Anna woke to a throbbing in her bladder. She groaned, not wanting to be awake quite yet, and buried herself beneath the covers. The sofa felt different… She spread her arms out, feeling the expanse of the surface she was currently laying on. The scent of pine didn't permeate the air, either. She wrinkled her brow, deep in thought. I had a dream that Elsa carried me somewhere… and it smells like... Elsa. Anna had come to recognize Elsa's subtle scent- a mixture of mint and lilac. Anna inhaled deeply. The scent had become a comfort to her. Then Anna's teal eyes snapped open and she sat straight up. I'm in Elsa's bed? Confusion spread across her face as she surveyed the room around her.
It was a simple bedroom. Two side tables pressed close against the bed. A mirror hung on the wall next to the door, and there was a small closet behind it. There was a window behind Anna's head, and she knew this because the morning sun rays shined into the small room. As Anna continued scanning the room, her gaze fell upon 3 shelves that lined the wall to the left of the bed. Her jaw dropped as she stared at dozens of little wooden carvings. Slipping the blankets off her body, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, rising to her feet. She yawned, stretching her limbs over her head as she shuffled toward the shelves.
Gingerly, she picked one up, her fingers gently tracing the small, intricate carving. The one she had picked up was of a woman. Elsa had even painted it. The woman was wearing a shawl, and a winter hat. The shawl was painted blue, and the dress beneath it was painted white. Elsa was extraordinarily talented. She felt lettering beneath the base and flipped it over to read it. Clara. Anna chewed her lip, placing the figurine back in its original spot. Her eyes scoured the shelves before landing on a figurine that contained three people. One of them was Elsa, and the other two were the people from the photo in the main room. She carefully grabbed it, glancing at the bottom to see if it was inscribed also.
Mum. Dad. Elsa.
Anna blinked; her mouth slightly ajar. Elsa's parents. That makes sense. I wonder what happened to Elsa's family. There was something else about the carvings. They all had similar patterns inscribed in the wood. As Anna leaned in to grab a closer look, she realized there were tiny snowflakes decorating all of them. Snowflakes… just like the blanket… Anna couldn't think about it very much, though, as nature was calling her. She quickly placed the figurine back on the proper shelf before rushing off to the bathroom. After relieving herself, Anna washed her hands in the sink. She noticed there was another pile of clothing on the counter for her to change into after freshening up for the day. A note on the mirror caught her eye.
"Good morning, Anna. I have stepped out from the cabin to take care of a few chores. I'm not sure how long I will be gone. Be sure to help yourself to breakfast. There are a few eggs and some ham for you to enjoy.
Elsa."
Anna smiled at the note then frowned immediately after in confusion. I've got to remember to ask Elsa how she acquires items. If she doesn't visit the village or leave the mountain, how does she have ham and eggs? She gazed at herself in the mirror, noticing how much better she appeared than the previous day. Her skin was healthier, and her eyes were no longer sunken in. She crossed her arms over her stomach and gripped the edges of her baggy shirt, lifting it up over her head. As she shook her hair free of the shirt, her eye caught the mark on her chest. She let her finger trace the moon mark, entranced. Amara deemed me worthy… Worthy of what exactly? Elsa says she's not even sure what it means… man, these last few days have been one wild ride. Well, I did hope for the climb of a lifetime. I think this counts as quite the experience, Anna thought to herself. She finished undressing and hopped into the shower.
Anna spent about 45 minutes showering; mostly she stood under the gentle spray of Elsa's shower head, enjoying the warm water caressing her skin. When the water changed temperatures though, Anna had exited within moments. She was also pleasantly surprised, while checking beneath the bathroom sink, to find a hairdryer stashed away. She had almost screamed in excitement. Now, freshly bathed, tamed red hair woven into her signature twin braids, she wandered into the kitchen, stretching her arms languidly above her head. The outfit Elsa had laid out for her was another long sleeve t. But the color of this current shirt was a soft light green. Another pair of thick pants covered Anna's lower half, though it hugged her legs tightly. She'd spent a few moments admiring herself in the mirror before leaving the bathroom. Her muscles weren't as defined as Elsa's, but she was by no means a twig. Anna had a workout routine in the village that she completed at least 4 times a week. She did lift weights, but a lot of her routine contained cardio. Still, though she wasn't near Elsa in muscle definition, she was proud of her form. She absently pondered if Elsa being a werewolf had anything to do with the blonde's definition.
Anna plodded out into the kitchen to rustle up her morning meal. She was delighted to see that there was already a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting for her. She cooked her meal and poured herself a cup of joe before settling down at the kitchen table. As she ate, Anna recalled the happenings of the last 72 hours.
Hard to believe that only three days ago she was content with her life, albeit concerned about the future. She wondered if Kristoff, Olaf and Marshall had found shelter. It stung her heart to realize she hadn't hardly thought about them. To be fair, her mind had been a muddled mess up until last night. They were hardy boys, though, and Anna had few doubts they hadn't found their way home. Her parents must be losing their minds with worry though.
Then again, they knew their daughter was extremely resourceful and able to carry herself in drastic situations. They had raised her to be able to do so. Especially because of the area they dwelled in. There were many dangers that surround living near a mountain. Avalanches occurred semi-regularly. Besides, they'll enjoy the story she'll have to tell them more than anything.
Her thoughts shifted back to Elsa. She was growing attached to the mystical stranger, though Anna barely knew her. At this point, Elsa knew more about Anna than anything. She was a tough nut to crack. Truthfully, though, Anna enjoyed challenges. She wondered if she could convince Elsa to visit the village with her…
Chowing down the last few bites of her meal, she surged to her feet, excited to start the day. She was fascinated about the unknown prospects of spending the day with Elsa. She had been nursing the cup of coffee, but, with a little digging, she found a thermos in Elsa's cupboard. Finishing her first cup, she poured more of the scalding liquid in the temperature-keeping thermos. Anna honestly had not a clue what the day would bring. After finishing the dishes, she dried her hands and stepped into the main room. Anna was raised to be a humble guest and helped out in whatever ways she could.
Now that her mind was no longer murky from an invading illness, she took the time to thoroughly inspect the main room. She was a bit surprised to find that paintings dotted the wall next to the sofa. She approached it to drink in the art. Anna felt sublime as she realized she was gazing at paintings Elsa had done. There were three of them on this wall.
One of them was of Elsa and her parents. Anna was amazed at the intricate detail of their facial features. She peered a bit closer at the background, realizing there were snowflakes gently falling in the darkness. What is it with those? Anna wondered. There was even a sparkle in the lifelike eyes that seemed to pursue Anna's move. She tilted her body from left to right, amusing herself before moving on to the next painting.
Anna recognized Elsa the wolf right away. But next to her sat a silver wolf that appeared just a tad bigger than Elsa. Brown-gold eyes flashed back at Anna, seemingly familiar. She backtracked a painting, and realized the silver wolf must be Elsa's father. He was beautiful in wolf form as he was handsome in human form. The painting portrayed Elsa's large head huddled up against the silver wolf's shoulder. As much as possible with an expressionless muzzle, contentment poured from Elsa's eyes. Anna's heart panged with empathy at the remembrance of Elsa's loss. What happened to her family? Even though Anna was filled with dismay, she proceeded on to the final painting. This one threw Anna's perspective of Elsa askew.
It was a self-portrait, of sorts. Both of Elsa's forms were present on the canvas. As a human, the right side of Elsa's face was more prominent. There were lighter colors within the painting of the scar beneath Elsa's eye. It was to draw the observer's attention, perhaps? It perplexed the redheaded woman.
Elsa's wolf aspect had its fangs bared and a gleam in its eyes. Its hackles were risen, and its stance had a very defensive aura. Behind the two sides of Elsa stood a crowd of ill-defined people. They carried torches and pitchforks, representing a typical mob.
Anna thought about Elsa in a different light for a moment. Did Elsa despise her wolfen side? Did she see herself as a monster? Has she been let down by many humans? Anna hummed a string of notes as she studied this final painting, attempting to decipher its meaning. Anna was attracted to Elsa's debonair demeanor, among other attributes. She was one of the most selfless beings Anna had ever had the pleasure of meeting. She knew this within her own spirit, even though she'd only met the woman days before. She wondered if Elsa truly despised herself; did she really believe a monster dwelled within? Her eyes darted between all three of the wall pieces, comprehending the fact each one of them had faded snowflakes in the distorted backgrounds. Her thoughts were interrupted by a particularly loud pop emitting from the fireplace and she tore her gaze away from the art to gather her bearings.
She glanced at the clock protruding from the wall. 8:30am. She peered out the window at the painted sky. Red, yellow, and orange hues floated in her vision as the sun reared its head for the day. She found it a bit amusing Elsa decided to have her cabin face the east. It did make for a gorgeous view of phenomenal sunsets, though. Anna did have to credit her that. Anna clicked her tongue. She would ask Elsa about the paintings later that night.
A wide grin crawled across Anna's face as she spotted a flash of blonde in the far-right corner of the window. Elsa. She didn't see what activity Elsa was involved in as she rushed over to the front door where her coat and boots continued to reside. There was another object near them, though. A white note taunted Anna as she approached, realizing said object was another, smaller pack than her own.
"Anna, please bring this with you when you have awoken for the day. I should be in the front of the cabin.
Elsa."
Anna snorted, but discreetly folded the note and slipped it in her pant pocket before retrieving her coat and sporting it. Of course, the silver-tongued, attractive stranger would have absolutely exquisite handwriting. She had kept the bathroom note as well. It was the little things that Anna appreciated. As she finished zipping up the material, she snagged the small pack and slid on her boots. As an afterthought, Anna went ahead and snuck the thermos into the pack. Anna dug through her own climbing pack to retrieve her handy wristwatch. Taking a deep breath, she swung open the front door and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
She wondered how many hours Elsa had slept the previous night. Anna had an inkling that she had fallen asleep late, possibly around 12 in the morning, giving herself only around 7 hours of sleep. She swirled to the right, but was glued in place as she realized what Elsa was currently participating in.
Elsa wiped the sweat from her brow as she finished her last pushup, jumping to her feet. Elsa thrived on only needing a few hours of sleep each night. She had been up a couple hours before dawn. After showering and putting on a simple sports bra and black running shorts, she had gone to the shrine to meditate. As she had made her way to the shrine, Elsa's advanced sniffer caught the scent of human, different from Anna's. Male. Her hackles had raised but lowered when she realized the scent wasn't fresh. She knew that it probably originated from Anna's friend. Elsa had known they had sent search parties up the mountain since Anna had been in her care. At least she was confident in the fact that the veil wasn't allowing any other humans to cross over. She also knew that when the time came, Elsa would bring Anna right to the edge of the veil for that's where Kristoff was mainly searching. Her mind snapped back to the present.
After meditating she had come back to the cabin to work out. She enjoyed working out in the snow and cold air. It helped keep her mind clear and tranquil after meditation. Her mind had been fluctuating so much since the young human had happened upon her isolation. The meditation earlier that morning had helped a bit, though not as much as it usually did.
Working her body helped her process occurrences. It allowed her to slow down and think. And as Elsa lay in the snow, not caring about the wet clothes that would dry when she stood, she thought about what troubled her the most. Anna. Elsa began her set of sit-ups, keeping her breathing even as she went through the familiar emotions. I can't deny the fact that I'm attracted to this human. Werewolves were physically affectionate creatures. Her parents had consistently showered her in their love. Elsa realized from the first moment she had the human in her arms, that she was touch starved. She could hear Anna moving around in the cabin, getting ready for the day.
The wolf side of Elsa wanted to claim Anna as her own. The human brought such calm to the storm of her heart. More so than even her Goddess could... She was drawn to Anna in many ways. There was a nagging voice in the back of her mind that told her it was mutual.
Today would be interesting. Elsa enjoyed Anna's presence, but she didn't want her to be bored. After Amara had Marked Anna, Elsa felt as though she could open her world to the human. As for opening herself… that was a different story.
Elsa's usual braid moved in time with her exercise, swaying behind her back. As she finished her sit-ups, she up-righted herself before tumbling forward into a handstand. She began to bend and straighten her arms, effectively doing a handstand pushup. Her ears picked up the sounds of the front door to the cabin opening but she was facing the forest, so she didn't see Anna. But she heard the redhead's quick intake of breath, and it caused the werewolf's heart to do a somersault. The werewolf might have heard Anna in the main room of the cabin, and she might have been showing off for Anna. Who's to say, though? Elsa knew her how defined her muscles were; it was something she was quite satisfied with. Healthy body, healthy mind. Well, healthy body, at least.
"Good morning, Anna. How did you sleep?" Elsa asked, without a pause in her current activity. The redhead gulped audibly; her eyes glued to the muscles that flexed in Elsa's back as she exercised. The werewolf wasn't wearing a shirt, just a sports bra. For a fleeting moment, she wondered where Elsa had even acquired a sports bra. Gods, the way the colors of the sunrise are hitting Elsa's snowy skin... It caused a knot to twist in Anna's abdomen.
Anna tried not to stare; she really did. But honestly, who in their right mind could resist such a show? She was torn from her voyeurism, though, and dropped her jaw as Elsa bent a final time and propelled herself off the ground. Elsa arched her back as she flew backwards, landing on her feet in front of Anna gracefully. She wiped her hands against each other, and this action made Anna realize Elsa was wearing gloves. Elsa gazed at Anna expectantly, quirking a blonde brow when the redhead didn't answer. Anna mentally slapped herself as she closed her mouth. She asked you a question. Instead of drooling over her impressive upper body strength, reply to her, you dolt.
"I-I uhm... I slept great, yeah!" Anna said enthusiastically as her eyes drank in every defined muscle in Elsa's torso. The gentle flexing of her abdomen muscles as Elsa breathed in and out captured Anna's attention for a few seconds before she raised her gaze. The younger woman paused at Elsa's bust, which looked divine in the bra she wore. Anna didn't have a clue how it was possible, but her face grew even warmer. She hoped against all odds Elsa hadn't caught her staring.
"Anna, you look like you have a question for me," Elsa stated, bending at the waist, her fingertips brushing against the top of her worn tennis shoes as she stretched. Anna desperately attempted to not stare down Elsa's lifted posterior as she processed the statement.
"You really don't ever feel the cold?" Anna asked, her breath fogging from her lips. Elsa glanced down Anna's slender form; at the bright, puffy orange coat, the thick pants, and boots she currently wore. She was even wearing that blue snow cap. Those twin braids stuck out from beneath the cap and rested against her shoulders. Adorable. Elsa chuckled, stretching her arms above her head. Of course, she had noticed Anna staring, but she dismissed it so as not to further embarrass the younger woman.
Elsa meandered over to a tree that had a low dangling branch. On that branch was a blue blouse and a pair of capris. She removed both articles of clothing, slipping the blouse around her shoulders before tugging the capris up her legs and over her hips. After securing the pants around her waist, she began buttoning the blouse. Anna tried her damnedest to not stare, but she just couldn't pull her eyes away. Especially when she observed Elsa leave the top three buttons undone; a bit of cleavage was still visible. Gods…
"No, most temperatures don't really bother me all that much. I prefer to exercise in the cold though. Well, I prefer the cold altogether." With a grand gesture Elsa swept her arm around her, indicating the area around the two.
"Have you ever gazed up at this mountain, down below from your village? I would assume you have. Have you ever noticed, then, that there always appears to be snow on the upper portion?" Elsa inquired. The question took Anna by surprise and she crinkled her brows in deep thought. Now that she mentioned it…
"I…yes, I guess I have," Anna replied, a bit stunned. Elsa nodded.
"Amara has allowed me such. I see no point in the other seasons. Now, are you ready for the day? How are you feeling?" Elsa asked, approaching Anna. She tucked a hand beneath Anna's chin, lifting it a tad as her eyes scanned the pale face below her. Anna's heart raced as she processed Elsa's question. My head is a bit swimmy…but I think that's more Elsa than any illness. I still feel sore, and my eyes are playing a few tricks on me…
"I think… that the biggest complaint I have at the moment, is that sometimes I catch myself seeing things, and the things disappearing," Anna said carefully, chewing her lip as Elsa released Anna's chin. Elsa ducked her gaze and began removing the fingerless gloves on her hands.
"Side-effects still lingering from the magic of the veil or could be just a few scattered spirits messing with you," Elsa said thoughtfully. Anna nodded, though she really had no idea. She released the breath she realized she'd been holding. The question that had been bugging Anna the most resurfaced in her foggy brain.
"Oh! I had another question to ask you! You said you haven't left the mountain in what, 50 years? But I noticed you have a few modern-day, uh, touches. Like, a hairdryer, sports bra, coffee machine… I was curious as to how you acquired these things?" Anna asked, her eyes dipping lower as she mentioned the sports bra. A devious smile rolled over Elsa's face. She swayed from side to side, stretching each arm over her head and giving her individual shoulders a small rolling motion.
"I can answer that question, Anna, but just not at this time. For now, it's on to our first activity for the day," Elsa responded with a secretive grin. Anna grunted, almost pouting like the previous night until out of the corner of her eye she spotted the doors to the cellar Elsa had mentioned a few times. Being the easily distracted person she is, her entire attention was diverted.
"Elsa, could I check out your cellar?" Anna asked, about to step toward it before Elsa's hand on the shorter woman's forearm stopped her.
"You can… 'check it out' later. I've got something planned for this morning," Elsa said quietly. The way she had changed the tone of her voice around "check it out" had Anna turning a laugh into a cough, causing Elsa to eye her sideways. Gods, she had the touch of modern civilization, but not modern slang.
"What did you have planned?" Anna wondered curiously. Elsa smiled shyly, a certain shine to her eyes.
"Good to see you were able to gather the pack I left," Elsa commented, giving a nod toward the indicated item currently nestled against Anna's back. Anna nodded, proud she had done something for Elsa, albeit a small something.
"What's in it, by the way?" she questioned.
"Ah, just a small picnic for us to enjoy later. You need to stay nourished," Elsa replied nonchalantly. "Now then, are you ready for the day?" After ceasing her pounding heart from the subtle statement that informed Anna that Elsa cared, she nodded eagerly. Elsa took a few steps back from Anna as a bluster engulfed them and Anna had to shield her eyes. When the breeze finally died, she lowered her arm to see a white wolf where Elsa had been moments before.
"Please, Anna, climb onto my back," Elsa said, and Anna complied, settling herself once again on the broad back. Then Elsa was zipping through the trees as Anna lowered her torso over Elsa's back, pressing her face into the soft white fur to avoid the icy bite of the wind.
"Elsa," Anna said softly, gloved fingers sifting through Elsa's fur. The wolf's ear swiveled a bit in Anna's direction, an indication that she was listening.
"Is there… a specific reason why you don't enjoy other seasons?" Anna asked. The thought had been circulating the younger woman's mind ever since Elsa had said it. Well, quite a few thoughts were alongside it, but that's the one she chose to relay.
"The worst things to happen to me during my lifetime, happened in the warmer months. I've always felt at home with ice and snow. The cold feels better, keeps my mind sharp. Winter months have longer nights, thus more time with my Goddess. I see no other reason for anything else," Elsa explained. Anna traced shapes in the forest of Elsa's fur as she pondered this.
"But, Elsa, there are so many amazing things about the warmer months. Flowers, trees acquiring new leaves, new life… dipping into a cool lake during the hottest point of the day. Ohhh, and ice cream! Ice cream is sooo good in summer. There are festivals, parades, barbecues… Maybe you just need someone to show you the positive side," Anna told the wolf. Elsa contemplated the list Anna had just supplied the summer deprived wolf. She had never really considered the lighter aspects of summer months. Those things sounded wonderful spilling from Anna's lips.
"You don't feel the cold… but I wonder... Elsa, do you feel heat?" Anna whispered, clenching Elsa's fur with an iron grip as the trees grew closer to the pair before they suddenly opened into a moderately sized clearing. Anna inwardly cringed at herself. Get a grip on yourself, princess. You've only known this woman for 3 days. She couldn't help it, though. Anna was never one to beat around the bush, especially when it came to attraction... it was partial to the reasons Anna was willing to stay. And seeing Elsa during her morning workout… It had Anna on edge.
All those thoughts fizzled though, as yips and barks came from the cave that appeared at the edge of the clearing. Three wolf pups came tearing out of the darkness, chasing and nipping at one another. Anna's entire face lit up and she practically flung herself off Elsa's back. She didn't quite stick the landing, though, her right foot twisted a bit as it hit the ground, sending her, once again, tumbling into the snow. She giggled with a childlike aura surrounding her form.
Elsa was frozen in place as her head spun with invading thoughts. Did she just flirt with me? Oh, Goddess it's been forever I don't know- Elsa was ripped from her head as she heard her name being called. The large wolf pivoted to face Anna who was currently crouched in the snow with 3 large pups sniffing her over. The adult wolves of the pack had ventured from their den as well to check out the commotion. One of them raised his hackles and bared his teeth, his head ducking low as a territorial growl emitted from his throat. Elsa quickly maneuvered so she was towering above Anna, and bared her own teeth, which were much larger than the grey wolf's.
Recognizing Elsa, the wolf backed off, resorted to a playful posture, and ran at Elsa with full speed. Elsa pretended to be toppled over by the wolf's pounce, rolling over as the wolf fell against her underside. He nuzzled up against Elsa's thick neck. She let her eyes fall on Anna, who was watching them intently. Elsa nudged the smaller wolf off before righting herself, shaking the snow that clumped in her fur.
"I've watched this pack through a couple generations. That particular wolf," Elsa nodded her head, indicating the one that had just tackled her, "I found him after a hunter had killed his mother. She had gotten separated from the pack through a storm, just her and a lone pup." Elsa's blue irises flashed with a sudden anger that disappeared just as fast.
"I do not condone that type of hunting," she said sternly. Anna's face fell with a look of sorrow. The wolf Elsa had been referring to meandered over to the bundled-up human, greeting her with a cautious sniff. Whatever the wolf scented must have been acceptable as he sneezed and gave her freckled face a quick swipe of his tongue before eyeing the pups that were standing a few feet back and giving them a soft bark. Anna was giggling as she wiped off her face and the pups suddenly swarmed her, furiously climbing over Anna's slim form.
"They trust you, Elsa," Anna noticed, cautiously reaching out to gently pat a pup on its head. Elsa nodded, watching the interaction.
"Normally wolves and weres do not coexist well. Omegas are the exception. As with all the other wildlife forms, they've learned to trust me as I am. I've helped them hunt when food falls scarce or it's a particularly tough winter," Elsa told Anna, who now had all three pups snuggled up against her. She gave the one by her right hand a few scratches beneath its chin.
"Reminds me of the dog I had growing up. His name was Chops. He was a husky. Very affectionate, very protective, very derpy. He liked to chase anything and everything. He helped me, though, when I got lost in the woods outside the village. I fell down a small ravine when I was 7," Anna smiled at the memory, her gaze focused on the tree line.
"That's actually how I met Kristoff in the first place. He was out with his horse, Sven, checking traps when Chops ran right up to him. He grabbed a hold of Kristoff's pants and pulled him from Sven's back. Wouldn't leave him be until Kristoff followed him," Anna finished. The pups nuzzled up into her lap, forcing her to lay in the snow.
"I wonder…what you were like as a child, Elsa," Anna murmured, scratching one of the pups behind its ear, still a bit shocked at how tame they were acting. It's probably because of Elsa. Unbeknownst to her, Elsa's inner storms were beginning to build again, her heart rate increasing. Anna noticed Elsa's tension, and gently pushed the pups aside.
"Elsa?" she called out, her voice cutting into the haze of Elsa's mind, clearing it so she was able to dredge herself from the horrid memories. For a moment, she returned, searching instead for the happy ones. She had plenty of those. They were always just overshadowed by the nightmares. Anna's voice brought peace to her turmoil-addled mind, though. This human…usually when I'm drowning in the ocean of my nightmares I need to meditate to surface. But, with just saying my name, Anna can pull me from the choking tide…
"Sorry. I'd like to think I was quite the polite child. Never gave my parents too much trouble. Except for when I ran away with a friend for a week… I believe all offspring attempt that at some point in their young lives," Elsa finally replied. Anna let her head fall askew as she contemplated.
"Her name was Lena. She was the child of one of my father's buddies. He had quite a few of them. Yet, we had to remain hidden… Anyway, Lena and I were close and there was a time they resided with us. Our combined parents weren't overly strict or anything of the sort. But I was quite fed up with having to keep hidden. So, we took off. I had just begun learning illusionary magic and conjuration at the time. I was presumably 12 or so. I was able to shield my presence from my parents for a week until they finally were able to hunt us down in an abandoned town 20 miles away," Elsa finished with a hearty chuckle, as she lowered her large, pigeon-wing colored body into the snow to rest. The wolf that had greeted her earlier returned to her side, nestling up against her much larger form.
"Honestly, with the way your mannerisms are, it's hard to picture you running away and disobeying your parents," Anna said, laughter flashing in her teal eyes. Elsa slanted her head, a wolfish grin forming on her substantial muzzle.
"I could be quite the rambunctious child, Anna. Do not let my proper etiquette deceive you. You also need to remember that I've read a myriad of books during my isolation, and before. I could lose the proper talk, if you prefer, and be more vernacular," Elsa told her. Anna wondered if wolves had eyebrows because it certainly seemed as though the large canine was raising one of them. Anna thought about it and shook her head. Though it made her feel a bit self-conscious at times, Anna found she thoroughly enjoyed the way Elsa spoke so… eloquently.
"I never misunderstand you, Elsa, or anything of the sort. It's actually a quality about you that I really appreciate," she told the wolf quietly, her sun-kissed freckles becoming a bit more prominent as she flushed. Elsa's laughter flowed through her mind, causing an involuntary shiver. A low bark sounded from the den and the pups currently snoozing on Anna's lap perked, scampering away with the male tailing behind. The pack gathered, cast one more glance at Elsa and Anna, and disappeared into the thick forest beyond them.
Anna rose to her feet, sweeping the snow from her pants, her face a bit flushed. Her breath misted in front of her pink lips as she placed her attention on Elsa, who was still standing, but eying Anna intently.
"You must have been quite the rambunctious child as well," Elsa observed as Anna strolled to her position. The observation caused a laugh to spill from Anna's lips.
"Gods, you have no idea. Thanks for bringing me to see these wolves, Elsa. It was nice," Anna said, rocking back and forth on her feet, hands clasped behind her back. "What else do you have planned?" the redhead asked, raising a brow. A twinkle appeared in Elsa's slightly icy gaze. Before she enlightened Anna, her eyes caught the glint of the watch resting on Anna's wrist; the sleeve of her coat having been pushed up slightly.
"Would you care to relay the time to me?" Elsa asked. Anna took a quick look.
"Around noon," she replied, throwing a questioning look at Elsa, who threw her a quick nod.
"Lunchtime. Climb on. I've got a great place for our meal."
"Wow, Elsa, this view is absolutely breathtaking, but it makes me miss home," Anna said, sadness tinging her normally vibrant voice. Elsa cast a sideways glance at the bundled Anna as she was seated with her legs crossed, a sandwich in hand and steaming thermos in the other.
"I can… imagine the loss," Elsa replied, gently biting into her own sandwich. "Don't worry too much. You will be reunited soon." With that statement, both women felt a drop of sadness.
They were perched upon her favorite ledge overlooking the village below. It pained her to see Anna -now, wasn't that interesting- hurting inside. She hoped their next venture would cure her homesickness. Besides, she would be able to leave for home within the next 48 hours. A pang of sorrow stabbed her heart. In the last 72 hours I've come to care for this human above what is necessary. My life will never be the same if she parts from it, or even if she doesn't. Elsa washed her sorrowful thoughts down with another bite of her sandwich.
Meanwhile, Anna was staring down on her village, mindlessly chewing her sandwich. She wondered how everyone was doing. She knew they didn't expect her to be dead; they all knew her way better than that. But they had to have been searching for her at least. She was torn between wanting to go home…and wanting to spend more time with Elsa.
The more she conversed with the werewolf, the further intrigued she became. She wanted to know everything about this woman. She wanted her friends and parents to meet her. Fuck it. Let's see what we can learn… Anna twisted her torso, so she was face to face with the blonde who sat a few inches away.
"So, I've come to notice there's a certain pattern around your cabin. I didn't really see it until I gazed closer at the blanket I've been clinging to. Can I ask you what the snowflake thing is about?" she asked, almost regretting it when she saw Elsa's shoulders tense up. The blouse's material ruffled in the light breeze that blew past them. It was quite interesting to observe someone who was dressed for hot weather sitting next to someone completely bundled in layers.
There was another thick blanket beneath the two; this one contained a simplistic pattern of diamonds. Elsa had sat close to her, their legs touching partially, to keep her warm as they ate. And it was working tremendously. Not only from the heat of Elsa's body, but just the way she made Anna feel. And it frustrated Anna to all ends, because there was an end to this.
"I… I've always associated with winter and snow, as I've reiterated a couple times. My parents…their nickname for me… was Snowflake," Elsa admitted, snowy face gathering an apple-red color tint. Anna grinned like the Cheshire cat from Alice.
"That's so adorable!" Anna gushed, clasping her now sandwich free, gloved hands together. Elsa's face darkened even farther, and a huff blew from her pursed lips.
"It isn't. It's dorky. I mean… I could have a worse one," Elsa said, grumpily, but a reminiscent smile lingered on her face. Anna snorted, causing Elsa to raise a brow in that recurring look that Anna found she adored.
"It definitely could be worse. Your nickname could be princess." Suddenly, Elsa was cachinnating. To Anna, it was music to her ears. The first time the werewolf let herself go with any type of emotion. And it caused laughter to bubble up Anna's own throat, exiting in a very unlady-like manner. Elsa slipped a finger beneath her right eye, grazing her scar as she wiped away a threatening tear. She ignored the sliver of pain from brushing her scar. Every single time I touch it.
"Yes, yes I suppose I could have a nickname like Princess," Elsa finally gasped, clutching her exposed side.
"My dad constantly referred to me as such when I was a kid. So, Kristoff adopted it. He's really the only one who continues to use it," Anna grunted, taking a swig from her thermos, sighing at the happy taste of bitter coffee. Elsa paused for a moment, tracing shapes into the snow with an index finger. Anna watched her.
"I actually don't mind the nickname Snowflake. I… genuinely miss it. I think that's why so many of my fabric items have that type of pattern," Elsa proclaimed softly.
"Snowflake… Hm. You know I kinda' wanna' give you a nickname," Anna admitted. Elsa gazed at her with curiosity.
"Really? Any reason as to why?" Elsa asked, earning a shrug from Anna.
"Well, I give all my friends nicknames. Kristoff is Ice Man, which I'll explain at a later date. Olaf is Wonder Boy; he's naturally curious about… well, everything. Marshall is Marshmallow because of this one time when we were camping, he literally ate like 3 bags of those oversized marshmallows," Anna droned, ticking off her friends on her fingers. Elsa hummed, nodding with understanding.
"What…did you have anything in mind?" Elsa asked softly, unable to hide the slight excitement in her voice. It made Anna grin.
"Well, I was thinking… Flurry. Your emotions tie into the weather a lot and whenever you shift forms there's always a gust of wind that follows. And then, y'know, the storm," Anna explained, nibbling her lower lip as she awaited Elsa's response. Her grin grew once more at the childish delight that swam in Elsa's eyes.
"I…I like that," Elsa said, nodding in approval which caused Anna to clap her hands together with happiness. Elsa's brow furrowed as she fell into a deep thought and Anna leaned toward her a bit, their legs pressing closer. Anna ignored the shiver that passed along her body and maintained her focus on Elsa.
"I think… that I could come around to calling you… Sunfire. You… radiate warmth, and happiness," Elsa finally declared, red dotting her face. She scratched the back of her neck.
"I suppose I'm not the best when it comes to nicknames… but I do know that you enjoy summer and-"Elsa was cut off by arms being thrown around her torso as Anna hugged her tight. Her face only deepened as Anna beamed up at Elsa, their faces just inches apart.
"I love it, Elsa! It's cute! And it's nice to think you like me enough to give me a friendly nickname," Anna squealed. Her gaze fell upon Elsa's lips and she found herself edging closer before a small sound fell from Elsa, causing Anna to realize what she was doing. She quickly untangled her arms from around the older woman and tilted back away, allowing some distance. The warmth on her face felt like a bonfire's hottest ember.
"Great! So… I also wanna' guess that your favorite color is blue?" Anna curved the topic a bit, fiddling with one of her braids. Elsa swallowed, allowing herself a few deep breaths before replying. Goddess, what is this human doing to me? I…we almost… Her head shook and she focused on the next question Anna had asked.
"Y-yes. Yes, it is. Not sure how that could be obvious," Elsa responded, flashing Anna a toothy grin.
"Do you have one?" Elsa turned the question to Anna. Anna pondered for a moment. Elsa nodded her head toward the pack that had contained their small lunch.
"Before you answer, I packed us a dessert, Anna," Elsa said, her eyes gleaming with a hint of surprise. Anna blinked, leaning over a tad to insert a searching hand into the pack. She rummaged a bit before her hand clamped down on an object. Her eyes widened when she realized the older woman had packed the two of them a few chocolates from her birthday box. Anna's eyes lit up with joy and she quickly pulled apart the interlocked lines along the top of the baggie that contained them. Letting her hand enter the baggie, she retrieved two of the chocolate nougats, setting one in Elsa's awaiting palm.
"Green and purple," Anna finally replied to Elsa's question. They exchanged a glance before simultaneously popping the sweet cocoa filled treats into their mouths. Sighs escaped from both women as two sets of eyes closed in ecstasy. After finishing their delectable bites, both women opened their eyes, grins planting on their faces.
"I love chocolate," they both said at the same time, causing laughter to bubble. Anna gathered a second round, handing one off to the blonde as the conversation continued.
"Those are beautiful colors. Summer colors…" Elsa's voice fell at the end of her sentence before letting out a soft humming noise as she parted her red lips to let the second piece of chocolate enter the cavern of her mouth. Anna was desperately trying to tear her gaze from Elsa but found she couldn't. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest as she watched Elsa's lips wrap around the succulent piece of chocolate. And, Gods, did the redhead wish it was a particular part of her own anatomy. She's not even trying to be sexy, yet here we are! Guess it's[BA1] tease Anna day!
Anna quickly averted her gaze before shoving the other piece of chocolate into her own mouth, unaware that Elsa was watching her as Anna had done previously. The red that tinged Elsa's cheeks didn't stop there, but instead vined down her neck and to the tips of her ears. I want so badly to… She could feel the pulse in her neck. Control, Elsa. Conceal. Breathe. With a deep breath and a diverted gaze, Elsa was able to decrease her heart rate. Wiping her hands off, the older woman took to her feet, her hand reaching toward Anna.
"Elsa, how long have you lived on the mountain? Like…exactly?" Anna questioned, her gaze returning to the village. Elsa was silent for a few minutes as she finished the last couple bites of her sandwich.
"I believe a better part of a century. I spent a lot of time wandering before I… stumbled upon this particular mountain," Elsa replied, wiping her hands free of crumbs. Anna sent a sideways glance at the other woman.
"You wandered? Like, the country or?" Elsa tapped a finger against her chin, pondering.
"Probably the expanse of a few countries, not just this one. After I lost… my family, I wasn't whole. I even… discontinued worship of Amara for quite a long time," Elsa admitted, her voice soft. Anna convinced herself to pull her gaze from Elsa. She didn't want to feel as though Anna's eyes were boring into the werewolf.
"I think everyone loses faith in what they believe in at some point. The important thing is that you found Her again, right?" A nod from the older woman as her fingers drummed against her thigh. Elsa tittered, shaking her head slightly.
"I lost faith because what Goddess would allow a person to suffer as such? It wasn't bad enough I'd lost my family but for the other incident to happen?" Elsa huffed, anger and anguish gathering in her eyes.
"She saved me, though. Rescued me when I was sure to perish. Then she led me here. Allowed me to isolate myself from a world that's caused me nothing but sorrow, and immense pain," Elsa finished, her hands now clenched into tight fists, so tight that her nails penetrated the skin of her palm. Anna caught her breath as she saw small lines of blood trickling down Elsa's forearm. The older woman didn't even seem to comprehend that she had wounded herself.
"Elsa!" Anna cried out, quickly delving into the pack, desperately searching for something to wrap around Elsa's hands. A tap on her wrist ceased her movement and she glanced down at the open palm presented to her. A palm with wounds closing before her eyes. Her mouth dropped slightly.
"I do not require first aid, Anna. I heal fairly quickly. I'm sorry for dwelling in past emotions. You don't need to deal with that side of me," Elsa said apologetically. Anna caught her hand before Elsa removed it, squeezing it gently.
"Elsa, it isn't good to bury all that stuff. And, I know we haven't known each other long at all, but… I'll be here for you. Okay? When you're ready." She gave Elsa's hand another squeeze. Elsa stared at their clasped hands, tears forming in the depths of her eyes. She inhaled deeply, dropping Anna's hand before rising. The tears vanished, unshed.
"You shouldn't need to bear the weight of my pain, Anna. Do not fret. I've dealt with it for this long." Pain flared in Anna's heart at Elsa's words. You aren't alone anymore, Elsa… I wish you could see that…
"We should move on to our next venture," she told Anna, a quick glance at the watch on Anna's freckled wrist. Anna held her head low for a few seconds, before following Elsa in standing. Another ripple in front of her, and wolf Elsa had returned, waiting patiently for the redhead. Anna quickly restocked the pack with its removed content before slinging it over her shoulders once again. As she climbed upon the broad back, and the heat from Elsa's body rolled over her once again, Anna didn't think she could ever get over the initial shock of it. They took off deep into the forest after Anna cast a final look at her bustling village below. She said a silent thought for her family before her attention turned onto the next task.
A/N: I did say this isn't a typical Elsanna fanfiction right? Yeah yeah. It gets better. I think... people will enjoy the following chapter as well.
As always, feedback appreciated!
I suppose I should add this is a slowburn. Kind of.
(Sexual tension is fun, right?)