After that day, Anna began to notice Elsa become more reserved. It started out small, with her not meeting Anna's eyes when she spoke. Then it grew more noticeable, with Elsa refusing to get closer than 5 feet away. A year later would be the day when Elsa shut Anna out completely…
"Elsa? Are you here?" Anna called, her footsteps echoing off the icy floor of the palace. "I want to talk to you."
Elsa appeared at the top of the icy staircase. "What is it, Anna?"
Anna stopped at the foot of the stairs. "Well, I wanted to tell you about the royal ball my parents made me go to in the Southern Isles," she paused, "The chocolate really wasn't that good there, for starters…"
This caused a small smile to reach Elsa's lips. Anna smiled back and continued. "They introduced me to this one prince who wanted to court me. Hans, I think it was?"
The smile was slapped from Elsa's face. Anna noticed the older girl begin to shake slightly, her hands clenching the icy railing. The redhead got nervous and started to ramble.
"I mean, he was really nice and all. He even likes sandwiches!" she blurted, growing even more nervous as frost began to spread out from Elsa's clenched fists, "I-I think that he's going to be visiting next month as a suitor. I'm still not sure how I feel about that…it makes feel kind of elated, I guess? Or maybe I'm just gassy, but-"
"Anna." The word was sharp, cold.
The redhead looked up to see that Elsa was turned away, her shoulders hunched and shaking violently. "Elsa? Are you okay?"
"I think you should leave, Anna." The quiet, trembling words hit Anna like a brick to the face.
Anna started to climb the stairs. "E-Elsa…why do you want me to leave? Did I upset you? I'm sorry if I did! Please, just-"
"No! Stay away from me!" a swirling gust of icy wind shoved Anna back down the stairs. Elsa looked down at her, tears welling up in her deep blue eyes. "You're not safe here, anymore." She whispered brokenly.
Anna could only stare hollowly as Elsa retreated into her chambers, the thick ice doors closing shut behind her. Separating them from each other.
It had been several weeks since that day when Anna had last seen Elsa. The image of the beautiful girl, eyes filled with tears, refused to leave her mind. Anna was upset with herself. She was angry that she didn't fight for Elsa. She was weak and allowed the girl to push her away. But not anymore! I'm going to see her, and when I do, I'm going to fix this! At this point Anna would do anything to get Elsa back, to see her be happy again. Without her I feel so empty…
She rushed past the cleaning staff on her way to the gates of Arendelle castle. Some shot her quizzical looks, while others had accepted it as normal Anna behavior. She stopped when she ran into something, or rather, someone.
"Princess Anna? Are you alright?" it was Hans. He was visiting from the Southern Isles in an attempt to court her. Everyone thought that they were secretly engaged already (Anna's parents included). But Anna had been so preoccupied with worrying about Elsa that she'd barely paid him any mind at all.
"I'm fine, Hans," Anna said quickly, not slowing down, "I just need to run an errand." With that, she picked up her pace, practically sprinting through the castle gates.
When she finally arrived at Elsa's palace, her path was blocked by Marshmallow.
"Go…Away…" the giant rumbled.
But Anna wasn't going to be deterred. "I need to see Elsa." She demanded, stomping her foot.
Marshmallow did not budge. "No…Anna…Allowed…"
Anna was surprised, and quite hurt, that Elsa had instructed Marshmallow to keep her out. "Please? I need to tell her I'm sorry!" she pleaded with the creature.
The giant seemed to waiver slightly. "Sad…"
Was it talking about Elsa?
"I know she's sad," Anna said, her voice shaking, "I'm here to make her happy again." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the big snowman's middle. Elsa once told her that snowmen loved warm hugs. "Please Marshmallow…let me see her."
The giant stared down at her for several moments before reluctantly stepping aside. Anna smiled and nodded, sniffling. "Thank you."
She rushed up to Elsa's chambers and knocked on the ice doors.
"Go away, Anna." Came the quiet voice inside.
Anna pounded on the doors again. "No Elsa! I'm not leaving until I see you!"
She was met with only silence.
"Elsa! Please don't shut me out!" Anna pleaded, her hands resting flat against the door's cold surface.
Again, she was met with only silence.
This made Anna angry. "Okay, you know what?" she shouted, "If you won't open the door! Then I'm going to break it open!"
She proceeded to repeatedly throw herself at the solid ice. Of course, this only resulted in a sore side. I should have at least made a dent in that stupid door. Argh! Anna stood there, rubbing her side. There has to be another way in…
I got it! She scampered down the stairs to find Marshmallow in the same place she'd left the giant in.
"I have a favor to ask," she said, breathing quickly from sprinting down the stairs, "Is there anyway you can get me up on the roof?"
Marshmallow nodded, scooping her up along with a giant heap of snow. Before she knew it, the big lug was pressing the snow in around her to form a giant snowball.
I really hope the plan isn't what I think it is…
Marshmallow launched the big snowball up towards the top of the castle, sending Anna flying inside it. The snow bubble burst on the icy roof, softening Anna's impact. She clawed at the ice to try and keep herself from sliding off. Finding foot holds she paused for a calming breath. I can't believe that actually worked!
She looked to her left and saw her target: Elsa's balcony. Slowly and carefully she slid along the roofing. Almost there…She dropped down seamlessly onto the balcony.
"I think I just used up a lifetime's worth of luck…" she mumbled to herself, in awe of the feat she'd just accomplished.
"Anna?"
Anna whipped around to find Elsa leaned up against her chamber door, staring at her in shock.
"Elsa!" she ran up to her, stopping only a foot a way. This is the closest we've been to each other in a year. The thought made her blush. She could reach out and touch the other girl if she wanted to.
"Anna…" Elsa looked away, "What are you doing here?"
Suddenly the redhead felt angry. She was frustrated that she and Elsa couldn't just be together without this, this, whatever it was between them. "You know why I'm here Elsa!" she said sternly, "The real question is why you made me climb on your roof to get here?"
Elsa tried to back away, immediately realizing that she was already backed up against the door and couldn't go any farther.
Her eyes caught Anna's for a second and time froze. In that moment Anna saw everything Elsa was feeling in those wide blue eyes of hers. Anna took a step closer. She had to see more, had to know more, had to feel more. "Elsa…" her breath was thick, heavy.
They were close together now, and Elsa had to remind herself to breathe. "Anna please…don't…" she didn't even know what she was asking for, her brain refused to function with Anna this close.
"What are you so afraid of?" Anna asked quietly, "I'm here Elsa," she brought her hands up to rest gently on the taller girl's shoulders. "I'll always be here, Elsa."
Elsa shook her head. "N-No Anna, this, I-…I can't-"
Anna's eyes misted up. "Why Elsa? Please, just tell me why we can't be friends anymore. Is it because I said somethi-"
A pair of soft, cold lips cut off her sentence.
Her heart leapt in her chest. S-She's kissing me? Anna felt her eyelids growing heavy. So soft…
They stayed like that for several moments. Their lips pressed together in a chaste embrace. Their hearts synchronizing, two beats becoming one.
Finally, they parted. Slowly, reluctantly, the two pulled back and just gazed at each other. Silence fell over them like a gentle snow flurry. Several moments passed with them just staring into each other's eyes.
Anna finally broke the silence and said the first thing that came to mind. "That was my first kiss…"
Both girls blushed prettily. Elsa smiled shyly. "Mine too…"
Anna grinned. She felt so giddy, like hundreds of spring flowers were blossoming inside her chest.
Elsa felt similar. "Anna…I'm sorry I pushed you away." She apologized.
Anna shook her head. "You were scared, Elsa. It's okay." She paused, a thought forming, "I'd actually be willing to forget it completely, if you do something for me."
Elsa nodded eagerly, "Anything, Anna."
"Kiss me again."
A dark blush spread across Elsa's pale cheeks. She unconsciously bit her lip. The look Anna was giving her was…dangerous. "If that is what you wish."
Their next kiss was intense. Elsa brought her hands up to cup Anna's chin and Anna wrapped her arms around Elsa's neck. Their lips pressed against each other over and over, growing bolder with each contact. Anna nipped lightly at Elsa's bottom lip, eliciting a gasp from the older girl. Elsa replied by brushing her tongue against Anna's lips. The redhead responded by immediately allowing her entry, letting out a soft moan.
Elsa was on fire, which was ironic because she lived in a palace of ice. She felt flames burn in her blood as Anna dragged her hands slowly down her body to rest on her hips. She was melting, but she loved it. In that moment she could care less what the rest of the world would think of them. All that mattered was Anna.
They finally broke apart, cheeks flushed, eyes darkened, and breathing labored.
"Anna…" Elsa murmured breathlessly, their foreheads resting together, "Anna, I love you. I've always loved you."
Anna smiled, placing a slow, passionate kiss to the other girl's lips, "I love you too, Elsa. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it."
She meant every word, too. Anna loved Elsa, she loved the way the girl would talk about a new book she'd recently read. Anna loved the way her face lit up when she ate chocolate. She loved the way Elsa tried so hard to be perfect at everything just so others would accept her. Anna loved how protective she was of those she cared about. Anna loved the way Elsa kissed her as if she was the only person in the world. She loved how selfless and effortlessly beautiful she was. Anna loved everything about Elsa.
"Well, well, well," a voice cut through their happy moment. "It looks like I was right all along. The Princess of Arendelle has a secret lover."
They whipped around to face the balcony. Anna paled. "Hans?! What are you doing here?!"
The man dusted some snow off his shoulder. "Why, we're eloping, of course!" a wicked grin spread across his face, "At least, that's what everyone will assume, anyway."
Elsa stepped protectively in front of Anna. "You are not welcome here; I must ask that you leave at once."
Hans drew his sword. "Silence, witch." He spat. "Here's what s going to happen: I'm going to kill both of you, and then I'm going to tell the King and Queen about how Anna and I were attacked by a wicked Ice Witch just as we'd finished saying our I do's. I'll be heartbroken as I solemnly accept the king's crown as your poor, lonely husband."
Elsa's hands glowed with her icy ire. "This is your last warning. Leave. Now."
Hans took a step forward and raised his sword. "I'm going to enjoy killing you, witch."
Elsa stepped forward, ice following her path. "I'd like to see you try."
Anna knew she had to do something. She didn't want Elsa to get hurt, or do something that she might regret.
"Wait! Stop!" she ran to the spot between them, arm held out in a display of peace. "Please, let's just calm down!"
Elsa saw Hans charge at Anna, ready to cut her down with his sword. She reacted on pure instinct then, shooting an icy blast straight for his heart. She felt powerful in that moment; nothing could keep her from protecting her love.
She didn't expect for Hans to drag Anna in front of himself like a human shield.
Elsa lost control then, shrill scream tore from her throat. Ice ripped through every flat surface in the room. A furious blizzard ravaged the air, hurling Hans right out the window. His scream as he plummeted was barely audible over the howling blizzard. Anna lay still on the ground.
Anna. The blizzard ceased immediately.
Elsa rushed over to Anna, cradling her love's head to her chest. Her body was ice cold. Tears fell down her cheeks as she saw the frost covering the redhead's chest. "Anna…Anna please…" she sobbed, "God, no…Anna…no…"
"El…sa…" a weak voice gasped.
Elsa's eye's widened. "Anna?! Are you alright?! Please stay with me, Anna! "
Anna was shivering violently. "I-I'm…c-cold…"
Elsa quickly found her light blue scarf and wrapped it around the girl's neck. Then she got up and yanked the covers off her bed, bundling Anna up in those as well. The shivering did not stop. I have to save her! At this rate she'll freeze to death…
I know, I know, I'm a jerk for giving you such a horrible cliff hanger. To make it up to you lovely people, I'll try to update again later today.