As the day grew closer that Bumi's family would be arriving, though he still didn't know it, a little ball of anxiety began to grow in her stomach. She had met them before, of course, but it felt...different this time. Her relationship with Bumi was different. Dealing with them as political allies was one thing; dealing with them as her significant other's parents was another. And more intimidating. They had said that they liked her (and Anna), and as far as she knew they were okay with them being together, especially Kya.

But still. Bumi could do better than her.

"Are you okay?" he asked one evening when they were in the library. "You seem worried."

She smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, just..."

"Queen stuff?"

A pause. "In a way."

"You've got to be kidding," Anna said incredulously, while Elsa just stared in shock. "Please tell me you're joking."

Morten shook his head. "I'm afraid not. We insist that Queen Elsa must marry."

"But by the end of the year?"

He sighed impatiently. "Yes, Your Highness."

"It's October," Elsa said, still looking stunned. "We've just begun courting, let alone gotten engaged."

"Your Majesty, if you had your way, it would be years before you married."

Elsa had to again restrain Anna from causing an even bigger scene, though she was tempted to let her.

"Johan," Sigrid chided, then turned to the sisters. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, Your Highness. I'm afraid we were outnumbered this time." A few other members, all younger, two men and another young woman, nodded their heads.

"You had your choice of suitor," Morten said. "Now we must move forward. The sooner you are married with an heir on the way, the better."

She glared coldly; they'd barely begun courting and they were already talking about her having children?

In the end, however, she relented, though Anna insisted on fighting. "Elsa, it's not fair."

She shrugged. "I knew they'd want us to get married, I just didn't think it would be this soon. I was expecting next summer, possibly spring."

"And then talking about a baby!" Anna threw her hands up. "Don't get me wrong, I'm already mega-excited to be an aunt, but...they have no right!"

"There's not much more I can do," Elsa insisted. "I can't have everything I want. I have to compromise. And technically, I said I'll think about it. I'll talk with Bumi about it."

Later that evening, she was pulled out of her thoughts when the door opened and he walked in. Bumi walked up to her, grinning. "I have an idea."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is this brilliant idea?"

"Well, you're stressed, right?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes," he said bluntly, making her roll her eyes. "Anyway, let's go into town tonight."

"Wait, tonight?"

"Tonight. In disguise. Well, you in disguise, I'm not important. Anyway, what do you think? It'll be fun."

She chewed her lip. She should say no. There was so much to do. And yet...that little 8-year-old inside her was encouraging her. 'It'll be fun!' So, despite her instincts screaming at her otherwise, she nodded. "Okay. One time couldn't hurt."

He grinned at her, making her heart flutter the tiniest bit. "Great. I'll meet you at the gates at 8:00. Wear something casual."

As he left, she stared after him. Then a potential problem dawned on her. 'Wait...do I have anything casual?'

She was at the gates at 7:50, wearing the plainest blue dress she could find and a plain black cape and hood. Her hair was carefully braided back out of sight.

Bumi showed up a few minutes later in his own casual wear. He smiled. "Wow. You look great."

She looked at him strangely. "This is the most plain dress I have."

He shrugged. "You're beautiful in whatever you wear." She fought a blush and looked away.

"Thank you." She had been called beautiful before (still didn't quite believe it; she thought she looked a little odd), but it was different coming from him. There was no intention of flattery. It was genuine. She may not agree, but it was genuine. And somewhere, deep inside, it felt...nice for someone to call her that. Without other motives.

It was odd, how much more confident he was now that they were courting. Not pushy or too forward with her by any means, he was still careful. But compliments, small subtle displays of affection...he'd casually slip them in.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when he came closer and took her hand. "Are you ready?"

She nodded nervously. "I guess."

"Hey." She looked up at him. He smiled reassuringly. "I won't let anything bad happen. It will be okay."

Part of her relaxed. She could trust him. He wouldn't let anything happen. She allowed him to lead her into town. When she grew nervous, she pulled her hand away, feeling the frost crawling on her palm. She glanced at him, but he said nothing and put his hands in his pockets.

She cleared her throat. "So...where to?"

Bumi shrugged. "What do you want to do?"

She fiddled with the edge of her cape. "I don't know." She had gone into town many times before, of course, but not in disguise. This was a whole different experience.

Bumi hummed thoughtfully and looked around. "Hmm...how about...there?"

He pointed to the tavern. She blinked in surprise, then looked back up at him. "Wait, seriously?"

"Don't worry, this one's low-key. The uncivilized thugs go to the other ones. That's where the girls-"

"Right." She bit her lip. "You're sure it's safe?"

"I've been there quite a few times, it's nice enough." He winked at her. "And there's more to drink than just beer."

She sighed in relief. "Thank goodness." She hated beer, and not only that, it didn't mix well with her magic.

She followed him inside, keeping her head down. To her relief, no one paid her any mind. A few waved to Bumi but otherwise left them alone. He led her to a secluded table, where they could see everything and wouldn't be spotted. He pulled her chair out, making her smile. "Do you want anything?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

He pursed his lips but nodded and went to the bar. She took the time to look around. He wasn't wrong, this place wasn't too bad. And she recognized a few people. There were a few shady characters, sure, but they were outnumbered and paid her no attention, so she didn't worry.

Bumi came back with two glasses.

"Bumi..."

He chuckled. "Don't worry, it's just water." He set it in front of her and sat beside her. "So, what do you think?"

Her eyes wandered. "It's not bad."

Before he could answer, a man approached her table. She ducked her head. "Hey, Bumi!"

Bumi stood and shook his hand. "Arvid, how are you?"

"Good, good." He glanced at Elsa. "You bring your girl with you?"

He smiled and shook his head. "Nah, she's an old friend of my sister's. My sister wanted me to catch up with her. We're meeting up with her husband later." It was obvious Arvid was oblivious to any potential romantic feelings between Bumi and the Queen.

Arvid nodded. "Alright, well, good seeing you." He clapped his shoulder and left. Bumi sat back down beside her.

"How do you know Arvid?" He was the local blacksmith.

"Helped him out of a bit of a pickle not long ago. He's a nice guy."

She nodded. For some reason, it warmed her heart that he was getting along with the citizens of her kingdom. She bumped his shoulder playfully. "Nice cover."

"It wasn't a complete lie! You are a friend of my sister's. But if you have a husband I don't know about, I'm screwed." She rolled her eyes while he laughed. She noted absently that she really liked his laugh.

She sat back and sipped at her water (not good, but not terrible, either). "This is nice."

"I knew you'd like it," Bumi said. "Besides, you need to have some fun every once in a while."

"I do have fun!"

"Traditional fun. Normal people don't do geometry for fun."

"Are you saying I'm not normal?"

He gave her a cheeky grin. "Oh, you're not normal. You're beyond normal." His smile softened and he had that look in his eyes again. He reached under the table and brushed her hand. "You're extraordinary. And I mean more than your powers. But them, too."

She couldn't help but smile. She leaned against him. "Thank you. For everything."

They sat a little longer in silence. When she yawned, he smiled. "Tired?"

"A little."

He chuckled and stood, helping her up. "Let's get you home." As they left she let him hold her hand.

A few minutes later he stiffened and glanced behind him.

"What's wrong?"

"We're being followed."

She stifled a gasp and tried to pull her hand away, but he held on. "Wait. Just stay calm. We need to go back to where there are more people."

She swallowed and nodded, but began to tremble. She really could take care of this with her ice, but it would give her away. She grew even more nervous when the men started to catcall and make suggestive remarks. Bumi leaned closer. "I need you to trust me for a few minutes, okay?"

She nodded, though her breaths were shallow and her skin crawled. Bumi turned and yelled something back before he put his arm around her waist. "I'm sorry," he whispered before kissing her temple, trying to deter them, make it seem like they were together (which they were).

They kept walking briskly, but didn't run. "Almost there," he murmured. Soon they made it into the light. When he relaxed, she assumed they weren't being followed anymore. He removed his arm from around her waist, and she found herself missing the support and comfort it had given.

He led her to a fountain and they sat. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. She nodded, though she was still trembling. "I'm so sorry," he said softly. "I didn't think they'd follow us."

"It's alright," she smiled, beginning to feel herself calm. "I'm okay, really. And I should be thanking you, you saved us."

He huffed. "I got us into that mess."

She touched his hand. "You didn't know. Really, it's okay."

He gave her a half smile, then looked at the castle. "We should probably wait a little bit before we head back. Make sure they're really gone. Anything else you want to do?"

She shrugged again. "You decide." She smiled mischievously. "I'm not good at having traditional fun, remember?"

That got a real smile from him. He turned his attention to some music playing a little ways away. He nodded towards it. "How about dancing?"

She cringed. "I don't dance."

"Can't or don't?"

She glared. "Neither." That technically wasn't true. She did know how to dance; she just hated it.

"Oh, come on, you can't be that bad. Besides, nobody will know it's you." She still hesitated. "Just give me one chance?"

She made the mistake of looking into his pleading eyes and felt her resolve weakening. Since when did that happen? She groaned. "Ugh, fine." She took his hand and let him lead her. She couldn't help but be affected by his contagious smile. When they got there, he got them into position. "Now what?"

"Just follow my lead. And trust me."

And so she did. He moved as slowly as he could with the beat and through uncomplicated moves, and slowly it began to come back to her. She fell into the rhythm and realized that this, dancing out here with him and her people under the lights without people watching was actually kind of fun. She began to enjoy herself, laughing from time to time when he pulled a silly face or over exaggerated a simple move. His hand at her waist, the other holding her hand...it felt nice, warm. Her ice was quiet so she let herself enjoy his touch.

When the dance was over he pulled her into a hug. He tried to pull back, apology on tongue, when he came to his senses, but she held on, so he wrapped his arms around her again. He swayed in time with the music while she let herself feel. She wasn't that much shorter than him, so she could see behind him. As she looked out at the fjord, she couldn't help but think how nice this was. She felt safe, warm, protected...wanted. A small part of her also noted that they were alone. Still in the light and safe, but also alone.

Eventually he pulled back and smiled. He hesitated briefly, then ran a finger over her cheek. She leaned into his touch and for once easily looked into his eyes. They were so kind. A different look crossed his face. "Elsa?"

"Yes?" she replied softly, trying so hard not to ruin the moment and what she was feeling.

"Can I kiss you?"

She nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Yes."

And so he did. It was short and careful, but sweet and innocent and...wonderful.

"I have an idea," he said softly, trying not to kill the mood.

"Hmm, what's that?"

"Let's take the docks back. Nobody's really there to see you, but we can easily get their attention if trouble comes up.

She nodded and they left. Bumi had his arm around her waist again and looked around vigilantly, but nobody followed them. It was quiet.

Elsa changed their course when they got close to the castle and led him to a hidden dock. She turned to him and smiled. "I don't want to go in quite yet."

"So it wasn't a complete failure?"

"No." She took his hand. "Not at all."

"I'm glad."

It was easy for her to let him put his arm around her, to lean into him. He kissed her temple and it made her smile. This was still so new to her, but right now-in this moment-it was easy and comfortable as breathing. 'Is this what it's like?' she thought, 'to be in love?' It felt different than what the sappy romances Anna liked to read said, with the passion and heat and...other things she didn't want to think about. This felt different, though.

Maybe because she loved differently.

She turned her body so she was facing him, so she could fully hug him back. When he pulled back, she saw that look again and the question in his eyes. She dipped her head a little and actually met him half way.

And there it was again. That warm feeling that spread through her chest, not fighting the cold, but somehow mixing with it.

When they separated, she leaned into him again. "I have to tell you something. It's one of the things that's bothering me."

He wrapped his arms around her. "What is it?"

She swallowed nervously. "The council...they...want us to marry by the end of the year." She squeezed her eyes shut, part of her waiting for some negative reaction. But the response she got back was not what she expected.

"I always thought a winter wedding would be nice."

She pulled back to look at him in surprise. "Wait, what?"

He smiled. "I told you, I'm with you through this. Whatever we need to do...we can do it. We'll make it work."

She stared at him in silence for a moment. Then, she placed a cold hand on his cheek with a thankful, affectionate smile. "Thank you."

"No, thank you." He gave her another kiss, nearly smiling when she kissed him back with a little more confidence.

'I could get used to this.'