"Do you want to build a snowman?"
"This will be your room. Mine is just next door if you require anything," Elsa stated gently, gesturing to the doorway.
Anna took in her new living space. It was like something out of a dream, a sparkling room made of glistening ice. There was a comfy looking white bed, a large wardrobe, a desk, a full length mirror, and a washbasin. What really caught Anna's eye though, was the beautiful balcony that overlooked Arendelle.
Elsa had been standing there, watching her carefully. "I hope it is to your satisfaction?" she inquired, trying to hide her insecurity. What if she hates it?
"I love it!" Anna beamed at her, then blushed at her own outburst, "I mean, ah, thank you for letting me stay here."
Elsa smiled, internally breathing a sigh of relief. "Of course, Anna."
"That reminds me," the red head stated curiously, "Why are you letting me stay here? I mean, I don't know you, do I? And how did you know my name? And Kristoff's?"
There it was again; the stabbing reminder that Anna did not remember her. That Elsa was nothing more than a stranger. Every moment Anna looked at her with those uncertain eyes filled her with pain.
And what could Elsa possibly say to her? You don't remember me, but I remember you, and you are the only thing I've thought about for the last three years. That would go over well.
Elsa took a calming breath to compose herself. "To answer your question, I am letting you stay here because, apparently, proximity to me maintains your health. As for how I knew your name…" she paused to think, her mind racing for a plausible excuse that didn't sound completely odd, "Everyone knows of the Princess of Arendelle, and her best friend the Royal Ice Master."
Anna wanted to smack herself in the face. Of course people knew who the princess was! What kind of question was that? Still…Anna kind of felt disappointed with the answer.
"So…" Anna drawled, looking all around the room, "What do you do for fun around here?"
This caught Elsa off guard. "F-Fun?"
Anna arched a curious eyebrow. "Yeah. You know, like 'F is for friends who do stuff together' and such?" she sing-songed that last part.
"I-I see." Elsa murmured, her eyes wide with amusement.
Anna's face suddenly lit up. "Oh! I know! Do you want to build a snowman?"
Elsa looked at the adorable face Anna was making and found herself agreeing almost immediately. "Alright."
"So then Kristoff was all like," Anna lowered her voice to do her best Kristoff impression, "I bet you thirty gold coins Sven can dance better than you. And you know what? The guy from Weasel Town took the bet!"
Anna and Elsa both chuckled. The two were just outside the ice palace, gathering snow for a snowman
"Did he win?" Elsa found herself asking with a smile.
Anna nodded vigorously. "Kristoff won the bet, but the really funny part was when Sven ate the man's toupee afterwards! I laughed so hard I almost passed out from not breathing!"
Elsa giggled as she placed the snowman's head on its shoulders. "That's a lovely story, Anna."
The red head smiled shyly, her cheeks turning pink. She realized that she really liked Elsa's laugh, and the way that she spoke, and a lot of other things about her too. She found everything the older girl did so endearing and, well… familiar. Heck, she'd only met the woman a few hours ago, and yet she was talking and acting like she'd known her for years.
She was brought out of her musings when she realized that Elsa was speaking again.
"I'm sorry, what?" the redhead asked dumbly. Nice Anna, you look like a real genius.
Elsa just smiled good-naturedly. "I was asking if you would like to give the snowman a name."
Anna looked at their creation. He was a cute little snowman, with a large head, twiggy arms, and a big carrot for a nose. "Hmm…" Anna thought for a moment, "How about…Olaf!"
Elsa's smile grew wider. "Olaf it is then."
For the first time in three years, the blonde felt happy. Anna was here again. Elsa was smiling and laughing along with her, almost as if time and circumstance had never separated them.
A deep rumbling drew both of their attention. Marshmallow's large form hobbled toward them.
Anna fell back into the snow in surprise. "W-What is that?"
"That is a snowman I made a long time ago," Elsa explained calmly, reaching down to help Anna up, "His name is Marshmallow."
Anna accepted the help up, noticing how soft Elsa's hand was.
The red head stared up at the towering snow giant. "You made him?" she asked in awe.
Elsa withdrew her hand quickly (much to Anna's disappointment) and took a step back. Of course Anna didn't remember she had powers. What if she thinks I'm strange? She's probably afraid of me now...
"That's amazing!" Anna suddenly exclaimed, waving her arms around excitedly, "Did you make your castle too? Are you magical or something?!"
Elsa felt heat rise to her cheeks in a blush. This reminds of the first time we met…
"I have power over snow and ice," Elsa explained shyly, "I made Marshmallow when I was a little girl because I wanted someone who could watch over and protect me."
Though Elsa's tone was matter of fact, Anna could detect a hint of sadness. "What about your parents, Elsa?"
Elsa shook her head, a sad smile on her lips, "They passed away when I was young."
"I'm sorry." Was all Anna could think to say. She meant it, too.
A heavy silence fell over them for several moments. Suddenly, Marshmallow shifted back and sat down in a big snow drift.
"Oh, he's missing a leg!" Anna pointed out worriedly, "Can you fix him, Elsa?"
The blonde looked from the sitting snow giant to the pleading expression on Anna's face and sighed internally. So much for never using my powers again…I can't possibly deny her when she pleads like that. "Alright."
And just like that, a large clump of ice formed around the giant's knee, growing outwards to form a brand new leg.
Anna was mesmerized. "That's so awesome! You're like a snow princess or something!"
Pink dusted Elsa's cheeks. "T-Thank you..."
"C'mon Elsa, let' play in the snow some more!" Anna said cheerily, taking up an armful of snow and tossing it up in the air gleefully.
Elsa could only smile fondly at the sight.
"Have you seen the princess?"
Kristoff wanted to roll his eyes in aggravation. This must've been the thousandth time an attendant asked him that. He sighed heavily. "No, I haven't seen her. And no, I do not know where she might be." He answered, anticipating the next question.
The royal attendant looked slightly affronted, but left him alone without saying anything more.
Kristoff felt slightly guilty for lying to everyone, but he refused to let Elsa take the blame for it. The people already feared her because of her curse, and the last thing he wanted was for them to think she was evil too, if they didn't already. That would probably result in torches and pitchforks and burning at the stake. He cringed at the thought.
"Everything alright, Criston?" It was Hans.
"It's Kristoff," he corrected irritably, "And everything's just peachy."
Kristoff was going to leave it at that, but a firm gloved hand stopped his departure.
"How was your day with Anna?" Hans asked probingly.
"What?" came Kristoff's immediate response. Crap! He saw us leave together!
"Why yes, you two were in quite the rush if I recall correctly," Hans smirked cockily, "And now it seems the poor princess is nowhere to be found…I wonder why that is?"
Kristoff glared at him. "We got separated in town," he lied through gritted teeth, "And she hasn't come back yet. End of story."
Prince Hans pulled a small mirror out of his pocket and used it to fix his hair. "Yes, well, I do hope she returns soon," He commented nonchalantly, "It would be terrible if something happened to her…"
Hans smirked at his reflection. Terrible for you, indeed…the prince mused.
Kristoff said nothing and walked away. There was something in the way Hans had said that last comment that made it feel more like a concealed threat. He always knew the guy was bad news. I just have to make sure that he doesn't try anything…
"So, is there any reason you chose the name Marshmallow?" Anna asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the tranquil mood that had settled over them.
They were both stargazing from one of the ice palace's many balconies after a long day of fun in the snow. Anna was resting her elbows on the railing while Elsa stood by her side.
Elsa looked slightly embarrassed. "It was the only name I could think of at the time…I thought he looked like a big fluffy marshmallow."
Anna laughed at that. "I can't believe you thought that giant abominable snowman looked like a marshmallow!"
"I was six!" Elsa defended, her face burning.
"Aw, I bet you were adorable at six, Elsa." Anna cooed, making a goofy face.
Elsa swatted the girl's arm playfully. "Goofball."
"Yep! That's me!" Anna replied, making an even goofier face than before.
Elsa laughed, holding her sides because her ribs hurt from laughing so often that day.
Anna paused to drink it all in. Her eyes traced over Elsa's beautifully slender frame as it shook with happiness; they traced over the soft contours of the girl's elegant face, noting the pretty blush that dusted her cheeks.
Anna was once again taken aback with how beautiful Elsa was.
Her heart stirred in her chest, as if it was trying to tell her something, but she couldn't figure out what.
Elsa noticed that Anna was staring at her and ceased her laughter. "Are you alright, Anna?"
The red head blushed darkly when she realized she'd been caught staring. "Uh, I'm fine! Yeah. Just, um, tired! That's it. I'm just tired so, I'm, uh, going to turn in for the night."
Elsa nodded with slight concern. "Alright then, goodnight Anna. Sleep well."
Anna nodded stiffly, her face still burning with embarrassment. "Right! You too. Goodnight, Elsa."
With that, Anna practically fled back to her chambers, leaving Elsa to watch on in confusion. I hope Anna's feeling alright…she looked a bit feverish…
Anna fell onto her bed face first, grumbling into the comforter. Why couldn't she just act normal around Elsa? Why was she feeling like this? There must be something wrong with me…
Ten chapters already?! Hooray! This one was actually very fun to write too (probably because I'm addicted to fluffiness). Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it!