A/N: The midsummer fest as described here is not the Norwegian, but the Swedish version, with which I am far more familiar. Midsummer is celebrated in Norway as well, but based on what I've found, their traditions seem to differ a bit from those of their eastern neighbour.
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Midsummer's Eve greeted Arendal with a glittering fjord under a sunny and bright blue sky. Everything was decorated with the many flowers of the season, as well as with birch branches – even the open carriage that was to convey the royal family up to the mountain pasture where traditionally the midsummer pole was raised. Kristoff and his daughters had outfitted Sven, too, with as many flowers as they possibly could, and now he stood hitched to the carriage, as eager as any of them to go and join in the festivities.
And finally, there was the royal family.
"Really Elsa, it wouldn't hurt you to learn how to dance," Anna was saying as Kristoff handed her into the carriage. "Think of how many men you could meet on the dance floor!"
Elsa wrinkled her nose. "Why can't I meet those men off the dance floor?"
However, Anna was having none of it. "Besides, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a fondness for dancing is the first step to falling in love."
Elsa chuckled. "Have you been reading your favourite novel again?"
Anna grinned. "Since you recognized the quote, I could ask you the same thing." And mischievously, she continued, "I just hate to see you standing about in that stupid manner. You had much better dance!"
"I certainly shall not," Elsa gave back with a dark mien, only for the both of them to collapse in giggles.
"What are they laughing about?" Iduna wanted to know.
"Big girl stuff no doubt." Kristoff lifted her in, climbed in after her and as he took the reigns, he told Sven to go to the mountain pasture.
It was a festive ride through the city all in bloom. All of Arendal was going in the same direction, dressed up in their finest, and sharing a cheerful greeting with everyone they met.
Elsa and Anna had recovered a modicum of decorum, and happily greeted everyone they passed, while Iduna and Olaf were bouncing with excitement, Agnar watched everything with big eyes, and Elsalill was hiding in her father's embrace.
They reached the mountain pasture just in time to see the midsummer pole go up. Hundreds of people cheered, and as soon as the musicians began to play, people grabbed a ribbon and began the braiding dance.
Anna loved the braiding dance, and even more now, since it would be one of the few dances she could participate in even with her protruding baby-belly. So she left the setting up of their picnic to Elsa and Kristoff, and eagerly joined in the dance.
Then the four ladies wandered off together and came back with their arms full of flowers and longgrass. Anna and Elsa expertly made corollas first for Iduna and Elsalill and Olaf, and then for themselves. And then it was time to eat.
It was lovely to sit here among the wildflowers, surrounded by the good people of Arendal. Both Elsa and Anna had a good contact with their people, but on a day like today, their interaction was even more free and easy than usual.
The sunny afternoon became evening, and time just flew by with dancing (Olaf was a great favourite as a dance partner among Arendal's youngsters), singing (with even Sven joining in), and all the traditional midsummer games (that tended to revert Kristoff to a ten-year-old). But at long last, the children began to feel the late hour, forcing the young families to leave the festivities and return home to put their offspring to bed.
"You guys go; I'm staying a little longer," Elsa announced as she helped Kristoff to pack up their things.
He looked up from gathering up the cutlery. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." She gave him a very un-Elsalike cheeky grin. "You know, it does have certain advantages to not have children. I can stay out as long as I like!"
He gave her a dirty look, but then he laughed with her. "Point taken. So... shall I come back with Sven to pick you up later?"
"No, there's no need to bother. I'll get back on my own; it's not like I'm all alone up here."
"Alright then." He stuffed the picnic blanket with the rest, and added a mock-stern, "But don't stay out too late, okay? And look after yourself."
"Yes, papa," Elsa grinned, only to wince at the realization that her own father had never had the chance – nor a cause – to give her such warnings. It felt weird that Kristoff – albeit in jest – was now taking on that role for her.
However, her smile returned when she heard Olaf cheering from the carriage, "Don't worry, Kristoff – she will!" That's right – she had great plans for tonight!
There really was something magical about dancing in the twilight of a midsummer night, Elsa pondered as she sat watching the dancers from a nearby boulder. Dancing to a spell-binding tune, all the people were barely more than moving shadows in a landscape of dark, muted colours against the backdrop of the glittering fjord. It was a fascinating sight; she felt she could watch it for hours.
Well, she could if she wanted to of course; the dancing would cease only when the first rays of sunshine would peek around the outermost mountain of the fjord tomorrow. (That would be around half past two in the morning...)
She sighed with contentment, and quietly hummed along with the lively tune coming from the musicians. Until suddenly a low voice spoke up softly from her right.
"Truly a wondrous sight, isn't it."
She peered at the speaker. It was difficult to make out in the dusky twilight, but he seemed well-dressed, and looked to be about her own age. She didn't remember seeing him before, but maybe that was just the light. At least he didn't seem drunk.
"Yes," she therefore replied slowly. "I find it brings to mind an image of magical mythological beings, dancing in the night."
"Indeed," he agreed. "So how about you? Would you like to join in? I'm afraid I'm no great dancer, but..."
Elsa laughed softly. "No need to worry: I don't dance. I just love watching them."
"Ah." He sounded decidedly relieved. "Well, at least that saves me from embarrassing myself. May I join you here then?" He gestured to the boulder.
There was easily place for six more people, but Elsa hesitated.
"I won't say a word unless you open the conversation," he promised solemnly. "I just would like to watch the dancers."
How could she say no? Even if she would prefer to be alone with her thoughts right now. "Alright then."
He inclined his head in reply, and easily climbed up on the opposite end of the boulder. Thank heaven that he seemed to respect her personal space. Well, sort of...
They watched the dancing in mutual silence, but somehow, his presence on 'her' boulder bothered her to no end. So at last, she just slid down off it with a brief nod in his direction, and wandered off a little on her own, hugging herself.
She shivered involuntarily as she slowly made her way across the dark pasture towards the midsummer pole. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Surely there would be less 'heated' circumstances for her to meet her imaginary suitor?
She glanced around; it seemed as if there were whispering, kissing and necking couples in every shadow. And going by the stories (and Arendal's annual baby boom in the first month of spring), that was probably an accurate assumption.
And here she was, Elsa of Arendal, convinced eternal bachelorette, staying the night in this public love nest, just so she'd have a plausible story tomorrow to introduce her...
At that moment, a hand touched her elbow.