Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the setting in this particular universe.
Warning: This is a work of fiction and the characters, no matter the resemblance to the original source, may deviate from assumed stereotypes.
A/N:
Every story needs plot points, either to build up to the climax or for character development. This story will be no different. I do believe I've classified this under the Drama/Romance genre and both elements will come into play, in no particular order.
In answer to several reviews about Anna's fickle mindset, please re-watch the movie. She did switch from Hans to Kristoff in mere minutes. Perhaps my interpretation is wrong; but from a personal standpoint, I can understand how easily one's obsession can change, literally in a blink.
For those who choose to stay after this, I am immensely grateful for your support.
News of the princess's engagement spread through the kingdom like wildfire. By morning the day after the coronation ball, the town was rife with whispers of how the dashing Prince Hans had swept Princess Anna off her feet and proposed in the middle of the ball. The women were gushing over how handsome the prince was, sighing in envy as they returned to their mundane lives and their husbands.
"I heard he has dreamy eyes… green like a field of grass in summer." One cheery woman informed the attentive fruit merchant.
The merchant giggled, raising a hand to muffle her next words. "I heard one of those ladies saying he has very defined bum. Oh, what I'd do to get my hands on those buns." Both women giggled.
Dressed in a navy long sleeved undershirt with dark blue trousers to blend into the townsfolk, Kristoff gagged as he overheard the women's conversation. Both women turned at the sound and the blond cleared his throat loudly to mask his initial reaction.
"I can't believe she agreed to marry him." He seethed, fists clenched at his sides as he took long strides through the town.
"If it's what she wants, we should be happy for her." Olaf piped up as he trotted along behind the muscular blond, forced into a light jog to keep up.
"I don't think she knows what she wants." Kristoff huffed out a breath as he made his way towards a vendor selling vegetables.
"And do you know what she wants?" Olaf pressed, tilting his head to the side to regard the blond.
"Well, no. But I'm sure it's not sleazy sideburns guy. She doesn't know a damn thing about love." Kristoff grabbed a bundle of carrots from a shelf on the cart and dropped a few coins into the vendor's outstretched hand. He was so annoyed that he couldn't even be bothered to haggle.
"True love is about putting someone else's needs first. But what has love got to do with marriage?" Olaf paid for an apple and bit into it as they began retracing their steps.
"Love has everything to do with marriage. You can't just marry someone you just met!" Kristoff voice raised an octave in frustration. "What if you find out something you don't like about them?"
"I guess you just learn to love them?" Olaf responded, staring up at the taller blond with innocent eyes.
"You just have an answer for everything don't you?" Kristoff grumbled.
The boy chortled. "I try."
xxx
"This is a nightmare." Elsa dropped her head into her hands, gingerly massaging her temples in an attempt to sooth the growing headache.
The King sighed, slumping further into his seat. "Yes, it's not ideal."
"She agreed?" Elsa lifted her head to peer at the older man from above her hands.
"Indirectly, yes. I did manage to convince them to hold off any marriage plans until after the tourney."
"I take it that means the tourney will be taking place."
"Yes. And in two months' time too, no later. Prince Hans set sail for the Southern Isles yesterday evening."
A cool evening breeze swept through the dimly lit study from the opened window. Leather bound ledgers weighted down the bookshelves that ran around the perimeter of the room, leaving the centre occupied by a long, polished wooden desk accompanied by eight velvet cushioned chairs. Several candles with hot wax running down its length illuminated the room, the small flames flickering lazily. The King sat at the head of the table, with Elsa seated directly to his left, facing the ornately carved entrance where the Queen was accepting a laden tray from a servant.
"Anna seems quite taken by the charming Prince." The Queen interrupted as she returned with a pair of tumblers half-filled with a rich amber liquid, setting the glasses down before her husband and Elsa. "Better the young Southern Isles prince than one of his older brothers, that bloodthirsty lot."
"His heritage leaves much to be desired." The King muttered angrily, earning a pointed glare from the Queen.
"Considering the Southern King's…indiscretion and his love for certain activities... I hardly think it matters which prince proposed." Elsa added glumly, her unhappiness about the engagement stemming from far more than just the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Southern Isles princes. "What in the blazes was Anna thinking? She barely knows Hans!"
"I'd wager a thousand gold coins that half of his sons are not of pure royal blood." The King raised an eyebrow in Elsa's direction in challenge.
"I accept. And I'll raise you an additional two thousand gold coins that the Queen of Southern Isles herself birthed no more than four sons."
"Really, the both of you; engaging in such gossip. As long as Anna's happy, I hardly think it matters." The Queen chided.
"We are concerned for her happiness." The King and Elsa muttered simultaneously, surprising the Queen with their synchronisation.
"Then leave her to make her own decisions." The Queen shot back, sending patronising glares at her husband and Elsa in turn. "She's old enough to decide what she wants. If she's agreeable to this arrangement, then all we can do is to support her through it." The Queen raised a hand, stopping Elsa as she parted her lips in protest. "I wholeheartedly agree that there may be other driving forces behind Prince Hans's proposal. But there is also much truth in his words. Uniting both territories would put an end to the hostilities, albeit temporality until we find a more permanent solution."
"What if the whole betrothal was a ploy? What if Prince Hans stages a coup against the throne? He wasn't even on the invitation list for the coronation ball but he turned up unannounced anyway." Elsa argued.
"Then we'll once again be in your debt, Elsa. This falls in your realm and you are the best there is." The King regarded the blonde sadly. "When it does come down to that, protect Anna to the best of your ability. The throne is the least of your worries."
"Even if it means the fall of an entire kingdom built upon the legacy of your ancestors?"
The King looked to his wife as she rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Yes. If that's what it takes." The Queen reiterated solemnly.
xxx
"Oh, Gerda. You should have seen him. He's perfect." Anna sighed dreamily, covering her eyes with an arm as she stretched out on her poster bed.
The housekeeper chuckled. "I'll take your word for it Princess."
"I feel like I've known him forever even though we've only been with each other for a few hours. It's such a pity he had to leave immediately after the ball. Maybe we shouldn't have rushed into the engagement and perhaps then we could have spent a little more time together…" Anna continued as the housekeeper bustled around her room, dusting around the many trinkets on the dresser.
"Do you think we'd live in here after we're married? Imagine the halls filled with children… I could show them my favourite hiding spots… read them my favourite books and the castle will be full of life again… Oh! Children! That means we'll h – have…to…" Anna blushed furiously at the thought of consummation. Her traitorous mind idly wondered what Elsa's skin would feel like, the thought only making her flush harder. "Why am I even thinking about Elsa now? She's not here."
"What if I'm bad at it…" Anna wondered aloud. She had read a few of the more…racy books in the library and had a vague idea of what the act entailed. Most of it had seemed so…rough; a notion that did not quite appeal to her despite her rash nature. She reckoned she would prefer quite the opposite, shy glances, gentle caresses; not that she had much experience in the matter.
"Like Elsa. Shy, gentle, sweet. Firm but affectionate. Stern but playful." That irritating voice was back in her head again. Deliberately bringing up memories that Anna had been too afraid to entertain in fear it would cross unspoken boundaries.
"Oh, my dear child. Do not fret. If he is the right person, your body will know exactly what it wants and how to get it." Gerda moved to an area of carpet strewn with hastily discarded shoes, methodically straightening them and placing them on the shoe rack.
"You don't think he's right for me?" Anna rolled over onto her belly, watching the housekeeper work.
"Do you?" The older woman retorted.
"I – I…" Anna clamped her mouth shut, her mind working furiously. "How is he not perfect for me?"
"Perfection is Elsa." A small voice piped up from the back of Anna's mind.
"He knows what I'm thinking, we both love sandwiches, he makes me feel wanted, like I'm special even though I'm just a plain, clumsy girl." Anna continued, desperately trying to drown out the voice in her head. "You love chocolates. Elsa makes you feel special." In a way, it felt like she was substituting Elsa with Hans; using the prince as an excuse to hide her conflicted emotions about Elsa.
"He makes me feel like a princess." Her voice grew smaller with each word, her head drooping until it now rested on the back of her folded hands over the mattress.
"Elsa makes you feel like a princess."
"Isn't that what true love is about?" Anna looked expectantly at the housekeeper, ignoring the incessant voice in her head.
Gerda smiled, her eyes dulling in sadness. "For your sake, I do hope so, Princess."
A soft knock on the closed door stopped the redhead from further arguing her case and Gerda crossed the room abruptly, secretly glad for the interruption. She had watched the princess grow into a beautiful young woman and over the years she had learn to recognise the optimism that the redhead portrayed was no more than a mask to hide her vulnerability.
The King and Queen had been longing for a child of their own for years before Elsa was brought to the castle. Perhaps it was really out of kindness that they had taken the baby in and raised her; but Gerda would not be surprised that their desire for a child was a huge contributing factor. There was no doubt Elsa brought the royal couple great joy, a happiness that only doubled when they were blessed with their very own, Anna, three years later. Even with their own flesh and blood, Elsa was still groomed to lead whereas Anna was allowed free rein over whatever the young girl choses to indulge in for the day. It was no wonder then that the redhead would feel overshadowed and made insignificant by a sister that she was not even related to.
But there was something else, something that even the two women that she had watched over during their younger years haven't realised. The way Anna had looked at Elsa was more than just adoration and the way Elsa had returned those innocent glances was more than affection. Even from a tender age, their lives were indisputably entwined; their hearts attached by the red string of fate. She loathed watching both of them bit their tongues over words that should have been said yet there was little she could do. Forcing them to face their feelings for the other would only serve to drive them further apart in fear.
Gerda pulled the heavy door opened and was greeted with the sight of Elsa with a fist comically raised to the wood to knock again. Speak of the devil.
"Elsa." The housekeeper greeted as the blonde lowered her hand.
"Gerda, a pleasure to see you again. Is the Princess around?"
Gerda noted the blonde's stiff tone and posture. Clearly she had reverted back to formalities again despite the little progress they had made since their last meeting. Biting back a sigh in resignation, Gerda turned to the expectant redhead on the bed.
"Princess Anna, Grand Marshal Frost is here to see you."
Anna frowned; quickly picking up on the rapidly growing tension cued by the housekeeper's used of the blonde's rank. The comely housekeeper rarely addressed the blonde with such formality and it was disconcerting to hear it now. She could only wonder about their exchange in the threshold.
"Send her in, please." Anna shifted, moving to sit upright in bed, suddenly conscious of how disorganised her bedroom was and how inappropriate that she would be entertaining guests in her private chambers. But it was Elsa; they had practically slept in the same bed together, surely all expected propriety had long been thrown out the window.
Gerda pulled the door opened wider, stepping aside to allow the blonde entry. With a slight bow, she excused herself, closing the door firmly behind her.
The silence that stretched between the two women was anything but palatable. After what felt like eternity but was in reality only mere minutes of Elsa standing stiffly just inside the door with Anna regarding her from the bed, the redhead broke the silence first. Clearly Elsa was a true master at remaining as silent as a metaphorical statue and Anna severely lack the patience for extended periods of stillness.
"Hi, stranger." She greeted breathily.
Elsa smiled in response, an empty one that did not quite reach her eyes.
"I take it you've heard my happy news." Anna continued tentatively.
Elsa chuckled humourlessly. "If that's what it really is." The words were mumbled under the blonde's breath but Anna heard each syllable and they cut straight into her heart.
"Do you not approve?" Anna asked quietly, eyes downcast. Their conversation had taken a turn for the worse a little too quickly for her liking.
"Does it matter?" Elsa murmured, more to herself than to Anna.
"It's true love! Hans is the perfect prince charming I could ever ask for!" Anna's voice grew louder in frustration, unable to understand why Elsa just could not be happy for her.
"Anna…" Elsa sighed in exasperation. She hadn't meant to confront the redhead, merely to ask if this engagement was really what the princess wanted. The last thing she wanted was for the redhead to get hurt. Emotional scars never really fade away, not even with time. They would always be there, waiting in the darkness of one's heart, waiting for their chance to swallow one whole and render them barely functional. Elsa never want Anna to ever have to go through that sort of suffering. It would put a damper on the blazing light that was Anna.
"Don't you dare use that patronising tone of voice with me. What did I ever do to you?!" A haze of red clouded her vision and Anna could feel her body trembling in an unfamiliar rage. The first time they had a chance to talk in more than a week and that was all Elsa wanted to say?
"Screw Hans. All I wanted was you but you couldn't give me that. I'm already settling so why can't you just be happy for me?!" Anna screamed in her mind, her unrequited and conflicted feelings further fuelling her anger. She was tired of fighting herself, tired of trying to figure out her emotions and she unwittingly unleashed her growing frustrations on the only outlet before her, Elsa.
"What would you know about love? Have you even loved? You only know how to shut people out. To run away from your problems. You think you are so selfless but all you really care about is yourself!" The second the words left her mouth, Anna immediately regretted them. Elsa may have perfected the art of keeping her face completely impassive but her cerulean eyes always betrayed her true emotions. Anna watched as the astonishment faded away from the blonde's clear blue eyes, replaced quickly by hurt, confusion then finally settled on grim acceptance.
"I'm sorry, Elsa… That was uncalled for…" Anna quickly apologised, but she was much too late, Elsa already had her back turn with one hand on the doorknob.
"Don't be. There is much truth in your words." Elsa's voice was soft, defeated even. "But you are wrong Anna. I have loved." She looked back, meeting the redhead's eyes. "I know things haven't been easy while we were… separated. But I couldn't risk hurting you any more than I already have. I hadn't planned on you ever finding out. If lying would keep you safe, I'd gladly take that secret to the grave. I've loved – no, love you since the day you were born and I always will."
With a soft click that resounded with finality in the silent room, Anna was left alone in her room. Glum realisation dawned on her as her mind registered the blonde's words. Elsa had not had the benefit of suppressed memories. Every single day must have been torturous as she was plagued with her guilt and the consequences of her actions; and she had been willing to relive those memories until her very last breath.
"Elsa loves me." For once, the little voice in her head was silent. But her elation at the blonde's subtle confession was short lived.
Anna was so wrong.
Elsa wasn't the selfish one.
She was.
And she was so unworthy of the blonde's unconditional love.
She needed to fix the mess she had created.
xxx
A hooded figure walked briskly through the quiet duchy of Weaselton, sticking closely to the shadows. Night had fallen hours earlier, the sleepy town barely lit by the crescent moon hanging high in the cloudy night sky.
Pausing by a cart by the edge of the Keep's courtyard piled with unmarked crates, the figure stooped down to remove the brick wedged against the wheel. With the obstruction removed, all it took was a light push to send the cart careening through the courtyard. The cart rolled forward, steadily picking up speed as it approached the Keep's gates; its wheels creaking eerily in the night.
The pair of guards patrolling by the Keep's entrance quickly took noticed from the noise and hastened from their posts. As they rushed towards the cart, using their large frames to slow down its motions, the cloaked figure snuck through the unguarded entrance.
The Duke of Weaselton should really stop scrimping on security.
By the time the guards had the unruly cart under control, the figure was already slipping unnoticed into the Duke's office on the topmost floor of the Keep.
"Hello, Duke." The figure greeted in a raspy voice, causing the moustached man to jerk in his seat in surprise.
"H – How did you get in?!" He sputtered through rapid breaths.
The figure settled into a settee by the door, calmly extinguishing a candle by the low table before it. Positioning himself such that light from the remaining candle on the Duke's desk could not reach his face, he crossed his legs, tapping a well-polished boot against the stone floor.
"Your guards on duty tonight are not particularly bright. I hope you wouldn't be sending them for our next operation." There was a hint of amusement in the figure's voice as he spoke, keeping his head lowered.
"What operation?" The Duke squeaked, shakily removing a crisp handkerchief from his breast pocket to wipe at his brow.
"On the fourth day of the last month of autumn, Arendelle will be hosting a three day tourney with the Southern Isles. This, my friend, is the opportunity you've been waiting for. Sent two of your best men to the Southern Isles, have them blend in with the competitors that our Southern friends will be sending for this glorious occasion. Succeed and you'll have more gold than you could ever wish for. Fail…and you'd only lose two men for the effort."
The Duke wrung the linen beneath his desk, contemplating the other man's words.
"I'll be sure to succeed." The Duke spoke resolutely, his fingers curled into tight fists. There was no room for error; he might not have another chance in future. Besides, all he had to wager were two men and his guards were dispensable.
A/N:
Keyword: Plot.