Look, I'm sorry that I haven't been updating as frequently anymore but this isn't the only fic I'm working on. Plus, I have a life outside of writing. I'm starting college really soon so don't expect much out of me for Coping for a while. I love this story (and it's flaws) as much as you but I don't appreciate some demands of this fic being updated quicker. I'll get to it when I can.

Okay. Angry rant over.

Boys left:

Eric
Curtis
James
George
Lukas
Thomas

Disclaimer: Disney owns FROZEN

Anna was indifferent about how things were turning out. Elsa was getting frustrated with each passing rejection and they were only in the start of October. James had proven himself very noble, thankfully, so Anna was grateful there were a few good men that made Elsa confident that this game was successful.

George and Curtis were next on the list to ask Elsa out on a date.

And the list was growing shorter. If one of the four left, one had to be eliminated to reach the desired number of five for the wintertime ball at the end. Even if Thomas and Lukas didn't end up getting a rejection or an approval, they'd move on by default. They would still take Elsa out a date but they would be safe from elimination.

The princess felt like some kind of matchmaker, running herself ragged to ensure the comfort of their many guests and meeting with the council to give them updates.

When the council was founded once more by the sisters, Elsa had appointed Anna to be the head of it, entrusting her and her only to run it smoothly. It was Anna's job as Elsa's right hand and the princess of Arendelle. Anna was honored but her stress levels had reached maximum capacity by the time she hit October of this year, feeling more like a babysitter than ever.

Now she was making her rounds about the castle, talking with Gerda and Kai about the staff, visiting with Olaf and Sven in the courtyard, taste testing the meals in the kitchens, and signing papers Elsa had left for her in her study.

Halfway up the stairs towards her final task of the day— approving the numbers that Agnes had drawn up for some humdrum tax on… something— she felt her eyes droop and her muscles ache. She was too tired to take another step and wanted to keel over onto the stairs and snooze there.

Exhausted, she gazed up the remaining steps and wondered if she could steal a nap. Her body seemed to think that the stairs were an excellent place to collapse and fought against her will to keep going until she reached a bedroom.

Anna felt herself falling backwards and wanted to stop herself but her brain was too sluggish to respond. Someone shouted and caught her beneath her armpits, waking her up from her stupor.

She titled her head back to find the grey-eyed stare of Prince George, concern for the princess written all over his face.

"Your Highness, are you all right?" he asked.

"Uh… oh!" Anna flushed and scrambled to stand straight, missing a few more steps but managing to stand on one two steps above him. "Yes… yes, I am… just… tired." She let out a huge and un-ladylike yawn.

"I can see that," he said with a smile. "You were about to roll down the stairs like some corpse."

"Good thing you were on your way up," she said, rubbing her eyes. "Thanks for the save."

"You're very welcome… Shall I escort you up to your room lest you decide to nap in the entrance hall?" he offered, extending a hand to her.

Anna looked him up and down. "You're the… Isles prince, right?"

"I am."

"You're not… You know Hans?"

"The Southern Isles and the Northern Isles are not exactly the best of friends."

Anna instantly brightened. "Then you and I can be."

George started to laugh. "So glad that was sorted out. C'mon, your Highness, I'll make sure you make it to your room safely without using the rug as a bed."

True to his word, George led her to her bedroom door and bowed, leaving her with her hand on the knob before striding away, whistling a tune Anna didn't recognize. She smiled after him and entered, ready for some well needed sleep.

She wasn't alone when she shut the door behind her, however. Elsa was sitting at the sill, brooding with her brow furrowed. Anna blinked slowly, groaning inwardly. Elsa was in a mood but Anna didn't have the energy to ask her what the matter was.

Instead, Anna trudged over to Elsa and scooted Elsa's legs apart, seating herself between them so her back was to her big sister, leaning into her and knocking out there, their fingers intertwined.

"Don't be mad, Els," Anna mumbled before falling asleep. "I'll make it all better when I wake up."

The queen glanced down as her baby sister started to snore. Elsa had been waiting for Anna so she could rant about Thomas but no longer had the heart to further the amount of stress piling itself on her shoulders.

Anna was her hero for doing all this… Elsa made a mental note to throw Anna a special dinner in lieu of a formal thank you.

Smiling, glad that her sister was getting some well deserved rest, she pressed a kiss on the top of Anna's head, rubbing circles on Anna's hand with her thumb.

"You're the best sister anyone could ask for," Elsa breathed. "I can't ever thank you enough for what you've done for me."

"In my honest opinion," Anna said, "I think you and Thomas need to set up boundaries and start fresh."

It was an hour after she had woken up from her nap and the sisters were sitting on Elsa's bed, cross-legged, facing one another. The queen was twisting her hands together and contemplating what Anna was saying. She had just confided in Anna her fury and anger towards the prince of England, trying her best not to lose her cool— literally.

"You two have a past," the princess continued. "I'm sure he's frustrated that you're being given attention by boys that aren't him, which is very understandable. But he also needs to realize that you are doing this for you and if he's gonna have a bad attitude, you can tell him to leave."

Elsa nodded silently, dropping her gaze from her freckled sister and to her lap where her pale, fidgeting hands were. Anna sent her an unseen, supportive smile.

"I'm really proud of you for getting this far," she said. "And I don't think I've said this enough. I know that this kind of thing is hard but…" She took in a deep breath. "It's something that you've agreed to and you're not one to back out."

"Romance is another thing entirely," Elsa grumbled.

"Yes, but this is just a test!" Anna said, spreading her arms. "It might not even work out in the way we hope. And your happiness comes first over everything else. Thomas was right— don't give me that look— when he said to worry about you. Arendelle will get a king out of this and he'll be amazing because he's your king."

Elsa sniffled and nodded again.

"Now, then… don't you have a date with George?" Anna said, trying to brighten the mood.

"That's later tonight," Elsa said.

"You know, I ran into him on the way up here. He was very kind to me," Anna said. "I like him. Prince of the Isles but far better than Hans so that's a big plus!" She gave Elsa the thumbs up. "I already approve of this guy."

Elsa chuckled. "That's good. Hopefully he'll be another approval."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed." Anna pursed her lips for a second. "But I am serious about Thomas. Clear the air, restart. It'll be good for both of you. And hey, scream, cry, blame each other, and get it all out of your system. Remember when Kristoff and I got into that big fight a few months ago and avoiding each other just made things worse and so we met up and decided to just let it all out?"

"Yes."

"Well, remember what happened the next day?"

"He proposed to you."

"I'm not expecting Thomas to drop down on one knee after the fight, though. The point of what I'm trying to say here is that we came out stronger because of it and now our love can last forever." She reached over and took one of Elsa's hands in her own. "Like when we fought those few times. They were never pretty fights and I'm sure we went a week without talking after one of them but I never stopped loving you, either. And we're better siblings now because of that. We learn to forgive and forget. Thomas should be your friend now… and he needs to except that."

"You're right," Elsa croaked. "Anna, how did you get to be so smart?"

"I dunno," Anna giggled. "Experience, I suppose."

"Best sister ever," Elsa said, giving Anna's hand a squeeze. "I really appreciate all you've done for me."

"Always for you," Anna grinned.

When George had asked Elsa out on the date, she expected them to be leaving the castle to go for a walk or dinner or something. But she never imagined that he would have insisted on her dressing up in her favorite ball gown and meeting him in the entrance hall.

She had expressed this confusion to Anna, who merely shrugged. She had no clue what the Isles prince had in mind.

So Elsa decided on a dress she had made herself with flowing ice fabric and a bodice that seemed to glow with snowflakes decorating her chest and shoulders. It was maybe too fancy for this occasion but she was rather fond of the outfit.

She met George, who was dressed in a crisp grey tail coat, in the entrance hall as per requested. He bowed to her, taking her hand and kissing it just as some of the other suitors had. But it was such a faint kiss Elsa would have missed it if she hadn't been watching him.

"What's all this about?" she asked, trying to force down a smile.

"Well, your Majesty," he said, straightening. "One of my absolute favorite things to do to pass the time… is dance."

Oh no, Elsa thought. I'm still a fool on the dance floor.

"I understand that this may be a different kind of date than you've been offered so far," he admitted carefully, placing his hand on the small of her back gently. "I assure you, Queen Elsa— ah, Elsa— that I will be a willing teacher to an uncertain student."

He sent her a friendly wink and Elsa felt a laugh bubbling up in her throat.

"You're prepared to have your feet stomped on?" Elsa teased.

"With my lessons, Elsa, you'll be a fabulous dancer in no time," he said.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

They had started walking by now towards the ballroom. When they entered, it was empty of any life except for the band that would usually come to play for balls or formal dinners. It wasn't the most traditional of dates but Elsa liked it more than she thought she would.

George took Elsa in his arms, one hand on her waist and the other holding her own out to the side.

A waltz position.

Elsa used to protest against the waltz.

"Don't worry," he chuckled, spying her grim expression. "I'll make it easy on you." He nodded towards the band and they started the song. "Just watch my feet and you'll get the hang of it. I promise."

And so the night went on with the two of them dancing along the ballroom, the song playing only for two. It was that stupid kind of romantic Elsa knew Anna would appreciate when they gossiped about it before bed. The kind of romance that Elsa was secretly enticed with. A gesture to teach a two-left-footed queen how to dance was rather bold but she didn't mind in the slightest.

At some point during one lesson, Elsa had closed her eyes, letting his touch lead her around the dance floor, his low voice telling her that she was doing great. She imagined doing this at her wedding once when she was a little girl. She would sneak into the ballroom after her lessons and when Anna was still in her own, pretend she was with a handsome prince who loved her.

It was a silly fantasy, she once had reasoned as a teenager when she thought back on her childhood. But now it was nice to reflect on her younger self before the accident, having a handsome prince— who may or may not be that lover she had dreamed of— dance with her with nobody else watching them.

"You're actually a very lovely dancer," George told her from somewhere far away. "What made you think you were no good?"

"Oh, I've always been an abysmal dancer for so long," Elsa said, opening her eyes to address him politely. "Anna was a much better dancer than I was, in spite of her being a klutz."

George laughed. "Yes, I had to catch her from passing out on the stairs."

"She told me that," Elsa mused. "Good thing you were there."

"Indeed."

He twirled her under his arm and brought her back close to him with grace and ease that Elsa envied. They continued to sway and spin throughout the room.

"This was a very… interesting date," she sighed, smiling shyly. "I have to say, I'm impressed. Dancing and I haven't been the best of friends but you taught be to, ah, tolerate it."

"I'm glad I was able to please," he said. "It's been an experience dancing with you, Elsa."

They came to a gentle stop in the middle of the room and separated, George bowing and Elsa curtsying. The music faded, the final treble echoing off the pillars. He offered her his arm, she took it, and they walked together back to the entrance hall.

"George, I am enthusiastic to say I would like you to be an option for my king," she said, giving him a tender smile.

He suddenly grinned and it made her smile all the more.

"Are you serious?" he said. "My word… wow!" He bowed to her. "I can't tell you how honored I am to be able to appease you so thoroughly."

"I can't tell you how happy I am I know there are decent men in this line up," she said truthfully.

He started laughing. "It's good to know I'm one of them. Here, let me escort you to your room, m'lady. I'm sure Anna would love to hear all you have to say before bed."

"You're too kind," she giggled, letting him take her hand and guide her upstairs.

In front of her door, George gave her a peck on the cheek and thanked her for her company. When Elsa was left alone, she brought a hand up to her mouth to conceal a silly little smile, feeling uplifted things were getting better the closer she got to the end.

Thomas was surprised that Elsa had called him into her royal study one afternoon. He convinced himself on the way there she was going to kick him out for stating his opinion. In truth, he had actually felt guilty about making her so angry with him but wanted to stand firmly behind what he said. It was time he stood up for himself and knew his father would be proud somewhere up there.

He knocked on her door and was allowed entry by the Snow Queen herself. She was standing in front of her desk, her hand slightly near her face, her fingers toying with her powers. Little snowflakes danced and twirled around her hand, shining in the autumn sun that was pouring into the room from her giant, triangular window.

It had been forever since Thomas visited her study. Not much had changed but, like in Anna's, there was a portrait of the two sisters. Except Elsa's was slightly more goofy looking with the girls giggling on the canvas and it was hanging above a sitting area rather than being hidden by stacks of papers containing who knows what.

Anna's version was more serious, perhaps giving her the aura of focus and calming to her explosion of a study, while Elsa's brought light and fun to the serious nature of hers.

Thomas was about to ask what she wanted as he shut the door but Elsa started first.

"I've been giving what you've said a lot of thought," she said, getting right down to business.

"Oh?" he inquired.

"And although I understand your frustration towards the other men, I need to tell you straight out." She stopped playing with her powers and folded her hands in front of her instead. "You need to get over me."

"What are you—?"

She held up a hand. "Thomas, please hear me out. You and I started off in a way that was new to me. I was so… unsure of everything. We dated for a month and a half when you told me you loved me but I didn't feel that way and I'm still so sorry for breaking your heart like that." She lowered her hand so her fingers could fidget once again, a nervous habit she had been starting for a long time since gloves were no longer her safe haven. "That entire time made me realize I was inexperienced and that you deserved someone who could commit to you in a way I couldn't give you at the time. I didn't know how to flirt, or to kiss, or to be loved by someone outside of my family. So being without you seemed like the best option. Even when you left, I liked staying in contact with you because I was still very fond of you… as a friend.

"And now, we're here. You're a potential suitor and maybe a soon-to-be king. It's not exactly something I would have wanted for you to be after our history. This is hard for you, I'm aware, because you still have those fleeting feelings for me. But Thomas, you have to understand that I am trying to be the adult here and make amends with you. We don't need to be fighting. Not over something as stupid as this."

Elsa took in a deep breath and let it out, shakily. There, she had said what she wanted to say and all that was left was fore Thomas to tell her his side. Elsa had opted out on making it a shouting fest. She didn't work like that— unless she was fighting with her sister and that called for them being passionately stubborn. But with Thomas, it was as if she was playing chess. A gentle tactic to show him her plans but closed off enough to not raise any future expectations of what piece would eventually claim his king.

And besides, shouting hurt her throat. Crying would have made the room freeze over and it wasn't good for her books. Making this a formal conversation was her best option.

Thomas seemed to be letting all that Elsa had said sink in. He was nodding slowly, coming to terms with her words. He raised his head to look her in the eyes.

"May I?" he questioned.

"Of course," she said, inclining her head kindly.

"I, first off, would like to apologize for the way I spoke to you the other day. I was out of line. I hope you can accept my apology." He glanced at her for assurance and she gave him a nod. So he pressed forward. "Elsa, I can understand your reasoning and I agree that I put you in an awkward situation. Although I still have feelings for you, it is my responsibility to put them aside so I can watch you be happy with or without me. I've busied myself with working under my brother and helping out in the village so, romantically, you hardly crossed my mind. Perhaps we've grown apart in that sense but my old emotions have gotten the better of me after seeing the way other men were treating you, be it positive or negative.

"Our relationship was rushed two years ago. I didn't really grasp the concept of love because I wanted to be able to hold onto someone for the first time since… since this girl Rose I used to be romantically involved with. I think I've told you about her. Anyway—" He cleared his throat. "—I am willing to simply be friends with you, Elsa. To start fresh and get to know you the way I should have before."

He stepped closer to her and held out his hand, giving her a kind smile. She returned the gesture and shook his hand formally, feeling the awkwardness fade between them and closure from their past.

Just friends.

I do apologize for this short chapter but I wanted to end it here until the next time to give you guys similar closure. The next chapter will involve Elsa's date with Curtis and some Kristanna thrown in there as well because, let's face it, we all need some of that in the story.

I really hope you can understand why I was a little upset. One of my readers told… well demanded that I update faster. Real life had priorities, too, so that's why I've been busy. Other stories have taken my focus and… well… college next week.

PS, some mistakes may be found but I had to edit this quickly before I headed out. Sorry if they're bad. If I find time, I'll fix them.

If you want to contact me in any other way besides reviews my email can be found on my profile. 'Cause if you're signed in as a guest, I can't exactly reply back to you if you want to chat. Thanks!

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