Chapter 2

One fortnight later, Elsa had run into Al on the docks another three times—usually when he was knee deep in fish—but one morning, she caught him before he had caught any.

"Come on...just give it a go," the boy said, smirking as he waved a second fishing pole. "You'll never know you're 'terrible' at it unless you try."

"And if I am, then it takes time away from you reaching your quota," Elsa dryly pointed out, warily eyeing the proffered fishing pole.

"How is that?" Al laughed. "I'll be fishing myself, right next to you. If anything, I'll be able to make double if things go well!" He waved the pole in front of her, urging for her to try. "Come on! Aye, it requires some patience… and I'm sure you have a lot of that. It's not too difficult, princess."

With a put-upon sigh, Elsa took the pole and daintily held it above the water. "Am I doing this right?"

She didn't miss the way Al had to stifle a laugh, and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. She raised her hand, as if to toss the pole over the side, and he grabbed for her hands to better hold them around the handle, crying, "Wait, wait! Definitely not like that!"

"Th-Then if you want to properly teach me, don't laugh! I haven't done this before!" Even as Al giggled again, she pursed her lips and raised it higher. Al gave a strange squeak at that and immediately rushed forward, arms almost wrapping around her as he tugged her fishing pole to a safer distance.

"Alright," Al breathed. "Here's how you do it: hold it like this and keep it steady." He tightened his grip around the pole, his hand wrapped firmly around Elsa's. "And now, you just have to wait."

"I-I see…" Elsa stammered, her cheeks heating up at how close the fisherman was—practically hugging her, really.

"Just hold it still."

For the moment, they stayed quiet as they watched the line bob in the water, and Elsa wasn't exactly sure why Al wasn't letting her go yet—she knew what she was doing. And yet, his closeness wasn't...unpleasant.

"U-Um… Al?" She turned her head to see the boy looking at her innocently from beneath his straw hat. "I think I can do this now...unless my technique is still wrong?"

"Hm? Oh! Sorry, sorry! Your technique is fine, don't worry," he chuckled nervously and immediately let her go, his hands behind his back. Those very hands immediately went to grab his own fishing pole as he stammered, "I-I should be doing this, too."

The awkward silence wasn't helping Elsa, either—in fact, it intensified the heat of her skin at the thought of Al's arms wrapped around her from behind. But Al wasn't near her any longer; instead, he had all but marched himself to the other end of the boat, expertly casting his line...albeit stiffly.

"S-So…" A single word coming from Al disrupted her thoughts. "Do you think you could stay a little longer before you head back?"

"Oh… About that, I'm not too sure," Elsa said as her grip tightened on her fishing pole. "I don't want to raise my father's suspicion, though I suspect he already is to some degree…"

Brow furrowing, Al turned to look at her more properly. "Is he?"

"Well, he has been asking some questions… About where I go, and what I do. But I've never given him the full truth." Elsa sighed as her shoulders drooped. "If he ever finds out, I definitely won't be able to visit you again."

"That bad, hm?" Al asked as he settled in to fish properly, though with somewhat less enthusiasm. "A-Am I causing you…trouble?"

"No, not at all!" The words came surprisingly easy. "It's just… After my mother's passing, Father has become…a bit strict." She sighed again as she continued, "I suppose he's simply afraid of losing me, in a way. It's why he's taking so long trying to find a suitor for me."

"Ah. Well, he is your father, right? It's to be expected." Al coughed as he added, "Not to mention he's the king, and all...he has a lot to worry about as it is."

"I am an adult… I don't need any more of his 'guidance'," Elsa replied bitterly. "All I ever want is freedom… I don't need him to hold my hand anymore. Why can't he understand this—why does he treat me, a grown woman, like a child?"

"Maybe because he cares?" Al mumbled, hunching his shoulders. "You know… I'm a little jealous of you. I don't have anyone to care for…or to be cared for."

...What?

Elsa turned to see Al avoiding her gaze, fixing his eyes on the waters of the fjord. And his smile…it revealed all of his loneliness and pain—what lurked beneath his usually cheerful demeanor. It was incredible to her how he could be obviously experiencing worlds of hurt, and still smile down at the water, almost entirely at peace with his life.

I could never do that.

"Well…" He stretched in place. "It doesn't matter. I've been alone for most of my life; you probably don't know how it feels to lose the two most important people that you love, anyway." With a wry chuckle, he added, "And I don't think I could describe it even if I—"

"That's not true!" Elsa yelled, dropping her fishing pole. "I… I lost my mother, too. So I do know how you feel. But I just… I don't show it because my father taught me that northern princesses should never cry." She cradled her hands to her chest, continuing, "'Conceal it, don't feel it...don't let them know'. Do you have any idea how much those words held sway over my life? To the point where even my own father can't...can't…" Sighing with just the hint of a sob, she finished, "I lost my father when I lost my mother...if I'm honest with myself. He became so strict, and took refuge in the church's teachings, and….and…"

Elsa sniffled, wiping her tears away before they could even fall halfway down her cheeks. Don't let it show. She startled a bit at the feeling of a thumb against the corner of her eye, catching another drop. Chuckling to herself, she breathed,, "G-God, am I doing? I haven't sh-shed this many tears since—"

"Don't hold them back," Al whispered to her gently, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. "You can cry in front of me, Elsa. You don't have to conceal anything."

Still, with trembling lips, Elsa was holding back. "N-No I can't… I-I should get going—"

"Just stop," Al soothed, drawing closer and smiling up at her gently, smiling that infuriatingly calming smile of his. "It's alright. Really. You're not in a hurry, and you're not disappointing me. I'm not your father."

With that, Elsa slowly drew Al into her arms, and wept softly against his shoulder. He held her tightly, head coming to rest against hers. When she didn't stop after a minute or so, he began to pass one hand up and down her back, another resting very lightly against the crown of her head, pressing into her ornate bun of golden hair.

"It was a sickness," he murmured after a moment. "Mama had it first, and Papa got it from trying to take care of her. I was so little; they were always sending me out to play, hoping I wouldn't catch it from them." Al chuckled a little, but it held none of his usual cheer. "Their plan worked. I lived...but they died anyway."

"It would do them proud to see the… the incredible child they missed out on seeing grow into…" She drew back and cupped his cheek, whispering, "Into a real gentleman."

"I'm no more a gentleman than you are a fisherman," Al said, and his next chuckle held a little more of his usual self. "But… thank you. I do what I can every day to make sure that's how they see me, from wherever they are now."

I wonder what mother would think of me now…? Pushing aside that thought, she finally whispered, "I'm sorry you lost them. Verily, it pains my heart to think of what you had to suffer."

"And I, you," he said just as softly. "I can't remember much of Queen Idunn...but from what little I can remember, she was very, very kind. Her daughter inherited that."

Elsa leaned forward to bury her face in his shoulder, hiding the heat in her cheeks. However, at the last second, she turned to press her lips against his cheek.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"O-oh," he stuttered with a nervous little chuckle. "W-well, it's not that important; I'm just observant is all. Like with the kids a-and how much they adore you—I mean, that's a sign, right? A-And I know you'd never, ever hurt them."

Giggling at his continued praise, and how awkward it continued to be, she drew back to grin blearily at him. "Is that all you have to say? You've been kissed by a princess."

"I-I-Indeed, I have," Al said, his voice pitching momentarily so he almost sounded like a girl. "And… I'm… honoured? Of course I am, you— That is, I don't know if there's something I'm supposed to do when I receive a kiss from a princess, like a phrase I must say or a bow or a curtsy, but whatever it is, I'll do it as soon as I know—

Elsa giggled, reaching a hand up to hide the smile curving onto her lips. "Well, if you were a suitor my father had sent to me, you would next take my hand and kiss the back of it."

It was endearing the way Al's face colored as he fumbled for her other hand, eager to get it right. He swept low, bowing at the waist to press his lips against her knuckles—and as it turned out, they were surprisingly soft.

"H-How was that?" Al asked once he straightened back up, teal eyes shining with worry. However, the healthy glow in Elsa's pale cheeks seemed to answer the question without need for words.

"Perfect." Taking her hand back, she cleared her throat. "W-well, perhaps I should be heading back up to the castle now. Before my father decides to fetch me himself. But thank you for… attempting to teach me how to fish, Al. It was very educational."

"Fish...The fish! I completely forgot!" Al exclaimed, eyes widening as he whirled around to check on the fishing poles they had both abandoned. Or rather, pole—the one Elsa had abandoned was completely gone below the surface of the waves. "Awww… how am I supposed to explain this to Bjorn?"

"I'll get you another one," Elsa laughed, "as thanks for your company. I'll make sure it's of the best quality, made by the finest fishing pole craftsman in the kingdom!"

"That would certainly make the other fishermen jealous," Al said, smirking at her. "But… you don't have to; I'll figure something out." He stood up, offering her a hand. "Now, then...you have places to go, people to see."

But instead of shaking it, Elsa placed her hand in it again as if waiting for him to repeat the "gentlemanly" action from before. He almost looked like he was going to do it, too—thankfully he didn't trip over his own feet too much as he helped her out of the boat and onto the wooden pier.

"Good eve, Al," she bade him, kissing the other cheek she had missed earlier. Poor boy...he looked ready to swoon any second now with how red his face had grown. But instead of torturing him further, she turned and began to walk away toward home.

"I hope you haven't been talking to those...deviants, by the docks."

Elsa's head came up sharply from her knitting when she heard that terse accusation. Her father continued penning his missives as if he hadn't said anything, not looking up from his work. Clearing her throat, she demanded, "Why would I be talking to them? Are we expecting another shipment?"

"Yes, in a week's time," King Agdar replied, pausing to dip his quill in the inkwell. "I've simply noticed you've been making more excursions out into town this past month. Care to explain, instead of making your poor father play this guessing game?"

For a moment, Elsa merely stared, unsure of how to handle the subtle bite in her father's tone. It had been growing worse and worse over the past weeks, and truth be told, she had reached the end of her tether. Her hands tightened around her knitting needles as she answered with a question of her own, "Why should you care what I do in town? Have you heard reports of me disgracing the kingdom?"

"No," Agdar answered as he resumed writing, still refusing to look up, "but I have heard curious reports of you spending a large amount of time at the docks. I can't imagine what's so fascinating about them." Only now did he lift his gaze, eyes meeting hers from across the room. "A mind can't help but wonder."

His invasive nature rankled, and she felt conflicting desires to both refuse to tell him a thing, and tell him everything. So she settled for, "I'm merely playing with the girls and boys of the village, as I always have."

"But not so frequently," her father mused, thoughtfully tapping the feathered tip of his quill against his chin. "Something is different. I can't put my finger on what it is, but something…" His eyes narrowed. "Something is distracting you… Don't tell me you've met a boy!"

Elsa fought to keep her expression from betraying her inward panic. "Really, Father?"

Agdar chuckled, though it held little mirth. "You are not immune to such feelings, Elsa." He raised his index finger in a lecturing way as he continued, "So long as those feelings remain proper, understand? Should they happen to deviate…"

Elsa pursed her lips and nodded tersely. "You have nothing to fear with that, Father," she said, "I understand." He sat back with a pleased grunt and returned to his letters.

...I wonder what he would think of Al? Elsa couldn't help but wonder after those words. Perhaps her father might be more open to her spending time with a peasant boy than she originally thought… at least he wasn't a "deviant" like those on the ship. She opened her mouth to speak...but thought better of it, shutting her mouth and returning to her knitting.

"Good, that's my girl." He sounded quite comfortable and content that they had closed the book on that particular subject. "In that case, there may be a few men I should have you meet." Instantly, all of Elsa's excitement and concern vanished, to be replaced by a pall of boredom. "You are a grown woman now, after all," he continued, "I can't keep putting off the search for a suitable husband any longer."

"Can't it? I have yet to think any of the few suitors you've brought to me so far were anyone I should want to spend my life with." Elsa frowned at her handiwork as her father sighed.

"Then tell me, what do you look for in a husband? Because for the life of me, I can't seem to put my finger on exactly what quality would please you," he said, a note of exasperation in his voice.

"Perhaps," Elsa began very patiently, "it should be up to me to choose? I am the one to be wed, after all."

The man's face darkened. "My dear daughter, what is the cause of this impertinence? All you have to do is tell me what sort of man you are looking for, and I shall search for him."

"Even if I knew what description to give... if you find this 'kind of man', will it be a guarantee that he is the one perfectly suited for me?" Elsa snapped back. "Who better to judge my compatibility with another, than myself?"

"You make my life so difficult sometimes," he sighed defeatedly. "Even if you are my reason for living… All I want is for you to have a good man in your life who can help you, who can take care of you should anything happen to me. Do you begrudge your old father such a small trifle?"

Elsa's hands tightened around her knitting needles at the reminder of the dangers that come with the throne. There were, of course, concerns that he had to face on a daily basis, and worrying about her future only detracted from those other concerns. "I… I don't." She laid her needles down to her lap. "I only wish for more freedom, father. To be who I want to be."

"And who is it that you want to be?" Agdar asked, exasperation evident in his voice.

"How am I going to know if I never experience anything besides these four walls?"

Agdar remained silent. Several minutes passed in this manner, with parent and child staring each other down. At last, he sighed irritably and set aside his work to gaze across at her, eyes almost pleading with her to discard all of her recent noises and return to the docile, wide-eyed girl she had been for the first decade of her life.

"You are not only one of royal blood, but you are also a woman, Elsa," her father said, tiredly. "And I am not only a king, but a father as well—a father who must listen to reports upon reports of unruly and dishonorable knights stealing away maidens and… well, I shouldn't like to say such things to your ears, it sickens me enough to hear them in the first place." He grimaced, and so did Elsa. "So I should hope you'd appreciate why I'm so… ill at ease."

"I… I understand," she said, fighting down the bile threatening to rise up her throat at the thought of such things. Knowing that he would not be dismissing this without some concession, she said, "I promise I will be on the lookout for… unruly and dishonorable knights."

"Not just knights, my dear," Agdar said with a weak chuckle, "Other men are fully capable of these acts. Men you would never suspect."

Immediately, her thoughts turned to Al. If ever there were a man whom she would least expect to perpetrate such a deed, it was he—and she knew, she knew deep down, that he was trustworthy. He would never dishonor her in such a way. In the end, she decided flattery would be the easiest way to escape the ominous conversation.

"There must be a few honourable men out there; I mean, there's you, Father."

Agdar chuckled, shaking his head at her words. "You do that just like your mother did, you know; attempt to distract me with kind words." He pointed his quill at her, smiling ever so slightly. "It works, more often than not, unfortunately. Fine, fine, we'll drop this topic for now—as long as you remember what I've said."

"I'll remember, I promise," Elsa said with a small smile of her own.

Of course, that promise didn't mean the princess was going to keep herself cooped up within the confines of their castle forever.

"It's not going to eat me...is it?" Al asked, warily eyeing the horse Elsa had brought along for their outing today. It was a fine, sturdy steed, but he obviously wasn't sure why she found it necessary.

Elsa giggled, watching the redhead hesitantly reach out to touch the horse, only to immediately draw his hand back. "No, but if you're not careful, he will kick you. And it will hurt a bit."

"More than a bit, I'd imagine," Al said as he edged away from her horse's hooves. "A-anyway… are we going somewhere?"

"I was wondering if we could go to the Festival of St. Olaf?" Elsa asked as the tips of her ears began to grow hot at taking the initiative this time. "It won't take too long on horseback, and if I remember correctly, you mentioned having never left town before, so… I thought it would be nice to remedy that."

The boy blinked several times at such a bold request; the princess wasn't afraid of taking charge, but she had never gone out of her way to plan something like this for them before. "I'm surprised you're telling me this now. I always thought you were the one that needed sightseeing the most."

"And you have given me sightseeing, kind sir," she tittered behind a gloved hand. "Now, it is my turn. I want us to enjoy doing something together without either of us getting confused."

"You seem pretty confident a festival won't confuse me," Al laughed cheerfully, finally reaching a hand up to pet along the horse's neck.

"You seem like the kind of person to get distracted by something and get lost." Elsa smirked. "Careful, don't let my horse trample you over. He doesn't like to be touched there." But when Al jerked his hand back, she laughed, and he frowned up at her silly "jest", such that it was.

"That's not funny." Elsa continued giggle behind the back of her palm, watching him cross his arms, and his lips coming to an adorable pout. "Alright, maybe it is, but not to me."

"So it's acceptable when you do it, but not me?" she teased, her words holding no bite to them. "I can see why you enjoy it so much. Come on, if we continue talking here, we'll miss the festival."

His cheeks bunched with a huge grin. "You really want to take me to the festival? Really, truly, not taking me for a fool?"

"Of course. There is no one in all Arendelle I'd rather accompany me." To hide the heat rising to her cheeks at such a frank admission, Elsa turned away to mount her horse, placing a foot on the stirrup. With a quick step, Al stepped forward to hold her waist, easing her upward… and inadvertently causing the blush to increase.

Her blush became more apparent, and the only way she could hide it was looking forward… for the whole time, if Al were to hold her there all the way.

"Um...I've never actually...ridden, before," the boy admitted as soon as Elsa was firmly seated side-saddle. "Is there anything I have to keep in mind?"

"Hm… Just hold still, that's all."

"N-No, not that," Al said, voice shifting into an embarrassed mumble, "I mean...how do I get on the horse?"

Elsa couldn't help but snort, and she covered her mouth as she giggled, "Perhaps I should have helped you up first!" She watched as Al hopped repeatedly, trying to get on the horse. "Do you need help?"

"Well, I don't want to make you have to come back down again," the boy huffed, puffing his cheeks as he drew himself to his full—albeit somewhat short—height. "I'll figure it out."

"You'll take forever." Elsa rolled her eyes. "Here, give me your hand." Al did so, without a second thought, and Elsa smiled at how soft and smooth it was, fitting so perfectly in her own. That smile faltered a little into a gasp as Al gripped it tightly, pulling himself up onto the horse and nearly yanking her arm out of its socket.

"Ow, ow, ow, that hurts. And you're heavy. Stop eating all those tarts, please?"

Al frowned around her shoulder as his arms slid around her waist. "Aww, but I barely ever eat tarts…"

"Al," Elsa gently reprimanded, and the boy laughed, resting his chin on her shoulder. His arms tightened slightly around her waist. "Whatever you've been eating, moderate yourself."

"Shouldn't we be going?" he said, voice in her ear, and Elsa fought to keep herself from inhaling sharply at the realization of just how close he was. How close his body was leaning against her own. "The festival's not going to come to us."

"R-Right," Elsa said as her hands reached for the reins, hoping her voice didn't betray the sudden nervousness worming its way through her body. With a flick of the leather straps, the two of them were off, galloping through the village.

Coming to the festival grounds north of the village proper, Elsa tied off the horse at the communal hitching posts and slid down to the ground. Dusting off and smoothing out her dress, she began making her way toward the crowds of people before them.

"U-Um, Elsa! Wait!" she heard Al call, panicked, and turned around to hide her smile behind her hand at the sight of the poor fisherman trying to dismount. "Just… give me a moment, you don't want me to fall, do you?!"

"Just put your foot through the stirrup, and you won't fall," Elsa instructed, walking back to him. "The saddle should be secure enough that it won't slip with you."

With minimal struggling, they managed to get him down to safety. His arms immediately wrapped around her once his feet touched the ground, breathing, "Oh thank God I'm off that thing…" He pulled away, patting his clothes down. "God, I feel like a child in front of you."

"And I expected you to be the more chivalrous one," Elsa said airily, which only made Al laugh.

"Perhaps in another life, princess," he teased, flashing her a broad grin.

The blonde rolled her eyes and took his hand in hers. "Come on, I'm sure you're hungry. Let's find some food first." Taking his hand and leading him carefully around the horse, they both raced into the throng.

And what a lively throng of people it was—Elsa had only seen a festival in full swing twice in her life, both times when she was still a little girl. Those were the happy times, and now, she got to experience it again with Al. The thought made her laugh—happy and carefree—before she could stop it, earning a curious look from the boy in question.

"Don't worry yourself about it—I'm just having a good time!"

"What?" Al squinted his eyes. "What are you talking about? You alright?"

I'm more than alright.

Elsa cleared her throat. "O-Of course. Here, why don't you go grab us a seat, and I'll get us some food."

"Are you sure I should leave you by yourself?" Al asked, furrowing his brow a little in worry. "We're away from the town, and all… Plus, I think I'm more suited for this. I just don't want you coming home all filthy, and have your father wondering where you've been."

"Maybe I would welcome that," Elsa tittered, and Al only gave her a strange-yet-bemused look.

"If the king asks, it wasn't me," he said, and Elsa giggled, tugging him along. "Whoa! You're rather eager today, aren't you?"

"Well, I am quite excited for the festival!" Not just that. "How about this: we can find some food and watch one of the jousts while we're at it, if you're that afraid for your life."

"Afraid for your life!" Al tried to correct her, even though she only continued to laugh. "And yes, let's hurry up and get some food, because I'm starving. Though I'm afraid I don't have any coin on me, Princess."

"Princess? The Princess Elsa is here?" someone amidst the crowd of festival-goers asked, and the smile on Elsa's face immediately fell as more gazes eventually found her. Al seemed to notice, and kept better pace with her as they hurried toward the nearest source of hot festival food.

"M-Maybe we shouldn't be here." Elsa tugged at Al's hand, feeling eyes crawling over her back. "I don't want to cause a commotion." Foolish… How utterly foolish of me, she thought as she hunched in on herself, squeezing Al's hand as she moved closer to him. It's not like the town… Of course they'd notice and—

"Hey, you're with me. You'll be fine. We can get out of here." Al squeezed her hand, his warmth pooling over her. "We'll find a place with less people, and when they forget I said you're here, we can try looking for food again."

Elsa nodded immediately and tried to hide her face against Al's shoulder. "Y-Yes, we should go do that."

She was supposed to be leading him around today; show him things instead...but apparently, it would be Al doing the leading. Again. Not that she could help it at all, anyway; being a princess meant she had to be careful of where she wandered and who she was acquainted with. The town was easy—she knew almost everyone and there were guards patrolling here and there, but here at the festival grounds with so many people from all over the kingdom in attendance…

It was a bit overwhelming. Scary. She almost wished she hadn't gone out of town.

"Hey, look! There's a place for horseback riding!" Al's voice gently pulled her out of her panicked thoughts, reminding her of the reason why she had even dared to leave the town in the first place; why she had thrown caution to the wind and attended a festival for the first time in years.

Elsa decided to go along with Al, no matter what he had to do to get her away from this situation.

"Maybe you can teach me," he continued saying as they neared the large, fenced area with several horses milling about. "Or maybe you could watch as one of the instructors here do it instead. And if I do well, you get to treat me to supper!" He bit his lip as he turned to look at her, asking, "How does that sound?"

Elsa's lips were trembling, tears threatening to fall from the corner of her eyes. She held his hand tightly. "A-Al…" Leaning forward, she rested her forehead against his shoulder, giving a watery laugh as she said, "You're too nice, you know that?"

She didn't miss the blush rising to his cheeks. "W-Well, it's… what I can do. Mama always told me to have courage and be kind."

"And you certainly are," Elsa said as she pulled away to smile blearily at him.

Approaching a less crowded area, Elsa was about to let go of Al's hand, only to find that she couldn't with him holding her so tightly. So protectively. "Al…?"

"H-Huh? What's wrong?"

"Your hand," she said, laughing a little. "I think I'm starting to lose feeling in mine." She let her own hand go limp and immediately, so did Al's.

"Sorry… Are you alright, now?" he asked. "I-I just want to make sure."

Elsa nodded. "Yes, I'm quite well now. Thank you, Al." When he still continued to look at her worriedly, she leaned forward to press a brief kiss on his cheek, whispering, "Really, I'm fine." But she couldn't help but giggle at his stunned expression. "Are you fine?" .

"I'm fine!" Al blurted out, perhaps more loudly than he had intended, judging by the way he clapped a hand over his mouth immediately after, cheeks reddening. "R-Really."

Elsa tilted her head. "Are you… shy?"

"Not shy!" he blurted out again, only to use that hand to smack his forehead. "Just...surprised, is all. I'm...not used to this kind of thing. P-Plus… it's an honor to get a kiss—even if it's on the cheek! You know… from a princess, as beautiful as you."

Said princess found herself smiling contentedly, even as her heart fluttered within her chest. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."

"Oh, I look like a dirty street urchin," Al laughed easily; not even ashamed of his appearance, just accepting it for what it was.

Elsa chuckled along. "Well, then I guess, I really like this dirty street urchin." Then she was biting her lip, and he was grinning in a mystified, uncertain way… as if he couldn't quite grasp what she was so heavily implying. She most definitely knew what she meant to say. 'Like' as in being attracted to someone. 'Like' as in…

Falling in love.

"Then, uh… thank you?" he laughed at last with an embarrassed shrug. "A-Anyway, I don't think you'll want to go anywhere near back there, so… if you want, we can walk around here."

"Whatever you want; I've been to the festival before, so it's all the same to me."

"Ah, right." Al nodded. "Well, there seems to be some kind of show going on over there… shall we?"

With a serene smile, it was Elsa who took Al by the elbow and led him over to the show, completely at ease after her brief bout with anxiety. "Of course." Elsa didn't even begin to hesitate as she led them to the crowd of people, managing to find a seat far in the back, completely isolated from the peasants.

"What shall we be watching?" Al asked her in a whisper.

Elsa shrugged. "Must be some kind of theater… I've never gone to one before."

"Really?" Al asked, astonished. "But your family is wealthy; I mean, I'm really surprised you never got taken to the theater."

"I've told you… a princess' life isn't always a perfect life," Elsa replied. "You'll be shocked about how many things I'm told not to do because they're not… fit for my station."

As the play began below them, mostly just a reed instrument playing while a silly jester did tricks, Al leaned a little closer to her, folding one of Elsa's hands between his own. "That's awful. I think you should do whatever makes you happy, Elsa."

Smiling at him, eyes crinkling at the corners as she gave his hand a squeeze, Elsa whispered, "I am."

Though Al didn't catch that. "Hm?"

Elsa knew he wouldn't and smiled innocently. "Nothing."

"No, no...I definitely thought I heard something," Al said with a light chuckle, lips quirking into a crooked smile. "Come on, tell me!" He nudged her arm with his elbow.

Elsa shook her head, muttering, "You'll laugh at me."

"No I won't, or else your father's going to come after me. Now spit it out," Al insisted, teal eyes alight with equal parts curiosity and amusement. "I promise I won't laugh, even if you...oh, I don't know...want to run naked through the streets or something."

"You're not being realistic," Elsa replied, feeling her cheeks warm up the moment Al began giving all of his attention to her. "I just… thought… well, I'm just happy to be with you." She squeezed his hand again, ducking her head shyly.

"Y-You are?" Al asked. His voice was a higher pitch again, and she didn't need to see to know that his cheeks were probably as red as hers. Embarrassed, Elsa turned away, finding the show was just about to start. She gave him a small nod, but what she didn't realize was how wide Al was smiling.

"That's… That's good!" she heard him say. "You're doing something that makes you happy, and of course, you should always try to do things that make you happy! Although, there are some things that would have to be within reason, of course, but you're a pretty reasonable person and I'm not as reasonable so maybe that explains a lot of the things I do but this is a good thing for you and—"

Elsa was bursting into laughter at the redhead's rambling, and only stopped when she saw him pouting and trying to tug his hand off hers. "Are you sure you're not as reasonable? You've convinced me to meet you."

"Through my wonderful charm, I'm sure," Al mumbled, only to perk up once the play's jester tumbled off the stage, earning a round of laughter from the audience. "Oh, Elsa, did you see that?"

"What? Did I see what?" Elsa turned to the stage, only to see nothing but empty space. "Did I miss it?"

Thankfully for her, the jester had dusted himself off, shaking his head wildly and jangling the bells on his foppish hat as he pulled a random audience member to join him on the stage. From that moment, Elsa became more focused on the show, rather than Al… who was secretly watching her. She laughed at the jester's antics and gasped whenever he did something scandalous, eventually coming to rest her head on Al's shoulder as she watched.

"Hey, look at that," Elsa pointed out and held his hand again, fingers entwining together. "I'm going to bet he's going to trip again." The jester did just that, and they both laughed along.

It was getting a little dark when the show ended, and Elsa didn't even realize it because she was enjoying Al's presence too much. "We'll have to hurry if we want to return before supper," she said as they exited the theater area. "Father will have my head if I'm not back by then."

"Are you sure? He'll have my head," Al replied with a nervous laugh. "Since he doesn't know me, and all."

"Too true," she snickered as they made for the hitching posts. "But… I think I can intercede on your behalf."

"Negotiate my pardon?" the boy asked, theatrically placing a hand on his chest. "Why, Your Highness, how scandalous of you! I am but a mere street rat, scurrying around your princessly feet!"

Elsa stifled her next laugh, smiling at this charming, wonderful idiot. "'Princessly'? How can feet be princessly—if that's actually a word in the first place?"

"As I said, I am but a mere street rat—I'm not exactly learned," Al pointed out with a smile of his own that belied the self-deprecation such words would normally have. "But if anybody's feet are, I'm sure it's yours; just… makes sense, with you being a princess and all."

"There are other princesses out there, you know," she laughed, walking closer to him. "What if they best me in a contest? Will you stand by your statement, anyway?"

The back of Al's hand bumped lightly against hers. "There's only one of you, Elsa. Of course I would! Besides, I never said yours were the only princessly feet in all the lands," he added with a little chuckle.

"True, true…" she conceded, taking his hand in hers. "Suppose I got ahead of myself there. Or is it… afoot?"

A moment of stunned silence passed before Al suddenly stepped away from her, pulling his hat further down as his shoulders shook with barely-suppressed laughter. When she touched his arm in mild concern, he couldn't suppress the ugly snort from erupting from his face, though he seemed almost irritated that he couldn't. It took a good minute or two for Al to calm down enough to look at her again, face flushed and lips curled into a broad smile.

"That… was one of the most awful japes I've ever heard!"

Elsa's cheeks grew hot, but before she could even feel self-conscious about how 'awful' it was, Al all but picked her up in an enthusiastic bear hug. It was difficult for her to feel overly embarrassed when he was clearly not at all put off by her failed attempt at humour.

"You are honestly the greatest person I've ever roamed around with," Al said, immediately giving her hands a gentle squeeze once he put her back down. "If I ever tried that with the kids, they'd just groan at me!"

Elsa giggled, and her embarrassment scattered away. "I-I'm glad you find the jape funny. Rarely would I ever attempt one."

"I must be lucky, then," Al said with a wink.

"You are. Considering you're the only person I've ever had a proper conversation with outside from the castle." Elsa hoped her voice didn't sound too nervous when he continued looking at her like that. "Well… all the suitors my father parades in front of me would think you lucky, anyway, since I haven't given any of them the slightest amount of attention."

"So does that mean I'll have a chance to marry you?" Al laughed. But Elsa didn't laugh back, and in fact stopped dead in her tracks. He stopped with her, smile falling into a worried look at her change in demeanor as he called, "Elsa?" Al took her hand, but the blonde didn't hold his. "Did I say something wrong? Did I go too far?"

I wouldn't mind marrying someone like him. The thought repeated itself over and over in her head, and Elsa tried to swallow past the lump that had risen to her throat. All she could do was flip between smiling giddily and looking vaguely shocked.

"Come on, this isn't funny," Al half-laughed, though his face was starting to look pale.

Though, completely dumbfounded at his statement, Elsa managed to smile and flick the boy against his forehead with her finger. "Silly, you know my father would never allow that."

The flick snapped him out of it, as well, and he grinned from ear to ear. "Of course he wouldn't; he's not a lunatic!"

"And neither are we… if you really think you'll be able to court me." Feeling bold, Elsa smirked at him, arching a brow in challenge.

"Elsa…" At first, she thought he was going to answer her, but instead he nodded in the direction of her horse, dead ahead of them. "W-we should probably go back before something happens to you."

Her smirk faltered, and Elsa ducked her head. "R-Right. After you, my urchin suitor."

"Don't you mean after you?" Al asked, chuckling lightly. "After all, you're the one who knows how to ride. And you're the princess, so I think that means you go first by default."

"That may be so, but I haven't forgotten earlier today when you tried getting on." He quailed under her glare, then turned and braced to be helped upward.

"I think I got it," he said the moment he had one foot in the stirrup and a hand gripping at the saddle…only to start falling backwards. "Nevermind, I don't got it!"

The blonde laughed. "Try again; I'll support you from the back." He did, and Elsa placed a hand in the small of his back, pushing gently until he was higher, and then moving it to his upper thigh for the rest of the ascent. Her face burned hotly the moment she realized the placement of her hand, but Al didn't seem to notice its location as he swung his other leg around to seat himself.

"Yes! I got it. Elsa?" Al turned to her, only to see Elsa's cheeks crimson and her stare looking all dazed. "You coming?"

"Oh, I… yes, sorry." With ease, she quickly made her way on top of the horse. "I should get you home, shouldn't I? Let's be off." Elsa grabbed the reins, only to nearly drop them when Al wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What?" he asked, when they had been sitting still for a few seconds. "Is everything alright?" He tightened his grip around her and even laid his head against her shoulder. Elsa just couldn't take it, unable to find the word to say anything when all she was concentrating right now was his touch around her body. She found herself leaning back against him, head tilting until it was resting against his.

"It is," she finally whispered.

The ride back to town was much faster compared to when they had left—probably because it was getting closer and closer to suppertime and, for all their jests, the king definitely wouldn't like his daughter out and about during nightfall. With some gentle coaxing, she was able to get Al to tell her the general area in which he made his home.

"So… I'll see you tomorrow?" Al asked, scratching his head. "I mean… I hope I could see you, anyway."

Elsa laughed behind her gloved hand, charmed with his ill-disguised eagerness. "If my father will allow me...and even if he doesn't, I'll find a way. Rest assured."

"Good, then," Al sighed in mild relief as they stood at the mouth of the alley. "Um, be careful, Princess. I'll… see you tomorrow." He waved.

But before he could leave, Elsa reached out to tug on his sleeve. From his sleeve, she let her fingers grab his, immediately entwining them together and pulling him closer.

"Elsa, wha—"

Elsa pressed her lips against Al's in a brief, chaste kiss, effectively silencing whatever he had wanted to say. The connection may have been fleeting, but in that instant she knew she had not made a mistake; his inviting mouth felt too natural against hers, too soft but flawless.

Pulling away, she could already see how wide his eyes had gotten, his lips trembling for words to say. "Thank you for today," she told him with a grin.

Turning around to hide her blushing face at throwing caution to the wind, she returned to her horse and easily mounted it. With a flick of the reins, she galloped away, leaving behind a thoroughly stunned Al to gawk after her.

Elsa couldn't help but think of how he'd looked at her, and how his lips felt against hers on her way back home. Although he had not truly responded, neither had he pushed her away, disgusted at her brazenness as most men would have been. She smiled to herself at the memory of his stunned expression gazing at her, his body frozen in front of her. Her sweet Al...

Her sweet Al… Mine…

Elsa's cheeks flushed at the possessive thought that suddenly fluttered through her mind like a whisper on the wind, and she shook her head to get rid of it. That way lies the devil's path, she admonished herself, even as her heart began to pound, blood rushing in her ears.

First thing she saw coming back to the castle were her two servants greeting her by the entrance. "Princess Elsa, you're finally back!" Gerda exclaimed. "Here, let me help you down." Elsa accepted the offer gratefully as the servant continued, "You won't have much time—your father is already on his way to the dining hall."

She smiled at her, but she was dreading the moment she would face her father on the inside. "Thank you, Gerda. I'll be there quickly." Taking a deep breath to soothe her nerves, she smoothed down the front of her dress as she made her way to the dining hall on her own.

"Ah. Elsa!" Turning her head, she saw her father approaching from another hallway, hands clasped behind his back as he smiled at her. "You're back, finally! Where have you been? Dinner is just about to start!"

Smiling with a modicum of relief, she said, "You know very well I was at the festival, Father. I told you earlier."

"Hm." He didn't look very convinced, but he probably doubted his daughter would ever lie. "Well, since you're back, we should get ready for dinner. We'll discuss your day while we eat."

Shortly thereafter, the two royal persons were seated at the table and tucking into a rich supper, one that far outstripped anything she could have acquired on the fairgrounds. "So what have you been doing today? I surely hope not spending it around deviants." Her father frowned in disgust.

Her mood was too good to hold her tongue. "Father, perhaps you shouldn't spend so much time worrying about the 'deviants'; surely it will only upset your stomach during our meal. And yes, my day has been going well. I've been spending time with… someone who's surely not a deviant."

His wine was halfway to his mouth to wash down some tidbit of food when he hesitated, eyes widening at this admission. "Someone…?" Elsa gulped, realizing how much of a mistake she was making by saying just that. "You've really met a boy, haven't you?"

"Perhaps." There was no hiding the truth, anyway; he would only have cajoled her until she confessed to why she looked as if she were dancing upon the clouds.

It caught her by surprise when Agdar let out a laugh. "My daughter has finally got someone to court her! Finally! What is his name? I'd like to meet him someday."

"Now, Father," she said, levelling her knife at him as if it were a sword. "You must promise me not to run off and have him rounded up and herded in here for you to pass judgment!"

"Oh, of course not! Though if he does end up running away…" When her eyes narrowed, he sighed and added, "Alright, alright. You have my word. But you must bring him here. I won't be able to send my daughter off to someone else if he doesn't treat her respectfully. But… since he's a prince, there should be nothing to worry about."

Her heart sank at that single word: "prince". Of course he would presume that detail. He wouldn't accept anybody else… other than a prince. She stayed quiet at that.

"Well?" he prompted a minute or so later. "His name…?"

It was quite tempting to lie and give him a fake name… but she decided she had done enough lying—she wouldn't want him to get angry again. "His name is Al."

"Al?" The man pulled at his moustache for a few seconds, probably trying to place it with someone he had met or heard of before. "Hm… is he from a small kingdom? I've heard of him before…" At this point, Elsa was beginning to sweat with every moment her father searched through his memory Until at last,. "No matter. He will stand on his own merits, not his family's acreage."

Thank God.

Elsa sighed to herself. "Of course, Father. I'm sure you'll like him." She simply couldn't help more words from bursting forth. "I've never felt this close to someone who wasn't family!"

At that, Agdar could smile freely and widely. "You really like this Al, do you? You sound quite happy."

"Oh, but I am—he doesn't treat me like some princess, but like… a princess." Ducking her head, she giggled, "Perhaps that doesn't make any sense…"

He laughed. "No, no, it makes perfect sense. I'm glad he's treating you well, but I'll have to see it with my very own eyes."

As they continued with their meal, Elsa thought to herself that indeed, he would have to see that. And she hoped he would sooner rather than later.

Thank you for contributing: iamrotting, The Wandering Quill, metaphoricalbutton, Jessica X, nopantsparade/Issandri, CanITellUSmThin, Christian nickles 3, Peanut-Butter-Bandit/idunscrewedup