Thursday evening, Gerda sat down with the sisters and spoke of their need for ladies-in-waiting. She had been their mother's lady-in-waiting and wished the same for the two of them, even saying that she had a pair of young ladies in mind. Anna readily agreed, eager to have another person around. Elsa was hesitant. She was used to doing everything herself, even making her own bed and cleaning her room, since she had told the servants to stop coming into her room when she was eight in an effort to better keep her secret. It took some cajoling (okay, a lot of cajoling along with a puppy-dog face) but eventually Anna wore down Elsa's resistance and she agreed on one condition: That her lady-in-waiting must understand her need for alone time.

"'Alone time'? Why would anyone want to be alone? We've spent the last thirteen years alone!" Anna exclaimed.

"I know. I can't really explain it. I...just...need some time when I can be completely alone each day so I can...think. What you insist on calling 'getting lost inside my own head.'"

"Well, if you say so but I hate being alone. I want to have people around me all the time."

"Not me," Elsa shuddered, "I get nervous in crowds, always have, even before I had to hide my cur.." Elsa stopped when she saw the look on Anna's face, "I mean powers. I feel..I don't know...trapped if I'm in a crowd. Remember how Mama used to hide a book in the corner of the ballroom behind the table for me to read? She knew I would sneak off and read it when I had enough."

"I remember that. Everyone asking me, 'Where's Princess Elsa? Where's Princess Elsa?' And all I could say was 'I dunno. She was just here a few minutes ago.' Then Mama and I would go looking for you and find you asleep in the corner with a dumb ol' book in your lap."

Anna remembered the last time Elsa had a birthday party. It was a combined Christmas ball/birthday party. They had to stand on the dais greeting guests for what seemed like hours. Elsa did perfect curtsy after perfect curtsy, making it look so easy, while Anna nearly fell off the dais trying to imitate her. Everyone swooned over the quiet, elegant eight-year-old birthday girl and chuckled at her noisy, clumsy four-and-a-half-year-old mimic. Anna had been too excited to notice how tired Elsa looked as the greeting line slowly wound past but she did remember their mother asking if Elsa was all right. "I'm fine, Mama," Elsa replied, doggedly welcoming 'her' guests. By the time the cake had been cut, Elsa felt utterly drained from being the center of attention. Anna lost sight of her big sister as Anna "danced" with their father, squealing as he spun her around. "That was fun, Papa! Again!" After nearly an hour, Anna finally looked around. "Hey! Where's Elsa?"

Idun smiled her soft smile and lead her to the corner. Elsa lay on the floor behind the table, sound asleep, her head pillowed on her ever-present book. "Snowflake," Idun used her pet name for her eldest daughter as she knelt and stroked the exhausted girl's hair, "time for bed." She picked Elsa up and cuddled her against her shoulder. Elsa muttered out a protest at being disturbed before burying her face in the crook of her mother's neck. Idun rubbed her daughter's back to comfort her as she stood and quietly bade the guests goodnight on Elsa's behalf.

"But I'm not tired, Mama," Anna protested.

Idun smiled at her energetic youngster. "You can stay a while longer, Sunbeam, but your sister has had enough."

"Yay!" Anna cheered while wondering how anyone could ever have enough of a party, especially her own birthday party!

Returning to the present, Anna smirked at her big sister. "You're just plain weird," Anna teased, earning herself a small shower of snow down her back. "Cold, cold, cold, cold! Hey! You're not supposed to use your powers until Saturday, remember?"

Elsa's eyes twinkled as she smothered a giggle with her hand. "I made an exception."

Gerda and Kai just looked at each other and rolled their eyes before bursting into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Anna asked.

"You two," the chamberlain choked out between guffaws. "I cannot tell you how many times I saw Her Majesty throw snow down your back when you were younger. It's like the years never happened."

"Yeah, well, somebody never grew up," Anna blew Elsa a raspberry only to find her tongue frozen in place. "Eeelthaaaa!"

The next morning, Gerda brought two young women to the royal sisters before either of them were out of bed. Gerda shook the royals awake. "Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, these are my nieces, Bridget and Melody. They are the young women I mentioned yesterday. Bridget is very similar to you, Your Majesty: Quiet, reserved, but with a mischievous streak. She will be your lady-in-waiting."

Elsa smiled at the young woman curtseying to her. Bridget was a willowy 22-year-old brunette with green eyes and a shy smile.

"Princess Anna, Melody will be your lady-in-waiting. I figure she has the energy to keep up with you." The auburn-haired 19-year-old curtseyed, then stared at the princess with eager brown eyes, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet and emitting a small squeal of excitement.

"Pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

Anna rocketed out of bed and took the other girl's hands in her own, emitting her own squeal as she did so. "This is so great! I can't wait! We're going to have so much fun together!"

"Two Annas. I have a bad feeling about this," Elsa muttered under her breath. Bridget snorted in laughter.

"I was thinking the same thing, Your Majesty, although for me, it was 'Two Melodies? We're doomed!'" The elder sisters looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Anna demanded.

"Don't know. My sister is just plain weird," Melody answered, glaring at Bridget.

Gerda just shook her head and began teaching her nieces what to do, happy that the royals had apparently bonded to their ladies-in-waiting so quickly.

Saturday morning, Elsa gingerly made her way to the council chamber, her replica royal cloak flowing behind her. She paused at the door, closed her eyes and took a shaky breath, tugging nervously on the sleeves of her replica coronation dress and fidgeting with the end of her braid. Her nerves were jangling and she could feel the ice coursing through her veins as butterflies rampaged in her stomach.

"Go on in, Elsa," Anna mumbled, still rubbing sleep from her eyes. She yawned and stretched, her own royal cloak barely staying on her shoulders. "You know, you could start these meetings later in the day, like, I don't know...four in the afternoon? And why would you want to have a council meeting today anyway? You were just allowed out of bed this morning. You shouldn't be pushing yourself like this so soon."

"Eight o'clock suites me just fine." Breath, Elsa, just breath. You're fine, Anna is right here, everyone knows, you're not going to freeze anything or anyone. "I want to make sure...well...that everyone knows how sorry I am...and..." she hung her head.

"And?"

Elsa looked at her with a stricken expression. "...and see th..they s..st..still want m.m..me as Q..Q..Queen." Elsa! Stop it! Stuttering like that will really make them want to keep you as Queen!

Anna grabbed her into a bear hug. "Elsa! Of course they still want you to be Queen! I mean, come on, after nearly a week of me in charge, I can tell you that no one is looking forward to Queen Anna! Least of all me! So stop thinking that they don't want you!"

Elsa struggled against the crushing hug, trying to free her arms. "A..Anna. C..can't b..breath!"

"Oops, sorry!" Anna shifted her arms so she wasn't pinning Elsa's down and felt Elsa hug her back. "That better?"

"Y..y..y..yes."

Anna felt her sister tremble and Elsa's breathing became shallow and rapid. She's having a panic attack! Anna thought as she heard the crackle of frost beneath their feet.

"C..c..c..conceal, d..d..don't f..f..f..f..feel!" Elsa began repeating desperately. "G.g..get it t..together! C..c..control it!"

"Elsa, listen to me. Can you hear me?" Anna asked. Elsa nodded mutely. "Good. Now listen: Don't hold it in. Let your powers go and feel. You don't have to conceal."

"B..b..b..b..but I..I'll h..h..hurt y..y..you!"

"No, you won't. I know you won't. Love, Elsa, remember? Let it out. You can do it. Just relax and let it go free. Just relax." Anna guided them to the floor, pulling Elsa's head and shoulders into her lap as she did so. "Loosen up, sis, relax. Go on, let your powers out. Remember, I love you, always." Elsa shuddered violently and went limp. Her powers exploded out of her, coating the hall in a foot of snow. "Whoa..." Anna's mouth formed a perfect circle as the snow settled.

"D..d..did a..anyone g..get hurt?" Elsa worried as she tried to sit up and look around.

"Shhhh, just rest. Everyone is fine," Anna held her down as their guards and servants brushed the snow off themselves. "We're just a bit snow-covered, that's all. Right, everybody?"

"Right. And a b..bit c..ch..chilly," Melody shivered.

"S..sorry," Elsa murmured.

"See? Everyone is just fine, even if we aren't dressed for the weather." Those around them exchanged knowing smirks at this remark. "How are you feeling?"

"A little...tired." That was a lie. Elsa felt like she could sleep the rest of the day. She yawned deeply.

Anna smiled softly as Elsa's stutter diminished. "I bet you're tired after trying to hold that in. Next time, don't even try. Just freeze a wall or something and feel better, okay?"

"I..I guess." Anna stood up and helped her sister to her feet. Elsa wearily dropped her head onto Anna's shoulder and sagged against her. Anna grabbed her to keep her from falling.

"Do you want to go back to bed?"

Elsa shook her head. "No. I..I need to d..do this."

"Okaaay, if you say so," Anna was dubious. "Uh, Elsa, do you think...?" Anna indicated the snow with a wave of her hand.

"Oh, right." Elsa gave a small wave of her hand, banishing the snow instantly.

"Wow," Anna breathed. "Elsa, you're amazing." After a minute, she shook her head and turned them to the door. "Come on, let's get it over with." Elsa took a deep breath and stood upright as a footman pushed the large doors open and Kai stepped through.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle! Princess Anna of Arendelle!" he thundered.

Eugene carried Rapunzel into Elsa's chambers, past several servants and the now-ever-present guards. The early afternoon sun streamed through the windows and the heat inside the castle was oppressive. That is, until you entered Elsa's bedroom. The air there was cold, so much so that a normal person would want a cloak. Elsa had discovered that morning that she could control the room temperature with just a thought, to the delight of Anna and their servants. Elsa got suspicious when servant after servant came into for minor reasons and loitered for several minutes before leaving.

That afternoon, Anna lay on the bed, wrapped in blankets with Elsa huddled against her side. Elsa's ear rested over Anna's heart while Anna's left hand ran lazily through Elsa's hair. Anna's head was propped up on a pillow, the council report in her other hand.

"Hi," Eugene whispered.

"Hi, Punzie, Eugene," Anna replied, looking up. "Punzie! What happened?"

"Oh, the usual," Rapunzel lifted her head off Eugene's shoulder. "Went to that new restaurant we told you about this morning, had a few people ask me to heal them or their family members, got tired from it."

"That's putting it mildly, Blondie. You should have seen it, Anna. People were running up, some carrying their sick relative, begging her to heal them. And big-hearted Blondie couldn't tell anyone no so she kept at it until she nearly fainted again. I had to carry her into the restaurant.

"Punzie..." Anna began warningly.

"Yes?"

"You know you have to watch yourself."

"I know, I know, but it's just so hard not to help!"

"You and Elsa really need to learn your limits with your magic, Blondie," Eugene interjected. "Both of you are still recovering so take it easy."

"Thanks for the advice," Rapunzel said dryly. "I'll keep it in mind when someone is asking me to save their life."

"Healing a splinter and a brush burn is not saving someone's life."

Anna decided to change the subject before an argument broke out. "So, how was that new restaurant?"

Rapunzel perked up. "Lunch was delicious. Their venison steak is divine! How's Elsa?"

Anna grimaced as she pushed herself up slightly, her muscles protesting against the change in position. "Gave herself a major headache. First, we met with the council and then all the foreign diplomats this morning, then she worked on a speech—did either of you know that Elsa plans to address the entire country this afternoon? I didn't either. Anyway, I made her take some medicine and rest. She's been out since about noon. What did you do besides eating?"

Eugene laid Rapunzel on the bed. She rolled onto her side and began lazily tracing small circles on Elsa's back. "Not much. Just some shopping after I had rested a little." Eugene rolled his eyes.

"More like buying. I don't know where we're going to put all the stuff you bought, Blondie. Good thing Anna loaned us a couple footmen—there's no way I could have carried all those bags and you."

Rapunzel glowered at him. "Look who's talking. What about that new suit you bought, along with new boots and a hat? What about that new seaman's chest? And don't get me started on the new pocket watch, cuff links, spyglass, and…"

"Okay, okay!" Eugene held his hands up in surrender. "So I bought a few things too."

Rapunzel rolled her eyes before turning back to Anna. "So, whatcha reading?"

"The latest sleep-inducing report on repairs and crops. Elsa may be able to remember everything as our ministers talk about it but I can't. I get lost. Anyway, looks like the Duke of Weselton's ship, Lord Fox's ship, and Monsieur Argonne's ship will be finished by Monday morning. Then they'll start working on your ship and Baron von Stuben's vessel."

"Lord Fox?" Eugene asked.

"The British ambassador. Monsieur Argonne is the French ambassador. Von Stuben is the Prussian representative. Hmm. According to this, the repairs on the docks are nearly finished, so everyone can go home soon as their ships are ready. The first ones will probably leave Tuesday or Wednesday."

"What about crops?"

Anna made a face. "At least seventy-five percent damaged or destroyed. The winter wheat crop is fine but we're going to have to import a lot more food for the winter."

Eugene let out a low whistle. "That will be expensive. Can you afford all that?"

"Don't know. We're going to be meeting later on today to discuss it."

Rapunzel took Anna's hand and looked into her eyes. "You know that we'll help in any way we can. Papa will insist on it."

Anna smiled. "I know. The Duke of Weselton has offered to sell us some food..."

"No," Elsa breathed.

"Huh?" Anna startled. "Elsa! How long have you been awake?"

"Just since Punzie and Eugene came in."

"How's your headache?"

"Gone," Elsa took a breath. "We're not accepting any trade from Weselton." She rolled over onto her back and threw a forearm across her eyes to shield them from a beam of sunlight.

"Why not?"

"Three reasons. First, that duke called me a monster. Second, his men tried to kill me. Third," she dug under her pillow and handed Anna a thick report. "Lord Roop's report on our trade with Weselton. They've been cheating us for years."

Anna gaped at her. "Elsa, when? How?" Elsa smirked.

"You haven't been in here every minute. I talked with Lord Roop about it two days ago in the gardens. He gave the finished report to me this morning as the council was leaving. Once he started looking, it didn't take long to figure out what Weselton was doing, especially since they got more brazen about it once Papa and Mama died. They gave us goods that were inferior or underweight while charging us full price."

"Well, that explains why Roop was late to the meeting this morning and looked so tired. I can't imagine digging through all those old ledgers in just two days. What about our exports to them?"

"They would make false claims about the quality or quantity we sent them and demand discounts and refunds."

"So what are you going to do about them trying to take advantage of you?"

Elsa pushed herself up to a sitting position. Anna quickly supported her when she started leaning to one side, still a little woozy from the sedative in the tea. "We're cutting off trade with them completely. I asked Kai to draw up a decree for me to sign. I'll have Kai read it to the Duke after he's expelled from Arendelle."

"Wait. Don't you have to go through the council to cut off trade with someone?"

Elsa arched a slim eyebrow at her little sister. "No. As sovereign queen, I don't have to go through the council for anything. The council is there to advise and assist me, not make decisions for me." She smiled at Anna's surprised expression. "I'm surprised Papa didn't drum that into your head like he did mine. However, I asked Lord Roop to apprise the council of the situation so when we have that kingdom-wide assembly this afternoon, we won't need to explain my decision."

"We? You mean, I'm going with you?" Anna got excited.

"Yes. I think it's time that I see how the Princess Regent has been doing while I've been indisposed," Elsa teased, her eyes twinkling as Anna gasped in delight.

"Wait. What time is it?" Anna suddenly asked.

"Right around two-thirty," Rapunzel replied. "Why?"

"Aaaahh! The meeting starts at three! And no offense, Elsa, but you just woke up. You're nowhere near ready. Your hair's a mess, your makeup is nonexistent, and your dress is wrinkled!"

Elsa smiled secretively as someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" she called. Their ladies-in-waiting entered, accompanied by Gerda.

"Oh, Queen Elsa, you're already awake! Are you ready?" Elsa nodded. Gerda and Bridget helped her walk to her vanity. Eugene quickly excused himself.

Anna looked after her in shock. "Wait. Elsa? When did you arrange this?"

"While you were eating lunch," she smirked.

"You were supposed to be sleeping! Didn't that tea knock you out?"

Elsa shrugged. "I stayed awake for a little while." Anna glared at her.

"Elsaaaa...," she said menacingly.

"What?" Elsa asked innocently.

"Next time, I'm not leaving until AFTER you go to sleep!"

"Princess Anna?" Gerda touched her arm. "Melody will touch up your makeup and get you ready." Gerda pointed to a second chair at Elsa's vanity where her lady-in-waiting stood.

"Oh! Thank you!" Anna hopped over beside her sister. She leaned over and whispered, "You stinker! You should have told me!"

"What's the fun in that?" Elsa grinned mischievously as Gerda braided her long hair into the loose French braid she loved. Bridget did her eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lipstick before finishing with just a hint of blush on her cheeks. When that was done, Gerda helped Elsa stand and take off her replica coronation dress. Anna was too busy chatting with Melody to notice that no one brought a new dress over for Elsa to change into. A burst of blue light illuminated the room accompanied by the crackle of frost.

Anna looked at her with happy awe. "Whoa! That was amazing! That's the same dress you wore in your ice castle! It's beautiful! Can you make me one? Please? Pretty please with chocolate on top?"

Elsa looked away from Anna's puppy dog look before she could crumble. "Anna, your body heat would melt it. I think a certain ice harvester wouldn't mind but…"

Anna turned a crimson red. "Wha…? I...I don't think..."

Elsa laughed. "Oh, come on. I saw how Kristoff looked at you when he came to visit you last evening."

"How could you see that?" Anna asked defensively. "Weren't you sleeping?"

"No. I just pretended to sleep," Elsa giggled at the dirty look Anna shot her. "Hey, that's what you get for trying to have a date in my room with me lying right there." Rapunzel started teasing Anna about having a boyfriend, making her stammer and blush furiously.