Here Comes The Sun
Chapter 27
By: The Duchess of Arendelle
The Masquerade Part 3
AN: Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! I'm sorry for any and all mistakes!
Anna sat silently on her bed. Her friends were due to escort her to the ball any second now. This was it. She was fully dressed and could already hear the muffled sounds of music drifting into her chambers from the ball room. If she listened hard enough, she could even hear the excited chatter of the countless guest eagerly awaiting her and Elsa's entrance. No. Not hers. Just Elsa's. Anna sighed as tears sprang to her eyes. She allowed one to fall before quickly wiping it away. She wouldn't do this. Not now. Now was the time to be strong. To be brave. For herself… for Elsa.
"Get it together Anna." She whispered to herself.
*Knock knock*
Anna jumped slightly at the sound. "Anna?" Kristoff called from the other side of her door. Anna shook her head slightly and took in a deep breath. Walking over to the door she turned the knob. Kristoff startled at the door suddenly opening. Rapunzel and Adam were standing behind the blonde. They watched as the two friends stared sadly at each other, Kristoff trying to find a comforting word and falling short. Rapunzel pushed her way past the blonde mountain man and engulfed her cousin in a hug. They didn't say a word. There was nothing to say. No words of comfort to be given that weren't already offered the previous weeks and days leading up to this night. Minutes passed in silence. Finally Anna broke the embrace. She stared at her friends. A small smile began to form on her face. She wasn't in this thing alone. She had friends ready and willing to support her and back her up at a moment's notice. Taking in another deep breath she addressed her friends.
"Let's do this guys."
The three friends smiled at the redhead, nodding their agreement. "Let's." Rapunzel said, smiling and grabbing her cousin's hand, squeezing it in reassurance before letting go. Kristoff moved to stand in front of Anna, giving her a quick bear hug before letting go. "Oh God, are you crying?" Anna asked in amusement as Kristoff brought a hand up to clear away the mist in his eyes. "No!" he was quick to say even as his cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Anna smiled at him and bumped his shoulder. He smiled in return and bumped her back. Stepping back, it was now Adam's turn to engulf the redhead in a gentle hug.
"I have not known you for long, but let me just say in the short time I have spent with you, you have quickly found a spot in my heart, mon cherie." Adam whispered in her ear, pulling back to look the girl in the eye. Anna's aqua blue eyes began to mist over. What did she do to deserve such wonderful friends? She smiled up at Adam and whispered a soft "Thank you." Adam smiled and place a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"Now. Without further ado, it is my responsibility, neigh, my honor and privilege to escort you and your lovely cousin to the ball." Adam told the blonde and redheaded princesses with flair and an over-exaggerated bow. They all laugh and Anna pretended to swoon. "Oh my, the honor is all mine dear prince." Kristoff rolled his eyes. "Hey. What about me?" he joked. "Don't worry mon ami, I shall escort you to the next ball." Adam told the boy with a playful wink. Kristoff's face heated up again and his three friends laughed at the reaction. "Not exactly what I meant…" he grumbled as the four friends began to make their way out of Anna's room and into the hallway.
"Anyways, let's go over the plan one more time." Anna announced. Her three companions groaned at the prospect. "Anna, we've been over it a million times." Rapunzel told the girl as she took Adam's proffered arm, Anna hanging onto the other one. "So let's go over it a million and one times." Anna stated, smiling at one of the servants as they bowed and complimented her. "I can say it in my sleep." Kristoff threw in, walking behind Anna and keeping his voice down. "Look you guys, I just want everything to go smoothly, is that so bad?" she asked her friends, pouting slightly. They all huffed but didn't say a word.
"Good. Now Kristoff don't forget you…"
**********FROZEN***********
*The Queen's Chambers*
*Knock knock*
"Enter." Elsa called out, sitting delicately in her father's old chair by the fire place. Gerda walked in, slowly making her way to the blonde queen before stopping a few paces in front of her. She silently stared at the monarch for a moment before finally speaking.
"You look beautiful your majesty." Gerda said, calling Elsa by her proper title for once. Elsa smile slightly. "Thank you." She whispered. Gerda moved to sit in the chair opposite the queen. The chair she herself used to sit in as a child. A sad smile graced Gerda's wrinkled lips as she addressed the queen. "I wish your mother and father were here to see what a lovely young woman you've grown into, and what a wise and just leader you have become." She told the blonde monarch. The same sad smile made its way to Elsa's face. "Me too." She told the older woman. There was a beat of silence before Gerda spoke again. "I'm so sorry Elsa." The maid said, frown gracing her old features. And Elsa knew what she was sorry about. She didn't need Gerda to explain.
"Me too."
*Knock knock*
Gerda patted the young queen twice on the knee before rising and opening the door. A young maid nervously stood at the entrance. Gerda stepped aside to let her in. The girl, Beatrice, one of the queen's maids, stopped a foot away from Elsa and bowed before speaking in a breathless voice. "Begging your pardon you highness, but it's time. I was chosen to retrieve you." Elsa looked at the girl surprised then at Gerda.
"But I thought Kai was supposed to escort me there?" she asked, confused. The girl looked nervous as she chewed on her bottom lip. "Well, you see your majesty, he was, but no one can seem to find him. Anywhere. We looked, I mean, we really, really, looked, but Kai is just now where to be found!" the girl started babbling. Elsa shot another look at Gerda and the woman looked just as confused and worried as her.
"Very well, lead the way, but tell the guards to keep searching for Kai." She told Beatrice. The young girl nodded again then bowed. "Yes ma'am."
As Elsa passed Gerda she leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Keep your eyes open for anything suspicious, I have a bad feeling about this." Gerda nodded in agreement.
"Me too."
********FROZEN*********
"This is it. Everyone remembers their roles?" Anna asked her three companions as they stood outside the ballroom doors. They all nodded, determined looks in their eyes. Anna smiled slightly. Okay then, places everyone. Kristoff, you know what to do." Kristoff nodded once before turning to break off from the group. "Wait!" Anna called, leaving Adam's grasp and walking over to the blonde. She stood in front of her friend before grabbing him in a fierce hug. "Thank you, and good luck." She whispered in his ear. Kristoff squeezed his eyes shut and took in the embrace. "You too. I'm rooting for you Anna, we all are." He told the redhead. Anna nodded her head, pulling away and holding Kristoff's hands in her own. "I love you, you are the best friend a girl could ever ask for." She told the blonde. Kristoff smiled sadly. "I love you too. Now go feisty pants, your audience awaits." He joked shooing the girl away with a light push and a laugh. Anna laughed too, turning and retaking her position at Adam's side. She didn't see the sorrow fill his eyes as he walked away to take his place with the catering staff.
As she looped her arm through Adam's the handsome brunette looked down at her, soft smile in place. "Ready?" he asked. Anna took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"As I'll ever be."
Adam's smile widened as he straightened up. "Then here we go." Just as he said it, he heard the royal trumpets blaring and the large oak doors were opened for them by two palace guards. The Captain of the palace guards stood at the front of the room, to the side of the royal platform where she and her sister were meant to take their place. Speak of, she looked around to see if she could catch a glimpse of her blonde love. Disappointment settled in her stomach when she didn't see the queen, but she hid it behind a bright smile when she heard the guard announce her.
"Princess Anna of Arendelle." He proclaimed loudly. Adam nudged her slightly and she began walking over to the platform, standing there smiling and waving at all her sister's admirers and the guest, all the while thinking 'I hate every single last one of you.'
"And the great and honorable Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
The room suddenly got quiet and all eyes turned to the right as the guards opened the other set of oak doors. Anna could hear gasps and whispered exclamations as the queen slowly made her way to the platform. Anna closed her eyes for half a second, taking in a deep breath and turning to see her sister.
Time came to a complete stop.
Elsa looked breath takingly gorgeous. It was the only way to describe her. In place of her usual 'Ice Dress' was a stunning off the shoulder ice blue and white ball gown. A white lace corset like top lay over delicate blue fabric. The blue crinoline supported skirt was ornamented with what looked to be thousands of tiny pearls. Intricate snowflakes were sown into the bottom lining of the skirt. Anna's eyes trailed back up Elsa's body and she had to remind herself to keep breathing as they landed on her chest. The corset had Elsa's breast spilling over, the tops of her chest on full display and leaving very little to the imagination. She could see Elsa's chest rising and falling as she breathed in and out. Forcing herself to tear her eyes away from that particular part of her sister's anatomy, Anna's eyes continued to travel. Just when she thought Elsa could look any more gorgeous she caught a glimpse of the blonde's hair. It was done in a way she had only ever seen in her books about French couture. She had no idea how, but Elsa's hair was pushed away from her face and piled high on her head, while long blonde curls fell beautifully down her back. Which drew attention to the exquisitely crafted white ice wings that were made into the back of the dress. In her long glove covered hands she held a matching white and blue masque which she delicately held to her face, making Anna's eyes drift down to the blonde's plump pink lips…
"You are drooling cherie." Adam whispered in her ear with a smirk. Anna jumped a bit in surprise and shook her head. And just like that time began moving again, this time too fast, like it was trying to make up for the moments spent in complete suspension. Suddenly Elsa was standing beside her, not saying anything or even looking at her and she felt a strong feeling of déjà vu.
"Your monarchs of Arendelle. Lenge leve Arendelle! Lenge leve dronningen!" The guard announced to the room.
"Lenge leve Arendelle! Lenge leve dronningen!" The patrons replied in turn.
Anna was trying her best to keep her eyes trained to the front, but those traitors kept turning to catch glances of Elsa. Adam bent down again to whisper in her ear. "I think I see Belle, I'll leave you two alone." He said with a knowing smirk. It took all of Anna's self-control not to roll her eyes and punch her friend in the arm. "Very well, do what you must." She gritted out between her fake toothy smile. She had already noticed Rapunzel had left their side the moment they stepped into the room, instantly running over to her husband and enveloping him in a hug and a very improper kiss. Now it was just her and Elsa alone on the plate form in front of hundreds of guest. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Elsa lean down to whisper something in the guard's ear. He nodded his head once and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Queen Elsa has announced that she will be accepting dance request in exactly thirty minutes, to give every guest a chance to get here. She wishes to give all royal suitors a chance to have audience with her, so each dance and conversation will be brief." At this point Elsa grabbed his shoulder in a signal that she would take over.
"I ask that all suitors exhibit patience and consideration, and above all, please enjoy yourselfs, it is truly a pleasure to have you all here." Elsa finished with the fakest smile Anna had ever seen cross the girl's face. To any regular spectator the queen would look as if she actually meant those words, but Anna knew her better than that and she fought to hide the satisfied smile that sprang to her face.
After the speech was over, the band began to play the French inspired ballroom music. The room was soon filled with the sounds of people dancing, laughing, and mingling with each other. Anna caught sight of Kristoff by the drink fountain. He caught her eye and gave her a sly thumbs up. She smiled and nodded her head slightly. Looking to her right, she saw Elsa staring at her with a confused look. She smiled at the queen and shrugged. Taking their seats, the two royals remained in silence. After what felt like an eternity Elsa finally turned to her and spoke.
"You look beautiful." She said, small smile gracing her lips. Anna blushed and looked away, smile starting to cross her own face. Now this was a definite déjà vu moment. After a few seconds passed and Anna had not yet responded Elsa's smile grew a bit as she spoke again.
"What, you're not going to tell me I look beautifuller?" she joked. Anna's blushed darkened and she muttered an embarrassed "Shut up." Elsa laughed a bit then turned serious.
"Why aren't you looking at me?" she asked confused and concerned. Anna muttered out another reply but Elsa couldn't hear it over all the noise.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" She asked Anna to repeat. The redhead sighed in embarrassment and spoke a little louder.
"I'm afraid of what I might do if I look at you again." She told the blonde, still not looking at her. Elsa smiled in relief and laughed. "Well it would be nice to look my girlfriend in the eye when I'm talking to her and not the back of her head." Elsa whispered to the redhead. Anna was pretty sure her face had turn the same shade of red as her hair at Elsa's use of the word 'girlfriend.' Slowly the young princess turned to look at the blonde. Elsa smiled lightly at the girl and Anna returned it.
"Hi." She said, bringing the blue and white mask away from her face.
"Hi." Anna replied smiling brightly. "You look more beautiful."
AN: This is where I'm stopping for this chapter because I need to. So I'll describe Anna's dress next chapter and I'll post the concept art to my tumblr this week-ish. Because seriously, you should see Elsa and Anna's French masquerade looks. Anyway, lots of dra-ma to come so stay tuned. See you soon!
Oh and to answer the question of one reviewer, Adam never actually turned into a beast in this story, he portrayed beastly behavior, meaning he was always angry and rude and mean, until his cousin Belle came into his life and befriended him.
Norwegian: Lenge leve Arendelle! Lenge leve dronningen! – Long Live Arendelle! Long live the queen!