Author's Note: I'm back from vacation, and I was able to find some time to really flesh out the planning for this story. I am so excited to be back to writing!

There weren't many shops left open, Elsa noticed. The ones that were seemed to just be wrapping up a final sale for the day, or finishing gathering their wares. She was having a difficult time deciding where to look. The last time she had been through here at night was very brief and very abrupt. There hadn't been desire or time to dawdle and look around. Tonight, there still wasn't a lot of desire to dawdle, as it had been a long day, but there was definitely time.

With the light from Arendelle's various inns and taverns paving their way, the two lovers strolled lazily through the streets, only generally heading towards the castle. Part of Elsa couldn't wait to get back, relax, and eat a nice warm meal. Another part couldn't bear to do anything that would rush her time with Anna.

As long as Anna was with her, the doubts and worries were gone. It was as if the Princess held back the tide of shadowy paranoia like her own personal emotional bodyguard. She knew that eventually she would need to deal with her problems on her own, but right now that thought was too scary and she pushed it aside. Anna's hand was held tightly in her own, and it wasn't going anywhere. That's what mattered.

As she often did, Anna seemed to sense her thoughts. Elsa felt a warm, soft pair of lips on her cheek. "I love you," Anna's breath was even warmer than her kiss.

Introspection banished for the moment, Elsa turned and kissed Anna gently. "I love you too," she said with a grateful smile. "Does this night really have to end?"

Anna cocked her head slightly to one side and considered before answering. Then she leaned in and gave Elsa's earlobe a soft nibble. "I don't want it to."

A burning shudder raged inside Elsa. She felt her face heat up, and she saw steam rising from around her. Both girls looked startled at first. Then Anna grinned. "Your ice dress-" she was laughing now, "flash-melted!" Elsa's eyes bulged and she looked down quickly, but most of her was still covered. "Not all of it," Anna paused for a second, looking Elsa up and down, "Not the good parts anyway." She was very clearly distracted by her own thoughts, and was biting her lip in a way that nearly made Elsa forget they were standing in the middle of the town.

After a quick moment of concentration, the dress was fixed and it was as if no melting had occurred. Anna gave a quick, half-hearted pout before laughing and pulling Elsa along toward the castle. "C'mon, my Queen. We can't have Your Royal Majesty embarrassing herself so soon after her coronation, can we?"

Elsa's eyes narrowed good-naturedly, knowing that Anna was trying to teach her to make light of everything that had happened. "Yes… that just would not do at all, would it? Come, Princess Anna. Let us make all haste to the castle. Surely our royal presence is greatly expected." Anna was unable to keep in a little bit of her laughter at that last sentence. Partly because it entertained Anna to no end when they acted with such silly amounts of pomp. But also, they both knew there was no pressing business for them in Arendelle at the moment. Everything major had been taken care of before the coronation ceremony to prevent Elsa from being overwhelmed immediately after being crowned. And everything minor was… well… Elsa wasn't sure why, but she was told that it was beneath her, and it was therefore handled by those on her staff.

Looking over one of her sister's crimson-hair-draped shoulders, Elsa saw two men enter one of the smaller inns in the square. The men weren't looking at the girls, and they were dressed in simple clothes. Earth-toned tunics and trousers. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing except one thing that sent a spark of anger through Elsa.

"No self-respecting citizen of Arendelle would ever wear a mustache like that."

"What?"

Elsa hadn't realized that she had spoken aloud. "Sorry, I was thinking to myself. Two men just went inside that inn there, The Frosty Norseman."

"Aaaand their grooming habits concern the Queen because…"

The older girl looked at her sister with concern, "Because I've only ever seen that weird swooping mustache style on that crafty Duke of Weselton and his men."

Anna didn't look nearly as surprised as Elsa was. "There's no law in Arendelle about how to shave your face. And why would they be here anyway? It's only been a day since we sent the Duke packing. He wouldn't have had time to send for any extra men."

"I-" Elsa wasn't sure. She wanted to believe Anna. She wanted it to be nothing. Just for these men to be visitors, townsfolk, or even travelers who just happened to hail from Weselton. It was probably just her own deep-seated suspicious nature that made her see more than was there. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just still on edge from everything that's happened."

Anna's smile lit up the night, "We're together. We can face anything together." She took her older sister's hand. "Let's go get some dinner!"

Anna didn't spend much time thinking about the two men that Elsa had seen. It didn't really matter to her if that bizarre old man's friends happened to be in town. Like she had told Elsa, it wasn't as if the Duke could have sent for them. The fjord had been blocked, and nobody could have gotten in or out. Plus, worrying just wasn't in her nature.

She and Elsa had practically wolfed down their dinner, neither one having eaten since breakfast. She could have sworn that she could feel her heart creeping into her throat when she opened her mouth to ask, "Elsa… do you want to take our dessert and eat it in my room?" She knew she shouldn't be nervous. If Elsa wasn't ready to be really alone with her there was nothing wrong with that. And it wasn't as if Anna had asked her to stay the night, or really even do anything more than have some ice cream. But those years of rejection at Elsa's bedroom door rose up to haunt her, and she found herself terrified that it would crash down on her again.
"I would love that."

Anna's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Elsa gave her a comforting smile, and kissed her on the nose. After a few moments, the younger girl found her voice, "It doesn't have to be the ice cream…"

Elsa laughed and picked up their bowls. "Tonight, it will probably be just the ice cream. But as I have found a lot over the past week, a Queen is not always right." She started off toward Anna's room, her hips sashaying tantalizingly in an impressive attempt to make Anna fall off her chair.

Only a few seconds later, Anna noticed that she had fallen off of her chair. Wow, that girl has a way with words… and movement… and… well… everything she does. Hoping that Elsa hadn't noticed, she picked herself up and jogged a bit to catch up.

They reached the room, and Anna felt a shiver of anticipation creep up her skin as she opened the door for her sister. Elsa smiled and stepped inside, seeming to soak in every detail as she did so. Her gaze lingered on the bed as if she was daydreaming before shaking her head and making her way over to the little sitting area by the window.

Anna could barely believe how happy she was. It was finally happening. Elsa was in her room. They were actually spending time together. All day today, they had been together. Every moment from breakfast downstairs, to that mind-blowing dress shopping experience, to dessert in her room, she and her Elsa had been inseparable. This was what she had wanted all those years. She was stopped in the middle of the room, staring longingly at her sister who sat ever so properly, a worried gaze locked out the window at the town.

When she sat down, the conversation started. They talked about anything and everything that came to mind. The constant ebb and flow of laughter and tears was to be expected. They had so many years to catch up on, one night of ice cream and candlelight wasn't nearly enough. But it was a beginning. This day had been their beginning. Or maybe last night in the hallway. Or even on the ice rink. Anna couldn't have said for sure. For all she knew, it was long before that. It didn't matter, she supposed. What mattered was that it had begun, and it wasn't going anywhere.

Their night lasted long after the candles burned down. The moonlight streaming through the window was but a pale reflection of the burning love that lit Anna's room. As the topics changed, so did their positions. Sometimes one would hold the other, and be the comforting shoulder that she needed. While other times, they would just lie in silence, arms around the other, occasionally kissing, always touching. The intimacy would have been stifling to anyone not swept up in the love storm that took place after dessert that night.

Anna couldn't have dared ask for anything more.

Elsa could feel her control slipping. It wouldn't be long before she threw "take it slow" right out the window. Every sensual kiss brought her closer to letting herself go. She wanted so badly to give every bit of herself to her sister, and to breathe, taste, hear, feel, smell, and experience everything that was her Anna.

The idea of leaving that comforting embrace, both her sister's and the darkness of the room, scared Elsa. But she feared the regret that might come with acting too early even more. She pulled Anna close and kissed her with more passion than either girl had shown that night. Both girls let out a whimper of pleasure.

With a phenomenal surge of willpower, she extricated herself from Anna's arms, and stood. "I have to get to bed." You really need to work on your tact, she thought. Thank goodness it's dark, so you don't have to see the hurt on her beautiful face.

Anna sat on the edge of the bed and took Elsa's hands in her own. "I understand." There was no hurt in her voice. "I will always wait for you."

Elsa's eyes filled with tears. She didn't deserve this kind of unconditional love from anyone, let alone someone so absolutely perfect. It was all she could do to choke out, "Thank you," without completely crying.

The younger girl walked Elsa to the door, and stood with her brilliant green eyes blinking in the light from the hallway. "I had the best day with you, Elsa. Thank you so much."

Elsa's throat caught again. She managed a smile, and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long," then she thought about how that might be taken, "for everything. I just need time."

Anna gave her a tender look, "We have all the time in the world. Goodnight, my Queen." She stepped closer.

Placing a cold hand on Anna's warm cheek, Elsa kissed her sister goodnight. "Goodnight, my Princess."

Anna went back into her room, and Elsa dragged her feet on her way back to her own. She knew she was doing the right thing by waiting, but did it have to be so difficult? It was a long time before her racing thoughts let her get any rest that night. And when her need for sleep finally did take over, her dreams were far less than comforting.