Thanks for all the faves, guys! They really mean a lot to me! So here's the second chapter in my first Frozen fanfic and as promised, it's longer than the previous chapter. I have to admit, though, it took me a while to figure out where I wanted to go with it, but here's the result! Enjoy, and please review!


Chapter 2: Preparations

There was still a week to go until Elsa's party, but with all the work that needed to be done yet, it didn't seem like a lot of time at all. Servants and maids in various states of panic could be seen running through the halls and up and down stairs, carrying everything from streamers and new curtain materials to trays of silverware and wine glasses. Those with higher positions, such as personal servants and cooks, relayed orders from Elsa to those of lower positions, such as chambermaids and footmen. There was so much to do, even the queen and princess could be seen rushing around, issuing more orders and correcting various mistakes.

Today saw Anna and Elsa overseeing the cleaning of the great hall. "We are never going to get everything done in time," said Elsa, pacing back and forth and wringing her hands.

"Yes, we will, Elsa, we've got the entire staff working day and night," said Anna, directing a maid to a particularly dusty corner and trying to calm Elsa at the same time. "There's nothing to worry about."

But that wasn't necessarily true. Anna was worried that due to the frenzied activity in the castle Elsa's nerves would get stretched to the breaking point and she would accidentally let loose some of her icy powers. Though the entire kingdom and all the staff now knew about her powers, she didn't want to risk someone else getting hurt. She knew the accident from almost fourteen years ago was still on Elsa's mind.

Anna sighed. She wished Kristoff was there to talk to. She hadn't seen him for a couple of days. Now that summer had returned, the ice business was booming and he'd been working long hours cutting and selling ice. She was hoping he'd be able to take some time off for Elsa's birthday party. She missed him.

"Anna?" She heard Elsa's voice as though from far away, startling her out of her reverie. "Are you okay?" Elsa asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Just thinking," Anna replied.

"About Kristoff?" Elsa asked, with a smile on her face.

"How did you know?" said Anna.

"Anna, we may have been separated for thirteen years, but I'm still your sister," said Elsa. "Besides," she added, smiling, "you always get a dreamy look on your face when you're talking or thinking about Kristoff."

"Oh, Elsa, he's been working so hard lately. He deserves time off. I miss him."

"Miss who?" said an amused voice behind them.

Anna whirled around. Kristoff was standing just a few feet behind them, arms crossed and a mischievous grin on his face.

"Kristoff!" she squealed, running to him. He picked her up in his strong arms and twirled her around once before setting her back down and sharing a quick kiss. "What are you doing here? I thought you were working."

"Well, business slowed down and I've got no immediate orders so I was able to take off for a few days."

"Are you allowed to do that?" Anna asked, crossing her arms with a mock look of disapproval on her face.

"Hey, I'm the official Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer," said Kristoff, smiling. "I can take off whenever I want."

Anna was still scowling.

"Okay," he said. "I requested a special meeting with the queen."

Needing confirmation, Anna spun around to face her sister. Elsa smiled.

"It's true," she said. "Kristoff came to me the other day and requested a special meeting. Which," she added, looking at the large, ornate grandfather clock in the corner, "it's almost time for. Kristoff, if you would like to wait upstairs in my study, I'll be with you shortly. Kai," she called.

A big, tall, older servant dressed in dark green came hurrying up. "Yes, Your Majesty?" he asked, bowing.

"Please show Mr. Bjorgman upstairs to my study," Elsa requested.

"Right away," he said, bowing again. "Sir, if you'll just follow me."

Startled at being addressed so formally, Kristoff followed the servant out of the room, but not before giving Anna a quick kiss on her cheek.

"What's going on here?" Anna asked her sister, a puzzled expression on her face. "I thought we agreed never to keep secrets from each other again."

"Well, this is one secret I can't share with you," Elsa said gently, taking Anna's hands in her own. "Kristoff made me promise."

"He made the queen promise to keep a secret from her own sister?!" Anna cried, yanking her hands away.

"Anna, please—" Elsa began.

"How could you do this to me?!" By now, Anna was nearly in tears, and her voice started to break. "I thought we were best friends again, but I guess I was wrong! This is no different than those thirteen years' worth of secrets you kept from me!"

"Anna, please, it's not what you think," Elsa said, reaching out to touch Anna's arm, but Anna angrily shrugged it off.

"It's exactly what I think it is!" Anna cried, stomping her foot, tears now rolling down her cheeks. "You're trying to ruin my second chance at love, just like you ruined my first!" She turned, covered her face with her hands, and fled out of the hall.

"Anna, wait!" Elsa cried, running after her, finally coming to a stop in the hallway where their private rooms were. Elsa walked over to Anna's bedroom door. Always used to seeing it open, she was startled to find it closed. She tried the handle. It was locked. She knocked on the door.

"Anna?" she called softly. There was no answer, but Elsa heard a small sniffle on the other side of the door. "Anna, I'm sorry. Let me in. Please?"

"Go away, Elsa," she heard Anna say, her voice choked up with sobs.

Elsa sighed. This was just like those thirteen long years of separation, only this time, she was the one locked out.


Wow, can you say "plot twist"? Hope you enjoyed! More chapters coming soon!