Presently, Elsa took another sip of tea while she listened to Karen talk. It was odd. She had a feeling in her gut that she was sincerely interested in what Karen had to say, but at the same time she seemed to be a little tired of listening to Karen talk about her powers and how she and Kirsten interacted with each other. There a few instances during their conversation when Karen seemed too…bland for Elsa and imagined that Anna was talking to her instead so animated and expressive. Anna always kept Elsa interested and never talked her ears off completely. Anna knew how to keep conversation alive and fun without overdoing it. In all honesty Elsa had drifted off a few times when Karen was speaking to her. It wasn't until Karen asked Elsa about her time in prison that she had to respond so she didn't come off as rude to the visiting princess. After all, she would feel bad if she didn't respond to her. But she did feel guilty afterwards confiding to Karen about her experience being in a prison cell and being under attack. She actually had meant to tell Anna of those experiences a week ago, but she backed out on the day she was going to tell Anna since she was afraid she would further upset her sister. Elsa remembers that day when she had planned to tell Anna about being under attack and waking up in a prison cell.

Flashback

It was a beautiful day. The two royal sisters were in the garden walking arm-in-arm down a cobblestone pathway. Olaf was trailing behind them smelling every kind of flower her encountered. When they reached a marble bench- which would be the same bench Kristoff and Anna would sit on later, they sat down and admired the beauty of the garden. Anna had recently asked Elsa about any other events that occurred in her life while they were separated or what happened before they were once and for all reunited before Elsa thawed Arendelle. Elsa was thinking interesting to tell her sister since she wanted to entertain and pique her interest while sharing her life events with her. Elsa decided she would tell Anna about being in a prison cell and having to fight for her life with the Duke of Weselton's bodyguards. Yet the story never came. Anna had been stung by a bee on her right hand. Elsa wasn't swayed by her little sister getting a bee sting, but it certainly led to less favorable events which caused her to hold off the information for another day.

While Elsa was trying her best to tend to Anna's sting by using her ice powers to sooth the pain, Anna began talking about how lonely she felt while trying bring Elsa out of her room and one thing led to another and all the sudden Anna was talking about really depressing events that happened during their period of estrangement as sisters. Then she began to cry and Elsa didn't want to add to Anna's sadness so she forgot what she was initially was going say and enveloped her little sister in her arms, holding her close as if to protect her from the harsh winds of life. It was in that moment that she just wanted to make Anna feel better because she thought that since Anna gave her sunshine even on a dark and gloomy day she felt that it was only fair if she could be Anna's ray of hope of comfort. Elsa knew she couldn't be her sister's sunshine, but she hoped she could at least be a fraction of that. She held her sister close and rubbed her back until she calmed down. Afterwards, everything was a blur once she saw Anna's sunny smile on her beautiful face again. That was what mattered the most to Elsa-Anna's cheerful smile.

End of Flashback

Elsa brought her back to reality remembering that she was talking with Princess Karen of Denmark. Well, she was more like listening, but sometimes she spoke some words herself. Then it occurred to her that Karen must have asked her another question or something. She blinked a few times before recalling what she possibly had said.

"I'm sorry. What did you say, Karen?"

"I asked how yours and Anna's relationship as sisters is."

"Oh. I-Um…"

Elsa's mind was a blank slate. She couldn't think of anything. She didn't know where to start. There were so many things and so little things to talk about her relationship with Anna all at once. She couldn't decide how to begin telling about her relationship with her sister to Karen. The only thing that registered was a deep, warm blush covering her pales cheeks. But that didn't help convey her adoration for her sister to Karen because the Danish princess misinterpreted her response. She leaned in near Elsa.

"Did I hit a nerve, Elsa? I'm so sorry."

Elsa wanted to shake her head letting Karen know that she did no such thing, but her head wouldn't move. It was frozen in place against her stiff neck.

"I'm guessing you don't have the best relationship with Anna then. Have things been tense between the two of you?"

"What? Tension? Between me and Anna? No way! Well, maybe not a whole lot. I think I might have been a little too harsh on Anna when we were giving Karen and Kirsten a tour of the castle…But….No. NO. There's no tension between us," Elsa passively thought.

Elsa could barely speak which was very unlike of her since she usually always had something to say even if it was just greet somebody. But she lost her voice for the time being. Yet she went into a small state of shock when she felt one of Karen's hands gingerly placed on one of her shoulders in a very comforting way. Karen spoke softly to her as if to comfort and confide to her.

"Don't worry, Elsa. If things get really bad with Anna, you can count on me to be there for you."

What? What was that supposed to mean? Elsa finally forced herself to do something-she took Karen's hand off her shoulder before locking eyes with her.

"I'm sorry, Karen, but there's nothing wrong with mine and Anna's relationship. I just couldn't think of a way to even start to describe my relationship with my sister. By the way, what do you mean that you'd 'be there for me'?"

Karen blushed. "Oh, Elsa. I just thought that you have enjoyed spending time with me and we have become good friends and…and…"

"I have been enjoying spending time with you, Karen, and I do see you as a good friend. But I don't understand what you're getting at."

"Elsa I thought that you were drifting apart again from Anna and that maybe you would like to spend time with someone different from your sister, but much more similar to you."

Elsa couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew that Karen was trying to insinuate something. She just couldn't figure out what it was though and it frustrated her to no end. Rather of dwelling on the issue at hand, Elsa decided to ask Karen another personal question.

"Um, maybe I could get back to you on how things are with my sister and I. For now, may I ask how you got your powers, Karen?"

"Actually, I'm glad that you asked that. I didn't know if you ever wanted to know how I got my powers. But it does make sense though considering that I have magic powers you, but I still have my natural hair color."

"Karen, my hair is natural. I was born with it."

"I know that. I know you were born with platinum blonde hair and you were born with magical powers. All the surrounding kingdoms know that. What I meant to say is that if you were born as a normal human being, you probably would have inherited one of your parents' hair colors."

"So, you're saying that I born under unique circumstances and that caused my hair color to be different from that of my late parents?"

"Yes. I mean, if you were born without powers, what would your hair color be?"

Elsa thought about it for a short while. She never cared one way or another what her hair looked like but she did notice that her parents had different hair colors from her when she was a little girl. However, Elsa did notice that her eyebrows were a brown color and she recognized that she was practically a carbon copy of her mother. She looked back at Karen with confidence in the answer she would give her friend.

"I probably would have had brown hair like my mother, the Queen, before me. What's your point?"

"I think that's because you were born with magic powers. I was born as a normal human being."

"Then how did you get your powers, Karen?"

"It was five years ago when I got my water and ice powers."

"What happened?"

"Kirsten and I were strolling through town, going into shops and interacting with the townsfolk. Well, at one point on our little outing, I saw a flower stick out from in between stones on the ground. I thought I'd pick it and give it to Kirsten since she has been such a wonderful sister to me. Anyway, I bend over to pluck the flower, but I accidentally knock over a man's pail of water as I stand up with the flower in my hand. When I turn around, the man blamed me for ruining his potted plants. I tried to apologize to him and try to make it up to him, but he went on a rant about how snobby us royals are and that we don't care about anybody else except for ourselves. The next thing I know he cursed me with my powers all the while when Kirsten begged him to forgive a simple mistake I made. Once he cursed me, he huffed at me and was about to go on his way."

"What happened after that?"

"Luckily, some men were nearby and saw the whole thing. They took pity on me and dragged the grumpy man away. That was last I saw him, but I had to worry about controlling my powers. Since then, Kirsten has tried her very best to help me control my powers while our parents ruled the kingdom. She was successful at time helping me, but she's nowhere as good at instructing me as you are, Elsa."

"What do you mean, Karen?"

"It's just that it was hard for Kirsten to relate to me since I had magic powers. She couldn't relate ti me like we used to and there would be times when we would drift off and then see each other a few days later. Then we'd spend a week or two before Kirsten would get frustrated with me for not being able to follow her instructions. I knew she was trying to help, but she didn't understand what it felt to have magic powers. But you understand, Elsa. You have magic powers like me. You know, sometimes I wish Kirsten was more like you, Elsa. You're like Kirsten only better. You always are so graceful in everything you do even for a royal. Plus, it comforts me to know that you have similar powers like me. I don't know….It's like you're just as much as a sister as Kirsten is to me when she's not frustrated, but you also have all the mastery and grace of a tutor as well."

Something clicked inside of Elsa. She finally figured out Karen's motives. She was hinting to Elsa that she wished Elsa was her sister rather than Kirsten. She may have claimed she wished her sister was more like Elsa, but in actuality, she just wanted Elsa as her new older sister. Elsa wasn't sure how to react. On the one hand, she was slightly flattered to know that Karen thought she was just wonderful. But on the other hand, she felt sorry for Kirsten thinking that the older sibling had no idea that her sister sometimes wished for a better version of her. Elsa also felt a little disturbed towards Karen's words about Kirsten. Yes, maybe there are times when siblings have their differences and sometimes in small instances they wished for something bad happen to them, but in the end they would wish nothing bad to happen to them especially if it threatened one of their lives. Elsa could understand that part about Karen and Kirsten's relationship as sisters. What scared her though was she was certain Karen truly desired to have an improved version of her sister not realizing the uniqueness of her sister's flaws and why she's perfectly fit to be her older sister. Elsa simply felt bad for Kirsten believing Karen didn't appreciate for all who she was. Elsa knew that despite her estrangement with Anna, Anna never wished for a different sister. Elsa felt pride swell up in her heart knowing that despite what she and Anna had been through, all Anna wished for was to be with her sister which was completely opposite from Karen's wish.

Another realization hit Elsa hard in the head: Is it possible that Anna is avoiding her on purpose? Could it actually be? Elsa tried to think of Anna's behavior as of recent and considered the possibility that Anna was avoiding her. But what she couldn't fathom is why. What could she have possibly done to her beloved baby sister for her want to avoid her? Elsa thought of all she did with Anna before the royal family of Denmark came for their visit. Nothing came to mind accept when they had talk in the gallery but they had resolved that issue so certainly it couldn't have been that event. Elsa tried to think harder, but nothing came to mind as to why Anna might be avoiding her. And if she was avoiding her, Elsa had to find out why because she knew one thing for sure is that when Anna was trying to avoid her, which was a very rare thing for her to do, she knew something was deeply bothering her and typically it was a matter that was either serious or at least it wasn't so trivial. Usually when something bothered Anna it mattered to Elsa and was worth getting to the bottom of the issue. Unfortunately, Elsa couldn't keep thinking to herself. She had to interact with Karen so she wouldn't off the wrong impression. Elsa opened her mouth, but was promptly interrupted by a knock on the doorway. Elsa closed her mouth and turned her attention to the doorway as did Karen.

"Come in."

Kai peeked out from around the cornered and wedged himself through the half opened door to the parlor.

"Queen Elsa, forgive my intrusion."

"No. It's fine, Kai. What is it?"

"The King and Queen of Denmark would like to join you and Princess Karen for tea."

Kai went back to the door and opened it all the way for the royal couple to walk into the tea parlor. They smiled brightly at Elsa as Kai helped them settle down at the table.

"Queen Elsa, it's such a pleasure to see you and Princess Karen have taken a liking to one another. But may we ask where Princess Kirsten and Princess Anna are?"

"They should be in the garden with mine and Princess Anna's good friend, Kristoff Bjorgman. He's Arendelle's Official Ice Master and Deliverer."

"Kristoff, you say? He sounds like a charming young man. How old is he?"

"He's my age."

"Are you and him well acquainted?"

Elsa blushed. She had no idea that the king would insinuate such a thing between her and Kristoff especially since she saw him as a brother. But she couldn't blame the king for thinking such a thing. After all it wasn't a long shot considering what they had in common and how they treated each other. But she wanted to set things straight. She cleared her throat and waited for the blush on her pale face to disappear.

"Oh, no. We're nothing of the sort. Kristoff and I are more like brother and sister. But he and my sister, Princess Anna, are a couple."

"They are together?"

"Yes."

The King of Denmark leaned back in his chair in shock as Kai calmly poured him a cup of tea before tending to his wife.

"I would never thought that the younger sister of two would be in a relationship first."

"Well, it's not hard to believe. Anna had asked Kristoff to help her climb the North Mountain to come see and bring me back to Arendelle. It's only natural that they grew close and began to like each other on their excursion. Besides, younger siblings are typically more susceptible to romance and fairy tale endings."

The King of Denmark chuckled at Elsa's last remark.

"I think I would have to agree with you on that, Queen Elsa. The younger the sibling, the more they fantasize about true love and romance. Isn't that right, Karen?"

Karen crossed her arms in response denying that her father was right about her view on romance. King Frederick just smiled at her before returning his attention back to Elsa.

"You know, Queen Elsa, you're quite a remarkable ruler. You're so young, but you rule your kingdom with has much grace and tact as an experienced ruler. I'm sure that in no time soon will eligible suitors flock to your splendid home and hope to prove to you that can a worthy companion for you."

"Well, I'm sure, when that comes, I won't mind meeting new face. But for now, I'm perfectly content being in the company of my friends, loyal servants who are like family and my sister. I don't need anybody else for the time being. Even if I desired to have a man by my side, I wouldn't have the time to look for one since my kingdom comes before my own happiness."

"Does that mean you're willing to sacrifice quality time with Princess Anna?"

"No. My kingdom may come first in most instances in my life, but I make sure to make time for my sister no matter how long or short of a time we have together. In this way, I'll make my late proud of me as being the rule they hoped me to be and being the older sister they wished for me to be to Anna."

Queen Isabella had taken a sip of her tea before speaking up.

"I must say, Queen Elsa, you certainly are a dedicated and benevolent ruler and a doting older sister. However do you handle both?"

"My sister helps me rule the kingdom and our friends help us spend time together. It just works out for all of us."

"That sounds so lovely."

"Which reminds me, Queen Isabella, how are you and King Frederick feeling?"

"We took a nice, luxurious nap. Then we looked at the portraits and Kai showed us around the castle a bit. We feel very refreshed and energized. Thank you for asking."

"It's my pleasure, Queen Isabella. I only try to be a good hostess."

King Frederick took a sip of his tea before addressing Elsa.

"You're an excellent hostess and trade partner it I might add."

Elsa looked back at King Frederick. "Why, thank you."

"No need to thank me. I only state what is true. By the way, why don't you have someone to retrieve your Princess Anna, Princess Kirsten and Master Kristoff?"

Kai was about ask Elsa is she wanted him to go instead of getting another servant to retrieve the three young adults, but he stopped behind her chair seeing his queen rise.

"Actually, if you don't mind, I think I would like to get them myself. I haven't had the chance to get some fresh air and I think it would good for me to go outside for a while. Besides, I'm sure Princess Karen would love to tell you guys of her progress of using her water and ice powers and you don't need me here while she talks about them."

King Frederick gave Elsa an understanding smile. "Very well, Queen Elsa. We look forward to your return with Princess Anna, Princess Kirsten, and Master Kristoff."

"Thank you, King Frederick. Please, enjoy your tea."

Elsa walked away from the table and headed toward the door. Yet Kai caught her before she left the room.

"Your Highness, are you sure you rather have me go and get your sister and friends?"

"I'm sure, Kai. Besides, I need the exercise. It's not often that I have to go back and forth between the castle and the outside world. After all I hardly leave the castle grounds."

"I thought that you and Princess Anna went into town recently."

"That was nearly a month ago, Kai. But I probably should try and squeeze more time outdoors once and a while."

"Of course, Queen Elsa. Forgive me for stopping you."

Elsa gave Kai a gentle smile and placed an equally gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kai."

Kai nodded to Elsa and she slipped her hand off his shoulder before departing.

To Be Continued…