The next morning was spent exploring the rest of the Palace. It really would be a neat place to have for little vacations from their everyday life, but first they would need to get some furniture up there. Sleeping on warm snow was fun and interesting, sure, but it wouldn't do for a long-term solution. Having a bed and everything built there rather than carted all the way up would probably be easier…

"Elsa?"

"Huh?"

"You all right? You looked like you were somewhere else. I would be very sad if you weren't paying attention, tripped, and then tumbled back to Arendelle. It would be no fun at all to have to walk back alone." Anna gave her a cheeky smile.

"Ha-ha… yes, I'm fine. My mind was just wandering. It does that sometimes when I'm nervous."

"Nervous about tonight? Aww, Els'! You don't have to be nervous. The people love you! They are going to be so excited for us. I will help you get your speech ready, of course. Just because they'll be cheering too loud to hear it doesn't mean that it shouldn't be a good one!" She winked, making Elsa's spirits lift and stomach flip all at once.

"How do you do that?"

A look of adorable, genuine confusion settled on the Princess's face. "Do what exactly?"

"It's like it doesn't matter what's wrong, or what could go wrong, or how bad any situation might be," she reached out and cupped a freckled cheek. "My sweet Anna can so effortlessly make everything all better. You know that's supposed to be the big sister's job, right?"

"Well, first of all, you're no bigger than I am. And second, we are so much more than sisters, silly. And third, very soon I will be your wife, and making everything better will officially be a part of my job description. I don't see a reason why I should have to wait until then to assume my duties."

"Ah, I see. So it's duty then. Well, I guess as long as there's a good reason…"

The indignant blush that covered Anna's face was almost too hilarious to ignore, but somehow Elsa kept a straight face. "You… duty… you know very well that it is so much more than duty! I mean there's love, and family, and more love, and… well… I mean, you're just so hot. Not hot hot, you're actually cold… not cold in a bad way! You're cold because, the magic, and it makes you… ah! You know what you are? You're frustrating, that's what! Tell me that I'm nice because of duty… you just wait until after the wedding. I've got a lot more wifely duties to perform, and if you aren't careful then maybe I will just forget what they are! How would you like that? Hmm?"

Elsa made a show of thinking this through before responding, "So… would that mean that I will be exempted from my 'wifely duties' as well?"

Anna's mouth worked silently for a few seconds, "Um… uh… no, of course not. I was just kidding. Obviously. That would be silly… we can't just ignore our responsibilities… I mean, where would that leave us? Right?"

"Oh? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure! I know what you're doing here. Don't you try and play games with me, Miss-"

Elsa wasn't having any of that. She cut the Princess off with a passionate kiss that left them both weak-kneed and breathless several seconds later. "Anna… I just love you so much."

"You… mmm, that was nice… you... are so welcome to stop my rambling anytime. Of course, then I might just start rambling on purpose so you'll stop me. Not that I would ever dare to do such a thing. I mean, what kind of fiance would I be if-" she found herself pleasantly interrupted once more. "Oh my… yeah, okay. I'm good for now. I think. Maybe one more, c'mere you."

Elsa giggled as Anna attacked her with as many kisses as possible. It was a ferocious battle with no clear winner, but each side was left dizzy and looking only semi-conscious so one might say they were both victorious.

"You win, you win," the blonde gasped. "You will make the best wife ever because you love me, not because you have to."

"That is right! And don't you forget it, Miss…" her eyes sparkled as she smiled at Elsa's glare, "...us Anna."

The Queen burst out laughing. "Mrs. Anna? I'm not sure that's how it works…" the redhead raised an eyebrow, "But of course I'm okay with it. Naturally."

"Good. You had better be. So, about this speech thing…"

"I think I kind of know what I'm going to say, it just… feels weird, you know? Announcing this big, personal thing to hundreds of people that I've never actually met. Why should they care about our engagement?"

"Are you crazy? You are their Queen. You are the force that stands between them and some awful usurper like Hans. I know, I know, it was the Duke's magic, blah blah blah. You get my point though. They look up to you. Hel, barely a week ago you saved them from utter annihilation! If they can't muster even a little excitement for our happiness, then they won't bother showing up. Which is, of course, ridiculous. Because they love you." Anna's hand slipped into Elsa's as they walked through the gates back into Arendelle. The Queen felt a warm kiss on her cheek. "And I love you."

A blush warmed her cheeks as she responded, "Thank you… I love you too."

That girl really could make everything better. Elsa was the luckiest Queen in the world.

Olaf had done his job well. He and Marshmallow had gotten back to the castle early that morning to tell Kai and Gerda about the engagement. By the time Elsa and Anna had reached the city, the whole town was talking about it. Hopefully this will show her that there's nothing to be worried about!

The streets filled with well-wishers and flower-tossers within seconds of their arrival. Anna wondered if other monarchs were this adored, or if everything special about Elsa was as apparent to everyone else as it was to her. She assumed it was the latter since she couldn't imagine anything like this happening for any of the other rulers she had met.

By the time they reached the castle proper, Anna was sure that her arm would fall off if she tried to wave even one more time. Her cheeks burned from smiling, but it was definitely a good feeling. Seeing how much the people adored her sister was more than worth a sore arm and aching cheeks.

"I'll meet you in your room as soon as I'm all cleaned up, okay Els'?"

"It will be your room too in a few days," the blonde smiled at her. Anna suffered through a painful grin at the thought. She could see the veiled nervousness in Elsa's face.

She's going to be just fine. "Mmm, so true, my Queen."

"Hurry back to me, Princess."

Anna's tummy tumbled over itself. "Mmhmm," was the best she could manage before sprinting to her room.

Her mind was racing as she threw her dress across the room and practically leapt into the tub Gerda had left for her. There was no time to savor the relaxing warmth now, Elsa needed her! The last time she had moved this quickly to get ready was when she had realized it was Coronation Day. She had thought she was excited then… but it had been nothing next to the giddiness that gripped her now.

"Where'smydress where'smydress where'smydress…? Aha!" She spotted the dress from Silvi, the dark green one that had driven Elsa crazy on their shopping trip, and pulled it on. Hopefully it would have a slightly lessened effect this time. As fun as it would be, she didn't think that the people would be too interested to watch their Queen ravishing her Princess. Or maybe they would. She frowned in distaste. The risk of being caught was arousing, sure, but that… just no. Regardless of what they might want to see, they wouldn't get to see that.

After making sure that her hair was perfectly up in its crown-like braid, she hurried to Elsa's door. Her hand raised to knock, but she saw the ring on her finger, smiled, and pushed the door open. "Hey there, Almost-Mrs-Anna, are you decent… holy Freyja you look gorgeous!"

The new (because Marshmallow had yet to relinquish the old one) Crown of Arendelle sat atop Elsa's glorious head of golden hair. Anna had never seen her wear it down before unless they were going to bed, but now delicately-curled, shining locks cascaded down over her bare shoulders, perfectly framing her ample chest. The deep blue dress she had chosen had no straps, but maintained its modesty by only exposing the slightest hint of cleavage. This was something that Anna considered quite a shame, but she understood the necessity. Especially since the fact that there was no cleavage did not mean that Elsa was capable of hiding the luscious swell of those breasts… The Princess shook her head to come back to reality, but the enticing swoop of the blonde's waist to hips made her slip right back into her fantasy. She let out a soft whimper as her eyes fluttered up and down her sister's form.

"Anna…"

"Mmphmm….. hmm?"

"Do you remember what happened the last time you wore that dress?"

The redhead nodded. Between the look on Elsa's face and the slow speed at which she was walking towards her, Anna felt like prey being stalked.

"And you thought it would be a good idea to wear it today. In front of the whole kingdom."

"Well… um… you liked it…"

"I. Love. It. Anna. I am so nervous about this speech, I can barely focus on anything, and then you come in wearing the absolute sexiest dress I have ever seen…" She leaned down close, lips almost brushing Anna's ear, "It is taking every scrap of willpower I have to keep from tearing that off of you right now."

The Princess's entire body tingled with excitement. Another whimper, this one much louder than the first, escaped her lips. "Um… I'm sorry…"

She moaned as Elsa's teeth pressed gently into her neck. The Queen growled in her ear. "You're going to be punished for this, Anna. We both are."

The redhead swallowed, "W-… we are?"

"Yes. You're so sure that it's a good idea to test my willpower like this… so I will test yours." She bit the side of Anna's throat, drawing a long moan from the younger girl. "Neither of us will so much as see each other in any state of undress, nor will we experience any, and I mean any, form of release, until after I've made you my wife."

"I… you mean… nothing?"

"Nothing more than kisses."

"I can think of lots of places I would like to kiss you…"

"Above the neck only."

"Elsa! This is unfair!"

"You brought it upon yourself. You torture me…" her grin sent shivers down Anna's spine, "I torture you."

The Princess could only stare. The majority of her brain was still gawking at Elsa anyway, but the rest was in shock. It was a little exciting, she had to admit. Being forced to wait made what was already the most thrilling thing in her life even more so. And they had gone days without much intimacy several times over the last few months. Of course… it felt totally different when you're told you can't do something, rather than when you just don't have the time.

"Are you ready, my love? It's almost time."

"Yes. Yes, I'm ready." She gripped her sister's cold hand. "You don't have to be nervous. I will be right here."

The predatory gleam was gone from those crisp, blue eyes. It had been replaced by a loving smolder, which seemed somehow even more tantalizing. "Together."

Anna grinned. "Together!"

An astonishingly short time later, they found themselves in the grand hall leading to the castle's main balcony. Gerda was on Elsa's other side, whispering last-minute words of encouragement. Kai's voice could be heard from the other side of the double doors as he announced the royal sisters.

And then suddenly the doors were open. As one, they stepped out onto the ornate parapet, and both were briefly stunned by the view. Twilight had begun to fall, but the vast courtyard was brilliantly lit. Hundreds upon hundreds of eager faces beamed up at the pair of them, each smiling its own unique smile. Neither girl had ever seen so many people who weren't soldiers in one place before.

Anna was surprised at how quickly Elsa recovered. "Good citizens of Arendelle!" Her melodious voice rang out across the crowd, wooing them to silence. "My sister and I come before you today to speak of love. Never has a kingdom been so adored by its royal house. And certainly never has a Queen or Princess ever felt such love from her people. As a kingdom, we stood together against those who would threaten us, and as a kingdom, we have emerged victorious!"

The masses exploded with cheers. Elsa smiled calmly as she waited for them to quiet down. She didn't look nervous at all. Everything about her was positively regal. She had never looked more beautiful.

"Love is the light that guided us through that black day, and love is what now shines down upon us all. I could not possibly love each and every one of you more than I do at this moment. And I apologize, from the bottom of my heart, that it can never be near as much as you deserve. For while my affection for you is indeed unwavering," her chin raised proudly, and a royal smile graced her mouth, "The fount of my heart is overflowing with the deepest, most powerful love the world has ever seen. And every last drop belongs to my precious bride-to-be…" she turned and raised a breathless Anna's hand to her lips, "Princess Anna."

The redhead's knees buckled, and she gripped the railing for balance. That speech, combined with the crowd's eruption, was too overwhelming. She thought she had been prepared for what Elsa was going to say, but evidently the blonde had been holding back on their hike from the Palace that morning. She felt like she was forgetting something… Wasn't she supposed to be doing something?

A cool hand rested on her cheek. Oh right. She threw her arms around her sister's neck and hugged her tight. Impossibly, the deafening cacophony of cheers grew even louder in reaction to their embrace. She felt tears of joy streaking down her still-sore cheeks as she and Elsa held one another. She had never been so happy.

She was the luckiest Princess in the world.