Chapter 4
Anna
The coronation passed slowly, as the priest slowly chanted in old Norse while Elsa stood at attention, looking completely focused on the bishop. Anna had to admire her sister in that moment, because she was fidgeting just standing there and dying to move. Only a little bit more to go, she thought. Every now and then she peeked out of the corner of her eye to the man she had run into earlier. Hans of the Southern Isles, a man with a truly handsome face and sideburns like none other.
She was wooed. Completely, undeniably, wooed.
She could've sworn he was looking at her just as much as she was looking at him, and that thought set loose butterflies in her stomach. She was looking forward to the ball – she hadn't ever attended a ball before. She knew how they happened in stories: men would dance with the ladies, fall in love and court them.
And it was finally her turn.
The bishop clearing his throat brought her into focus, and she blinked a few times to remember where she was. Her sister – the most important person to her – was being crowned queen. This wasn't a moment to get distracted. She smiled at her sister, though Elsa didn't bother to look, instead picking up the orb and scepter and turning around to face the crowd, her long cloak twisting at her feet.
Anna clapped along with the rest of the crowd, deciding at that point the last three years had been worth it. She was proud to see her sister as queen, as much as her sister disliked her for some reason Anna never understood. Three years of waiting around for change, and this was the moment she had been waiting for.
The butterflies inside her danced even harder.
Elsa quickly discarded the orb and scepter, pulling on her gloves (despite them being out fashion.) She looked rigid and tense, but never protested. She barely even uttered a word during the whole coronation, and now as she walked down the middle of the chapel, she walked with her head held high and shoulders back, barely a smile on her face. If anything, it was a grimace.
She was unnerved. There was a long night of dancing ahead of them and Anna was determined to make it last. She would make sure her sister enjoyed the night – maybe even have a real conversation. That night three years ago didn't count, and they hadn't had a chance to talk ever since. Elsa seemed determined to avoid her at every cost, and Anna had spent her days outside in the courtyard or stables, keeping herself occupied with the horses.
Everyone followed each other to the ballroom in the castle, where tables full of delicious appetizers awaited them. The band was already playing once they stepped foot in the ballroom and instantly couples set off onto the dance floor, moving in a fluid motion with each other. Anna could barely wait to try out her skills; she had learned much of her dancing lessons from Kai and Rosa, but she had never been able to try her skill with others.
Kai, their ever trustworthy steward, announced, "Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" He stood next to the throne motioning for Anna to move closer where Elsa stood. "And princess Anna of Arendelle!"
"Oh, no," Anna huffed as Kai positioned her a little too close to her sister. With a flush she stared at the ground, realizing she hadn't been this close to her sister for ages. Her sister was wise and stern, who always seemed to dislike her…
"Hi," Elsa suddenly said, a warm, small smile on her face.
"Hi? Hi me?" Anna grinned and looked away. She was surprised her sister even bothered to look at her. "Hi."
"You look beautiful."
"Oh, no, you look beautifuler. No, I mean more beautiful," Anna laughed nervously, taking pride in the fact her mess of words made Elsa chuckle.
Elsa turned her gaze towards the party, an unreadable expression on her face. "So. This is what a party looks like." She closed her eyes. "What's that amazing smell?"
Anna closed her eyes as well and sniffed, saying "chocolate!" the same exact time her sister did.
The two of them looked at each other and chuckled, much like they had been like little girls.
Anna was about to mention this fact when Kai said, "Your majesty. The Duke of Weselton."
The next few minutes Anna found herself in a whirlwind of dancing with the scrawny duke, as he rambled on about trading and other things she wasn't interested in. Okay, this isn't how I pictured my first dance, she thought. At least it's making Elsa laugh. She let the Duke of Weselton strut his stuff for the next several minutes before escaping, leaving him to find some other poor woman to dance with.
She didn't want him to distract her from the time with her sister.
"Well. He was spritely!" Elsa said as she approached.
"Especially for a man in heels!" Anna groaned, rubbing her foot where the Duke had stepped on her multiple times. "But still. I wish it could be like this forever."
"Me too."
Anna grinned, then faltered when Elsa's expression clouded over.
"But it can't."
"But why?"
"It just can't." Elsa turned away, instantly returning to her formal self.
"Oh." Anna took a step back, trying to ignore the sudden abruptness of Elsa's change. "Is this how it's always going to be?"
At that moment Duke Goran came to her side, bowing low at the waist. "Your majesty. Princess Anna. I hope the two of you are enjoying yourselves."
Duke Goran, regent for the past three years, had given up his power without complaint, being one of the strongest supporter in Elsa's coronation. Being only a princess, Anna was mostly left out of the political process, but Kai liked to include her on the things he learned. Duke Goran was confident in Elsa's abilities, if only to keep the kingdom open to the other countries.
"We were just discussing the future's possibilities," Anna said in a small voice.
"Ah, yes. Queen Elsa has much to decide in the first few days of her reign," Duke Goran mused. "We and the other nobles are more than ready to help guide this kingdom into what it needs."
"Can we not discuss this here, Duke?" Elsa said, her voice hard. She turned to him, her royal crown sparkling against the firelight. "This is a party, and one I intend to enjoy." She moved to her throne and sat, her back rigid against the chair. She swept her cloak around her feet, the heavy fabric wrapping around her elegantly.
Anna turned away. "Excuse me." She was tired of watching her sister distance herself – something that she had done for far too long. She was just tired of being alone, of feeling like an only child.
She moved onto the dance floor, only to find herself bump into another man who sent her falling backwards. A hand caught her around the arm, then waist, keeping her from falling on her back and completely embarrassing herself.
The sideburns are what first caught her attention and she flushed, instantly finding herself in the arms of the man she had been admiring the entire night.
"Glad I caught you," he said, dark eyes practically swallowing her whole, and he set aside his champagne glass and swept her off her feet.
It was pure luck she remembered how to move her feet because she was still gushing over him. She may be foolish but he was so ready to talk with her, to accept her. He didn't even question her as he led her around the dance floor, a smile on his lips. Within minutes of endlessly staring at him she actually began to hear the music and calmed the butterflies in her stomach, laughing as he twirled her around.
He led her from one dance to the other, not saying a word as they moved, the both of them content with focusing on their dancing. After the first two dances it was almost calming. Hans just seemed to let her do her own thing; he didn't ask her any questions, and finally she decided to break the silence.
"You're a lovely dancer," she commented as he masterfully guided her closer.
"As a prince, I learned from the best," he said, gripping her hand a bit tighter as he directed her out in a loop. "And you, princess, you're a lovely dancer yourself."
"Thanks. I've only had the chance to practice it on the steward, and he isn't as quick as you."
He chuckled. "One must need to be quick on their toes if they want to keep up."
"So, Southern Isles, huh? How is it down there?"
"It's quite a gorgeous land full of lakes and islands, but here, Arendelle is beautiful, the endless hills and beautiful forests. You must be truly lucky to live here."
"It is beautiful, isn't it?"
"And the princess here isn't so bad either."
Anna turned red but smirked. "Quite the charmer, aren't you?"
The music ended just then, and everyone in the room clapped, thanking their partner for the dance. Hans motioned with his head to the table full of different appetizers and treats. He grabbed a glass of champagne for her and one for him, clinking his glass against hers. "To new friends."
"One can never have too many friends." Anna took a sip of the champagne; she had never really card for the glass but could hardly refuse the man. A whiff of chocolate hit her nose and she found some stuffed treats on the table, her stomach growling at the sight. "Here. Some of our best desserts in the kingdom!"
Hans accepted the chocolate. "Thank you, princess."
"Prince Hans!" A tall man dressed in deep blue finery walked up. "Thought I saw you."
"Prince Eugene." Hans nodded his head in greeting. "I trust you've been enjoying your evening."
"One can never have too many parties. Prince Eugene Fitzherbert of Corona, princess Anna." He bowed, his slicked brown hair falling to the side of his face. Anna bowed, having always fantasized about meeting other royalty like her, and it was finally happening. "And may I introduce my wife, the princess Rapunzel of Corona."
A petite young woman came to Eugene's side, dressed in a light purple dress with a gold sun décor on the edge of her gown. The neckline of her gown was low and showed off her shoulders, her arms sleeveless. With light brown hair and a small dash of freckles, she looked to be several years younger than Eugene. Her green eyes flicked from Hans and Anna and her smile widened.
"It's a pleasure," Rapunzel said. "I can't believe how beautiful Arendelle is, princess. It's absolutely wonderful the gates are opened again."
"I've heard of Corona, but I can't say I've ever been there." Anna shrugged. "Thank you for coming for my sister's coronation!"
"She's a bundle of nerves, isn't she?" Eugene remarked. "Hasn't stepped off her throne since getting there."
"Eugene," Rapunzel chided. "If you were just crowned queen of an entire country at twenty-one, you'd be doing the same thing as well."
"Don't remind me."
Hans, still holding the uneaten chocolate, took a small sip of his champagne. "How is Corona faring these days?"
"Quite well, thank you."
The four of them continued to make small talk, discussing the certain qualities of each other's kingdom. Anna was delighted at the chance for even such a simple conversation such as this. The people were so friendly to talk to; especially Rapunzel and Eugene by far. Hans laughed at a joke Eugene made and Rapunzel lightly elbowed him in the stomach.
"Oh, look, queen Elsa isn't talking to anyone. We must make our introductions," Rapunzel said. "I look forward to talking to you again, prince Hans, princess Anna." She wondered off with Eugene on her heels, who waved them goodbye.
"They're friendly people," Anna said, moving more towards the wall where less people stood. She had long finished her own chocolate and noticed Hans hadn't even touched his. "Are you going to eat that?"
"Oh!" Hans laughed. "I guess I have no choice. This must be your favorite dessert, right?"
"One of my many favorites."
Hans sniffed the chocolate, being careful to not get a cake stain on his gloved hands.
"You have to eat the whole thing!"
Lifting an eyebrow but not questioning, he scarfed down the chocolate, finishing it off with a swig of his drink. He looked stunned. "You were right. That is amazing."
"Want another?" Anna turned to go get some more, but Hans reached out and caught her by the wrist.
"I was actually thinking we could walk for a bit. The gardens are lovely at this time of night, and we can still hear the music."
"Oh. Okay." Anna led him towards the gardens she practically knew by heart, walking with her hands behind her back. He wanted to be alone with her. It meant something, she knew it. He lightly bumped her shoulder as they walked, and she did the same, giggling as she did so.
"Hey. What's this?" he asked, his attention on her hair.
"Oh, this?" Anna shrugged, touching her carefully braided hair. "I was born with it, though I dreamt I was kissed by a troll."
"Well… I like it. It suits you."
"It does?"
"It's unique."
"Well, thank you." The two of them continued on, admiring the flowers or the waterfalls they passed. The light from inside and the moon lit their path for them. Anna caught sight of her favorite window and instantly had an idea. She held a finger up to her lips and motioned for Hans to follow her, suddenly in sneak mode.
Gerda and the guards were still walking the halls, so she had to watch out to not get caught. She led him through the doors and up the not-so-secret tower. Together they raced up the stairs as quick as they could, though she quickly fell behind with her extra weight of skirts. Hans shook his head and held out a hand down to her once she reached the top.
"I'm afraid I won."
"You try with several layers of petticoats."
"It would look better on you, frankly."
"Hah. Here, take a look." She moved to the window and pulled it open, the moonlight illuminating the dark room. "It's my favorite place to be throughout the whole castle. Sometimes at night or whenever I come up here to just think. Isn't it grand?"
With Arendelle cover the span of hills and the fjord glittering in the moonlight, it was still a sight which took Anna's breath away. Hans leaned against the window sill on his elbows, letting out a low whistle. "You weren't kidding. This is beautiful. You can see the docks, the village…"
"Sometimes I come up here to watch… I can't make out the people much, but I can see their movement. Sometimes there's a random reindeer that comes across the docks. I saw him yesterday."
"A reindeer?"
"I think he belongs to someone. I'm not too sure."
"How often do you come up here?"
"Oh, as often as I can. Maybe every other day. Whenever it's not snowing, of course. Which is half the year." Anna rolled her eyes.
"Perhaps you'd like some company tomorrow night. To view the village, of course."
"I'd like that." Anna leaned into the window sill, her elbow merely inches away from his. "We'd have to find some way to sneak you into the castle."
"Easy. Invite me to dinner. As representative from the Southern Isles, I don't see why not."
"You have a point. I'll have to ask my sister."
"You sound unsure."
"Oh…" Anna sighed. "Elsa is… difficult. We used to be close but now we're just… not. I can't explain it."
"Sounds familiar." Hans turned toward her. "I have twelve older brothers. Some of them pretended I was invisible. For three whole years!"
"That's horrible."
"Well, it's what brothers do."
"And sisters." Anna looked down to the docks where the water brushed against the rocks. "Some siblings just decide to shut you out."
"Hey." Hans bumped his shoulder with hers, still leaning in close. "I would never shut you out."
Anna felt herself turn red, and she took a step back, the butterflies once again in her stomach, this time dancing harder than ever. "Let's get back to the party before they miss us too much." She reached out and grabbed his hand, and together they raced down the stairs as fast as they could, laughing as they went.
I'm finally reaching the point where I get to dive into a different direction than the movie! It's taken four chapters; if you've stuck with me this far, thank you!