Author's Note: Manically trying to update this weekend the most I can, great premier Sunday, I'm ready for it! So bring it! After I will take a bit of time off and try to catch up with my 'work to do', so stay with me on this, I promises I'm figuring an ending out for this fic, so thanks!
"Hey Kid, can you pass the syrup?" asked Emma being sat at the table.
"Sure mom" he smiled widely, his hair shaggy and still wearing his PJ "So how was training?" asked the boy looking over at the two Queens sited at the other end of the table.
"Yeah, you guys were like hours out there" said Emma in awe
"It was rather exhausting, but worth it" grinned Elsa towards Henry then biting into her pancake.
"Yes, a good first day"
"Can I watch tomorrow?"
"Don't you have school kid?"
"No, it's snow day!" he raised both arms in sign of victory as Elsa mumbled an apology.
"Great, more time for you to spend with your grandparents, you could give them a hand with Neal"
"Sure, I'll see if they want a help or something" he chewed before humming in exclamation "Hey Elsa, I been wondering, don't you have a crown?"
"A crown kid?, that's what you been thinking about?" asked Emma amused and with disbelief.
"Yeah, all queens have one" he looked over at her "Don't you?"
"I…had one"
"What happen, were is it?"
"I threw it out the window" she answered naturally provoking a small laughter in him and his mother
"Why?"
"I got…carried away" she cleared her throat "but I think is in good hands" thought about her loyal Marshmallow.
"Well, I must go, there will be a meeting in the City Hall" said Emma standing getting another piece to her mouth swallowing down with milk "I see you thawed out great part of the snow, thanks kid that will make thing way easier"
"A pleasure" she sighted, it had been her fault, there was no need for retributions.
"Ok, I think I will work on some papers as the Mayor" she picked the plates up "Henry, you have to go to Doctor Hopper, to talk about you father" she said kindly caressing his head.
"Yeah, I'll get ready" he jumped out of his chair and up the stairs.
"Elsa" she turned around "Why don't you wander around town a little? Get familiarize, see another scenery?"
"Really?" she asked hesitantly
"Absolutely, take the phone with you, I will pick you up when you get bored"
"Well…sure, thank you" she stood up taking the magic -rectangle -black –mirror walking to the door with renew energy, ready to explore.
As she pushed the door open, a small bell echoed. It has been surprisingly easy to walk in the streets without being noticed, people were more concerned about the storm than the person walking in the other side other road. The white coat covering the sidewalks was finally melting with help of the sun and the local residents that had put salt on it. Comparing to yesterday's storm, today was fairly better, the snow was beneath the ankle level, unlike previous days when it was at knee level.
Elsa's eyes traveled around with excitement finding herself with so many books to choose from. There was no one at the front desk so she walked to the back part to the section of classic literature and adventure. In a different realm, the possibilities for new authors and stories were endless. She had already read many novels when she was younger and alone at her room and there were not many writers in her Kingdome and shipment rarely brought books with them, so for her, this was like finding a gold mine.
She didn't want to pick a book that was far too advanced or included terms or ever artifacts she wasn't familiar with, so she took one from a so called, Julio Verne, seemed really appealing.
"Someone here?" called a voice "I will be there in just a second" said the person in charge as Elsa laid the book in the counter.
"No hurry" she replied going back to the classic section picking another book. Meanwhile, Belle came to the counter finding her favorite book ready to be registered "I love this one" she said to the visitor that was out of sight "is really good"
"I have never read anything by that author however it seemed tempting" said Elsa climbing up the stairs to reach the fables.
"You won't regret it" she marked the zip code "It takes commitment though, is not really an easy topic, but once it engages you is hard to leave it behind"
"Won't be a problem, I love reading" she said sincerely scanning thru her multiple options
"Glad to hear so, not many people visit the library, is an old tendency that they have neglected"
"I could never" answered Elsa smiling to herself taking another one "I lived a thousand lives, explored a million places around the world and discovered so many wonders without ever living my room; books saved me"
"They did a lot for me too, if it wasn't for them…well, they pretty much defined me" got lost in the hard cover of the one in her hands
Elsa was attentive to her response as her eyes were caught by a title she hoped not to be reminded of 'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Andersen. She held the extensive handful of pages uneasy as she considerate it… Well, she deserved to know at least what her supposed story was about…
"You found anything else?" came the voice caring the thick accent thru the room.
"Yes" she replied absently coming down walking over to the front desk as Belle bend over to grab a bag from under the bar. When she stood up again, they instantly met gazes recognizing one another as their smiles faded and the light mood they had build up, crumpled into pieces within seconds.
Elsa's mind connected the dots as she released her breath letting her eyelids down "The librarian" she murmured to herself what Henry had taught her. When she opened her eyes again she had redirected them somewhere else, it was awkward enough for both of them.
Belle cleared her throat stretching her hand "Those too?"
Elsa saw the books in her hands and nodded giving them to her. As she registered them in silence, Belle read the title of one of them "The Snow Queen" she remarked highlighting the obvious.
Elsa pressed her jaw tightly with a shade of red accentuating in her face. Belle didn't said more after that as she packed the books in the bag "They are due in two weeks…I will put them under Emma's or Regina's name as a reference"
Elsa knew that the other woman had the power to deny her this pleasure, the fact that she facilitated it was kind of her, she was grateful for it "Thank you" she took the bag turning around ready and desperate to leave, but before she could give another step, she heard the other woman's voice.
"Can we talk?" Elsa stood in place rotating to be inspected by her eyes "About what you said concerning Rumple"
"I am afraid I have really nothing else to say about it"
"Please" requested more firmly "I want to hear what you have to say regarding the situation, that I shouldn't give him a child"
"I know my opinion won't matter"
"Indulge me then, don't you think you owe me at least that after offending my husband and giving me an ultimatum?"
Elsa closed her eyes softly shaking her head "That was not my intention"
"Clear your motives to me if that's true"
"I have nothing to clarify, I spoke freely then, I said what I meant"
"In that case speak freely to me once more and tell me why shouldn't I be the mother to his children? What did you meant by him being desperate?"
Elsa exhaled frustrated trying not to lose her nerve or outburst a storm in the inside, she valued the content of the library too much "Fine, but not right now, not today" she replied in low voice knowing she had been unfair judging a stranger and imposing authority in her marital life, but she had her reasons.
Belle was taken a little aback by her sudden cooperation nevertheless pleased by it as she smiled triumphant; she wanted to hear her side of the story now that she knew Rumple's.
"Tomorrow morning at Granny's Dinner, I'll be waiting in a booth" she said determined
"Understood" she backed away raising the bag "I appreciate this" refereed to the books as she walked out...
