A/N: Thought I might try something a bit different here. We'll see how it goes. :D
Disclaimer: Frozen belongs to Disney
- Seasons -
The people of Arendelle know that their queen loves the winter.
They can see it in the ease of her steps, the lightness of her smile. Her powers blend and bleed into the natural chill of the season, barely noticeable save for an unnatural glimmer of blue among the white.
She is not bothered by the wind and snow. Meetings in town are never postponed due to weather—she walks through blizzards in icy dress and heels. The people are in awe.
Kristoff knows Elsa hates the winter.
He's still learning. The staff helps him. Olaf tries to help but honestly, Kristoff doesn't see how wildflowers are going to solve all his problems. (He thanks Olaf anyway, but declines the wilting plants.) Anna is their greatest supporter, the champion of their friendship. She's determined to get them to say five words to each other. Five words that have nothing to do with ice.
It's slow going, but he knows enough to note the grim set of Elsa's mouth. The way she flinches at the wind that rattles the window panes. He can practically see the irrational fear that rampages across her pale face. It's not my doing. It can't be my storm. It can't.
He imagines Elsa hates winter because she does not know where she ends and it begins.
Anna wonders about Elsa's favorite season.
Her favorite color. (Is it still purple?) If she still likes pork chops. And for that matter, does she still avoid eating brusselsprouts? Anna remembers she used to hide them in her napkin at dinner, when they were much younger.
She can't really imagine her twenty-one year old sister doing that now…but you never know.
She doesn't get around to asking until winter begins to melt away, and spring peeks through the snow. It's the first warm day they've had in months when she finds Elsa outside, the dark sky bright with stars.
"Hey," she says quietly, not wanting to startle her. Elsa hums a greeting. "You're looking chipper. Did you finally tell off that stuffy prince guy who's been hounding you?"
"You mean Raoul."
"Yeah, Ralph or whatever."
"Anna."
"Fine. Raoul." Anna huffs and takes a seat beside Elsa, making sure she sees the large grin on her face, to know she's teasing.
Elsa sees it, and gives Anna a grin of her own.
"No, I did not tell him off," Elsa says, knowing it will drive her sister mad. "I happen to like him." She doesn't, but the lie is worth seeing Anna balk and sputter. Then, Anna catches the mischievous glint in her eye. She's been found out.
"You stinker!"
"The look on your face…"
And then Anna is shoving Elsa in the side, and they're laughing together, calling each other names. Eventually the giggling subsides. They lapse into comfortable silence.
After a time, Anna speaks.
"Really, though. You look good." Elsa stares at her. "Not that you looked bad before!" Anna rushes to add. "But…just…you…sorry. This is not—you look relaxed. For the first time in like…months."
"I don't particularly care for winter…" Elsa admits quietly, like that will explain everything. She turns her gaze to the horizon. The fjord is inky black, pinpricks of white dotting the surface. A reflection of the night sky overhead.
"What? You? Miss Queen-of-the-Ice-and-Snow? I'm not buying it." Anna feigns disbelief. Elsa shrugs.
"Ironic, I know."
There's a sadness there that Anna doesn't like. She leans forward.
"Elsa," she begins. Carefully. Always careful, with Elsa. "This isn't…it's not about your powers, is it?"
"…No."
"Then…?"
For a long time, Elsa doesn't answer, and Anna doesn't press her. They're so much better now…so much closer.
But there are times. Times when Anna knows not to tread any further until Elsa deems it safe, lest the thin ice break and the fragile, brittle progress shatter. It's hard. Anna has to learn to be patient, and wait. She's getting better, but that doesn't mean it's getting easier. She fidgets and tugs at a loose thread on her sleeve.
"I feel…trapped, sometimes," Elsa says at last. Anna's eyes are bright and focused, like she's ready to listen, ready to be a shoulder to cry on, should the need arise.
And Elsa tries to find the right words. She tries to find a way to describe the hopelessness that arrives with the flat grey clouds that press too closely to mountains. They block out the sun, block out the world. And a blanket of white settles on the kingdom and it looks like her winter—the winter she made on accident. It surrounds her completely, wholly.
But words prove elusive and insubstantial. Words can't help Anna understand the dread Elsa feels when she awakes in the night to a pitch black room, the frost creeping from beneath her fingers virtually invisible, as pale moonlight does not spill through the windows; it is blocked by the thick, churning clouds. Clouds that promise more snow and more ice and honestly, Elsa's had enough snow and ice.
Words can't express the depth of the cold that Elsa carries inside, each and every day. The cold that never quite leaves, but thaws ever so slightly in the summer months. The cold that bites and digs when the world turns dark and frigid.
Words can't convey the relief that fills her when at last the grey clouds dissipate, and she can once again see the world beyond the fjord—the mountain peaks rising in the distance, the stretch of the ocean and endless blue sky. She feels like she can breathe again.
The world feels bigger without winter; as though there might be a place for her in it.
All she can think to say is, "I like being able to see the stars," and it's so small, compared to what she feels. It makes no sense, really, but it seems to be enough for Anna, who surges forward and hugs her tight, making promises of long rides through the hills, picnics by the fjords, trips up the mountain with Sven and Olaf and Kristoff.
Elsa hugs Anna back.
She loves the spring.
Yep, thought I might try for something a bit less silly, and more substantial. Not sure how I did but! Hopefully it made for an enjoyable read, regardless. :D Reviews are appreciated, as always. And! If you're reading my other story, just know that it has not been abandoned! I'm working on the next chapter currently. Should be up...at some point. XD
Thanks for reading!