Wow! This took a lot of energy to finish this chapter!
Next one will come out a later date! I don't know when, but keep your eyes peeled.
Chapter 6- The Recordings
Elsa stands in a dark empty room. It is cold with walls made of stone. She tries to escape the walls, but it is only an endless cycle. She continues to run, but still stays in the same room. Scared and alone, she crouches down crying as the ice begins to form into shards piercing out of the floor. Soon a familiar voice comes in… "Elsa!" The voice is soothing, gentle. "Elsa, listen to my voice!" The Figure begins to form as the shards melt away. A music melody begins to play again, in which accompanies the figure.
The figure reveals to be James, standing with a warm smile and dressed in a princely suit that shines of fiery colors. He crouches down and brings his hand out asking, "How do you feel?" Elsa takes his hand and slowly comes up as he pulls her close to him. In which catches her in surprise, "What are you doing?" James soon pulls her head to his chest and strokes it, "Sshhhh. Just listen to my heart." Elsa does as he says and hears his heartbeat. She wants to stay in that position, until she looks up to him, "James I Lo…..
"ELSA!" She wakes up from an intruding voice coming from her 14 years old sister. "It's out! The Charmings' new single!" Anna says with hyper excitement with a squeal of excitement.
It has been a year and a half since the Band's visit to the kingdom. Elsa remembered what James said about letting go. So she surprised everyone when she came down to breakfast where she sat beside Anna who is speechless as much as her parents. She then told them that she needed to stop staying in her room and asked Anna if they could hang out afternoon. Anna was really happy and hugged James in a backbreaking embrace as she thanked him for what he did. He also gave Anna his number, as he also wanted to keep in touch with her.
As of today, The Charmings have brought their new single for their untitled new album, as it is their fourth album and not from mix tapes. They brought out a new single that is a teaser of what the new album is going to bring.
The Girls sat on Elsa's bed, turn on the TV to get onto Youtube, and search for the Charmings' new single. "What is it called Anna?" They search while Anna looks through her message from James and found the song title, "It's called… Under Pressure." They find it with an image of a female silhouette shooting sparks out of her hand on top of a mountain. They play and hear the song; James sings in the high notes as Ted takes the other parts that are low range. Anna starts to dance from the song when Elsa just sits on her bed smiling on the song.
However Anna stops dancing when she notices that Elsa stands still with an enthralled look as James sings in the high notes with his heart out.
Anna grins from this as Elsa notices, "What's with that look?" Anna grins even wider as she begins to snicker replying, "What's with THAT look?" Elsa doesn't know what Anna's saying, until she starts tease, "Elsa and James sitting in a tree." Elsa begins to blush as Anna continues to taunt, "K….I…..S….S….I….N…" she gets close to Elsa's ear as she whispers, "G!" Elsa blushes uncontrollably and throws a pillow at the Hyena Princess, "Sorry Elsa, I'm just teasing you!" Then a knock comes from the door. "Your highness is Princess Anna with you?" it is Kai, behind the door. Anna replies, "Yes I am in her room!"
"Then are you changed because you two have to get ready for breakfast!" Anna and Elsa notice that they're still in their nightgowns and both separate, as they get ready.
Elsa goes to the bathhouse as she sits in the steaming pool relaxing. Soon the piano melody starts to play in her head, she begins to get annoyed from it as it keeps coming when she thinks of the dream she had of James. Or for that matter anything that is about James. She still remembers what dream James asked her, "Tell me how I make you feel?" She shakes her head as she takes a deep breath, 'he's a friend, just a friend! But what if he likes me too?' The song then comes back to her head, "STOP!" she exclaims as ice comes out of her hands. She lost control again and begins to use the mantra, 'Conceal, don't feel, don't let it show!' She finishes her bath and changes to her dress.
At the breakfast table, King Agnar notices that Elsa is a bit off today in which Anna notices as well. "Elsa…are you alright? Is something the matter?" Elsa breaks out of her thought, "Hmmm? Oh yes it's just…. I have been hearing music in my head. And I don't know what to do with it!" King Agnar smirks as wipes his face and drinks his coffee. "Well that's maybe something you should talk to James about!"
Elsa looks down, as she is a little embarrassed about talking about it to James, "I think he might be busy with the whole recording and writing songs for the album thing!" King Agnar then gets up from his table as she walks towards his daughters, "He won't… for he and the rest of the band are coming over!" Elsa and Anna's faces light up in an instant. The band coming over…again! What would they be doing here?
For two weeks they have waited as Elsa kept on messaging James about the reasons:
Elsa- so why are you coming over?
James- Well there has been rumors that the band can't survive without Ted and me. So we decided to take time to write songs and record. Also we need some space from all the bull that's happening from the News, so we asked King Agdar if it's okay to record in the ballroom. Since the castle is pretty isolated from anyone, there'll be no interruptions!
Elsa- Oh… makes sense, but why not the studio's recording rooms?
James- You didn't hear did you?
Elsa- Hear about what?
James- …..Our record producer has been accused of sexual assault!
James- That's why we need to be somewhere that doesn't have a lot of news publicity.
Elsa- Oh My God!
Elsa- I'm sorry to hear that.
James- It's okay, the record producer was an asshole!
Elsa- I'll bet he was.
James- Well gotta get ready…
James- Oh before I go! Your father told me something about you hearing music in you head and wants to get it out. I'll help you out; it'll be good for you and perhaps Anna!
Elsa- Thank you.
James- No prob. Anyways gotta go, laters.
Elsa- See you when you get here!
James- I will ;).
Elsa- J
Elsa puts down her phone and sits on her bed as she listens to the sounds of her song, now determined with James' help to get the song out of her head. She begins to hear other instruments inside and fantasizes James dancing in a Dark Golden shirt and Black jeans with a loose white belt and Black fedora.
DAY 1-
Elsa sees a group of castle staffs putting up the mics and recording equipment into the ball room as she goes outside to meet James and the band. As she enters the room her heart flutters as she hears the familiar voice coming in the room, "Anna, you haven't changed one bit!"
Anna was already in the room when she hugged James in an amount of embrace. "Oh yeah? I am a bit taller than usual!" James smiles when Zach replies jokingly, "To what, 2 centimeters?" Anna punches Zack on the arm in which everyone gets a laugh out of, "She may be a princess, but she sure punches like a Knight!" James says, until turning his head to see Elsa in front of the door.
Elsa runs and hugs him in which he welcomes. As she holds him she takes in his warm loving feel as she enjoys the feeling of compassion and heartfelt care. She soon releases as she looks at James who hasn't changed anything except perhaps his beard which is shaven off and his hair trimmed to a medium length, but still long.
As James takes his luggage, he notices everyone including Anna are smirking, "Alright guys….What!?" James says in annoyance.
"Oh nothing….Lover Boy." Zach says with his eyebrows lifting up and down. James sighs as he ignores them and starts taking his stuff into his room. "Today's travel was pretty rough! I need to get some rest!" The band soon joins, as they too are tired of the voyage. There they take their old rooms, but James's room is changed to be close to Elsa's room.
DAY 2-
Elsa walks as she notices James is walking to his room with Kai and two other guards taking a upright piano into his room. This makes her curious as she investigates. She gets behind the door and peaks to see the two guards rolling the piano in the position.
"Right over here guys!" The guards put the piano close to the window. He shakes each of their hands and gives one of them an autograph. "Thanks for all of your help, Kai!" Kai bows his head, "No problem!" He leaves as Elsa moves away to not be seen, but is soon caught, with James calls from his room.
"You can come in now Elsa!" The Snow princess walks into the room as she sees his room. It is smaller than his last room where there's only a queen size bed and a desk. With the piano now in the room it has been much more smaller. James sits on the bed and gestures for Elsa to sit next to him.
He leans down with his arms resting on his legs and looks into Elsa eyes, "Now tell me about this song you hear?"
Elsa is caught off guard, but she quickly brings up the answer, "It just came to me when I was-" she sighs as she has to bring it up, "It just came to me when I saw you performing!" James looks at her with interest as she continues, "But at the same time it was the memoy of what happened to my sister." She explains about how she got hit in the head with her ice during one of their late night fun, being told by the trolls about her magic, and is the reason the castle gates are closed off by the public.
James's eyes are mesmerized by her story, about the pain and how she now is happy that she and Anna are now hanging out more and enjoying each other's company. Then James goes back to Elsa's talk about him, "Wow….but now I would like you to tell me How I make you feel?"
Elsa takes a deep breath and looks at him; scooting a bit closer to him, "It's just… how you made me feel! It was how you moved, performed, and approached! I just wish I could be that inspiring! I just want to have that kind of energy when I'm Queen…The confidence!"
James soon gets up and walks to the piano with Elsa's eyes following him. He sits on the bench until patting the seat for her to come. She does it and soon listens, "One thing I learned when I have a song stuck in my head is to play it, until it sounds exactly how it does in your head. You play the melody over and over, until it sounds as it does in your head!" Elsa is scared about this for she never played the piano, until James put a hand on her shoulder. The feeling of his hands calms her down.
"Don't worry Elsa, I'll write the music when you have it down!" James says with a comforting smile.
Elsa takes a deep breath and plays the piano, until getting it down.
DAY 5…
For Days the band have been working hard on the writing process of their songs. Since the band have been perfecting and experimenting new sound in their music most of it is done.
James if he had spare time from writing songs, would work with Elsa for two hours on her's, and two hours with Anna. Anna's song was done after half a day because it being just a simple love duet song, everyone likes the song that they want to record it. As for James's session with Elsa is still in the works and they both have been working hard to get the song on paper.
Over an hour of playing the piano, Elsa finally got it down and started to play the music fully. James begins writing the song notes with a smile on his face. Then, out of nowhere Elsa began to sing,
"Mama just killed a man. Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger now he's dead." James is amazed of what he's hearing. He quickly writes down the lyrics as Elsa unstoppably continues; "Goodbye everybody, I've got to go. Gotta leave all of you behind and face the truth! Mama, ooooh, I don't want to die. I sometimes wish I never been born at all!" but she stops.
She looks at the dumbfounded musician with a smile on her face, "W-why did you stop? That was amazing, Elsa! I've never heard someone sing perfect lyrics out of nowhere! We have to keep going!"
Elsa then ungloves her hands and takes James's hands. She closes her eyes just to feel his warmth and looks at him, "I want you to record it!"
"W-wait me!? You want me to record the song?" Elsa nods. "And you want to sing this song?" Elsa shakes her head.
Elsa says, "I feel like this is more of your speed…I don't really see myself singing it." James nods in understanding as he has been in that situation before, "Alright I'll sing the song, but first let's finish the lyrics."
As they continued, James butted in with something interesting, "What if we put in Galileo?"
Day 15-
The Band begins recording with Kai and a faithful friend of the band's,Pete, to handle the recording portion including Rick helping out. Anna and Elsa come into the ballroom to see the performance happening and how recording a song is like.
They start off with a song that both Zach and Brad wrote together:
"Alright Easy Lover. Take three." Pete says as he plays the tapes. As they play, Elsa's heart begins to beat with the music as she hears not James, but Zach and Brad singing. Brad's vocal range is high, but not as high as James's, while Zach's is the same range as Ted's.
It is understandable of why the band wanted to work separate projects, since the news saying that James is the key of the band's success. James and the other felt discussed from the news and look upon the band they want to give it their all.
As time went…the Band continued on their project, Ted's songs are instrumental that shows his skills as not just a guitarist, but a composer as well. Ted has always been a lover of the sound of Music and wrote songs just for the band to perform without their voices. Each to do their own improvised solos on the spot. As Harry's songs were about the world and politics. Sometimes his songs were Edgy, but are for the little people to feel a need in this world; which the Arendelle royal family respects. Zach's is about lovers and heartbreaks. Ever since Zach and Brad had fought over a girl, James was fed up that he made them to write a song together about the girl in which opened their eyes. And since then Zach wrote another song about a girl he cared a lot of. Brad only wrote one song, had James sing it because he has the energy, and wants the audience to participate and be part of the song. James all the while, wrote two songs in which was about the pressure in life and the other on no matter what happens you'll keep on going!
All the while Anna and Elsa are amazed with the recording sessions.
For 6 DAYS
They have gotten all the band members's songs recorded and perfected. As for Elsa and Anna they're always excited to see how it is done, but Anna on the other is more excited than Elsa is because today is the day that the sisters get to listen to their song recorded.
The band tunes their instruments as Ted instead switches his electric guitar to an Acoustic guitar. Meanwhile Pete comes in late as he carries a tape with him, running, "Hey James the recording is finally here!" James looks up from his post after setting up two music stands, mics, and headphones. He sees the tape and quickly comes over and puts it in the sound station and plays the recording. "PERFECT! Okay Anna you ready?"
Anna gets up really quickly as she dashes to her post.
The two sisters were given a briefing about their alias's hidden with fake names as songwriters and singers. Anna went with the name Isabelle Monroe, while Elsa went with Melissa Jones.
Anna takes a deep breath as she listens to James how it's going down and what to do, "Alright have you been warming up and practice?"
Anna just looks at him with confidence, "Like you have to ask!"
Pete goes to the sound panel and readies the tapes, "Okay, Love is an Open Door Take One"
(Love is an Open Door-Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana)
Okay, can I just, say something crazy?
I love crazy!
All my life has been a series of doors in my face
And then suddenly I bump into you
I was thinking the same thing! 'Cause like
I've been searching my whole life to find my own place
And maybe it's the party talking or the chocolate fondue
But with you
But with you
I found my place
I see your face
And it's nothing like I've ever known before!
Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!
With you!
With you!
With you!
With you!
Love is an open door
I mean it's crazy
What?
We finish each other's
Sandwiches!
That's what I was gonna say!
I've never met someone
Who thinks so much like me!
Jinx! Jinx again!
Our mental synchronization
Can have but one explanation
You
And I
Were
Just
Meant to be!
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
To the pain of the past
We don't have to feel it anymore!
Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!
Life can be so much more!
With you!
With you!
With you!
With you!
Love is an open door
After six to seven takes of the song, it was done and everyone had a blast. Anna sits back down with sweat over her face, "Wow who would've thought singing can make you tired and sweaty!" Elsa chuckles a bit of seeing her sister lying on the chair like she's been working out non-stop.
Now it is Elsa's song to be played, in which James would sing however he asked her to play the piano parts for at least something that she plays is her's. She takes deep breaths as she walks over to James and the piano. She sits down with a huge weight on her shoulders, but it is taken off with James's hands touching her's. He gives her a smile of comfort, "Everything's fine, just perform from the heart."
As the playback is played, she closes her eyes and begins to play piano on the time she believes is right.
(Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen)
Mama just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger now he's dead
Mama life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama OOooooh Didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters
Later in creating the song, Elsa notices that James takes out a guitar, a guitar she's never seen before. It is a Vox Teardrop guitar with a Ruby Red gloss over it. Which surprises her is James is handling it very gently, "Is the guitar really special to you?" James smiles with solemn with his eyes falling to sadness, "Yes, this was my father's and this song is very special." Elsa begins to notice the eyes he carries. The eyes that he wore when he sang I'll be there.
James carries the guitar towards Ted, "So it deserves to have a special guitar to play it."
He gives it to Ted who begins to play the guitar like nobodies business and as always he brings a beautiful sound. However the guitar astonishes Elsa because of how the sound is played from it. It kept on moving her, until it was stopped. She wishes she could hear more from that guitar.
Next, James starts singing Galileo in which he wants it to be higher. Pete and the others are beginning to feel annoyed each time they have to do a take, "It needs to be higher!" Peter rolls his eyes, "Any higher than the dogs will hear you!" He jokes about, but James retaliates, "Then let 'em hear it!" They continued on and on in which Elsa and Anna begin to comment, "How many Galileos does he want?" and "Who even is this Galileo?" The sisters and the band laugh at that remark, until James says, "Okay I got it!"
Next is the chorus in where James wants everyone including Elsa and Anna to sing for the back up vocals. Elsa is a bit scared, but she soon takes control as they begin to sing:
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
(Easy come easy go will you let me go)
Bismillah, no we will not let you go, let him go
Bismillah, we will not let you go, let him go
Bismillah, we will not let you go, let me go
(Will not let you go) let me go(never, never let you go) let me go (never let me go)
Oh oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me for me for me
Anna sang the highest part of the note as everyone sang their hardest, until falling onto the soundproof walls. Everyone's having a good time as they laugh with a lot of smiles and enjoyment. This has been the most fun for the sisters and everyone in the band.
Later at night, they introduced the songs that Elsa and Anna in the living room with Bill, Rick, Agdar, Idun, Kai, and Gerda to listen:
Nothing really matters, anyone can see
Nothing really matters…. nothing really matters to me
Anyway the wind blows
James sitting on the opposite couch with Elsa beside him throws his finger down as the gong hits, cuing the song to end. Everyone in the room applauded and cheered for the song with Agdar and Idun astonished at this new song, in which Agdar replies, "Now that is a hit single!" James smiles as he looks at Elsa and she looks at him as well, in which they look back at her parents, "Yes…yes it is!"
Five Months later…
The Band had finally finished and Brad, Zack, Ted, and Harry return home. However James decides to stay for a while because he wants to relax and hang with Elsa and Anna for a while. Both girls got a chance to themselves to be with him solo. Anna and James talk about their favorite things and having fun with Elsa who's studying about ruling a kingdom.
One night during a thunderstorm with the fireplace roaring, James and the royal family are sitting around with drinks and Hot Chocolate. James sits with his face holding a guilty look on his face, Agdar notices this, "James…. Is there something you want to talk about?"
James sighs, "This morning I was offered a two album record deal from Abbey Road Studios. I…don't know what to do in this kinda thing. A part of me wants to take, but the other part doesn't."
James looks up at Agdar as if to say, 'give me advice', "What should I do?"
King Agdar thinks about this and soon gives him an answer, "What I can tell you is this, When I was a young King there was a harsh blizzard that was happening and we needed more wood and coal for fire and warmth. So I was given two options, Trade with Weselton who'll offer us not just warmth for the winters, but also livestock, or the Southern Isles who'll give us wood and coal, but I'll have to wed the princess in order to take the deal."
James had heard of those countries: Weselton is notorious for their harsh Witch trials and superstitions, but their trades have always made them one of the wealthiest of kingdoms. As for the Southern Isles, They're a small kingdom located close to Germany and Denmark and are notorious to be known to have a large army for such a small kingdom.
"So I'm guessing you went for Weselton?"
"Yes, don't get me wrong when I first met the princess she was kind and beautiful, but I have to think about me people first and with extra livestock it can help us even more in the winter."
James smiles as he thinks of this, "I see where your getting at ….thanks Agdar!"
"You're welcome. And besides if I wed the Princess, I wouldn't have met my beloved Idun!" The two royals look at eachother with lovey dovey eyes in which Elsa and Anna give grossed out look. James laughs at this as he walks over to the fireplace to feed it more wood.
He changes the subject as he picks the burning amber, "So Idun, I hear you two plan on going to Corona in two months right?"
Idun looks up with a smile on her face, "Why yes! We're invited to my niece's Wedding. "
"Wedding, huh I wasn't told about a wedding!" James says as he then sits next to Elsa.
Everyone in the room is caught off guard when he said that, "Wait your invited as well?" James smirks, "Well technically the Charmings are invited to Corona for a gig, It's on the same day I believe!"
Everyone is all dumbfounded that James never said anything about it. "I just got the notice two hours ago. Also I wanted to ask if it's okay that the band and I join you two on your trip. It'll be easier to travel!"
King Agdar thinks for a moment and then nods his head in agreement to the request. James soon picks up his phone and texted everyone in the band and Rick about the details. Soon Agdar and Idun brought up something to James, "Tell me James we know everything about you and your band, but we never got a chance to know about your parents!"
In an instant James doesn't says anything he stands there with sorrow as if seeing a traumatizing act happens just right in front of him. His hands start shaking and his heart beating hard. Elsa puts a hand on his shoulder with a concern look. James looks up at her and puts his hand on her gloved hand, "They were my inspiration, my role models, my only family!" tears begin to fall down his cheek, "I'm autistic and it's not really easy to get through life when you're a target for bullies to beat…. But no matter what happened, my mom would always cheer me up and my dad would motivate me to keep fighting and survive." He wipes his tears away, "I never stopped fighting and never stopped moving forward! But ever since they died I still keep on going. For I must go on… No matter what happens."
Agdar looks at the boy with sympathy and understanding. In that moment Agdar went up to him and said, "If it makes you anything happier. I do consider you as a member of our family!" those words made James look at the others in the room who nod in agreement. As the rainfalls hard and the lightning flashes with the brightest of light, James and the royal family group hugged together as the fire still roars.
Two months later, the band had arrived as they prepare to get on the ship.
Anna gives her parents a hug; as they walk out to the main hall, "See you in two weeks." James then comes behind them with his luggage smiling, "Hey you can't forget about me!" Anna gives him a hug as well.
They get inside the main hall where they see Elsa who is scared. They all look at the princess in which James notices something's wrong, "Elsa…. what's the matter?"
Elsa looks up in sadness, "Do you really have to go?"
The three give her a comforting smile when Agdar says, "You'll be fine, Elsa. "
The King and Queen leave as James stays a while as he puts one of his hands on her shoulder and the other hand to lift her chin up, "It's going to be okay, remember I have my phone with me. If you feel like something bad is happening call me…I'll be there!" Elsa quickly hugs him, in which he obliges. She holds him tight as she feels that something is truly going to happen.
But soon James loosens up to leave, but Elsa held on, as she looks up to her friend's eyes, "Please, promise me you'll call me tomorrow?"
Elsa and Anna later stand at the seaport balcony looking at the ship sailing off, until they notice a dark storm cloud heading in their direction.
Fave, Follow, Review, and Share! This is Sunhawk001 Signing off!