Wow, glad to see it was so well received :) I'll continue with it then. Thanks to everyone who favorited and put it on their watch-list, along with my one review - I appreciate it greatly. Let's continue, shall we?
This chapter has been updated!
By the time that the large grandfather clock behind her struck ten, Elsa's feet were throbbing. Anna had shoved her into the arms of bachelor after bachelor, and it seemed to be turning into a courting session rather than an enjoyable evening. While she had been trying to pay attention, the majority of them seemed to be fools. Compared to Elsa, they were nothing but inarticulate bubbles, floating around the room and sprouting nonsense about this or that, gossiping and petty in only the way men seemed able to achieve. Some of them were particularly batty, applying to one such man who boasted about owning a unicorn, of all things. Even so, none of them seemed to have a heart that fit Elsa's kingdom.
'At least,' she thought to herself, 'the ballroom looks gorgeous' - Anna really had outdone herself.
Long, pastel-shaded streamers were strung from chandelier to chandelier, some of which sparkled gently, providing an almost fairy-like effect. Beneath them lay table after table, which were covered in creamy white tablecloth, and topped with a vase bursting with several kinds of flowers. It almost looked as if Anna had cut up the whole garden to fill each one. That being said, Elsa hoped she actually didn't. Around the walls, strings of flowers were hung and fluttered softly in the cool breeze coming from open windows. A large string band was playing upbeat, springtime songs, which filled the room with inextinguishable warmth.
It made Elsa all the more uncomfortable and out of place. The looks and stares, soft murmurings about monsters had not ceased, and she now sat freezing and unfreezing her glass of water beside her, in an attempt to remain calm and controlled.
A tap on the shoulder broke her from her daze. She had been sitting, rather unflatteringly so, atop a throne at the head of the room. The throne had been garnished with white lilies, which framed Elsa's pale face rather nicely. Elsa righted herself quickly, and turned to see whom the tap had come from. Another prince looked down at her, and smiled.
"Your Highness, may I have this dance?" He said in a baritone voice, which was as smooth as chocolate. Bright green, almost fluorescent, eyes were framed by honey-toned hair and paired with a cutting jawline and pink, thin lips. All in all, almost a catch.
"Why, it would be my pleasure." Elsa smiled, showing off her dazzling pearly whites, and taking his hand. She rose from the throne gracefully and descended the platform, heading out onto the ballroom floor. They began a slow, meaningful waltz, much like the people surrounding them.
"So," he grinned, looking down at her, "you've danced with quite a number of men tonight."
"And?" She met his gaze with the demanding curiosity it seemed only a queen could have, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, quite obviously-" He paused for a moment to spin her gently "You're looking for a suitor."
"Really. Is it that obvious? Wow, I never would have known." Elsa remarked sarcastically, rolling her icy eyes. This one did seem rather straight and to the point with his intentions - not dodging around it with uncomfortable sexual innuendoes. 'Yes, pumps are rather grand, but you must FLOWER them accordingly. My pump, as it seems, is definitely in need of some flowering.' One had cheekily remarked, while another put, rather bluntly 'So, my castle or yours?'.
She shook herself from her reverie. "No, no, my sister is playing matchmaker this evening. I didn't mean to put off the impression that I was quite so desperate for companionship.
"I didn't mean any insult your Majesty, it was merely an observation." He smiled, as they continued to glide. A few meters away from them, Kristoff and Anna danced happily. Olaf slid around by their ankles.
"Of course, my apologies. Just, some of those potential suitors aren't exactly the best of people." She jerked her head towards the man who had asked her if she wanted to "take a ride on his unicorn", where he was standing amongst a group.
"Ooh, Lord Ellington? Yes, our families have been friends for years now - he really does have that unicorn he's so fond of."
"I'll believe it when I see it." She laughed, and he joined in. For a moment, all seemed right with the world, and as they spun and talked on, a friendship seemed to form between them.
When they finally broke apart, she curtsied and he bowed, and waved over a rather dapper man who stood along the wall. "I'd like you to meet someone."
"I never did catch your name." She smiled as a man approached them.
"I'm insulted, your Majesty. Was our love truly so fleeting that you ne'er thought twice of me again?" He adopted a heartbroken expression. Realization dawned on the Snow Queen.
"Oh gods above, Dylan!" She exclaimed, and then laughed. He extended his arms in a hug, and she stifled her discomfort, throwing her arms around him.
"Prince Dylan Riverdale, of the Riverdale's of Riverdale, ruling over Riverdale for centuries." He droned, as if he were reading from a textbook, and Elsa stifled a giggle, "And this handsome gentleman," he smiled, taking the man's arm, "Is my boyfriend Prince Harold Ardmore, of Kinston." Harold extended his buff arm and smiled warmly at Elsa.
Elsa was shocked momentarily, but broke into a smile and took Harold's hand into hers. So this was what Anna had mentioned earlier in the evening. "Lovely to meet you, Harold. I'm Queen Elsa, of Arendelle, but you're welcome to just call me Elsa.
"Of course, Elsa." smiled Dylan, as Harry added, "Just call us Dylan and Harold. Or, Harry, for me, if you prefer. I'm rather alright with anything."
"Excellent," Elsa chuckled, "It was lovely dancing with you and seeing you again Dylan, as well as meeting you, Harry." She smiled as they walked off.
"ELSA." Anna shouted as she collided into her sister.
"Woah!" Elsa said, quickly catching herself and steadying her sister. "What was that all about, Anna?" she said, looking at her sister with less concern and more annoyance.
"I'm sorry Elsa, I just thought that maybe…" Anna trailed off, mumbling rapidly.
"Slow down, and say that again." Elsa said softly.
"Ok, right, sorry." Anna took a deep breath, and began again, "Well, I think you should address the people. All the other kings and queens do it, and it's just to make sure everyone is having a good time and nobody is too drunk to stand up."
"Err…" Elsa glanced at the crowds. They all seemed to be having a fine enough time without her interruption. "I don't really thinks that's so necessary, Anna."
"Elsa, it's etiquette. You of all people value that the most."
The girl had a point.
Elsa bent over to address her announcer, who turned to the ballroom and bellowed.
"Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle, requests an audience with her distinguished guests."
There was a soft shuffle as people turned to face her, followed by dead silence. Anna stood beside Elsa, and almost melted under the gazes of three hundred people - how Elsa could stand this pressure, she had no clue.
Meanwhile, the Snow Queen froze as she gathered the words to address her guests with. It took a jab from Anna to kick-start her speech.
"Honored Guests. Amongst you are Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Lords and Ladies, Dukes and Duchesses – And yet here we stand, tonight, as equals." Elsa's voice was strong and unwavering. "Spring is a time for new beginnings, something I wish to take full advantage of." There was a soft murmur that rippled through the crowd, mingled with a few chuckles.
"While I was thrust into this position of power, rather abruptly, I have grown to accept and will attempt to be the very best Queen I can be to my people. I understand that most, if not all of you are aware of my abilities – but I have come to think of them as an advantage, rather than a setback. In other news, Arendelle shall never experience a drought again." That earned her a bit of laughter.
"I know my abilities came upon you all as something wicked and awful, something terrifying and to be feared. This is not the case – my powers are not witchcraft, and not a curse. They are a gift, one I intend to use to help rather than harm my people. In this spring celebration, I would like to welcome all of you to ask any questions, and to quell any rumors that have started and spread because of my powers. I would like to invite and challenge all of you to do these things for yourselves as well. Tonight, we will learn to accept each other, in a new beginning for the ages. Tonight, we will all have our fresh start. I challenge you all to speak to those you haven't spoken to much before, to introduce yourselves and your passions, to represent your nations and lands as best as you can." A round of applause filled the room, and Elsa smiled, her cheeks tinted with pink.
"Perhaps I'll start us off. My name is Elsa. I am the Queen of Arendelle, and have been ruling for a mere eight months. I do enjoy the company of a good book, as well as a good friend. I love my sister with a passion, and would do anything to ensure her happiness. I enjoy watching my people learn and grow, and I love to learn and grow myself. I hope to watch you all learn and grow tonight as well. Thank you, and enjoy the evening." Once again, applause erupted throughout the room, and Elsa caught Dylan sending her a wink and had to cover her mouth with her fingers to ensure she wouldn't laugh.
She watched, a grin spreading across her frozen cheeks, as her guests turned to one another and began conversing. Laughter began to escalate through the room, and even though the band was not set to start back up for the next quarter of an hour or so, the merriment in the room seemed to provide music in itself. Men flirted and women blushed, playful swats on the arms were exchanged. Older couples laughed as they reintroduced themselves, a touch of youth returning to their wrinkled faces and wizened eyes. A wave of waiters slid out of the kitchens, carrying with them fine alcohols and hors d'oeuvres. People ate and drank and became one, and Elsa was enchanted with their commitment and enthusiasm. The attendees were enjoying this – accepting this fresh start and using it to their full advantage. Anna's fingers intertwined with hers, breaking Elsa's fixation on the partygoers.
"Did you seriously come up with that on the spot?"
Elsa laughed. "I mulled over what I was going to say for a moment or two while I made my decision to speak. Why?"
"We have some serious queening happening up here." Kristoff joked coming up from behind Elsa to wrap her in a hug. Anna laughed as Elsa flinched slightly, before leaning back into it, allowing a small smile onto her face.
"Mama and Papa would have loved this, Elsa." Anna grinned. "Gods above, you are going to be one hell of a queen. Look at the control you have over them!" She giggled.
'Because you still scare them.'
The thought flitted through her mind, gone as quickly as it arrived. It only took that split second, though, before the others came in a torrential downpour of negativity.
'You thought a stupid speech would change their opinions of you?'
'Only a monster tries this hard to change people's opinions of her.'
'Are you a try-hard, Elsa? A monster? Exactly.'
'Notice how none of them have come up to you?'
'You probably just lead all of the eligible bachelors into other girls' arms. Smooth move, Snow Queen.'
"You know what?" Elsa said, removing herself from Kristoff's embrace. "It's rather warm in here, must be all the dancing." She chuckled, waving off Anna's concerned look. "I'll just go for a quick turn around the gardens, and be right as rain in no time." Ignoring the worried glances from her loved ones; Elsa quickly strolled out, into the night.
Helloooo Dylan and Harry, fancy seeing you two here. Can't wait to see what you two will be up... to. Thanks soosososososoososos much for reading, and until next chapter, lovelies!