On Market Day, Elsa woke even earlier than usual. She knew that the merchants who usually set up their wares in Arendelle would be up at dawn, preparing to bring their work to the castle and its grounds to show off Arendelle's tradable goods.

Those who were still in Arendelle after Elsa's coronation-mainly due to necessary repairs on their ships, which the royal treasury had covered-had an opportunity to see the castle and the people of Arendelle in action.

It would likely be the largest crowd that Elsa had encountered since her coronation, and even though so much had changed since then, it still wasn't a comforting thought.

She paced around the castle wringing her hands and trying to greet the early arrivals with a smile, but the bustling scene in the castle made her feel oddly useless.

She wondered what Anna would do.

Picturing her sister, she began pacing the Great Hall, asking if anyone needed anything.

For the most part, they were either well-prepared or too nervous to ask the queen for assistance.

Finally, she came upon a couple arguing about a table that they had apparently forgotten.

They didn't notice Elsa's approach until they turned to see a table made of clear, blue ice.

They turned back to the queen in awe.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the woman muttered in shock.

"Any time," Elsa offered airily, continuing on toward the center of the crowd.

She would have to keep an eye on that table-once the crowds of citizens and foreign representatives began to flow into the hall, it would likely become warm…

Elsa realized that it would no longer be suspicious if she kept the room a bit cooler. As long as everyone was still comfortable. She would have to be sure to ask someone who would tell her the truth...maybe Anna?

"Do you have a stand set up to sell ice tables? That could be useful in my line of work."

Elsa whipped around to see Kristoff, arms crossed as he smiled crookedly at her.

"Theirs was free of charge. For you, I'm not so sure," she teased.

He chuckled. "Fair enough. I respect my competition."

"Are you selling ice today?"

"Yes, but outside. Sven wasn't as welcome in here, so I just stopped by to see everything before I went back out. I can let you get back to your busy day."

"Actually, I've been having trouble finding anything to do at the moment...everyone seems so well-prepared. All I can really do is wait for everyone to arrive."

"Well, I can't say I'm completely prepared...after all, I do need to be ready to give information about our ice trade, and how our beautiful and talented ice queen has agreed to work with it, to impress foreign dignitaries or whoever."

Elsa started slightly at the word "beautiful", trying not to blush as she suppressed a smile.

"Whomever."

"What's that?"

"To impress foreign dignitaries or whomever."

"See? Already off to a rough start. I'd better be going!"

And before she could tell him that she was only teasing, he had disappeared between the rows of merchants.

….

"Elsa! This is so amazing! All these years I've wanted to go outside the castle and see Arendelle, and now Arendelle came in here to see us!"

Elsa smiled at her excited younger sister. "I agree. I just hope everything goes well…"

Visitors had begun to peruse the various wares that Arendelle had to offer, but Elsa was hesitant to call the event a success until trade negotiations began with the delegates still in Arendelle.

The Duke of Weselton, who had long overstayed his intended visit, had a particularly judgmental expression as he skulked about with a couple of guards.

Wanting to avoid a conversation, Elsa offered to bring Anna outside to see the rest of the castle grounds.

There was even more traffic outside, so it was easy to get lost in the crowd; still, heads turned as they began to realize that Elsa was passing through.

It was a relief to have Anna by her side. Anna was talented at greeting everyone while giving off the impression that she was in a hurry and unable to have an extended conversation.

Instead, Anna brought Elsa to a few of her favorite merchants' stands (of course, the chocolatier was one) while Elsa tried to take everything in. She offered help here and there, cooling some of the foods that could melt in the sweltering summer heat and even placing a flurry over Kristoff's ice blocks, which earned her a stunned smile.

As the day progressed, Elsa began to feel more comfortable interacting with the citizens of Arendelle. For the first time, she felt that they saw her as more of a help than a hindrance, and that maybe someday she actually could be.

…..

"Overall, it seems that the market day did generate some interest from neighboring kingdoms in trade with Arendelle."

"Thank you for the report, Kai. That is wonderful news."

"What's wonderful news?" Anna asked, popping her head into Elsa's study.

"We might have some new trade partners. That would help with the Weselton issue."

"They still haven't come to an agreement?"

Elsa shook her head, and Anna gave an exaggerated sigh and flopped down onto a sofa. "This 'ruling a kingdom' thing must be stressful."

Elsa laughed. "Yes, a bit. I almost feel bad leaving it to you for a few days next week…"

"Don't! I'm totally up for a challenge! And maybe Hans can help!"

Elsa gave her a hesitant look. "Maybe. But Anna, remember that he is a prince from a foreign kingdom, so we can't tell him everything about Arendelle. We have to maintain some privacy."

"But it's just Hans!"

"I know. Just remember to consult the council on any sensitive issues, or wait until I come back."

"I will. I'm sure there won't be anything major since you'll just be gone for a few days."

"I'm sure you're right."

…..

In spite of her many meetings and contract reviews involving new trade partners and the general finances of the kingdom, Elsa made sure to spend more time with her sister in the coming days. She brought Anna into meetings and conversations more than usual, making sure her sister understood the current state of the kingdom and its most pressing issues.

She worked tirelessly to arrange trade negotiations before leaving, but was still unable to come to an agreement between Arendelle and Weselton.

"I just don't understand," Elsa explained, pacing her study. "We've never had this issue before. I know the Duke of Weselton was suspicious of my powers, but I would think that would create more distance, not this odd back and forth…"

"And if he doesn't accept your powers, how does he expect you to respect him and his kingdom and their weird trade demands?" Anna added.

"Right…" Elsa collapsed into a chair.

"I really wanted to have all of this worked out for you...but let me and the council know if anything comes up."

"I will! I promise."

"Maybe if the Duke of Weselton is afraid of my powers, he'll be more willing to negotiate once I'm out of town?"

Anna shrugged. "Maybe. But in that case, he doesn't deserve to do business with Arendelle."

"Well, we can't write him off that easily. We just need to do what's best for the kingdom."

….

"While Queen Elsa is out of town, I'll have the opportunity to forge a stronger relationship with the Princess on behalf of Weselton. And you, Prince Hans, will be privy to more of the details about the kingdom's daily activities."

"That is true," Hans agreed.

"In two days, we will check in with our contacts in the mountains and see how the visit is going. That may determine our next course of action. If the queen's presence causes more unrest, we will be primed to move forward with our plan. Will you remain with us, Prince Hans?"

"I will."

…..

Kristoff was awake earlier than usual to prepare for the day's journey; already prepared, however, he busied himself with unnecessary tasks like repeatedly shining his already-clean sled.

"Good morning."

He whipped around to see Elsa standing in the doorway to the stables in the early morning light, carrying a satchel and what looked like a picnic basket.

"I brought food for the journey," she offered in explanation.

Kristoff smiled.

"I see you're more of an early riser than your sister."

Elsa laughed. "Definitely. Although she did wake up briefly to say goodbye."

Kristoff packed Elsa's belongings carefully into the back of his sled, then offered her a hand to help her up onto its bench.

They both maintained a careful distance, but the early morning silence was comfortable. Though neither commented on the beauty of the sunrise over the mountains, they exchanged glances that spoke for them.

Once the sun was above the horizon, Elsa spoke.

"How nervous do you think I should be?"

"You? Not at all! They're the ones preparing to meet royalty! There's all sort of nervous excitement. What do you have to worry about?"

Elsa shrugged. "I have a lot to live up to. Not all of it is good. The past of the kingdom, my past...I just don't see how it won't get in the way."

"It won't, because you're good, and they'll see that. I'd always been skeptical of fancy noble types, no offense, but you're so…"

Elsa watched intently as he searched for the right word.

"...genuine. You just want to do what's right for the people you care about. It's not about image or power. And I think they'll see that."

Kristoff tried not to blush as he felt Elsa's eyes on him.

"You really think so?"

"Yeah. Yes, I do."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

A moment passed in silence before Kristoff spoke again.

"So, no more nervousness?"

"Oh, no, I'm still very nervous."

…

They arrived in the late afternoon, and were greeted by a festival-like atmosphere. It was different from celebrations in Arendelle, but full of noise and food and comfortable fires for warmth, and Elsa felt surprisingly at ease.

She listened as the villagers recounted tales from their history, showed her traditional songs and games, and offered delicious and warm food. Elsa also shared stories of life in Arendelle, and presented the village children with ice sculptures of various animals, people, and fairytale creatures.

Kristoff introduced her to a few people, but Elsa could tell that he wasn't completely comfortable in the atmosphere either. Though he was within sight at any given time, he gave her space to interact with anyone who approached her.

The next day would consist of more formal business-the village council had come up with a few practical requests to present to the royal council-but that first night was simply for enjoyment and welcome.

Though she listened and observed with rapt interest, Elsa was embarrassed when she began to droop slightly with exhaustion. She was trying her best to stay awake when Kristoff sat next to her and offered her a mug of hot liquid.

"Let me know when you're ready to call it a night, and we can show you to your cabin," he offered.

"Thank you, I am a bit…" but the rest of her sentence was cut off by a yawn, causing them both to laugh.

Kristoff stood and offered his hand to help Elsa off of the log where they both sat, but she sprung up on her own and he awkwardly moved his hand aside. She smiled at him, embarrassed by the instinct to avoid human contact that still occasionally controlled her life.

….

After a long farewell from the large village gathering, Kristoff, Vir, and Ivan's family set off for the cabins occupied by the ice harvesters. Ivan showed Elsa around the cabin that had been prepared for her use, and she thanked him profusely for his kindness.

As they said goodnight, Kristoff turned toward her.

"Let me know if you need anything. Just...send some snow, or something?"

Elsa chuckled. "Thank you. But I think I'll be going right to sleep. Goodnight, Kristoff. And thank you."

"Goodnight, Elsa. Your Majesty," he added with an exaggerated laugh, causing her to giggle.

As he and Vir bid Ivan goodnight and walked off toward a separate cabin (Kristoff usually camped, between the mountains and Arendelle, but his friend had offered him a space), Vir looked at Kristoff and shook his head, laughing.

"What?" the younger man asked accusingly.

"Always knew you were cut from a different cloth, but I figured someday you'd bring a girl by with that starry look on your face. Just didn't figure it would be the Queen of Arendelle."

Kristoff flushed and shook his head, though he didn't fully deny it.

"For what it's worth," Vir added, "She gives you the same look."

"Even if that were true, it wouldn't matter."

Vir shrugged. "You never know. Stranger things have happened."

…..

Anna woke earlier than usual, and groggier than usual, to prove that she could pick up where Elsa had left off.

She began by opening the large pile of mail that came to Elsa's study each morning, yawning as she sorted through pleasantries and business transactions.

Half asleep, she began to read the letter before she realized that it wasn't addressed to her sister.

Suddenly awake, she jumped up, dropping it onto the desk as if it had scalded her.

She regarded it warily for a moment before her curiosity got the best of her and she continued to read.