This had to be perfect.
A ball was held to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Elsa's coronation. She had seen to it that it would be different every year, just to keep things interesting.
Elsa took a deep breath before walking over to the platform, just in front of where her throne is currently residing. Kai cleared his throat before calling the attention of all of the party-goers inside the hall.
"Presenting, Queen Elsa of Arendelle." Kai projected, and Elsa smiled at her people. Anna grinned at her sister before walking over to her, taking her spot next to her.
"Princess Anna of Arendelle." Kai continued. He saw Elise run towards Elsa, hiding behind her dress. She was still fairly small, even for a three-going-on-four year old. Elsa put her hand on the crown of her daughter's head, smiling down at her to help calm her nerves.
The crowd had risen from their bows and had gone back to the festivities. Anna had gone off to join Kristoff, who was currently blended in the crowd. Elsa spotted a small group of children in the corner of the hall who were playing around, and she immediately seized the opportunity. She knelt down so she could meet Elise eye level and smiled softly.
"Would you like to play with them, little love?" Elsa asked, pointing at the group. Before Elise could respond, Elsa continued. "I'll just be around."
"But you'll be alone," Elise mused thoughtfully. She was very observant, and she pieced everything up from her daily activities. Her Aunt Anna had Uncle Kristoff, Olaf was always with Sven, and her Mama just had her. If she left, she would be by herself. She knew how that felt, so she didn't want Elsa to feel the same thing.
"Oh, Elise," Elsa smiled, pulling her into a hug before kissing her head. "I just wanted you to make new friends, and I promise I'll make a few of my own tonight. I think we both need that."
"Okay," Elise reluctantly agreed. Elsa kissed her cheek once again before releasing her from her hug.
"Go on," Elsa urged, watching as her daughter walked away from her and towards the group of children. She herself joined the older fellows, smiling and making small talk. Despite having three years of experience, she still had to try her best not to look or sound awkward.
"Good evening, your majesty," A rich, rough velvety voice greeted her from behind, and Elsa turned around, entranced by the sound. She saw that he was positioned in a formal bow, but his head was snapped up so he could meet the queen's gaze.
He stood up from his bow and saw that he was a head taller that her. He was slightly lanky with a bit of muscle. He had dark brown hair, almost black, his jaw well-defined and free from stubble, and his eyes were an intense cobalt blue. Elsa thought that overall, he looked quite attractive, but he also looked quite mysterious and sophisticated.
"Would you care for a dance?" He offered boldly, his palm open in invitation. Elsa smiled before retorting.
"I would care to know your name first, good sir," Elsa mused, but caught herself immediately what she realized what she was doing. She was absolutely smitten!
"M-my apologies, your majesty," The man stammered, all traces of confidence gone. He composed himself immediately before taking Elsa's hand and kissing it, making her blush. "I am Prince Erik of Linthelles."
Elsa found him quite endearing. To make him slightly more comfortable, she curtsied in response.
"Such a beautiful place," Elsa commented, remembering her trip to said kingdom around two years back, way before she had adopted Elise. She wasn't able to meet the prince during her visit; she would've remembered him if she did. "It is quite far, though."
"That explains why I am staying in Arendelle for a month. I much prefer the cold weather, anyway . . . natural or not." He grinned, even winking at the queen. Elsa mocked a gasp before playfully swatting his arm.
"My, my, Prince Erik," Elsa exaggerated. "Are you trying to woo me?"
"That depends. Were my attempts effective?" Prince Erik smiled, stepping closer to the queen. He was still at a respectable distance; he knew his limits.
"Hmm, I don't know," Elsa grinned, looking jovial but was actually contemplating whether to allow herself to be swept away by this stranger or to just run. When Elsa felt him take her hand again, she had a gut feeling that she should just give the poor boy a chance.
"How about a dance then, to sort everything out." Erik grinned charmingly, further reeling Elsa in.
Elise approached the children who were running around, immersed in their game of tag. Breathing deeply, she walked towards them, unnerved by her past experience with that retched game.
"May I join?" Elise asked tentatively, and all of the children paused before agreeing, no undertone of mischievousness. All of them were extremely sheltered; they must've craved human interaction with children their age.
"What's your name?" A girl piped up. She looked to be around Elise's age. She was spunky, but was hard not to like. She puffed out her chest before announcing regally, "I'm Princess Maddy of the Western Isles."
"Elise," She grinned with her pearly white baby teeth, immediately liking Maddy for being so open. She then thought how Maddy introduced herself with her title, making her wonder if she had one. Maybe she did, but she just didn't know.
She'd ask Elsa later. She would know.
"You're not a princess?" A boy asked. He wasn't trying to call her out or be rude; he was simply curious.
"I don't know," Elise shrugged her shoulders. She wanted to be a princess, that's for sure, but she wasn't sure if really she was.
"Come on, let's play!" Maddy interrupted with a grunt, taking a hold of Elise's hand and dragged her towards the other children.
Elsa and Erik were lost in their own little world, talking about common interests as they slowly swayed back and forth in one area of the hall. Elsa was cautious enough to keep her guard up just in case something happened, but a small voice at the back of her mind was telling her to at least enjoy.
"Are you alright?" Erik asked, his voice low but soothing. Elsa nodded a bit, trying to clear her head of the internal battle.
"I'm great," Elsa breathed. Erik smiled before holding her closer. The feeling was foreign to Elsa, trying her best to act natural. She took deep breaths before allowing herself to melt in his embrace right when he hummed the tune the band was playing.
Elise was happily getting along with her newfound friends, but her thoughts flew back to Elsa. Was she enjoying as much she was?
"I'm going to go to my mama for a while," Elise told Maddy, and she nodded her head in understanding.
"Come back when you're done, okay?" Maddy made her promise, and Elise laughed before agreeing.
Elise walked ahead, searching for a blonde head. When she eventually did, though, she was not expecting that blonde head to be resting on the chest of a brunette one. She looked at Elsa's face and she saw that she was smiling, her eyes closed. She looked up at the man and saw that he was looking down on Elsa, an adoring grin on his face. He looked around and was able to spot Elise, who was standing frozen in her place.
"Are you looking for your parents, little one?" The man asked Elise. When Elsa heard him speak, she was out of her little bubble and separated herself from Erik. She blushed before walking over to Elise, picking her up and settling her on her hip, then she rested her head on Elsa's chest.
"Hello there, baby," Elsa smiled, kissing her cheek.
Moment of truth. He's shared so much; time to see if he'd accept me even after this. "Erik, I would like you to meet Elise," Elsa smiled proudly, not even a hint of shame evident in her voice. "My daughter."
Erik tried his best to mask the surprised look that took over his face, but then looked down to get a really good look at her. She had light brown hair, blue eyes, but not matching the shade of Elsa's. She was a pinkish white, a splattering of freckles on her nose and cheeks. She didn't look at all like Elsa, and since there was no man in her life, he would only assume that she was adopted.
"I understand if you do not want to . . . associate yourself with me anymore," Elsa said, jumping into conclusions when she saw his reaction. They were like a package deal. Every single time she told her suitors that she had a daughter, they would smile politely but never contact her again.
Elsa was about to walk away when she felt a hand gently tug at her elbow, making her face him.
"Once again, I completely apologize for my reaction," Erik said sullenly to Elsa, his eyes showing nothing but sincerity. He bent his knees, positioning himself in an awkward squat just to meet Elise eye to eye.
"Hello there, Elise. I'm afraid we've gotten off to the wrong start," Erik apologized, holding his hand out for him to shake. Elise was just as entranced with his voice as Elsa was. It was rough, but it was warm. "I'm Erik."
"I like how you talk," Elise smiled a bit, starting to get comfortable with him. "Sounds nice."
"That's good to know, little one," Erik chuckled, stroking the small girl's cheek with his finger. His eyes looked up and saw Elsa looking at him, trying to hide a toothy grin.
"Mama," Elise looked up, and she immediately got her mother's attention.
"Yes, little love?"
"Am I a real princess?" She wondered. Elsa didn't want to disappoint her, so she delayed.
"What brought this on?"
"We were playing and they're all real Princes and Princesses and I don't know what I am. Am I a princess like them, Mama?" Elise never thought she would feel insecure about this issue, but apparently she was, since a few tears spilled from her eyes.
"Whatever happens, little love, you're my little princess, and that's all that matters," Elsa soothed, wiping away her tears. During this, Erik had taken the initiative to usher them to a secluded area so they wouldn't be interrupted.
"Erik?" Elise asked, surprising both him and Elsa.
"Yes, little one?" Erik asked, his tone extremely gentle. With a little bit of hesitation, Elise had reached out for him, and without a second thought, he took him from Elsa's arms, settling her in his own. Elise reached up to clasp her arms around his neck, and all Erik could do was hold her tighter.
Elise wanted to know how a hug from someone not from her family felt. She'd seen other kids with their fathers swinging them up in the air, hugging them, just experiencing two parents instead of one. Since she saw that Elsa trusted him, she was sure that she could trust him as well.
"You made mama smile tonight," Elise whispered to his shoulder. "Thank you."
Erik looked at Elsa, who had tears in her eyes as she watched them interact. Everything happened so fast, making her doubt if any of this was real.
"You are welcome, little princess," He said, trying to appease the girl in his arms. "You want to know a secret?"
At the tone of his voice, Elise immediately nodded her head. Erik leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I like your mama. A lot."
Elise giggled. "I think she likes you too."
This has been a mix of requests, which are Fletchdoug99's (though altered because I wanted Elsa to trust someone, not to relapse), Relentless Wind's (Well, sort of. Not exactly papa, but y'know. Fatherly.), Purplepox63010 (With the more kid encounter), and I was able to use daseyloverwholived's little girl's name.
I like Erik. Maybe I'll keep him. Any thoughts on Erik?
Please do tell me what you think. Wishing you all the best!