When Elsa retired to the east tower for bed, it was around midnight. She entered her bedroom, having made the firm decision to actually sleep that night, only to find Anna sprawled out over it. The princess had her legs straight up in the air and was humming to herself. Upon noticing her sister enter the room, Anna rolled off the bed and jumped up.
"Elsa! I thought you'd never come up! Where were you?!" Anna asked incredulously.
"I—I was at dinner," Elsa answered, unprepared to find her sister so attentive.
Anna raised one eyebrow. "Dinner was over hours ago. Did you go for a walk?"
"No… I was in the great hall. Peter was there."
At this, Anna's eyes grew as large as Arendellian dollar coins. Her mouth dropped open. Realizing this conversation would head in a way which made her uncomfortable—and which was completely inaccurate—Elsa tried to clean up the mess.
"Anna, we were just sitting, and talking." And holding hands, she thought to herself. The queen couldn't quite figure out what the gesture had meant, but she knew it was the first time she'd ever held hands with a man, and that it had been a pleasant experience. For some reason, she'd felt less alone and more relaxed as he held her hand.
"Alright, Elsa, I need you to spill. What is going on with you and Peter?" Anna asked. She plopped down onto Elsa's bed, and the queen realized she would not be getting to sleep any time soon. She decided Anna's question could wait a little longer, and excused herself to change into her nightgown. Elsa washed her face and freed her hair from her bun. She then returned to the bed and sat down next to her younger sister.
"Anna, I promise you – nothing is going on between Peter and me. I enjoy his company, and for some reason he seems to like talking with me. If you're looking for an exciting story, I'm afraid I don't have one."
At this, Anna snorted. "Elsa, coming from you, that means you're practically engaged."
() () ()
The next morning, Elsa awoke before the sun and realized that Anna had fallen asleep next to her in bed. She eased herself up, careful not to jostle the mattress, and dressed silently. She left the bedroom and loosely weaved her hair into one long braid down her back as she descended the stairs.
The cool morning air greeted her skin as she left the castle through one of the gardens. She crossed toward a stone archway and walked to he stables. She inspected each horse they had ridden on their journey the day before, and brushed each horse's coat. She then began to bathe the horses, beginning with Anna's. While there were attendants who took care of the animals, Elsa rather enjoyed the work, and the horses seemed to love her in return.
She scrubbed Anna's horse with water and soap, then brushed it again. After washing the mane and tail, she began on the horse Andrew had ridden.
() () ()
Peter awoke with the first rays of sunlight. He yawned, then stretched his arms above his head and rolled over. He had slept well. After bathing, he dressed in canvas pants and one of the casual tunics he wore at home. He pulled a cloak over and belted it, then left his rooms to find the great hall.
Peter made his way out of the tower and was crossing toward the kitchens when he heard a horse neighing. He glanced out toward the gardens and noticed a horse bucking wildly. There was a young servant trying to grab the reins to tie the horse back up, but the animal was obviously spooked. Peter feared for the boy's safety and began jogging toward the door leading out to the stables.
As he was halfway across the garden, he saw the queen rush out of the stables, having just heard the commotion, and approach the wild horse. The queen was dressed in riding pants and a long-sleeved blue shirt, both of which were soaked. Her hair was braided down her back, but pieces had escaped around her face. She hurried over to the horse, quietly requesting that the servant back away, and she began to sing. Peter could not make out the words, but the melody was haunting and beautiful. The horse bucked and whinnied a few more times, then slowly relaxed and approached the queen. She began to stroke the horse, and laid her head against its' mane.
Peter observed the whole thing from twenty feet away. He felt as if his feet were stuck to the ground. The queen lifted her head from its resting place on the horse and she wrapped a rope around its neck. Elsa led it back to the stables and out of Peter's sight.
What just happened? Peter wondered to himself. Either the queen had spent quite a lot of time around horses, or she had more hidden talents than just manipulating ice. He was curious of her behavior, and also curious as to why the queen was up at sunrise, in the stables, covered in water. To satisfy his curiosity, he followed her into the stable.
Elsa had put the unruly horse in a pen and was busy bathing another one. She scrubbed the horse roughly, the small but toned muscles in her arms working hard to ensure that the job was done correctly. As she bent down to dip her brush in the soap bucket, she thought she heard a rustle of fabric behind her. She whipped her head around, which swung her braid over her shoulder, and saw Peter standing in the doorway watching her.
Perhaps it was the fact that she had slept in her own comfortable bed last night, instead of falling asleep on the hard wooden desk of her study. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had been working with her hands, and singing to the horses all morning. Perhaps it was because she found herself once again embarrassed in the company of an almost-stranger. She could not be sure as to the cause, but Elsa could not help smiling at him.
He was not expecting a smile from her at being discovered. He smiled back.
"Elsa, do you often take care of your own horses?" he asked.
She nodded sheepishly, "I do as much as I can. I have known these since they were born."
"I've never seen a queen in pants before." He said this with another smile.
"I doubt there has ever been a queen in such a horrible state as this," she answered as she motioned at herself as a whole – hair matted down and escaping her wild braid; shirt plastered to her arms and stomach; pants soaked through and covered in mud. She couldn't help but let out a short laugh at her current state. Peter had not heard her laugh before; he had expected a deeper and more mature sound but was pleased to hear the laugh of a younger, more carefree woman.
"On the contrary, Elsa. You are lovely." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, and her smile slowly slipped from her face. The temperature in the stable dropped noticeably, and Peter shivered. He swallowed, and let his eyes trail down to the ground. Peter wondered if he should leave, but could not decide whether this would be a smart or inconsiderate move. He looked back up at her, searching for any sign of what she was thinking. Her eyes were still fixed on him, but he could tell she had mentally removed herself from the situation and was not actually seeing him anymore.
"I'm sorry for speaking so openly. I need to be more careful with my words," he said quickly.
"I—um, I… I think I'll, um, finish with this horse and then be back at the castle for… for breakfast," Elsa said slowly and haltingly. He took this as his cue to leave, but not before giving her a bow and taking one last look at her.
