Elsa woke lazily, her covers bunched up around her shoulders. It took her a moment to realize that she was still wearing her dress from the day before. Her hair was still pinned up in a twist. She wiggled her toes to determine that, yes, her shoes were off but she still wore her stockings.
She thought back to the night before. She had been lying in the garden, beneath her magnolia tree. Peter had been there. The rest was hazy. How had she gotten up to her rooms? She didn't remember anything after that, and couldn't help but feel a pang of worry.
() () ()
The queen was fast asleep. Peter stopped his monologue and stared back up at the stars. What were his options? He could certainly leave her in the garden, but something told him she would not appreciate being awakened by a confused servant once the sun was up. He could wake her and suggest they make their way indoors. He could go find someone to take her up to her rooms. Or he could take her himself.
He hadn't needed to look at any other options. Peter rose to a kneeling position and gently scooped her up into his arms. One arm supported her neck and head, while the other held her behind the knees. He wasn't sure whether it was his imagination, but he thought he felt Elsa burrow her head into his chest.
The prince carried her through the stone doorway into the hall, searching for any worker he could find. Luckily, he heard some people in the kitchens and was able to poke his head into the doorway.
"Could you help me with something?" he asked the woman closest to the door. She nodded in response, looking slightly shocked, and followed him out into the hallway. When she saw the queen in his arms, she gasped loudly and worry overtook her features. Peter quickly shook his head and whispered, "She is fine, just asleep. Could you accompany me up to her rooms?"
The woman nodded again. They took off toward the east tower. Peter was surprised at how light she felt in his arms. He had no trouble climbing the steps with her sleeping soundly. When they reached her door, the scullion quietly opened it and crossed the room to light the large lamp. Peter took a look at the queen's private chambers, knowing he would have never seen them if not for this coincidence. The paintings she had chosen for her walls were all green, forested landscapes. Her deep blue drapes and bed curtains reaffirmed his observation that it was her favorite color.
He approached the bed and slowly lowered her onto it. While she'd been asleep in his arms, she had wrapped the fingers of one hand around his tunic. Now that he had set her down, she was loath to release him. He gently pried her fingers away, holding onto her hand as the servant removed her boots. He then pulled the soft blankets over her, and stood there for a long moment watching her sleep.
The scullion stood next to Peter until he realized his behavior would be seen as odd. He turned to exit. The woman extinguished Elsa's lamp and followed him from the room. Once outside, she put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a wink. Then she left the tower, with Peter following right behind her.
() () ()
Peter dressed and headed next door to find Andrew or Max. He hoped they would be able to leave the castle again today; he needed some fresh air. Both of his brothers were in Andrew's room, going through a large book they had spread out on the bed. Peter approached and looked over their shoulders.
It was a record of the royal families of Arendelle, and they were looking at a portrait of the former king and queen. A young Elsa and an infant Anna were in the royals' arms.
"Father says they were en route to Corona when they shipwrecked," Max said.
"As if we needed another reason to avoid Corona," Andrew said with a wince. The thirteen princes of the Southern Isles had grown up hearing stories about the lost princess of Corona, who had been missing since she was a baby and only recently found. It was believed that she was kidnapped and raised by a witch who kept her locked in a tower, until she escaped and found her way back to the castle. She had since married a criminal and the two of them made a very odd couple indeed.
Peter noticed how striking of a resemblance he could there was between the late queen and Elsa. Both were tall, pale, had a scattering of light freckles, pleasant features, and bright clear eyes. The queen was wearing purple in the painting, which suited her skin tone and dark hair. He preferred the blues which Elsa chose instead.
Andrew and Max finally noticed Peter behind them.
"Good morning, Peter! Late night again?" Andrew asked while wiggling his eyebrows. He grinned and motioned for Peter to sit down. Peter remained where he stood.
"Max here has a theory, and I'm used to going along with his theories. He seems to think you're taken with the lovely Queen Elsa."
"Max has always been very in touch with his romantic side," Peter said with a grin. Max shrugged.
"Really, Peter… is it true? I've noticed how you smile at her." Andrew was no longer grinning. Peter wondered if this was the first time he'd ever heard his brother ask a serious question.
"I'm not sure what kind of answer you're looking for. I'm not about to lie down in front of her and beg her to marry me, if that's it," Peter answered, "but I'd be a fool to not notice her beauty, or her kindness." He tried not to dwell on the idea of begging her to marry him.
Max and Andrew exchanged sideways looks with each other.
"Well, we see it as our duty to give the two of you as much space as we can. We will continue to do so," Andrew said bluntly.
"I've noticed how you both seem to disappear when we are around…" Peter accused. Andrew looked almost sheepish.
"As much as I'd like to continue discussing our older brother's romantic prospects, I would rather eat." As Max said this, he stood from the bed and crossed the room, with his brothers following him.