It had been exactly one week since I had met that strange boy in the woods. Jack. Honestly, I hadn't given him much more thought after I ran off. I was simply too busy to think about anything other than the upcoming spring ball. Now, I was running through the halls, being stopped each step by a different servant, maid, or chef with different problems that all needed solving.
"The final decorations haven't arrived yet!"
"Your majesty! The duke and duchess from Orcrest have arrived early, and their guest rooms aren't ready!"
"Queen Elsa, we need your decision on the menu for tomorrow!"
Finally, I saw Catharine. She bounded up to me, and pulled me aside. "Queen Elsa! Princess Anna, Kristoff, and I are planning wardrobes for tomorrow. If you aren't busy," She paused and glanced at the crowds of people waiting to ask me questions, smirking. "Could you come and be fitted for your gown for tomorrow?"
I smiled at the distraction. "Yes, of course, Catharine." I addressed the waiting staff with apologetic smiles as I walked towards Anna's bedroom. I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Catharine for the intervention. "I am absolutely smothered with things I need to do before the ball tomorrow, and I am working up such a headache."
"Not at all, your majesty! You looked a little overwhelmed out there, and besides," Catharine said, "we will need to measure you today if your gown is going to be tailored by tomorrow." We walked into Anna's room. It was bright, and flooded with sunlight, illuminating Anna's smiling face and Kristoff's rather awkward one.
"Ouch! Geez, lady, watch it!" Kristoff jerked as a tailor poked him with a needle. Anna was sent into fits of giggles. The tailor grinned mischievously at Anna.
"Elsa!" Anna shouted gleefully as she skipped to pull me into the room. "I feel like it's been ages since I've seen you! We haven't even had tea together all week!"
"Oh, I know," I sighed. "It's just been so busy lately! I'll be glad when this ball is over!"
"Come on," Anna smiled. "Catharine and I have chosen the perfect gown for you to wear tomorrow!" Catharine, who had been standing by a big wardrobe, now pulled out the gown. I gasped and smiled. It was my ice gown! The one that I had created when I was up on the mountain. The icy blue fabric glittered and flowed.
"Oh, Anna!" I exclaimed. "I can't wear this to the ball! It's not appropriate for a party like this!"
"What? Oh, sure you can! I mean, just think! You'll look gorgeous! You hardly ever wear it anymore. And besides, you are the queen! Think of all the men who will be lining up just to get a look at you!"
I laughed. "Men? Have you been talking to William lately?"
"William?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "He thinks me unfit to rule. Thinks I need a king to rule Arendelle. Maybe he's right… I mean, look at everything that's gone wrong today! I can't even handle the basic preparations for the ball!"
"Elsa! Don't even talk like that! Tomorrow's ball will be perfect, and then William will see how well you can handle the kingdom! You just need to relax! I know," She grinned, "Elsa…? Do you wanna build a snowman?"
I smiled slowly, and she giggled. I tapped my toe lightly on the floor, and ice began to curl out and cover Anna's floor.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Kristoff yelled. "I've already been stabbed enough with these pins! An ice floor is not really going to help!" He struggled to keep his balance as he slid across the ice. Anna skated over to him and twirled around. He grabbed her waist in an effort to stay upright, but just ended up pulling Anna down as he fell. She giggled, and he touched his nose to hers. Catharine slide over to me.
"Your highness, don't ruin the dresses!" She laughed and I looked at the dresses that were being covered in snow.
"Elsa," I smiled.
"What?" Catharine questioned.
"Just call me Elsa. No more "Your Majesty", or "Your Highness," or whatever."
"Right!" She smiled, and slide away to save the gowns. "Well, Elsa, you're ruining all of my hard work!"
"Sorry!" I spun a finger at the dresses and melted the snow.
"Now they're wet!" She groaned.
I grimaced, "Sorry!" I looked back towards Anna. She was still on top of Kristoff, and he was staring intently up at her. His eyes were so fun of passion and tenderness. I couldn't help but feel like a bit of a third wheel. I decided to leave them alone. It was time I got back to my work, anyways. I had a lot of work to do still! I suddenly found my mind going back to last week when I had met Jack in the woods. I was surprised to feel excited at seeing him again. I didn't really know anything about him other than his name, but for some reason, I felt a pull towards him. Maybe it was his hair. He did have fabulous hair. It was white, almost silvery, and I could clearly picture it. It stuck up in odd places that made it seem like it was intentionally messy. I sighed and smiled. I couldn't wait to see him!
"Queen Elsa!" A voice shouted at me from down the hall, and I groaned. The crowd of people that I had left behind were quickly reforming and all waiting to ask me more questions. This was going to be a long day.
Hey again everyone! So, I realize that I'm writing and updating pretty quickly, and there is an explanation for that: I have no life. I really have nothing to do. So yeah :) Enjoy chapter 4!