Fear, the Enemy
-M. Lauren
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Francis Bonaparte led the Southern Isles with an iron fist for the better part of nine years. During his reign he made his country much of what it was today. They were a kingdom worth fearing, a kingdom worthy of bowing down too. Most of their alliances were formed under the distinction that it was better to be on King Francis side then against him. After his coronation, he commanded as his late father before him; with the notion that power weighed far heavier than nobility. His eleven younger brothers all looked up to him as their guide. He was a tyrant and a bully, but his people were all well carried for. There was never a shortage of supplies or jobs amongst the isles. Most feared his wrath, but took the gamble to rest easy under his sovereignty.
After his passing, Carlo, the second oldest son of Giuseppe and Maria, took the throne. He followed closely in his brother's footsteps, fully understanding how to make the most of his time at reign. Within the first year, he was waging the take over of the smaller isles, with a much bigger picture in his mind. Like the late kings before him, he sought total control above all else and would be damned before anything stood in his way. He started arranging marriages for his siblings, creating royal alliances for his Kingdom to ensure their success.
He'd sent Louis out to the Stagens and Jerome to the Thisteds. His youngest brother, Hans, he'd directed the furthest of all his siblings, across the Nordic Seas to Arendelle. It was meant to be a challenge; one he would clearly fail. Carlo was always spiteful of his youngest brother. He received too much attention from their mother and was coddled for far too long. It showed in his less than approachable personality. He was daft to the ways of the royals and lacked the family's superior intelligence. When he returned home to the Southern Isles, chained into a jail cell, Carlo made it his promise that Hans would never be allowed the benefits of being a Bonaparte ever again. He was sentenced to be a farm hand and to live out the rest of his days in the stables. When Carlo learned of the gifted queen that ruled amongst the northern lands and that Hans failed with his attempts to betroth her, he was left with a rage that would not subside. Since that fateful day, Queen Elsa of Arendelle had been his favorite conquest.
The further into to winter season it got, the colder the days seemed to grow. Arendelle was permanently dusted with fine layer of snow. It coated the trees and the walkways. Flakes cocooned the small shops and townhomes. Ice layered over the cobblestones and dirt pathways leading down to the water's edge. The conditions made for difficult mountain travel and inconsistent seas. Everyone seemed to move slower in the winter, afraid that moving too quickly would warrant a brutal consequence in the form of a bruised tush or broken tailbone.
But life must go on.
A week and a half had gone by since Elsa had sent out the letters. One traveled out to sea whilst the other moved on foot. The villagers were running on empty. The small shipment from Oslo seemed to sustain them for the time being, but the people were still in desperate need of the supplies traveling along shore from Kristiansand. Protein sources were scarce. They were living off cabbage and broth. The less than filling provisions had temperaments running high. It had been two days since the men returned from The Southern Isles. King Carlo Bonaparte had taken the parchment detailing Elsa's conditions and left the visitors from Arendelle at peace. The returned home unscathed. What disturbed Queen Elsa the most was that he had not given her an answer on whether or not he would be meeting her demands. He could show, or he could wage war. Still, she prepared for their arrival, spending long daylight hours in her father's study, pouring through his notes. She left no page unturned. Then later, during the evening hours, she'd tuck into in the library, going over maps and the mass amounts of Nordic Chronicles. Elsa was planning for war.
Sir Talbot feared that his queen had grown too invested. It was one thing to be prepared, but it was a whole other monster to be completely absorbed. Until they met with the pirating King, they wouldn't know how to move forward. The queen was aware, but made no moves to stop her research. Her studies became her best distractions. Elsa had moved as far as to revision Arendelle's history of war. She learned their tactics, their long string of alliances, and even more so, their enemies. Douglas worked to provide what he could. He fed the queen her desired answers about past altercations and their triggers, but feared he was only increasing her obsessions. Any attempt at getting her to take a break was quickly batted away as he was dismissed.
Anna was worried too. Her sister had seemed to shut herself out again. Back were the closed doors. They'd rarely spoken and when they did it was over a quick spot of supper served to them in the library or in quick passing in the hall. Kristoff had returned from the Northern Mountain, on a leave from the ice harvest. The growing gloomy castle atmosphere resonated with him as soon as he stepped through the gates and into the courtyard. There were no sounds of five-year-old excitement, no laughter, no amusement. There was, but not a sound. It was like it had been back before the holidays. When he walked through the door to the dinging hall, Elsa was nowhere to be found. Irene and Vera were seated beside Anna, but he knew when he looked his girl friend in the eyes for the first time in two weeks that things were just as bad as they felt.
As they lay tucked into the lounge that night, the roaring fire at their side, Anna filled him in on everything…
The Wednesday before King Carlo and King Gering's impending weekend arrival, Anna awoke in frustration. As the day grew closer, the harder sleep became. It'd be yet another mundane day of answering Vera's questions about Queen Elsa all while trying to teach her something new. They'd yet to make it through a single lesson that week without an impromptu, where is Elsa? Is she sad? Are her and Irene not friends anymore? Why doesn't she hang out with us? Is she mad at Irene? Anna did her best to ease the child's heart, but she could see in Vera's ice blue eyes that she didn't believe her. And after their day was done, Anna knew Irene was being incessantly pestered by the same inquires all evening. Vera would tuck into the sheets with her aunt at her side, drilling her on the whereabouts of the queen. Her eye sockets held dark heavy bags as she dragged her feet to the library each morning. Irene barely looked up as Anna passed. She'd lost that bit of light she'd been growing behind her dark brown irises the past few weeks. The spark in her step dimmed. Irene was retreating into herself. She was becoming the reserved and quiet person Anna had first met. But, the princess had done what was asked of her. She kept Irene's secret about her true feelings for her sister, even though the burden had worn heavy. The distance growing between the two women reminded her of that.
As infrequent as Anna's conversations with her sister were, Elsa's with Irene were even fewer. Neither could stand to be in the same room as each other. If Elsa retired to the library too early while Irene was still at work, they'd both fight for the exit. When they passed in the hall, they'd both spin quickly on their heels running for the opposite direction. It was an unfortunate dance to pay tribute too. Anna's eagerness to laugh would shortly be stilled in her throat by the wandering sad eyes of the five year old looking up at her. In Vera's head, both women had secrets they were hiding, but in Elsa's head, it was only her daemons lingering. Anna wondered if her sister even noticed that something was off about Irene. She was curious if she'd seen the alarm in Irene's eyes when they crossed paths. But more so it seemed Elsa was too absorbed in her own thoughts to think anything about it. Regardless, the days were becoming painfully awkward and Anna had never been more thankful to have Kristoff at her side through it all.
The only one Elsa seemed to make time for was Vera. She pledged herself to assist the child expand and control her magical abilities. In fact, she'd been so obsessed with control that Vera was starting to get fed up. She wanted to learn how to make clothes and little snowmen, like the queen could. But Elsa was adamant that the small blonde be as prepared as possible before the arrival of the King of the Southern Isles. They worked on deflection and meditation. All activities in which required sitting mostly still. An activity that Vera had never taken too kindly to. She did her best to oblige, but her childish ways would catch up with her. Vera would break her concentration to pester the queen with questions or tell her about her lessons. Elsa ignored the protests from the girl and worked to keep her blissfully unaware of what was happening in the kingdom. It was her new goal to ensure that Vera be able to survive with her training as is if anything went wrong.
That morning, Anna lounged in bed, warm under her comforter. Its confines had her debating calling off the whole day. Hiding in her room sounded like the perfect out. She could deflect Vera's questions, avoid the awkward meetings between Irene and Elsa, and stay warm and secure in her bed. She wondered if she feigned sick if she could convince Gerda to bring her up a bowl of broth and a book or two. But a light tapping on her door pulled her from her daydreams. A certain tiny blonde poked her head beyond the barrier. She smiled as she crossed the room and flung herself on top of the duvet.
"You're late." Vera frowned as she came to lie on her stomach with her head propped up in her hands. She stared across at the nineteen year old who drew out a long yawn.
After a stretch, Anna grinned. "What do you say we skip the whole school thing today and do something fun?" She teased the girl with glowing eyes as she rotated on to her side.
The child shrugged. Naturally skeptical, she assumed Anna was trying to get rid of her like the other adults often did. "What did you have in mind?"
Anna tapped at her chin with a finger. "Vera, have you ever been sledding?"
The five year old creased her brow in confusion. "Ya, I was with you. We went to see the trolls, remember?"
"No," The woman shook her head with a giggle. "Like down a hill in a toboggan."
Vera cocked her head to the side. "On purpose?"
Anna pelted Vera with a pillow eliciting a laugh from her small mouth. "Yes on purpose." She threw the blankets off of her body and hurried to her bureau stashed with warm winter clothes. "It will be so much fun! I promise." With eager hands she tossed an array of shirts over her head, searching for her oversized white sweater. It was her favorite. Once it had been found at the bottom of a once neatly stacked pile, she poked her head through the hole. Her red hair ignited with static as she emerged.
The humor Anna's appearance went unnoticed as Vera stepped into her side. "Can Irene and Elsa come?" She whispered, pulling at her arm in pleading.
Quickly, Anna shied her face away from Vera. She was unwilling to let her see her cross brow. Anna stalked to her vanity as she brushed out the tangles from her mane, carefully avoiding the child's eyes. For the last nine days Vera had been working like mad to get everyone in the same place at the same time. But with Elsa avoiding the library and the dining hall during daylight hours and Irene offering more assistance to Gerda then usual, Vera's attempts were failing. It broke Anna's heart to see the child so defeated.
An idea came to mind and Anna returned to face the girl. "Why don't you go see if you can get Elsa to come out of her study for a while." If anyone were able to successfully break the queen's obsessions it would be the charismatic five year old.
Vera's shoulders rose modestly. "You don't think she'll be upset if I bother her?"
Anna shook her head before continuing her hunt through her closet. "I'll go talk to your aunt, now hop too it."
The princess's devious plan was in affect as Vera eagerly ran from the bedroom. She dashed down the westward hall with thundering feet. The staff below had come to know this ruckus well. They rolled their eyes at the booming floorboards and continued their housework. Vera came to a sliding halt in front of Elsa's study. Her loafers screeched against the wood as they stilled. The child had yet to be in this room, but she knew from her many games of hide and seek with Anna, that this room, as well as a few others, was always off limits. Hesitantly, she brought her hand up to knock against the frame. Patiently, she waited, stepping back to listen for a noise on the other side of the wall.
"Come in," Vera heard mumbled quickly. As she passed through the archway she was surprised when Elsa never looked up. The queen was seated with her head down, pouring over an old black notebook. Her blue eyes trailed over the page with unwavering concentration. The child tiptoed as she came to stand at the head of her desk, watching carefully. Tentatively, she reached out her small hand and set it on Elsa's leg. The woman's attention filtered up. Elsa sat back in her chair in surprise. "Vera what are you doing in here?"
"Princess Anna sent me." She grinned slowly, coming to stand beside her. "What are you working on?" Her eyes peered downward at a mess of loopy lettering.
Elsa blinked. She slid the notebook off to the side as she tapped the child's chin. "Well, I have an important meeting coming up, remember? I'm trying to preparing myself for the big day." Elsa hoped she was doing a successful job of keeping her anxieties light hearted. She'd led Vera to believe Arendelle was arranging a fun get together to celebrate the end of winter. Elsa placed her hand on the girl's shoulder and leaned down to her eye level. "Now why did Anna send you?"
Vera batted her long eyelashes over her big blue orbs and smiled. "Do you have some time for a break?"
A protest came to mind as she viewed the child rocking back and forth on her heels in anticipation. Her eagerness was intoxicating. "I really shouldn't." The queen tried to explain.
Vera dropped her lip into a pout. "Not even for a little while?"
Elsa lowered her eyes in defeat as she sighed. She was quickly learning she'd fall victim to that bottom lip trick every time. "What did you have in mind?" Her arms crossed against her chest as she leaned back into her chair.
"Anna wants to take me proper sledding for the first time!" She beamed.
Elsa found her mimicking the child's expression. She tapped at Vera's nose with her pointer finger. "Oh she does, does she?"
"Yes," The child twirled in her hand me down dress. "Will you join us?" Elsa was silent, but her eyes remained on Vera. "Oh please, Elsa!" She was pleading now. "It won't be any fun without you there."
The queen rested her elbows against the desk, looking down at her many notes. It had been two days since she'd learned anything new about King Carlo and the Southern Isles. Her projected battle plans had been drawn and her speech, edited. She knew she didn't have any other excuse for hiding in her office all day, other than avoidance. "Just for a little while."
"Yay!" Vera jumped up into the air, cheering. "You're the greatest!" She grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her up from her seat. "We are going to have so much fun!" Vera led Elsa from her office and into the hallway, her smile taking over her cheeks. "I've really missed you!"
The tall blonde frowned. "Missed me?" She questioned, stilling in her step. "But you see me everyday."
The girl forced her to follow as she tugged at her hand once more. "Not like this." Vera said shaking her head. "Everything is work, work, work and training, training, training. Now we get to have fun!"
Vera's words stung. "I thought you liked using you powers?" She squeezed the girl's palm in reassurance.
Vera shrugged, embarrassed by her statement. "Sure I do, but only lately, it hasn't been any fun." She crinkled her tiny nose up into her forehead. "I want to make things, like dresses and snowgies, but now we just do shields and icicles. I want to blow things up again!"
Elsa rolled her eyes playfully. "Well I will keep that in mind for next time." She teased, but truthfully she was regretting being so adamant in Vera's training. She was sucking the joy out of the child's magic and doing the one thing she promised she'd never do. Vera needed Elsa. She needed her insight and her fun. If she started to dread their sessions together, she'd learn to fear her powers again and all would be for nothing. The smile upon the child's face said otherwise though. Despite their long hours obsessing over control and protection, Vera still wanted to spend time with her.
Vera and Elsa descended the royal staircase hand in hand. Their faces adorned with mirroring expressions. They rounded the corner to the great hall and Elsa stopped in her tracks. The child pulled from her grasp to run towards Anna and familiar brunette Vera had conveniently forgot to mention was coming. 'Duped by a five year old' she thought to herself. Elsa feigned a quick smile before floating slowly towards the group. Elsa couldn't help but notice Irene held a similar surprised appearance. Perhaps she'd been more distant than she believed. Irene was staring at her like she was confused to see her out and about during daylight hours. Maybe she was surprised Elsa hadn't morphed into Dracula behind her study door. Regardless, it probably hadn't been fair to take out her confusions on someone who'd been nothing but helpful since her arrival here.
Irene on the other hand was feeling just as blindsided. She tossed Anna quick glare, but the princess carefully eyed the ceiling to avoid the woman's glance. She scowled just barely audible to make her frustrations known. Irene was wearing a dark green knit sweater, borrowed from Anna, with a matching hat. She started to roast under the thick fabric as her body temperature rose amongst the newfound conflict. "Are we ready?" She questioned, rubbing her sweaty palms against her tan skirt.
"Let's get to it then!" Anna cheered. She led the group of girls across the hall and to the garden entrance. Both Irene and Elsa staggered a good distance apart, each glaring daggers into the back of the princess's head. They stepped out onto the patio, greeted by the chill of the winter air. Two toboggans waited patiently for them by the door. Vera gleefully leapt from the stairs and landed in a pile of snow. She pounced up from the mound, her face covered in cold wet fluff. Her smiled elicited a small giggle from the queen and her sister. Irene remained passive. To Elsa's surprise, the aunt didn't scold Vera on her behavior. Instead she walked passed her, pulling one of the sleds by it's cord. Vera rolled her eyes and headed down the path after her.
"Where do we go from here?" Irene questioned, looking around at the stonewall protecting the Island Castle.
"Well I thought Elsa might be of some assistance?" Anna grinned, taking the second sled and pointed towards the back gate.
She followed the woman's hand towards the small loading dock. "Of course." Elsa responded, taking the lead. Together they walked across the small snow covered garden and down the steps to the water's edge. The fjords were mostly frozen by the season already. It rose and pocketed with small puddles. Elsa reeled back her hands and finished the job, insuring their safety. Her magic filtered across the length of the water. Spirals of wind and flakes bounced against the cold surface. As it tapered off, Vera was the first one out on the ice. With unrestrained eagerness she began to glide. She spun herself into elegant circles, giggling as she went. Amongst the slippery floor, she picked up speed, enjoying the feeling of the ice against her feet. Elsa watched in awe as the child took to skating like a bird to flight.
"Vera, be careful!" Irene called after her. "You might find a soft spot."
A small smile grew over Elsa's cheeks as the dig settled against her ears. There was the Irene she knew. "Are you doubting my powers?" The queen asked as she came to walk against the solid surface. Anna took off after the girl at a run. She floated into the air and pulled the sled under her. With a thud, she landed, sliding past the girl across the ice. Vera growled and hurried after her. She should have know it'd be a race. Irene didn't respond to Elsa as she trekked across the fjord, moving a few steps in front of her. Elsa couldn't help but notice how stiff and uncomfortable the woman appeared. Her brown head was drawn back and her shoulders rose high in tension. An argument they would have typically shared in had gone unnoticed. Something was wrong. Elsa decided it best to ignore Irene's uncharacteristic attitude as a way to preserve her own muddled feelings. She dropped her head and followed after her.
They walked in silence until they met the two younger girls waiting at the tree line. "This is where we head up." Anna explained. The four of them tipped their heads back to view the steady incline. Only Irene was nervous. "Elsa," Anna encouraged teasingly. Stepping around them, Elsa brought her hands to her side. From her delicate feminine fingertips started the works of a frozen banister. With a steady thrust of her palms, a step leveled out at her shins. Elsa perched up onto the landing and Irene watched as with each step the woman took, another plat grew from the ground. Anna and Vera continued up behind her, holding onto the icy railing for support. Irene blinked away her daze as she followed. She trailed her hands against the banister, admiring Elsa's handy work. The specs of blue and purple shown like glitter against the surface. It was beautiful.
After a few dozen feet, Elsa stopped. "How much further do you want me to go?"
Anna peered around her side. "Just up to those rocks there." Elsa finished off the staircase with ease as she met the ledge. She drew the length of the top stair wide so all four could fit at once. Standing at the edge of the platform they looked back down in the direction they'd just come.
"I can see the top of the castle from here!" Vera shrieked, squinting her eyes at the stone fortress.
"Yeah," Anna giggled, lowering down onto one knee. "I think I can see Gerda cleaning your toys out of the lounge from here." She teased. Vera poked out her tongue in response.
"It's beautiful up here." Irene whispered. Elsa turned her head to see the woman's lips rise into a small smile. If she was going to respond, it was too late, for Vera was bouncing eagerly at their sides.
"Now what?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Now," Anna smiled. "We go back down!" She jumped off the landing into the shallow snow. The branches overhead cocooned the hill in an earthy hug. Anna stomped over to a narrow clearing leading back down to the frozen fjord. She set down the toboggan, holding it steady, before lowering her knees down to the wooden surface. She dug both hands into the icy ground and pushed off. Vera giggled in delight as Anna went flying down the hill. Her braids whipped madly behind her.
"Me next! Me next!" Vera cheered, sprinting to follow in suit. Irene cringed visibly in response.
Elsa quickly reached out and grabbed the girl's arm, holding her to the ledge. "Why don't you take Irene with you for your first time?" She winked. "It might make her feel better."
Vera looked to her aunt whose face appeared apprehensive. "Okay!" The child exclaimed, taking Irene's hand and pulling her onto the snow-covered mountain. The brunette looked quickly over her shoulder offering Elsa a tiny grateful nod. They settled onto the sleigh, Vera nestled between Irene's legs. Elsa watched as the child settled her back against Irene's chest as they kicked off the ground and went shooting down the hill. The five year olds screams could be heard echoing all the way to the bottom. Elsa laughed quietly at her antics as Anna clambered up the last steps behind her.
"It's nice to see you out of the castle again and laughing no less." Her sister teased. "If I'd know Vera could get you to do anything, I wouldn't have sent her up sooner."
"Yes," Elsa playfully glared. "I see what you've done here. What exactly have you been teaching her?" She waggled a finger at Anna. "Vera apparently has learned your knack for meddling. She neglected to mention a certain someone was coming along with us today." Elsa whispered.
Anna shrugged modestly. "That was all her." She nudged Elsa and took her hand, pulling her towards the mountain. "She's more intuitive than we give her credit for."
"Apparently." Elsa rolled her eyes before smiling. She settled herself down on the toboggan. Her sister carefully spaced out behind her. Anna offered her a quick squeeze before they pushed off against the ground and went soaring down the hill. The trees rushed by, the wind cool against their cheeks. Elsa imagined that this was what flying felt like. She stretched out her arms, relishing in the breeze. As they neared the bottom, Elsa shot a powerful blast of snow at the base of the mountain. A make shift ramp appeared. The girls hit the bank and went flying into the air. Anna whooped excitedly as they landed, rears to the sled, against the frozen fjord.
Anna jumped up from the ice and turned to see her sister sporting an elated grin. "Happy you could join us, huh?"
Elsa cheeks tinted red. "I might be."
"Good," Anna said lifting the cord of the sled. "I'm glad."
Both girls hurried back across the fjord and up the steps to the landing. Vera was at the ledge, bouncing up and down in waiting. "Come on Anna!" She cheered. "It's our turn to go together!" The princess handed off her sled to Elsa before taking the five year olds hand in her own. "And it's Irene and Elsa's turn to go together too." Vera beamed, sending the women a quick look before jumping from the platform and taking Anna with her. They were off down the hill and out of sight before either woman could protest.
"You go ahead." Elsa held out the string for Irene to take.
"No, it's fine, really, you go." She pushed her hand briefly against Elsa's, trapping the cord against the women's stomach.
Elsa failed to hide her blush as the contact sent goose bumps racing against her arm. Her heart rate elevated and her temperature rose. She tightened her grasp around the rope as she frowned at her reaction. "Come on." Elsa responded sternly. She stepped down onto the mountain and motioned for Irene to join her. She was all of a sudden working to prove to herself that everything was normal here. They could slide down the hill together as friends. It didn't mean anything different than what it was. "We'll upset Vera if we don't." Irene obliged and sat against the back the sleigh. Elsa joined in front, lifting the rope onto her knees. Irene's hands came down to grasp the wooden boards at Elsa's hips, brushing lightly against her.
"Vera's assumptions about us would have remained the same whether we went down the mountain together, or separately." Irene kicked off the ground as the sled started down the hill.
Elsa's eyes grew wide in panic. "What?" She whispered, turning back to stare at the curly headed brunette behind her. Her sudden movement sent the track off kilter. Her heel hit the ground, jerking the sleigh sideways. Elsa spun quickly to face forward again, but it was too late. She was facing back up the mountain. The toboggan caught the edge of the path causing it to over balance. Irene was sent flying off the back end while Elsa was dumped off the side. The queen landed in a bed of snow, as the sled flipped onto its face. It continued to slide until it collided with the trunk of an old oak tree. With a groan, the blonde lifted herself out of the snow mound. Standing on wobbly legs, she used her hands to brush the white flakes from her dress and set the fabric back securely against her body. Elsa looked down the hill to find Irene had rolled quite a ways. The twenty two year old righted herself against a tree branch, pulling herself to her feet. Elsa hurried down the hill to her side. "Are you okay?"
Irene swayed against her knees as she turned around to face the other woman. Concern was painted across Elsa's pale features. "I'm fine." She pulled up against the hat, revealing a small gash along her hairline. "I just bumped my head against a branch." Irene touched the mark softly, wincing at the contact. A bit of blood coated her finger and she sighed in frustration.
"Are you guys alright?" Anna shouted up to them from the water's edge.
Elsa retrieved the toppled sled before taking Irene's arm in her own. "Come on." She instructed before lighting tugging her down the hill. Irene was leaned into the hold on her arm as she unsteadily navigated the slippery terrain. She was grateful when her feet finally met the flat icy surface at the bottom.
"Well that was graceful." The red head greeted them as they approached. Anna stepped in close to examine Irene, Vera watching anxiously at her hip. "What do we have here?"
"It's just a bump." The brunette waved Anna off and pulled from Elsa's hold. "I'll be fine,"
Her head cocked to the side as she moved Irene's hair for a better view. "It doesn't look like just a bump." Anna hummed.
Elsa nodded in agreement. "You really should get that cleaned up."
Anna nodded. "We'll all go." The princess agreed.
Vera pouted, stomping her foot in defeat. Her arms came to cross against her chest as she glared at the adults. Irene shook her head in response. "You all just started to have some fun. I can take care of myself." She explained. "Beside's it's my fault we crashed anyway. I lost my footing."
Elsa raised her eyes to the woman's lie. "You really shouldn't go alone though." She whispered. "You don't want to pass out or something with no one there."
Irene went to protest, but was beat to the punch. "You go with her." Anna encouraged, taking Vera under her arm. "We'll go down the hill a few more times and come find you."
If it had been any other situation, Elsa would have thought this was a ploy to get her to spend some alone time with Irene, but that hardly mattered now. Acknowledging the circumstances, she handed off the sled to Vera and offered her sister a small smile. "Go," Elsa batted them off with the back of her hands. "Have fun."
Vera didn't need to be told twice. She jumped up in the air, dashing for the icy staircase. Anna hurried after her, racing to take the lead. Elsa grinned, turning to find Irene a few steps ahead of her already making her way across the frozen fjord. Rolling her eyes, Elsa followed in large strides. She left a tentative distance between them, lingering just close enough to let Irene know she was there. They walked in an uncomfortable silence up the stairs and across the royal gardens. Elsa was at the woman's side when they reached the patio. Irene's arms were held tight against her abdomen while her face remained ridged with an unreadable expression. Elsa reached around the woman to grab the door handle. She held open the entrance for her as they reentered the stone home. The heat of the castle greeted them calmly. The chill of the winter was left trapped on the other side of the door as it shut.
"I've got it from here." Irene ensured Elsa as she kicked her boots off against the wall.
Elsa ignored her. "Let's go find Gerda." She commanded, taking the woman's hand and tugging her off towards the great hall.
"You're incorrigible." The brunette deadpanned, fighting against the tingles traveling up her arm from the connection of their intertwined fingers.
Elsa rolled her eyes. "You can thank me later when you're not bleeding all over your pretty green sweater."
"It's Anna's." Irene sung.
Elsa pulled playfully against her hand with force. "You're only strengthening my point, now come on." She dropped her hold on Irene before leading her into the dinning hall. "Gerda!" Elsa called, listening for a response. When none came, she pushed open the door to the kitchen, finding it bare. "She must be some where else. You stay here and I'll go find her."
Irene bit against her bottom lip. "She told me earlier she might going into town with Kai for more cabbage." She shrugged in indifference. "I can wait."
Elsa shook her head. "Nonsense." She cleared the discarded baking supplies from the stool in the corner. "Sit." Irene did as she was told and watched as Elsa floated from the room, the sash of blue fabric at her feet fluttering out of sight. She wrung her hands in her lap as she waited. Her heart thumped loud against her ribs. She was melting under the thick wool fabric of the shirt. Irene closed her eyes and reeled in a few deep breaths, attempting to gain back control of herself. She wasn't sure how long she sat there in silent reflection until a voice broke her thoughts. "Are you alright?" Elsa asked nervously as she stepped back into the room.
Irene reopened her eyes to see the woman standing in front of her holding a few towels and the teakettle. Elsa appeared shy and scared. Her shoulders were slumped uncharacteristically forward as she stood over her. "I'm fine."
Elsa nodded and set the supplies down against the counter. She returned to stand in front of the twenty two year old. Irene was looking up at her cautiously, waiting fo her to say something, but Elsa just stared. Irene's cheeks were warm under the woman's gaze. Her breathing increased and she hoped the woman couldn't tell. "You're going to have to remove that hat so I can see what's going on under there." Elsa explained with a smirk.
"Yes, of course." Irene blushed and quickly lifted the fabric by it's point from her head. Static collected against her tresses, frizzing her hair upright. Her curls increased in volume and Elsa giggled into her hand in response. "Do I look ridiculous?" Irene averted her eyes, smoothing out the strands with her fingers.
"Maybe a little." Elsa joked. She gently pushed the brown curls behind Irene's ear and bent down to better view the wound. "It's not that bad." She noted before rotating to the counter. Elsa poured a bit of hot water onto one of the towels before returning to attend to the woman's forehead. She dabbed at the cut gently, removing the dirt and broken tree bark with the hot clothe. Irene winced at the contact, but remained still. She couldn't help but stare up at Elsa as she lowered her eyes in concentration. Irene knew that look. She'd seen it a few times prior. Elsa's actions were here, but her mind was somewhere else. Her eyebrows crinkled under the strain of her thoughts. Irene couldn't help but find her distracted appearance endearing. "We should talk." Elsa finally whispered, halting the woman's traveling gaze. Her head hovering just above Irene's as she worked.
The brunette was left wondering if Elsa had moved closer to her. "About what?" Irene questioned innocently, tipping her sight back up to watch Elsa's face as she cleaned her abrasion.
She lowered her blue eyes as she continued. "About what you said before." Elsa explained. "Before the sleigh tipped."
"Oh…" Irene's voice tapered off.
"I know you know Vera's been talking about us." The brunette didn't respond as she drew her attention down at her hands. "She's just a kid you know. She doesn't understand what she is presuming."
Irene stuttered against her words. "I um, hadn't talked to Vera about that."
Elsa's frown increased. She was digging harder now against the cut. Irene did her best to remain still despite the growing pain in her head. "Then I'm assuming Anna told you?"
Irene shivered against the chair. "Truthfully," She sighed, willing herself to disappear. "I overheard you and Anna speaking in the cellar that day."
Elsa froze with her hand against Irene's head. "What?" She faltered, stumbling backwards. A chill filtered over her skin as she looked down at the woman in horror. "What did you hear?" Her voice was cross. "Why did you wait until now to say something?"
The brunette shrugged, bringing her eyes back up to Elsa's. "I wasn't going to say anything, but you were acting weird and I was acting weird and I just slipped up. That's all."
She was shaking her head erratically. "You must have misunderstood me." Elsa panicked, throwing the blood stained towel onto the counter with a smack. "I was having a really bad day and when Anna told me about what Vera said, I, I didn't have the head for it."
"I'm not sure this is what I'd classify as a misunderstanding." Irene clasped her hands in her lap.
"I assure you it was." Elsa fought with her palms against her hips. "That conversation was supposed to die in the cellar that day. It didn't mean anything."
"Then why did you bring it back up right now?" Irene crossed her arms against her chest, wincing slightly as she frowned. "You could have just ignored my comment and gone on your way."
"That wasn't possible." Elsa scoffed. "I figured if it was already out in the open we could just move on; we're adults. Kids say things they don't understand all the time. I was just taking the opportunity to put this to rest." She defended harshly as she backed up against the edge of the counter. The cold was caving in and she ignored its growing fury against her chest.
"But what about what happened?" Irene's glare increased.
"What do you mean 'what happened?'" Elsa mimicked the woman's expression.
"You exploded a vase because you thought you were being flirtatious with me." Irene threw her hands in the air for emphasis.
The blonde growled behind her teeth. "That had nothing to do with you. I was dealing with a lot that day." She was shouting now and her cheeks shaded red in anger. "I'm still dealing with a lot. Like I said, this is all just a big misunderstanding. One I couldn't let you bring up without discussing a way for us to get on with our lives."
"So what did you want to do here, Elsa?" Irene stood, rising to the woman's height. "What will make you feel better?"
Her mouth dropped in absurdity. "Me feel better?" Elsa laughed. "I'm fine! Well I was before you made me knock over the sled."
"No you're not!" Elsa had never seen Irene so upset. Her hostile display had the woman wishing she had the ability to back up further. "You're avoiding me. You're locking yourself in your study. I know you have other things going on, but you asked for us to stay in your home and now you can't even bare to be in the same room with me anymore." She stepped in closer, dipping her lids over her eyes. "If this was all a misunderstanding than why can't you look at me in the eyes?"
Elsa hesitantly raised her glance, falling short of Irene's brown eyes. "I'm going through something." She whispered, guarding her heart below her arms. "And I can assure you it has nothing to do with you."
"Well that's good," Irene scoffed. "Because I can assure you I feel nothing for you. You're selfish and irritating and not a very nice friend."
"Now you're just being ridiculous." Elsa grumbled.
"Well if I'm ridiculous, than you're a liar!" Irene brushed her shoulder past the tall blonde and headed for the door.
"Wait!" Elsa called out, watching as the woman hesitated in the doorway. "Let's be level headed about this. If we both agree that Vera is just setting us up for her little game, then can we at least go back to being friends?"
Irene lowered her head, keeping her back to the queen. "No, we cannot."
"Why?" Elsa whispered painfully.
"Because Vera wasn't wrong." She sighed and pushed open the door a bit further. "About me anyway."
She stepped through the archway, leaving Elsa alone.
There's chapter thirteen! Tomorrow chapter fourteen will be released.
Review and I could be convinced to release both today :)
Cheers,
-M.