"Come walk with me." Elsa offered as the party started to disperse. Somehow Merida had made it through the meal without spilling her brain everywhere like she normally did. They had talked like they were the best of old friends, but Merida knew they weren't fouling Elsa's watchful sister.

The Princess's glares throughout the lunch had made her message more than clear. No one could know about what happened the night before. Including Elsa.

Merida pondered whether that could really be the right thing in the silent moments as they walked out to the castle gardens. The Queen should know of her own actions.

The air was fresh and still cool with the last whispers of spring. Dignitaries wandered about the garden, though most of it was vacant. Still, they would not be alone.

"How are you feeling since last night?" Merida broached the topic hesitantly. Elsa let a splinter of suspicion run through her eyes, but it resided quickly.

"A bit of a headache, but not too bad. I just wish I knew what had occurred." Though the air between them was at least comfortable and friendly, Elsa hadn't dropped her regality. Merida kind of missed the reckless ruler of the night before, who had been so forward.

"I am glad that you fair well." She wasn't entirely sure if she wanted her to know what had happened the night before.

Elsa took a seat on one of the stone benches. Merida questioned herself than sat next to her. Close enough to feel the warmth radiated off her. They were in a bit of an alcove, with bushes surrounding them on most sides. A pathway laid in front of them, but without deliberately looking, no one would notice them. The thought made Merida's heart pound.

"So you have to tell me," Elsa's mood lightened by great degrees so much so that the change shocked the princess, "How in the world did you get sticks in your hair on the way to a royal lunch?"

"Oh…um… I was in your forest with my horse. Thank you for—at the lunch—that was really nice of Your Majesty. I am terribly sorry about that." Elsa just laughed. It was the same laugh that she had loved so the night before, but even crisper without the stench of alcohol.

"You Scots are a bit strange." Merida joined in with her giggling. "But you ride. We must go sometime."

"Of course."

Who was this girl that at every glance and word Elsa felt the need to spend more time with her grow? This was happening too fast. She couldn't let herself think like this. Her mind screamed at her to stop, but whenever she opened her mouth she couldn't.

The bench was so small. They were talking for hours. Of course their knees bumped once. It was only natural for her to jerk away as fast as she could and yearn for the contact again as soon as it was gone.

"I am so sorry. Your Majesty must excuse me." Merida's words came rushed. Her face too had flushed at the brief touch. "I just remembered a meeting I must attend to." She scrambled up from the small bench. "I hope to further discuss relations between our nations again soon."

The Princess nearly ran off back into the palace, leaving Elsa all by herself. They had talked nothing of politics. No mentions of alliances. Was that what the wild red head had thought?

Elsa sighed, picking at the pins of her too tight bun. There was something off about Merida. She knew something that she was keeping to herself. Elsa always knew when people were hiding things. She just desperately wanted to know what it was.

More than that. She wanted to know everything. Every little story. Every pet peeve. Every favorite food or holiday or color or book. Anything. Everything.

And she hated herself for it.

She wasn't stupid. She wasn't blind. Years she had spent locked away in a room by herself. She had read stories of people who felt like this. And she knew she could afford it.

Still…

Seamus's hooves pounded into the soft earth. She had never felt so grounded to one place, but so free to fly away on a heart's whim.

The queen. Elsa. She had never met anyone like her. She was so guarded, even when they were free in the garden by themselves. But the way her eyes lit up. The way her hair seemed to always be glowing. The way she smiled. The way she could make her skin set on fire at the slightest touch.

She pulled Seamus to a halt. She was being ridiculous. The queen had suitors lined up and down the countryside for her hand. Merida would go back to DunBroch in a month. She was meant to makes friends with the royal family. Not try woo the monarch.

Even if she could.

Merida didn't talk to Elsa—and didn't attempt to—for two days' time. Anna had not said a word to her either. She instead spent her time out with her bow, trying to pound all thoughts out of her head with the thudding of arrows hitting their target.

Seamus was sweaty after a long running ride. Not to mention herself.

The royal stables had running water—a thing she had never seen before coming to Arendale. She dunked her head under the spout letting the cool liquid soak her mangled locks, then tried to get as much on her horse as she could while he dogged every last drop. By the end of the matter, Merida was far more soaked than Seamus.

She hugged his neck, letting herself hang off him, her feet swinging below her. He snorted in her face, causing her to break into laughter.

She cut herself off when she heard the whisperings of a groom. "Of course Your Majesty."

Elsa wasn't yet visible, but she could see the young boy rush to saddle up a great dappled stallion.

Merida panicked. Not knowing what do to, she threw Seamus into the closest stall, and hid with him, watching the terrible queen.