(A/N: Fuck.
Well, it's certainly been a while! I'm terribly sorry that it's been like what, two goddamn months? I hate to say it, but for a bit I was that author that never updates. -.- After a long hiatus, however, I have returned. :P I'm on a spring break right now, and even with all these new orchestra rehearsals I've got, I'll still be able to post a LITTLE more often. Again, I'm sorry it took ages, and I'm happy to be back. Sorry if my shit is a little rusty, I'll do my best to bring it back up. :D)
Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen or anything affiliated with it – it's a shame, it really is. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 4: The Ball
Kristoff stood alone in his apartment, contemplating the contents of his wardrobe with as much care as possible.
Under normal circumstances, Kristoff couldn't give two shits about what on Earth clung to his body all day, as long as it was comfortable.
This, however, was no "normal circumstance".
"Need any help, Blondie? I'm quite the expert when it comes to clothing – "
"Shut the fuck up!"
A smirking Alf entered the room. "I'm so incredibly proud of you," he said with a chuckle. "My young boy Kristoff has become such a man, get invited to the queen's ball by her Majesty herself – "
"I said, shut the fuck up."
Kristoff grumbled, eyeing a fly curiously as it landed on a plaid shirt hanging nearby. "I don't know about this shit – "
" – which is why I'm here."
Kristoff threw up his hands in defeat and sighed. "What've you got for me, oh master Alf?"
Two hours earlier
The ice harvester pulled Arendelle's new queen into his arms, chuckling as he did so. "I knew you could do it," he said with a smirk on his face, and Elsa laughed. "I – for a moment, I thought I was going to drop the scepter."
"Well, you didn't. We can all celebrate that," Kristoff smiled. "Speaking of celebration, don't you have a special little party for all of you dignitaries this evening?"
Elsa nodded. "Ah, about that…"
Her mood suddenly changed to one of shy anxiety and… why is her face red?
"I was wondering if you'd like to come," she said quickly, forcing a smile onto her face.
What?
"I know you're not really a 'royal', but…I figured, since you're Arendelle's Official Ice Master and Deliverer, I could make an exception."
Kristoff just stared at the queen. An invitation to the ball…?
Elsa's smile faltered. "I – well, it's okay if you don't want to go…" She chuckled humorlessly. "I ought to give it a shot, after everything you've done for me – "
"No, no!" Kristoff snapped out of his thoughts, sending a surprised look onto Elsa's face. "I mean, y-yes." The man stuttered, recollecting his thoughts. "Yes – yeah, I'll be there." He shot her a smile. "Yeah."
"Really?" Elsa broke out into a grin – a genuine one, and it warmed Kristoff's heart. "Good. So, that way, I'll have someone to dance with."
Kristoff laughed. "Being the queen of Arendelle and everything, wouldn't you already have tons of men wanting to be your partner?"
Elsa rolled her eyes. "I don't want to dance with any of them," she stated. "And besides…" She fidgeted a little. "I want to dance with you."
"Oh?" Why is she blushing so much right now? "Well...I'd love to." He smirked, adding, "I have to warm you though – if I'm going to be your partner, your feet will undoubtedly be bruised like never before."
She returned the facial gesture. "Oh, I'll take my chances."
XXXXXXXXXX
The ball was already in motion, and Arendelle's new queen stood in the center of it all. The preparations had been done wonderfully – there was enough food for all of the guests, and servants merrily pranced throughout the large mass of people, holding trays of drinks.
Elsa sighed and looked around. Already she had been greeted by dignitaries, many and many of them, and they all introduced themselves in a polite manner. So to speak, the party was going perfectly.
But it wasn't.
A certain tall, clumsy ice harvester was missing from the scene, and it bugged Elsa. Very much.
Of course, it was nice to meet all of these new people who had come all this way just to see her, but…if Kristoff wasn't here, then…what was the point?
"Oh, he'll come," she murmured to herself. "Sooner or later."
Thirty minutes flew by, and there was still no sign of the harvester. Elsa was beginning to get fidgety. She had already denied several royals of a dance in that time span, was nibbling on a piece of chocolate. If he doesn't come, then –
"Your majesty," an excited voice interrupted her thoughts, and she jumped to attention immediately. In front of the queen was a tall man in a shiny suit. He sported ginger hair and a joyous smile that had laughter written all over it.
"I'm Prince Aidan of the Lofoten Islands," the man spoke, bowing. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Elsa returned a quick curtsy, smiling as she did so. "Thank you for coming, Prince Aidan – I hope you're enjoying your stay."
"Oh, very much so!" His smile grew wider (Is that possible right now?) and he nodded enthusiastically. "I've been here for one day, and already I have come to love the love and energy these people have to offer." He laughed, and Elsa couldn't help but smile at his boyish but friendly attitude.
"How're the Lofoten Islands?" she asked him.
Aidan rolled his eyes. "Oh, trust me when I say this – they are so, so boring. I mean it, no one has as much charisma as you folk do here." The prince shook his head. "Maybe I'll move here – my life would be more fun."
The queen chuckled, and opened her mouth to respond, when she heard a loud crash. Along with several other people, she turned her head to see what was going on –
–And was more pleased than anyone in the world.
"Oh, fu – uh, sorry. Um, let me help you with that – ah, shi – "
Kristoff was down on one knee, helping a poor servant girl who he had crashed into with her spilled drinks.
Elsa, who was shaking with silent laughter, shot Aidan a sheepish smile. "Excuse me," she told him as she stifled a laugh.
Walking over to the mess, she raised an eyebrow as Kristoff got up and dusted himself off. "Shut the fuck up," he said in a hushed tone, and Elsa snickered. "This is my first time – yeah, there's a perfectly good excuse for you."
Elsa shook her head. "Where were you? I've been waiting forever for you to come."
The man smiled apologetically. "Sorry," he responded. "You can blame Cody and his affair that he dragged me into with his girl – mm, no, ex-girlfriend now." He waved it off. "Never mind, forget it."
Kristoff coughed uncomfortably. "So, uh…what do we do at these things again?"
Elsa laughed this time and took his hand firmly. "We dance," she said confidently.
"Sorry if I step on your feet."
"Oh, shut up."
Luckily, Kristoff only hit her toes once ("Ow, Jesus!").
Throughout their dance, they carried a small conversation that ranged from being the new queen to why reindeers are better than people ("They're not as mean, I'm serious.")
Elsa had an easier time, thanks to the dance lessons she received that Kristoff did not, but he still did a good job keeping up with the beat of the music.
As the song ended, Elsa tugged on his arm. "Let's go outside – it's nice and peaceful out there. Might help with your strange phobia of humans."
"Shut the fuck up."
The duo walked out onto the balcony, and a comfortable silence settled in the air. For a while, no one said anything. Then Elsa leaned on her friend's shoulder.
"Do you think I'll be okay?"
"Hm?"
"Be a good queen, I mean." She shrugged, glancing up at him. "It's just that, now I'm a ruler of a kingdom, and it's not going to be easy – "
"You'll do fine, I'm sure of it," Kristoff said fondly to her. "And if you ever feel like it's getting tough, you've got friends to help you out: there's Olaf, and Anna, and me – we're all here to make sure you're feeling good about everything."
He's so sweet.
Elsa smiled. Thank you," she said. "That's what I wanted to hear – I'm going to make Arendelle the most beautiful kingdom ever."
The harvester smirked. "Well, you already count for a lot of that beautiful, it'll be a piece of cake."
Oh my god.
Elsa smacked him on the shoulder, but she was blushing. "Do you think the people will like me?"
Kristoff chuckled, and turned to face her. "Elsa, stop worrying! You'll be able to show them just how much you care about this kingdom, and they'll realize that you love Arendelle just as much as them." He put his hands on her shoulders. "They'll fall in love with you! I know I already have, and – "
He stopped short, realizing what he just said. Almost immediately, he turned red. "Uh, well, you know what I mean – "
Elsa smiled. "Yes, I get it." Although deep inside, she did wish it was something more. Especially right now, with all of these things Kristoff was saying…he comforted her, he made her laugh, he was handsome…
"Elsa?"
The queen didn't hear; she instead slowly drifted towards the man, eyes locked directly onto his lips.
Her hands slowly traveled to his shoulders, breathing gone shallow as a small smirk formed on the corner of his mouth.
Elsa, now completely unthinking, closed in on the harvester, eyelids fluttering closed.
He's so close…he's so – "
A sharp noise rang out through the air, and a piercing scream ensued immediately after. Elsa broke apart, alarmed by the sudden outbreak of noise. She glanced nervously at Kristoff, who shared the same confused look as her. "What was – "
"Murder!" A shrill, feminine voice cried out. "Someone's been killed!"
(A/N: Once again, I'm really sorry. I'll be more updated from now on, and I'll do my best to bring my writing up to standards. Thanks for sticking with me, you guys. :D)
