"I can't believe it has been a year since your coronation!" exclaimed Anna as she sat crissed-crossed in her sister's bed, watching various young stylists make her sister even more beautifuller, well not fuller, more beautiful…
"Well time flies with your building ice castles," Elsa grumbled as her hair stylist yanked and pulled her thick platinum locks into place.
Ignoring her comment, Anna continued rambling. "Maybe this year we can find you a prince,"
Thankfully Anna was spared an eye-roll since Elsa was having her eye-makeup done. "I've still got a few years, Anna. Besides, we've still got your wedding to plan,"
"Oh please, my marriage won't be that big a deal! You're our freaking queen! I bet the Norse Gods would attend your wedding!" said Anna happily, excided at the thought of her regal, sarcastic sister completely lovesticken.
"Sister, you are ridiculous."
"Well one of us have to be the fun one," Anna retorted.
"Watch your cheek, missy, or no pavilion for you," Elsa gave herself a small satisfied smile and adjusted her mother's emerald pendant around her neck. "And unless you want to look like a troll doll for the opening ceremonies, I suggest you go get ready,"
Anna stuck out her tongue playfully and followed the stylists out the room. The sudden quiet was welcome to Elsa as stared at her reflection, then up at the portrait of her parents. She smiled to herself when she noticed how similar her facial features were to her mother; perhaps if she didn't have her ice powers, she'd have her mother's eyes and hair colour too. From what Elsa remembers however, no one had her mother's quiet and soft-spoken personality. Elsa was like her father in that category and bubbly and outgoing Anna was like her father's sister, the Queen of Corona. Elsa was looking forward to meeting Rapunzel again, along with her funny husband, Eugene. She was sure he would throw in a frozen joke in somewhere, much to her disdain. A soft rapping in the door informed her it was time. She smoothed over her elegant, gold gown, similar to the one she created out of ice. With one final tweak of her tiara, she opened the door and made her way to the gates.
XXX
"Tell me once more brother," Thor boomed, gaining a good amount of astonished stares as they walked through a charming little Norwegian town. "On why mother sent you and I here?"
"We are here," sighed Loki for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. "To congratulate Queen Elsa of Arendelle on her first successful year as ruler. Seeing that she is Norwegian and we are Norse gods, it only seems fitting that we present her the gift that mother has for her."
"Lady Sif and the Warriors Three informed me that they were going on a quest today," Thor grumbled, hating that fact that he'd be missing a good fight.
"And you'll be getting drunk, we both know which choice you prefer." Loki snapped and blinked in surprise. For a midgaurdian town this was…nice. An elegant castle was framed by sharp mountain peaks that towered over a crystal-clear body of water. There was festive mood that almost made Loki smile as citizens from near and far came to join the celebrations. A group of young girls with colourful ribbons and flowers in their hair chased playfully after a funny-looking reindeer, unfortunately the smallest of the girls ran into Thor's leg. She fell back with a definite thud and tears pooled around her eyes. Loki gave a helpless look and continued towards the castle, but Thor stayed back. Grumbling at his brother's chivalry, her stood impatiently as Thor carefully picked up the sobbing girl.
"So-sowrry for hit-hittwing-you-you swir," choked the pink ribboned girl.
"Hello young one," Thor said in his usually jovial tone. "Sorry for being in your way!" he said as he wiped away her tears. Thor whispered (or what we could consider a normal voice) into the girl's ear and she nodded eagerly. He then set her on her shoulders and strode up beside me. "Thought the least I could do was give her a good view for when the queen came out."
"How thoughtful indeed," Loki rolled his eyes and managed to get a good spot to stand in the pavilion as he heard ceremonious trumpets announce the arrival of the Queen.
XXX
"This colour looks lovely on you," Elsa complemented her sister's shimmery mint-green dress.
"I know right! This totally brings out my eyes! But Elsa, migosh you look like a goddess. If you weren't my sister I'd marry you!" gushed Anna as their carriage rolled out of the castle. The two royals waved joyfully to the crowd but continued their conversation.
"Ah, how am I going to break the news to Kristoff that Anna wants to marry her own sister rather than him?" Elsa replied.
Anna playfully nudged her sister's side. "Better have a load of carrots ready!"
All of a sudden Anna yanked her sister's arm, causing her to shriek. "Anna!"
"Elsa look! Look at them!" Anna, knowing enough to know it was rude to point, jabbed her chin in the direction of the two princes.
"Them?" whispered Elsa, noticed two tall, handsome men, the broader one dressed in red and silver with golden hair and a girl on his shoulders and the other adorned in green, black and gold with a paler complexion, probably because of his sleek black hair. Elsa had to admit there was an aura about them that easily made them stand out in the crowd.
"Hmm, I think I'd go for the one whistling," Anna smirked. "You know, the blonde one?"
"Of course Anna," chuckled Elsa as the chariot came to stop. She elegantly stepped out and made her way to the podium to address the crowd. Anna stumbled out, but only Elsa noticed how she nearly tripped on the back of her dress. The cheering went on for several moments until Elsa finally got the crowd to quiet down for her speech.
XXX
Loki's mother had told him that the young queen was pretty, but from his own eyes that was clearly an understatement. He couldn't believe that she was a mortal. Her golden dress hugged her body in the perfect places and glittered in the sunlight. She had striking sapphire eyes that matched the lake behind her and hair so blonde it looked angelic. What Loki really wanted to see was to know if Elsa could live up to her title as the Ice Queen. The gift was just an excuse to come here to see if mortals really did know magic. Loki secretly hoped she was a powerful as she was beautiful.
"Brother, you jaw is touching the cobblestones," smirked Thor. "But I see good reason,"
"I do not understand what you are trying to imply, brother,"
"Ah, but you very well know what I am implying! A good choice too, may I add. Mother told me of her powers,"
"What powers?" Loki's face remained neutral.
"You needn't be coy with me brother, we know she's the Ice Queen. A perfect choice for my frosty brother,"
Loki kept quiet and listed to the Queen's strong, kind voice address her people. They clearly adored her and clapped for several minutes after her speech. She opened the week of festivities and citizens dispersed and joined in various events. Loki noticed, however, that royal guests followed the Queen to what appeared to be stone building that appeared that stood securely on a ledge overlooking the lake. "Come along, Thor," Loki followed a purple-clad brown-hair couple, whom he assumed was royalty as the man wore a sash and his partner wore a crown.
"Loki, Anya want's to show me the chocolate buffet!" said Thor.
"For the love of Odin," grumbled Loki. "Tell her you'll join her later!"
"No need to have such a temper on such a joyous occasion, brother!" Thor complained and set Anya free to join her friends. He made his way to Loki and teased him constantly until it was their turn to meet the royal sisters.
XXX
"Here they come! Here they come!" Anna grinned wildly at the two princes approaching them. Elsa was asontished that the two were taller in person. The blonde one seemed friendlier, more laid back while the dark-haired one kept his composer and a tight-lipped smile.
"Hello!" Thor boomed, causing the sister to nearly jump up in surprise. "I am Thor Odinson, Crown Prince of Asgard and this is my brother, Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard. We have come from far to congradulate you, Queen Elsa, on your first anniversary as Queen." Thor kissed the knuckles of the Queen and princess, causing the later to blush crimson.
"Good morning and congratulations, Queen Elsa," said Loki and mimicked his brother's gestures. Elsa was intrigued by his silken voice, it certainly contradicted his brother's loud voice, but in a good way. "We would like to present this gift to you, Queen Elsa," he extracted a long, elegant package from behind his back and handed in to Elsa, who could only imagine what its contents were.
"I am most honoured and gratified of you gift, Crown Prince Thor and Prince Loki of Asgard. Thank-you for making the journey to attend our celebrations, my sister and I are more grateful of your presence. I would like to personally invite you to a ball this evening, at the palace. Until this evening, then?" said Elsa smoothly, although she was dying to know where they came from…who they were!
"Until then," both brother's kissed their knuckles once more, and Elsa was certain that Loki's lips had hovered there for a fraction of second longer than usual. She nodded and gave a small smile and they were off.
"Wow," breathed Anna as the two exited the room. "I can't wait for the ball now,"
"Why don't we go join in so of the celebrations?" said Elsa, changing the subject. "We have no one else left to meet."
Anna gave her sister a knowing smile and went off to look for Kristoff and Elsa stepped into town. She surveyed the pavilion and admired the decorations and her people.
"Queen Elsa! Queen Elsa!" a hoard of young girls in flowers and ribbons immediately surrounded her.
"Hello girls," smiled Elsa, "Enjoying yourselves?"
"Yes! And congratulations, Queen Elsa!" the chimed. Elsa beamed at them. "Can you do…do the magic now?"
Elsa giggled and conjured as small amount of sparkly blue ice in her hand. The girls were mesmerized as Elsa made fun, symmetrical shapes of all sizes in elaborate patterns. She ended with a bang and soft snowflakes landed around them like confetti. They all praised and thanked their Queen and followed after another one of the Queen's creations, a happy little snowman called Olaf. The smallest of the girls, adorned in pink ribbons stayed behind and waited patiently for the queen to address her.
"Yes, love?" asked Elsa, unsure about what else the girl wanted.
"Um, Queen Elsa, there was this prince here today and he made me stop crying. He's very nice and handsome,"
"Can you describe him to me?" Elsa had a keen idea on who she was talking about, but likewise, played along.
"He was tall and blonde and loud and wore red!" said the pink ribboned girl excidedly. "You and him would be a great King and Queen together,"
"Thank you for being so thoughtful," said a bemused Elsa. "You're friends are off, you don't want to lose them, do you?"
"Oh no, not again. Bye, Queen Elsa," and the youngster scurried off. Gosh, if the youngsters were talking about her future marriage prospects, what were the adults thinking? Elsa sighed to herself and made her way to the chocolate table. Thor was very charming, but he would suit Anna more as he was loud and pompous. Although she would hate to admit this to her sister, she preferred the softer-spoken Loki. Where he lacked in looks (he was still handsome, but in comparison to his brother) he most likely made up for in intelligence.
"Good morning, your highness," greeted the friendly chocolate maker.
"Good morning, Angelo. Thank goodness I got here on time, you're almost cleaned out!" Elsa laughed and took the white chocolate snow-ball he offered her.
"Yes, well it is was Arendelle is known for! People from near and far adore our chocolates the most," he said proudly.
"I couldn't disagree with that," said Elsa as she took another snow-ball.
"I take it that these ones are the best," said a familiar silky voice, reaching for snow-ball.
"Indeed, the Queen's favourite," said Angelo.
"Well I'd to admit the Queen is wrong but I prefer these," Loki said cheekily and consumed another dark-chocolate square.
"I see you like it bitter," said Elsa.
"There's a good kick to it," replied Loki, enjoying their banter.
"That's just the joy of consuming Arendelle chocolate," she smiled and then thanked Angelo.
"Would you like to come with me to the floral display, Prince Loki?" asked Elsa, but didn't let her eagerness slip.
"Of course," Loki offered his arm and she stared for a couple of seconds before taking it, not being used to his formularies. Although she was tall, he towered a good few inches over her, but she didn't mind. "If you don't mind me asking, Prince Loki,"
"Not at all," he said.
"Where exactly is Asgard?"
Loki chuckled. "It's fair distance away from here, practically in a different realm. It's not commonly found on maps."
Elsa was curious, but restrained herself from questioning him more. "We're here," she said and led him towards sculptures made out of flowers. It smelled sweet and fresh, unlike the Asgardian flowers that tackily only shone gold.
"They're…interesting," he commented as he looked at each one differently. What he didn't noticed that people were noticing him too, with the Queen at this arm.
"It may seem boring, but I think I prefer the precise, clean cut ones." Elsa added. "Seeing that you like to contradict my opinion though, I would think that you like the unique ones?"
"Much to my disdain, I would have to agree with you," he gave her a small laugh. She keenly noticed that when he smiled, his emerald orbs shone. She enjoyed talking to him, we was not afraid to share his opinion. Unfortunately for the Ice Queen, most suitors agreed with her because she felt that they were threatened by her power. Perhaps Loki didn't know yet, and she intended on keeping it that way.
XXX
Elsa's company was a welcome solitude for Loki. He hadn't had an intelligent conversation with anyone his age. And she understood his sarcasm and had a good deal of her own. All Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three wanted to do was…fight with brute strength. She didn't treat him like an outcast, like the other Asgardian girls, but more like a friend. It did help that she was the Ice Queen, but his mother had told him to have patience with asking her about her powers, or it would seem rude. They strolled through the streets, talking, bickering and laughing about each other's families and lives. The setting sun drew his eyes to the bright green emerald resting on her collar bone.
"Your pendant is lovely," he complimented. This was strange, he only ever complimented his mother.
"Thank-you," she smiled at him. "It matches your eyes," Elsa accidently blurted out.
"Indeed, why else would I notice?" he smirked.
"Because you're a creepy man, looking at women's chests," she said without a single twitch of her lips.
"It's your fault, for being…what's that word? Pretty? Is it? No, that can't be it," Loki enjoyed her sour glare.
"Ah, to think that I thought you were, um, goodness the word has just slipped my mind!" she giggled. Unfortunately the clocked chimed six, and she excused herself to get ready for the ball. He walked her to the castle doors. "Thank you for your companionship this afternoon, it has been quite wonderful, Prince Loki,"
"Likewise, Queen Elsa," Loki kissed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I hope you will enjoy our ball," she said, and he heard her give a small gasp as he took a step closer, her hand still is.
"I intend to, that is, if you promise me that last dance?"
She bit her lip with a scandalous smile. "First, last, everything in between," excused herself, and Loki went on the search for his brother to get ready for the ball. It would be difficult to hide his enthusiasm.