Elsa would choose. Anna slowly rose from her chair and quickly slinked her way around the table to her sister and tugged at her arm.
"What are you doing?" Elsa laughed, rising at the persistent pulling from her sister.
"You said you needed a rescue right? Dinner is basically served, people are busy eating, let's get you out of here." Anna replied, leading her along the wall and through the kitchen door. Stooped and sneaking, Anna pointed across the kitchen, silently instructing Elsa to take a jar of unopened rødgrød med fløde, while she got her mitts on some cream, bowls, and spoons.
Sitting back to back in the portrait room, they ate their strawberry compote and cream. The two sisters gave the portraits voices and had their own conversations, giggling all the while around their spoons. Elsa sighed, feeling without anxiety for the first time in days.
"I don't think you should feel nervous about it, anyway," her auburn-haired sister said before shoveling the last enormous bite in her mouth. She flopped backwards to lay flat on the ground with a hand finding its way onto her belly, half out of subconscious maternity and the other half out of gluttony induced satiation. "I mean, what's more exciting than love? And there's no way it can turn out as badly as it did with me and Hans." Elsa snorted ungracefully, attempting to hold in her laughter.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, still smiling. Anna lifted a hand in the air and gave a flick of her wrist, smiling back at her sister.
"Don't be," Anna insisted, "it was meant to make you laugh. Except…" she gasped, sitting up on her elbows, "Do you have to send all the princes of the Southern Isles an invitation too?" Elsa gravely thinned her lips, nodding slowly with raised brows while her sisters aqua eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wow," Anna breathed.
"Yeah," Elsa confirmed shortly. Elsa gazed at her upsidedown reflection in the depths of the spoon. The distorted, bulging eyes stared back at her and she hardened her resolve.
'Yeah,' she thought as frost crept towards the temples and cheekbones of her inverted twin, 'there's no way it could be any worse.'
I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter, and hope I didn't have any errors. I have read and reread and changed and added dozens of times.
Thank you again for reading :)
-Phishouttawatta