I feel so bad you guys for the wait! I really do, but school and work have been kicking my butt a little! Hopefully, it will get better soon so I can update more quickly. I've got the story pretty much mapped out from here, so that may help too. Until next time, thanks for sticking with me and hope you enjoy!

Serephina

"We're almost there," Elsa whispered excitedly for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past ten minutes. I couldn't bare the idea of dampening her enthusiasm and continued to smile happily, my eyes shut just as she asked. The carriage jostled and bounced down the road that carried us. The day so far had been incredible, though the idea was foreign to me. Elsa led me through her kingdom's streets by her side. All day she introduced me to her favorite shop keepers and acquaintances through the city.

One household yielded a man and a woman. Heavy with pregnancy, the young mother waddled out of their modest home to greet the queen. One other small child, a girl, giggled atop her father's shoulders as they followed. The woman's tired gaze lightened as she laid eyes on Elsa. Ignoring any formalities, the two hurried to each other and embraced. She greeted Anna the same way.

"Serephina, this is a very old friend of mine and Anna's. We used to play together as children." Elsa turned and looked at me. Sure enough, the woman was just about her age.

"My name is Laila," a long, soft hand reached out towards me. She didn't bat an eye as I took it in mine. All day, I had been meeting new faces. Adults who acknowledged me pleasantly and children who approached me with curiosity were behind each one. No one yet had even bothered to try and make contact with my skin.

"Serephina, pleasure to meet you," her offered hand was small and soft in my grasp. She nodded her head once, smiling before a wild child broke from her father's grip. Golden ringlets flashed like lightning as she bounced over to me. I knelt down to be at the girl's level who had all at once stopped in her tracks.

Wide brown eyes stared at me with curiosity. She raised a single small hand. One finger uncurled from the rest and landed in the side of my cheek. I smiled as the little one giggled. "You're special."

Part of me was taken back the remark. The idea that someone so little would find a word like that to describe a stranger like me was impossible. Surprised, I stood back up as the child ran and hid behind her mother's skirt, still giggling. Elsa came up behind me. Her voice rang out consuming me from all the other chuckles of the adults. "You are very right… she is."

The way Elsa's warm smile had blanketed the words still flowed through my veins. It didn't matter what I had been led into after that moment because most of the time my eyes were locked onto her. The rest of the early afternoon was a blur of faces and homes. Elsa brought me to some amazing places, but I couldn't focus on the cobblestone streets or the grinning faces.

"You are very right… she is."

I let the words wash over me again and again. We were alone now together in the carriage. Anna and Kristoff decided to remain in town, but not before pestering me into showing them what I could do. I rolled my eyes at Elsa while Anna begged to be let in n the secret. To satisfy her, I slowly turned my hand through the air until the space just above my palm was set ablaze.

"No way," were her words exactly. She began asking question after question, but thankfully Kristoff came to my recue.

"I think she's told us enough for one day," he laughed resting his hands on top of her freckled shoulders, "I have some business in town here, why don't the two of you go on ahead. We'll catch up later."

So, with only the driver's back facing us, I let my hand creep over to hers. I tangled two of my fingers around her pinky lightly. "And I couldn't be more excited, but I wish you'd let me in on this little plan of yours."

She narrowed her eyes and tried to stare me down. I watched the small wrinkles form at the top of her nose, "Oh no… It's going to be a surprise. Don't worry, you'll love it. At least, I think you will. I can't imagine why you wouldn't… or…"

"Elsa, stop," she had begun to speak faster and faster. Her face turned away in embarrassment. Softly, I whispered into her ear, "If you feel so strongly about this place, then there is no way I couldn't love every piece of it."

She smiled at me once again, and I was overcome with relief. "Wait, you're supposed to have your eyes closed."

A whole new battle was brewing.

Elsa

Once I finally got Serephina to shut her eyes and keep them close again, we were minutes away. Her fingers were still intermingled with mine. The slight sense of publically showing our relationship made my heart skip a beat, even though nobody could really see. She wasn't ready, and I understood. Part of me wasn't quite there yet either. For us to come forward, well we could be risking a lot.

But for now there were no worries about that. Today had been a good day. Stress free and I got to spend it with my favorite people. For once, I didn't have to spend my day tiptoeing around Antoine. Part of me grew irrationally nervous around the man. I dreaded when we were left alone and hated how the new look in his eyes made me feel exposed. If I didn't know better, I would think he knew everything about Serephina and me.

That was impossible though. We were so careful. A quiet voice in my head scolded me for not bringing it up to her. The last thing I wanted was for her to worry more for no reason. She did it enough as is.

Not that I'm complaining, her continuous care and attention was sweet and left me feeling safe. I stared at her fallen eyelids. The thinner, dark skin hid her gentle eyes from me. Thick lashes drew lines of shadow on her cheeks. I felt the carriage begin to slow, and I realized I had lost time gazing at her. "Keep your eyes closed, but we're here."

I popped the carriage door as Serephina sighed loudly. I frowned at her before kicking off my heels into the carriage, I wouldn't be needing them. Her hand was in mine as I tugged her up. She got the message and followed as I walked down the narrow steps. Soon, I felt the comfort of long grass swishing around my bare feet. The breeze had begun to pick up and pulled strands of hair free from my braid.

When we both stood on the soft Earth, I called to the driver, "Thank you. Come back in about an hour please."

"Yes your majesty," he nodded gruffly. He stirred up the horses once more before their sound began to fade into the distance. Alone again, Serephina threw herself at me. Arms were tossed messily around my back as her lips fell onto mine. I laughed at her kiss but loved every second. The whole time her eyes remained shut, waiting for my order.

"Sorry, but I've been waiting to do that all morning," she lowered her forehead onto mine and smiled.

"It's okay, I've been in the same mindset. Come on, this way." I tugged her along, wind tossing my skirt. Long grass clung to my calves, some strands reaching to my knees. I welcomed the feeling as some bit lightly into my skin, the cool sting refreshing. This place meant so much to me, and now I could share it with someone who had shared so much with me already. Soon were under the wide swooping branches. The trunk of the old tree was at my spine. "Okay open them."

Slowly she did. She took in the scene of the rolling, golden-green field. The enormity of the oak tree with its heavy long branches kept the focus of her gaze. The clouds were even perfectly arranged today, drawing just the right shade. She stood just before me, our hands connected between us. Wonder filled her eyes at the nature around us. "This is beautiful Elsa. Where are we?"

Tears began to spill over from my eyes. Panic filled her expressions she began to move closer. "What is it? Elsa, are you okay?"

"I'm just so glad you like it. This is where my father asked my mother to marry him. He was supposed to marry another princess, but he fought for her instead."

Her rough hand brushed away my tears and lingered. My heart sang at her touch. "I would fight anything for you, my queen. I will stand for you and with you if you will have me."

"As long as I draw breath," I replied before her soft kiss consumed me. This is where I came whenever I lost my path. But now it stood clear as the day before me.

She broke away and stared down at me lovingly, "One day… Not today, maybe not for a while, but I promise, if you wish it, one day I will swear myself today before the world. I will let myself be seen just so I can be seen with you. I will marry you, Elsa, if you will have me."

"Yes, I will. A million times over." I threw my arms around her smiling. My feet lifted at off the ground as she spun me. We had known each other for such a short time, but I was ready to build a future with her. She would fight for me. Maybe that would be all that mattered.