Chapter 1: Voyage

So, I've had this idea in my head for awhile now, where Elsa meets a pirate and falls in love. Well, I finally decided to actually write it out. This story is slightly gruesome, but overall it's pretty alright for people that don't like that sort of thing.

Well, hope you enjoy!

"For the third time, Anna, I'll be fine."

"But...but what if-"

The queen placed her hands upon the younger woman's shoulders and gave a slightly watery smile. "It's only for a few days, okay? And then I'll be back and we can build snowmen to your heart's content."

"Oh Elsa…" The princess reached for the necklace clasped around her neck and placed it in her sister's hand, the large crocus etched within glistening in the light of the sun. "Take this to remember me by, understand?"

"Anna," Elsa chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "It's not a death sentence! I'll be back next week." She yelped as Anna suddenly crushed her in an embrace, clinging to the fabric of her jacket for dear life, the necklace in her hand now dangling precariously over the edge of her index finger.

"I love you, Elsa." The younger whispered into her hair as thick tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the elder's shoulder.

Elsa reached forward and brushed away a tear of her own, cerulean eyes blinking rapidly to rid of the extra moisture. "I love you too, Anna."

"Y-Your Majesty, I hate to interrupt, but we are about to set sail." One of the crew members -Anders if she remembered correctly- interrupted, a timid smile on his face as he held out a hand for her to take. She guessed he was in his early twenties, maybe even younger, judging by his youthful features and nervous posture.

"Of course. I guess this is it, Anna…" The two parted from their hug and clasped hands together.

Anna nodded once, a trembling smile forced upon her face. "See you next week, sis."

As the queen began walking across the gangplank, she vaguely heard her sister shout something along the lines of, "Bring back some souvenirs!" She laughed into her hand, shaking her head slightly at the ridiculous notion. Oh Anna…

And then they were off.

It was after a few hours at sea when the anxiety hit her.

Frost traced shimmering patterns on the wooden floorboards where she paced, snow swirling around her in a small blizzard. "Calm down...calm down…" She muttered continuously, hands rubbing her arms as if she was cold. "It's just a few days…"

A sudden jolt of the ship had her breathing through her nose to quell a sudden wave of nausea, eyes screwed shut as if in pain. She sunk down into one of the chairs nearby and glanced out the window at the waves, nervously playing with her hands as they sat in her lap.

"Do you have to go?" The young princess worried her lip, eyebrows drawn in both concern and a touch of fear. She straightened her previously bowed posture and felt for the familiar gloves on her hands.

"You'll be fine, Elsa." The king reassured, but it did little to stop the emotions raging inside, trapped within the confines of her facade.

A knock at her cabin door snapped her from her reverie.

"C-come in." She called out, voice slightly hoarse from hours of muttering to herself.

An older woman walked inside, greying hair tied back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. In her hands was a tray covered in an assortment of different items. "I heard you retired early, so I decided to check up on you, my dear." Her familiar emerald eyes crinkled at the edges as a soft smile graced her features.

"Oh Gerda, please, that's not necessary."

The woman tsked and placed the tray on the only table not frosted over from her previous anxiety. "It's my duty, Your Majesty." Elsa had a feeling it wasn't just about that, but kept her mouth shut.

Another jolt of the ship caused her to subconsciously place a hand against her stomach, brows furrowed in discomfort. Gerda instantly picked up on the action and pressed a glass of clear liquid against her lips. "Drink, my queen."

Elsa did as she was told, taking a sip of the liquid and pausing a moment to taste the flavor. "Ginger?"

Gerda nodded, handing her the glass and flashing her a kind smile. "It helps with the seasickness."

"You sound like you've done this before." It was more of a question than a statement, uttered in between sips of the peppery liquid.

The older woman's eyes glistened as if reliving a fond memory. "Yes, I was the one who usually went with your father on trips such as these." She chuckled softly, sitting down in the chair across from her, now thawed as the woman calmed down. "The poor man; he used to get terribly ill when traveling."

This news brought a soft smile to Elsa's lips. "Really?"

"Oh, yes! He loved the ocean, after all, he was an Admiral for years, but the first few voyages were terrible for him."

A comfortable silence ensued, both lost in thought. It was only when the clock chimed did the maid get up and take the tray, heading for the door. "Goodnight, Your Majesty."

Before she left, however, Elsa called out to her. "Gerda?" The woman turned around slowly, brows raised in question. "Thank you. For...for everything."

Gerda nodded, a smirk curling her pale lips upward. "Of course, my dear."

Feeling much less ill, the queen settled into bed, reaching for the covers to pull when she noticed the necklace Anna had given her earlier that day resting on the nightstand. Grabbing the pendant, she traced its patterns with her fingers, wishing her sister was with her in that moment.

Don't worry, Anna, I'll be back soon...