For the First Time in Forever

"I still don't understand why I have to be there," Elsa complained as her mother made last minute adjustments to her daughters' dresses.

"Oh, come on, Elsa, aren't you excited?" Anna exclaimed, but then gasped sharply as her mother tightened the strings of her corset. Her smile returned after a deep exhale. The lady's maid helped Anna into her dress, careful to avoid mussing Anna's pristine hairstyle.

"The gates haven't been open in years!" Anna said happily.

"Hold still, Anna," Queen Iduna said, smiling at her youngest daughter.

"And you know why you have to be there, Elsa," she said, flashing her eldest daughter a stern look as she helped with the buttons on the back of Anna's dress.

"Your father has been working very hard with parliament for this trade alliance. This agreement with Ishgar is paramount," she went on, despite having explained it several times.

"As heir, Elsa, you should take this seriously. It shows that Arendelle is serious about the negotiations, and it shows that you are serious about upholding the alliance once you are queen," her mother said, making Elsa sigh and tug her gloves further up her arms. A slight chill seeped into the room.

"You look beautiful, Anna," Queen Iduna told her youngest daughter, who smiled sheepishly, her cheeks turning the same red as her hair.

"Let me speak with your sister alone," Iduna said, gently cupping Anna's face briefly.

"Yes, Mother," Anna said, giving a small curtsy as her mother's hand fell away. She offered her sister a meek smile and Elsa returned it briefly before her serious expression returned. Anna left alongside the lady's maid, closing the door behind them.

"Elsa, you have to remain calm," Iduna said, her expression worrisome.

"I'm trying, Mother," Elsa assured her, despite the decreasing temperature in the room.

"It's more important than ever for you to control your powers," the Queen told her, holding her daughter's shoulders.

"I'm trying," Elsa repeated, "It's not easy, even with the gloves."

"I know," Iduna said with a sigh, "I know how hard you try."

"I just don't understand why I'm even still heir," Elsa pressed, the fears that had been eating at her finally spilling from her lips. Her mother looked surprised, her hands falling from Elsa's shoulders.

"Anna should be the heir," Elsa said as snowflakes began to swirl in the room.

"Elsa," her mother said, reaching out to her daughter once more, but Elsa took a step back.

"Don't," Elsa whispered, holding her hands together against her chest, knowing she wasn't fully in control at the moment.

"I'm never going to be," she started, "Normal."

"I don't deserve to be Arendelle's queen," Elsa told her mother, tears brimming her eyes, the flurries of snow multiplying.

"Elsa," her mother said sternly, making her snap her attention to her mother. Her welling tears subsided, Elsa pushing them back and straightening herself once more, but snow continued to float around the room.

"You know we can't just skip you in the line of succession," Iduna said, "What would people think? They're already suspicious since we closed the castle gates." Iduna grabbed Elsa's shoulders roughly, forcing her to turn towards her.

"Listen to me," Iduna said, holding Elsa's eyes with her own, "They will kill you. Do you understand that? They will destroy this family, and our legacy. You have to control it. For yourself. For your family. For the future of Arendelle." Elsa nodded shakily. Her mother released her and turned her back to her. Elsa straightened herself and took a few deep breaths, closing her eyes as she counted backwards from ten. When she opened her eyes, the snow had disappeared.

"Very good, Elsa," her mother told her, "We'll be greeting Ishgar's dignitaries in the courtyard. Compose yourself further if need be, but be downstairs in no more than fifteen minutes."

"Yes, Mother," Elsa said softly. Her mother didn't turn to look at her as she left the room.


"This feels like a terrible idea," Gray muttered to his colleagues. He stood rigidly still in the courtyard of Arendelle's royal castle, hands behind his back, one hand clasping his other wrist. He was flanked by ambassadors from all over Ishgar. Most held prestigious titles, either direct relation to royalty, or members of government, but Fiore had different plans for it's representation. Arendelle, an island nation to Ishgar's north, had proposed a trade agreement and peace alliance with the continent, hoping to bring about prosperity to the nations and had asked each country to send ambassadors to a summit, where negotiations for the agreements could be dictated.

Makarov, the guild master of Fairy Tail, and one of the Ten Wizard Saints, stood to Gray's left. He'd been summoned by the king of Fiore himself and propositioned.

"I'm honored, Your Grace," Makarov told King Toma, "but why me?"

"Arendelle's laws against magic are archaic," he told him, "I want to see if they can truly put aside their prejudices against magic and it's wielders, for if they cannot, an alliance cannot truly be wrought."

"I understand," Makarov said, "However, there are mages greater than I, perhaps one on the Magic Council?" The King smiled at the old man's hesitation, but shook his head, standing and stepping towards Makarov to place a hand on his shoulder.

"I want you and a few of your Fairy Tail mages to go. Make sure they are ones you trust, and I will trust your judgment. I want them to see those who truly use magic for their lively hood, to see the real people of this nation and not some bureaucrat," the king had explained.

Makarov glanced up at Gray now, sharing the boy's sentiments. He'd chosen Gray and Erza to accompany him on the trip, trusting the two to behave themselves. He'd originally thought to bring Laxus, but he'd been so distant and headstrong as of late. Gray had his own faults, but he was respectful and would understand the importance of the summit. And of course, Erza Scarlet he trusted above all others in his guildhall. The red-haired warrior stood to Gray's right looking stoic and beautiful in her gown. The king had clothes tailored for them for the event. To just the eye, they looked like all of the other dignitaries, though Gray and Erza were much younger than the others certainly.

Gray was sensing Makarov's nervousness, despite how outwardly calm the master seemed, and it was making him nervous as well.

"I trust the king's wishes," Makarov said barely above a whisper. Gray sighed. They'd already had the conversation several times. First when Makarov had approached Gray and Erza, asking them to join him, again before boarding the ship, and several times during the journey here. There was no point in talking about it again, especially here.

Gray shifted his weight to the other leg, and just as he was wondering how much longer the royals would make them wait, the doors to the palace opened.

"Dignitaries! Ladies and gentleman, His Grace, King Agnarr of Arendelle," a man called out the introductions, "And Her Highness, Queen Iduna!" A tall blonde man stepped from the palace, his wife at his side. The king and queen seemed almost too perfect. Both attractive, elegant, and graceful as they greeted the ambassadors, their own parliament, and the citizens who'd come to see the festivities. The king seemed kind, yet had a commanding presence, but Gray was unimpressed. He'd wanted to be impartial, had wanted to be uncaring, but when he thought about Arendelle's harsh laws on magic, he felt his blood boiling. This king hadn't been the one to pass the anti-magic laws, but he upheld them, and that was enough for Gray to be biased.

"I'd also like to introduce my daughters," the king called out after a small speech, "Princess Elsa, heir of Arendelle, and Princess Anna!" The two girls who emerged from the palace seemed like opposites, Gray thought, almost too different to even be sisters.

Both were beautiful, each had narrow jaw lines and high cheek bones. Both had small, slightly upturned noses and full lips. Both had large, strikingly blue eyes. That was were their similarities ended.

Anna wore a black and green dress that complimented her sun-kissed, freckled skin, sheer sleeves hanging from her shoulders, leaving her arms and chest bared to the warm air. Elsa's skin was snow white, but her face was all that was left bare. Her dress was teal and black, covering from her neck to the end of her arms, gloves that matched the teal of her dress encased her hands. A deep purple cape hid her neck, covering her shoulders and flowing behind her. Both were thin of waist, but Elsa was curvier, with large breasts and wide hips.

Anna had vibrant red hair held back in a bun with a braid wrapped around the front as if to make a crown. Elsa's hair was unlike any Gray had ever seen before. It was white blonde with pastel shades of blue, purple, and green streaked through it like the Aurora Borealis had been captured in her hair. It was held up in a braided bun, a silver tiara tucked into the front, a small replica of her father's crown, signifying her status as heir. Anna bubbled with excitement, her warm smile infectious. Elsa was rigid and stoic, her face void of any emotion.

Gray's chest tightened when Elsa's cold stare fell to him, but she quickly looked away.

He swallowed thickly, trying to ignore his uneasiness as the ambassadors began introducing themselves to the king and queen of Arendelle.

"I am Makarov Dreyar of the Kingdom of Fiore," the master began when it was his turn, "I am one of the Ten Wizard Saints, appointed by the Magic Council of Ishgar." Audible gasps could be heard from the people of Arendelle, followed by silence. Gray's eyes remained focused on the King, whose eyes had flickered with anger, before he quickly schooled them.

"I am also master of the magic guild Fairy Tail," Makarov went on casually, "And these are two of our strongest wizards."

"They are ice mage Gray Fullbuster, and S-Class requip mage, Erza Scarlet," he introduced them. Gray and Erza gave graceful bows to the King.

"Welcome to Arendelle," the King said with forced cheer. Erza and Gray stood straight once more and exchanged uneasy glances before Arendelle's king and queen moved on to the next dignitaries.


Elsa's mouth gaped when the old man had introduced himself.

"I am also master of the magic guild Fairy Tail," the short old man said, "And these are two of our strongest wizards."

"They are ice mage Gray Fullbuster, and S-Class requip mage, Erza Scarlet," he introduced the two standing at his side.

"Ice... Ice mage?" Elsa whispered to herself, stunned. She blinked rapidly, realizing a chill had risen in the air around her. She regained control of her expression and emotions, closing her eyes and counting backwards. She opened her eyes again and looked over the three from Fiore again. Arendelle's libraries had little information on magic, but she'd found a book on Ishgar that talked about it's wizards and magic guilds. She couldn't believe a country had been so bold as to send them here though. She feared for them suddenly, as she eyed the members of parliament and the citizens who were whispering all too loudly.

Her father had more or less been unfazed by them, or if he had been, he'd hidden it well. She felt a serge of pride in him, happy to know these negotiations were more important to him than making an example of the wizards.

"Wow, wizards!" Anna said, leaning towards her sister, "Kinda scary, huh?" Elsa swallowed thickly, knowing full well how dangerous magic could be.

"He's cute though. Gray I think his name was," Anna whispered with a giggle, drawing Elsa's eyes to the ice mage. He had sharp features, a square jaw, and broad shoulders. His clothes fit him well and couldn't hide the strong body underneath. His eyes seemed calculating, fully aware of his surroundings. He absently ran a hand through his dark hair. Elsa felt an unfamiliar heat rise to her cheeks as she looked him over. She had to admit he was handsome, if only to herself. She snapped her gaze away when his eyes flicked her way.

"Are you blushing, Elsa?" Anna teased softly.

"Quiet, Anna," she hushed her sister, "Father said seen not heard." Anna's smile faltered as she listened to her sister, leaning away from her and standing straight again. Elsa felt a pang of guilt, wishing she wasn't always so hard on her.

The King and Queen returned to their daughters' and stood on the steps next to each other.

"Tonight shall be for festivities!" the King announced, "Our staff will show you to your rooms first, and then we will share in a feast, fallowed by the ball." The ambassadors applauded, most smiling at the king's announcement.

"Please, enjoy Arendelle's hospitality during your stay," he finished, before offering the Queen his arm and heading back inside the palace, Anna and Elsa following behind them as they'd rehearsed. The four stood to the side of the grand staircase as their guests were guided into the palace and up the stairs to their rooms. When Gray passed them, his eyes locked with Elsa's briefly, making her chest tighten.

"You're blushing again," Anna teased, leaning close to her sister once more, only making Elsa's cheeks turn a brighter crimson.

"Anna," their mother scolded, making her stand straight again, and silencing her giggles to Elsa's relief, though she hoped her parents hadn't heard Anna's accusations.

Once all of the ambassadors were upstairs, the girls turned to their parents awaiting instructions.

"The banquet will begin in an hour, Girls," their father said as he turned towards them with a light smile, "Don't be late."

"And don't bother the dignitaries," their mother warned. The girls curtsied, having been dismissed. Anna headed out into the courtyard, ecstatic to finally have the gates opened, while Elsa headed to the library.

She shut the doors behind her and gingerly removed her gloves, despite the danger, but her palms were getting sweaty. She released a small chill into the air, this time intentionally. She let the cold seep into her skin through the thick material of her clothing. She felt a rush of jealousy towards her younger sister, who was free to dress for the warm summer weather, while she had to remain hidden under layers of cloth.

Elsa gingerly touched the globe in the corner of her room, her finger delicately tracing a line from Arendelle to Fiore, leaving a thin trail of ice in it's wake. She sucked in a breath when the doors behind her opened and quickly pulled her gloves back over her hands.

"Thank you," she heard a deep voice behind her and turned to see the ice mage with his back to her and giving thanks to one of the servants. He shut the doors after the servant left, and turned to find the princess, surprise passing over his features.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know anyone was here," he said, and bowed quickly. He rose a moment later.

"Princess Elsa, isn't it?" he asked, and she nodded, lowering her own head briefly. When she looked back up at him, she found a small smile had formed on his lips. He stepped closer to her and offered her his hand, to her surprise.

"Gray Fullbuster," he said, introducing himself. She flushed, starring at his hand, but kept hers folded together in front of her, terrified to touch him.

"Oh! Sorry," he stammered, pulling his hand behind his back, "Commoner thing." Crimson had seeped into his own cheeks now as he chuckled.

"I've never met a princess before," he admitted, and Elsa began to laugh with him, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

"I've never met a... a wizard before," she said, unable to stop the smile on her lips.

"No, I suppose you wouldn't have," he said, and glanced over his shoulder, making sure the doors to the library were closed before stretching out his hands in front of him, placing a fist over his open palm. A blue light shined from his hands, making Elsa gasp, but was unable to take her eyes off him. When the light dissipated, Gray opened his fist to reveal a crocus, Arendelle's official crest, made of ice.

"Wow," she said, her voice breathy as she reached out to touch it with a gloved hand. Gray handed it to her, letting her hold the frail ice flower.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I know magic is illegal here." Elsa looked up into his eyes, finding them sincere. From their close proximity, she realized his eyes weren't black, but a dark blue.

"But I wanted to show you how beautiful magic can be," he told her, making her chest tighten, his words reaching her heart, even if he didn't know the real impact they had on her.

"Why did you come to Arendelle?" she suddenly asked him, finding her voice.

"Well, mostly because Master Makarov asked me to," he explained, "He's the closest thing to family I've got. I'd do anything he asked me to." Elsa looked at him with sad eyes, realizing his meaning.

"You're an... orphan?" she inquired and he nodded, a flicker of anger showing in his eyes, but it subsided shortly after.

"But another reason is that, well, I kinda hope to show Arendelle that not all wizards and magic are bad," he said. Elsa smiled up at him then, feeling warmth blossoming inside her. She sat on the sofa behind them and he joined her. She set the ice crocus onto the table next to them.

"What's it like?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, "Being in a magic guild?" He smiled at her, and hope bloomed inside him. If Arendelle's people were anything like their princess, perhaps the alliance with Ishgar could bring about real change.

"Well, it's like a big, dysfunctional family," he said with a chuckle.

"You've got all these personalities clashing, but deep down, everybody cares about each other," he went on, and Elsa hung on every word.

"The main point is it's a place you can find work. People from all over the country post jobs on the request boards, asking for help from wizards. You can take jobs by yourself, but we form teams, too," he explained.

"Are you and Erza on a team?" she asked, inquiring about the buxom redhead.

"Oh, no, not usually," he said, "I usually work with my friend, Loke, or by myself," he told her. Gray began telling her about one of his adventures, and Elsa was completely enthralled, unable to look away as he animatedly told her the tale, making her laugh. Gray's beautiful ice crocus had melted when the doors burst open, startling the pair. The red-haired mage stood in the doorway.

"There you are!" Erza called out, "We're going to be late for the banquet." Elsa gasped and stood swiftly and it was only then that Erza realized who she was, and quickly bowed.

"Princess! Forgive me!" Erza called out.

"No, please, you're quite all right," she said, and Erza stood once more, "Come, we mustn't be late." She felt something grip her hand suddenly and turned with fear as she saw Gray holding her hand.

"I hope we can talk again while I'm here," he said, smiling. She returned his smile when her magic remained dormant, her gloved hand like that of anyone else's.

"I do, too," she told him earnestly and he released his hold on her. The two took quick steps to catch up to Erza as they headed to the banquet hall.


She'd been quiet, letting him do most of the talking, but Gray found himself unable to stop thinking of Elsa. The way her face had lit up when he'd created the ice crocus had been a magic all it's own. She was seated at the table as far from him as possible, but she stood out among all the others.

"Are you alright, Gray?" Makarov asked quietly when he noticed the boy had barely eaten.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just tired from the trip," he said and shoved another bite into his mouth. Makarov seemed to except the answer, but Erza smirked at him from across the table, knowing full well what had him distracted. He glowered at her, willing her to remain quiet.

They were all escorted to the ballroom after dinner. Gray shuffled towards the thrones to the front of the room, hoping to find Elsa in the crowd of people. He smiled when he found her standing beside her sister, a member of Arendelle's parliament speaking to the princesses.

"May I have the first dance?" the older man, Weasleton, Gray had heard him introduce himself, asked Elsa .

"Oh, I'm afraid I don't dance," she informed him.

"Oh?" he inquired, obviously perturbed to being shot down.

"But my sister does," she said with a mischievous grin.

"I do?" Anna said, corking a brow at her sister.

"Very well," he said, and grasped the younger princess' hand before she even realized what was happening.

Gray watched as the short old man dragged the young princess to the dance floor, to her dismay, Elsa giggling as she watched them.

"That's a shame," he said, making Elsa turn towards him.

"What is?" she asked.

"That you don't dance," he said with a grin. He wasn't much for dancing himself, but the king had required him and Erza to take a few classes for the occasion, and he found he would make an exception for her. She seemed hesitant of his offer, glancing back at her parents who were seated on the thrones behind her. The two were lost in conversation with a few of the other ambassadors and seemingly not paying attention. She smiled at him and hurried down from the dais, pulling him into the crowd away from her parents gaze. He understood why she didn't want them to see, knowing they wouldn't approve of her spending time with a wizard.

He almost pulled away from her, unsettled that she would be ashamed of him, but when she looked up at him with such innocence he forgot his anger. His bare hand took hold of her gloved one while the other settled at her hip and hers came to rest on his shoulder. They fell into the waltz as if they'd danced together a hundred times. She let him lead as they stepped to the music that swelled through the ballroom.

They danced for two songs before they felt dizzy. Elsa excused herself after the music died down, telling him she should get back to her family, but assuring him she'd see him again soon. Her smile lingered in his mind as he watched her weed her way through the crowd. He turned when she disappeared from sight, grabbing a champagne flute from one of the servants and sipping at the bubbling liquid. He stepped out onto the balcony that extended from the ballroom and leaned against the railing, letting the wind whip through his hair as he starred out over the fjord.


Elsa had to distance herself for a little while. For the first time in her life she wasn't fearing her magic, but something else that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Gray Fullbuster made her feel... different. He made her heart flutter, and cheeks feel warm, and her stomach tied itself in knots when he smiled at her, and for the first time she was filled with emotions that didn't make snow and ice fill the room. She had left the ballroom and began wondering the castle. It took her awhile, but she finally found an empty hall to catch her breath.

She'd only been in the hall a few moments when she heard a loud thud coming from the room at the opposite end of the hall. She stepped wearily towards it, cracking the door to peer inside. Her eyes widened when she saw her sister with her arms wrapped around a stranger's neck, their lips pressed firmly together, her back pressed against a wall.

She tried to get a better look at the man by standing on her tip toes, but instead lost her balance and fell against the door, slamming it.

She stepped back, and then turned, moving quickly down the corridor, but the door swiftly opened behind her.

"Elsa!" Anna called after her, making Elsa stop in her tracks.

"It's okay, Hans, it was just my sister," Anna called to the man behind her as Elsa turned.

"Elsa, I want you to meet Prince Hans," Anna said cheerfully, holding hands with the red-haired man as they approached her.

"Princess Elsa," he said, bowing. She returned the courtesy.

"And how did you meet?" she asked nervously.

"Oh, well, I, um, sort of, bumped into her with my horse earlier," he stammered, before looking down at Anna who smiled up at him. Elsa furrowed her brow, perturbed that she'd caught her sister sneaking kisses with a man she'd just met.

"Actually, Elsa, I'm glad you're here," Anna said then, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Uh, sure," she said, glancing between the two suspiciously.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Hans asked, looking down at Anna.

"Yeah, she's my sister," Anna said, waving him off.

"We're getting married!" Anna then told her excitedly.

"Married?!" Elsa said.

"Yes!" Anna squealed happily, tugging Hans' arm tighter against her.

"Anna, can I speak with you," Elsa said, glancing briefly at Hans, "Alone." Anna's happiness subsided at her sister's suspicion and her brow furrowed.

"No, anything you have to say to me, you can say to both of us," she said, standing firmly by his side. Elsa let out a sigh.

"Fine then," she told her, "You can't marry a man you just met."

"You can if it's true love," Anna defended.

"Anna, what do you know about love?" Elsa asked with a sigh.

"More than you!" Anna countered, "All you know how to do is shut people out!" Elsa was taken aback, anger filling her. She'd only shut her out to protect her! Anna would never understand the struggle she'd had to go through to not put her family at risk!

"Mother and Father will not allow you to do this," Elsa said icily.

"You wouldn't!" Anna then said, "You said you'd keep it a secret!" Elsa turned on her heel and ran, heading back towards the ballroom with her sister chasing after her.


It'd been a little more than an hour since he'd seen her last and he caught himself searching the crowd for her multicolored hair. He shook his head.

'Get a grip, Fullbuster,' he said to himself and instead began looking for Erza or Makarov when he suddenly heard a commotion.

"Elsa, wait!" he heard someone calling out as Elsa entered the ballroom from the other side of the room. Her brows were pinched together in worry as she made her way towards her parents, Anna following swiftly behind her. Gray pushed through the throng of people, trying to get closer to see what was happening.

"Give me back my glove!" he heard Elsa shout as he finally pressed to the front. Elsa tried to reach for the glove, put Anna held it tightly against her chest, turning away from her.

"What did I ever do to you?" Anna asked, hurt and anger in her eyes. Elsa stepped away from her sister as she noticed the crowd gathering around them.

"That's enough, Anna," Elsa said, clutching her bare hand under the other. She seemed to have forgotten her purpose in storming the ballroom, and was now slowing circling her sister, trying to step back towards the exit.

"Why do you shut me out? Why do you shut the world out?" Anna pleaded, continuing to step towards her. Gray watched with a furrowed brow, trying to catch Elsa's eyes to let her know he was there if she needed him, but she kept heading towards the door, her back now turned to her sister.

"Anna!" King Agnarr called out to his daughter, finally making his way to the scene, and grasping his younger daughter by the shoulders, but Anna jerked away from him.

"What are you so afraid of?!" Anna yelled at her.

"I said, enough!" Elsa shouted, turning angrily as she reached her breaking point, her bare hand outstretched. Gray felt the shift in the air before it happened. Ice shot from the Princess' hand, creating a barrier of sharp spikes between her and the rest of the ballroom. Everyone gasped, stepping back away from her, but Gray stepped forward, seeing the horror in Elsa's eyes.

"Sorcery!" he heard someone shout. Elsa's eyes finally met his for the briefest moment before she turned and ran.