'Nervous' was too weak a word for what Elsa was feeling. She was absolutely terrified. Her throat was so dry she could hardly swallow, and her heart was threatening to come thundering through her ribcage. She had long since abandoned any hope of Rapunzel not noticing how sweaty her palms were, and was instead simply thankful the girl was either too polite to mention it, or simply wasn't bothered. Regardless, she was still holding it, another thing Elsa was thankful for.

Since the decision had been made they had spent a few more hours drying off and wasting time in the beautiful field, determined to appreciate it for as long as the sun would cater for. Eventually though, they had had to set off, and Rapunzel had been unphased by Elsa's warning of the long walk ahead, underestimating just how away far Arendelle actually was.

After a long evening and an even longer night, they had eventually reached a small, isolated little inn, and although the place was cramped the owner more than made up for it with his friendly demeanour and excellent service, ensuring they were well fed, had everything they could need and then some, regardless of how late it was. He eventually sent them to their room once he was sure they were satisfied, waving them goodnight with a peculiar little "hoo hoo!" and a smile.

Despite Rapunzel's protests that she was fine, just out of shape, hardly even tired, she virtually passed out as soon as her body hit the bed – Elsa had insisted on taking the floor – and was snoring happily in minutes. When they woke the next day however, the older girl had been pleasantly surprised to find that somehow the blonde had ended up on the floor next to her, a fact that instantly improved her mood and initial reluctance to face the morning.

After thanking the innkeeper (and his equally merry family they had the pleasure of meeting at breakfast) abundantly, they had set off once again, and now stood at the beginning of the longest bridge Rapunzel had ever seen, the evidently bustling town that lay in the distance laid out like a foreground to the grandiose building sitting not far behind it, and even from here Rapunzel could see the imposing stone walls that housed it. Elsa's home was not dissimilar to it's owner.

They had come to a standstill at this point, as if some sort of invisible line was drawn across the bridge, and the shaky breaths emanating next to her were a sure-fire indicator that the metaphor was incredibly accurate, especially to the person most reluctant to cross it in the first place.

Rapunzel felt her heart clench. She could see, hear and feel how nervous Elsa was, and knew it must be taking her a great deal of effort not to let it show through her powers, which she had no doubt were brimming forcefully at the surface, waiting to blast out and make her fear all that more real.

"Hey." She said softly, squeezing her hand. "We don't have to do this you know. We can just as easily turn back."

Elsa turned to give her a strained smile, though her eyes gave her away. "It's fine. I said we would do this and here we are. No point going back now."

Rapunzel grabbed her other hand, forcing her to turn and face her. "Elsa, you need to tell me before we go…What is it you're so afraid of?"

The older girl cast a nervous glance down the bridge, and broke the contact to run a jumpy hand through her hair. "I… I don't… I think… People might stare."

Rapunzel ducked her head to meet Elsa's flitting eyes once more. "Why? Because of us? Seeing you with me?"

Elsa shook her head as her eyes found the floor again. "N-no. Not you. It's me.. They don't really.. I don't go out much they – they never see me."

Rapunzel frowned. "Never?... How do you get out?"

Elsa bit her lip. "Well they see me sometimes. Going to and from places, and sometimes when they come in.." Another glance down the bridge. "Come in the palace, but mostly they talk to Anna. I don't really.. Socialise much."

"Hey well that makes two of us!" Rapunzel chirped, feeling disheartened when the older girl only bit her lip and her frown lines deepened.

"It will be unusual for them.. To see me in the town.. Or 'out and about' as some would put it."

Rapunzel raised her hands to Elsa's face, forcing her to look at her.

"Listen." She said firmly, using one hand to stroke her hair. "You honestly do not have to do this. And if you do, people might look at first, but I'm sure they'll get used to it. You're their queen, not an alien. They've seen you before. And besides, you don't have to explain yourself. So you're in the town? So what? I'm sure they'll be happy to have you. After all, they'd be foolish not to." She smiled encouragingly, relieved to see at least a fraction of the fear seep away from the older girl's frame at her words. She had leaned into the blonde's hand involuntarily, revelling in the feeling of her thumb brushing against her cheek.

"That's not my biggest fear." She whispered, praying the younger girl would understand.

Rapunzel frowned, but did not let go of her. "Then what is? That you'll lose control? That's not going to happen, I'll make sure of it. Even if it does, I'll just sing as loudly as I can and pretty soon they'll have something else to ogle at. I'll say I'm a witch or something, I don't ca-"

"-That's not it.. Well obviously that's part of it. But I can't…" Elsa took a deep breath, attempting to steady her racing heart. "I can't be with you, like this." She raised her hands to clasp Rapunzel's wrists; her hands still cradled her face. "I can't do this publically. I don't know how people will react to it.. I'm not ready for that. I don't think I can. I haven't even told Anna.. I don't want to hurt you, I just-"

"-It's okay!" Rapunzel interrupted, fingers playing with Elsa's braid. "It's okay. Really, I understand. One step at a time, okay?" She let go of the older girl, stepping back so there was a good amount of distance between them. "I'll behave." She winked. "But it'll be tough!"

Relief flooded Elsa's veins at the younger girl's reaction, she had expected her to feel rejected and hurt, possibly even angry, but this, this natural understanding from her was something else, and Elsa felt guilt pile on extra weight to her existing trepidation.

She has such a big heart… You don't deserve her.

She smiled weakly, hugging her arms to her chest, already missing the contact of the younger girl. Her brain had already become so accustomed to the feeling of Rapunzel in such a short space of time that it felt strange to be with her but remain so apart, almost like missing a limb, if one could warrant such a dramatic comparison.

Rapunzel felt the same disconnection, and twiddled her hands behind her back for something to occupy them with besides Elsa's.

"Better?" She asked hopefully, and Elsa felt the pressing weight on her emotions tell her she could deny the girl no longer.

She just wants to know you. It's your own fault for being so cold. Let her have this, she deserves it. Man the hell up and show her your damn home.

"Ready." She said through a smile that was as genuine as she could make it. "Let's go."

They walked over the bridge, a clear gap between them, neither knowing what to do with the distance. Rapunzel dealt with it by chattering incessantly as an alternative, and Elsa was grateful for the distraction. She didn't think she could handle silence. It was either that or muttering her beloved mantra of concealing and not feeling over and over in her mind.

The people in the distance grew bigger as they approached and their features became distinguishable, the blurred buzzing of noise gradually formed separate voices as the market was brewing with trade.

Market day. Of course. It just had to be market day.

Elsa squeezed her eyes shut, chastising herself for being so foolish. How did this slip by her? She cast a worried glance at Rapunzel, concerned at how she would handle going from years of isolation to being in the centre of one of the busiest days in Arendelle.

To her surprise however, the girl's eyes were alight as she stared at the hustle and bustle of the market square in front of her. She was positively glowing with astonishment, the look on her face reminded Elsa of Anna's at Christmas, and she couldn't help but feel a little better about the events ahead. Even if she hated this with every fibre of her being, she would force herself to enjoy it for Rapunzel, who had clearly been dreaming of something like this, being around this many people, and just like with Anna, she'd be damned if she was going to be the one to take that away from her.

Fixing a smile on her face and ensuring she looked polite and approachable, she continued into the square, awaiting the stares and the gossip, possibly even the questions.

People looked. Of course they did, but not at all in the way Elsa expected. Naturally, stall owners rushed to bow to her, and she had to wave several embarrassing greetings off as a few people threw their whole bodies down to the floor, or began berating and rapidly firing orders to their assistants in hisses and hushed voices, desperate to snap their stalls into shape for the queen. Still, even after she expressed vehemently that there was no need for any of this, the people still insisted on a least a small tip of the hat, salute or curtsey in her wake.

"They respect you." Rapunzel whispered beside her ear, seizing the opportunity to nudge her as they ducked in and out of people and their cries of "good morning your majesty!"

Elsa didn't trust herself to respond. The initial reception was looking too hopeful so far and she didn't want to do anything to destroy it.

"Oops! Sorry!" Rapunzel called for the thousandth time as someone stepped on her hair and she had to awkwardly pull it back. Gathering it all up in her arms, she shot Elsa a bashful smile and hunched up her shoulders, unused to such an atmosphere and unsure what to do with it.

Elsa frowned, her fingers drummed against her chin as she scanned the market place, searching for a solution to the re-occurring problem. When she turned back however, Rapunzel had gone. A quick look to the right informed her that the girl's attention – and presence - had been grabbed by one of the more vibrant stalls selling cloth and other colourful materials, and her head was darting about all over the place as she looked at all the items on display. The stall owner looked bemused, but rather cheerful at her enthusiasm, and Elsa couldn't help the smile creeping up at the sight.

When Rapunzel bent over to look at something over the stall counter, Elsa found herself staring. Her jaw tightened and her throat went slightly dry at the thoughts that immediately sparked up in her mind's eye, almost all of them revolving round a rather prominent desire to know what was under that lilac dress the girl was so fond of. Even now, she could see the ample curve of the girl's behind underneath the thin material, and she felt a dull ache prod at her lower abdomen as she pictured lifting it up, pushing her hands delicately up the bare skin of Rapunzel's legs as she raised the dress up and over-

"Elsa?!"

A violent blush shot up from her neck to vigorously colour her cheeks a deep crimson as her train of thought was interrupted. She turned away from the source of her fantasy, mentally scolding herself for such a lack of self-control.

You're in a public place! Now is not the time for such perversions!

She was too busy in self-punishment however to realise just who the voice had actually come from, and it wasn't until that ever familiar flaming red hair was in front of her that she did. Her heart promptly sank.

"Anna?"

Her younger sister puffed out her cheeks indignantly. "Oh, don't sound so pleased to see me then. Elsa what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be away for the week?" She suddenly grinned proudly. "I've been taking care of things. See! Everything's running normally? Nothing's been burnt down?"

The joke fell on deaf ears as Elsa tried as subtly as possible to look for Rapunzel, relieved to see she had moved on from the cloths and was now busy looking at paints and brushes, holding them up to the sky and squinting at them studiously, whilst the dumpy little woman next to her smiled warmly, her mouth was moving – good. She was talking to her.

Elsa looked back but it was too late. Anna had already followed her line of vision.

"What are you staring at? – Whoa! That is a lot of hair!"

Dammit.

"Yes." She gulped, trying to sound as natural as possible. "I suppose it is!"

"That's so cool! Imagine if I had hair that long! I wonder how she deals with it? Let's go ask her!"

"What – no! Anna!" Elsa called after her but it was futile, Anna was already making her way over, apparently content with voicing her questions to just herself.

"Shit!" She muttered as she watched Anna greet Rapunzel and the blonde responded positively, both of them wearing smiles as they chatted animatedly. It seemed like only seconds before Anna was waving her over enthusiastically, and Rapunzel frowned, but reverted back to a smile as quick as flash when Anna turned back to her.

"Elsa! Come here! She says she's never cut it! Like, never! Can you believe that?"

"I know." Elsa mumbled, sending Rapunzel a sorely apologetic look.

"But like – ever! Like, seriously, not even once? One tiny little snip?"

Rapunzel laughed and shook her head, feeling it best not to have to explain the little brown lock that lay hidden behind her ear.

"But how come? Sorry I hope you don't mind me asking – it's just that I find it so… different! How do you manage it? On a day to day basis it must get in the way? And – whoa! How long does it take to brush it!?"

Elsa's face found her hand as Anna continued relentlessly, and Rapunzel politely answered all her questions. She even seemed to be enjoying it. Eventually though, Elsa felt enough was enough.

"Anna, please. Don't interrogate the poor girl." She chided, and Anna just huffed at her.

"I'm not interrogating! I'm just curious!" She protested, before turning back to Rapunzel. "Sorry, ignore my sister, she can be pretty grumpy sometimes."

Rapunzel laughed and hugged her hair closer to her chest. "She's not so bad." She said shyly.

"Yeah right, she'd win pessimist of the year any day. I bet you're just saying that to be nice. But anyway, how come I've never seen you here before? Are you visiting someone? Family? Boyfriend?"

"She doesn't have a boyfriend." Elsa snapped.

Two sets of eyes turned to look at her, for the second time that day, heat rushed to her face.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise you two knew each other! So you've let me babble on like an idiot for all this time? I'm sorry - that must have been really annoying!"

Elsa scoffed in agreement and Rapunzel smiled, but Anna was unperturbed.

"So how do you guys know each other?"

"Well.." Rapunzel cleared her throat. Twisting her fingers, she looked at the floor as she decided how to answer.

"I'm umm… I'm showing her round Arendelle." Elsa stepped in, silently thankful that the girl hadn't disclosed anything.

Anna's expression was blank. "Cool?" She said. "Umm… Why?"

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Do I need a reason?"

Anna held her hands up in mock defence. "Whoa there snappy. No, I was just asking."

Elsa sighed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap.. I just am. Don't worry about it, okay?"

Anna stared at her for several, long moments. Her eyes went from Rapunzel, to Elsa, then back to Rapunzel again, before they narrowed to slits. Elsa knew from experience that this was a sign that Anna's brain was working furiously, and if the knowing smile forming slowly on her freckle dusted face was anything to go by, she knew it would most likely mean trouble.

"Okay." Anna said in a tone that Elsa couldn't quite decipher, though the frequency at which she was looking between them was making her uncomfortable.

Rapunzel cleared her throat. "So umm… I'm guessing you must be the Anna? Elsa's sister?"

"Yep!" Anna grinned. "That's me! Devoted sister and Princess, loved by all."

Elsa snorted and shook her head fondly. Sometimes she didn't think Anna was aware of just how much truth that joke actually held. The people adored her little sister, you only had to look around on a day like this to see it.

She shifted into her regal composure as she stood back quietly, politely listening as Anna started rambling about Kristoff to Rapunzel, who seemed more than happy to listen and contribute, asking almost as many questions about Anna as she had about the blonde. Elsa noted with a hint of amusement that they talked just as fast as each other. It was a strange sight, but she let it continue, secretly over the moon that Rapunzel and Anna were getting on so well. She watched the blonde's hands fly around as she talked, and thought back to the day she had first met her. Remembering her diagnosis of the younger girl being a 'talk-with-my-hands' person as one of the first things she noticed about her.

She smiled to herself as further memories clamoured around that one and she began to daydream. One particular image that simply refused to be quashed was a more recent one of their escapades in the lake. Images of a very wet looking Rapunzel suddenly dominated her thoughts, burning through to sit promptly at the front of her brain. She could remember in acute detail every water drop that glistened in the sunlight on the girl's bare skin, a few dripping down, making their descent over the swell of her chest and down her cleavage where they were met by the material of her dress, that sopping wet material which had clung to her entire body in such a way that had made Elsa shiver even in the exceeding heat, and upon that thought her brain surged into a different route, transforming the memory into her own version, morphing into a very different set of events, during which she had Rapunzel in front of her, lifting her arms to let Elsa peel the wet clothes over her head, to reveal gorgeous, smooth, sunkissed –

"So can I?"

- God dammit! What is wrong with you?!

"I- what? You, she what?" Elsa stammered, forcing herself to focus, again, on the events happening in front of her.

Christ, is this what happens when you don't touch her for, what, five minutes?! Get. A. Hold of yourself!

Anna giggled. "Where you even listening?"

Rapunzel inhaled discreetly through her nose, in the hopes she could cool the heat in her cheeks. About halfway through her conversation with Anna she had caught Elsa staring at her, but the distance in her eyes suggested she wasn't even aware of it. There was something about it though, about the way Elsa was looking at her that gave her goose bumps, and she had felt that familiar pull of desire that had gradually gotten stronger and stronger over time, so much so that she knew she was going to have to satisfy it soon, feed her incessant craving for the older girl's touch. But was Elsa ready for that? She was so fragile that Rapunzel was never sure, and she was pretty certain that Elsa viewed her in the same light.

She probably thinks you're some innocent child who doesn't even know what sex is. She's seen your fairy tale collection for god's sake.

Rapunzel cringed at the memory. Perhaps she would have to be the instigator then, if Elsa did harbour such views. However, today was not the only time Rapunzel had secretly caught her staring, and vice versa. It was an unvoiced topic, but she was confident it didn't have to be. Being with the older girl was so… Easy, and it felt so right, like natural instinct. But they were both more than aware of each other's insecurities, and so they tended to dance around each other, both as scared of breaking what they had as the other.

Nonetheless, they were both adults, and they both had needs, and if she could guess, based purely on the look Elsa had just been giving her alone, she would say it was a sure fire indicator that she was as ready as Rapunzel was. Right now however, no one had answered Anna's question, and her mind jumped away from such thoughts, and back to present day.

What did she ask again? …. Oh yeah – my hair.

"Elsa, Anna wants to do my hair." She beamed up at the older girl, who had a mix of both confusion and rising panic written across her features.

"She what?!"

"Oh come on! It'll be fun! I might even be able to get it off the floor!" Anna jumped in, seeming positively elated at the idea, and was currently looking at Elsa with pleading eyes. "You can show her round the palace too, and I'll do it before dinner!"

"Dinner?" The tone came out a lot higher than Elsa had intended. Anna rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, like - what you eat? What else were you gunna do? Send Rapunzel off to find her own food? Ooh! Rapunzel do you like duck?"

"I umm, I've never tried it." Rapunzel replied as she subtly attempted to send Elsa a reassuring look.

"Really? Oh then you're in for a treat! Rita is a totally magical cook, trust me, and it's not for a few hours so don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to go round the palace with Elsa, and for me to do your hair – ooh! You can borrow one of my dresses to wear! We're about the same size, right Els?" She grabbed Rapunzel into a one armed hug, waiting expectantly for Elsa to judge their height and size difference.

"I… You…" Elsa flustered, unsure as to where these sudden evening plans had sprung from.

"We are! Definitely, you'll fit into loads of my things. I'm super super excited to do your hair though!" She eyed the never ending length excitedly. "Oh wait – sorry I've been rude just assuming - you don't mind do you? If I braid it?"

Rapunzel looked at Elsa, who just exhaled and gave her a defeated shrug, looking at Anna and shaking her head, but she was smiling, which was confirmation enough for the blonde.

"Sure, I don't mind" She said shyly. "It might actually be quite good for me." She held up the enormous bundle of blonde waves still resting in her arms. "This is becoming a bit of a problem anyway."

"Yay!" Anna squealed, clapping her hands. Rapunzel couldn't help but grin, who couldn't with this girl? She was so friendly, and it had only taken five minutes for her to see why Elsa was so fond of her, she was incredibly genuine, and the kind of company that Rapunzel knew she would be happy to have more of, if Elsa would be okay with it.

Anna was already skipping ahead of them, and Rapunzel took the opportunity to squeeze Elsa's hand as they walked side by side after her.

"Breathe." She whispered, and Elsa shot her a warm smile.

"I'm fine." She said. "Really, I'm used to it, that's just Anna." She grinned and shook her head. "It's rather strange though."

Rapunzel looked up at her. "What is?"

"You two are weirdly similar in some ways."

"Really?" Rapunzel frowned and looked at the two flaming plaits bouncing ahead of them. "In what ways?"

Elsa chuckled. "You just are. It's a good thing though. I can see you'll get on just fine. But don't worry." She squeezed the younger girl's hand back. "You're still very different in some ways, and you're unique of course." She winked, and Rapunzel giggled.

"How am I unique?"

"Because you're mine." Elsa said simply, as if that explained everything, and her thumb traced the girl's hand once before letting it go.

Rapunzel felt her heart double in size as she turned to look at the older girl, whose face had crinkled into the biggest, most natural smile she'd seen all day.

"I am." She grinned back. "And you're mine too."

Elsa smiled and bit her lip, running a hand through her hair so that she wouldn't get tempted to take the girl's hand again. The exchange had warmed her heart, and instilled her with some sort of new confidence, like she could take on the world as long as the blonde was by her side, physically close or not, just knowing and seeing she was there was enough for now. Maybe she would tell Anna. Maybe before dinner. She hoped this newfound bravery would last that long. First, she had to take the younger girl on a tour of the palace, her home and prison for 22 years.

She felt happiness rise in her chest as she realised she didn't even mind Rapunzel meeting Anna so suddenly and obtrusively, it had actually turned out to be a very positive experience for both of them. A fact Elsa was more than happy about, as it might – just might – make things that little bit easier when Anna inevitably found out. She was already suspecting Elsa of pining after someone, and she could only pray the girl didn't find out before she could tell her. She was oddly intuitive at times, and Elsa could only pray that tonight's dinner was not one of those times.

She focused her attentions to the task ahead. She knew tonight she was effectively going to be giving a show-and-tell of her life from birth behind those large, imposing walls. She knew Rapunzel would probably have a thousand questions, but she quickly realised that she didn't mind at all. She wanted her to know, she wanted her to know everything. Even the bad.

This was the first person she really felt a desire to be totally, and completely open with. She only hoped she wasn't making a terrible mistake. Looking at Rapunzel now however, at her bright green eyes and hopeful face, again adopting an expression of wonder as she stared up at the enormous building gradually getting nearer to them, she couldn't help but feel safe, and it was that fact that made her know for certain that she wasn't.