Elsa walked swiftly and elegantly through the only street of Burgess. Thankfully, she didn't have to worry about her dresses getting dirty by scraping the earthy ground: all the ones she had brought, including the one she was wearing, were purposefully around a foot shorter than usual specifically to prevent situations such as these.
The inn was quite easy to find, being by far the biggest building in the village. Plus, it was the only wooden house with two carriages and six guards at the front.
Her pace slowed as she came closer to the place, a subconscious signal of her concealed uncertainty. She was struggling to keep positive while feeling exposed to the world and dreading the surely agonizing situations that would happen in moments.
Few people were on sight, the majority probably preparing or having lunch at the moment: the king did encourage them to proceed with their daily lives despite the royals' presence after all. Even so, a few could be seen passing by, with big smiles and hurried steps, acknowledging her with nods, wide eyes, bows and greetings. She was relieved not to find a certain young man between them. In fact, all she came across were women or children, and she didn't spot any young people around her age or some years older.
She contoured the carriage closest to the main door by turning to the left. And she was immediately struck with the image of three kids huddled together with their faces glued to one of the windows, clearly spying on those inside. However, while they completely ignored the guards and in return they paid them no mind, as soon as she stepped on sight, those three parted with the glass and stared at her with curious and awed looks and then, upon realizing they had been caught by the heir princess herself, unceremoniously ran away, the smallest one nearly tripping on her own feet. The guards dropped their relaxed stances and uttered greetings, the closest one swiftly opening the door for her.
Elsa thanked him and moved inside, the door closing slowly behind her.
The first thing she took note of was the people. She was half-expecting to find her feared childhood friend leaning against a rough table, cup in hand and surrounded by his peers. Or her family and their hosts talking animatedly at a long table, lunch long started, interrupted by her sudden arrival. But nothing of the sort. There were six people in the room, on their feet and just by the door. Her parents, the mayor and his wife, another man and a blonde girl around her age. The girl was in mid-bow and the man was shaking hands with her father. It was obvious they had been just presented.
With her first step all of them had turned their eyes to her. This of course made Elsa uncomfortable but she didn't let it show.
- Princess Elsa! Such a good timing! - said Beata cheerfully.
I do not share your opinion, though, she thought. Good timing would have been when they were all too busy to notice her entry. But she supposed that would be highly improbable, not to say nearly impossible.
- This is Jorun Toov - the man bowed curtly - and his daughter, Elisabeth Toov - the blonde girl graciously bended forward.
Elsa nodded and smiled in acknowledgment.
- Jorun here is my daughter-in-law's old brother so Anton and I thought it was only fitting to invite them - she sighed sadly - Specially since none of my sons could be here!
She turned to her bigger audience, Elsa slowly edging from the woman's back and in front of the door to the side of the group.
- My Johan moved to the capital five years ago and hasn't visited since! – she proclaimed dramatically, eyes closed, a pained face.
- Actually, he visited last summer, dear - said the mayor.
- ... and my Bard has been with the hunting group for a month! - continued Beata, promptly ignoring her husband.
- Two and a half weeks, dear.
She glared him down.
- Why don't you go check the meal, darling?
Anton stood awkwardly.
- Alright, dear.
Elsa's eyes followed the poor man to a door in the back of the room. She noticed the blonde girl, Elisabeth, had done the same and was surprised to find amusement in her features rather than pity or embarrassment. The girl caught her looking at her and approached.
- Do not worry, Your Highness. They're always like this - she whispered, giggling softly.
Elsa nodded and smiled timidly. For some reason, people her age were harder to talk to than adults and elders.
The mayor's wife kept with her self-centered and excited rambling, the royal couple the only ones patiently listening. Elsa wondered how they were able to take in such intense monologue. But if looked closely, she was able to see that her father's mouth and eyebrows were slightly twitching. Her mother appeared genuine, though. Jorun Toov simply stood, lightly tapping the wooden surface of a nearby chair.
- I've always wondered about royalty - Elisabeth revealed softly.
Elsa reluctantly returned her attention to the girl. She really wanted to avoid a conversation.
- Do you know how tales describe you princesses? Fair, pure, kind, majestic and full of grace. And you completely embody all that.
- ... Thank you.
Elsa was surprised. This girl stood before her with a grace, with such relaxed stance, talking both respectfully and naturally… Unafraid of her interaction with a member of the royal family. Her demeanor wasn´t perfect of course, but way more than Elsa's higher expectations of people of no court or nobility background. And she really doubted Elisabeth had ever been in a similar situation before to practice such skills, but the blonde clearly showed knowledge of etiquette, even if a rough one around the edges.
- If I may ask, how old are you, Your Highness? We appear to be the same age... I've completed fifteen years in the beginning of autumn.
Elisabeth stared into Elsa's eyes, awaiting an answer. The heir princess felt uncomfortable under the gray-eyed gaze but held it without flinching, noticing absently the girl was slightly shorter than her.
- Sixteen, the next winter solstice that is - was her reply, providing as much information, just as the situation implied.
Just as in some other times, Elsa thought to herself how curiously fitting it was that she was born in the cold season and had wintry powers.
Elisabeth was about to say something else when a small brown haired girl came through a door, the one which the mayor had disappeared behind minutes before.
- It's ready! Please sit down. We'll bring the food - she blurted, cheeks red and voice high pitched.
At this, all six of them turned to the long table placed in the middle of the room, which was actually four square tables joined together. Elsa noted with amusement that the two men present seemed somehow relieved. Also, she heard the little girl whispering to the mayor's wife if she had done a good job.
- Very good - was the warm reply of the woman.
After this, the little girl skipped happily into the room she had come from. Elsa felt a tiny wave of something she foolishly mistook as recognition, but didn't understand where it had come from and brushed it aside.
- I believe I should offer my help in the kitchen, if you'd excuse me... - Elisabeth said, quickly disappearing after the small girl.
Then the mayor reappeared and all of them took their seats. In one end the king with his queen at his right and his heir at his left, and in the other the mayor with his wife at his right and Jorun Toov at his left. Four seats in the middle were empty. Elsa deduced that one would be to her elusive sister and the other to the blonde girl. She didn't have a clue to who were the other two, though.
As everyone impatiently waited for lunch to be brought to the table - Beata continuing with personal tales that even the kind queen didn't seem to be paying attention to -, Elsa had a few moments to take a good look around.
She was in a large room, not very impressive against those of the palace but still large in comparison with the average dining room of those parts. In any case, it was obvious it was built to be able to have at least thirty people roaming about. A counter could be seen to her left, with a door behind it that would undoubtedly lead to a kitchen, and so probably connected to the door behind her, from which Elisabeth and the small girl had disappeared into. A staircase was located between the door and the counter, and she assumed it would lead to the guests' rooms. A few square wooden tables had been pushed against the walls and had chairs sating upside down on top of them. The room was mainly illuminated by five windows average in size, but some candles had been lit up, including two ones on the table. The floor had clearly been washed recently, but the rough wood would never be able to stand to the mirror-like marble she was used to. Not that she preferred those, if she thought about it. Actually, the whole setup, despite being so casual and coarse, made her feel kind of… comfy, which was very strange.
- Lunch here! – announced a familiar voice from behind her, the sounds making it clear for Elsa that this person had just rushed past the door with her arms full.
Anna put down two large platters in the middle of the long actually-made-of-four table, all smiles.
Elsa simply followed her sister with her gaze, surprised and amused at finding her already blending in with the locals. Her parents shared a similar reaction to hers, her mother even lightly laughing.
- Sorry for the wait! – came a child like voice next, belonging to the little girl from earlier.
The brown-haired child was carrying white maroon-patterned plates and began distributing them between the seats, with the hurry of someone inexperienced who wants to finish the job swiftly and the care of one who is very fearful of messing up.
Both she and Anna disappeared behind the door without much ado, a large woman immediately taking their place.
Elsa's eyes widened in realization. She remembered this woman. As very loud and frightening. A favorite victim of her childhood friend…
- This is Kaia, my cousin. And a wonderful cook! You'll see - well, taste - proof for yourselves.
The woman simply nodded in the general direction of the guests, not looking anyone in the eye. Then she set a plate of smoked salmon on the closest spot and walked away in large steps.
Beata chuckled.
- She can be a shy little thing sometimes.
...'little'?, she repeated in her mind.
Elisabeth appeared next with a bowl full of boiled potatoes.
The remainder of the food arrived in the following twenty seconds, and the four females that brought it took the middle seats. Kaia next to her cousin, Elisabeth next to her father, Anna between her mother and the blonde girl and the little girl between Elsa and the cook.
- P-please-d to make your ack...ack-uaintace... - stammered the small girl to the royals, doing a clumsy bow before sitting, red as a tomato.
- This is Emma. She aids Kaia from time to time. We thought it would do no harm inviting her: she deserves it after all. And the cute little thing was so excited - this clearly didn't make the poor girl more comfortable.
- And guess what! - bustled Anna - She's Jack's sister! - she announced excitedly - Remember Jack, E- - she paused for a moment, but continued before anyone could notice - ...hm? Remember, dad?
Anyone except Elsa, that is. She felt hurt. Anna's eyes were bright, she was practically bouncing in her seat, happy as Elsa didn't remember seeing her in years. Happy to the point of, for a moment, be able to turn to her older sister as if there were no barriers between them. But then, as she looked to her sister's face and started to say her name, all seemed to come back. Her smile wavered, her eyes lowered slightly, her stance became awkward. And her gaze switched nearly smoothly to their father's. As if it had actually been meant for him. Anna wasn't good at masking anything but her pretend was mistaken for real to everyone else at the table.
This was to be expected of course, but perhaps because it made Elsa realize that even in this different environment things remained the same between them, it stung more than usual. In the other villages this hadn't happened. Then again no other was so different, no other was able to raise the same excitement and no other held as many memories as Burgess did.
- I remember seeing her this tiny - Anna was saying, making gestures with her hands; Elsa noticed she had missed their father's response - Just a pink baby! Well, not really pink but-
- Rosy cheeks, right? - supplied Beata - A very healthy look!
Elsa glanced sideways to her left to the flushed face of the brown-haired girl, finally accessing another shocking part of Anna's speech. She had felt something familiar in the girl moments before... 'Emma' did ring a bell. And she had glimpsed her once four years ago... She could see similarities. She was indeed his sister.
And for some reason this made her feel self-conscious.
- Please stop talking about me, princess Anna - pleaded Emma, tone lacking formality, with embarrassment and a hint of a rising sulking mood clear in her voice.
Anna chuckled, clearly enjoying the look Emma had on her face.
- Stop teasing! You sound like Jack!
His name coming from his sister's mouth made Elsa's heart skip a beat. She was grateful for her mastery of composure that allowed sudden reactions to pass unnoticed. Of course that it was way easier if she was actually expecting them. But she couldn't predict something she didn't understand. Like everything else Jack-related.
- Oh, that's right! - said Anna out of the blue - I promised, didn't I? - she coughed purposefully - Family, Emma Overland. Emma Overland, my mother, queen Idun, my father, king Agdar, and my sister, princess Elsa.
Emma glanced at the royals as they were presented and allowed her gaze to linger on the heir princess. Elsa realized she hadn't looked her way until then out of shyness, as her eyes showed such fascination and curiosity, such a wonder, that couldn't be held back for much besides that and the need to be polite.
- You're like an angel...
Elsa blinked, taken aback.
- ...me?
The girl nodded honestly, all bashfulness and subtlety seemingly forgotten.
- So pretty... Your hair is so light...
Elsa felt embarrassed but decided to simply smile.
- Thank you, Emma.
Emma grinned, completely at ease now. And for some reason, Elsa felt herself relax a bit too.
- Princess Emma, actually - came Anna's voice from the other side of the table; she sounded a bit annoyed - She's now my unofficial younger sister! What do you think, mom?
The queen answered it was a good idea and the conversation proceeded to speaking of Anna's fantasies, future visits, journeys between there and the capital, the weather, the seasons, etc, with Beata pepping in with one of her stories whenever she could and Anna and Emma talking softly between themselves when the conversation didn't interest them. Elisabeth alternated between adults talk and joining the two younger girls in their giggling exchanges. Elsa heard them calling her Elisa and figured it to be some kind of nickname…
But by then she wasn't paying much attention, only nodding or smiling when the need aroused.
The meal itself was very unusual to her. She was used to a diet of mainly fish, but Burgess was a village far from the shore and surrounded by animals' habitats and not much sole to cultivate, meaning its habitants had as main course meat. Lamb meat, mutton meat, moose meat, pork meat, reindeer meat, sausage, ham... She had never seen so much of it. There were also some smoked salmons but it was in obvious minority. Just this revealed clearly the inexperience in organization of formal meals. Knowing better, they would have offered less kinds of meat, with more contrasting flavors, and have fish in equal quantity or none at all. There would have been soup, more 'greens', the table would have been set before the guests' arrival. The table wouldn't have been placed in the middle of the room - an obvious effort to make it seem less empty - but more to her right side, with musicians covering the other corner and still leaving space between them to allow socialization before and after the meal. Of course that the tables against the walls wouldn't be on sight and there would be no candles on the table but only around the room instead.
Not that she minded. It was a welcome change from what she was used to. It was a small display of Burgess' characteristic wonderful simplicity and modesty, the familiarity and warmth between the villagers, the honest intention to please and amuse the guests. Also, the fireplace to her far right marked a lot of points. Despite never holding any desire or need for heat, the flame's warm light, the wood' soothing cracking sounds and the unusual fragrance of burning logs, gave this comforting atmosphere that Elsa couldn´t help giving into.
And the food was delicious. The meat was juicy and tender with crushed juniper berries complementing with a both fruity and peppering flavor, in addition there were also deliciously salty potatoes and lefse, the traditional soft flatbread, barred with butter and dipped in oil.
She lifted her modest cup to her lips and took a sip of the beverage. She smiled softly in appreciation as the taste settled. It was mead, the sweetest she had ever tasted, and with the smallest portion of alcohol, just as she preferred.
- ...Jack's second one - Elsa suddenly tensed, nearly spilling her cup's contents on her lap - But the first one was only a day. His true job is working for uncle Edvin, our carpenter - Emma was saying - And right now he's the one doing most of the work - the girl beamed proudly - No one doubts he'll be taking the business! And a carpenter is really very important job! And he does these pretty-
- Talking about your brother, my dear? - interrupted Beata with a delighted expression - He's such a good boy! So happy and hard-working! So caring and sweet! - Kaia grunted but her excitable cousin ignored it - Taking care of his mother and sister... All children love him! Such a talent with crafting the wood!
Elsa tried to seem only slightly interested while drinking in every little thing. Emma, she noticed, had an expression that screamed 'My brother is awesome!'.
- And - the mayor's wife looked not-so-subtly to Elisabeth who had a soft smile and a faraway look on her face - an eligible bachelor...
The blonde girl blushed profusely, lowered her head and grasped her dress tightly, composure lost. Her father, next to her, raised his eyebrows but did nothing else.
Beata was clearly enjoying herself.
- Don't you think so, El-
- I don't think so - pouted Emma, unaware of Beata's intentions and all that had just transpired - Jack is still very young and has to take care of me! - she crossed her arms, disgruntled that aunt Bea would suggest such a thing.
Beata clearly found this adorable.
- Well that's true, but, sweetheart, he's of age. It might take a year or a week, but I don't think Mr. Overland will stay single long. And he's such a handsome boy!
- What are ya saying, Beata? As if the brat thought of something besides snowflakes, running around and pranking people - Kaia quietly argued.
- Don't be a prattle, dear cousin - answered Beata, amused for some reason.
- But she's right, dear. We should worry about Bard first: he's older than Jack two winters, after all - Elsa thought it was the first time the mayor had talked since the beginning of the meal.
Beata frowned.
- Bard will find his match soon enough. For now, he has to learn to be less thick-headed.
- Right-on - said Kaia; it was kind of impressive that she showed such an attitude without looking up from her meal. Elsa wondered if this was her way of showing respect or if the huge woman really felt intimidated by the royal family.
- Well... there's that - said the mayor weakly - Bard ha-
The mayor was interrupted by a muffled shout from outside. Everyone stopped doing whatever they had been doing just a moment before.
Just as the king opened his mouth to call a guard to explain what was going on, the shout was repeated. This time the word 'here' was understood at the end. Then once again.
There here?, repeated Elsa in her mind, sure she had misheard.
The king and the mayor's wife stood up and someone burst through the door after loud gasps and grumbles from surprised guards.
- THEY'RE HERE! - announced a girl in her twelve years with messy hair - They're back! I saw them!
- In what? - immediately asked Beata.
- Ten seconds!
Then many things happened at the same time. Emma screamed 'Jack' in delight and ran out the door. Beata threw her arms in the air and disappeared to outside. The girl waited for Beata and went away at her pace. Elisabeth stood so suddenly that she knocked her chair to the ground, but didn't mind and hurriedly stepped out, her face glowing with a weird mix of happiness and longing. A lot of opening doors, shouts and cheers began outside, intensifying as people bustled out of their houses to the street. Anna got up to follow, as did the mayor and Jordun.
At this, the king frowned, displeased with being forgotten, but his queen patted him lightly on his shoulder and took his arm saying something along the lines 'Now, now, let us go see what is this all about'.
Elsa, however, didn't move. She was taking a while to register what was happening. But as the crowd outside grew louder she couldn't keep denying it to herself.
They're back, she let out a shaky breath, He is back...
Note: As always, thanks for the reviews
This took a while... I'm very sorry. I had a big project of three weeks and I couldn´t think of anything else while I was at it. After that, I felt like that project had taken my inspitation with it. There were times I looked at this and knew I had to update, and in all honesty I've had 80% of this chapter done for a long time, but I just couldn´t squeeze the other 20% out of me. I was stuck with this chapter and progress came painly slow. And it was specially difficult because I had to do quite a bit of research as I'm not from Norway or anywhere of the Scandinavian Peninsula (in which Arendelle is based, in case you didn´t know).
GOOD NEWS are: this chapter is twice the size of the last one (nearly 4.000 words, wich equals eight A4 pages - I hope it makes up a bit for the delay), and I have the next three chapters planned thoroughly, meaning no more getting stuck for the next three chapters at least!
Also, I've come to the conclusion that regular updates are too difficult to keep this particular year (until August I mean). I'll try hard to update when I can and always within a month, but I hope you understand that as much as I enjoy writting this story, I have other priorities. NEVER giving up on it, though.
Did you like this chapter? If you did you can just send me a 'smile' like lovinglovexx did once. It's incredible how something so simple can be so inspiring. If you want to write more go on of course. I enjoy reading your thoughts on this in any length
Guest: Am I right in assuming you're girl345? If not, I'm sorry for that, but then I don´t understand your review. Could you please explain it to me? If I am, thank you again and please keep sending reviews! I really treasure them :)
girl867: I'm so glad you love it! Their meeting is taking more chapters than I initially predicted but we're almost there (can´t say more or I'll be giving spoilers) Please keep reading and reviewing :)
