Chapter 2 - Unexpected Surprises
The next morning, Anna awoke much earlier than she usually did, a rarity for her, but the maids of the castle had to be up at the crack of dawn to take care of their duties. Straightening her hair, she sat in front of her vanity, adjusting her appearance.
She had dreamed of Elsa all night, images of her older sister still zipping through her mind. The shape of her body, the curves of her flesh, Elsa was a goddess to Anna, but Anna was still unsure of these feelings. Were sisters supposed to feel that way?
Sure, she could have just attributed it to being the first time she had spoken to Elsa in a while, as well as getting a good look at her for the first time in years, but it felt more than just mere shock. Anna was very much attracted to Elsa, as much as she hated to admit it.
Before Anna could think about her struggle any further, there was a knock at her door, and a kindly, elderly voice called to her from behind it. "Princess? Are you in there?"
"Yes, I'm here Gerda!" Anna responded, calling back. "I'm just getting my hair done!"
The door opened, revealing a rather proportioned, older woman with grey hair and a kind smile. She walked into the room and looked at the wig on Anna's desk, stroking it. "Was this comfortable for you, Princess?"
"It was a perfect disguise, Gerda," Anna stated, grinning. Gerda was the head maid of the castle and the only one who knew of Anna's secret identity. It had been a big effort to ask of Gerda to get Anna on the maid staff in the first place, but it had been well worth it.
As Gerda helped the princess put on her wig, she smiled at her. "So... how was your first night with your sister?"
"A-ma-zing!" Anna chirped. "It was so cool just talking to her like she was my friend again. She was super nice to me... I just wish she wasn't stuck in that room all the time."
"You know the princess and your parents made their decision years ago," Gerda reminded Anna. "But... I'm glad you get to be with her again, even if it is not how you would like." She smiled, getting Anna dressed into her uniform. "Come on, you should be getting down for morning register. Don't want the other girls suspecting anything."
"Quite right," Anna agreed, taking on the persona of Greta once again.
Gerda and Anna headed down to the maid's quarters in the castle, where most of the other servant girls lived and stayed in the castle. In order to not draw attention to Anna, Gerda had explained that Anna had a residence in the city.
As they walked into the room, Anna noticed the other servant girls standing to attention against the wall. They were all around her age and firmly committed to their duties, and then was Anna, who was only in this to see Elsa again, but she did her best to keep up.
Standing beside another young servant girl Anna took her place as Gerda read out the register. As each girl responded to their name, the girl next to Anna smirked at her. "Morning, Greta. Enjoy your first night on the job?"
"Oh, it was amazing!" Anna chirped. "But I kinda do feel a bit tired though. I stayed up waaay too late talking to the princess."
The other girl chuckled. "You sure you're up to the night shift? Wouldn't want Gerda catching you sleeping on the job."
"I'm alright, Essi," Anna responded. Essi was a new maid, much like Anna, with hair a blonde shade similar to Elsa's. Of course, she was much younger than Anna's older sister, During her first days of training, Anna and Essi had become fast friends.
Essi was very similar to Anna in terms of personality. Fun, optimistic, always wanting to do her best, but there was always a mischievous side to her that Anna adored. She was particularly fun to be around, reminding her of when she and Elsa were children.
After the register was taken, Gerda then addressed the girls. "Okay girls, I know it's the middle of summer and you're all feeling a bit hot and bothered, but we have a duty to the crown and Princess Elsa, so I want you to work your best. Do I make myself clear?"
All the girls nodded. "Yes, Ma'am!" they all responded in unison.
Smiling, Gerda then read out the duties that all the girls would need to attend to that day. "Okay, so first up this morning is Mari and Ingrid, you'll be assisting the kitchen staff, while Patti and Sera, you'll be taking care of cleaning the bedrooms. Greta, Essi, you'll be on laundry duty, but you may have the afternoon off to rest and prepare for your night shift. Is that alright with you girls?"
Anna was personally alright with that schedule. After all, she didn't want to turn up at Elsa's room that night exhausted beyond belief. Along with the other girls, she agreed to those duties.
"Okay, you have your duties girls! See to it that they get done," Gerda then stated. "Dismissed!"
As the girls then piled out of the room, Anna and Essi left together, heading to the washroom to perform their duties. As they walked down the corridor, Essi stopped them for a second, a grin on her face. "So... you wanna go out into town this afternoon?"
"After our shifts are up?" Anna inquired. "Sure... I don't see why not. It's been ages since I went out of the castle... with a friend, obviously."
Essi chuckled. "That's the spirit, and plus, you've got the whole afternoon to yourself. We can just relax till it's time for the night shift."
"I'll drink to that," Anna admitted. "If I did drink that is." She giggled, as she and her new friend headed down the corridor, eager to begin their morning duties.
xXx
After their morning duties were done, Anna and Essi headed out of the castle and into the town, hoping to get a break from servant life. Both of them had changed out of their uniforms and into casual dresses, but Anna kept her wig on. It was for the best that no one recognised her.
As Essi was leading them along towards the high street, Anna could only stop to gaze at the city around her. She couldn't admit it to her new friend, but this was, in fact, the first time that Anna had been out in the city like this. All these buildings were such a new sight to her.
It had been a long day for them both, sorting out laundry from all over the castle. Anna had been given the pleasure of washing her own clothes, helping her come to the realisation she needed to take a few more baths than she should have.
Stretching her arms in relief, Essi headed down the road yawning. "Man, am I glad I get the rest of the day off. Too bad you've still got your night shift later."
"Hey, it's alright," Anna replied. "I quite enjoyed it last night."
Smirking, Essi then looked at Anna. "So... what was she like?"
"What was who like?" Anna asked, slightly confused, but she already had a good idea who Essi was referring to.
"Princess Elsa, you dork!" Essi teased, ruffling Anna's wig, with the other girl having to try her best not to let her friend pull her disguise off. "What was she like? They say only the most elite of the castle staff have ever seen her."
Anna paused for a moment. In truth, Elsa was nothing like what she had expected. She had thought Elsa as the cold, unfeeling girl who had pushed her out all those years ago, but instead Elsa was a kind, friendly young woman, with a gorgeous body to boot.
"Well... she was quite nice and friendly. She asked me for my name and we talked and such," Anna explained. "She really is like a princess. I just wish she could get out of that room more often."
"Yeah, did you ask her why she's always in there?" Essi asked. "No one's really sure why the Princess suddenly shut herself away. Some say she had a big fight with her sister Anna years ago and that's why they've been apart."
Anna scowled. "Who says things like that?!" She exclaimed. "I'm sure the princesses, despite being apart, have the perfect sibling relationship."
"Woah take it easy!" Essi calmed her down. "It's only just some silly rumour. I don't believe it either, but when the crown princess of the kingdom suddenly shuts herself out from the world, people start to talk, you know?"
Sighing, Anna looked over at her friend. "Sorry... I can just be a little defensive about the royal family. After all, they represent us as a people, so naturally, I'm a little offended when I hear shit like that."
"Hey, it's okay," Essi apologised. "Personally, I wish I could see the two princesses be buddies again. From what I heard from the other servant girls, they spent so much time together." She smiled. "But, we can talk about it later. Wanna head to the markets and get something to eat? I'm starving!"
"Sure," Anna agreed.
Soon, the two of them walked into the town square, where there was quite a bit of activity going on, with people coming to and fro, from the ports, to the markets and to all over the city. Anna was completely in awe of the sight before her, so many buildings around her, so many people.
Looking back at Anna as they entered the markets, Essi chuckled. "Come on, Greta, no use staring off into space back there."
"Sorry!" Anna apologised, running alongside Essi. "It's just I can get lost in my surroundings a lot. I've never seen this place be so busy before."
Essi smiled. "Hey, I know how it feels. Life in the big city can be quite an experience for some people."
You have no idea, Anna said in her thoughts. The two then headed through the market stalls, with Anna taking note of all the various items and foods that were on sale. Some items had been brought from all over the world to be sold here, introducing Anna to the concept of trade.
Sighing as she looked through the markets, Anna groaned, faking her disappointment at a gemstone stall. "Gosh, these jewels look so pretty. I'd never afford it on my salary."
"You don't need jewels to look pretty," Essi reminded her. "Natural beauty comes from the heart."
"I know, I know," Anna accepted. She wished she could buy the jewels though. A necklace like the blue one she was holding in her hand would be a perfect present to give to Elsa.
Eventually, though, the two maids moved down the markets to the food area, where Essi immediately went to buy something from a stall selling fresh pastries. Meanwhile, Anna decided to indulge in a favourite treat of her own. The sweet taste of chocolate.
Heading to one nearby stall that was selling chocolates, Anna found herself very spoilt for choice. While she eventually chose a great amount of chocolate for herself, she decided to buy a few bars of milk chocolate, apparently imported from Corona.
Milk chocolate was Elsa's favourite, if Anna's memory served her right. What perfect gift that would be indeed. After buying her gifts and treats, Anna soon met up with Essi at the waterfront, the other girl sat on a bench by a railing that overlooked the port.
There weren't that many ships in the harbour that day, but there was plenty of beautiful sunshine and the water by the city seemed calm and peaceful. Taking her seat, Anna took a glance at nature in its purest, most beautiful form.
This was the world Elsa deserved to see one day, if Anna could eventually convince her to get out of that room of hers.
As Anna sat down, Essi smirked at her. "What you got there, Greta?"
"Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate," Anna responded, grinning as she took out a small chocolate cookie and helped herself to it.
Rolling her eyes a little, Essi smiled and sat back, biting into her pastry. As the two friends sat together, they watched the scenery in front of them unfold, taking in the afternoon sun and enjoying their well earned afternoon off.
After finishing her pastry, Essi looked over back at the markets, smiling. "It felt good to be back in the markets again."
"You've been there before?" Anna assumed.
"Only a few times," Essi explained. "But I used to see stalls like that all the time where I grew up. I didn't grow up in Arendelle, you see."
"Oh? Then where did you grow up?" Anna inquired, eager to know more about her friend's life.
"In Reykrost," Essi said. "It's a big city deep in the mountains. My family owned a small store there, selling clothes and such. Dad always wanted me to take over the business, but I knew my life would probably be a bit boring stuck behind a counter."
"Why did you move to Arendelle and become a servant?"
"Mostly because it was a new experience for me," Essi explained. "There's just something about being a part of a royal household that makes me feel good, you know? It's like I'm making a difference and doing something for the good of the kingdom."
"That's a really noble way of looking at things," Anna admitted, smiling softly. "Truth be told, I'm doing this for similar reasons. I know that together, we'll do good for the royal family."
"And each other," Essi admitted. "You're a good friend to me, Greta. I wouldn't want anything to change between us."
Anna blushed softly, resonating with Essi's kind words. "Y-You mean that? I mean... We're just servant girls. There isn't really much to go on between us."
"We've got the times like this," Essi told her. "And the moments we share with each other day to day." She smiled. "Besides, you look like you're the kind of girl who could use a few friends, not just me and the princess."
Being reminded of Elsa again, Anna wondered about her feelings for Elsa again, as well as the words Essi was saying. She remembered all the fond memories of herself and Elsa and that even though many things had changed, she still treasured Elsa, but now, she felt something more towards her sister.
"About that," Anna then spoke. "Essi... Can I confess something to you?"
"You can confess anything you want to me, Greta," Essi said. "Trust me, I'm here for you, no matter what."
"O-okay," Anna gulped, closing her eyes and concentrating. "It's just... I think I might be starting to find girls... attractive. I think I'm... a lesbian... Or bisexual... I'm not sure yet. All I know is that when I close my eyes, I'm really starting to imagine a girl in my life, one to care for me."
Essi smiled. "Well, to be honest, Anna... I'm actually into girls as well. I'm a lesbian too, so... I guess that's another thing we have in common."
"Yeah," Anna agreed, smiling proudly. "So... if I ever find myself a girlfriend... would you be my wingwoman?"
Giggling, Essi playfully nudged Anna's arm. "Of course I will, you cute dork. We're best buddies, we'll always look out for each other."
Feeling happy with herself, Anna lay back and watched the peaceful fjord in front of them, enjoying the company of her new friend. If Essi's words had helped her today, it would be that she finally had closure on what her sexuality was... and how she might be perceiving her dear sister.
xXx
That night, Anna, having changed back into her maid uniform, made her way down to Elsa's bedroom to attend to her new nightly duties. She held the bar of chocolate wrapped under her apron, concealing it from view. She knew Elsa would be delighted by the gift.
She couldn't wait to see Elsa again, to tell her all about her day. Of course, Elsa knew her only as Greta the maid now, but deep inside, Anna would always be Anna. Eventually, Anna was at Elsa's door, turning the knob and letting herself in.
"Princess?" She called out, hoping to get Elsa's attention. "It's me, Greta! I've come to perform shift, your highness. I hope you don't mind."
Strangely, Anna couldn't find Elsa anywhere. The Princess's bedroom wasn't that large, but still, it was odd how Elsa had managed to hide herself in the room, in the pitch darkness.
Suddenly, Anna then found Elsa, standing by the window, moonlight bathing her appearance in an ethereal glow. While Anna had found the princess, it was not in a manner she had expected. Elsa was in fact, save for her gloves, completely stark naked.
Gasping, Anna covered her mouth and blushed furiously. Elsa was a complete goddess without her clothes. Anna had only got a glimpse of Elsa's back the other night, but being greeted with Elsa's stunning, beautiful form like this was like some strange dream come true.
There were no doubts for Anna now. She was a hopeless lesbian who was very much attracted to her older sister... and she was completely okay with that.
Just then, Elsa saw that Anna had entered the room. "Oh!" Elsa exclaimed, covering herself up with a towel. "My apologies, Greta. I must have lost track of time. I just came out of the shower." She sighed. "I hope I didn't startle you."
Trying her best not to make the Princess uncomfortable, Anna tried her best to look away from Elsa. It was hard not to look at Elsa's breathtaking body, but Anna managed her best. "I-It's alright, Princess, there's no need for you to apologise."
Elsa then walked over to the bed and removed her gloves, placing them in the chest of drawers in the bedroom. She then flopped onto the bed and smiled. "May I have a backrub again, please? It really did help me last night."
Gulping, Anna nodded. "Um... sure." She then held out her hands and started to massage the creamy flesh of Elsa's back. She let herself stare, since Elsa's face was not looking directly at her. Elsa's skin was cold, yet so soothing to the touch.
Her hands kneaded the princesses' skin, pushing out all the stresses and worries of the day and allowing the blonde to relax heavenly. Elsa moaned in pleasure, enjoying the care her new maid was providing her. Once Anna had finished her massage, Elsa sat up and Anna did the usual routine of helping her put on her nightgown and placing her into bed.
Resting her head back, Elsa smiled at Anna with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Greta. You truly are a kind and good girl."
Blushing, Anna bowed respectfully to Elsa. "I only live to serve you and to put a smile on your face, Princess Elsa," she stated. Realising this was a good opportunity, she then started to reach under her apron, to pull out her surprise for the princess.
Raising her eyebrow, Elsa was curious as to what Anna was actually doing. "What are you doing, Greta?"
Taking her hand out from her apron, Anna revealed the bars of chocolate she had brought for Elsa. Smiling at her, she placed them in her hand. "I was out with my friend Essi today in the markets and decided to buy these for you. Your sister Anna told me these were your favourites."
Elsa smiled before taking the chocolate. "Oh... milk, my favourite." She sighed. "I see Anna still remembers that." She looked at the maid in front of her, eager to hear more. "Tell me... how is my sister these days? I see her so very rarely now."
"I'm afraid I only spoke to her for a few seconds today," Anna answered, slightly feeling hurt in her heart at the sight of Elsa missing her. "But she does still care about you. She said she loved you very much, Princess. She hopes to be friends with you again."
"As do I," Elsa expressed. "I wish I could go and see her but... but..." She sniffled and tears started to fall down her cheeks. "I'm sorry if this is a bit awkward... but could you give me a hug?"
Smiling, Anna gladly did as Elsa requested. "It would be my pleasure, princess." She then sat on the bed and wrapped her arms around Elsa, hugging her tightly. She let the blonde girl cry into her arms, stroking her back softly.
Sighing, Elsa pulled away and touched foreheads with Greta. "Thank you... I think I should be resting now." She smiled. "But thank you for the chocolate, Greta."
"It's nothing, Princess, you deserve to be treated every once in a while," Anna responded. She then started to walk out of the room, but before she did, Elsa called her back.
"Wait," Elsa said. "Before you go... could you promise me one thing?"
"What is it?" Anna wondered.
Blushing, Elsa looked down. "If you... if you see my sister again. Could you tell her something for me? It's quite important."
"Of course," Anna agreed, smiling proudly. "What should I tell her?"
"Tell her... tell her that I love her too, and I too want us to be friends again, but it might be some time before that happens. Tell her to be patient and wait for me."
Nodding with confidence, Anna agreed. "I'll do that for you, Princess. I promise you." She smiled and closed the door. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Greta," Elsa replied, tucking herself into the covers as the two women parted ways, Elsa completely unaware that her sister Anna was in fact much, much closer than she thought.
Heading back to her room, Anna held her hands to her chest. She loved Elsa so much and whatever pain she was suffering from, she would help her with it. No matter what, Anna would always be there for her sister, whether she was Princess Anna or Greta the maid, she would be there... because Anna loved her dear older sister.
xXx
Author's note: For anyone wondering, Essi is just an OC of mine I made for this particular fic.
