I open the doors of Elsa's room expecting to see her lying on the bed, still sleeping even. But to my surprise she is up and looking out the window.
"Good morning" I say, calling her attention from across the room.
"Oh" she turns to face me and smiles "good morning."
I walk up to her. Her gaze following me at all times, it makes me blush. I stop right in front of her. Her deep blue eyes make me forget why I came here in the first place, but as I recollect my thoughts I remember.
"So" I say "feeling better?
"Yes" she smiles even more and I smile back, I can't resist her contagious happiness "thanks to you."
Elsa hugs me in a very tight and loving manner, her left hand firmly on my waist and her right hand higher on my back. I suppose it's her gratitude she is expressing, but I can't complain, though. Feeling her this close to me is always pleasing, her uniquely pale and tender skin, warm embrace and perfume become the only thing in my mind.
I don't know for how long we've been like this, but Elsa lets go of me and steps back, but it still feels like our embrace didn't last as long as it should.
As she moves back her hand slides down my arm and holds grabs my hand. We stay like this, sliming at each other and holding hands, a little longer.
"Thanks" says Elsa "I really needed you here."
"And why is that?" I look puzzled at her.
"Do you remember" she sighs and walks to the window, letting go of my hand "Adrian Rubel, that business man causing havoc?"
"Yes, what about him?" her tone worries me a little.
I grab her hand again for emotional support … or maybe because I really want to. She looks at me and smile before looking out the window again.
"Me and the council were supposed to have a meeting with him this morning" she sighs "but I called it off since I don't think I'm well enough."
"Well" I think of something to cheer her up, make her laugh maybe "shouldn't you be on the bed then?" I see a smile begin to form on her face "Queen Elsa …"
I smile to her expecting her to smile back but instead I get a half head turn and a look I can't quite decipher. Her gaze makes me blush. it feels like my face is about to go up in flames, and for that I look down, not unlike how I felt when I saw her unclothing. Elsa's voice is shaky and her breathing gets heavier.
"What?" I want to look at her but my shyness won't let me "… I mean, I should" she voice normalizes and she looks out the window again "but Gerda came, not long ago, alerting me he had come. I had to see for myself what I did to him. I told him he'd have the meeting he asked for and still I negate it to him."
"But you are sick. It's not your fault."
"I know" she lets out a quick and sarcastic laugh "but I imagine how things are from his perspective, he is displeased with me, I told him he would have the chance to explain himself personally to me and without warning he loses that opportunity."
"Couldn't you hold this meeting tomorrow?"
"This was already a rare opening in my schedule and tomorrow I'll have to leave …"
"Leave? What do you mean? Aren't you sick?"
"I had it arranged for a few weeks now, but I was always thinking about your birthday and I forgot to tell you. I'll go over a few of the neighboring countries to officialize some new contracts and some other things. The ship lives tomorrow afternoon."
Elsa … is leaving …
Just the thought of not having her here for me … makes me despair.
"Anna?" my mind has wandered off, I look back at Elsa "would you like to come with me?"
"Well" I want scream "yes" "Kristoff has invited me to spend the week with him …"
"Oh" Elsa looks down for a brief moment "maybe … it's for the best. It'll be mostly boring things until we get back."
"Oh …" something deep down hurts wishing Elsa would fight harder to have me go with her.
An almost inaudible screaming can be heard from the window. Elsa explains.
"That's the man. The business man I told you about."
I look out the window to see a tall bearded man practically making a scene on the yard screaming out of anger and pushing people out of his way.
"You know" says Elsa "for him and the people affected … it's my fault … so it becomes my fault" she sighs "I've seen enough."
Elsa lets go of my hand once again and walks to her bed. She shows signs of discomfort as she climbs on the bed. I don't want to leave her alone.
"Elsa?" I help her so she finally concludes her attempts to get into a comfortable position "for how long will you be away?"
I am standing to her right, my left hand on her left shoulder and my right hand on her right arm. I guess it's because I don't want to let go of her.
"A few weeks, a month, maybe a little more. Why?"
"That's so long" too long "what would you say if I found a way to go with you?"
"I'd love to" Elsa smiles as she takes my right hand onto hers "more than anything" her voice changes, her gaze stun me with it's perplexing nature once again … and I like it a little too much.
We stay like this for a while …
Just looking and smiling at each other …
Her eyes on mine …
My eyes on Hers …
That is until some noises come from the other side of the doors, that makes the both of us look at it's direction trying to figure out what it's source might be.
The door swings open and we can see Kristoff looking to his side, into the hallway, his voice interrogating.
"So, this is where Anna is?"
I feel somewhat disturbed by his interruption, because that wasn't polite, because Elsa needs rest, because he … ruined the moment …
I look at Elsa and she looks more confused than anything else.
I look back at Kristoff and it seems he's realized what he's done. His body firm in place, eyes wide and voice in a high pitch, contrasting with its low volume.
"I'm sorry" he says before slowly reverting his steps.
Right before he closes the doors someone stops him. Now the one who opens the doors is Gerda, also wide-eyed.
"I'm so sorry, Queen Elsa" she sounds scared "I tried to warn Mr. Kristoff but it was too late and …"
"It's okay, don't worry" Elsa's words visually calm Gerda down "what is it that he wanted anyway?"
"he …"
"I wanted to …" he scares Gerda with his sudden cut off, the fact that he jumped into the room out of nowhere helped "sorry" he says to her "I just wanted to tell Anna we're ready to go. All the little snow thingies have been rounded up and we're just waiting for you. And after we're done, a full week of romance awaits us" he raises a brow and winks at me.
I … I don't want to leave Elsa's side.
I look at her and she is looking at the floor. I feel her grip tightening around my hand.
I look back at Kristof and see his silly smile as he waits for my say.
"I …" I start to talk and Elsa looks at me, making me look at her as well "I'll be there" for a brief moment I can see my words upsetting Elsa but I guess she is simply mirroring my expression.
Kristoff seems oblivious that by his response.
"Okay, we'll be waiting" his voice rings cheerful as he leaves.
"Gerda" Elsa calls, though her eyes are still on mine" help Kristof making sure everything is set.
"As you wish, my queen" Gerda closes the doors as she leaves.
We are left alone once again.
"Well …" Elsa sighs "since you are going with him I guess this is good bye" it seems like it's a struggle for her to hold a half smile, but again it might be her mirroring me.
I don't want Elsa to leave … I don't want her to leave me …
I must do something.
"At what time will the ship be leaving?"
"Not long before dusk. Why?"
"I'm going with you …"
"But …"
"I'll get the Snowgies to the palace and by my calculations I can arrive here at about noon or something."
"But Kristof …"
"I think he would understand me wanting to take care of you …"
Elsa gives a smile and for a quick moment she bites her bottom lip and that makes face burn, practically.
"plus" I continue "I think he can survive a few weeks without me around."
What I mean to say is that I don't know how I'd survive a month without Elsa.
"well" Elsa says "if that's what you really want I'd love for you to come."
Elsa brings my hand closer to her face. Her warm breathing against the back of my hand gives me goosebumps. Her lips press against almost the same spot. It's a quick kiss but it's enough to make my soul tremble.
She then proceeds to press my hand against her cheek and right after closes her eyes, sighs and smile. She seems as lost in the moment as I am.
When she opens her eyes again they find mine with ease and that something else is there again … and it intensifies … and bites her bottom lip again … she closes her eyes once again and cuddles my hand in such a way I can't see her face.
But suddenly her skin turns cold, she slowly lets go of my hand and simply stares ahead as if she had remembered or come to the realization of something. Her voice is soft but in it there is a subtle hint of hurt.
"I … you … they are waiting for you …"
Elsa lays on the bed, her back turned to me.
"Elsa?"
"It's the cold, that's all" her voice muffled by the blanket she put on top of her, almost covering her entire face.
Before I could investigate any further a few knocks echo throughout the room and Gerda's worried voice follows.
"Princess Anna, the little snow creatures are getting impatient. Please, come with me if you will.
I feel confused, but I decide to go with Gerda, maybe Elsa just needs some time to rest.
When I get to the sled Kristof and Kai are containing the Snowgies.
"Oh" Kristof has noticed me "let's go then?" his voice shows his distress.
He puts the last one on the extra kart, turns to me and starts to walk in my direction, he looks at my side and that makes him question me.
"Did you grab one too? Is there one we missed?"
I look down to see a few snow flakes on the hand Elsa had held. I look back at the bath I've just trailed questioning if the cold I felt was also because of a tear Elsa shed, and if so … why?
A whole day passes by and I couldn't have longed more to be back after everything. I don't want to recollect these last few hours. All I want is to enjoy these next few weeks, just me and my sister exploring our neighboring countries.
I look at the doors that stand between me and my sister and as the tip of my fingers touch the doorknob, for some reason, I feel reluctant to twist it. Maybe because deep down I know all I feel like now is hugging her and … crying …
That's not what she needs though. She is still recuperating and the last thing I want is to trouble her with petty complaints right before her voyage.
I grab the doorknob, close my eyes and take a deep breath. I do my best to recollect myself. I prepare a fake smile and enter, fearing I wouldn't do it if I were to wait more.
I'm greeted with Elsa's puzzled look. I guess I might've made some noise when holding the nob before entering, maybe I should've knocked. But as I see her the only thing I can understand is my longing for Elsa's presence and that makes me not think straight.
When Elsa realizes it's she smiles at me and suddenly I don't need to fake a smile anymore, Elsa's smile makes truly happy. Her smile … moves me …
Elsa is just where I left her, sitting on her bed, covered from the waist down by her blanket. Her voice is cheerful.
"I'm so glad you came!" she reaches out for me with her right hand "come here" she moves her legs so I have enough room to sit on the bed, right in front of her.
"You wouldn't get rid of me that easily" I say while walking towards her and making sure my right hand grabs the one she's held up.
"I was afraid you wouldn't make it or decided otherwise" I feel a light twitch on her grasp.
"Never …" our gazes locked on each other's.
I sit as close to her as I can. My mind screams that I need to be close to her but her voice tranquilizes me.
"the ship is being stocked, still. I didn't think you'd come this early" I only hope this conversation won't go to where I think it will "so, how was your trip?" damn it.
I think I might cry if I don't manage to contain myself
"we …" I try to keep my mind on the positive " went by a faster route so we would reach the palace sooner. Olaf told our story to the snowgies on the way up, apparently we are the best singers you and me" she laughs a little "and on the way up, as we passed the Wandering Oaken I made Kristof told the owner he was sorry for calling him a crook … and breaking into his house with a reindeer" Elsa takes her free hand to right in front of her mouth hiding some of her smile as she laughs, but I can see a little of her perfect white teeth surrounded by her red lips "some time after we are going through the part in which we were attacked by wolves and to distract them Olaf threw some of the sticks we would use to make a fire, but wouldn't you know it, he threw his own arm, and there we go look for it …"
"But the wolves?" Elsa asks with clear worry on her tone.
"Once we stopped we realized they were no match for the snowgies" Elsa's expression eases "soon it got dark and we set up the camp … the …" I sigh and Elsa notices my brief pauses but thankfully says nothing "next morning, this morning I mean, we delivered them to the palace and returned …"
"Anna … did someth …"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you" not now "Olaf named all the snowgies" damn the tear that strolls down my left cheek "the majority of them with snow themed names" my voice is barely audible at this point.
Elsa's look of preoccupation is welcomed at the same time it isn't. I hug her tight, my face resting on her chest, now wet because of the tear I've shed. I feel her resting her face on top of my head, her left hand run through my hair until she has a nice grip on my head while her hand goes right under my right arm. Her embrace makes me feel safe … safe enough to let it all out.
"I also forgot tell" it's a real struggle to push the words out of my mouth while at the same time keeping my cry in "how much I missed you" I try to calm myself but all I can do is breath heavily "how much I wanted you there with me after … after Kristoff and I had a fight …"
"Wh … what happened?" her voice is a little shaky, but I guess she is doing a better job at holding back the tears than I am.
I hug her tighter and she does the same to me, enabling me to her the beating of her heart. I sigh in response for the tranquility the sound of Elsa's most nourishing embrace provides. I wait a little to enjoy this sensation some more before talking.
"We …" force it all out, cry and all "we were about to go to sleep and he asked why I didn't want to sleep in the same tent he was going to. I shrugged it off, saying I sleep better by myself" what I really mean is that I sleep better with elsa "the next morning, right before we were to enter the palace he tried to kiss me, but hadn't realized it, my mind had wandered, and after I mindlessly evade his kiss he starts to question me about what we, he and I, meant to me. Before I knew it, we were fighting, I refused going with him up to the ice palace and when he came back I simply told him I wanted to come back … I …"
"Hey …"
Elsa distances me from her, holding my shoulders. It frustrates me because now she can see my red eyes and ugly crying face. But when I look at her I see frozen tear on her cheeks.
She places both hand on my cheeks, cupping my face. With her thumbs she wipes the tears on my eyes. I close my eyes in odd delight from her touch. After I open them I look for hers. For a brief moment only my light crying hiccups can be heard, but they very slowly diminish as Elsa's compassionate look tranquilize me further and further.
"Don't worry" Elsa says " I'm here now …"
I let out a quick laugh and smile. Only Elsa makes me smile this easily.
"Plus" she continues "I think it's common for couples to argue every now and then. Shows they are trying, I guess …" another tear starts to slide down her face but before it could fall it freezes.
Elsa's words make my smile go away, not because it rationalizes the argument but because I wasn't trying to fix something …
Her words make me think of things I wanted to forget, they make me face the fact that I didn't want to argue, that I wanted leave instead of learn, that maybe I don't … love Kristoff …
"But" I fear my future words, my voice comes out shaky "what if … I don't want to try?"
"I'm not sure … I simply couldn't know … but something I can guarantee you is this … I'll always be right here for you …"
It feels like that's all I ever needed to hear … to hear from Elsa she'll be there for me …
I smile again, showing all the glee I feel around Elsa, and she smiles back at me with the same intensity. Looking at her eyes feels like gazing at a calm and deep lake with the purest water surrounded but the serenest frozen land.
Elsa continues talking.
"Okay?" I nod my head "so now …" she brings her face very close to mine, her lips less than an inch above my nose bridge "… no …" Elsa kisses between my brows, I close my eyes to better process the jolt of refreshing, calming and warm energy her tender kiss sent through my body "… more …" I move slightly forward anticipating her next kiss and before long I feel her lips lightly press against my right eyelid and the sensations intensifying "… tears …" I go a little further and once again feel her lips, on my left eyelid now, and with it that delightfully mind-numbing warmth.
I open my eyes to see Elsa's beautiful face blushing …
Her breathing is heavier … not unlike mine …
Her deep blue eyes are on mine … and that thing behind her eyes … that thing that shakes my core … it's stronger now …
Elsa kisses my nose bridge …
… then the tip of my nose …
… then … my upper lip …
Her right hand slides to the back of my neck and her right now lies on the back of my head.
… And then …
She kisses me …
… and I kiss her back …
Our movements are harmonious. I bring my body closer to hers. I close my eyes and everything gets more intense. My hands go for the back of her neck. I don't understand what is happening, all I know it's too good and overwhelming for it to be possible to be rationalized now. With time the kiss gets hotter yet not erratic. The sensation of her lips pressing against mine is singular. The taste of her mouth is magnificent. Her tongue dancing with mine is marvelous. The sound of my heart beating would be maddening if I didn't know what it was beating for. I don't know for how long we've been like this all I know is that it feels like days … and at the same time not long enough.
The both of us slowly stop and move back a little and open our eyes.
The realization hits me like a powerful wave in a stormy day …
It was Elsa's mouth, Elsa's tongue, Elsa's lips …
My sister …
Our eyes wide-opened, the cold air in the room reflecting the shivers I feel. I guess Elsa feel just as I do if her panicking face is anything to go by.
I get up in a spasm. Elsa's scared gaze onto mine as mine is on hers.
"Elsa … ?!" I can't make any sense of anything, I'm not thinking straight, I start to walk backwards, going for the door.
"Anna …" I think Elsa is just as confused as I am.
I turn and run not knowing to where … not caring to where … I just … need space …
Aimlessly running through the hallways of the castle brought me to one of the watchtowers. I sit on the floor, my back against the tainted glass panel that reaches the floor, as I notice it gives a perfect view of the ship being stocked for Elsa's voyage.
I put my head on my hands and … try to make sense out of what has just happened. A few hours pass, and I barely notice.
The wind is blowing hard and cold, and I have a guess as to why.
I get up, lean against the railings and watch the ship stocking finish. Maybe, if I give my mind some rest, things will get clearer. If only life was willing to give me as much. Elsa shows up from behind the buildings surrounding the harbor. The people she nears salute her. She stops and talks to some, I assume. But right before she boards the ship she stops and looks around.
I wander if she is looking for me, since I can't make out what she is looking towards exactly. But when her head is facing my general direction she stops. It makes me stand straight, if it's me she seeks, she's found me.
I remember how happy she got when I told her I … would go with her … that is, not more then I got by going with her …
She stands there a little longer, maybe waiting for me to signal her … or maybe that's just me projecting a little too much …
She turns, boards the ship and as soon as she is out of view I drop to my knees and start crying … hard …
I don't know for how long I've been here but when I manage to calm myself and look up the ship is way off into the distance.
I climb down the tower and as I'm on my way to my room Kai sees me and calls my attention.
"Princess Anna … are you okay?"
"Yes …" I don't feel like making eye contact with anyone "but … I won't be having anything to eat this evening …"
"But …"
"Thank you, Kai …"
"As you wish, Princess Anna …"
I then resume making my way to my room.
It's late at night, I've stay for hours lying on my bed, but I can't bring myself to sleep. I get up and start wandering around the silent castle, I haven't been able to rest my mind nor processes what had happened, I'm willing to try anything. Before long I find myself in front of Elsa's room. I try to keep walking ahead but I can't.
I open the doors wandering if I will see Elsa on the other side, even though I know I won't.
The room is as expected, clean and without any sign of Elsa, except for one thing.
I walk closer to the bed, remembering what had happened on it. Though my mind has dissented on a spiral of confusion, since I'm on the sight of it's dissent at least everything wrings the same tone.
I lay on Elsa's bed and cover myself, completely immersed on the only thing that is a direct reminder of her … her delightful perfume … embedded on her …
When I realize it's morning and there are people calling my name.
I look around certifying myself it wasn't just a crazy dream, but no … it's all true …
I hear my name once again, closer this time.
"I'm here!" I cream as loud as I can considering I'm barely awake.
"Princess?" Kai's voice is followed by a few knock checking if it's really here where I am.
"Yes"
"Mr. Kristoff is here to see you … what do you want me to do?"
"Tell him … I'll talk to him soon …"
I get up, dress myself properly and go find Kristoff.
I listen to Kristoff's apologies, at least the bits I manage to pay attention to. He is really saddened by our argument. He is really sorry. He asks if he can make it up to me by taking me out or something.
I agree to go.
That's not what I want … I'm sorry, Kristoff …
That's not what I want … but maybe that's what I need …
A sense of normality.
Or at least a distraction.
Since we all know how all Frozen characters look I think it's interesting to show how I intended the new fanfic characters (some would call them my OCs) to look.
So here is Adrian Rubel, the business owner:
deviantart_com/im-just-another-one/art/Adrian-Rubel-762009845
Also …
Here is an illustration of a scene from this chapter I did.
Hope you like it.
deviantart_com/im-just-another-one/art/Elsanna-New-Cover-762013570
(yes, i used "_" instead of "." in the links 'cuz the site was deleting the link and i am too stupid to know why and too lazy to look it up)