Author:
Sorry for the slow update, I've been crazy sick. But I'm alive and ready to rock now. And so are two other girls we know, if you catch my drift.
THE chapter. Well, for now at least. 'Nuff said.
"ELSA?!"
"ELSSAAA!"
Rapunzel and Anna called out into the night. Anna led the sleigh, Rapunzel holding a lamp as she attempted to peer into the darkness. The sun had finally set, but a strong, cold wind slowed the girls' pace.
"This wind isn't helping," Anna called to Rapunzel, who hardly heard it.
Anna slowed the horses to a stop and sighed heavily. She tried to follow Elsa's steps in the snow, but they disappeared as the wind blew the top layer away.
"Do you think Elsa went back to the castle?" Rapunzel asked, collapsing back into the sled and rehanging the lantern.
"Which one? She could be anywhere!"
Anna and Rapunzel sat silently, the wind tugging at their hair, lost in thought.
"We could split up," Rapunzel offered, eyeing the two horses, "I can return to Arendelle and you can head back to the North Castle. Whether you find Elsa or not, we meet back at the courtyard tonight."
Anna turned to the Princess suspiciously, "You aren't going to pull a Hans on me, are you?"
Rapunzel stared dumbly at the girl. "A Hans…oh! Hans! Prince Hans of the Southern Isles! Elsa told me about him."
The auburn sighed heavily and crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course she did…" Anna mumbled.
A very serious expression crossed Rapunzel's face as she turned towards Anna and reached for her hand. "I will not pull a Hans, I already have a kingdom to return to, remember?"
'What is up with this girl and holding hands?' Anna thought as she held Rapunzel's hand awkwardly. She desperately wanted to pull away, but Rapunzel didn't seem to be willing to let go anytime soon.
"But Anna, Princess Anna," she corrected herself, trying to form the correct words in her mouth. "If you love Elsa, why are you engaged to Kristoff? Why did you say yes to the engagement?"
"I never said I loved Elsa-" Anna attempted to interject, but Rapunzel raised an eyebrow and gave her a look that silenced her immediately.
"Ok," Anna pulled her hand away and held it up in surrender, "Ok." She took a deep breath and attempted to arrange her thoughts, not sure if the 'Ok' was for Rapunzel or more for herself.
"I didn't know this was going to happen," Anna began, wind pulling at her hair. "I've been with Kristoff because I thought that was it. I thought that's what love was, and I thought after everything he did, that I owed it to him." Anna sat back in the sled and tightened her cloak around her, beginning to feel the cold. "But then I started having these feelings…"
"For Elsa," Rapunzel encouraged.
"For Elsa." Anna sighed, hiding her face in her hands. "It's so wrong. It's all so wrong and so messed up. And I felt pressured! Kristoff Just had to propose to me in front of everybody. What was I supposed to do, say no? In front of the entire kingdom? And I didn't know how Elsa felt. I still don't know how she feels."
Rapunzel exhaled and looked out into the storm. There wasn't much visibility but she could see the glow of Arendelle over the hills. "I think she's scared," Rapunzel started, then turned to face the Princess again. "Love can be a scary thing. When Eugene and I…well, let's just say we had a bit of a rough start, and we had a lot going against us in the beginning." Her breath puffed out in front of her but was quickly whisked away by the wind. "I had become so obsessed with this dream of mine and once it came true, I didn't know what to do with myself. But then, Eugene was there. The way he looked at me, the way he smiled at me and held my hand, it reminds me of the way Elsa looks at you. When you are brought up, her face always turns a slight shade of red. And the way you two take each other's hands, it's so natural, like they are meant to fit together, like a glove."
Anna looked at her and smiled slightly, "You're very observant."
Rapunzel smiled and shrugged, "Eighteen years pent up in a tower will do that to you."
Both girls giggled until a blast of wind almost knocked Anna's hat off. A look of concern washed over the Princess's faces as they tied their hats tighter around their ears.
"Ok," Anna puffed as she climbed out of the sled and began to untie the horses. "Take this guy back to Arendelle, and there's a torch in the back of the sled to help light your way." If there was something Anna learned from Kristoff, it's that you should always be prepared for the worst. After their close call with the wolves a year prior, Anna always made sure all sleds were properly stocked with torches, climbing gear and rope.
Rapunzel pulled out the torch from the back and lit it with the lantern, then had Anna help her up onto the horse. "Winter here knows the way back to the castle and should take you straight there," Anna explained as she tightened the reins. "Are you sure you're going to be OK by yourself?"
Rapunzel gripped the torch tightly with one hand and the reins in the other. She nodded down to the Princess. "I'll be fine. But remember, if you don't find her in a few hours, you need to return to Arendelle and we'll regroup and send out a search party."
Normally Anna would have been irritated with the demands Rapunzel was making, but she knew she was right. The auburn lit her own torch then handed it to Rapunzel, who held it for her as she climbed atop her own horse. "Don't worry, either way I'll see you tonight," Anna smiled as the torch was handed back to her.
"Where will you start searching?" Rapunzel asked, having to raise her voice to be heard over the howling wind.
Anna pointed north-west, "I'm going to follow the source of this wind. I have a feeling Elsa may be behind it."
Rapunzel nodded and directed her horse towards Arendelle, "Well be safe Anna. You should get going before we lose any more time."
Anna waved as Rapunzel kicked her horse into a full gallop down the mountain. The Princess watched her until she disappeared into the darkness, then turned her horse around in the opposite direction. She faced the heavy winds head-on and kicked her horse into a run, holding on to the reins for dear life.
Elsa paced back in forth in the snow, clutching her hands to her chest, trying to make sense of her emotions and jumbled thoughts.
After she kissed Anna, she panicked and took off into the surrounding forest. She couldn't face Rapunzel or Anna, she couldn't explain the feelings that were suddenly bubbling up inside of her
"I am the Queen of Arendelle," Elsa mumbled to herself, straightening her back and raising her chin, facing an invisible audience. "I am the Queen of Arendelle, and Anna is my sister, my sister…" Elsa was trying to knock sense into her mind, but other thoughts were overpowering her. She couldn't shake the feeling of Anna's body against hers, how soft and warm her lips felt, and how Anna herself didn't pull away, never pulled away.
Elsa put her fingers to her lips, remembering how the Princess had deepened the kiss, how the girls' tongue had traced her own lips curiously before plunging into her mouth, searching for more.
The Queen shook her head, trying to eradicate the memory entirely from her mind. Night had already fallen and she knew she couldn't stay out long, but in all honesty she didn't really know where she was. The moon was out and gave a bit of light, but she was still unfamiliar with the farther outskirts of her kingdom. A small wave of panic clenched her gut as she began to take steps in a direction, not exactly sure where she was going.
"ELSA?"
The Queen's head perked up when she heard her name in the distance. It was faint, like the sound was literally trying to be pushed away from her. She stilled and waited, making sure she wasn't imagining things.
"Elsa? It's me, Anna!"
Happiness, confusion and shame swelled up inside the Queen's chest at once. It took a moment for her to respond, her stubborn side wanting to remain hidden away from the world, but her heart wanting to reach out to the girl.
"A-Anna?" Elsa called, unsure of herself as she took a timid step forward. She could see a light moving through the trees, and she began to walk towards it. "Anna! I'm here!"
"Elsa?" Anna caught wind of the Queen's voice and turned her horse in that direction. She held the flame as far out as she could, trying to catch sight of her sister.
"Anna!" Elsa called out again, and this brought Anna into a full gallop. Soon she was directly in front of her sister, and the sight literally took Elsa's breath away. Anna had lost her hat somewhere on the mountain, and her hair had become freed from its restraints, flowing wildly in the wind. Her cheeks were rosy with the cold and her eyes held a fierce expression. Wordlessly, she speared the torch into the snow and leaped off the horse, tackling Elsa in an embrace.
"Don't you ever run off like that again," Anna held back a sob, surprised by her own sudden outburst of emotion.
Slightly winded, Elsa wrapped her arms around her sister tightly, burying her face in her shoulder. "I'm so sorry Anna, I was…scared," she admitted.
The wind seemed to die down, and what snow flurries were left in the air slowly drifted down on Anna's and Elsa's hair. Anna squeezed her sister tighter, partly a reaction from the cold, and Elsa noticed her shiver slightly.
"You're freezing Anna, let's get you warmed up," Elsa rubbed her sisters back and pulled away reluctantly.
"Don't think you can change the subject so easy," Anna laughed, letting the Queen release her.
"I wasn't aware we were on a specific subject," Elsa said, attempting to sidestep the elephant in the room.
"Are you seriously acting like we didn't just kiss back there? Because reality check, we totally did."
The Queen took a deep breath, her hands turning into fists are her sides. "Anna, we can't do this," Elsa said firmly, turning away from the girl as blood rushed to her cheeks, "This whole thing is wrong, and-"
"Just hear me out," Anna interjected, walking around the Queen to face her again. "Let's just go back to Arendelle and we can talk it out."
Elsa shook her head, "No, not yet. I'm not ready to go back."
Anna took Elsa's hands and ducked low, trying to catch her gaze. "Will you trust me then? I'll take you to a place where it can be just you and me. No royals, no servants, just us."
"Just us? No roya- wait, where's Rapunzel?"
"She's fine! She's fine. I swear I didn't leave her in the snow to freeze to death or anything. We split up looking for you, so she took Winter and headed back to Arendelle, and we're supposed to meet in a few hours."
Elsa sighed, "I'm sorry I've been so much trouble."
"You're worth it," Anna gave her hands a squeeze then pulled the torch out of the snow. "Now c'mon, let's go escape for a little while."
"This is the third time in a week that you have taken me somewhere without me knowing where," Elsa called over Anna's shoulder as they slowed to a stop. For all Elsa knew, they were in the middle of nowhere, and two small buildings stood in front of them, a warm light glowing in the windows.
"Wandering Oaken's Trading Post…" Elsa read, peering at the sign in the darkness.
"And SAUUUNNNAAAA!" Anna sang as she dismounted, Elsa following her.
"We're going to a sauna? Are you serious?"
"Yes! I mean no, there is a sauna, and we can go if you want, but it's usually packed, and it's a little warm, I mean, it is a sauna after all."
"I see," Elsa commented, observing her surroundings questioningly.
"We're actually going here," Anna pointed to the hut next to the main outpost, tying up the horse and leading Elsa towards it.
"The sauna is starting to look better by the second," Elsa mumbled, following her sister.
"Did I catch a hint of attitude?" Anna asked mockingly, unlocking the door and pushing it open, "How unbefitting for a Queen."
Elsa rolled her eyes as she watched Anna cross the room and stick the torch into a large stone hearth, illuminating the room. What Elsa thought was a rundown shack was actually small cottage, complete with a wall full of books, a small table with a set of chairs, and walls painted with bright yellows, purples and pinks. Loose hay was jammed in the corner, and Anna made her way over to it and plopped down.
"Tah duh! Welcome to my getaway!"
The Queen was speechless as she walked around the room, running her fingers along the books, noticing no dust rested on their covers.
"I don't understand, what is this place?"
"Actually," Anna thought carefully, picking her words delicately, "This is where Kristoff and I first met. It was just storage then,"
Even from across the room and in the low firelight, Anna could see Elsa's face fall. "So this is yours and Kristoff's place," she assumed.
"NO! No. This is my place. Kristoff doesn't even know what I've done here." Anna climbed out of the hay and made her way towards Elsa, hands clasped behind her back. "It's sort of a long story, but whenever I wanted to get away, after I reintroduced Oaken to Kristoff for trading, I would come here and help Oaken with his paperwork. Then he fixed this place up for me and said I could come anytime."
Elsa seemed slightly hurt, "When you wanted to get away from the castle? Did I put too much pressure on you? I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"No, it was never to get away from the castle, or from you. It was…to get away from Kristoff, actually."
Surprised, Elsa turned around to face the Princess, and found her getting comfortable on the ground, sitting on an animal fur that served as a rug in front of the fire.
"So, do you like it?" Anna asked genuinely, her eyes hopeful as she patted the spot next to her.
Elsa couldn't help but smile and nodded, sitting down gracefully next to her. "I do. It's beautiful Anna, you did a great job here."
This made Anna smile broadly, showcasing a perfect set of white teeth, "You're the first person I've shown it to, other than Oaken obviously. But your opinion means the most to me, so thank you."
Elsa said nothing, struggling with a question that danced on the tip of her tongue, but just couldn't quite say. Anna noticed this, her features changing dramatically from that of lightheartedness to worry.
"Elsa, is something wrong?" Anna asked, her eyes full of concern.
Elsa wrung out her hands, her fingers dancing nervously on her palms, and turned to the roaring fire. "Are you happy?" she asked quietly, Anna barely hearing her over the crackling of the flames.
"Am I-" Anna paused, confused, "-happy? Of-Of course, right now I'm very happy."
"No," Elsa blurted out, frustrated more with herself than anything. "Are you happy…with Kristoff?"
Anna cocked her head to the side, absorbing the question. She knew the answer right away, it was something she had already thought about but hadn't outwardly admitted. It seemed to be a moment of truth for her, and the younger straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, ready to face whatever backlash was coming. "No," she said simply, "I'm not."
Anna watched Elsa's brow furrow in frustration, still facing the flames. Despite the fire, the room seemed to get a tad colder, and Anna tightened her cloak around her shoulders.
"Then why," Elsa began, shaking her head and turning to the Princess, hurt in her eyes. "Why did you say yes?"
Anna didn't need Elsa to elaborate, she was talking about the proposal. That seemed to be the question of the day, and the Princess could only sigh heavily. "I-I was scared," Anna started. She waited for Elsa to give some sort of response, and when she received none, she continued. "What would you have done if the man you thought you loved proposed to you in front of the entire kingdom? I didn't know what to do."
Elsa digested Anna's words carefully, and found some of it not making sense to her. "Thought you loved?" The Queen repeated, the hurt in her eyes turning to confusion.
"I don't love Kristoff, Elsa," Anna breathed, then gestured towards the Queen. "I love you."
Elsa could feel her blood abruptly begin to ice over, her power threatening to boil to the surface. Anna looked radiant in the firelight, her long hair wild from the wind, and the warm light giving her the appearance of fire. Her emotions were suddenly heightened as she digested Anna's last spoken words and her hands began to shake. She was shocked by how free Anna was with her choice of words. Love was an emotion Elsa knew very little of, the only love she ever really received was from Anna's selfless act the year prior. But now these new feelings for her went beyond any sisterly affection, and one part of the Queen was desperate to get away, while another wanted quite the opposite.
"I'm a mess Anna," Was all Elsa could muster as tears threatened to fall. She squeezed her hands into fists and raised her head, trying to keep them at bay. "I'm a mess, and I'm broken. You can't love me."
"I can," Anna snaked her hands into Elsa's grip, "Don't you feel it? When we danced in the town square two nights ago? And when you kissed me goodnight? Every time our hands touch? It's…I can't explain it." Anna's heart was exploding out of her chest, nothing but truth and raw emotion emanating from her. All she wanted was Elsa to be honest with her, and she knew that while the Queen was an emotional mess, she knew she was capable of love, if she just wasn't so afraid of it.
"And when you kissed me today," Anna started again, speaking softly, "I felt something that I have never felt before. God Elsa, that kiss! It's been on my mind every moment since, and I can't get you out of my head. You are always in my head."
Elsa shook her head, trying to free her hands from Anna's grip. "This is wrong Anna,"
"-Stop telling me what's right and what's wrong and just tell me how you feel." Anna's gaze was piercing, holding a fierce expression as she glared at her sister. She reluctantly let go of Elsa's hands and gently clasped her own in front of her. "If you don't feel anything, and if I'm living in some insane fantasy, then tell me, and I'll never bother you with any of this ever again."
Tears were falling freely from the Queen's eyes, and Anna cupped Elsa's face in her palms and wiped the stray tears with her thumbs. "Just tell me," Anna begged, her own eyes beginning to brim with tears. She leaned forward, letting her forehead rest against her sisters, her hands falling down the elder girls' shoulders and resting on her arms.
"Please," Anna whispered, her voice pleading as her lips barely grazed the Queen's.
Elsa's mind screamed as Anna's hot breath roamed over her lips, and the Queen let out a shaky breath. "I-" she tried to speak, but couldn't get her thoughts straight. All she knew was that she wanted to close the distance between them, to have her mouth against Anna's and feel her body pressed against hers.
A light snow began to fall as Elsa internally struggled. Anna noticed the dark, stormy look in her eyes as frost began to sneak up the Queen's arms.
"Elsa…" Anna whispered, pulling away when the frost reached her hands. Ice began to gather at the Queen's feet, and a familiar panic appeared on Elsa's face.
"No," Elsa told herself, as if commanding her powers to stop themselves with the word. When the ice continued to creep up the walls and the snow fall heavier, Elsa looked to her sister, clutching her hands to her chest with a look of desperation.
Anna shook her head, "You can control this Elsa, you don't need me for this."
"But I do," Elsa almost whined, trying to be heard over the growing storm inside the small cottage. "It was always you. You were the only one who ever had any power over me, and I need you. I will always need you."
Elsa reached for Anna's cheek and led her face to her own, determined to make contact. Anna obliged, but instead of meeting her halfway, threw her weight on the Queen, knocking her backwards onto the rug in surprise. Their lips met in a frenzy, Anna straddling Elsa, all the ice and snow instantly evaporating into glittery dust. Their lips moved with fervor as Anna pinned Elsa to the ground in fear of her running away again.
Elsa reached for the clasp of Anna's cloak and used it to pull her closer, then unsnapped it in one quick movement. The Queen then pushed herself up slightly, pulling away from Anna's mouth and trailing kisses across the Princess's jawline to her ear. A moan escaped from Anna's lips when Elsa's teeth grazed her ear, then tugged on it affectionately. Their senses were heightened and each touch with their fingers and each lick of their tongue brought electricity pulsing through their bodies.
In a brave move, Elsa gripped Anna's waist and knocked her over, rolling herself over the Princess so that she was on top. Anna yipped in surprise, but was unable to suppress a smile, liking this aggressive version of her sister. She younger girl perched herself up and slammed her lips against the Queen's, returning the same courtesy and trailing kisses across her jaw and down her neck. Elsa attempted to suppress a moan as she lowered herself onto Anna, pressing her thigh against Anna's wet core. The sudden pressure sent the Princess's mind reeling, Elsa's name escaping her lips as she wrapped her arms tightly around the Queen, entangling her fingers in the platinum locks and releasing it from its restraints.
A small gasp escaped from the younger girl and Elsa pulled away instantly, a look of concern on her face.
"No, don't stop," Anna assured her breathlessly, pulling on the fabric of Elsa's dress to bring her closer, "I've just, never seen you with your hair down. You look beautiful."
Elsa's already rosy cheeks reddened more as Anna reached again for her hair, combing her fingers through the girls mane and letting it fall around the Queen's face. Both girls gazed at each other for a moment, breathing heavily, lost in the other girl's beauty. But the moment came and went, and Anna craned her neck, her lips slightly parted, beckoning Elsa to meet her halfway.
"I think," Elsa huskily whispered as she lowered herself, feeling the uncomfortable pull of her dress as she hovered over Anna's lips, "…that you're wearing too much."
"Look who's talking Ms. High Collar over there," Anna interjected, but was quickly hushed by Elsa's moving lips, followed by a pair of roaming hands that began to unbutton her undershirt, then sneaking behind her back to pull at her bodice. Another moan escaped Anna's lips as the Queen moved her hips against her, and was ready to complain about the unfairness of her current position, but a sudden knock on the large wooden door sent both girls staggering, Anna shooting up and bashing her head into Elsa's face, causing the Queen to fall over.
"Anna? Are you in there?"
It was Kristoff.
Both girls panicked, Elsa holding her face as Anna attempted to straighten her clothes.
"Uhm, yeah! Just a second!" Anna called, Elsa motioning to the girls shirt which was currently unbuttoned and revealing quite a bit of Anna's chest.
The door shook as Kristoff attempted to enter. "Anna? I think the door's locked."
"Weird!" Anna called back as she pointed to Elsa's hair and mouthing, "Your hair! It looks insane!" and gestured at it dramatically. Elsa ran her hands through her locks and attempted to braid what she could over her shoulder before Anna reached the door.
"Hiiii," Anna sang as she unlocked the door and swung it open. Kristoff looked at her strangely, her hair being a total mess and looking quite disheveled. He was ready to move into an embrace when he noticed Elsa over her shoulder.
"Oh! Elsa! I didn't know you were also here," Kristoff took a step back awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. He looked between the two girls who both appeared to be out of breath and broke the awkward silence. "I was leading the royals back from the frozen lake and took a pit stop to talk to Oaken about an order, and I saw the horse." Kristoff pointed to Anna's white stallion nearby who flicked his tail in reply.
"Oh yeah," Anna began, trying to come up with a story as Kristoff stepped into the cottage, looking around at the newly made changes. "Elsa and I were just-"
"Elsa! Your nose!" Kristoff interrupted, "It's bleeding!"
Elsa brought her hand to her nose, unaware of the blood that was slowly dripping from it. Kristoff looked back at Anna and looked her over, taking in how her dress hung off her awkwardly, and how her hair was undone.
Realization dawned on Kristoff's face as he pointed to both girls, "Wait, did you two…"
"I can explain!" Anna jumped in, desperation in her voice as she rushed towards the blonde.
"-Get in a fight?" Kristoff finished, causing Anna to stop in her tracks in shock.
"Anna, seriously, you punched your sister? What the hell is wrong with you?" Kristoff looked at both girls in disbelief, then shook his head.
"It was an accident," Elsa finally spoke, turning on her Queenly mannerisms and stepping towards the Ice Master. "Yes, we were fighting, but Anna didn't mean to hit me. You know how she moves her arms about when she gets emotional." Elsa eyed her sister, who nodded hurriedly in return.
"Yup," was all Anna could say as she made a movement with her arms, acting out her elbow swinging about wildly, "Elbow. Face."
The blonde rolled his eyes as he made his way towards Anna and gave her a quick hug. "I'm going to leave you two to figure this out," he said, pulling away and stepping out the door. He looked at Anna with a disappointed look on his face, "This would explain the wild weather that slowed us down on our way back," he added, a small smile on his face.
Anna smiled back and Kristoff leaned in to kiss her, forgetting about Elsa who cleared her throat behind them.
"Oops, sorry." Kristoff grinned, looking at Anna up and down one last time before turning around and returning to his sled, Sven waiting impatiently.
Both girls let out a shaky breath that neither of them realized they were holding as Anna shut the door, and both girls were also too shocked to notice the single tear that had escaped from Kristoff's eye the second he pulled away from Anna. His gait was slower than usual as he climbed into his sled, his gloved hand moving to his mouth, trying to hold back a sob. He normally wasn't one to cry, but the evidence was plain and clear in view, and it shocked him more than anything.
He heard Anna's moan moments before he knocked on the door.
He smelled the unfamiliar lavender scent that wafted around Anna when he hugged her.
He tasted a foreign sweetness that was Anna's kiss, a taste that was alien to him.
He felt the heat of her skin when he touched her, a slight sheen of sweat still glaring on the surface.
And he saw the patch of wetness on the front of Anna's dress directly below her pelvis, the Ice Master attempting to block out the image of the two sisters on top of each other.
With a frustrated yell, Kristoff finally picked up the reins and called to Sven, "C'mon buddy, let's go."
