Wow over fifty favourites for this one story? Thanks guys, so much. I'd be nowhere without all of you all supporting me. So as thanks I wanted to do something special. And thus a second chapter for this story is born. This time it's Elsa who has the nightmare. And Anna is the one was to be the comforter.
(Also I should note that I make some references to another story of mine, Frozen Vigil. If you've read that story then you know why the plot of that story can tie in here, but you don't have to read it to understand this one shot.)
Elsa gasped and sat up in bed. She was shaking and her skin was covered in a cold sweat. A layer of frost covered half the room and was slowly growing. She wrapped her arms around herself, more for comfort than warmth.
"It's was just a dream," She whispered to herself. Just a dream…more like a nightmare. Outside a storm was brewing. The howling winds did nothing to settle her nerves. In fact it only made it worst. Reminding her of the images that her subconscious had created. She past a cold hand through her hair, trying to calm down.
She managed to make the frost dissipate, but she couldn't still her heart which was pounding in fear. She wove her fingers together and pressed them to her chest, as though she were saying a prayer.
"It was just a dream," She repeated slowly, rocking herself back and fought. "It was just a dream,"
Was it? A nasty little voice in her head said.
"Just a dream, Just a dream," But it wasn't helping anymore. Her mind kept playing the images over and over. The dreams mixed with reality and Elsa couldn't stand it anymore. She had to make sure that it was only a dream. She had to see with her own eyes. She got out of bed and slipped on her robe, drawing it tightly around her. She moved silently in the halls, her muscle memory guiding her to her destination. She stopped outside Anna's door.
Very, very slowly she opened the door, wincing at the slight creak it made. She entered and went over to Anna's bed. She let out a deep breath when she saw Anna sleeping peacefully. She stayed there for a few moments more, as thought afraid to turn and let the younger girl leave her sight. Elsa reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Anna's face. She stopped when her fingers moved from the soft skin to the rough gauze that encircled Anna's brow.
For a second anger reared up in Elsa, hot and painful. She pushed it down taking deep breaths. Getting angry at those who attacked Anna now would do no good. They'd already been captured and sent back to where they came from. Anna was going to be alright. She was going to be alright.
The images from her dream…from her nightmare…flashed in her mind's eye once more. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it. Anna shifted in her sleep and Elsa drew her hand back, fearing she'd waken the girl. She stood silently for a moment more, but Anna didn't shift again so she quietly left the room.
Instead of returning to her room she went to the kitchen knowing she wouldn't be able to fall asleep again. The kitchen hands always left a low fire in the kitchen so it wouldn't take as long in the morning to warm the stone oven and the stove tops, but also so it would be at the disposal of the royals if they needed it throughout the night. And right now Elsa needed it.
The warm glow and tender heat was a comfort to her. She took out some logs and tossed it into the fire, stoking the blaze below the metal stove tops. The temperature in the room began to rise slightly but not to an uncomfortable level.
Elsa moved into the store room next to the kitchen taking up a bottle of milk and bar of chocolate. She poured the milk in small saucepan and placed that on the stove. While the milk heated she started to chop the chocolate into small slivers.
"Hey…" A sleepy voice behind her said, making her jump slightly. She turned and saw Anna standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey, why are you up?" Elsa asked softly.
"You," Anna said, "I heard you come into to my room. Well I heard you as you were leaving,"
Guilt bubbled in Elsa.
"I'm sorry,"
Anna shook her head, "It's fine. What ya' doing?"
"Making hot chocolate, do you want some?"
Anna gave her sister a look that said 'You even have to ask?' Elsa chuckled and nodded to the bottle of milk on the counter.
"Add a bit more milk to the pan," She instructed. Anna did just that, then hopped up to sit on the counter. Elsa smirked at her actions but made no comment. Anna quickly stole a bit of the chocolate Elsa had been cutting. She chewed on it slowly for a moment then she said, "So, you going to tell me what's wrong? Or are you going to make me ask first?"
"What are you talking about?" Elsa looked at her, raising one eyebrow.
"Going to make me ask then, alright. Elsa, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong," Elsa said returning her gaze to the chocolate. "Why would you think something was?"
"Firstly," Anna held up a finger, "You were just in my room, or do you normally make detours to my room in the middle of the night. 'Cause if you do, then I should be a little worried about you,"
"You really can't blame me for wanting to check on you after what happened last week," Elsa said.
Anna unconsciously brought up a hand to touch her bandages, "Fair enough, but the second thing, you're making hot chocolate, which we both know is your favourite comfort food…comfort drink? You know what I mean,"
"I like chocolate at any time. As do you," She indicated to the piece of chocolate in Anna's hands. Anna blushed slightly and put it down. Elsa took up the chocolate she'd chopped and moved over to add it the pan of milk, stirring it.
"Alright but the third thing is the most important,"
"Oh?"
"Your frost is showing," Anna said simply.
"What?" Elsa turned to face Anna. The latter was holding up a knife that had a layer of frost over it. The knife Elsa had just used to chop the chocolate.
Elsa blushed and looked away silently cursing herself for being so careless. The frost was an obvious give away she was upset. Both of them knew it. Elsa stirred until the chocolate melted. Anna didn't say anything more while she did this. The princess wordlessly watched as her sister brought the hot chocolate over, added a bit of cinnamon to it and poured it into two mugs. Elsa silently handed Anna one then slowly brought the second to her lips. But before it got there it was pulled from her gasp and replaced but something much larger and much warmer. Anna.
Anna threw her arms around Elsa hugging her tightly. Elsa didn't respond at first, a bit shocked.
"It's alright. You can tell me, whatever it is. But you don't have to. Just know I'm here for you,"
Elsa let her arms come up to encircle Anna's waist.
"I know Anna," She said quietly. Neither made any indication of letting go anytime soon so Anna summed up the courage to ask again.
"So, you going to tell me what's wrong now?"
Elsa didn't say anything at first and she slowly pulled away from Anna.
"I had a nightmare, about you…" Anna didn't say anything waiting for her to continue.
"I-I saw you being attacked…and…and when I tried to protect you…I-I lost control. I froze you, again," Frost slowly started extending outwards. Instinctively Elsa drew away but Anna caught her hands, cupping them in her own.
"Elsa, look at me," Anna said. When she didn't Anna repeated the request, with more force this time. Elsa glanced up, levelling her gaze at her sister. Anna could see the conflict, the worry and the fear.
"Am I frozen?"
"Anna –"
"Answer me,"
"No…"
"No, I'm not. I'm fine. Perfectly fine. You'd never hurt me. Never,"
"Your definition of never must mean twice," Elsa said in a hollow voice. Anna shook her head.
"No I mean never, as in never ever ever,"
"Anna, I know you're only trying to cheer me up,"
"Partly yes. But I mean it too. You've done so much; all because you wanted to protect those you loved. All because you wanted to protect me. I wouldn't be here without you,"
"You have that backwards,"
"Let's say we saved each other. Elsa I believe in my heart that you'd never hurt me. That you could never hurt me."
Elsa saw in her eyes that Anna meant it.
"How is it that you manage to believe in me, even when I don't believe in myself?" She asked. Anna shrugged.
"You're my big sister, you can do anything,"
Elsa found herself laughing at the simple innocence of that statement.
"Anna, you always know how to make me feel better,"
Anna grinned and kissed Elsa on her cheek before pulling her into a hug.
"While if I don't do it, who else will," She said. Elsa grinned and placed a quick kiss on her temple.
"You know, we have two untouched mugs of hot chocolate," Elsa said when several second had elapsed. Anna jumped back her eyes shining.
"I'd forgotten," She picked up her mug taking a deep swallow, "You know, you make the best hot chocolate,"
"Now I know for sure your just saying that," Elsa said smirking, all the worries from before long forgotten.
"Nuh-uh. I really mean it."
"I make it just like anyone else would,"
Anna shook her head, "No you add something no one else can,"
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"A large dose of love,"
Elsa laughed, "It's an extra large dose actually,"
So my special 50 favourites (plus a few more) chapter comes to a close. The first chapter of this story was the first story I posted for Frozen and the support for it was amazing. And for all my stories since. You guys are amazing and I wanted to say thanking for reading my work.
Nardagon~ until the next page.