Chapter 4- Riding
A/N: I don't own Frozen.
Anna pushed open the barn door nervously.
She was both afraid to wake up the animals and nervously beyond anything to come face to face with Elsa.
The two of them had spent a good majority of the night before messaging each other back and forth for hours. Anna had never wanted the night to end, but when her clock eventually showed the time to be around 11:30p.m. They had to end it.
No matter how much Anna hadn't wanted to.
Okay. Okay, just breath. Breath Dammit! In, out, in, out- Anna tried to mentally calm herself. Her sweaty palms and the feeling as if her heart was going to jump out of her chest was a great indication that it wasn't working.
Anna almost wanted to call it quits and turn around. But instead, against every fiber of her overly anxious being, she kept going.
Nearing the end of the long, 60 yard stretch, of horse stalls on each side that lead to where Elsa was most likely going to be Anna took in a deep breath and gave herself one last pep talk: as long as I don't die, we're good.
Rounding the right hand corner edge of the stables end, Anna stopped dead in her tracks. Her boots barely making a scuffing noise on the gray concrete below her feet.
That's what I'm going to be riding?!
Standing before her stood, what looked like to her, one of the biggest horses she had ever seen.
The animal was a deep gray color it's short chopped main and tail a pure white with notches cut into the white part of its main to reveal the black underneath.
Sitting across its back sat a saddle. Even from here, Anna could tell by the silver and wild designs embedded the saddle itself, that it probably cost more then the phone that sat in her back pocket.
Anna blinked focusing her gaze onto the other horse that stood about a yard away from the gray one.
Instantly recognizing Elsa's horse, Emma, Anna immediately stepped forward and stroked the dark brown horses' white streak on her face.
"Hi there, Emma." Anna smiled as the horse whined at the sound of her voice. She probably remembers you as the girl who spilled her water three times in one day, Anna thought humorously to herself. I know I would never forget a klutz like me.
"Looks like she remembers you."
A soft voice from behind her made Anna jump around.
Turning to see Elsa smiling at her caused Anna to freeze up.
Racking her brain for a response, but coming up short, Anna chose to just focus on fighting down the butterfly's fluttering around in her stomach.
What the hell am I suppose to say?!
Thankfully after a few awkward moments of silence, on Annas part, Elsa spoke again, "Good morning, Anna."
Anna swallowed. Was she suppose to like the sound of her name coming off of the older girls lips so much?
Her inner voice answered for her: probably not.
"Morning, Elsa."
Elsa flashed her a smile and then brushed past Anna to come up on Emma's left side. Anna felt her skin tingle among the back of her hand and along her arm where the blond had brushed against it.
Anna watched curiously as the taller blonde checked the straps under the horse belly. Giving the leather a few experimental tugs to make sure the saddle was securely in place, Anna couldn't help but take in the other girls appearance.
Elsa was wearing a tight pair of faded out jeans with a couple of worn out spots on her thigh and one knee. Her torso was clad in short sleeved, solid ice blue, button up shirt, which was also tucked into her pants. Anna liked how the shirt was both baggy and tight enough to to leave a lot to the imagination.
As Elsa bent over to inspect Emma's saddle more, Anna marveled at the sight of a Elsa's long platinum hair falling over her left shoulder in a single French braid.
Anna was jealous her hair, and let's face it, who the hell wouldn't want beautiful blonde hair like that?
"Well," Elsa cleared her throat and straightened up, breaking Anna from her blatant staring. "You ready?"
Anna nodded, smirking. "I was born ready."
Elsa let out a light laugh, the sound was amazing to Annas ears and caused a goofy grin to spread across the red heads face.
"Well in the case," Anna watched as Elsa moved over to the big gray horse and climbed into its saddle instead. "You can ride Emma and I'll take Andør."
Anna blinked, surprised. "Are-are you sure?" She asked nervously.
Elsa nodded and smiled, "Yeah, I'm sure."
Anna gave a uncertain glance to Elsa horse, still not entirely sure that her riding her crushs' horse was a good idea.
Anna looked back up at Elsa. The morning sun was reflecting off of the blondes light hair, making her look as if a golden halo sat atop her head and extended down her shoulder along her braid.
Anna felt a smile twitch at the corner of her lips as she fell even herder.
Playing with the edge of her t-shirt, Anna was still uncertain. "Are you really, really sure?"
Elsa smiled down at her and let out a small chuckle, her white teeth flashing with the motion. "I'm completely sure, Anna."
Anna chewed on her lip as she took a step toward the horse.
"Now," Elsa called as she moved the reigns to her left, moving Andør toward the large, open barn door. "Hurry up, before I get down from here and make you get on my horse."
Anna smirked to herself, not entirely apposed to that.
I'd do anything she wanted me to.
Moving onto Emma's right side, Anna reached her foot up and into the saddle stirrup. Feeling her denim jeans tighten around her leg, she continued and hoisted herself up into the air. Using the saddle horn for leverage, Anna swung her other leg over the saddle and settled in.
Once she was mildly comfortable, Anna risked a glance over at Elsa the blonde was watching her with both mild amusement and something else she couldn't read.
"Don't hate me if I manage to do something to your horse. I tend to mess things up a lot."
Elsa let out a scoff and with a casual wave of her hand she brushed off Annas statement. "Don't worry about it. Do you think I was a pro when I first started riding?"
Anna shook her head, "Probably not."
Elsa nodded. "Believe me, I wasn't."
As the two girls moved out of the barn and out into the early morning air, making their way to the gate that led out of the horse pasture, Anna couldn't help but take in the scenery of home and relish in the feeling of riding again.
The sun was rising over a large mountain vista, snow coating the top of the large rocks, off to the east. It's warming rays falling over the smooth mountain dotted landscape.
Anna always loved the mountains. As a kid, she had always dreamt of going up to one and climbing it but had never done it.
One time she had asked her parents if she could, but they had promised to take her when she was older. Then those plans were shot when she moved to America.
"So," Elsa's voice to her left broke her from her thoughts, "how are you liking your stay here?"
Anna shrugged, "Well I was born here and only lived in America for thirteen years so," Anna looked over at Elsa a surprised look on her face, "I guess it's like I'm just coming home."
Elsa furrowed her brow, "How old were you when you left?"
Anna focused back on the path they had begun to follow. It was a decent sized dirt path that was lined with a small forest off to the right about fifty yards off the path and just wide open pasture to the left leaving the mountains that surrounded them one all side in the distance in clear view.
"I was 5." Anna looked back at Elsa, answering her question.
Elsa simply nodded but didn't say anything more.
Elsa shifted in the long grass as Anna settled beside her, the other girl crossed her legs as she settled down to her left. The both of them just sat in a comfortable silence, simply looking over the water of a small pond they had found.
The two had been ridding for hours and Elsa had suggested they stop so they could rest.
Over the course of their ride together, Elsa had learned a lot about the cute red head. Elsa had figured Anna wasn't much of a reader and her suspicions were proven correct after Elsa had asked about the last book she had read. Annas answer being a loud scoff and the statement: "Ha! Who needs reading?"
Elsa on the other had loved to read. Anna didn't. Elsa liked to keep to herself and not go out a lot. Anna on the other hand was way more outgoing, judging by all her partying stories she had shared. Anna loved video games. Elsa had never gotten into them. Anna slept in till noon, while Elsa was an early riser. Her job demanded it.
The one thing they both had in common was their shared love of chocolate. And upon discovering that, a very long discussion on everything chocolate arose and finally ended with Anna offering to meet Elsa in a chocolate eating competition.
Elsa had gladly accepted.
The newest thing Elsa had learned about Anna was her more current past. Namely her parents.
Elsa admitted it. She had hera rumers, but nothing directly from her aunt and uncle. All Elsa had known was that Anna had moved back home because her parents had died in a plane crash, but Elsa had never known the specifics or the reasons why they had been flying without her.
Anna had shared it all. Reluctantly at first, but as she got farther into the story the voice on her anger and frustrations came from her with ease.
Elsa had listened to it all. Offering her condolences and her own thoughts and opinions every so often, but found herself to be more content with just listening to the younger girl.
Elsa now risked glanced over at the red head.
Anna was just looking out over the water, the sun warming up her sun kissed skin and causing it to glow and the light causing her freckles to pop and her hair to light up, framing her face perfectly.
Glancing down, Elsa saw Anna was plucking at the grass with her soft looking hands absentmindedly and for the first time Elsa wondered what it would be like to hold one in her own.
I bet they're as soft as they look.
"What about your parents, Elsa?"
Elsa blinked, not really comprehending the question. "I'm sorry, what?"
Anna smiled, nervousness etched slightly into her features. "Can you tell me about your parents?"
Elsa froze.
She had been dreading this question since Anna began to tell Elsa about her own.
Where the hell do I even begin?!
"T-they uh, kicked me and Kristoff out...there's not much to say really."
Anna pursed her lips bur didn't say anything more.
Elsa swallowed hard, still not entirely sure if she was ready to reveal everything on something so personal.
After a few more moments of silence, with Anna waiting patiently for a response but getting none as Elsa stared blankly out looking over the water on the lake.
Sensing movement beside her and feeling a warm hand rest on her shoulder Elsa snapped out of her daze and glanced at the other girl.
Anna wore a warm smile on her face. Her brow was furrowed slightly in a gentle look of sympathy and her eyes were soft, soft enough for Elsa to fall forever into.
"It's okay," Anna murmured gently. "You don't have to tell me."
Elsa forced a smile. "I'm sorry." She said, her voice was barley audible.
Anna shook her head and moved a little closer, Elsa felt her breath hitch as their jean covered thighs touched.
"You can tell me when you're ready."
"Alright, now can you pleeeease tell me how it went?"
Elsa rolled her eyes as she moved to plop down onto the couch. Kristoff had assaulted her with questions about her "date" with Anna ever since she first stepped through the door into their shared guest house together.
"You know," Elsa said as she swung her legs up onto the couch and crossed one over the other. "These are the times when I regret telling you anything."
Kristoff scoffed, "Oh please," as he got up from the chair that usually him and Sven shared. "You say that all the time."
Elsa pretended to ignore him.
Watching out of her peripheral vision, from where she was currently on her phone, Elsa watched as Kristoff moved in front of her and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Elsaaaa..." Her brother drawled.
Elsa fought back a smile and continued to ignore him.
Knowing her brother, he wouldn't have any of it.
Like a flash Kristoff snatched out his hand and slipped Elsa's phone right from her hands. Quickly he locked it and set it on the coffee table behind him.
"Now," Elsa glared at him as he turned back around to face her. "Tell me how it went."
Elsa rolled her eyes and gave up. Knowing very well she wouldn't be getting her phone back until she talked about it.
"Fine." She sighed, but couldn't help smiling.
Sitting up to allow Kristoff to sit beside her on the couch Elsa began to tell him everything that had happened that day with the horse ride.
Starting from when she had stated that Emma probably remembered Anna from when she had dropped the water bucket so many times to when they had just talked about everything. Their interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes.
Elsa even told Kristoff the story about Annas parents.
Kristoff nodded, "Well," he sat back into the couch with a satisfied look on his face. "Sounds like you both enjoyed the day then."
Elsa nodded, but didn't answer.
She knew that was a mistake.
Kristoff looked at her and Elsa shifted, feeling uncomfortable under his intense amber gaze.
After a few moments of Elsa not making direct eye contact and Kristoff just studying his sister, clearly seeing something was bothering her, he then dare to ask:
"What's wrong."
Elsa clenched her teeth. I hate that he can read me so well.
Elsa let out a breath and slid her eyes shut.
Why is this bothering me so badly?
"She, uh-," Elsa swallowed, feeling her anxiety rise. "She asked about outer parents."
Kristoff was silent for a few moments, slowly just nodding his head.
Elsa dazed off and stared straight ahead, lost in her own thoughts. I should have told her, she berated herself, god she probably thinks I'm messed up for barely answering her question!
A sigh from Kristoff beside her broke the silence. "You never told her did you?"
Elsa shook her head. "I just couldn't."
Kristoff rested his hand on her knee, "Believe me I understand."
"Yeah I know," Elsa liked over at him and gave him a small smile. "You told me about the time when you told Olaf and Flynn everything."
"Yeah," Kristoff removed his hand from Elsa's knee and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Besides Sven, they're my best friends. I had to tell them ."
"I'll tell her one day." Elsa stated.
Kristoff smiled, "Good."
Getting up from the couch, Krstoff leaned down and grabbed, from the small table, Elsa's phone handed it to her, "Well I'm going to bed."
"Okay." Elsa watched as he moved toward the wooden stairs that lead to the second floor and to their rooms.
Calling to Sven and waiting from the big beast of a Norwegian elkhound to clobber up the wooden satires with Kristoff following, his foot steps stopping at the top to call down a final 'goodnight'.
Elsa ran her hands through her loose bangs and checked the time on her phone.
With a groan, at realizing it was late, Elsa pushed herself from the soft couch and decided to take a quick shower and then go to bed.
Making her way up the stairs, Elsa felt her phone vibrate and she lifted it up to look at it. Seeing who the text she had just gotten was from she nearly smacked into the closed door of her room.
The text from Anna read: 'hey, you still up?'
Elsa couldn't fight off her grin as she texted back: 'yeah, what's up?'
'Just wanted to say I had lots of fun with you today:)'
Elsa arched a brow playfully, she loves those smiley faces don't she?
Quickly texting back: 'Believe me, me too:)'
Elsa felt her phone go off not even a second later.
'Awesome!:) and guess what?'
Elsa couldn't think of anything: 'what?'
What Anna texted back next was not what Elsa was expecting.
'My brother's coming from Oslo to visit in a couple of weeks.'
Elsa just stared at her phone screen. She never told me about her brother?
E: 'what's his name?'
And when Elsa relieved the message back she nearly dropped her phone.
A: 'Hans.'
A/N: I was planning on telling Elsa's parent story in this chapter but I felt it would tack way to long and a lot of space up so I'm saving it for the next chapter or a near future one.
Yes, Olaf, Flynn and Repunzle will all be in this story and so will Hans obviously.
Also to clarify why Elsa was so surprised by Anna revealing the name of her brother being Hans is because Elsa and Hans have some history. Can you guys guess what it is?