On an early spring morning, as dew drops still glistened on the crocuses in the morning light, Princess Anna was married to Kristoff Bjorgman, now known officially as Lord Norfjell in a magnificent ceremony inside the Chapel of Arendelle Castle. The bride's uncle, King Alfose of Corona, gave her away. Her sister stood with her as bridesmaid, Minister Westbrooke stood as best man. Princess Rapunzel of Corona and Prince Eugene rounded out the attendancts. In attendance were many dignitaries from various nations, including the reclusive Queen Mother of Corona, the bride's grandmother. The wedding and the following banquet and ball were the grandest events held in Arendelle since the marriage of the bride's father and mother, the late King Henrick and Queen Alfonse.
Elsa silently watched as Uncle Alfonse escorted Anna down the aisle, then handed her off to Kristoff, her heart bursting with love and joy. As they stated their vows of love and fidelity, she glanced beyond the happy couple, catching the emerald eyes of the best man. A blush crept over her as she remembered his attentions from the previous night, and disappointment crept in as she realized that he probably didn't remember them at all. That didn't stop his gaze from burning deep, down into her very core.
Refocusing her attention on the ceremony, she beamed as Kristoff and Anna were declared husband and wife and were told to kiss. She returned Anna's bouquet to her for the procession, and she and Rapzunel straightened the bride's train. An amazing sensation of rightness overwhelmed her as James gave her his arm and escorted her back down the aisle.
She longed to dance at the ball, but seemed to be kept busy speaking with one dignitary after another as they offered her their felicitations to the happy couple, who were quite enamored only with each other. Often, she found herself searching the room for James, only to find both of their attention being called to something else. The entire evening seemed to pass all too quickly for her. Before she knew it, Anna threw her bouquet strait into her arms, and she and Kristoff were off to the mountains. A bittersweet pang niggled at her as she realized that her baby sister would be a woman after that night, no longer the girl of yesterday.
Once the guests had left, and her family retired after a wonderfully busy few days, Elsa found herself restless. She knew she should have been tired. Like the rest of the family, she had very little sleep lately, but her heart and mind were racing. Her feet longed to dance and to sway.
Quietly, she ventured into the library, lit a few candles, and closed her eyes. Humming the tunes played earlier in the evening, she danced alone, with the shadows cast by the candlelight. So carried away, she didn't notice when she was no longer alone.
A familiar hand grabbed hold of her waist. "You look like a lady who needs to be danced with."
With her eyes still closed, she smiled and ran her palm along his face. She opened them, allowing their light to gleam into his. "James, I thought you'd never ask."
Pulling her into his arms, he led her into a waltz as she continued to hum the music with that entrancing voice of hers. "All I have wanted all day was to find myself in your arms," she admitted.
"All I have wanted was to have you there. Well that, and to apologize."
Elsa cocked her head slightly as they glided along the floor. "Apologize for what?"
He took a deep breath then slowly exhaled. "I have vague, foggy memories of last night. I admit that I had a little more to drink than usual. We felt the need to explain certain aspects of marriage to Kristoff, and I found that I required liquid courage to do so."
Elsa pursed her lips, trying to look severe, "You don't say. What, pray tell, do you remember?"
He closed his eyes, trying to recall the events of the previous night. "I remember Kristoff singing songs about reindeer and Anna. I remember Uncle taking his leave of us rather early to be with Aunt. I think Fitzherbert got into some trouble with Rapunzel."
Elsa swallowed a knot in her throat. "Is that all you remember?"
He was watching their feet, but slowly he met her eyes. "I seem to remember you, the stables, a tree, and you were there."
"Are you sure that is all you remember?" She asked, stepping back so that she could release her hair from its braid once more.
He watched it fall to her waist, vaguely remembering having seen such a sight once before. "Oh Elsa, please don't toy with me," he begged.
Elsa sauntered against him, placing a finger on his chest. "You were quiet for a bit, then you became a little chatty. You told me how you wanted to feel the cool of my porcelain skin against my your hands. You called my lips perfect." She backed him against a bookshelf. Then you proceeded to do things to me that you ultimately deemed inappropriate and left me to go to bed.
Shock took over his face as what she told him registered in his mind. "Oh my. Please tell me that I didn't take advantage of you. Please forgive me my ungentlemanlike behavior. I am truly sorry."
"Don't be!" She told him, shocking him even more. "I told you before, no one takes advantage of me."
"What?" he asked in disbelief. "We didn't… Did we?"
Elsa cleared her throat. "You are ultimately and innately a gentleman, even when you are drunk, James. Let's just say that you left a very frustrated queen in the courtyard."
James slumped against the bookshelf in relief. "Oh thank goodness!"
"What?" Elsa couldn't believe that he seemed thankful that he left her wanting. "Honestly James, things cannot keep going on the way that they have. I think it's time we start discussing where we are going with this… with us."
James took her hands, and led her to a sofa. "No, I agree. We can't continue in the manner much longer. As to my relief. Well, let me say that when we finally… I don't want to be drunk. I want to be sober so that I can remember every inch of you." He slid his hands along her body. "I want get to know every curve, intimately and commit them to memory." He started to lean her back and give her a taste of what he wanted when an abrupt knock rapped upon the library door. "Your Majesty, Queen Elsa?" It was the captain in charge of the night guard.
They both jumped up, the heady moment lost. "Yes?" Elsa called out. James quickly left the sofa and began perusing a book shelf. "Enter!" she ordered.
The captain bowed his head to his queen the informed her, "Your Majesty, a ship just arrived from Genovia. It carried an urgent message." He handed her the letter.
Elsa grabbed the missive from the captain, thanked him and dismissed him before tearing it open. James stood behind her, trying to read over her shoulder but she paced about too quickly. "It's from Olaf," she quickly told him. She dropped the letter to the ground, tears falling upon it. James then knew what news the letter contained.
"Celia?" he asked quietly.
Rubbing her knuckles against her lips, she silently nodded.
"How long ago?" he asked.
"The letter is dated two weeks ago. Olaf wrote it almost immediately. He states that Amelia has taken to their rooms, too distraught to function. He is utterly lost at what to do. Thought they knew the end was near, it hasn't changed how painful actually losing her sister has been. He stated that the funeral was set for the end of the first week. He is asking for our support."
James turned his head in frustration. "Then I've already missed that. I should leave at first light to get there as quickly as possible."
Elsa nodded. "I'll have a ship prepare while you pack. I guess this means you'll not be making the trip to Corona with us?"
He stopped, grabbed her elbows, and assured her, "I will be there for the lighting of the lanterns, and we will finish our discussion." He then kissed her, not wanting to let go, but knowing there was much for both to do.
"As queen, I hold you to your promise, Minister Westbrooke," she smiled as he left.
Romance and rest would both have to wait. Duty and responsibly waited for no man. Quickly, she got to work, securing one of her ships to transport James to Genovia. Then, though she hated to do so at such a late hour, she knocked on the door to the suite of rooms her uncle and aunt were using. She knew that her uncle would want to know of Celia's passing immediately and set about ordering Corona's response and support to Genovia and their new queen.
As the sun was just beginning creep on the fjord, Elsa stood on the pier with her uncle, bidding goodbye to James. Sensing the younger two wanted to have a moment alone, King Alfonse busied himself talking with the captain.
"Give my love to Olaf and Amelia," Elsa told him as she straightened his coat and cravat.
"I will," he laughed. He loved when she fussed over him. It reminded him of the their first parting when she unexpectedly kissed his cheek.
"Take care of yourself," she continued to nervously fuss over his attire.
He stilled her hands, pulling them down and pulling her closer to him. "I will. You do the same. I will see you in Corona." He kissed her.
She freed her arms, and draped them around his neck. "I love you, James."
"I most ardently love and admire you, Elsa," he told her, quoting from their favorite novel again. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, James," she waved as he walked away. He shook hands with his uncle when they met on the gangplank, then turned to wave goodbye to her once more.
Her uncle wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, and she gladly rested her weary head on him as they walked back to the castle. "You'll be reunited soon enough, my dear."
Elsa sighed. "I know."
As they entered the castle gates he cleared his throat. "So tell me, when shall I have the pleasure of giving you away to James?"
This chapter was much shorter than the previous one, but much easier to write. So, Celia has died. James has left to help in Genovia. Anna and Kristoff are married. Soon we will be venturing to Corona. Will James make it for the lanterns? Reviews are most the best incentive for writing!