I'm excited about this chapter! Let's hope it goes well.
-IEA-
Elsa knew she'd not sleep especially well that night anyway, for several reasons. One being the absence of Anna. The other being... well, her new Coronation was the next morning. With everything that would be going on, it felt a little too obvious to have Anna in her bed that night, and Anna had reluctantly agreed. It was the first night they'd spent in separate beds for a long time, and it felt just plain wrong. But it was only for one night.
Her nerves about the upcoming event certainly didn't help. Though, as Kristoff had joked over evening drinks the night before, it really could not go any worse than the first. And as the serious issue of the first attempt was now long dealt with, Elsa's powers public knowledge and more importantly, under control, then the worst case scenario was probably... everybody getting food poisoning or something. Which was very unlikely, Elsa mused - the staff in the castle were very good, and all very excited about the event. The last one had had something of a shadow over it, without the previous monarch there to make the choice to hand his reign down to his daughter. Now, with Iduna back, though they all still felt Agnarr's absence, it didn't feel nearly as heavy.
Come on Elsa. You don't want to ruin this portrait by looking exhausted instead of terrified!
Sleep eventually found her, though the absence of Anna's warm body was acutely felt, and Elsa woke clutching a pillow to her chest. A poor substitute for her sister, but clearly she'd sought the same position in her sleep that she often woke in - holding Anna. The reason for her early rising was the sharp knock at the door, ready to begin the long process of preparation. She'd had a dress made for the occasion, rather than form one herself. She'd have preferred her own, as her magic felt a little more natural on her skin than ordinary fabric by then, but Elsa didn't want to upset the dress-maker by implying she did not trust the lady's work.
She wanted the day to be good for everyone, after all.
"I'll get your bath drawn, Your Majesty. Oh. Can we still call you that this morning?"
"Yes, Gerda. That's fine. I'm still Queen. This day is more symbolism than legality, though I confess I do feel almost as nervous as I did the first time."
"Oh, do not worry. Everything will go off without a hitch! And with your magic no longer under fear and that horrid Westergaard boy far, far away, you really do have nothing to concern yourself with. Other than your bath."
Elsa chuckled, glad Gerda was so upbeat about the day ahead. Already Elsa yearned for the simple breakfast they had most days, but again, it was just for a little while, and it was all going to be worth it if everything went well.
Her presence in even the hottest water soon cooled it down, and Elsa had gotten a bigger tub specifically so it took longer for her to chill it when sharing a bath with Anna. Though she hadn't mentioned the Anna bit when ordering the tub. Thoroughly cleansed, Elsa had her hair lightly powdered before the styling began - it was always trickier to style freshly washed, so she had washed it the day before and the powder ensured her hair was fresh for the actual day.
The process of her hair and make-up took longer than Elsa enjoyed, but she contented herself with the reminder that the sooner all this was done, the sooner she could see Anna again. Even now, she didn't like the tight, formal style necessary for her crown to sit upon her hair, but Elsa grit her teeth and did her best to relax. Once she was all done, they began the process of getting her in to her dress. It was blue, naturally. More navy than Elsa's usual colours, with similar Arendellian details on the front as her first Coronation dress. Some changes, some familiarity.
There was a knock at the door - Elsa knew immediately that it wasn't Anna, as she knew her sister's knock off by heart. One of the staff bustled over to the door, stepping back with a look of surprise before turning to Elsa.
"It's your mother."
A little surprised herself, Elsa nodded over.
"Oh. Do let her in."
Iduna stepped in, looking rather lovely in a new purple dress, the snowflake pendant Elsa had made for her sitting proudly at the base of her throat. There was a purple ribbon wound through her hair too, and Elsa couldn't suppress the internal acknowledgement that, frankly, her mother looked stunning, She definitely kept that thought to herself though.
"Good morning mother. Is everything alright?"
As it wasn't going to be too long before Elsa would join everybody in the chapel, she was worried what caused her mother to come to her. After all, there were staff in the castle for passing along messages.
"Oh yes. I just... well, I suppose I wanted to see you."
Elsa nodded, turning to the various women there to aid her in getting ready.
"Would you give my mother and I a moment?"
"Of course."
"Yes Your Majesty."
Was echoed back, and everybody filtered out, leaving just Elsa and Iduna alone as the door closed behind them. Elsa sat down carefully on the side of her bed, adjusting to the feeling of her clothes not being woven from magic.
"So, what did you want to see me about? Not that you aren't welcome, of course."
"I just... I needed a moment. After everything that's happened these last few years, this moment seems uncommonly peaceful and simple, and I wanted to remember it well."
Elsa nodded; her mother was right. There had been a lot of trials and trouble to get them to this point, and they all felt like it was truly turning over a new leaf to re-do the day that had gone so badly before. And this time, with their mother present, not absent and presumed long gone.
Iduna sank down next to Elsa on the bed, both perched on the end. It was still apparent how much freer and lighter her mother felt these days, smile coming easily, eyes bright and warm. Physical contact came easier too, and that was something Anna and Elsa had had to learn to deal with, as Iduna obviously offered platonic affection between mother and daughters, while there was a deeper level of intimacy between Anna and Elsa's touches. Still, Elsa did her best to simply find a gentle joy and comfort when her mother raised a hand to her face, touching gently to avoid smudging Elsa's make-up.
"You really did grow up in to such a beautiful young woman. I'm so proud of you."
"Careful, you'll make me tear up and then you'll have to explain why my make-up is ruined."
Iduna let out a light laugh, eyes trailing over Elsa's features that had been enhanced with various creams and powders. Her gaze fixed on one point, and Elsa felt a strange flutter somewhere in her chest when she got the distinct feeling her mother was staring at her mouth. Elsa swallowed, and for just a brief, heart-stopping second, Elsa thought her mother may have leant in just a little closer...
A sharp knock at the door made Iduna leap back, face displaying a rapid cycle of emotions before she stood up. Utterly bewildered, Elsa managed to compose herself enough to answer the knock.
"Yes?"
"Apologies, Your Majesty, but we are on a tight schedule this morning!"
Elsa turned back to her mother, who was already standing up, fussing with her dress and looking rather flustered.
"Yes. Well, I won't take up any more of your time. I'll see you in the chapel!"
Before Elsa had the chance to say more, Iduna had opened the door and swept out, leaving Elsa sat on her bed feeling very confused. What was that about? She shook her head, then looked up at Gerda.
"Let's finish getting you ready for your big day then, shall we?"
Elsa gave a short nod, time seeming to slip away from her as they finished primping and preening her. She'd considered not bothering with the long cape this time around, but supposed it did look nice with the dress, and Elsa had bucked quite enough traditions in her few years as Queen already, so she conceded and bent her knees slightly to allow it to be fixed in place. She was a fair bit taller than most of the women helping her dress.
"Finn!"
The young man who had obviously been waiting outside, expecting to be called upon, still seemed a little surprised as he jumped in to view.
"Yes, Gerda?"
"Run along and see if the chapel is ready for us."
"Of course!"
He hurried off, and Elsa felt her nerves creep back in, drawing in a few deep breaths to calm herself and thinking over and over that if everything went to plan, it would all be more than worth it. When Finn rushed back, panting and out of breath but with a broad smile on his youthful face, he informed them that everyone was ready.
"Well then, let's go."
Crowding to help lift up the fabric of Elsa's overlong cape so it wouldn't get stepped on or caught on anything en route, the staff began leading her toward the chapel, where the bishop was waiting. For a moment, Elsa forgot herself and made to reach for a pair of gloves, then looked down at her hands and remembered that she no longer needed them. Another shift was that she did not need to order the gates to finally be opened, as they were so very rarely closed now. They had been closed that morning to allow everything to be set up, and there were more guards on duty outside that day to ensure nobody interrupted the official bits, but they had been opened again once set-up was finished, not when Elsa had braced herself to have them open for the most minimal amount of time possible.
As they got closer, murmurs of chatter coming from inside the doors, Elsa's cape was laid on the ground and those around her backed away, melting from view when the doors to the chapel were opened. Everybody rose as Elsa stepped inside those at the edges of the benches lowering their heads as she walked past. Elsa's eyes soon found Anna's, and the warm, bright smile of encouragement soon dissolved all of her nerves. Anna was stood up at the front of course, Iduna on the other side of the altar so they would be either side of the 'new' monarch when official bits were done with.
It was tough to keep her eyes forward, gaze occasionally sliding over to the side. Anna's love of off-the-shoulder dresses was still quite apparent, her black-and-green dress exposing bare, freckled shoulders thatt were really quite distracting for Elsa. Still, she'd soon be able to look at Anna all she liked. Elsa glanced to her mother, who was looking at her, but averted her gaze when their eyes met. Elsa mentally pushed that to one side, not wanting to be distracted by her own confusion.
She lowered her head to allow the new crown to be placed atop her head, and boldly reached for orb and sceptre with no fear of freezing them that time around. As the bishop repeated his official words, Elsa faced the crowd, keeping a smile on her face the whole time for the portrait artist who rapidly sketched their basic lines at the back of the room - the original inspiration for considering a re-do at all was the portrait from before, after all, so she made every effort to appear relaxed, proud and at ease in her 'new' role as Queen. Elsa was far less fearful overall anyway - she knew she could handle her reign, and was determined to hang a portrait proudly alongside her predecessors.
Everybody was on their feet, clapping as Elsa was 'announced', and despite all her nerves, Elsa genuinely felt good as she stood there. When she looked down at the orb and sceptre she held, there wasn't a single sparkle of ice to be seen. She turned and placed them back on their cushion, then turned back toward the crowd, hands clasped loosely in front of her as she smiled through the final notes of the choir above their heads.
Though not necessary, she couldn't help but express her gratitude.
"Thank you to everybody for being here, and I truly look forward to many more years serving the people as Queen of Arendelle."
Cheers and applause grew just a little louder, Anna standing as close to her as she could get away with and still appear to be following proper etiquette. The standing did get a little dull as they waited for everyone else to be led out of the chapel, but once it was just the three of them, the attending staff and the bishop left, Elsa let out a deep sigh.
"Wow. I'm so glad that went well."
Anna turned, still beaming so brightly Elsa felt warmer just standing so close to her radiance.
"I always knew it would go perfectly. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you. For everything. Both of you" Elsa turned to address their mother, who still looked a little... off despite the polite smile she wore "you've both been a big help and support for this. Now, what's say we go enjoy the party?"
As though summoned by silent magic, there were two people ready and waiting to lift Elsa's cape again so she could walk unimpeded to the hall where the other dignitaries were gathered. Part of her itched to simply go out in to the square and join the townspeople of Arendelle, but that would come later. For now, traditions had to be respected, especially as so many had travelled out for this re-do of an event they had already attended once before.
"Queen Elsa, of Arendelle!"
Elsa was announced first, and everyone who'd started dancing to the music politely stopped to applaud and bow their heads as Elsa approached. Kai seemed unsure how to call for Iduna, then apparently remembered the rehearsal.
"Princess Iduna, of Arendelle!"
She joined Elsa, offering her own polite smiles and head nods to the amassed crowd.
"Princess Anna, of Arendelle!"
Anna was sent up next to stand on Elsa's other side, though this time she did not need convincing to get closer to Elsa like the first time around. Everyone finished their show of respect and the party crept back in to swing, leaving Elsa to turn to Anna, who had a playful smile on her face. After a few beats, Elsa realised what she was waiting for.
"Hi."
"Hi me? Uh. Hi."
She couldn't keep the grin off her face, which destroyed the illusion of any nerves, but Elsa still meant every word she said next.
"You look beautiful."
"Yeah, well, you look beautifuller!"
That was all the pretence either could keep up before they both started giggling at one another. When Elsa turned to look at their mother, she looked rather perplexed.
"That was how we spoke at the first Coronation."
"Yeah. The first time we'd spoken or even been in the same room for years, but we just... clicked. Elsa tried to be distant."
"It was tough. And I regret my rudeness to you that day."
"Oh, don't be silly, it's all forgotten. This is meant to be about moving forward, so no mulling over the past. Besides, can't you smell the chocolate?"
Anna put her utterly at ease, as always, and Elsa relaxed and gave her sister a smile.
"Quite right."
Elsa sort of wanted to ask Anna to dance, though it might have looked a little strange to go with her - at least, without letting some visitor trouble her for a twirl first - but it also would have left Iduna up at the front alone. Apparently on a slightly different train of thought, Anna turned to the two of them.
"Why not ask mother to dance? She's been having lessons and it might save you from terrible Weselton dancing, at least for a little while."
Their mother seemed less than enthralled with such an idea, but Anna was insistent. Elsa was definitely going to be having words with Anna about her unclasping Elsa's cloak and nudging them out on to the dance floor, but once they were out there it would have looked all the stranger if they suddenly rushed off again. So, as she was taller than their mother, Elsa swallowed before holding her hand out as a sign she would lead. Her mother looked a little... scared, there was no other way to describe it. But she took Elsa's hand shakily, and the two came together as any dance partners would. There were little pockets of smiling onlookers, which only made Elsa more nervous that she'd fumble or trip somehow.
Something hung oddly in the air as they moved, and while it was clear she had been learning, Iduna's footwork was a little shakier. Though that could be the proximity to Elsa, or the strangeness that had occurred that morning weighing upon her. Either way, the song had barely finished when Iduna let go, shaking fingers rising to the snowflake hanging from her neck before she quietly excused herself and took refuge over at a table of refreshments.
Anna stepped in neatly, preventing anyone else asking Elsa to dance for the moment. That prompted a few murmurs, but most that Elsa could hear talked about how, since there was no Agnarr, they were replacing a traditional father-daughter dance in his memory. As far as Elsa knew, that was more for weddings than for Coronations, but anything that prevented visitors thinking too hard about Anna and Elsa's relationship was fine with her.
"Is mother alright?"
Anna asked, looking up at Elsa with her lovely teal eyes. Elsa hummed, just about remembering to twirl Anna in time with the other dancers before pulling her close again.
"I'm sure she's fine."
She rarely lied to Anna about anything, but Elsa couldn't risk anybody else overhearing them, and so they moved to the music, settling in to one another again after the night spent apart.
"Your crown looks amazing, it really is beautiful work."
Anna eventually commented, and Elsa nodded her agreement.
"It is. It will take some getting used to wearing it more often though."
A sparkle of mischief in Anna's eyes spoke of words that could not be shared in public, but as the song they moved to wound down, Elsa couldn't help but lean forward and press her lips to Anna's hair, enjoying the soft sound it drew from her sister. As they parted, knowing they had visitors and duties to tend to that day, both seemed to have the same word on their mind as they shared a last, knowing smile.
Later.
-IEA-
No, I don't care if I got any particular terminology wrong, or if I got any of the little steps through events wrong. This isn't a Royalty AU (in that, I didn't take characters out of another setting and make it Royalty), and I'm here to play with the characters more than the setting. I do my best to get it right, but will roll my eyes at anyone who jumps up to tell me I got some part of the process incorrect.
