Been watching a lot of Frozen/Frozen 2 and feeling the incest shipping vibe. Which we all do, or y'all wouldn't be here.
-IEA-
Watching Elsa's confidence on a horse bloom each week was one of Anna's favourite things. So many of Elsa's lessons had been cut short by the decision to hide her powers, because she was so afraid to touch anything or anyone. So dance class and horse riding and a handful of other things became open to Elsa again once she finally freed herself of fear, and Anna was honoured and ecstatic to be able to help.
Seeing Elsa in riding breeches didn't hurt either.
"You're doing so great! I'm so proud of you Elsa."
Dipping her head with a soft smile, Elsa fixed Anna with those beautiful blue eyes of hers.
"Thank you."
They couldn't spend too long out there that morning - Elsa was super busy, and Anna knew she had really worked to make the time for their morning together. So Anna didn't pout about it when Elsa had to leave to take a bath, though she really wished she could have joined her sister in said bath. Alas, Anna had to make do with her own bath, washing sweat and stable dust off before she re-dressed in time for Olaf to appear outside her room, eager to show her what he and the little snow peeps from her birthday had been up to.
"Elsa gave us some snow to play in! We made the cutest castle!"
It was no architectural marvel, but then only Olaf actually had hands to work the snow with, so Anna congratulated them on the effort with all her trademark enthusiasm. The snow peeps fussed around her, jumping and squeaking until she leant down so they could scramble and climb up to her shoulders.
"Anna, what are you doing?"
"Playing in the snow?"
"In the ballroom?"
"Well, mother, where else would you suggest?"
Anna straightened up, Olaf at her side jumping to try and reach the peeps. It was still weird for her to look at Iduna, her breath catching in her chest every time her mother caught her off guard. And Anna knew she couldn't blame it on some kind of anxiety. Not when the feeling lingered, not when she felt warmth bloom somewhere under her ribs whenever her mother smiled, or when the light caught her just right.
That was something that had been unique to Elsa. So Anna knew she couldn't quite doubt what it meant, but felt sure that it was a brief, passing thing. A strange response to the emotional ups and downs of their rebuilding relationship.
(Hadn't Elsa said the same of them, once?)
Shaking her head to clear it, Anna apologised to the dislodged snow creature as Olaf caught it.
"I think it's lunch time!"
If anyone around thought her exit a little too quick, Anna didn't stay long enough to find out. Elsa wasn't at lunch yet when Anna got there, though it was only just lunch time, and it wasn't too long since they finished riding and went for baths. Anna debated going to get her, but decided against it - Elsa had said she was busy - and then decided if Elsa didn't show up, she'd take lunch to her.
Which was how Anna ended up outside Elsa's study, balancing a plate and cup as she tried to knock the door without spilling anything. Maybe she needed to learn how to carry trays like the staff did...
"Come in."
Anna managed to use her elbow to turn the handle, and let herself in. Elsa looked up, offering Anna a warm smile.
"What's this?"
"Lunch! You weren't at lunch, so I brought it to you. I know you're busy, but you gotta eat right?"
"Indeed. Thank you. I didn't realise the time."
It was still kind of early. Anna might have rushed to finish eating, but it was definitely not to avoid questions from Kristoff about why she was acting funny.
Not one bit.
"Are you alright?"
"Me? Fine! Why do you ask?"
Elsa shrugged, shoulders rolling beneath the pale blue fabric of her dress.
"You just seem flustered is all."
"Oh. I might have hurried here."
Letting out a soft laugh, Elsa got up from her desk and circled it to reach Anna, wrapping her cool arms around Anna's warm body.
"I won't waste away."
Returning the hug, Anna pressed her face against Elsa's neck, enjoying the way it cooled her flush.
"I have to make sure!"
Still laughing lightly, Elsa squeezed her gently.
"I appreciate you taking care of me. I promise to return the favour later."
Oh now that was just unfair. The honeyed seduction in Elsa's voice came out of nowhere, and left Anna suddenly feeling much warmer and very keen for whatever Elsa was promising with her words.
"Elsaaaaa."
"What?"
They seperated, Elsa's eyes glittering.
"You know what."
Elsa's fingers pressed under her jaw, thumb coming up to trace her lower lip. That small touch was enough to have Anna feeling a bit dizzy. Which, in the back of her mind, felt reassuring in a strange way - whatever was going on with her head and their mother, it wasn't changing anything about how she felt with Elsa.
"I'll make it up to you later?"
"I'm holding you to it. Anything you need help with?"
"No, your afternoon is your own."
Anna nodded.
"Alright. I was thinking of heading out for a walk around town."
"I hope you enjoy it."
Elsa leant in and kissed her, leaving Anna with a racing heart and a goofy smile.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Still a bit dazed, Anna left Elsa to eat and work. She went to change her shoes for walking around streets of Arendelle, then asked Olaf if he wanted to come, which he did. His little personal flurry followed them as they headed down the stairs and out of the castle, sunshine greeting them. Anna stopped for a minute to soak it in - she loved her winter wonder of a sister, of course, but she liked the sunshine too.
"Where are we going?"
"Not sure. Just for a walk, see what happens or if anyone needs help."
Leaping up to grab her hand, Olaf began to charge ahead, dragging Anna behind her.
"Let's go!"
Laughing, Anna let herself be dragged off by the excited snowman. She loved to look at him sometimes, to know that one of the first things Elsa did when she felt 'free' to use her powers again was rebuild the snowman that the sisters had built as children.
They spent their afternoon entertaining children, who liked to put their hands in Olaf's personal snowfall and giggle as the flakes melted on their skin, and then Anna spent a couple of hours helping out at a store before she decided it was time to head back in time for dinner. Keeping busy definitely helped keep her mind off of the mornings confusion, though it didn't quite distract from her memory of Elsa's earlier words...
Elsa was already at dinner when Anna got there, smiling brightly up at her.
"I was beginning to worry."
Anna smiled in return, plating up some dinner before she sat in her customary next-to-Elsa seat, having already laid eyes on the chocolate ice cream that was waiting for her afterwards. It made her feel fluttery when she thought of how Elsa always had chocolate something for Anna, that she used her powers to keep it waiting... they were small things, sure, but they were sweet and made Anna smile.
"I'm fine, just lost track of time."
Between her small, dainty bites, Elsa asked about her day, Kristoff and Sven complained about having to clean up the snow when Olaf abandoned it, and Olaf raved about how popular his little snow cloud was. Their mother mostly listened in quietly, but she finished a decent portion of food and didn't look uncomfortable with the company, which were both good things and a marked shift from early days. She even had room for a little ice cream too. Not as much as Anna or even Elsa - chocolate ice cream was one of Elsa's favourites too, though she did eat it a little more dignified than Anna.
"Have you tried on your crown yet?"
Anna asked as she and Elsa strolled through the gardens, hand in hand and unbothered by anybody while dinner settled and the sky grew darker above them.
"No. I've been putting off putting my hair up like that again."
She knew how Elsa hated many of the memories of her coronation, and couldn't blame her. Anna glanced around, making sure nobody was within hearing distance as she stopped and wrapped her arms around her sister.
"If you wanted to do that later, I'll be happy to help make you feel better."
Elsa quirked an eyebrow, hands resting on Anna's lower back.
"Is that so?"
Part of her really wanted to see Elsa wearing it - it was beautifully crafted - but Anna also didn't want her sisters only memories of wearing a crown to be bad all the way to her new coronation. Elsa sighed, lowered her head to press her lips to Anna's hair. Anna's belly fluttered pleasantly.
"Alright."
Elsa murmured softly, and Anna squeezed her gently in return.
"That's settled then. Want to keep walking first though? It's a nice night."
The queen nodded, and they resumed their hand-holding stroll through the gardens, looking at the flowers that had drooped slightly for the night but would bloom again when the sunshine returned in the morning.
They shared warm drinks with everyone first, and it was the first time Iduna joined them - Kristoff, Sven and Olaf alongside the sisters - for their bi-weekly group nights in the library. As Elsa often worked in the evenings, such nights were pre-arranged and occasionally cancelled, but they were wonderful times. Sometimes they played games, others they just sat and talked and laughed. And, with their mother there too, it was a proper family night again, no longer missing one. She was quiet, but Anna saw her smile, heard her laugh at the boys antics, and felt that strange warmth bloom in her chest all over again.
In the interests of making it easier on Elsa, Anna was the one to do her hair. Not that brushing Elsa's hair was a hardship by any means. The soft white-blonde strands ran through her fingers like silk, and Elsa made lovely sounds when Anna scratched lightly at her scalp, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly.
"You'll definitely need to get a hair cut before your coronation, or your hair will be in your eyes."
Anna commented as she seperated her hair out, the hair that had been only half-way down Elsa's forehead now brushing the top of her brow. Fixing Elsa's hair this way was something Anna had learned from watching their mother prepare for the day as a girl, as Iduna had worn her hair that way for years. Elsa frowned at her reflection as soon as Anna had finished pinning her hair into place, moving her hands down to rub her thumbs over Elsa's cheeks.
"For what it's worth, this style reminds me of when you told me I look beautiful and I got all flustered. Right away, you had such an effect on me."
Elsa closed her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips.
"I remember now. I don't think I can remember when I'd last smiled and meant it before then, but you made me smile so easily."
Anna beamed, thrilled to have been able to do that even as she felt sad that Elsa hadn't smiled for so long. She'd just have to keep making Elsa smile more to make up for it.
"May I?"
She gestured at the crown, resting upon a cushion. Elsa nodded, standing up as Anna moved before bowing her head so Anna could reach. Anna placed it down as gently as she could, letting it settle in place as Elsa raised her head again. She looked absolutely beautiful, and part of Anna really found her regal posture and the presence of the queen in her crown a bit of a turn on...
Elsa let out a deep breath before she turned to the mirror, looking at herself critically before returning to look at Anna.
"Well?"
"Does it fit?"
"It does."
"Mmm. Good. That's... good."
Elsa cocked her head slightly as she observed Anna.
"Are you alright?"
"Mhmm. You look... good."
A slight smirk curled over Elsa's mouth, clearly cottoning on to what was going on in Anna's mind. Anna had promised to make Elsa feel better about the hair thing, and Elsa had promised... something earlier...
Elsa leant down and kissed her, cool thumb brushing over Anna's flushed cheek. Anna looped her arms up around Elsa's neck, which felt different without her braid hanging down to brush against her arm. That thought soon faded as Elsa backed her up toward their bed, mattress pressing to the back of her legs before Anna reluctantly let go of Elsa's mouth long enough to scramble up on to the bed. Elsa followed her, her knees between Anna's legs, the skirts of Anna's dress bunched up between their hips as Elsa leant down to kiss her again.
While she missed being able to bury her fingers in Elsa's hair, being kissed like that with Elsa's weight on top of her was more than enough to have Anna squirming, moaning weakly against Elsa's mouth, hands scrabbling for purchase against her sisters dress or the rumpled sheets beneath them.
"Are you going to be like this every time I put on my crown?"
"Hopefully... though it would make your coronation a little awkward if I just tackle you to the ground while everyone is clapping."
Shaking her head with a fond smile, Elsa kissed the tip of Anna's nose before kissing her properly again, one hand supporting her weight while the other managed to find its way beneath Anna's rucked up clothes. Anna managed to guide her clumsy hands that way too, helping Elsa to tug down her bottoms. Though there was lots to be said for bare skin, for feeling every inch of Elsa she could against her body, Anna was still maddeningly aroused by the idea Elsa just couldn't wait that long to touch her.
Cool fingers curved to the shape of her, Elsa's fingers cold against hot, slick skin and Anna shuddered with the answering heat that rolled through her. Elsa's lips ran over her neck until she found Anna's pulse, kissing the skin over where it raced and sending tingles down her spine. Twitching and gasping, Anna felt near-delirious already, Elsa's effect on her so powerful it was little wonder she was so very hooked on the way her sister made her feel. She clenched around Elsa's fingers as they slipped inside her, knowing touch finding its way to spots that made her shake.
It wasn't Elsa's fingers that sent her toppling over the edge. Well, not just her fingers...
It was her voice, the way Elsa breathed her name against Anna's ear.
"Oh, Anna..."
How could anyone resist their name said so intimately, so erotically? Certainly not Anna, breathless moans she hastily muffled against Elsa's neck escaping her as she climaxed, Elsa's thumb pressing in firm circles as her fingers crooked up, drawing out the heady pleasure that left Anna a flushed, grinning puddle upon the bed. She felt a few secondary tremors as Elsa pulled her fingers out, holding Anna's gaze as she licked Anna off of them with a frankly indecent expression on her face.
"I gotta get out of this dress, too hot."
Elsa giggled, nodding.
"Could probably do with a wash too."
Anna joined in the giggles, Elsa wiping her hand off on the fabric of her now-soiled dress before helping her out of it. Her breath came in sharp gasps when Elsa's cool hands touched heated skin, mewling softly as they kissed, tasting herself on Elsa's tongue. Her sister did not take much persuasion to switch positions, humming against her mouth when Anna's weight pressed against her.
"My turn. Dress, off."
As she laid on her back, it took little more than a wave of her hand before Elsa's dress melted away. There was something completely disarming about Elsa like that, almost naked and utterly enticing with her hair so proper, crown sparkling in the candlelight.
"Show off."
Elsa's laugh, warm and genuine, rang in Anna's ears and it was such a delightful sound she couldn't help but kiss her.
Iduna didn't know how she'd managed to fall asleep. Carriage rides up steep mountains weren't exactly a relaxing lullaby. And yet, she stirred to wakefulness, so she must have fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes and looked across to where they sat opposite, it turned out she wasn't the only one; Anna's head was resting on Elsa's shoulder, and her younger daughters eyes were closed. Elsa was gazing out of the window, but when Iduna moved, Elsa's eyes turned to her. She offered a gentle smile to her mother, which Iduna returned.
As she sat up properly, Iduna realised there was a blanket over her. It wasn't one she recognised, pale blue and soft as freshly fallen snow. She ran her fingers along the material, half-expecting it to melt at her touch..
"Did you make this?"
"I did. I know you get cold more easily, and the North Mountain gets a little brisk."
They were on their way up to the North Mountain, where Elsa had fled to when her powers were revealed. Iduna wanted to see the creation Anna spoke so highly of, wanted to see what really happened when Elsa felt free to use her powers again. No holding back, no fear. That was worth a chill and a long carriage ride.
Elsa's eyes were on Anna again, a soft smile on her face as Anna snored lightly on her shoulder.
"Where are the others?"
"Olaf, Kristoff and Sven? Making their own way with his sled, but it can be a bumpy ride and I wasn't sure all of us would fit anyway, so we're taking the carriage."
Given the incessant chattering Olaf was prone to, Iduna was quietly relieved not to be sharing an almost full-day trip with him. As intriguing as Elsa's ability to create life out of snow was, it didn't stop Iduna getting headaches. Or finding the way Olaf randomly detached his body parts a little disturbing.
Her fingers brushed over the soft blanket again, marvelling at how soft it was. How warm it was too, since Elsa had made it with her wintery magic. When she looked up, Elsa was watching her.
"What?"
"Nothing. You just looked... surprised about something."
"Oh. I was admiring this. The things your magic can do... I'm sorry we stifled you for so long."
"You were trying to protect me. Your methods were flawed, but your hearts were in the right place."
Elsa had spoken of Anna's incredible capacity for forgiveness before, but just then Iduna was struck by how forgiving Elsa was being - they'd made her a prisoner, taught her to fear herself so completely and then disappeared before there was ever an answer.
And still, Elsa forgave her. Anna, too. And despite the difficulties she had with it, they'd been patient, respectful and discreet about their... relationship so Iduna could feel more comfortable around them.
"Is it much further?"
"A couple more hours. Go back to sleep if you like."
"I think I need to stop for a moment soon and relieve myself."
Elsa nodded in understanding, and signalled to their carriage driver to find a good place to stop. After she'd done so, and Elsa provided some water for her to clean her hands in - with her powers, water was never in short supply around Elsa - Iduna waited for the carriage to take off again before she began picking at the food they'd brought along for the trip. Anna slept for quite a while longer before she woke, hungry and impatient to reach the mountain.
"Don't forget about Marshmallow mother, he's not going to hurt you but he is pretty big and kinda scary looking."
Anna commented in between bites of sandwich, reminding her of the... guardian? of Elsa's Ice Palace. She took the warning on board, opted to nap for the rest of the journey and pulled the blanket Elsa made tighter to herself. She dozed on and off, woken sharply by Anna's exclamation of "we're here!" followed by the sound of the carriage door rattling. A little stiff from the journey, Iduna winced as she made to get up. Elsa waited, holding a hand to help Iduna out of the carriage.
"Thank you."
Elsa smiled, then turned away. Iduna followed her eyeline, looking up and gasping in awe.
"You built that?"
"I did. I never knew what I was capable of until I came out here."
It was... indescribable. Huge, shining in shades of blue and purple and sparkling in the sun that hadn't yet gone down.
"You made it!"
"Olaf, you were right alongside us, you know we did."
Elsa led them, first up a staircase that joined one part of the mountain to the next. Despite the fact it was made of ice, their shoes didn't slip as they climbed up, their weight showing no strain. Then there was another staircase that led right the way up to the front door of the huge, glittering palace.
Elsa made this.
"Wait til you see inside. It's so beautiful!"
Anna enthused, and out of the corner of her eye, Iduna saw Kristoff hang back, grabbing hold of Olaf.
"Olaf, Sven, let's give them a minute. It's their mothers first time here, after all."
"But-"
"No buts!"
She heard Elsa thank Kristoff before they headed up, Elsa gesturing for Iduna to go first.
"This one can be a little steep, I don't want you to fall."
Glad stairs were no longer so difficult for her, Iduna gripped the railing with her gloved hand, other hand lifting the skirt of her dress high enough to let her climb the stairs unheeded. The double doors alone were enormous, dwarfing all of them.
A small laugh bubbled up in her throat - Elsa had definitely inherited her father's habit of going just a little over the top.
As soon as the three of them reached the top of the staircase, the doors creaked open of their own accord, giving Iduna her first look inside. The first thing she saw was a frozen fountain in the centre of the floor, behind it another ornate staircase that curved around half the room. And the room was so high, a little jewel-like centrepiece hanging from the middle of a huge snowflake patterned in the ceiling.
The ice in there, it turned out, was not quite as non-slippery as outside. Slender arms caught Iduna before she could do more than stumble, Elsa murmuring an apology as she straightened up.
"I forgot. Here."
A wiggle of her fingers later, both Iduna and Anna sported shoes made of ice just like hers, though Iduna's heel was much smaller and flatter. They fit her perfectly.
"Now you won't slip over."
"I was stood right here, right?"
Anna asked, standing at the base of the staircase.
"Yes. I was so happy to see you... and then I was scared I'd hurt you again, and I had to get you to leave. But you were so stubborn."
Anna giggled, pressing her face against Elsa's shoulder as the two sisters hugged. Iduna felt a little like she was intruding.
"Well, duh. Besides, I was right. You do belong in Arendelle."
Elsa gave her sister an indulgent smile, hummed lightly.
"I belong with you."
It was soft, not meant for her ears and Iduna pretended not to hear it. After a minute, Anna cleared her throat audibly.
"Shall we head up the stairs?"
"Sounds good. It's a bit of a climb, will you manage mother?"
"I'll be fine."
It was quite a climb, which wasn't that surprising given how damned tall the palace was. But the palace was a part of Elsa, and every inch of it was beautiful. Iduna felt enchanted simply being there. Up and up and up, eventually they came out in another huge room, where they came across...
"Oh!"
She wasn't sure what she was expecting. The snow guardian was enormous, and it felt like her daughters had undersold his size.
"That's Marshmallow?"
"Yep. Hey Elsa, what's that on his head?"
Elsa squinted, before breaking out laughing.
"So that's where that got to."
"He's wearing your crown! Well, your old crown."
Anna joined in her sisters mirth, and while still stunned by the size of him, Iduna felt a smile steal across her face at the ludicrous situation. The name belied his size, and he did look... threatening. When Anna said he'd been made to chase them out, she could picture it.
But Elsa made him, and that was astounding. Creating Olaf hadn't been a fluke - here was another self-aware, living snow creature. Though Iduna could see why he stayed in the palace, rather than come down to Arendelle. He wasn't exactly small. There wasn't an entrance to Arendelle castle that he'd fit through. And for all she knew, he needed to stay cold too - Olaf's little snow flurry was manageable. Marshmallow might have needed his own personal blizzard.
"I can't believe you did all this."
"I wasn't sure I was going to fix it, after Hans and Weselton's men smashed some of it up, but since I knew I was leaving Marshmallow here, I fixed the broken parts. Besides, I didn't want it to look like it did when I almost died here."
"You... they.. what?"
Elsa pointed up to the ceiling, where an incredible ice chandelier hung above them, and talked Iduna through the moments where her palace was damaged. She got the feeling Elsa left some things out, but honestly Iduna was glad. Her heart could only take so much.
"C'mere. Come see the view."
Anna gestured, all three heading out to the (very very high!) balcony. She was glad for the railing, the sheer drop below making her knees weak. Both of her daughters gripped her arms firmly, stabilising her.
"Don't look down, look out there. It's incredible."
It was, a truly breathtaking view of endless mountains, the sun sinking in the sky to leave a myriad of colours behind, framing the snow-capped peaks before her. The mountain Elsa chose was highest of them all, but it didn't detract from the view at all.
"Can we see Arendelle from here?"
"Not from this spot, but on a clear day you can see it from the mountain. I think maybe when I built this, I didn't want to think about Arendelle."
Iduna looked between her daughters. Anna's cheeks were pink with the chill, Elsa's eyes bright despite the fading light. She shivered slightly, the air cold so high up in a palace made of ice. Neither daughter hesitated, moved closer and each wrapped an arm around her. Something indefinable swelled in her chest, warming her from the inside out.
"Better?"
Elsa asked, voice so gentle it was almost lost to the mountain air. Iduna nodded.
"Better."
-IEA-
Hope everyone is staying safe out there, whether that be in self-quarantine or out at protests. Take care of yourselves.
