I have to say, I had extra time today after working out to write a another chapter!
Hope you're all excited!
Enjoy!
"Well Sven? How does it look?" Kristoff holds up the ring in the light for his best buddy to see. Sven smiles and wiggles his tail with delight.
"I like it too." Kristoff admires the ring. With the gem his family gave him cut down to a shimmering rhinestone and the silver band given to him by Elsa, the ring looked perfect.
"Do you think I'm moving into this too fast?" Kristoff asks.
"No! She'll definitely say yes!" He replies for Sven. Kristoff sighs in relief before another thought pops into his head.
"Or! Or she'll say you're moving too fast and say no!" He says again for Sven. He turns to look at his friend who had a sad expression plastered on his face. Kristoff shakes his head in exasperation.
"You know sometimes I don't like you..." He says in his normal voice. Sven just licks his cheek and returns to munching on a carrot.
"What if she does say no?" He asks himself while he stares at the ring.
"Her majesty Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" Kai announces as Elsa steps up to the throne. She smiles warmly as the guests bow in unison.
"Her majesty Princess Anna of Arendelle!" He announces for Anna as she stiffly pushes herself off the pillar to wave to the crowd. By now the tears had stopped, but for a little while she and her sister vented about their feelings towards losing their parents. It felt good to talk about their feelings with each other. It's something they haven't gotten to do in a long time.
"How're you holding up?" Elsa approaches her sister who was again leaning against the pillar.
"I'm starving! I didn't get breakfast OR lunch!" She looks in desire at the buffet table. Elsa giggles when Anna's stomach growls.
"I can't move, I can't eat, I can barely breathe! And I WANT FOOD!" She stomps her foot and bangs the back of her head against the pillar.
"Anna, you don't have to stay anymore. Why don't you go get that dress of-" Elsa begins, but is interrupted by Kai, two guards, and one young gentleman.
"Your majesty, I introduce Prince John of the Southern Isles. Prince John, may I introduce Queen Elsa of Arendelle and Princess Anna of Arendelle!" Kai announces slightly breathless from all the yelling.
"John! I knew I heard Hans mention that name! So he's your brother huh?" Anna attempts to cross her arms, but it made her even more uncomfortable and incapable to breathe. She just let them fall to her side.
"It is a pleasure to meet you John." Elsa bows her head at the prince. He seemed pretty young, not much older than herself. He had the same hair color as Hans with hazel eyes.
"The pleasure is mine your Majesty. We would not be meeting if it was not for my brother's completely unforgivable behavior. I would like to apologize to you, your sister, and the whole kingdom for the problems he has caused." John says with a bow. His voice was like honey, smooth and naturally pleasant to listen to.
"I accept your apology, thank you." Elsa responds.
"I do too." Anna smiles from her spot against the pillar.
"And I believe the kingdom thanks you for apologizing for Hans." Elsa speaks for her kingdom.
"Thank you your Majesties." John bows again and smiles. His smile was, well it was warm and sweet. His eyes sparkled when he smiled, and Elsa found this sudden attraction to the man standing before her.
"Ahem. Thank you John. Please, enjoy the party." Elsa gestures to the full ballroom. As John wanders off, Elsa nods at her guards to keep a close eye on him. Even though looking at him made her feel, different, it doesn't mean he's off the hook.
"Huh, he's kinda cute dontcha think so sis? Heh?" Anna elbows her sister and winks. There's a grin from ear to ear on her face.
"Don't be ridiculous Anna. He's the brother of the man who tried to kill us. Besides, you would probably think all of the Princes of the Southern Isles are cute." Elsa smirks and Anna just rolls her eyes.
"Please! I'm speaking for you! I'm already taken! Speaking of taken, I want to see my boyfriend. I haven't seen him ALL DAY! Now if I could just make it to that door!" She eyes the door leading to the courtyard where Sven's private barn was. And probably where Kristoff was.
"Go on ahead. I'll be fine here. You go find a pair of scissors and get that dress off before it cuts off your circulation." Elsa motions for her sister to leave.
"I think it already has!" Anna calls over her shoulder as she wobbles, with a bit more control, to the doors. Elsa laughs and decides to chat with some of her subjects. She weaves in and out of groups of chatting people, saying the occasional hello or giving the usual wave. When she reaches the buffet table, she reaches for a piece of chocolate when she hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Your majesty. How are you?" Elsa turns around to find John smiling and holding a champagne glass.
"Very well, you?" She smiles in return.
"I'm swell thank you!" He smiles, but this time flashing his pearly white teeth. Elsa couldn't help but let her stare linger a little long than it should.
Control Elsa! Stay in control!
"So...thirteen brothers?" She says the first thing that pops into her head. John laughs and nods with a sigh.
"Yes, thirteen! And I'm one of them unfortunately! I'm third oldest out of all of us!" he sighs with a smile.
"So that would make you...old...er...huh?" Elsa realized she was at a loss for words. She already had enough trouble talking to people, now she found herself stuttering.
"Whoa! Jump right to the punch huh! I'm thirty-one. There's a one year difference between each of us." He nods and takes a sip out of his glass.
"Oh, that's...old...I mean you're not old! You're just old...er!" Elsa wanted to hit herself for saying what she just did. John looked at her in confusion but just shook his head and smiled after a second. Oddly enough, he didn't seem like he was thirty, he seemed younger. Maybe the fountains of youth granted him a lifetime wish.
Deep breaths Elsa. Don't freeze the kingdom again
She thought to herself while wiggling her fingers to remove the tension building up. She was pretty sure that with each wiggle of her finger that there was a snowstorm starting in some far distant place. She silently apologized to that place.
"So how do you like being Queen?" He pulled her out of his reverie.
"Oh uh, yes, I like it very much. I'm happy to lead such a beautiful kingdom. My home." She smiles and examines her ballroom with admiration.
"I couldn't do it. Be King. That's something for my brothers to do, not me." He follows her gaze and sighs. Boy did he sigh a lot, but somehow, Elsa found it, cute.
"You mean your two older brothers?" She asks. He pulls his attention back to her abruptly and runs his gloved fingers through his hair.
"Uh, yeah, my two older brothers. They're into the whole rule-over-the-kingdom business. It's just not me." He shrugs and grins at her. Again she felt her cheeks get hot, a feeling she was not used to.
"I see." She smiles and forcefully tears her eyes away from his. As she does, the orchestra begins playing slow music that could lull a baby to sleep.
"Ahh, would you like to dance? My lady?" John regains his posture and extends his hand to her.
"Uh..." Right about now, she would deploy her sister and have them dance with her instead. Except, Anna had left. Uh oh...
"Of course, but I have to tell you I'm not much of a dancer." Elsa places her hand with his. He gently pulls her out to the center of the floor.
"Don't worry, I've got you." He smiles and pulls her close.
"Just follow my lead?" He whispers in her ear. She shivers when she feels his breath tickle her skin.
"Sure." They dance with grace across the dance floor and for the first time in forever, Elsa danced.
And that's Elsa night at the ball!
Opinions anyone?
Thanks to everyone for the support!
Like usual, RxR!