The next morning was a flurry of activity. Though the night had been long. Gentle whispers, expressed worries, hesitant kisses and soft assurances had Elsa and Honeymaren peacefully falling asleep into each others embrace.
Kai had indeed come to wake Elsa and Honeymaren. Whisking each of them away for an extensive amount of preparation. It had been with a heavy heart that Elsa had let them lead her away, though she could see that Honeymaren did her best to understand.
Honeymaren herself found an entirely new world of people around her. Helping her wash, helping her brush her hair. It was nearly overwhelming. All she wanted to do was find a way back to Elsa but there were simply too many people around. Too many things being said. How to sit, how to enter the ballroom, how she would be addressed, how to approach the Queen and the new King Consort. Under any other circumstance she would have reveled in the knowledge but after she and Elsa had finally confessed their feelings for each other she found herself properly distracted on what their next step would be.
By the time she was able to see Elsa again she found herself nearly falling to her knees at the beauty standing in the sunlight of the garden before her.
"How did you like your crash course?" Elsa stood tall, her ethereal dress and diaphanous train fluttering out in the light breeze that wrapped around her ankles. Similar to the one Ahtohallan had given her, the colors flowed down beautifully to a blue so deep that it was almost as though she were standing on the waters of the Black Sea. The soft gleam of holographic crystals that turned and bent in the light with her breaths. Her hair had been pulled back partially from her face, complex plaits that joined together to run parallel over the hair that flowed like a winter breeze down her back.
"Like running into a branch at full gallop." Still breathless, Honeymaren brought herself closer, her eyes shining with so many feelings she couldn't express.
"Sorry…Things like this are so needlessly complex." Elsa found herself similarly held still.
Honeymaren wore the most pure grey tunic and pants, the sleeves and legs of which were intricately detailed with various colors pertaining to the elements to which they represented. The revered patterns woven with the most beautiful gemstones. Her waist was accented with a wide belt the color of autumn leaves. It's sash hanging long at her hip where more threads depicted the most ancient of stories. The overlapping strands of leather depicting her status and pride. Her hair was pulled back just as Yelena's had been the first day they met. The plaits interwoven with long strands and beads that glowed like fire. Her forehead was adorned with a matching headpiece that accented the richness in her eyes. The vines and fibers from which it was made and the small gems to which it was adorned accentuating perfectly with her caramel skin.
"I don't know how you do this." Honeymaren put her own hands up in front of her, "So many hands!"
"Well…I didn't have to." She raised her own hand, a small snowflake twirling in her palm for a brief moment, "But I did have to listen." She shook her head to release the tension, "You look so beautiful."
"The sun is jealous of you." Honeymaren gently pushed back that lock of hair that always seemed to fall over her shoulder.
Elsa blushed all the way down her exposed shoulders and shook her head to try and clear her thoughts. This was all so new, so…nice. She didn't want to make any mistakes, "I-"
Unfortunately, once more their moment was shattered as Liak, the royal planner, had come to interrupt, " Your majesty, the Queen has requested your presence in the dressing room."
Elsa let her head fall back with a dramatic sigh, her hands squeezing tight in Honeymaren's before she turned to address him. Completely able to compose herself, her hands folding neatly over in front of her, "Thank you. I shall be there in a moment."
"Very well." Liak turned without a single ounce of guilt, rushing off with his clipboard and muttering on.
"For Anna?"
Honeymaren chuckled, "For Anna."
By the time the pair had reached the dressing room, the flurry of activity seemed to be somewhat contained to the lower floors. Though they did pass by a very uncomfortable looking Kristoff as his assistant was attempting to fix his vest and by the look of his furrowed brow; it wasn't the first time.
Ryder was having a blast with it all, most undoubtedly making the situation worse while Olaf was just trying to get at the cakes. The poor servant girl who'd been put in charge of keeping him out of trouble chasing him away from the tables.
The hall leading to Anna's room was merely a murmur and Elsa felt comfortable enough to twine her fingers in Honeymaren's. While she knew it wasn't unusual for her to do this with Anna she wasn't so sure what the servants and maids would think of her doing it with someone else. Though they were bound by their employment not to judge, there were always whispers.
Elsa took a deep breath before knocking on the Anna's door. A muffled response gave her entrance but a small pull on her hand gave her pause,
"I'll just give you two a minute." Honeymaren leaned in close pressing the quickest, softest kiss just under her ear before pulling herself free.
Elsa blushed brightly but thanked her softly before turning and letting herself into the room. Once inside she made her way towards the dressing room.
"Oh Elsa, you look beautiful. As always." Anna was stood upon a small platform turning in the mirror when Elsa came through the doorway. Her eyes lighting up brightly at what she saw.
"Thank you, but you look beautiful-er." Elsa hummed softly when Anna turned to show her the back.
"It was mom's." Anna could hardly believe how far they'd come. What they'd been through. It all seemed so unreal.
"I know, I kept it safe just for you." Elsa came in closer leaning up to adjust the crown that was just slightly off over her braids. How she looked so much like their mother. How proud she would have been of her daughter.
"Oh!" Anna thanked her under her breath before she came down from the step and towards her vanity the action suddenly reminding her, "I want you to wear this at my wedding." She turned and open a very elaborate box.
"But Anna, I'm not a Queen anymore." Elsa put her hand to her chest at the beauty of what her sister held. A crown of silver and gold twined vines, seven points gracefully reaching up with jewels swirling upward like her magic, each one holding a different rare gem and flawless diamonds. The center point held a gold crest of Arendelle, a symbol of perfect unity between the spirits and the kingdom.
"You'll always be a Queen to me. Please? I worked really hard on the design. I thought for sure the Royal jeweler was going to kill me." Anna bit the corner of her lip, her eyes wide and hopeful.
Elsa could hardly refuse. A loving smile curling her lips when she nodded. Anna squealed with childish glee hastily putting the box down. When she turned back, her heart thumped powerfully in her chest. Elsa had lowered herself down, not all the way but the symbolism in the action was a perfect mirror of the day she was crowned Queen of Arendelle. Anna held her breath as she placed the metal down upon her head. When Elsa rose she pulled her in tight.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too."
oOo
Honeymaren lifted her head from the banister over looking the mass of people mulling about about. The sound of the door to Anna's room catching her attention. When Anna came through she gave her a small incline of her head but when Elsa followed through she felt as though she were going to melt on the spot. The box that Ryder had rushed up to give her nearly dropping from her fingers as she attempted to compose herself.
Anna giggled softly and pulled Elsa along behind her, "You look gorgeous Honeymaren. I really love this design."
"Thank you."
"What's that?" Elsa came to stand closer now, the soft perfume that she'd put on catching in the air.
"Oh…well…uh it's just a little…something…" Honeymaren turned her eyes towards the crown resting upon Elsa's head. How could someone look so perfect and still be human?
"Oh, a gift?" Anna actually knew all about Ryder and Kristoff's little plan. After she'd told Kristoff about the study he'd confessed that he and Ryder had been staging a way to get the pair together at the reception. She had readily agreed to help in their plan as much as possible and it all started with a little gift.
"Yeah…um…if it's okay…I mean traditionally and things…" Honeymaren swallowed and took a deep breath to straighten herself up.
"It's my day, you can do whatever you want." Anna smiled and pushed Elsa just a little closer. The latter looking back with a suspicious brow.
"Right, uh well. I saw this while we were out and it made me think of you and so…" Honeymaren let her words teeter off and simply allowed her actions to speak for her. She opened the box with a held breath revealing the beautifully crafted necklace that she'd admired in the jeweler's shop.
Elsa leaned towards her to look into the box, a blushing smile covering her face as the diamonds reflected in her eyes, "It's beautiful."
Anna smiled to herself and casually looked over the railing where she spotted Kristoff and Ryder watching the scene from down below. She gave them a small grin and a surreptitious thumbs-up before turning back towards Elsa and Honeymaren.
Elsa lowered her head just enough for Honeymaren to slip the delicate chain around her neck. The rush and tingle of her fingers slipping over her bared shoulders making her stomach twist in a most unusual-though not unwelcome-fashion.
"It looks even better now…" Honeymaren gently adjusted the center snowflake before taking in a deep breath of cool air, "Do you like it?"
"I love it." Elsa smiled and pressed her forehead gently against Honeymaren's. It was a symbol she'd learned during her time with the Northuldran, not as intimate as a kiss but just as powerful when done properly.
oOOo
The ceremony was dreadfully long and exceptionally ornate. Even Elsa had felt the strain of such an unnecessary pomp and circumstance. Honeymaren had nearly fallen asleep towards the end, thankfully an ice cold palm had kept her awake.
"Pronouncing, her royal highness Queen Anna of Arendelle."
Everyone came to their feet, Elsa and Honeymaren smiling softly in the first row.
"And his royal highness, King Consort of Arendelle." Kristoff offered a charming smile to all those who came to their feet, his arm looped tight to Anna's as they began to walk down the aisle. Once they'd reached the halfway mark Elsa had turned to follow. As part of the royal family, she had been expected to follow them out into the main square where the common folk had gathered in celebration.
Once the church doors were opened there was a raucous amount of applause. Anna and Kristoff waved to those who had gathered, their smiles bright and happy. Elsa stayed in the shadow of the door, not wanting to take away the spotlight from her sister. When a small arm came to wrap in her own, she let out a content sigh. Placing her hand over Honeymaren's, she looked out at the people she had saved. The people they had saved.
Anna and Kristoff shared another kiss, much to the excitement of all those present before they headed into the throng of people, to accept their good wishes and small gifts. Their laughter and joy spreading to all those around.
Elsa tried to keep herself calm, large crowds had never been her thing. Though she had near perfect mastery over her powers, long habits of isolation were hard to break. Thankfully, Honeymaren was able to help ease her with a small warm arm around her back as she led them through the crowds and off towards the docks where less people seemed to have gathered.
"You okay?" Honeymaren spoke softly.
"Yeah, just don't want to ruin anything." Elsa could remember very clearly the last time she'd joined Anna for celebration and the one she'd missed due to everything that had recently happened. She didn't want anything to take away from this special day.
"You're not going to ruin anything. Come on, the reception isn't going to start for a little while. Let's go take a walk along the fjord." She gave her a gentle pull and thread her fingers tightly over her cold palm.
Elsa glanced back at where her sister had gone. It would be easy for her to slip away now. Her attentions having been taken completely by Kristoff who was doing his very best to withstand the stiffness of his coat.
"Okay…let's go." Elsa slipped away into the shadows, her heart easing just a bit as the noise of the square faded away.
Honeymaren hummed contently as they slipped down the docks and towards the shore. The soft lapping of the waves as they came to greet them a perfect background for their moment alone. She chanced a glance towards the Goddess beside her and felt the undeniable urge to bring a smile to her pursed lips.
Leading them around the edge of the castle, behind one of the large walls that protected it from the sea, she pulled them into the shadows. Before Elsa could question her choice of location, she reached up into her soft hair and pulled her closer stifling her gasp against her own lips.
Elsa could hardly handle the crash of emotions that filled her chest in that moment. The fear and anxiety of being out in the open and the soft warming feeling that wrapped around her heart when their lips met. Despite all the little bells that were screaming at her how dangerous their actions were she pressed herself closer, allowing herself to just fall victim to the moment.
When they pulled apart, Honeymaren was sure she'd stolen every ounce of air Elsa had inside her lungs, "Feel better?"
"Yes…" Her breath came out slow and heavy, her eyes deep and dark as her eyelids struggled to open, "How did you…"
"The magic of love." Honeymaren grinned and pressed their foreheads together, just taking a moment to let their souls reach out to the other.
"The most powerful power there is." Elsa smiled against the breath running over her chin and lightly pressed her lips once more, a chaste and most welcome action that left her shoulders sagging down even farther.
oOo
"Thank you, oh! This so beautiful. Did you make this?" Anna held a large snow-globe that Oaken had given to her, her eyes shining from the beautiful Arendelle crest inside.
"Of course! I'm so glad I could make it for you, your highness!" Oaken chuckled happily before moving back into the crowd. The mass of them starting towards the courtyard for the bouquet toss that would begin the feast for the common folk and begin the ball for the more esteemed guests.
"So thoughtful, oh look he even carved a little Sven on the side!" Anna turned it in her hand and lifted it for Kristoff to see.
"It is very nice and will look wonderful in the parlor, I'm sure." Kristoff had never felt happier, despite all the ridiculous rules and regulations he had finally accomplished what he'd wanted most out of his life. King or not, he was just happy to be able to spend the rest of his life with Anna.
"Hey, where'd Elsa go?" Anna gently passed the snow-globe to one of the servants who were collecting their gifts to bring back to the castle.
"Hm?" Kristoff turned as well, it's not like she was easy to hide, her beautiful dress and hair were always easy to spot among crowds, "I don't know."
"Her and Maren slipped away." Ryder pushed himself away from one of the large maypoles that had been set up, leaving behind a very happy looking Elana, "About…twenty minutes ago?"
"Oh…Yeah…I forgot she doesn't much like large crowds…" Anna looked around with a soft sigh, there was no way she would be able to go and find her. She could already hear Liak muttering his way closer to keep them on schedule, "Ryder would you mind?"
"Can do." Giving a mock salute, Ryder weaved his way through the crowd with ease.
When Ryder made it down the path, his smile brightened. Though not the sight he had been hoping for, it was still a step in the right direction for both his sister and her true love. He tried to make his steps heavy so as not to startle them.
Honeymaren heard him near instantly, her arm wrapped under Elsa's shoulders as she let her fingertips gently run through the hair on her back. Soothing the woman into a calm state against her shoulder as the waves lapped gently at their feet. Nokk had joined them as well, his body laying down against the water's edge where Elsa's fingertips lightly ran down his nose as she allowed herself to merely enjoy the moment.
"Hey." Ryder came to a stop a respectable distance away, "Anna wanted me to come find you, she's going to throw her flower thing and wanted you to be there."
"It's called a bouquet." Elsa gently corrected. She was in such a peaceful place at that moment she almost wanted to refuse. Still, Anna was her sister and she loved her dearly. She could do this for her.
"Right, so…" Ryder thumbed over his shoulder with a hopeful look on his brows.
"We're coming." Elsa pulled her hand from Nokk, the horse letting out a low whiny of contentment before melting back into the sea.
"It'll be fine." Honeymaren consoled, pulling them both back to their feet before pushing Elsa's hair neatly back over her shoulders, "I'll be right there okay? Just hold my hand if you get nervous."
"Thank you." Elsa smiled gratefully and they both followed after Ryder.
By the time they'd arrived the entire inner court yard was filled with lovely women of all ages, and Anna was standing on the castle steps with the brightest smile on her face.
"You ready?" Her eyes shot up when she saw Elsa and Honeymaren coming in through the gates, the love in her eyes shining bright for her sister.
There was a unanimous cheer from all those around, even the men who stood on the outskirts watching their lovers and would be wives prepare to catch the bundle of flowers.
"Okay!" Anna turned with all the excitement she was known for, her youthful vigor and her personality for her people shining bright as she threw the flowers behind her as hard as she could.
Suddenly, a gentle gust of wind wiped up around all those present, not in anyway harmful but enough to make the petals from the surrounding flower pieces flare up into the air in the most magical of displays. There were collective gasps of awe and excitement from the sight but Anna's eyes were only on where the bouquet would land, hoping that she'd thrown it far enough.
Ryder tilted his head back as he watched the arch, a small glance between him and his sister made his choice and he pretended to stumble forward. His shoulder knocking into Elsa who'd been watching her sister and the beautiful petals that had flown into the air from Gale. It wasn't until she stumbled forward did she realize that the bouquet was coming. The path obviously redirected mid-air as it sailed nearly straight for her.
There was a moment of panic before her arms came out to catch the bundle in her arms, her heart pounding and her eyes wide. Gale chittered happily in her ear before sending up a gust of wind scattering more of the petals around her before fluttering up into the sky above.
Elsa gave the wind spirit an endearing glare before looking down at the flowers in her grasp. Claps and words of encouragement came from all directions but it was the childish glee on her sister's face that kept her from being too concerned about those around her.
She shook her head at Anna before turning towards a young girl standing beside her mother, "Here you go." A small twirl of her fingers over the bouquet covered the roses in a permanent frost protecting and preserving their beauty before she pushed herself up and through the crowd to go and give her sister a piece of her mind.
"Are you allowed to do that?" Ryder whispered but his sister didn't know anymore than he did.
"Are you going to tell her she can't?" Honeymaren raised an incredulous brow with a mere shrug of her shoulders before giving him a high-five for his efforts.
"Good point." Ryder watched his sister go before remembering that he should probably follow along.
Honeymaren began to push through the crowd herself. Though she nearly lost Elsa in the thick of it, she was able to catch sight of her again when the servants opened the doors to follow the royal family into the castle. The servants politely waited for her and Ryder as well before the heavy doors closed behind them with a deep echo that was nearly drowned out by the amount of applause that came from the large ballroom straight ahead.
Thankfully, Elsa had decided to wait for them beside the doors. Her words with her sister short and succinct. Though she wasn't truly upset by the action she didn't very much like being the center of attention on her day. A fact that didn't seem to phase Anna in the slightest as she was just happy to spend it with her above all else.
The issue was dropped for more important matters and neither one held any ill feelings.
"Hey, that was fun." Honeymaren rose her brows and motioned behind to the doors, "What's next?"
"A ball." Elsa brought herself up straight, "Lots of dancing, lots of food and plenty of chocolate."
"Sounds perfect."
"Sounds boring, I think I'm going to go back outside, you know. Where the normal people are." Ryder grinned and wiggled his eyebrows just a bit.
"And this has nothing to do with Elana?" Honeymaren teased.
"Not going to lie." Ryder held out his arms without protest and waved them goodbye over his shoulder as he moved back towards the doors.
"Men…" Elsa shook her head before offering out her arm, "Shall we?"
"Absolutely."