Ride
The Queen of Arendelle is afraid of very few things. She's overcome her fear of thunder. The ocean doesn't scare her as much anymore. She's even gotten better with dogs, with whom she held a mild distrust after the wolf incident in the North Mountain.
Something about the ethereal, frozen horse before her just rattles her core, and it's not long before Elsa catches up on it.
"Anna, we can't ride if you're too nervous," the blond places both hands on Anna's shoulders. "I promise, nothing is gonna happen."
"Didn't you say they tried to drown you?"
"Misunderstanding," Elsa blurts out quickly. Anna shoots her a glare that suggests she doesn't entirely believe her. "I wouldn't put you in a dangerous situation. On...purpose, anyway."
"You are really not making a good case for yourself," Anna can't help a tiny smile.
The spirit casts a sideways glance at the Nokk, who snorts. She isn't sure what that means.
"Listen, it'll be amazing, I promise," Elsa pleads, her hands clasped. "And if you really, really don't like it, we'll stop, okay?"
The queen makes a pouting face; how is she supposed to say no to that? It's so rare for Elsa to get excited over something.
"Your puppy eyes ought to be outlawed."
"I mean, you could," Elsa offers, half-jokingly.
"Don't tempt me," Anna reaches out to tousle Elsa's hair, who swats her sister's hand with a giggle. "Okay, how do we ride this...uh, horse?"
"Nokk knows better than to try anything funny," Elsa shoots a glare at the spirit. "But I'll take the reins anyway."
"You never use reins, you said."
The elder sister gives a guilty smile.
"By myself, no. With someone else, it's a requirement, since the last time Honeymaren and I rode, Nokk nearly kicked her off. Turns out Maren's not a big fan of horses."
"You know, for someone who hangs out with reindeer, she smells awfully nice," Anna notes.
"Yeah..." Elsa doesn't even try to hide her blush. Once she sees Anna's cheeky smile, she clears her throat and brings her head back from the clouds. "So...shall we?"
"Let's do this."
Elsa nods, then helps her sister upon the Nokk. She jumps up to the front, settling herself just behind their withers. Anna's arms hastily wind around Elsa's waist. The elder sister fashions a delicate set of reins from ice and attaches them to the Nokk's mouth. They snort in protest.
"Hey, c'mon now," Elsa pats the beast's neck. "It's only for a little while."
The icy horse shoots Elsa a look that clearly says 'you're lucky you're the Fifth spirit'. Elsa chuckles and turns back towards her sister.
"Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Drama queen," Elsa mutters with a grin.
Before Anna can fashion a comeback, the elder sister whips the reins and the Nokk charges forward. The queen lets out a startled yelp and braces herself against her sister.
"I'm already regretting this decision!" Anna looks down as the ground is but a brown blur. She shuts her eyes.
"It's been five seconds."
"Don't get smart with me! I am your queen!"
The way the younger sister tries to pull rank tickles Elsa. She can't help a small peal of laughter. Nor can the Nokk, who whinnies quietly as their hooves pound across the forest floor.
"Hate to tell you this, but out here, nature's in charge."
"Not you?"
"No," Elsa smiles, though Anna can't see it from her angle. "Not me."
For Elsa to admit she is not in control and to be alright with that fact in the same breath touches a hidden nerve in the queen's heart. She can tell Elsa isn't lamenting this fact, but for her to embrace it puzzles her. Elsa's whole life was about control. Control her powers, control her emotions, control everything.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"How is it so far?" Elsa asks. "You haven't thrown up or passed out. Would it be presumptuous to say you're enjoying this a least a little bit?"
"Well, if you're going to be cheeky about it, then no, I'm not," Anna pouts.
The Nokk jumps over a log, earning a high-pitched 'whoaaa!' from the queen. The warm laughter of her big sister is fuzzier than it should be while she's being so damned snarky.
"Okay, cheek notwithstanding, then."
"Fine. It's not bad."
"Isn't is beautiful?"
"I wouldn't know, I can't see it."
Elsa's body jerks upward.
"Wh–what you do mean, you can't see it?"
"I've had my eyes closed this whole time," Anna replies, simultaneously tightening her hold.
Elsa leans forward and whispers something, but the queen can tell it wasn't meant for her. The Nokk steadily reduces their pace.
"Elsa, why are we slowing down?"
"Relax, you're fine," the spirit soothes with a gentle pat to her sister's thigh. "That's enough for now."
Once the ice horse comes to a stop, Elsa finds herself rooted in place due to her sister's constrictive vice grip around her stomach.
"Okay, Anna, we're stopped now. Can you open your eyes, please? I can't move."
"Huh? Oh, sorry."
Once Anna relieves her sister of her bear hug, Elsa slides off the Nokk, then helps Anna do the same. The blonde scoops the queen up in her arms.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you," Elsa snuggles her sister close to her chest.
"I—I'm okay," Anna pats Elsa's back. "I'm just, uh...getting used to horses again after the last time I rode."
The queen can almost feel the blood drain from Elsa's face.
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"I never told you?"
"Told me what?!"
Anna cringes at the increase in volume.
"I promise I'll tell you if you don't make me ride this thing again. And if you promise not to freak out."
"But-"
"Ah! Promise first, then I'll tell you."
Elsa sighs deeply, mentally preparing herself what whatever misadventure her sister was about to recount.
"Okay, I promise."
"No freaking out!"
"Anna, please!"
If the Nokk had hands, they'd be slapping one into their face right now.
Closing notes: I tried to make this one a little more humorous. Also, the event Anna is referencing is when the horse threw her off during her journey to the North Mountain. If there wasn't a blanket of snow on the ground, she could have gotten badly hurt.
