It was never in her thought that she would see it again.

Weeks of planning and preparation had brought them to this very day where the sky up above was clear and blue, light white clouds providing shade from the warm sunlight should the people need it, the breeze blowing gently against her skin as she had come down to the courtyard this morning. Such a bright and nice day to be out and about, inhaling fresh air that the nature had offered up to the people of Arendelle.

Though as beautiful as the day was, she was required to return back into the castle, behind the walls as she ventured through the busy halls where servants come and go, briefly bowing their heads at the sight of her passing through. This was probably one of the most important events to be hold by the royal family, honorable and long-awaited.

Some people may even be more excited than any others.

The signature knock belonged to her younger sister, that same rhythm that she had heard over and over again during her separation with the Princess. She had not personally used it herself, but the atmosphere that the day had brought upon her made her heart felt so light and at ease, enough for her to let loose of her regality as Queen, if only just a little.

Two separated giggles came from the other side of the door, amused, before she had turned the knob and pushed the door, allowing her entry to the dressing room. The Princess was standing in front of the tall standing mirror, grinning from ear-to-ear when her eyes had settled on the Queen, surrounded by her own ladies-in-waiting as they each assist her.

"How's the dress, Anna?"

"It's wonderful!" Her exclaim was accompanied by a small twirl, enough to make the skirt flare around her legs. As per her request, the engagement ball was to be held to be more down-to-earth, involved the people more than overboard guests, and for that the strawberry-blonde haired Princess was allowed the dress that matched the theme better, light and easy to move in rather than having heavy fabrics weighting her down and holding her back from dancing around the courtyard this afternoon.

"It's a nice change," she had calmly reasoned with the Council when the idea of a more modest party was to be held in the honor of the engagement between the Princess and her beloved. Anna had not been present in the meeting as she found no need to bring the soon-to-be bride, not in this matter anyway. "Let the people celebrate with us, show them that we as royals do not distance ourselves from them."

Her eyes looked around the room after Anna's attention had been turned back to fitting her dress after her ladies had lightly scolded her over her sudden movement earlier, until she had found the shock of auburn hair by the large wardrobe, where the young Prince had been sitting on the carpeted floor, occupied with the few toys that had been brought for him to entertain him as he accompanied his aunt.

Making her way to approach him, she had lowered herself down to sit in front of him, fingers combing through his hair in a gesture of motherly affection as he looked up and grinned at her.

"Mama, look!" he had reached for something behind him, grabbing whatever it was he had hidden from her, before he had held up the familiar doll that had made her eyes widened in shock.

"Where did you get that?" That penguin doll, knitted and stuffed by hand in the color of black and white with small orange parts for his beak and legs as well as his three hairs made of threads, one eye made of a button while the other was not, had made her jaw clenched as she almost, almost, recoiled from it when her eyes had settled on his cloak made of-

Perhaps seeing her reaction, Wilhelm's smile faded, replaced with confusion and even the slightest of fear as he lowered the toy back down. "Mama?"

"Wilhelm, darling, where did you get that?"

Anna must have been listening to their conversation, or perhaps had not but had felt the sudden shift in atmosphere, for she had somehow came to sit by her side, a hand placed on her shoulder. "I found it."

"Where?"

The expression on her younger sister's face was almost sheepish, as she rubbed her hand against the nape of her neck. "In the passageways, at the bottom of your trunk, one that held your childhood belongings."

"What were you even doing, going through my belongings like that?" Her things were supposed to be private, no matter how many years had passed since she even laid a hand on them, and she didn't expect for someone to rummage through.

"I was bored and wanted to find something interesting." Anna admitted, gnawing on her bottom lip. "But I promise, I had washed it with my own hands before I gave it to Wilhelm!"

Well, she supposed that a mere doll was harmless for her son to have, especially since it once belonged to her. Sighing in defeat, she had nodded. "Very well." Turning her attention toward the young Prince, she had lovingly pinched his cheek. "But you must promise me that you will take care of him, alright?"

The blue eyes belonging to her son had lit up then, as his grin returned while he hugged the stuffed toy close to his heart. "What's his name, Mama?"

"His name is Sir Jorgenbjorgen."

Wilhelm's lips parted at the name, brows furrowing. "Really, Elsa?" The Princess pipped up, with the same utter confusion that she shared with her nephew. "Your childhood toy is named Sir Jorgenbjorgen? Do you not have a more complicated name than that?"

The sarcasm in her sister's words made her frown herself, as her arms came to cross over her chest. "He was the main character of my favorite book as a child." She defended, a little offended. Yes, she will admit that the name was a little hard to pronounce, especially for children and even her when she had first read the fictional tale of his knightly adventures, but she liked him. "Spare him a little respect."

Something crossed the Princess' eyes, a glint of mischief perhaps, as the corners of her lips had suddenly tugged into a smile. "Ooh, I didn't think you would have a childhood crush over fairytale characters, Elsa."

"Oh, shut it, Anna."

"Is he like Papa?"

She honestly did not think that Wilhelm would have an interest over his mother's childhood story, as she barely ever mentioned it –saved from the ones that she shared with Anna which was only a handful unfortunately for them, neither she and Hans had told their stories to him, believing it was a little too early for their young son to hear.

But she supposed she should have expected it, as children were known to be curious over everything, especially during Wilhelm's age.

It took her a moment to think it over, both to remember Sir Jorgenbjorgen's tales and to try and match them with her husband. "In some ways." She decided to conclude, smiling as the young Prince came crawling toward her, no doubt wishing to hear more as he thrown himself against his mother's lap while the Princess had been called upon by her ladies so that they could do her hair. "They're both so very brave, they're not afraid to fight for those they love." Sir Jorgenbjorgen fought for his friends and his country, Hans the same with the addition of their family here in Arendelle. "They both are willing to work hard to achieve what they wish."

"I want to be like that, Mama!"

Wilhelm's innocent and simple wish had made her smile as she wrapped her arms around him, kissing the top of his head. "And you shall, my darling Prince."

As she waited for her own ladies-in-waiting to prepare for the dress that she was to wear this afternoon, she had joined in with her son's play of pretend, using his toys and giving addition with her own power for figures that they needed. And when they were finally ready for her, she had got up, kissing her son on the cheek as she promised that they would continue this, once she was done with her dress.

"So, the Council really is okay with this kind of celebration?" Anna asked from the vanity, for what felt like the hundredth times, though she had allowed the younger sister to confirm this over and over again, as long as it could reassure her. Her answer was only a nod and a smile, as one of her ladies worked on lacing up her corset. "You really showed them who is Queen, huh Elsa?"

Rolling her eyes playfully, she probably would have elbowed her younger sister for the obvious pointing out. "As long as you, as promised, have the wedding in a more... formal way."

"I will, I will."

She could not believe that Anna, her dearest younger sister, had grown so much. She was no longer the little girl that would often jump onto her bed and demand for playtime, no longer the one that would whisper for her to skip out of her tutoring session so both could play under the sun, no longer the Princess that had only thought about having fun and to have a life without a responsibility, one that could wander through the halls, running and dancing as she did.

Well, she still did sometimes, but much had changed as well. She matured in her way, had taken more duties as she assisted the Queen in ruling over the kingdom. And she was to be someone's wife, she would no longer stay under her older sister's responsibility –not completely at least, she would be her own woman, and this engagement ball was a step closer to all of that.

"Hey, Elsa!"

The exclaim made her head turned, to see the strawberry-blonde haired Princess looking at her expectantly. "Yes, Anna?"

A frown formed on her face, as Anna's turquoise eyes watched her expression closely. "You were unfocused."

"Was I?" For that, she received a nod in confirmation. "Oh, forgive me, Anna. I was just... thinking. Nothing that should concern you, no worries." Looking over her sister, up and down from the top of her head to the toes of her shoes, there was a smile that grew on her face. "You look beautiful, sister."

A grin spread over Anna's face then. "Thank you. You look beautifuller!" The word caught both of them off guard, as a slight frown grown on the Queen's face while the Princess' eyes widened at her choice of word –that she doubted even existed in the first place. "Wait, I mean not fuller, but more beautiful!"

That had made her laugh, enough that she had to place a hand against her abdomen to keep her corset from loosening back up. Oh, how she loved her sister.

He was waiting for her, at the grand entrance.

As custom, the Queen and her Prince Consort was to enter –or in this case walk out, together, hand-in-hand after they were announced for the crowd. The people must have arrived, as she could hear the muffled noises coming from the other side of the double doors, eager for her to show her appearance so that the celebration could be started officially.

She had heard, from her ladies-in-waiting and from the other servants as well, of how the citizens of Arendelle had been looking forward for this day, had anticipated it so much as it was rare for royalties to hold such intimate event with the public instead of with the other royalties. But Kristoff had come from their rank, and Anna had such a deep bond with the people that it just felt right for her to do this.

The moment he had seen her approaching, without their son who had been taken by his nannies to join the celebration later on following his parents, Hans' smile had grown on his face, his arms coming to wrap around her waist when she had stood right before him, lips pressing against hers in a quick yet sweet kiss. "Don't you look radiant today, Your Majesty." His compliment was accompanied by his gesture of pressing his forehead against hers until their noses touched and lips mere inches away. "The dress suits you."

"If not a little suffocating." She chuckled, turning her head to a side until the Prince could kiss her temples while a servant had walked past, only smiling upon seeing the two royals as he bowed his head and continued on.

Her admittance brought a frown to crease Hans' forehead as he pulled away so that he could properly see her. "Are you alright?" His hand had already rested itself on the small of her back, at the base of where her laces were, and she took a step away from him, feeling his hand brushed away from the spot.

"Helen might have laced me up a tad too tight." That or the fact that she may have gained weight from the many midnight snacking with her sister these past few weeks as they both worked together tirelessly in preparing for this day. She should not have agreed to Anna's many delicious persuasions, especially ones that included chocolate.

The auburn-haired Prince took a step closer, hands already returning to hold her waist. "Would you like to readjust it?"

"There's no time. I'll be fine." It was not as if she would not survive the day, she had gone through worse. Leaning forward, she had given him a reassuring kiss, lips lingering close even when they parted. "Besides, you sir, are great at unlacing, but not so much the other way around."

Hans chuckled at her tease, and the way she had looked up at him through her dark lashes, his hold on her tightened as he drew her body closer. "You do have a point there, darling."

Neither had heard of any approaching footsteps, thus it had taken them a little by surprise when the clearing of one's throat had been heard so nearby, making both turned -as well as stepping away from each other, to see Kai had been standing by the doorway, hands clasped behind his back, expression neutral. "It is time, Your Majesty, Your Highness."

"Of course, Kai." She nodded, straightening up. Hans' arm was offered for her to take, letting her to loop hers around with her hand clutching against his bicep while the steward made his way to open the doors and to reveal the royal couple.

"Her Majesty Queen Elsa and His Highness Prince Hans."

There was no denying the fact that her social ability had improved so much if compared to the first time she had been presented as the Queen of Arendelle many years ago, she no longer fidgeted nor feeling so out-of-place among the others, her heart did not race and there was no urge to run away rising from the depth of her stomach. Yet still, as old habits truly died hard, she still found crowded places to be the least preferable place to be. Thus why she had lingered close to the two 'thrones' that had been brought out for her and Hans -not the actual ones belonging in the Throne Room as those were far heavier, deciding to watch quietly as the celebration unfolded before her, throwing polite smiles and nods of her head when someone acknowledge her.

"Mama!" Wilhelm must have found his way out of his nanny's grasp, as he came running toward her instead with the young woman following close behind, dodging his way through the people dancing and enjoying the finger foods provided by the castle. Bending down, she had caught him just as he threw himself onto her, lifting him up until he could be perched up against her hip. "Open up, Mama!"

The boy had not even given her a chance to respond, as his hand was quick in shoving the krumkake that he had brought to her face, barely missing her open mouth and almost hitting her teeth, and soon she was overwhelmed by the sweet taste of waffle and the cream filling.

"Oh, Your Majesty, forgive me!" Ida gasped, as she reached the Queen. "The young Prince insisted and wrestled out of my grasp."

"It's quite alright, Ida." She chuckled, after managing to chew and swallow her share of krumkake. "Wilhelm just wish to share, isn't that right, my darling?" At that, Wilhelm had nodded excitedly. Besides, she was his mother above all else -even her title as Queen was below it, and she would gladly act as such.

"Wilhelm!" Heads turned to see Anna, slightly out of breath with face flushing with the brilliant color of red, approaching with a large smile on her face. Her chest was puffing, and listening to the song that had been played by the musicians, it seemed that she had just gone dancing. "Do you want to dance with Auntie Anna?"

The offer made clear blue eyes lit up almost instantly, as already the auburn-haired Prince wriggled his way down from his mother's arms. "Yes!" His excited squeal was met with Anna's hearty laugh as she took his hand in hers. "Bye-bye, Mama!"

"I'll return him soon!" The Princess called out with a snicker, satisfied that she still could steal her nephew so easily, as she walked away, with the boy's nanny following close behind to keep an eye on him.

When left alone, as Hans had not yet returned from his search of drinks for the both of them -she suspected that some people had caught and struck up a conversation with him, she could not help but notice the striking heat of the sun, despite the fact that it was already late afternoon, but she supposed the ending of spring and the fact that they were nearing summer might have something to do with it. and perhaps due to the fact that her corset had been a tad too tight, she had suddenly found it difficult to breath as her head started to hurt.

Keep it together. Scolding herself, she had taken a deep breath in an attempt to be true to her words, making sure that she would not make such an embarrassment nor trouble during such precious day of her sister.

Glancing up at the sky, she noted how lowly the sun hung. The celebration would end in a couple of hours, she will be fine until then.

"For Weselton!"

The exclamation rung loud and clear across the courtyard, and as her head turned to see who had shouted such absurd thing, her gaze had settled onto the cloaked man among the crowd that should have stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of celebration men and women if she had not been so distracted and let her guard down, eyes widening when he had raised a gun in his hand, it's end directed right at her.

She could hear the click of the machinery, of the metal gears turning within the weapon, before the blast sound of gunpowder had filled the air while she stood, frozen, in place.

"Elsa!"