Author:
I love you guys so much! Your reviews are super sweet and I wouldn't keep writing without them, so keep it up! Enjoy fellow Elsannaians!
This chapter is loooong, so brace yourself.
Oh! And Sensational Sista did this absolutely ADORBZ drawing of jealous Anna from Chapter 2, I just about died when I saw it.
deviant art - Anna-s-miffed-427039648
"Anna?"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Anna? Are you in there?"
"Huhhhhh," Anna rolled over, confused by the male voice yelling from behind her door and the painful pulsing in her head. The light behind her eyelids was blinding, and decided it was best to keep them closed.
"Go away…" The Princess mumbled, rolling over and bumping into something.
Someone.
"OW!"
"My face!"
"MY face!"
"Anna! What are you doing in my-"
Elsa rubbed her forehead where Anna had just collided face first, and shot up out of the bed. It took a moment for her to gather her surroundings, then the knocking on the door became more persistent.
"Anna, you have me really worried. I'm coming in."
Both girls finally registered Kristoff's voice and stared at each other in confusion. Elsa was still fully clothed in her gown from the night before, but looked like an absolute mess. Her hair was uncharacteristically wild and sticking up at odd angles, and the majority of her makeup was on the pillow. She would not be seen like this.
"Hide!" Anna exhaled sharply as she leaped out of bed and towards her sister
"Why?" Elsa asked, confused as her sister pulled on her arm.
"Get under the bed!" Anna whispered, trying to drag her sister to the floor.
Elsa's eyes went wide at the notion. "Excuse me, but I am the Queen. Queen's don't hide under-" she attempted to finish quite seriously, but when the door handle to Anna's room began to jangle, her chain of thought shifted and she quickly slid under the bed just as the door was pushed open.
"Anna!" Kristoff rushed in, Gerda at his heels. "Are you alright? I was so worried about you last night, but Gerda said you were sick and wouldn't see anybody."
The Princess's eyes flashed to Gerda, then back to her fiancé, and forced a smile. "Yeahh sorry, I had too much chocolate," Anna felt a kick to her mattress directly beneath her, and trying not to yelp in surprise, quickly corrected herself. "-and wine! Chocolate and wine."
"I'm glad it wasn't anything too serious," Kristoff shrugged, worry disappearing from his face. "I was going to take some of the royals to the frozen lake and show them the ropes of ice harvesting, but I can stay if you want me to,"
"Oh no, that's totally fine. I'm going to be all boring and stay in bed today, so you go off and do your thing." Anna crossed her arms over her chest, still sitting up in her bed, feeling kind of awkward. She realized she was only wearing her nightgown, and blood rushed to her cheeks.
"Take the day off, you deserve it." Kristoff smiled and leaned in to kiss her. Gerda coughed and turned away as their lips met, and what Anna thought was going to be a quick peck turned into a deep kiss, but was interrupted when Kristoff pushed himself away suddenly.
"Good gods Anna, your breath!" Kristoff's face was sour as he attempted to wipe his tongue on his sleeve, something Anna thought was absolutely disgusting.
The Princess wasn't offended, and could only shrug. "In my defense, everything I ate last night not only came in through this mouth, but out as well. The fact that you decided to kiss me straight out of bed is entirely your fault."
"You're disgusting," the Ice Harvester said, wrinkling his nose.
"Says the man who picks his nose," Anna retorted, then added, "…and eats it."
Kristoff turned towards the door with Gerda in his wake, then raised his hands in the air. "I told you I don't do that anymore!"
The door finally shut behind the pair and Anna let out a sigh of relief, then collapsed back to the bed.
"You guys are absolutely disgusting," Elsa's muffled voice could be heard from under the mattress. The Queen climbed from her hiding spot and, on her knees, leaned her elbows on the bed. "I can't believe you're going to marry that man."
"I'm-" Anna was at a loss for words. What was she going to say, I'm not? I love Kristoff, but not like that? You've been taking up my thoughts, not him? I know it's weird, but I love you? But like, really love you? The way I should love Kristoff? Only you? Because you're beautiful? And smart? And sexy? And brave?
The Princess suddenly couldn't breathe.
Realization dawned upon her as she gazed upon Elsa, with messy hair and smeared makeup, she was absolutely perfect. This is what Anna wanted. She wanted to wake up every morning with this woman next to her, with those bright cerulean eyes, that wicked platinum hair tangled in all directions, and her body close to hers.
She suddenly grew very warm, and it travelled below her belly, it was something she had never felt before, but she liked it. She was aroused, and it literally took everything in her power to keep her from pouncing on the girl. Hands shaking, Anna climbed off her bed and held herself sheepishly. Elsa noticed her discomfort and rose from her spot. "Anna, are you alright?"
"Yeah! Fine, totally fine," she lied, her face growing redder. "I'm uh, going to get situated. And uh, brush my teeth, and stuff."
Elsa laughed and walked up to the girl, placing an elegant hand on her shoulder and kissing her sister on the cheek. "I need to do the same." With a smile, she began to walk away, but she stopped before she reached the door.
"Anna, you know you can talk to me, right?" The Queen turned back around and clasped her hands in front of her. "I know this past year has been hard, and I know there are a lot of changes that are going to happen now…" Elsa's voice trailed off, still trying to piece her words together.
When Anna said nothing, the Queen straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath and continued. "Just know that I'm here for you. That I will always be here for you, and I'll never shut you out."
With a small smile, Elsa left, leaving Anna suddenly very alone.
"Eugene, what do you think of Elsa and Anna?" Rapunzel asked her husband as he prepared to accompany Kristoff and the other royals to the frozen lake.
Eugene shrugged as Rapunzel helped him with his winter coat. "You know me, I'm not really one for these foreign politics shenanigans."
Rapunzel smiled and spun her husband around. "I meant personally. Do you like them?"
"Suuuuure, but I'm only saying that because I'm unfamiliar with their treason laws," He winked and kissed his wife, he loved teasing her.
"Awww really? I think Elsa is really nice," Rapunzel thought out loud, playing with the scruff on Eugene's face.
"She is. A little too nice if you ask me. She likes you ya know…" the former thief looked at Rapunzel very seriously, something the Princess wasn't used to.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean," he struggled with the explanation, "She's…not interested in men."
A realization dawned in Rapunzel, but she shrugged and tilted her head to the side, "And? What's wrong with that?"
"Well-" Eugene stroked his goatee, lost in thought. "It's just…wrong. Boys like girls, and girls like boys. It's the way of the world."
Rapunzel wrinkled her nose. She was very aware of her naivety of the world due to her sheltered upbringing, but something in what her husband was saying wasn't sitting well with her.
"Right, but…why can't people be free to love who they choose? Why is it wrong if a girl loves another girl, or if a boy loves a boy?
"Because people don't think it's normal. They think it's bad."
"Why?"
Eugene was silent, standing in his 'thinking' stance. He didn't have an answer for the girl, and that surprised him, but really didn't at the same time. Rapunzel had a tendency to question everything in existence, and his view on life and the world had changed dramatically since she came into his life.
A sideways smile crept on the man's lips, and the Princess couldn't help but smile in return.
"This is one of the millions of reasons as to why I love you," Eugene said honestly, closing the gap between them and enveloping her in a kiss. Rapunzel laughed and pushed away, "They're going to leave without you!"
"Yeah yeah…" Eugene nodded and rushed towards the door, "I bid adieu m'lady," and mockingly bowed low towards his wife.
The Princess smiled mischievously and sarcastically curtsied in return, "I cannot wait for your return sir," she said in a fake accent, "…For I wish to hear the other millions of reasons for your love, while making love." Rapunzel stuck her tongue out at the thief as he gripped the door frame tightly, blood rushing to his cheeks.
"You know, I could just stay…"
"Get out of here!" The Princess giggled as she shooed her husband away. Eugene laughed as he winked and quietly shut the door behind him, naughty thoughts swirling in his mind as he made his way towards the courtyard.
"Elsa!"
Anna rushed up to her sister in the hallway and skidded to a stop next to her. Both had washed, changed into fresh clothes and were ready for a new day. Elsa looked as beautiful and graceful as always, sporting her traditional long sleeved dress of Arendelle's colors, her hair up in a tight updo.
"What are your plans for the day?" Anna asked, grasping the girls arm and practically dragging her down the hallway.
"Uhm, Rapunzel and I were going to sample-"
"Let's play hooky today!" Anna exclaimed rather excitedly.
"We're already playing hooky." The Queen rolled her eyes. "That's what this whole festival is about, to give everyone a break, to ignore the daily routine and tediousness of life."
"Then why are you still working to please everyone? C'mon, let's take a break."
Elsa looked at her sister questioningly. "And what would we do exactly?"
Anna's eyes sparkled. "Do you trust me?"
"No,"
"Not quite the answer I was looking for, but I'll take it. I already have our ride set up, just…c'mon!"
"Can we take Rapunzel?"
"We could, but no."
"Please?"
Anna was struck by the sincerity in her sister's eyes, and struggled to say no. She wanted to, so badly, but something pulled at her swelling heart strings.
"Fine."
Elsa smiled, and Anna sighed. Both girls turned down the hall in a different direction towards Rapunzel's and Eugene's chambers, only to find the brunette already waiting outside her room.
"Elsa! Anna!" Rapunzel smiled and greeted the girls, arms open wide.
Elsa hugged the brunette and Anna stood there awkwardly. The Queen could only roll her eyes as she stepped away from the Princess.
"Are we ready to hit the best food spots of Arendelle?" Rapunzel asked, blatant excitement in her voice.
Elsa sighed. "There has been a change of plans, though I'm not exactly sure what the plans are." Elsa eyed her sister suspiciously who only grinned in response.
"I promise, it's totally awesome." Anna assured them.
"Awesome? I haven't heard that word before," Rapunzel commented, making a mental note. "Does that mean good?"
Anna did everything in her power to not roll her eyes. "It means amazing. Super good. The best possible good that exists."
"That's…awesome." Rapunzel tested the word, and liked how it felt on her tongue. "I'll be bringing that back with me to Corona."
"Great!" Anna exclaimed sarcastically, linking her arms with both girls and dragging them down the corridor. "Now this will be a bit of a trip, so I hope you both are prepared for a bit of cool weather, and you may want to bring snacks."
"Please say you aren't serious…" Elsa mumbled, but Rapunzel beamed.
"I already ate. I'm ready!"
"Great." Anna replied rather monotone as she led the two girls to the stables. This wasn't exactly what she had planned, in regards to company at least, but it would have to do.
"Anna, I really hope we aren't going to where I think we're going…" Elsa asked, the wind rushing in her face as Anna led the sleigh through the snow.
"It's probably where you think we're going," Anna said honestly, a smile on her face.
"But, didn't it disappear? When the freeze ended?"
"-where are we going?" Rapunzel interrupted, squeezed between the two girls and slightly confused.
Elsa sighed, letting her face drop to her palm.
Rapunzel looked at Anna for clarification. The Princess of Arendelle was grinning broadly as she took a turn, the two royal horses leading the way, unfamiliar with the terrain, but trusting where their master was leading them.
"We're almost there…"
And there it was.
Rapunzel gasped as a castle rose before them, reflecting in the sun and casting rainbows on the mountain it rested on.
Elsa even raised her head from her hands, looking at her creation for the first time from an outsider's perspective. It appeared unchanged and undamaged for being abandoned the past year, minus some of the damage caused by Hans and his men when they fought off Marshmallow. Elsa had never thought of returning, assuming it had dissipated when she ended the freeze.
"And here we are!" Anna exclaimed, slowing the sleigh and hopping off.
Rapunzel was still staring in awe, even though she wasn't quite sure what she was looking at.
"Elsa, did you make this?" Rapunzel asked finally, her eyes darting to the Queen next to her.
She nodded, unsure of what to say. "It's…sort of a long story," she began, but Anna interrupted her.
"The best attraction in all of Arendelle, the Snow Queen's Castle. And who better to give the tour than the Snow Queen herself?"
Elsa sighed. "Anna, you know how I detest that name."
Anna rolled her eyes as they made their way to the castle steps. Elsa was the first to arrive, the two girls trailing behind her. She placed her hand gingerly on the staircase, feeling the cool ice underneath her skin. The material was so fine it was like glass, smooth and flawless. The Queen took a deep breath and climbed the first step, causing new ice to sprout from the foundation and rebuild itself, repairing the damage caused a year prior.
Rapunzel gasped, causing Elsa to turn around and look at the Princess with sad eyes. "Sorry Rapunzel, it just happens sometimes."
"No! This is awesome!" the brunette rushed up to the Queen and linked arms with her. "Your power is amazing Elsa, I can't wait to see the rest."
This made Elsa smile as she led the girl up the icy stairs, holding her tightly to keep her from slipping.
Anna watched from the bottom of the staircase. Rapunzel was chatting excitedly and Elsa was nodding, and would occasionally throw her head back and laugh. It made her heart soar and stomach drop at the same time, and jealousy consumed her. She looked down at the first step and sighed heavily, shoulders drooping forward. The Princess outstretched her arms for balance and was ready to make the first step when someone grabbed her hand, then laced her arm through theirs.
"I told you," Elsa whispered, leading Anna up the first few steps, her body pressed tightly against Elsa's side. "I'll always be here for you."
Anna beamed and kissed her sister on the cheek affectionately. This caused Elsa to blush, a smile creeping to her lips as she continued to haul her up the stairs, reaching Rapunzel at the top.
When Anna unlatched herself from her sister, the Queen took a step forward and swung her arms open, the large doors flying open in response. It was as if Elsa's presence brought the castle to its former glory, and it seemed to hum and glow with life.
"This is amazing…" Rapunzel whispered to herself, her breath puffing out in front of her as she entered the main chamber. Her eyes trailed over the never ending banisters and pillars of ice, and across the looming chandelier, all of which held the Princess of Corona in a permanent state of shock and awe. Elsa suddenly felt extremely confident, and somewhat giddy. She was back in her element, in her home away from home, and it made her want to unravel.
Elsa controlled herself and led the two girls through the castle and up the endless flights of stairs. Both Rapunzel and Anna fawned over the details, from miniature snowflake patterns lining the walls to the miraculous chandeliers that graced every room. Elsa said nothing, letting the girls talk amongst each other, and the Queen found it absolutely adorable.
Elsa followed Anna and Rapunzel who began to lead themselves through the top floor. Suddenly, both girls paused in an entryway, and Elsa realized they had just stumbled upon her old chambers.
She came up behind them and surveyed the damage, and a small gasp escaped her lips.
The chandelier lay broken in a million pieces, and arrows littered the floor and stuck out of walls. She could see the damage she had caused, with ice spikes sticking out in all directions, and the wall of ice she used to not only push one of the Duke's men off the balcony, but to protect herself from arrows as well.
The Queen stepped into the room and picked up a piece of the chandelier, twirling it about in her hands.
"I'm sorry you had to see this," Elsa sighed, tossing the piece back to the floor.
"I had no idea," Anna stepped beside her and took her hand, then surveyed the damaged. "This was because of Hans?"
"Yes and no," Elsa held her sister's hand tightly as she relived the memory in her mind. "It was primarily the Duke's men, but Hans was playing them, just like he played you, and me." The Queen looked to her sister and smiled weakly. "But we survived, and Hans is gone, and you're alright."
Rapunzel watched this exchange with curiosity. The body language, the light touches, the expressions on the girls faces, it was all very clear to her. Anna and Elsa loved each other, and this brought a small smile to the Princess's face.
"I'm going to explore the castle a little more," Rapunzel interjected, slowly backing out of the room, her eyes smiling.
Elsa turned around. "Oh are you sure? We can stay together,"
Rapunzel shook her head. "I brought my sketchbook and was hoping I could squeeze some sketches in before we go, if you don't mind Elsa,"
Elsa smiled, "Not at all Rapunzel."
The Princess of Corona smiled, then disappeared into the castle, leaving Anna and Elsa alone together in the silence of the chamber.
"You should fix it," Anna said suddenly, releasing her sister's arm and walking over to one of the walls, attempting to yank one of the arrows from it. "This is too depressing, let's turn this place back to its formal glory."
Elsa rolled her eyes and flicked her wrist, the arrow loosening from the ice and sending Anna flying backwards. "I don't know. This sort of serves as a reminder-"
"A depressing reminder." Anna interjected, wading through the debris and tossing the arrow over the balcony. "C'mon Elsa, please? For me?"
Anna's words repeated themselves in Elsa's mind. 'For me?'
A sly smile appeared on Elsa's face as she raised her hands up, "Ready?"
Anna just about screamed in delight as she rushed back into the chambers, giggling profusely.
The Queen took a deep breath as blood rushed to her cheeks. She stomped her foot on the frozen ground, the millions of ice particles from the chandelier rising into the air.
Anna was beside herself, literally jumping up and down and reaching for the frozen pieces, poking them as they soared above her. They swirled above their heads, Elsa waving her arms gracefully, and condensed into a single mass at the ceiling. With a flick of Elsa's wrist, a new chandelier exploded from the shape, layers upon layers of giant snowflakes growing from the ceiling like a flower.
New walls began to grow from the ground as others melted and fell away. Elsa was rebuilding the room entirely, removing everything that reminded her of that fateful day a year prior.
Silence soon followed, a small layer of snow settling on Anna's hair as she looked around the chambers. Everything was back to the way it was, no scarred ice was in sight, and Elsa's defensive ice walls had melted away. Even the arrows seemed to have whisked themselves out of the room, and Anna launched herself on to her sister, enveloping her in a hug.
"That was beautiful Elsa, you're amazing!" she cried, her voice muffled in her sister's shoulder. Elsa laughed as her body relaxed into the embrace, but her heart was thudding at lightning speed. "Thank you," was all she could muster as she held her sister tightly.
"Y'know," Anna began, pulling her face away so she was looking directly into Elsa's eyes. Their faces were mere inches from each other, and suddenly both girl's cheeks grew hot.
"Y'know?" Elsa asked, raising an eyebrow when the girl didn't continue.
Anna was silent, breathing heavily and staring into the Queen's eyes, getting lost in thought.
"I - forgot what I was gunna say…" she breathed, a light snow continuing to fall on her hair and eyebrows.
From the corner of her eye, Elsa could see a single flake of snow drift above Anna, then lazily fall between the two girls, landing finally on the tip of the Princess's nose.
And Elsa lost control.
Still on a high from the magic she had just performed, her blood crackled with ice as she closed the distance between her and Anna. While the movement was quick, their lips touched softly, and Elsa could feel Anna's hands gripping the fabric of her dress behind her. Panic erupted in the Queen's gut and she tried to pull away, mentally slapping herself for such an uncalled for action, but Anna didn't let go. She pulled Elsa closer towards her, their bodies pressing hard up against each other's, and deepened the kiss.
Elsa's mind screamed in want as she pushed Anna against the wall, her body sliding on Anna's, hands shaking. Anna's hands travelled up the back of Elsa's dress, the girl trying to control an animal-like need that was trying to overtake her, and how desperately she wanted to tear off the Queen's dress.
"Anna…" Elsa moaned, and the sound of her own voice seemed to snap the Queen out of her fantasy.
Elsa abruptly pulled away, a look of panic in her eyes. She stared at her hands then clasped them to her chest, backing away from her sister.
"Wait Elsa-" Anna reached for her sister but Elsa shook her head.
"I'm so sorry Anna, I'm so sorry. Oh my god-" Her eyes began to well up with tears as she turned on her heel and ran out of the room.
"Wait Elsa! Stop!" Anna followed her, attempting to hold her balance as she tried to move quickly on the slick ice. Elsa was faster, and the Queen flew down the stairs, passing Rapunzel who was sketching snowflakes and humming to herself.
"Elsa?" Rapunzel jumped up from her spot as Elsa ran past her, not even acknowledging the Princess.
"Rapunzel!" Anna called, trying to somehow mentally convey a message to stop her, but instead slipped on the first step of the staircase and went crashing down, slamming into Rapunzel and taking the Princess with her the rest of the way.
When they finally skid to a stop at the bottom of the staircase, Elsa was already gone, the door to the palace left ajar.
"Owww," Anna mumbled as she rolled off the Princess, defeated, body splayed on the icy ground. Rapunzel untangled herself and sat up, rubbing her head. "What happened?" she asked, checking the rest of her body for bruises. "Why did Elsa leave?"
Anna shook her head, still lying flat on the ground. She didn't know what to say and wasn't entirely sure what had happened.
Elsa had kissed her
Elsa had kissed her!
A smile appeared on the Princess's face as she attempted to prop herself up. She looked at Rapunzel with a dreamy expression, and the Princess of Corona understood instantly.
