A/N: I tried to put a little fluffy in this chapter! This is where it begins...
I own nothing from Frozen. Only my O.C.'s.
Chapter 9
(Elsa P.O.V.)
Elsa smiled at the success of the ball. Everything was going perfectly. She stood on the raised platform in the ballroom as guests came to greet her. And just like every other event, she would watch her royal advisors push eligible suitors towards her. They would ask Elsa to dance but she would kindly deny the offer with a simple "I don't dance,"
Elsa pulled at the collar of her dress. Anna had refused to let her wear an ice gown for the ball.
"Elsa! It's a Spring Ball! You can't wear ice clothes! It has to be floral and pretty," her sister shrieked.
"Are you saying the dresses I make are ugly?" Elsa asked in a hurt tone.
"No, of course not! The dress just has to be festive. You represent winter so you need something more bright and colorful for this event." Anna argued. Elsa let her sister dig through her closet before pulling out a gown. It was sky blue with white flowers. "Perfect!"
Still, Anna had failed to mention how itchy the dress really was. Elsa sighed. She was bored and uncomfortable but she didn't feel like mingling with the guests. Maybe I'll visit the garden for a while, Elsa thought. She turned to one of her guards, "I'm going to step outside for a bit,"
The guard nodded and she stepped down from the platform. Sneaking past her royal advisors, Elsa went out the doors into the garden. Luckily, there were very few people outside so it was quiet. They bowed and curtsied as she walked past them and Elsa gave them a small nod in reply. She walked up to a far off hedge where the roses grew. The Queen had to admit the servants did a fantastic job of fixing and tending to the garden for the party. She reached out to one of the flowers gently touching the petals.
"I think the Queen might be out here. I'm sure she'll love to meet you, Prince James!"
Elsa stiffened at the sound of an advisor and she froze the rose in the process. Keeping her back to her advisor, Elsa ducked behind the hedge refusing to meet this Prince James. Why couldn't they just leave her be? In her hurry, Elsa crashed into someone also hiding behind the hedge. Elsa fell back on the floor.
"I'm so sorry!"
Elsa looked up to see the girl she had bumped into. She looked very familiar. Then, Elsa realized it was the same girl she crashed into at the bakery. The girl held out her hand and Elsa graciously took it.
"We really need to stop meeting like this your Majesty," the girl said as she pulled Elsa to her feet.
"I guess I have to watch where I'm going a little better," Elsa admitted. "I didn't know you were coming."
"Your sister invited me," she replied.
"Oh, well it's nice to see you again, uh, I'm sorry; I never caught your name,"
The girl curtsied, "It's Alexis, your Majesty."
"Please, call me Elsa,"
"Alright, Elsa," she smiled. "What are you doing out here? I thought you be inside mingling with everyone."
Elsa gave out a small laugh, "I should be but I'm just avoiding my royal advisors. They always have a new suitor waiting to meet me. Also, I still don't feel comfortable in big crowds."
Alexis moved a little closer to Elsa, "Why is that?"
Elsa sighed, "I'm just scared. I know it's been almost a year since that 'accident' with my powers but I feel like one wrong move and it will happen all over again. I have more control. I know I do. Still, I can hurt someone. I can't even tell Anna because she'll probably freak out about me shutting her out and how I need to accept who I am. But sometimes I just want to be alone and…"
"And escape the stresses of life. Maybe even wish you can be somewhere else," Alexis finished.
"Exactly," Elsa gaped at her. She noticed Alexis had looked away with a sad expression. Obviously, the conversation brought up bad memories. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dumped all my problems on you,"
Alexis shook her head, "No, it's fine."
Elsa began to reach out to Alexis but she pulled her hand back. Alexis turned back to Elsa but her gaze turned to a nearby rose in bloom.
"Ironic isn't" she chuckled.
"What is?" Elsa asked.
"The Snow Queen celebrating the arrival of spring,"
Elsa rolled her eyes, "That is exactly what I told my sister. It doesn't help that with a single touch, I can freeze the poor flower."
After that last remark, Alexis plucked the rose from the hedge, "I know a place where you can never hurt it."
She reached over and gently pushed Elsa's head down. She securely placed it on the side of Elsa's braided bun but the movement caused a strand of hair to slip out-of-place. Alexis took the small piece and gently tucked it behind Elsa's ear causing the Queen to slightly blush.
"There. You look beautiful," Alexis complimented,
"Thank you," Elsa responded. They stood together in silence before Elsa heard her name being called. She hurried around the hedge to find her sister searching for her. Anna spotted her and ran over.
"Elsa, it's time for the announcement. Everyone has been looking for you" Anna hissed.
Elsa gasped, "I'm sorry! I got distracted and it slipped my mind."
"Well let's go!" Anna exclaimed. She peeked behind Elsa, "Oh, hi Alexis!"
Elsa turned back to see Alexis wave at Anna. Anna pushed past her sister to grab Alexis's arm, "Come inside! We're going to announce the engagement."
"You told her?" Elsa questioned.
"Of course, she's my new friend! Now everyone get inside!" Anna ordered. She dragged Alexis inside as Elsa hurried after them. She watched Alexis join the other guests as she followed Anna. Elsa stepped back on the platform and Anna joined Kristoff on the side. She signaled their servant Kai that it was time. He quickly stepped in front of Elsa.
"Attention! Attention, everyone! Queen Elsa of Arendelle has an announcement," Kai boomed. The guests turned to their Queen in anticipation.
"Thank you everyone for attending our first Spring Ball. Before you start to leave, I have a very special announcement to make," Elsa said. She gestured for the couple to join her on the platform. Anna and Kristoff stood by Elsa, "With my blessing, I am happy to announce the engagement of my sister, Princess Anna, and her fiancée, Kristoff, Arendelle's official Ice Harvester and Deliverer."
Cheers rang out throughout the ballroom. Anna hugged Elsa before pulling Kristoff towards the crowd. Elsa smiled at the sight of how happy her sister was as people hurried to congratulate the couple and Elsa. The Queen eyes scanned the group of guests when she saw Alexis run out the door. Where is she going? Elsa pondered. She didn't even say goodbye Anna. Elsa looked back at the strawberry blonde. She won't even notice I'm gone. Elsa hurried out of the ballroom towards the front doors. She stopped a few feet away to see Alexis pulling a satchel out of a bush and running off. Elsa knew she should have minded her own business but that didn't stop her from following Alexis.
