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Now, the Dutch Queen wasn't too different from Elsa. She was familiar with magic as it ran in the bloodline, yet she and Margaret had seemingly been unaffected by it, and led quite normal lives.
Maxine had been forced to take the responsibilities of Queen when their father died three years ago. Their mother had been devastated. So seeing the responsibilities and loss of her husband was nearly impossible to bear, Maxine had begun to take on the royal duties.
Her father had taught her well, and even though Margaret acted carefree and was four years younger, she was just as Queen ready as her older more graceful sister.
Maxine was 23 when she had her coronation, her mother had been hesitant of the leap her oldest daughter was so willing to take. "Mother, you'll be here to help me, teach us how to fill your footsteps." She had replied confidently, before the decision had been made.
When she had been 'Queen in training' the proposal letters she received were infuriating, "She just lost the love of her life...leave the woman alone." She growled after reading the first few, but the fourth had been one for her.
Her stomach twisted at the thought of being married off for financial or political security. The painted image of it being to an old man didn't help at all.
Maxine tossed it into the fire, followed by others. 'Absolutely not! That's my cousin, I can't marry someone with kids, he's 14 no.' she reasoned with herself, not putting anymore thought into the progressively absurd excuses she had created as reasons to fuel the fire.
"Dani are you okay? You seem stressed, more than you should be." Marie asked her sister as they curled up in front of the fireplace a few weeks later. Maxine's eyes flickered to the window, the deep purple curtains didn't completely hide the outside world. Determined snowflakes blew against the window, trying to find a way in.
Maxine didn't want to open her curtains, the world was too ...unpredictable. Danger could come to her family and she didn't want to let that happen.
She pulled her gaze down to her younger sister, lips twitching at the familiar grey-blue eyes. "I don't want to burden you too..." The older princess managed to reply, unexpected tears welling in her hazel eyes. She shut them in hopes of blocking the tears and sudden emotions.
"Dani, please I want to help." Marie begged softly, afraid her sister was going to go into one of her 'Leave me alone, I need space' episodes.
The older sister opened her mouth to do just that, but stopped 'She isn't going to be here forever...you're going to miss these moments Max. She's trying...you should too.' Her mind pleaded.
"Suitors, Mary I can't...it's never ending." Maxine suddenly broke down as she revealed one of her problems. Tears streaking the freckled cheeks as she leaned into her younger sister. Marie quickly pulled her sister into her chest and stretched out on the sofa.
"Go ahead Dani," She coaxed, amazed her shy sister seeked comfort in her. Maxine had always hid her feelings, the ones she thought were embarrassing.
She took in a shaky breath. "It's infuriating because Mom just lost the love of her life, and people don't care. I don't like any of them. There's something wrong with me Mary." Margaret was barely able to make out the last phrase as she began to sob harder. " We lost Dad, and I don't want to lose you too. I love you too much."
'Lose me? Why would she lose me?' A sudden realization sent shivers down her spine, despite the roaring fireplace in front of them. 'They want me too. Probably for an asset of some sort...or just one to toy with.' Marie nearly gagged, 'Dani is taking on this huge responsibility, the least you could do is get married and provide an heir if needed. Someone gracious enough to support South Holland in the long run...one that actually loves you.'
"I'll always be with you sis, and there is nothing wrong with you. Why would you say that?!" She decided to keep the decision to herself for now, more worried about her sister's grief.
Maxine quieted down, sitting up at the last response, and Marie waited for the familiar heartbreaking phrase. Yet it didn't come. " I'm not finding any of these suitors appealing. Don't kill me, but I even had one from King Davíd." She cringed knowing her little sister had crushed on him for years.
"What did you do with it? Oh! A god if ever I did see one. Boy, my eyes are bless-ed everytime I see your divine body...mmm." Marie gushed as she leaned her head over the arm rest.
"I burned it Mary." Maxine held back a giggle, her tears fading as she enjoyed her younger sister's dramatics. 'If she hadn't been born into royalty, she would've definitely been a stage actress.' She often thought.
"Oh my ovaries! They're crying. You're so lucky you're gorgeous. I look like a bush troll on a bad day." Marie exclaimed as she finally sat up to face her giggling sister.
"Exactly, bush trolls are cute. I don't know what's going on with me, but I'm glad you're here to help me figure it out."
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"Okay, meet me in here when you're done talking to your sister and getting ready. Gerda is bringing the leftover snacks from the ball, so we'll have plenty of chocolate. Oh, and it'll probably be easiest to convince them to go for a walk in the gardens. It's beautiful at night, and Elsa visits it quite often." Anna and Marie had been sitting on the oversized bed in one of the empty guest rooms, still dressed from the ball that ended ten minutes ago.
"Right, my sister enjoys graceful walks in the moonlight. I'll get her down there, no worries. We should probably hurry, if your sister is anything like mine, she'll be out in about fifteen minutes if you don't intervene." Marie laughed at how lame they were, 'Who could fall asleep when there's so much to bond over?' she wondered, hopping off the bed with a bounce.
Anna nodded in agreement, thoughts running along the same track. "Absolutely, let's go." The bed bounced again as the redhead copied the Queen's movement. 'Oh we're so jumping on that later.' A rush of excitement ran through her as they left the sleepover room.
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"Els?" Anna knocked once before simply entering, still overjoyed at the 'Open Door Pact' they had created five years ago.
"Hey snow angel, finally winding down from the ball? You were a little wound up with your twin earlier, I was worried you two would strangle each other out of excitement." Elsa teased with a smirk, patting the open mattress beside her.
Five years ago she wouldn't have been so openly inviting, her efforts to be close with Anna were barely noticable then. An arm twitch for a hug, or a shift on the sofa to offer a seat. Things had been getting a lot better, they shared so much together now, Anna new she could talk to Elsa about her feelings.
"Ha ha." Anna rolled her eyes playfully, the dip of the mattress very familiar as she sat down. "Yeah I guess we'd better be careful tonight. We're having a sleep over." She revealed, crossing her legs to get more comfortable. The knee resting against her lap didn't phase Elsa either, in fact she gently placed a cool hand on the fabric covered knee and looked at Anna.
The seriousness made Anna's heart beat faster as she thought of the mistakes she had make in the last 12 hours. 'That vase, oh then the one in the lounge, sneaking snacks saved for the Ball, accidentally tripping that one ambassador from...whos-a-what-sen, swallowing chocolate whole...' Anna laughed nervously as she waited for the blonde's comment.
"Anna. You can't sleep with someone you've just met." The seriousness was so well played, it never faltered, so Anna looked at her sister in utter disbelief, mouth agape and eyebrows lowered in confusion.
It lasted for about three long seconds, ended by a chortle from the Snow Queen.
"Elsa! That was innapropriate!" The princess scolded, yet was unable to hold back the laughter bubbling in her chest. There had been a few of these moments, when Elsa felt comfortable enough to make one of those jokes.
The jokes or comments somehow always managed to retain a regal stature from the woman they came from, and they were never too innapropriate.
"Oh, the look on your face was priceless Anna. It was the perfect set up, I couldn't let it go." She joked causing them both to laugh, falling back into the pillows with a sigh.
'Okay Els, you asked for it.' The younger sister smirked to herself, "Yeah I'd say You and Dani could have a sleep over, but that comment would actually apply for you." Anna got her sister back with an even better jab, and the gasp it resulted in was proof.
"ANNA BJORGMAN!" A screech followed as a pillow wacked her for the embarrassing assumption.
After a brief pillow fight they laid back down to catch their breath. 'Hurry you have the chance' The redhead realized, quickly seizing the moment. "Is she just going to be a friend?" Anna shyly asked her sister, gently resting her head on the pale shoulder below her.
Elsa couldn't help but smile softly and reach for one of the warmer hands as she formed an answer. "I think she's going to be my friend." She explained as simply as possible.
The way her hand was being fiddled with told Anna there was a lot more on on her mind. 'She doesn't know if Maxine swings that way. She's definitely going out to the gardens later. I'm not going to mention it because then she'll be suspicious.'
"Okay well, good luck Els. I'm always rooting for you." Anna concluded her little mission and trip to say good night.
"Thanks Anna," Elsa sat up with Anna and gently kissed her temple. " Good night snow angel, I love you." She smiled, always thankful for the ability to interact with her sister.
The princess embraced her troubled older sister, "Of course Els, good night, I love you too."
"No jumping on the guest bed Anna." Elsa ordered as her sister slipped out of the room. She knew the silence that followed, before the '"What? I didn't hear that." humming' down the hall, wasn't a good sign.
'Oh Anna, you two will be a whole new species of monkeys jumping on the bed.'
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"Dani, you should hang out with Elsa. Anna and I are having a sleepover, and I don't want you to be lonely." Marie explained, seeing her sister had retired to their room for the night.
She sifted through her clothes and pulled out a night gown and robe, making her way behind the changing screen.
"What? No. I mean I like her and all, but that seems clingy." Maxine frowned, her heart fluttered, but the anxiety had got the best of her. 'She'd find me annoying and would never want to talk again. Maybe she's hanging out with someone else.'
The voice behind the screen interrupted her thoughts, "No it's not. That's how you start a relationship...you hang out."
A blush rose to the older sister's cheeks at the R- word, thankfully her sister couldn't see. 'With Elsa?' "Relationship? Absolutely not, I'll stay right here." She sat on the bed, already dressed in her night gown. 'Don't imagine anything with her. She is just a friend.'
"I never said it had to be romantic... unless you want it to be?" Marie raised a suggestive eyebrow, coming out from the changing screen with a pink robe on.
"Stop...Mary. I've never felt like this- well to this extent... I don't know what to do."
'I need space.' She nearly said out of habit, but that phrase had died when Marie moved away to Saalborg nearly a year ago. Luckily it hadn't been too far, and they were able to take the three day trip to visit each other.
"You need space? That's perfectly fine, Anna said the gardens are beautiful and peaceful at night. Maybe a walk will help you think. " Maxine was shocked as her sister offered her silent request.
"Yeah, thanks for understanding Mary. I think I'll take up that suggestion. It sounds relaxing." The older queen opened a drawer and pulled out a dress-like purple robe for over her gown. "Thanks Mary, Love you. Have fun, but not too much."
"Okay, Love you too sis. Night." Marie slipped out the door, a smile of accomplishment gracing her lightly freckled cheeks, and a bounce in her step as she made her way to the guest room.
'I hope you have fun too Dani.'
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Oh, I nearly die laughing every time I read 'I burned it, Mary.' just thought you should know...and am I the only one to find it funny?