Hello again, my beautifuls.
Another week means another chapter. Hope you enjoy it, because I have a good feeling about it. But I won't say too much. You got to read this to find out.
So, without further ado, Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Still own nothing, but my brain.
Chapter 14: …Come All
Lively music belted out from an even livelier group of musicians. The modest group of five had the precision of their specific instrument clashed with the sheer joy of playing such uplifting tones. As their skills were presented within the strum of strings, the hum of drums, or the blare of notes, it seemed to echo. A crescendo to the pace or volume of the music led to a crescendo to the ballroom of dancers.
Leather boots and slender heels tapped and spun to their beat as silk and cotton flew through the air. The dancers were a blur during the jolly-sounding song while those not participating merely spent the time with food, conversation, or drink.
The laughter, music, and conversation bounced themselves off of the embellished ballroom. Fresh-smelling curtains were hung and the best paintings from the castle were displayed upon the walls. A solid oak floor sparkled and shined with its new polish, while the stone pillars held a subtle grace with their simplistic design and placement. Elegantly crafted windows glowed with the sun's dying rays as the day turned to night. Despite the sleeping light, the celebration within the stone walls was nowhere near over.
Instead, another fast paced song came from the musicians and the crowd eagerly took up its call. Whether physically dancing or nor, its tune wormed its way into the taps of feet, the clap of hands, and the humming of quiet voices.
However, one was untouched by the merry tune's persuasive rhythm.
Separated from the rest of the joy, a still body of a Queen stood. From her place on the raised dais and in front of the modest throne, Elsa observed the scene before her, but never let it affect her. Her gaze flittered about to observed the royal guests, the loyal castle staff, the resilient guards, and the humble musicians. She had differing tasks for each class of society and with each flick of an iris, she juggled the three groups.
The musicians gained the swiftest of glances as Elsa's piercing gaze was easily drawn elsewhere. The group did their job well, and were certainly earning their pay with the energy in which they put into their respective instruments. Even as her eyes drifted to another point of the ballroom, her ears could not escape their attention.
The castle staff drew a longer glance as emotions threatened to leak from her eyes. With top form and decorum, the staff expertly weaved themselves to and fro of the crowds. If she was not there to see for herself, Elsa would had never had thought that her staff could have transformed into the well-oiled machine she saw. During another swelling of the song, one of Gerda's younger staff members easily slipped between a pair of potbellied men without a stutter in his step and to no one's notice except herself. The same couldn't be said for the guards as they remained as stationary as the pillars they had positioned themselves besides. Yet, their own silent vigil of the night was impressive to say the least.
Though the urge to smile in pride was great, she did not dare to make such an opening within the gazes of the other royals. The majority of her mind was set upon the groups of men, woman, and children of prestige and wealth from many foreign soils. She could have stood in the same place for the entirety of the night and still be ever watchful of the royals before her.
And of others to come.
The thought was as bitter as it was truthful.
Many were allies or trading partners of the throne, some of who were eager to prod and test her patience. A few representatives were neither friend nor partner, but important nonetheless. Simply there to give their congratulations, Elsa knew that invitations were sent to them in the slight promise of new opportunities. Some of which Elsa had absolutely no interest in thinking more about.
And as if called upon by a curse, her icy blue eyes easily saw one of the banes of the feast attempting to approach her once again. A sniveling weasel that did not know how to take a no with grace was just about to speak to her once again. Instantly swallowing the bile of ire in her throat, she made the necessary checks onto her visage.
Calm breathing. Attentive eyes. Still hands. Balance. And voi-
But before she could finish the physical analysis, another figure allowed his long strides to cut off the annoying duke and provide her with an alternative. However, with her gaze turned away, Elsa didn't not know whom had come to her rescue until a sharp tap of impacting heels turned her head to her right.
The steely edge melted away from her gaze as she looked upon Monsieur D'Aez. Adorned in a dark green jacket and black trousers, the gentleman easily blended into the horde of the rich. However, his gentle green gaze and his soft welcome always remained the same.
A deep bow and a knowing smile was sent her way as her friend extended a hand. It was an invitation to a dance. An invitation she took without delay as a glance showed that the weasel was a persistent little pest.
Sliding her own gloved hands to D'Aez's, he led her out onto the slightly vacant floor for her first dance of the night. Although she was no stranger to a dancefloor, her arms remained stiff and uncooperative through the steps. She allowed a small thanks to echo in her mind as the slower tune of the song hid her ungraceful frame.
And as the song continued, she could see his smile fade into concern as D'Aez's gaze seeped into her. Neither her royal cloak did anything to hide her stiff shoulders nor did her gloves to hide her trembling fingers. The Frenchman was not a stupid man and Elsa never dared to think of him as one. Yet, he remained silent. He could have asked since their lessons had greatly advanced during the years to practice, but he did not.
Simply giving a solemn grin, the gentle Frenchman and the newly crowned Queen danced.
But Elsa knew what he was doing. It was no secret that the Queen preferred movement to reach a state of relaxation. Be it a simple walk through the gardens or a ride on the trails, movement helped to ease her. D'Aez knew. Elsa knew. And she was grateful for the gesture.
By the end of the dance, the joints within her arms seemed to have finally unlocked themselves as the dancers applauded themselves, each other, and the musicians. The applause was slightly louder thanks to her own presence, but Elsa barely registered it. With an outstretched hand of her own, she allowed the smallest of smirks to adorn her lips.
Will I have this dance?
A hand sliding within her own was answer enough as they picked up the beginning of the newest song. Another slow starter, but Elsa recognized the tune immediately and readied herself.
With D'Aez leading, the pair flew and danced with each rise and fall of the piece and their steps gracefully intertwined with the speedy notes. The small smirk refused to leave as she began to move her lips to a section of the piece that greatly resembled a little ditty.
Once a year, we throw a party here in town…
A playful song trickled through her mind of thorns and thickets. A song of mischief, games, and promises.
Once a year, we turn all Paris upside down…
It was the sweetest irony that Elsa could summon into her mind. Yet, it was there, and it was greatly appreciated. The odd ditty was taught to her by D'Aez himself as he explained some of his adventures in France. The memory of those stories allowed her weary thoughts a rest and made her smirk curl into a grin as D'Aez read the words she lisped.
Ev'ry man's a king and ev'ry king's a clown…
As hard as she had tried to prepare, she could not stop the giggle from sneaking out as her friend's slight mustache twitched in beat with the words.
Once again, it's Topsy Turvy Day…
Silently singing the ditty whenever the musicians' playing allowed it, the two ended their second dance with matching grins and walked to the dais with a gleeful twinkle in their gazes. She nearly lost the smile as a look to the dais revealed the swarm of vultures that had settle around the perch. A gentle squeezed of her friend's hand drew her attention to an approaching Anton, while the Frenchman bowed once more before departing.
"Your Majesty, may I have the honor of a dance?" The overly posh tone of his voice allowed the smile to remain.
"Well, the royal jester is always allowed a dance with the Queen."
"Long Live the Bratty Queen of Arendelle."
The back and forth finished as soon as it was started as the next song played on. Another playful and happy song lifted her spirits as her slippers twirled across the floorboards. Remaining as stoic on the outside as possible, she allowed her heart to unclench itself ever so slightly and tried to sink more into the dance.
The tense muscles under her touch did not allow her to do so.
Though she was not surprised, she gentle patted one of the offending shoulders to gain the man's attention.
"So, what has my dearest fool so tensed?"
Though she tried to put a front of joviality, the playfulness fell flat. Accompanied with an exhausted smile made the stiffness return to her own limbs.
"Oh, just some old years upon my fragile bones. I'll be as right as rain in the morning." The physician's own attempt as playfulness was not successful at hiding the sparks within his grey gaze. Anxiety, fear, and exhaustion battled their way across the expanse of ash, while the rest of his visage remained as interested and involved as any attendant of a coronation feast.
Elsa let her gaze softened as the song continued. The song's bounce seemed to mock the mood of the two dancers. Their twirls and steps had to fake the energy that the two did not have. While in concentration of the song, she carefully saved the previous warmth into a small corner of her heart. Knowing that he was going to ask, she quickly got ready to face the declining tone of their talk.
Pausing slightly to clap once more to the musicians, the newest tune's slower pace seemed to agree with the young Queen.
"How do you think this day went, my Bratty Queen?"
Giving a quick and grateful smile at his attempt, she was as honest as she could with her answer.
"Perhaps you can tell me, since I can't really have a say. Most of my time has gone to focusing on not fainting that this day was all a big blur. If it wasn't for the portrait being done, I would hardly believe I had been crowned at all."
It stung. To readily admit that she was so terrified that she had walked the entire day with a haze of fear hurt. Before she could sink into more hurtful thoughts, Anton spoke up again.
"Well, you should not worry have to worry. The coronation itself was beautiful and you were as regal and steady as you've ever been. Sven and Kristoff managed to sneak in Gerda to see the coronation. The last I saw was of the three of them crying in joy at the sight of you blooming into the woman you were meant to be."
It took a moment to swallow the knot of emotion. Anton's news shocked and delighted her in ways that even she could not have expected. The mere image of her family watching her reach the milestone of her life made her heart thump louder in joy.
The same muted joy and pride was reflected in Anton's gaze. But she also saw the exhaustion pricking at the beautiful emotion's edges. Gratefully, the song ended just then as the two of them separated and clapped once more. Even while he was still clapping, Elsa grabbed at her royal physician's hand and gentle guided him off the floor. Recapturing the smallest sliver of her earlier mischief, she turned to the man with a small smirk.
"I, for one, think that this day has gone on long enough. We all need our rest." Motioning towards a servant girl, the three grouped up in silence before Elsa continued on. "Maria, please inform Gerda and Sir Sven that the day is done. We should all be heading home as the night remains young enough to be safe for travel."
A silent nod and a flash of a skirt was all that was done before Maria disappeared into the throng of people. Elsa kept her grip on Anton's hand as she headed towards one of the exits.
"I've already given my speeches and held my counsels with several of these men. Gerda, Sven, and Kristoff will have no trouble in handling this crowd of sharks." The comparison drew a sharp chuckle from the elder physician. And as the two walked towards the exit, she didn't even need to look to feel the swarm circling again.
However her staff was anything, but lazy as the hungry men were expertly diverted and the two of them slipped out to the darkened halls. Feeling victorious, Elsa spoke up again in a smug tone, "And for my first decree, I wish for my royal jester to escort me to my room."
"And the tyranny of the Brat Queen has begun!"
Their merriment became silent as they traversed the halls of their home. The castle's familiarity brought forth a sense of comfort that both of the weary souls craved. But as they continued their walk, their strides steadily grew shorter and shorter as their steps crawled slower and slower.
Though both of them noticed the decreasing pace, they would never speak it aloud. The reason was that they both knew that the day was not over. The day was far from over.
With both of them lost in their own minds, it was only seconds before they reached Elsa's white and blue door. The door was closed. The door was silent. The room beyond the door was supposed to be empty.
I hope so. I pray for it.
"Good night, Elsa."
"Good night, Anton."
Elsa couldn't decide what startled her more: the utter fear and care for her in Anton's voice or the emotionless tone within her own. But before Anton could move away, she turned to place a chaste kiss on Anton's soft hand.
He squeezed her delicate fingers in return before letting go.
Elsa remained in the hallway for a long while after Anton left. She had no worries about being caught outside her room. She had specifically asked to be left alone on this night.
She just never knew that she needed to be alone for the one thing she loathed for the last eleven years.
Taking a deep breath in, she mentally check herself.
Calm breathing. Attentive eyes. Still hands. Balance. And voice control.
Forcing her body into motion, she carefully pulled the necklace of keys from around her neck. The old twine was scratchy against the skin of her neck as she picked up the key to her own door. With the key in one hand and the knob held tightly in the other, she force her brain to stop.
No emotions, no worries, and certainly no thoughts.
Mechanically, she inserted the key before turning it to the side. The lock clicked, the knob turned, and then the door opened.
AN: Hello everybody. My name is Jahaira, and I'm a troll. I know that and accept that as a part of me.
*sighs* Wow, that felt good to say. XD
Anyway, the little song that D'Aez taught Elsa was the 'Topsy Turvy Day' from the Hunchback of Notre Dame soundtrack. Both 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' are set in France so it wasn't that far of a leap. But I just love both of the stories so much that I could resist putting the song in.
Anyway, next chapter is next week, so don't miss it.
And as always: concerns, comments and informed critiques are always welcomed around here. Yes, ShadowWolfBeast, just one last day. Hope you like this chapter, too. Queen Martha Pond, I like Anton's and Elsa's chemistry, too. It's supposed to be an uncle-niece kind of feel, but I love the way I've made my characters. Zobek, don't worry. Just one last chapter of tension, I promise. And Guest, thank you for the nice words and I'm glad that I'm doing well with the characters.
So, until next time, Au revoir.