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Chapter Two
"And you, Lord Perseus." Elsa gave Percy a thoughtful look, before continuing, "Greece is no trade partner of Arendelle, nor do we have any history with your country. So I must inquire as to why they have bothered to send a representative, no offense of course."
Percy smiled on the outside, but inside he was having a minor panic attack. Pulling a lie of the tip of his tongue, he responded to the queen's inquiry, "I am here in hope to negotiate a trade contract and possible ally in the north. While the south my hold many luxurious items to trade, it can lack in the heartier necessities of life." A total lie, he thought, but hopefully she doesn't realize that.
Much to his relief, the queen gave him a soft smile, making her more attractive than before. Silence brain! He thought. He refocused his attention to the queen when she spoke again, her tone light, "Arendelle would certainly be hopeful to open up a trade contract with Greece, I will consult with my advisers tomorrow. I hope you will be staying until then?"
"I will Queen Elsa; I do not leave for at least another fortnight." Percy responded. Remembering his manners and also hoping to talk to the queen Percy offered her his hand, "Queen Elsa, would you honor me by dancing with me?"
A myriad of conflicting emotions crossed the queens face, before she seemed to steel her nerves. "It would be my pleasure, Lord Perseus," she replied, taking his hand in her gloved ones. Percy led them out onto the dance floor, arriving in a small clearing in the center. The band struck up a new song and the duo began to dance with each other.
One, two, three, and a one, two, three, Percy thought, hoping to not make a fool of himself in front of the queen. Percy took a quick glance around, noticing that most of the ball had turned its attention to the two of them. Looking away, slightly embarrassed from all the attention, his gaze wondered to his dancing partner. Elsa was looking around, much as he had only just before. When she looked back, her eyes met Percy's, and sea green clashed with icy blue.
Percy and Elsa were so entranced by each other that they only stopped when Princess Anna cleared her throat next to them. Startled, the Queen and Percy jumped apart, both blushing and looking away from each other. "Elsa," the red headed spoke, and Percy looked to see the energetic princess bouncing up and down with a ridiculous grin on her face. She was holding the hand of a fancy looking man, which Percy had to guess, was a prince. The Princess giggled. "This is Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." So I was right, he is a prince. He thought.
The Princess continued, "And we-" she was cut off by falling into a fit of laughter.
Prince Hans picked up, "Would like to ask for-" he too fell into laughter.
"Your blessing for-" Anna said, regaining some of her composure.
"Our marriage!" They both finished together. Percy was stunned. Anna had to have only just met the man, so getting married had to be moving way too fast.
Apparently Elsa was thinking the same thing, because her first response was to ask Anna firmly, "Can I talk to you?" She gave the Prince a pointed look, "Alone?"
Anna's reaction was instantaneous, she gripped Hans' arm and pulled him close. "No, whatever you have to say you can say to both of us," she stated, her eyes narrowing into a determined glare.
Elsa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Prepared, she looked Anna directly in the eye, "Anna, you can't marry a man you just met."
"You can if it's true love!" Anna retorted. Percy bit back a snort and settled for just rolling his eyes.
"Anna what do you know about true love?" Elsa countered.
"More than you! All you know how to do is shut people out!" Anna must have struck a nerve, because Elsa recoiled slightly, hurt clear in her eyes.
The Queen closed her eyes and breathed deeply again, before giving Anna a steely glance. "You asked for my permission, and I said no. That's final." Anna looked like she was about to cry as Elsa walked up to a guard, "Empty the ball room. The party's over." Anna moved to grab Elsa's hand, but accidentally pulled off her glove. Elsa whirled around, cradling her pale, bare hand to her chest and yelled at Anna, "Give me back my glove!"
"Elsa, please! Please! I can't live like this anymore" Anna shouted, sounding desperate.
Queen Elsa gave her a cool look, "Than leave." She turned around and began walking towards the door.
"What did I ever do to you?" the princess demanded.
"Enough Anna," Elsa had her arms crossed, and seemed to be shivering.
"No. Why? Why do you shut me out?" Anna kept going, "Why do you shut the world out? What are you so afraid of?"
Elsa raised her voice and shouted, "I said enough!" She whirled around and ice shot from her hand and made a deadly arc of ice spikes around her and the door, barely missing Anna.
Percy would've followed, but one of the spikes had caught him in the shoulder, causing him to cry out. Pulling himself off the spike he swiftly went outside and noticed that the fountain was frozen.
Stepping out farther, he realized that that it was snowing. As most of the people began to shiver from the sudden decrease in temperature, Percy quickly approached the Princess, Hans, and the duke and his bodyguards. As he arrived, he heard her say, "Tonight was my fault. I pushed her, so I'm the one who needs to go after her." The prince's concerns were quickly brushed aside as Anna called out, "Bring me horse, please!"
Hans ran forwards and grabbed Anna's shoulder, "Anna, no. It's too dangerous."
Anna shrugged off his hand and said, "Elsa's not dangerous. I'll bring her back, and I'll make this right. I leave you here, to take care of Arendelle."
Hans held her hand close, "On my honor."
Percy, seeing an opportunity to go after the cause of this magic, also quickly offered up his assistance, "Your highness, if I may accompany you on this. I am not inexperienced with rough travel."
Anna looked at him a second, before shaking her head. "No I must do this alone." And she took off through the castle gates.