G'day kiddies, lovely to see you all. Thanks so much for supporting MAIB, again! I'm at 219 followers at the point of writing this, and that just means so much to me. ; ;

Are you guys trying to break my heart with your sweetness? I can't take it! You guys, being in this fandom, you must know how weak our hearts already are.

Anyway, enjoy! As promised, some more Elsanna cuteness. Mature stuff'll be showing up soon enough, don't worry your pretty little heads.

Mending An Icy Break
- Chapter 7 -

Anna could barely make out the words, with the voices muffled through the thick oaken doors, but she was determined to hear what was being said. Pressing her ear to the door, after tossing a cautionary glance down either side of the massive corridor, the Princess' brow furrowed as she strained to hear the conversation through the wood.

"Do you…" The voice of the first man spoke, and Anna needed to slide her head along the door to find a better spot, with certain sections of the door being thinner than others, "…think that…" Another muffled murmur. "…kingdom would?" The redhead sighed, pressing her cheek firmly to the oak and practically burrowing her ear into it.

"Perhaps," Said the second man, "…time will–… she might. Would be good…" Anna bit her lip, eyes closing as she tried to put all her efforts into listening. "–Queen Elsa, would have to decide." Anna's eyes flew open, blinking.

Elsa would have to decide what?

Anna could hear heavy booted footsteps near the door, stopping by the wall, followed by the clanking of glasses – she could imagine the faceless man pouring himself a glass of water from one of the pitchers the handmaids brought on trays to the rooms.

"It seems more than likely, considering Arendelle's current situation with trading partners," The voice was much clearer now, thanks to the man's proximity to the door, which Anna was thankful for, "after those last letters, her Highness may not have any other choice." A second set of boot steps approached the first, and the man stopped directly in front of the door, accepting a glass that the first man had poured him.

"The kingdom of Lüztunel proposed again, did they not?" Anna could hear shifting, and she imagined the first man turning to face the second.

"According to Queen Elsa, yes," A small frown spread over Anna's lips; she knew that Elsa received several proposals weekly from neighbouring kingdoms–most of which were marriage proposals. Mind you Elsa promptly – though politely – rejected each and every one, which was more than alright with Anna. She knew her sister had no interest in marriage; especially to a man she's never met.

"And what has the Queen said?"

"Nothing," The first man replied, "she seems apprehensive to even discuss the subject."

"She must know it's what's best for Arendelle," The second man quickly replied, a sense of urgency in his voice, "it may not be desirable, but accepting the proposal is both her duty to her kingdom, and would secure a very advantageous trade partner."

No! Anna thought to herself silently. Elsa doesn't have to marry anyone she doesn't want to, not for Arendelle, not for anything. She was tired of everyone trying to marry off her sister, the sister she just got back, her Elsa.

"Yes, but you know she's very attached," The other man retorted, "and it will be difficult for them to part."

Part? What? Anna frowned deeply, confused. How could they part? Elsa needs to remain in Arendelle; she's the sovereign Queen after all!

Wait.

"Queen Elsa knows her duties to Arendelle," The second man piped in suddenly, "and she will give Anna's hand, and her blessing, to a worthy Prince. My hope is that it will be with Lüztunel, their army is unmatched and their kingdom massive. No doubt they have much to offer Arendelle, and we all know Queen Edith has desired to create an alliance with Arendelle ever since our Queen's…powers became public."

Anna's heart sank as she fell back onto the floor, her body shaking. It was her, they were talking about her. They were talking about sending her away to some foreign kingdom to marry a prince she has never met, like she was some commodity.

But you are, aren't you?

Tears were threatening to fall now, the familiar sting of them brimming in her arms around her thick black lashes. She wasn't the Queen, she was the Princess. She was the spare, the spare to be auctioned off to the highest bidder whenever Arendelle saw fit. She was nothing more than a prize to be won, but she had always thought–hoped and prayed–that Elsa would never send her away.

"The Queen is in a meeting now," One of the voices broke Anna from her trance, though she neither knew nor cared which was speaking anymore, "she had to meet with foreign dignitaries and representatives from Lüztunel to discuss the terms of the marriage between Princess Anna and Prince Arnulf."

Prince Arnulf? Anna glared down at the ground, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.

"Princess Anna?" The redhead lifted her head, a stern half-glare painted over her features, and her teary eyes on the pudgy woman before her. "Are you alright?" At that question the Princess' resolve broke and tears that were threatening to fall began cascading down her cheeks. She threw herself into Gerda and sobbed heavily. "Y-Your Highness!" The woman immediately enveloped the weeping Princess in her arms, holding her firmly against her chest.

Gerda couldn't quite make out what had upset the Princess, but between broken sobs of 'Elsa', 'prince' and 'away' she gathered all that she needed to know. She held Anna, without another word, and rocked her gently to soothe her. Fifteen minutes passed before the Princess was able to speak.

"Gerda," Anna's voice sounded hoarse from crying, "is…is Elsa going to send me away?" A fresh wave of tears brimmed in her shimmering teal eyes. Gerda slid her hand up to pet the redhead's hair.

"You know your sister loves you deeply," The housemaid replied, though it wasn't an answer, and it certainly wasn't comforting. Anna hiccupped softly and squeezed her eyes tightly shut, new tears running down the streaks left from the old ones. "Now, now," The woman soothed, "no need for tears, not from a beautiful young Princess." The redhead sniffled and pressed her cheek to Gerda's chest.

"I'm scared Gerda," She whimpered softly, "I don't want to leave. I want to stay in the castle, in Arendelle, with you, and Kai, and Elsa." Gerda knew her place, it had been conditioned in her, and yet every fiber of her being wanted to comfort the Princess by telling her things would be alright, that she didn't have to leave, that she could stay.

But, Gerda knew better, she knew her place.

"Let us get you something to eat, hm? Perhaps a nice cup of hot cocoa." Anna knew that Gerda was just trying to placate her with chocolate, as she'd done many times before, because Gerda really, ultimately, wasn't anything more than another servant.

Not that Anna saw the woman that way; on the contrary, she always felt a close connection to her. But she wasn't naive; she knew Gerda could never be her mother, and that she would always do what was proper and right. What was best for the kingdom.

"Okay, yeah," Anna replied, forcing a smile, "some hot cocoa sounds good." A wide smile spread over Gerda's lips.

"I'll get that for you right away Princess," She slowly released Anna from the embrace, "where would you like to have it? Your chambers? The art gallery? The library?" The redhead shook her head and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"I'll take it in Elsa–erm, the Queen's study." Gerda quirked a brow, but didn't press the matter further. She just gave a courteous bow, another warm smile and took her leave. Anna stood for a moment, alone, her arms coming up to hug around her once again quivering frame.

She felt oddly cold.

Ignoring it, Anna turned and walked back in the direction of Elsa's study.

It wasn't long before Anna was in the study, having closed the doors behind her, and slinking over to Elsa's desk. She stared down at the massive dark oaken table, which was long, wide and was covered with neatly stacked papers. Teal eyes scanned the intricate words written on the weathered scrolls, falling to the inkwell and the feathered quill to the right.

Old fuzzy memories came flooding back the longer she stared at the desk. Memories of her father sitting here, writing much the way she'd recently seen Elsa, though back then she wasn't even tall enough to see the top of the desk. Taking in a deep breath, she held it, eyes scanning from the desk to the chair, roaming over the deep purple fabric of the cushioned back and seat.

After a moment's hesitation she took a seat in the massive chair, drawing her knees up to her chest and leaning back into it. She tried not to think about what those men had said, but the more she tried to avoid it, the more it was in the forefront of her mind.

Elsa wouldn't send me away, she thought, all my memories are here. My life. My family. I'm her only family; I'm all she has left. A knock at the door shook Anna from her thoughts as she sat upright attentively.

"Come in." She called, realizing that it could be Elsa, whose office she was currently in. Thankfully, it was just Gerda, who came in carrying a silver tray with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a small plate with truffles.

"Here we are, Princess," Gerda smiled, setting the tray down in the only space on the desk, directly above Anna in the seat, "does the Queen know you're here?" She asked passively, taking the mug from the tray and handing it to Anna, who took it gratefully.

"No," She replied softly, raising the mug to her lips and blowing away the steam, "are you going to tell her?" Gerda laughed.

"Not unless your Highness wishes me to." That was Gerda, always so polite and proper.

"Is she done with her meeting?" Anna inquired, sipping at the warm chocolaty goodness, hoping it'd soothe her shaken nerves.

"I believe so, Princess," Gerda lifted the plate off the tray and set it down, lifting the silver platter up and tucking it under her arm, "I saw her exit the conference room, but she was accompanied by an older man and they were still talking."

"What were they talking about?" Anna's eyes lit up curiously, and Gerda stifled a laugh at the bit of foam that cling to the Princess' upper lip.

"I'm sure I don't know," Gerda smiled, "it is not my place to eavesdrop on conversations that do not concern me." Anna was most certainly sure that Gerda was, in some indirect way, admonishing her earlier behaviour. But she let it go, as she always did, because Gerda was always right.

"I see," Anna slumped her shoulders and hung her head, looking down at the thick liquid in her mug, "thank you, Gerda."

"Of course, your Highness." The woman curtsied again and took her leave. Now, alone in the room, Anna stared down at her drink. When the door began to open again, this time without a knock, Anna didn't even bother to raise her head.

"Did you forget something Gerda?" There was silence, aside from the sound of footsteps approaching her. "Gerda?" Anna asked again, her head lifting and her teal eyes meeting icy blue.

"You were expecting someone else, while in my study? In my chair, at my desk?" With that, Elsa extended a hand and swiped her thumb over Anna's upper lip, removing the bit of chocolate foam that remained. Anna's lip quivered, feeling the cold touch of Elsa, with the full brunt of the realization that she might never feel that touch again hitting her like a ton of bricks. The Queen stared, confused by Anna's silence, and took notice of the redness around Anna's eyes as they began to gloss over with new yet to be shed tears. "Anna? Have you been crying?"

Damn it. Why do people have to ask her things?

A new wave of sobs and hiccups escaped the Princess unwittingly. Immediately, Elsa's hands found Anna's cheeks, and she frantically wiped at the tears with the pads of her thumbs.

"Anna, shh, what's wrong?" Elsa's eyes were wide with worry.

Stop asking questions, please.

The mug shattered as it hit the ground, having slipped from Anna's shaking hands, and splintered into fine pieces of china. The remaining warm liquid spread out over the floor, touching Elsa's shoes, though she paid it no mind. She was far too focused on her sister, who was nearly hysterical, crying heavily.

"Anna, I don't understand, what happened? Did someone hurt you?" Elsa could feel herself losing control, her powers flaring up, as frost froze over the warm liquid and the floorboards around her feet. "If someone hurt you–"

"P-Please…Elsa–I… don't…!" Anna shook violently, unable to contain it. She gripped the front of Elsa's dress, curling her fingers into the fabric and digging in with her nails. "Don't make me leave, p-please!" The blonde's eyes shot open and she stared.

"Leave? Anna, why would I? Where would you…–why do you think I'm sending you anywhere?" Anna continued to cry, tears streaming down her face, staining the front of Elsa's dress.

"I don't want to go, please don't send me away, I promise I can be good! I'll help you, and I'll stop stealing chocolates from the kitchen, I-I'll even stop t-the kisses–" Elsa forcibly silenced Anna's cries, pressing her lips firmly to her sister's. The Queen noted that she tasted vaguely of the hot cocoa she was drinking, but quickly brushed the thought aside when the salty taste of tears mixed in. Anna was still shaking a bit when the kiss broke, but she wasn't crying anymore, though her eyes were wide and shimmering from the tears. "E-Elsa…?" The Queen smiled, still cupping Anna's cheeks in her hands.

"I would never send you away, I couldn't," She leaned in and kissed Anna's forehead, "why would you think that?" The Princess sniffled.

"B-Because…I heard…they said I was going to be given to Prince Arnulf…that you were going to give me away…it's your duty." Elsa's eyes flashed darkly, something cold and sinister behind her gaze.

"Who? Who said those things to you?" Anna breathed softly, trying to calm herself still.

"No one said it to me…" She murmured shyly, eyes flicking down, "I just sort of overheard a conversation." Elsa turned her head and leaned in, pressing another searing kiss to Anna's lips.

"Listen to me, Anna," She said sternly, though sweetly, a sort of tone only Elsa could manage, "I'm never going to give you away," The blonde wrinkled her nose at the words, "you may be Arendelle's Princess, but you are also my sister, my Anna. You are not something I can give away, you're my baby sister and I will always love and cherish you." Anna felt her heart swell at those words, the comfort and reassurance she found in them almost more than she could handle.

"So I can always stay here, with you?" Anna asked, her voice soft. Here she was again, Elsa thought, reassuring her sister who was looking for security and comfort in her. She was determined to never let Anna go without it again.

"You don't need my permission, this is your home as much as mine," Elsa stole another small kiss, "but yes, you will stay here, with…me." Anna blushed and smiled happily.

"I love you, Elsa, I mean it." It was the Queen's turn to blush.

"I love you too Anna, so much." The two stood together for a moment, enjoying each other's closeness, before Anna abruptly pulled away.

"Do you want to sleep in my room tonight?" She practically blurted out, tripping a little over her own words. Elsa's blush crept all the way down her neck and across her face to her ears.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Anna wrung her hands out nervously.

"Like when we were kids and we'd sometimes share a bed," She elaborated, "if you don't want to I'll understand." Elsa bit her lip, looking Anna's sweet innocent expression over, caving instantly. She was never going to say no to this girl again, she was sure of it.

"Of course Anna, I would like to." It was the redhead's turn to blush deeply, leaning in and pressing a quick peck to Elsa's lips.

"So I'll see you then?" She smiled. Elsa nodded and drew her hands back, watching as Anna hopped off her chair and walked to the door.

"Yes, you will," Elsa replied, barely having enough time to answer Anna before her sister slipped out the door. The Queen couldn't help the fond smile on her lips, sliding into the now vacant seat and turning her attention to her papers. A small letter was situated at the corner, a royal insignia sealed in wax on the broken seam. Elsa sighed deeply, taking the letter in hand, opening a drawer and stuffing it in before slamming it shut. "I don't know what to do…" Elsa leaned over the desk, elbows propped up against it and her head in her hands. She stared down at the wood, boring holes into it with the intensity of her gaze, as snowflakes began to fall around her.