Chapter 2

Elsa closed her eyes as she started to speak softly "Because of my powers I haven't ever been able to be…Well, physical, so to speak and it seems my subconscious is a little…Um…Over imaginative at the moment…But I'm just kind of, stuck." Elsa trailed off as an image of her dream flashed into her head and her body responded by tensing.

Anna noticed her sister faltering and squeezed her again, whispering into Elsa's hair "Go on." Elsa started slightly but resisted the urge to pull away that shot through her.

"And afterwards, I'm kind of frustrated…" Elsa had to concentrate on keeping her breathing even as she continued "And it just reminds me of everything I'll never experience." Despite her efforts there was a definite waver to her voice at the end. It was clear Anna noticed as her hold tightened once again and Elsa felt a short kiss on the crown of her head. It nearly broke her composure completely but she focused on breathing evenly and eventually felt herself calm once more, despite the situation.

Anna also felt a profound sadness at her sister's words but, unlike her sister, she was an eternal optimist and her mind refused to believe that Elsa would not experience everything and anything she desired. It was simply a matter of figuring out how to go about it, there had to be a way and they would figure it out together, as they should. Once again resolved, Anna managed to catch herself just before launching into a barrage of questions that would have likely caused, at least, a sudden cold snap in Elsa's bedroom. She paused and took a deep breath sorting through the jumble of her mind until she realised that her first question was one she didn't really want to know the answer to "Elsa, are you sure your powers can even hurt you?"

"Yes" Elsa had been expecting that question to come up at some point but it still shocked her to her core and she silently pleaded with Anna to not continue that line of questioning. Thankfully Anna had already decided she didn't need any further information on that at the moment but she made a note to come back to it at another time.

"Okay, so we definitely need someone else." Anna said, in what Elsa considered far too chirpy a tone for the statement.

"And there it falls apart." Elsa sighed "It's just too dangerous Anna, I have no idea what my powers will do and even without that, who would want to risk it?" She once again started to pull away but Anna was having none of it.

"You are a young, gorgeous, magical, queen. Who wouldn't want you?!" Anna asked incredulously.

"It's just not that simple Anna." Elsa sounded tired now and had slumped fully against her sister "I don't want someone who wants me for any of those things and meeting anyone is difficult enough as queen. I don't want to just launch into marriage and heirs and everything, especially when I don't even know that I'm capable of having a physical relationship." Elsa thought that at least the depressing subject matter had distracted her from the embarrassment for a while.

"Well, you don't need a lifelong commitment to figure this out, just someone to help you for a little while. What about…you know, employing someone's services?" Anna blushed at the idea but she knew it was the most obvious solution.

"Anna, I couldn't do that. I just wouldn't be comfortable with it and if anyone found out…" Elsa trailed off as she imagined the shame of people discovering her indiscretion. "And still the fundamental point is it's too dangerous for anyone, including me."

"But…" Anna was quick to speak but Elsa managed to cut her off.

"Anna please, I have thought this through and believe me if there was a way I would be more than happy, but there just isn't and I don't think talking about it will really help." Elsa was embarrassed to admit she was a little aroused and being pressed against her sister's warm body felt inappropriate while in this state. The subject matter, though difficult, was also keeping her mind in areas she was well practiced in avoiding. It was frustrating enough that her subconscious seemed determined to plague her, without spending her waking moments being reminded as well. "I know you just want to help but could we just drop it, please." Elsa looked up at her sister's face for the first time since they began speaking. She found Anna looking down at her with adoration and glistening eyes.

"Elsa, I know this is hard for you but there has to be a way if we work together. You can't just ignore a massive part of yourself, look how well it worked out with your magic. " Anna said while giving Elsa a reassuring smile and finally releasing her hold on her. "I totally know we'll figure this out somehow. I mean, okay so your powers usually come from your hands right?"

"Yes, but not always, especially the more out of control I feel, and from what I know that is certainly to be expected with such…activities."

"I'm pretty sure we should be able to say it if we are discussing you doing it you know" Anna said, while bumping Elsa's shoulder to let her know she was only kidding around.

"Well, it's a good thing we are discussing me not doing it then, isn't it." Elsa could help smiling fondly at her sister, always able to make things better just by being her.

"Elsa, stop being so defeatist, there's always a way."

"Is there?" Elsa sighed.

"Yes, always." Anna replied still smiling.

"Really?" Elsa looked at Anna sceptically.

"Yes." Said Anna, nodding to emphasise her point.

"Okay then, what is it?" Elsa asked.

"What is what?" Anna replied, her expression suddenly shifting to puzzled.

"The solution." Elsa stated, an edge of irritation slipping into her voice. She knew Anna was only trying to help but Elsa wasn't dumb and she was sure she had thought of, and discounted, all the available options during her long years alone.

"Oh." Anna blushed realising her mistake but recovering quickly. "Okay, well…" Anna started confidently but trailed off almost immediately, realising she actually had no idea what to do.

Elsa watched as her sister faded into silence and started to stare out the window. She thought about drawing her attention but this conversation was pushing her already tired mind and the silence was frankly a relief.

They remained like this long enough for Elsa to start drifting off only to be suddenly roused when Anna turned, grabbed her hand and loudly declared.

"Of course, Kristoff!"

"What about him?" Elsa asked her mind still foggy as she struggled to bring herself back to full wakefulness. She looked at Anna's raised eyebrows and her face fell as realisation dawned on her "Oh no, Anna, just, no!" Anna's smile did not falter however causing Elsa to sigh deeply once more.

"Oh come on Elsa, it's perfect, you like him and, and he's nice, oh, and we'll give him a bath of course but you can trust him, he doesn't even know any people to tell. See perfect!" Anna finished with a flurry of her hands still beaming at her sister.

"Anna." Elsa pinched the bridge of her nose this was really starting to grate on her nerves but she was determined not to lose her temper with Anna, she chanted 'she's only trying to help' in her mind a few times before looking up again. Anna was still smiling but her eyebrows were slightly scrunched giving Elsa a quizzical and hopeful expression that reminded Elsa to be gentle. "Anna I'm sorry but it wouldn't work, Kristoff can barely stand to be in the same room as me he's so nervous! And I wouldn't be able to look at him if we had…If he had seen… Well, anyway I would much rather have a potential friend and not be any more awkward when he visits you. And besides you seem to be forgetting, it's still too dangerous!"

"Nope."

Now it was Elsa's turn to be confused "Nope what?" She asked.

"Nope, I hadn't forgotten." Anna was looking a little smug now and it was not helping Elsa keep her cool.

"So what do you suggest?" Elsa was just about ready to pull rank and order Anna to sleep.

"From arms length with pillows"

"Huh?!" Was all Elsa could come up with as her mind was immediately assaulted with the various images Anna's phrasing conjured up.

"Your powers mainly come from your hands, so you can hold pillows and whoever it is can tell you if you start to freeze them up and stop. And if they just stay away from your middle then it won't even matter if you do your ice burst thingy, it won't go anywhere near them. And I know what you're going to say but you're powers usually come through your hands first, especially if you're holding something and they only go super crazy with the bad feelings and these will definitely so not be bad feelings, so it will all be good." Anna took a deep breath "Wow that was a lot of talking, kinda woozy." She giggled and relaxed back, pleased with her logic.

Elsa considered Anna's arguments for a minute. She fundamentally believed that, however safe it seemed, there was still too much of a risk for such a frivolous thing. She was a Queen concerned with her country, a single persons pleasure seemed miniscule in comparison to all of her citizens lives. Elsa was sure she was right but was worried that Anna would not see it that way and Elsa found she didn't have a direct answer against her idea, it would be as safe as it could be for Elsa and her mystery companion, but that wasn't the point, any risk was too much risk. Elsa realised she hadn't said anything and looked up to find Anna watching her with a small smirk and a knowing twinkle in her eye that made Elsa a little nervous.

"You can't think of anything wrong with it can you?" Anna asked. "It's a good idea." She gently sang.

Elsa automatically wanted to reassure Anna, while dissuading her completely, but her tired mind could no longer keep up and she ended up just staring at Anna with her mouth a little open. She got lost in all the backwards and forwards that seemed to make up her life and ended up fixated on the fine strands of Anna's hair that caught the light and flashed gold, before they turned the exact deep red of an autumn sunset. Anna's smile expanded to a grin as she realised Elsa had no argument but then her brow creased as Elsa continued to just stare at her.

"Elsa?" She asked quietly while rocking her a little.

"Hmm?" Elsa said being effectively knocked out of her trance she focused in on Anna's concerned face looking down at her. "Oh sorry, I'm so sorry Anna, that was terribly rude of me." Anna was just chuckling now that she realised nothing was seriously amiss with her sister and that she had just witnessed an incredibly rare zone out.

"It's fine Elsa, this all started with you not sleeping so it makes sense you'd be tired. It's still a good idea though." Anna stated as Elsa felt her chest puff out against her. Elsa couldn't help but chuckle at Anna's smugness, she knew her sister worried about doing the right thing and helping people above most else. Elsa never wanted her to think she was anything less than the incredible person she saw Anna as and so reluctantly she had to concede.

"It is a good idea Anna, and seems as safe as it could be but there is still no one suitable…" Elsa had been going to add that even if there were it wouldn't happen but all Anna heard was that it was a good idea and Anna instantly committed herself to making it happen somehow. She immediately squealed and squeezed Elsa tightly, prompting a small "Oof!" from the Queen as she lost all air for a moment.

"Anna." Elsa tried to get the still squealing girls attention but to no avail, "Anna!" She tried again a little louder and started to struggle to sit up straight again. She made it a bit further this time as Anna was caught off guard but still didn't manage to completely extract herself. She turned to face Anna at eye level this time and waited until she had calmed down before speaking, "Anna, it's too much of a risk. I won't risk hurting someone, I couldn't stand it." Elsa tried to look down but Anna ducked her head and caught Elsa's gaze before she could. Elsa was shocked to notice that rather than an expression of hurt at Elsa not being willing to try her plan, Anna was smiling comfortingly again and looking at Elsa as if she was the little sister in their relationship for once.

"Elsa, a wise snowman once told me 'some people are worth melting for'. If he gets it and he came from you, how do you not?" Anna sighed as Elsa broke her gaze and looked down but Anna just gathered her up and pulled her back into a hug again, resting her chin on her Elsa's shoulder. Anna knew that Elsa just thought she wasn't worth melting for, but that was as silly as Hans sideburns and Anna would show her somehow.

Anna knew she would melt for Elsa in a second, less than a second, a heartbeat, no quicker than that, a hummingbird heartbeat. Anna smiled to herself, happy she had found a suitable level of speed she would melt at for Elsa, not that she could or would have to melt for Elsa. Why would an ice Queen need a melted sister, Anna found herself picturing being a puddle just sort of splashing after Elsa all the time, trying to flow down stairs safely. No that was just silly Elsa didn't need anything melted, she just needed someone to…'Oh' Anna suddenly remembered what her emphatic melting metaphor actually applied to and blushed deeply.

Sorry it's been such an epically long wait but I did say it would be sketchy and apparently I really meant it! Will try and not be quite so ridiculous next time but I've got exams coming up so might still be a bit. Cheers for the reviews, I hadn't realised but it totally does encourage writing (and smiling).