Chapter 29
Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen or Tangled.
Elsa listens intently to the information King Frederick and Queen Cathrine have on the details and conditons of the trade. Elsa doesn't really want much to change in this deal, as it benifits Arendelle greatly already. Any other alterations could be risky.
"-and so we believe that the arrangement between our two countries is already sufficient and only needs to be renewed." Cathrine says in a kind voice, as if reading Elsa's thoughts.
"I agree wholeheartedly." Elsa smiles. "Miles, Anders, what are your thoughts on this subject?" She turns to face her two advisors, genuinely concerned of their opinions.
Miles raises his hand slightly, seemingly asking for permission to speak. Elsa nods her head slightly with approval. "Seeing as our trading with Spain and the Northern Isles went excellently, I see no harm in this move."
"Good to know." Elsa says with gratitude. She turns to the other man. "And you, Anders? Is there anything specific you have to say on the matter?"
Anders gives a small nod of his head. "Perhaps a small exchange of gifts could be arranged. Just to show courtesy between the two nations." He suggests. Elsa thinks about this.
That sounds acceptable. She thinks to herself, considering every detail of this thought. A good idea, in fact.
"Yes, that sounds wonderful." Cathrine smiles, taking her husband's hand. Frederick nods along, obviously paying attention, but not really speaking. He only talks when he believes he can contribute.
"Arendelle would be happy to accommodate, as well." Elsa tells the two, looking at each of them.
"You look just like your mother." The king decides to speak up, unexpectedly.
Cathrine sighs and nods in agreement. "And you sound and act so much like Adgar." She comments.
"I forget that you both knew them." Elsa says, looking away briefly. She fiddles with her braid absentmindedly.
"Idunn was my closest friend. And I'm not likely to forget my own brother." Cathrine tells her, gently placing a comforting hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "But we all miss them."
"They were good people." Frederick says, holding his wife.
"Yeah," Elsa agrees, dabbing at her eyes, tearing up, but trying not to cry. "They were."
"Had they known that what happened to them would have happened, they never would have left home." Cathrine says, her own eyes beginning to water.
"It was for good reason. Your daughter had returned home after eighteen years." Elsa counters, removing the older queen's hand from her shoulder and simply holding it. "It's shame that they never made it to Corona to see Rapunzel, though. They would have adored having a niece, maybe even a friend for Anna."
I could have tried harder to make them stay. She thinks. "But the past is in the past, and there's nothing that can change it." Elsa stands up from the meeting table that they're all sitting at.
"I understand." Cathrine replies kindly. "But sometimes it's alright to revisit the past. Forgetting it could be one of the worst things a person could do." She says, looking into Elsa's eyes.
"Not the worst." Elsa says, considering the subject. "But perhaps you are right." She steps away from the table. The blonde lifts her head and looks at her two advisors. "Anders, Miles, I think we're all finished here. You may be dismissed." She says in a soft voice.
"Yes, your majesty." Miles says for the both of them. They each bow before leaving the room.
"They're would be proud of you." Cathrine decides to continue. Elsa doesn't look back right away. This has always been a sensitive topic that she didn't usually like discussing. But... These people are family, too. She thinks, turning back to them.
"You really think so?" She finally asks, daring to make eye contact. Cathrine meets her gaze assuringly, consoling the younger girl.
"I do." The queen tells her, firmly believing each word.
"As do I." Frederick adds.
Elsa nods. "Thank you." She says.
"Mother, father," Rapunzel cautiously peeks her head in the room. "Are you and Elsa finished? I'd really like to show her more paintings." She informs them.
"Yes, dear." Cathrine says with a smile. "I'm sorry you couldn't come to this meeting. It wasn't all that interesting though. Trade remains the same."
Rapunzel nods quickly. "Yeah, I figured you'd want to do this specific session alone. But I saw the Arendelle men leave, so I assumed you were done. Come on Elsa." She beckons the blonde, waving her over.
Elsa grins softly and follows her out of the room. "Where's Eugene?" She asks the brunette curiously. "You two are inseparable."
"Oh, I told him to go and hang out with his friends at the Snuggly Duckling. He's been getting kind of mopey lately." Rapunzel tells her, as they walks down the halls. "So today, it's just you and me."
"So, you're going to show me more paintings?" The blonde queen asks excitedly. "I really do think they're excellent."
"Not exactly." Rapunzel replies vaguely, placing her hands behind her back, as the two stroll through the halls.
"What do you mean, 'not exactly?'" Elsa asks, raising an eyebrow. She looks at the brunette curiously.
Rapunzel shrugs, a sly grin on her face. "Showing you paintings, teaching you how to paint." She says, looking to the side. "Same thing really."
"Oh, teaching me how to paint." Elsa nods with understanding. "Wait what?" She turns quickly to face the princess, now allowing the statement to sink in.
"Come on! You'll love it." Rapunzel assures her, suddenly taking her hand and pulling her in an unexpected direction.
Anna would be best friends with this girl. Elsa cannot help but infer as she is dragged to a lavender colored door.
"This room here." Rapunzel pushes open the door and ushers Elsa in. The bedroom that they are in is a light and dull shade of gray. Pale purple furniture sits in the center of the room, earlier pushed there by Rapunzel. A mess of paints, brushes, and other cloths clutter the floor, which is covered in the case of a spill.
"How... lovely, and um... modern." Elsa comments politely, looking around, not knowing what to say. She places her hands together in front if her.
"You don't have to lie, Elsa." Rapunzel rolls her eyes. She crosses her arms. "I chose this room because it was drab and lifeless."
"Sorry." Elsa apologizes. She gives a small and remorseful smile.
"You don't have to apologize for everything, Elsa. But if you insist, you can make it up to me by helping me paint the room." Rapunzel proposes, making the offer sound very tempting.
"Alright." Elsa gives in (although it wasn't like she needed much convincing). "Where do I begin?" She asks eagerly, stepping into the center of the room.
One hour later...
"I really like your trees Elsa." Rapunzel compliments, looking at Elsa's wall. The brunette's forearms are covered in a sleeve of paint, while Elsa is doing her best not get paint anywhere except the wall.
"You can truly tell that they're trees? I honestly think that they look more like triangles on poles." Elsa laughs, fiddling with the paintbrush in her hand.
"But you see, that's art too." Rapunzel tells her. "It can be realistic, like my landscape." She vaguely waves to her own painting. "Or it can be abstract, like your triangles. Which are very uniform by the way."
"Thank you. That's what I was going for." Elsa smiles, beginning to paint again. She gently paints in a shape with careful precision, staying neatly inside the boundaries.
"But there's one thing I don't get... What do the lollipops represent?" Rapunzel cocks her head, looking at the painting.
Elsa's smile disappears. "Those aren't lollipops. Those are people." She says timidly, disappointed in the other girl's lack of recognizability of the obvious humans. She points to one "lollipop". "That's my sister Anna." Then to another. "This is me." Finally, she gestures to the third and last one. "And this one is you. They should be at least."
"Sorry." Rapunzel says, drawing out the word, and regretting her question. She idly puts her hands behind her back and rocks back and forth on her toes.
"Well, they aren't finished yet." Elsa excuses, now going back to "finish" the already done people.
"Okay... I'm going to continue working on my winter mountain scene over here." Rapunzel says, walking slowly back to her wall. "If you want any help with your not lollipops, just let me know." She teases.
Elsa laughs with her. She then sighs. Am I really that bad? She thinks to herself, looking over her painting. Yes. She smiles again. At least all my lines are straight, though. She is very precise when it came to making straight lines and perfect circles. However taking those shapes and transforming them into... art... that is a skil that still needs some work.
"I am much better at ice sculptures." Elsa says, trying to make her people look less candy-like. "Trust me."
"I'd like to, because your reputation for art is kind of shaky." Rapunzel shoots back. Her winter mountain scene is spectacular, in Elsa's opinion. The stars seem like they're dancing in the sky. The light glitters on the ground, making the snow almost glow. It's so lifelike, they could actually be on the North Mountain. But maybe Elsa is just biased.
"I will just have to show you, once I finish this." Elsa tells her, concentrating on her people, which are beginning to look less like lollipops and more like, well, people.
"That would be so cool." Rapunzel smiles. She faces back to see Elsa's painting. "You know what? Now I'm beginning to see the resemblance." She comments.
"I think I'm finished with this..." Elsa steps back and places her brushes and paint palette on the floor. Her picture is of Anna, Rapunzel, and herself standing in the snow. Wide and curved "U"s represent mouths, and large circular heads rest on twig bodies. If Elsa didn't know that she made it, she would have guessed it was done by a child. A very neat and exact child, though.
"Great." Rapunzel smiles. "I think I have a good idea as to where you can make your sculptures. Come on." She nods her head toward the door.
"Do I get to know where this is?" Elsa asks.
"Yeah... When we get there." Rapunzel replies, shrugging, and not giving out much information. They soon reach a small garden room, a courtyard. A few guards are on duty and other citizens seem to be resting. It's a peaceful little place.
"Here?" Elsa asks, pointing at the ground, to clarify.
"Yep." Rapunzel smiles. "The royal gardens, also open to the public."
"Are you ready?" Elsa asks. Rapunzel nods excitedly. Elsa looks around and readies herself mentally, as well. With a wave of her arm, she makes a fountain of ice rise from the ground. It's about six feet tall, and although no water spouts from it, frozen crystalline ice extends from the top, giving the illusion of liquid.
Rapunzel nods and claps quickly, obviously impressed. "You're right Elsa. You are better at this than at painting. I bet Anna loves seeing this. She is also an excitable person, kinda like me..." She smiles, mumbling her completely innocent statement.
I miss Anna. Elsa thinks.
"That's true." The blonde agrees quietly in a melancholy voice. "You both excite easily."
"Elsa, are you okay?" Rapunzel asks, placing a concerned hand on the blonde's shoulder. "You seem a bit... gloomy." She concludes.
"How'd you guess? My ever so joyful expressions and optimistic personality?" Elsa says back jokingly, with more than a hint of sarcasm. "I suppose I always seem gloomy."
"No, this is different. Normally you're just quiet, but something is bothering you." Rapunzel shakes her head. "I can sense it. Is there anything your mind that you want to talk about?"
Yes. Several things actually. Let me get my list. Elsa thinks, trying not to let her facial expressions reveal her emotions. But there're only a few I can actually speak aloud about. She looks around,. As it is beginning to get late, many of the people have left the garden area.
"I am worried." Elsa admits.
"Well, whatever for?" Rapunzel asks. She guides the other girl to a stone bench and they both sit.
"Anna." Elsa says. "She is a wonderful sister, and I want to be the same, but I'm scared I just won't be good enough."
Rapunzel nods. "I see. A self confidence issue, huh?"
"No, you don't get it." Elsa shakes her head briefly. "I am just not fit to be her sister. She deserves a better one."
"No, you don't get it." The brunette pokes Elsa's shoulder sternly. "I've never had a sister, but from what I can tell, you are a great person, Elsa, and Anna is lucky to have a sister like you. Just like you're lucky to have one like her." She pauses and looks at Elsa. "You don't believe me. Has Anna ever given you the impression that she wants anyone other than you as a sister?" The princess inquires, crossing her arms.
Elsa think for a second, but already knows her answer. "...No" She replies.
"Has she ever done anything that made you think she hated you?"
"No."
"Has she ever shown that she cares about you?"
"Yes... Many, many, times."
"You see? It's just a confidence issue." Rapunzel tells her, unfolding her arms, and shifting to where she is in her knees.
"That only proves that Anna is a fantastic person. I already knew that." Elsa frowns. "What can I do to be a good sister back?"
"Care about your sister." Rapunzel tells her.
"But I'm already doing that."
"Then the only problem is that you need to believe in yourself." Rapunzel says. "Believe that you are a great sister and friend."
"Well, it's easier said than done." Elsa mumbles.
"I believe in you, and from what it sounds like, so does Anna." Rapunzel takes her hand. "It's up to you now, Elsa."
Elsa sits for a minute. "Thank you." She finally utters, actually appreciative of the advice.
"Hey, what are families for?" Rapunzel shrugs, grinning in an almost boastful way. "So tell me more about Anna. I want to hear all about my other cousin." She requests, scooting towards Elsa.
The queen smiles brightly. "Anna is caring, and adventurous. She always sees the best in people. Although, she tends to be overly eager and rush into things. For example, she tried to marry a man she has just met that day."
"That's ridiculous." Rapunzel scoffs.
"It is, but she's also optimistic. She loves chocolate, I do too. And she makes some of the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted." Elsa continues, waving her arms to show emphasis while Rapunzel nods along, pleased that the blonde isn't sad anymore.
"A sleepover? Tonight?" Marie asks, cocking her head to the left. A slightly confused expression is all over her face. "Why? I'm just a peasant. I have no business sleeping in the castle, and princess should never spend the night in my quaint little home."
Anna shrugs. "I thought it sounds fun!" She smiles excitedly. "I've only ever had a sleepover with Elsa, and it's always been a bit cold. Not that I'm complaining! I love the cold now, cause of my sister. But it gets a little bothersome to have it all of the time. But I love having sleepovers with her and so I thought 'Hey! Why not have a sleepover with Marie?' I mean, it seems-"
"Anna," Marie stops the other girl from talking any more. "You don't have to explain everything to me. I get it now. Sleepovers are fun, I know. I've been on a few of my own, believe it or not. I just didn't think that royals tend to have such events with peasants."
Anna frowns. "I still can't seem to get over this whole 'royals' barrier with you. I'm positive I've proven I'm not your typical princess." She states, crossing her arms stubbornly.
"That's true." Marie smiles. "But where would have this sleepover? I am not sure my brother would be too comfortable having it at my house. He's already embarrassed himself enough in front of you." She says, nodding her head.
"Well, I assumed that it would be here at the castle." Anna says, nodding her head to the side. "Is that a problem?" She looks at the taller girl's eyes with a hint of nervousness.
"A problem? No! No, it's not a problem." Marie says quickly. "I told you already, it can't be at my house. It kinda needs to be at the castle."
"Oh, okay, good." Anna breathes a sigh of obvious relief, placing a hand on her chest. "I'm glad for that."
"As am I." Marie smiles. "Well, see you tonight then." She gives a small wave and turns on the ball of her foot starting to walk away.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Anna asks in an almost accusatory voice.
"Work." Marie tells her in a nonchalant tone. "Duh."
"Oh! Right. Duh." Anna remembers. "Wait, you can't 'duh' the princess."
"Sorry, Princess Anna." Marie curtsies, jokingly widening her eyes.
"Don't call me princess, remember?" Anna pouts. "And don't curtsy either."
Marie scoffs. "Don't use your position against me, then."
"I guess I deserved that." Anna smiles with the other girl. "You go do your job, I'll go get ready for the sleepover!" She bounces up and down excitedly.
"See you then." Marie grins a toothy grin and begins to skip away, humming a soft tune to herself.
"Wait, Marie!" Anna calls out.
The maid stops. "Yes?"
"What kind of chocolate do you like best?"
"Uhm... The normal kind? I didn't realize there are different ones." Marie shrugs.
"Oh my... I have more to teach you then I initially realized." Anna shakes her head disapprovingly.
"It would seem so." Marie nods in agreement. They both break into easy smiles and part ways.
Different kinds. Of course there are different kinds! Anna thinks. That poor girl doesn't know anything worth knowing...Except for putting together suits of armor and disguising people, but none of the REALLY important stuff. It' a good thing she has a friend like me to help guide her. She begins to march away, ready to plan their sleepover.
Okay. Anna thinks, looking at the finished product. I've got some finger sandwiches just in case we get hungry, and because I love sandwiches. I have the beds all set up and about two dozen different type of chocolates for her to try. Anna adjusts a tray of candy on a small oak table. Instead of the sleepover being in her room, like the kind she and Elsa had shared, Anna went and picked out her favorite dual bed guest room for the occasion.
"Now," Anna places her hands on her hips. "Where is she?" It is nearly seven and there still wasn't any sign of the red haired maid. She should hurry up, I have all twenty-six of my favorite chocolates picked out for her. She taps her foot impatiently. Her face falls with a sudden thought.
"What if she isn't coming?" The princess says, now anxiously pacing in a circle. "What if she thinks I'm too weird and doesn't want too hang out with me? Was I too forward with the sleepover? I've always been a people person, so maybe she isn't and it was just too much for her! Oh my gosh, I've scared away the poor girl. I am just a terrible-"
Knock knock knock
Anna pauses her nervous rambling and looks at the door. Oh look, she's here. The princess excitedly opens the door, not to be greeted with Marie, however, but with Kai.
"Yes? Kai?" Anna asks, looking around him for Marie, who did not seem to be there.
"Are you looking for Ms. Christensen?" The bulter asks, noticing her distracted demeanor. "Because I am here to inform you that-"
"She's not coming, is she?" Anna interrupts. She throws her hands up with a sigh. "I should have known that this wouldn't work."
"That is not it." Kai tells her instead. Anna's face perks up at this. "Ms. Christensen has actually been wandering the halls downstairs for the past forty minutes. She asked me to see if you had remembered the events for the evening, and if so, why you had not gone to greet her."
"She's been waiting for forty mnutes?" Anna asks. "I must go straighten this out."
"That sounds like a reasonable plan." Kai smiles. "She seemed very excited about it."
"Thanks, Kai." Anna tells him gratefully.
"No need. I'm only doing my job." He excuses, holding the door open for her.
"Yeah, but you do a really good job, then." Anna smiles.
"Shouldn't there be something you ought to do?" Kai reminds her.
"Oh right! Marie! I better go." Anna remembers. She leaves the amused butler behind and runs to the stairs. She quickly slides down the hand railing (because it gets her to the bottom faster) and hurries to the front hall, where Marie was rocking back and forth on her toes.
"Oh hi!" The maid says, noticing Anna. "I thought you forgot about me and hey, are you okay?"
"Me? Ha! I'm- I'm fine!" Anna says, waving off the comment and breathing a bit hard.
"Okay..." Marie accepts the answer. "I would have come up, but I didn't want to be rude. Plus I didn't know where you were."
Anna nods. "Sorry, I didn't know that you were here."
"It's alright. Shall we go?" Marie asks.
"We shall." Anna nods. The girls link arms and march to the guest room in unison.
"This is nice." Marie smiles. She gasps. "Finger sandwiches! Can I have one?"
"Yes!" Anna says, taking one for herself. "I have been holding back on eating them because I love sandwiches, but I wanted you to have some."
"I am grateful for that. I love miniature sized foods. They're just so cute!" Marie smiles, picking a sandwich up and looking at it. She takes a bite. "Yum."
"I know. Winche makes the best sandwiches." Anna agrees. "Oh! Come here, you have to try these chocolates." She pulls Marie over to the tray of chocolates.
"Please teel me most of these are yours." Mare stares at the massive tray of candy.
"Only half. The rest are yours. Yay!" Anna says with glee.
"Yay." Marie says less enthusiastically.
"What? Do you not like chocolate?" Anna asks seriously. She laughs. "I'm kidding, who doesn't like chocolate?"
"I know people." Marie states. "And I do like chocolate... I don't like getting sick to my stomach, however. And if I eat all of those, that is precisely what will happpen."
"That's never happened to Elsa or I because of chocolate." Anna frowns.
Marie smiles lightheartedly. "It happens to others." She tells her, picking a dark colored candy up. "What is this flavor?"
"Strawberry."Anna suppiles helpfully.
"Ooh! Yum." Marie eats it. She smiles. "That's really good. Wait, my mother made you a fresh loaf of bread. It's got nuts in it." She holds up a bag that Anna had not noticed previously.
"Tell her I said thank you." Anna smiles and takes the bag. She cuts a small piece of bread and starts to eat it. She picks up a light colored chocolate with a lighter colored chocolate swirl drizzled over it. "Try this one." She says, offering the candy to the other girl.
"Okay. Please don't get me sick." Marie asks the girl, takng the chocolate. She tries it. "This one is good too."She says, smiling.
"Isn't it?" Anna grins. "And I accept any responsibility if you do get sick. So I won't make you eat too many chocoates."
Marie smiles, reassured. "Thanks. I vow to do the same."
"Why" Anna asks, not knowing how on earth chocolate could make a person sick. It's too good.
"I am not entirely sure if my brother helpd with that bread or not. My mother is an excellent cook, while my brother is n excellent mess. So I'd be wary."
Anna freezes (figuratively), about to tak another bite of the bread. She puts it down. "Thanks for the warning."
"That's what friends do."
(A/N) Thanks for reading, so much. And reviewing. I am eternally grateful. I forgot to mention it the last time, but thanks to Nerfherder97 for looking over the previous chapter.
Bye all you icy fireworks.
Until next time I guess...
