Scene seven- The next week

Elsa

Elsa looked at herself in the mirror. Her gown brushed the floor, silvery intricacy seemingly embodied into the very fabric. It resembled the one she had worn those glorious first days on the mountain. It bore her shoulders, with long sleeves and a thin waist, but brighter and whiter. Of course, it was all ice, so any amount of detail could be added. The bright light given by directed candles created fragmented rainbows on the walls, moving as she did. She thought all the finery unnecessary, but it was a special occasion, so she had to look the Queen. Her reflection looked back at her, confident and stunning. Elsa touched the mirror, and its surface glazed over, blocking her view.

Anna moved next to her and waved her hands wildly as she did when she was excited. "Ohhh! You look so beautiful! Donovan's gonna-" Elsa waved a hand and a gag of ice blocked Anna's next words. Elsa turned to her sister, face stern. "Don't mention him. Please."

Anna rolled her eyes and nodded. Elsa dissolved the gag, and Anna stared at her in puzzlement. "Why don't you want to talk to him? He's been here for a week, touring the city, looking at trade systems, interviewing people, and you haven't talked to him once!"

"I'm too busy. He doesn't want to see me." Anna scoffed. "Those are both lies and you know it!" Elsa sighed in consternation. "All right, I don't want to talk to him!" She picked up her crown and placed it on her head, making it larger and more elegant with patterns of ice all through it. Anna sighed heavily, shoulders sagging, and smiled knowingly at her sister. Elsa ignored her and swept to the door. As she and Anna exited, she was escorted by a pain of guardsmen on the path to the ballroom. A sad necessity, as they knew of someone that could walk through walls. Anna had received another message, this one with the words. One revealed willingly. Three remain. There was, again, no sign of entrance or exit. They held their pikes at the ready, swords sheathed, but they knew all too well that whatever they had could not stop a truly determined assassin. They arrived at the double doors used by royalty to enter the Ballroom. Kai was expecting them, and he waited for Elsa's nod before slipping in a smaller side door to announce them. Anna slipped next to her sister, and stood tall while they waited for the doors to open. They finally did, and they swept into the Ballroom together. The assembled nobility bowed and curtsied, and Donovan was instantly recognizable as the only one that did not bow. While the Ballroom was not nearly as full as her coronation day, it was still very not empty. Elsa took her traditional place in front of a smaller throne meant for less formal occasions, Anna standing on her right. They stood there and accepted compliments and exchanged small talk with various lords and ladies, only some of which had much respect for the crown that Elsa wore. The musicians began to play, and people paired up and began to dance.

One of the corner doors opened and in walked the trademasters, presumably late from various guild meetings, Kristoff among them. He looked distinctly uncomfortable with the fancy surroundings and persons. He had been forced to give up his furs in exchange for a more stately wool jacket and trousers, with his trademaster medallion shining bright on his chest. Anna looked anxiously to Elsa, who smiled and shooed her away. She hurried over to be with him, and he lit up just seeing her. They began to dance, Anna bright and graceful, Kristoff stumbling and apologizing every other step. Anna had gone great lengths to teach him how to dance, and he was still catching on. Elsa's smile faded as she considered herself. Despite Elsa's protesting, she knew that she had to marry someday if she wanted to continue her line, or else die and leave Anna to deal with the power-hungry nobles for a succession contest. She couldn't do that to her sister, but she really didn't want to deal with men right now either. As she was considering, a cleared throat turned her head. There stood Lord Donovan, with General Harid standing off a respectful distance. Speak of the devil, Elsa thought wryly. He wore almost the exact same oufit he had the day he met with her, this one with gold trim around the edges of his coat. He had his ever-present gauntlets on. He bowed his head, strangely bare in light of the event. "Your Majesty, a fine ball. Thank you for inviting me."

Elsa bowed her head in return, template smile returning. "Thank you for coming, Lord Donovan. Where is your bodyguard?"

His face split into a grin. "Being a wallflower. She is not the best at formal functions." Elsa looked around, and there, on the side wall, leaned Iy'ate, looking bored with the whole affair. It was good to know where the Uru'stai was, as their stealth was legendary, and Elsa suspected her of planting the notes to Anna. Donovan caught her attention again. "Tell me honestly, Your Highness, what do you really think of your loyal subjects?" He looked out and gestured to the gentry. He turned his head back, and there was a knowing light in his eyes. "I have seen the same in Arradia many times." She looked over the crowd, some dancing, some mingling. She said softly, "They pretend to honor me, out of respect for my parents, but they know they can do what they like, and I cannot stop them."

Curiosity flashed in his eyes. "Cannot?"

Her head turned sharply to him. "Will not. I will not send my Guardsmen to their cities to force them to accept me as their Queen. Lip service is all I need, for now."

He looked away, and she had to lean in to hear his next words. "I absolutely detest people like them. I would rather face an honorable enemy on the face of battle, unarmed, than one of these cutthroats in a Ballroom. They are as fake as their hair." Elsa could not stop a snort of laughter from escaping. Donovan looked back up at her, confusion clear. "Are you all right, Your Majesty? Was it something I said?" She fought to keep further giggles from escaping.

"The ambassador from Weselton had the worst toupee I've ever seen. It kept flopping off his head like a… never mind!" Donovan started to laugh, a soft sound that somehow reminded her of her father. Wait, had she really just said that? She straightened and stifled her laughter, trying to regain her solemnity.

Donovan looked to her and stated pleadingly, "No, please don't turn into icy Elsa again, I rather like the friendly one better."

She took a deep breath. "I apologize, but friendly Elsa must stay inside, for now."

He then bowed a ridiculously intricate bow, and said, facing the ground, "Then would Queen Elsa give me the honor of this dance?" He looked up at her with wide eyes, and she couldn't help but smile. Oh, but those eyes. So deep, she could drown in them.

"No thank you, I don't dance."

He straightened. "Don't or won't? It is an offense in Arradian culture if a future business partner refuses a dance." He stated straight-faced. "And anybody with that amount of inborn grace must be able to dance, for it would be a crime if they did not." She rolled her eyes and reluctantly stepped down to the dance floor.

A couple of nobles noticed and began to whisper. She raised her hands to dance position, and dearly hoped that she had enough control not to freeze his hand. She had to show them she was in control. They began to move closer when Harid moved in and spoke in Donovan's ear. "Of course." Donovan said quietly. He unlaced the chains around his wrists and removed his gauntlets, slowly and carefully. How had she not wondered about them? He handed them to Harid, and he took them and stepped back. She held up her hand again, and their hands were about to touch when a great spark of electricity leapt between them, making a loud snap. She jumped back, rubbing her hand, but strangely, there was no pain.

Donovan glanced at his own hand in surprise. "Are you all right?" He asked slowly.

Elsa nodded, thinking fast. Now that was something that hadn't ever happened before. They finally rose to dance position, touching again. Elsa winced, expecting something, but this time nothing happened. Donovan smiled, and they started to dance. He was incredibly light on his feet, with a strong frame that she could easily dance with. He led confidently, but not forcefully, letting her decide where her feet should go. They swept in perfect time across the dance floor, taking the traditional position in the center of the dance floor. He was surprised to find that he was the best dance partner she had ever had, since her father. She barely noticed the stares and shocked whispers of the nobility.

She whispered, "You are amazing! Who taught you?"

His wide grin stayed on his face. "Harid's wife taught me. And I should be good, I only learned a month ago."

She gaped. "A month?! You are the best dancer I've ever been with!"

He twisted his mouth in a wry smile. "Well, for someone who doesn't dance, I feel the same way." They reached a part of the song requiring close position. She moved in, putting an arm around his neck and he missed a step and almost fell. He blushed and regained time. She couldn't help but notice he smelled of wood smoke and a strange scent she had never encountered before. It fit him. As the song ended, they split apart and bowed to each other. She couldn't hold back the smile that emerged, a real one. She realized, with surprise that it was the first one she had given to another person besides Anna in over a year. He smiled back, and escorted her off the dance floor. Anna and Kristoff were waiting for them on the edge, and Anna ran up and embraced her sister.

"You two were amazing!" Kristoff stated wistfully, "I wish I could dance like that." Donovan smiled at him.

"Oh, it just takes practice, Master Kristoff. Of course, it helps when one has such an amazing dance partner." Elsa flushed at the praise, and Anna stated excitedly, "You should have seen the others! Some of them stopped dancing altogether just to watch you two!" Harid approached and handed Donovan his gauntlets, and he put them on hurriedly.

Donovan

Elsa and Anna excused themselves, Anna chattering animatedly, and Elsa smiling her real smile. There was an awkward moment. Then Kristoff asked Donovan, "Why are you always wearing those? Every time I see you, you're wearing them." Donovan fingered his gauntlets. "What, these? They remind me of who I used to be. Call me sentimental, these were the final work I gave to my master to become a blacksmith." Kristoff furrowed his brow in confusion. "I thought you were a warrior."

"I am, but I'm also a ruler, which always comes first. Blacksmithing is more of a hobby, now. What do you do? Besides ice harvesting, of course."

Kristoff shrugged. I used to play the lute, but now…" Donovan grinned and finished for him. "Now you're dating the Princess. Brave move, trademaster."

Kristoff's ears turned red. He stated defensively, "Well you seem to be getting along with Queen Elsa quite well."

Donovan paused to grab a drink. "When is the wedding?" He stated casually. Kristoff spluttered, and Donovan laughed. "How could you tell?" He finally got out.

Donovan sipped his drink, a light wine. "It was easy. I can see your love for her as plain as day, and hers, too. Oh don't look so surprised. She loves you with all her heart." Personally, Donovan was surprised she could still love, after that horrible incident with that evil Isles Prince.

Kristoff was silent for a moment. He changed the subject. "How did you get the Ice Queen to smile like that?"

Donovan stroked his chin, considering. "I really don't know. I didn't have time for girls when I was younger and they didn't seem to care what I wanted. I actually spent most of my free time running away from them."

Kristoff nodded, pretending to understand. "I spent most of my life with a clan of mountain trolls, so you could say I didn't get much human companionship."

Donovan reeled as if struck. "You have trolls, in Arendelle?! Trolls, here?!"

Kristoff stepped back from his vehemence. "Uhhh… yes, they live up in a pass to the Northern Shores."

Donovan turned around and began to mutter angrily. Kristoff caught the words, "I be lookin' for half me life, and here they be, the little-" the rest was unintelligible, cursing, or unintelligible cursing. He stopped, and turned around. "Sorry about that, my dignity escaped for a second there, but I caught it again. Nice talking with you, Master Kristoff, and I wish you the greatest of luck in your endeavors concerning Princess Anna. You are a lucky man to win her affections." Kristoff bowed uncertainly as Donovan hurried off. What a strange man.

Elsa

"Did you see the way he looked at you!? You two are perfect!" Anna squealed. Elsa rolled her eyes, but secretly wondered. That had been the first time she'd had fun in four months, and she still had chills where their hands had touched. He had been warm. And for the first time, she actually knew what heat felt like. She had never told anyone this, but while cold did not bother her, she could not feel heat. She didn't think her powers would let her. But when he had held her… She shook her head. She could not afford to lose her head over a man like Anna had. Especially someone as dangerous as Warlord Donovan.

"Don't say perfect. Nothing is perfect, save you and Kristoff." She replied. "He'll be proposing any day now, and yes, I approve. You two have been courting for four months now, and that's good enough for me. He's a good man."

Anna tilted her head with that smile on her face. "He's a wonderful man, but don't change the subject. We're talking about you, not me." Elsa lifted her head up and sighed. "I'm talking about you, because I don't want to talk about me. Go and speak with that Uru'stai, Iy'ate. I'm sure you two will get along wonderfully." Anna bit her lip, shook her head, and obeyed. Elsa watched her go.

Anna

Anna walked around the edge of the Dance Floor. She knew, somewhere, (she couldn't tell if it was in her heart or not,) that Donovan and Elsa were perfect for each other, and Anna intended to make it happen. She caught sight of Iy'ate on the far wall, shielding a yawn. She looked bored out of her mind, and as Anna approached, Iy'ate's golden eyes flashed to her, suddenly alert. Anna waved at her, smiling widely. The dark girl was dressed in the same style of clothes as she had when Anna first had seen her, the form-fitting leather armor, but this time her hair was pulled up in a fancy bun, with thin braids hanging to both sides. Anna silently leaned on the wall next to her, arms crossed. Iy'ate looked over to her with a blank, yet slightly confused, expression. She looked away quickly. They sat there, in silence, for the better part of a minute. Anna amused herself by watching Donovan and Kristoff converse. Then suddenly, "About the staring contest, I only lost because of Doni. He made me lose concentration."

Anna looked over to her in surprise. "I would have lost in another couple of seconds, but I won, fair and square. Who's Doni?" Iy'ate waved a hand dismissively. "Lord Donovan, as you call him. I have never used his title to his face." Anna turned her body to Iy'ate, shoulder resting on the wall.

"How does an Uru'stai end up in one of the Southern countries? I thought your people lived to the far east."

She replied shortly, "We do. I was left in the capital of Darahdia before it was burned. I don't know why."

Anna asked carefully, hoping she wasn't prying too much. "How did you meet Donovan?" Iy'ate looked to Anna, expression analyzing. "If you are worried about me getting in the way of your sister, there will be no problems. I learned he would not love me like that years ago." Anna's eyes widened in shock. "No, that wasn't what I-" Iy'ate smiled coyly and interrupted, tilting her head. "It doesn't matter. He will not tell me how he found me, only that I saved his life. I was two years old. He protected me from that time forth, taught me how to fight, how to move unseen. He is era'ti, to me."

Anna was confused. "What does that mean?"

"There aren't enough words in your language to understand. Elder sibling, protector, defender, all come close."

Anna looked down uncertainly. Iy'ate pushed off the wall and looked Anna up and down. "Tell me, would your sister give her life for you? Would she give up everything to help you?"

Anna stammered uncertainly, "That's a big question. Uhh… Yes. She would." In her heart, Anna hated herself for doubting.

"Well, then. She is your era'ti." Iy'ate stated confidently. "Everyone must have one at least once to be truly happy in this world. That is why Donovan seeks your sister. I cannot tell more."

Anna looked back at her, stunned. "Wait wait wait. What does he want my sister for?" Iy'ate smiled and said nothing. "Well, at least I know you're serious." Anna said, reluctantly. She changed the subject. "Well, I love your hair. Who did it?"

Iy'ate looked down bashfully. "I did it myself. It is a common style among Arradian warriors." Anna moved closer and gaped at the skill at which her hair had been knotted.

"Wow! By yourself? That's amazing; maybe you could help me sometime. Wait, did you just say warriors?"

Iy'ate nodded. "Yes, the female ones at least. I would love to see it on a man, though."

Anna shook her head. "Wait, are you saying they let women fight in the army?!"

Iy'ate looked puzzled at her question. "Of course." Anna leaned back against the wall, trying to imagine female soldiers. Iy'ate didn't help much. "There are more men, but there are a lot of women willing to fight for Donovan. You've never fought before?"

"Ok, girl soldiers, all right, that's perfectly normal in Arradia, wow." She then realized what Iy'ate had asked. "Of course not!" Iy'ate looked shocked. Anna's musings were interrupted by Donovan striding up to Iy'ate. "Oh, hello, Princess. If you'll excuse me, I must speak to Iy'ate in private."

Iy'ate shrugged to Anna, and said. "Maybe I could teach you how to use a sword. With the days coming, you might need to. Goodbye!" Anna waved as they left out a side door, still in a slight state of shock.