A/N: Thanks to everyone who's followed/favorited and/or is reading but not reviewing!:)
NinaJoFoster-Of course! Elsa uses the secret passages more in this chapter.:)
Toa Aerrow-I didn't mean for anyone to think that Elsa made the tornado, actually...guess I should have made that clearer.:P (Elsa predicted the tornado in great detail, and because she's older and her powers have grown more, she was more affected by it, that's all.:))
Guest-Okay, I don't mind.:)
olaf99-Sorry if it wasn't what you wanted at all.:P Hopefully it wasn't annoying!:) Yep, I'm continuing the one-shot series. I posted a new one yesterday, and I'll use your idea for the next one.:) P.S. Thanks!:)
ElsaAnnaforlife-Yay, glad you're enjoying it!:) I just update whenever I have the chapter finished, lol.:P Every 3-6 days-ish, maybe? I have no idea.:P I put your water all over the hall idea in this chapter. Great idea!:) (I didn't have Elsa try to run away, though) As far as sequels go, read 'Adventures of Elsa and Anna' for now.;) That picks up a month after the movie. I have a sequel plotline for that lined up as soon as it's finished. (if you want the summary, please PM me and I'll be happy to give it to you now:)) I really, really don't like pairing up Elsa with anyone, so she won't be getting married in anything I write. (Although I wouldn't mind if she adopted a kid or something...okay, you just gave me a super awesome idea...:)) Anna and Kristoff...hmm, it depends on just how soon the story is taking place. Because I think Elsa would make her wait a loooonggg time before any more marriage proposals.;)
On to the story!:)
Anna knocked on Elsa's door far less often after their argument in the cellar. Elsa realized her sister was avoiding her and so did the same. Elsa had asked Gerda about the orb and scepter problem and then was disconcerted to find out that although there was no specific rule that said 'no gloves', tradition said the new monarch always held the special items with bare hands. So Elsa practiced holding something with her bare hands every day, and failed every time. I'm never going to get this right.
In spring, Gerda told Elsa that she really should have a new dress for Coronation Day. "Okay…can you just get the measurements off one of my dresses?" Elsa asked.
"Pardon me, princess, but every single one I've seen you wear recently is ever so slightly too short. You need to get new measurements, most likely," Gerda explained.
There were two reasons Elsa did not want to get new measurements taken. One was because she didn't want to risk hurting Gerda by letting her get close enough to measure her. And the other was that Gerda was sure to find out Elsa never wore a corset and then fuss at her about it. Elsa reluctantly agreed, figuring surely she could control it for just a few minutes as long as she kept her gloves on; and well…she'd worry about itchy undergarments only if the topic came up.
Sure enough, the first question Gerda asked Elsa was, "Where's your corset? It has to be on to get the right dress measurements."
Elsa sighed, standing on a small stool in her slip, and just said, "I took it off." Yeah, I took it off about two hours after I first had it on and never put it on again.
"Just when did you take it off, Princess Elsa?" Gerda asked, immediately suspicious of what Elsa's cryptic statement meant.
"About five years ago." Elsa didn't look a bit sorry. "It was itchy."
Gerda didn't fuss at her for that; after all, Elsa had been shut in her room all that time. She didn't need any other petty thing to bother her, along with everything else. "Princess, itchy or not, you have to wear one, at least just for the one day."
"You didn't even know I never had one on all this time, and you've seen me lots of times," Elsa countered. "I'm skinny as a stick anyway. Princess String Bean, much? I don't think anyone's going to be able to tell."
"Princess, you're going to be awfully embarrassed if someone finds out. What are you going to say?"
"I'll say, 'I'm the queen; I have outlawed the existence of such horrid things,'" Elsa replied a bit childishly.
Gerda couldn't help chuckling at that. "Ok, joke time over, princess. Go get the 'horrid thing' and put it on. Or no chocolate for you."
Elsa reluctantly ran over to her closet and started rummaging around for it. I don't even remember where I put it. "I can't find it," she announced a minute later, sounding rather pleased.
"Did you check your dresser?"
"No…" Elsa was disappointed to find it in the very back of one of her drawers. "I found it. I wish I hadn't." Oh, come on, Elsa, you can deal with the stupid thing for one day.
"Do you need help?" Gerda asked. "I highly doubt you can lace that properly yourself."
"I suppose." Elsa turned her back to let Gerda lace the thing up. "Can't we hurry up?" she asked a moment later. "That thing is driving me crazy already!"
"Oh, come now, princess, it can't be that bad. Will you please stand still?"
Elsa stopped moving around and stood still as a statue. Itchy, itchy, itchy. How can anyone wear one of these things every day?! "That's too tight," she complained, trying to reach behind her to loosen the laces. "I can't breathe like that!"
"Princess Elsa, stop it. I promise that's as tight as it gets, although it isn't like it should be. Almost finished," Gerda told her.
"Thank goodness," Elsa muttered under her breath. I can't wait to take that thing off. "Are you sure we couldn't just say not wearing a corset is the latest style or something?" she asked hopefully.
"Goodness, no. Princess Elsa, what is going on with you today? Usually you're so mature and grown-up about everything, and right now, you're acting like a five-year-old," Gerda scolded. "Ok, all done."
"Even mature, grown-up Elsa hates itchy things that make it so she can't breathe," Elsa said, although she was smiling now despite her annoyance.
Gerda shook her head. "Well, it's nice to see your mischievous streak show for once, Princess Elsa."
Elsa grinned at that. "Does that mean I get to take it off now?"
"As soon as we're done measuring, ok, princess?"
Elsa stood quietly the next couple of minutes, thinking she was going to have a big issue with wearing a corset all day on Coronation Day. She was apt to be talking to someone important and have to excuse herself for having an itch or something. "Gerda, what if that thing distracts me so much on Coronation Day that I lose control in public?" she asked suddenly.
"Princess, you're wearing it now and you aren't losing control," Gerda pointed out.
True. But a few minutes isn't the same as all day long. Elsa bit her lip. Conceal, don't feel…literally. Don't feel all that constricting itching! Although that phrase usually made her upset, right that second Elsa couldn't help giggling.
"All finished, princess. What is so funny?"
Elsa wasn't paying attention. I wish I could tell Anna that line. I bet she would think that's funny. "I wish I could tell Anna my joke," she said quietly.
"Then why don't you do so?" Gerda suggested as she started unlacing Elsa's corset.
"Anna is mad at me. Remember that tornado late last summer? While we were in the cellar, we…had a big fight. She wanted to 'play Coronation Day'-she wanted to act things out while I watched-and the topic of…opening the castle gates came up. And I…I told her they were only going to be open for the one day, s-so she wasn't getting her hopes up for nothing…Anna understandably had a fit…" Elsa's voice cracked and she stopped talking. "Thank you, Gerda," she added absently as Gerda finally finished unlacing the corset. Elsa went and stuck it in the far back of a drawer.
"Do you want to finish explaining what happened, princess?"
"We shouted a bunch of things at each other that were true but really hurtful," Elsa said flatly. "I know I shouldn't have said what I did to Anna, but I…but I did anyway. It just sort of…happened. She told me I didn't know what it'd been like for her…and…and I spouted off a ton of things I shouldn't have, ending with, 'You know nothing about what this has been like for me. Absolutely nothing.'" Elsa's still hurt feelings that she would deny if asked showed in the snowflakes that began falling around her. Conceal, don't feel…conceal, don't feel…
"Princess Elsa, you don't know what this has been like for your sister; she does not know what it has been like for you, either. It sounds like you were both understandably mad at each other, but you two should really just forgive each other and make up," Gerda told her.
"Anna t-told me I was…messed up," Elsa whispered, staring down at her hands through her tears. "I agree…w-with her, but…but it hurt anyway. Why am I so selfish?! I've shut her out f-for seemingly no reason for over a decade! That IS messed up!" Not to mention my stupid ice problem that Anna doesn't even know about. I wish everything could be like it was when Anna and I were little. Such a hopeless wish. It's never going to happen. "Please go, Gerda…please…" I'm going to lose control completely in a minute; I just know it.
"You know your sister blathers things she doesn't mean when she's mad, princess. Just keep that in mind," Gerda said, knowing it was impossible to reason with Elsa's ingrained train of thought.
Elsa ran to lock the door the second Gerda left. Maybe Gerda is right…but the thing is, every single thing either of us said to the other was true. It was just also mean and unfeeling and horrid. She was ready to make up with her sister, but she wasn't ready to make the first step herself. What if Anna just shoos me away? I think she'd have the right to, too…I'll wait for Anna to say something to me about it. That should work.
But Anna never said anything to her about it. Elsa decided that maybe Anna thought Elsa was going to shoo her sister away if Anna came to talk to her. Still, Elsa was too afraid of what her sister's reaction might be if she tried to make the first step herself. Elsa began heading into the secret passages more often again. Because that's where I can just take a walk and clear my head…be alone without being in my room. And I miss Anna! Elsa could make her way around the secret passages without a candle now. The entire convoluted layout was etched into her mind perfectly.
Elsa took to sleeping just inside the secret entrance into Anna's room so she could be near her sister, even if Anna didn't know she was there. She also discovered that she was far less likely to have bad dreams when she slept there. I think I feel…a bit more peaceful if I know Anna is nearby…and safe from me. I'm not going to hurt her from behind the secret passage wall.
One morning in early June, Anna decided enough was enough. Maybe she could help Elsa get ready for the coronation since she seemed so freaked out about the whole thing before. Elsa shut me out for years and years and I don't think it's gonna change now. And I really want those gates open. But maybe she'll at least let me help her get ready, even if we're still kind of in a fight and mad at each other. Anna fully admitted to herself that she was still mad at her sister, but surely she could get un-mad enough to help Elsa. She bit her lip before knocking on her sister's door.
Elsa jumped in surprise from her desk where she was just eating her breakfast. Anna?! That was Anna's knock… She waited in silence to see what Anna would say.
"Elsa…I know it's been, like, months and months now, but I thought maybe since you were all freaked out about the coronation, maybe I could…helpyougetreadyforit?" Anna finished in a rush.
"You can't!" Elsa blurted without thinking. My main issue is practicing holding things without freezing them and Anna can't help me with that. She paused, realizing what she'd just said; then started to say, "I don't mean-"
Anna stamped her foot out in the hall. "What d'you mean I can't help you?!" she interrupted. "That's no fair!"
"Anna, I…that is…the thing I'm having trouble with…you simply can't help me, that's all…thank you for the offer, though. I do miss you; it's just that, well…it's something I have to work out alone…" Elsa suddenly realized she was talking to absolutely nothing as she heard Anna's footsteps stomp off down the hall. Great job, Elsa. You messed up again. You could have just practiced greeting guests with Anna or something. But no, you just chased her away. Elsa buried her face in her crossed arms on top of her desk and cried. I always mess things up. I made Anna mad at me again, and she was trying to help me.
Elsa blinked teary eyes at her now-icy room a few minutes later. "Great, somebody could go skating in here," she said sarcastically, looking at the floor, which was now a smooth sheet of ice. I wonder if I can skate on my ice… Struck with curiosity, Elsa hopped to her feet and tried to do something she hadn't tried to do since she was an angry ten-year-old trying to pull a 'I may be stuck in here, but I can make my own fun' stunt. She had ended up falling and spraining her ankle instead; and getting herself in big trouble. That was also when I decided that it was most likely impossible to fix me…Well, I'm going to be twenty-one in less than a month. I already iced the floor by mistake; I can try skating on it if I want to. Soon Elsa was easily skating back and forth across her room. A minute longer, and she began feeling more confident, making little jumps and twists. I shouldn't be doing this… Elsa brought herself to a stop and plopped down at her desk again.
Elsa had no idea some of the ice had spread out into the hall.
A FEW HOURS LATER…
Anna ran down the hall toward the staircase; then stopped in her tracks at the large puddle of water on the floor in the hall. Only in front of Elsa's room? Anna decided she was going to knock on her sister's door again and ask about it, simply out of curiosity. "Hey, Elsa? D'you happen to know why there's, like, a ton of water out in the hall? It's only in front of your room, too…"
Inside her room, Elsa clasped her hands to her chest and backed as far away from the door as possible. That ice that was in here...it got out into the hall! Now what?!
"Elsaaa…I think you know something about it or else you'd answer!" Another thing popped into her head. "The water's super cold, too…has this got anything to do with you being immune to cold?" Wait, that's stupid…right? Elsa couldn't have, like, cooled the water down or something, could she? Maybe she controls water! That's be cool!
"In a way…" Elsa had no idea what to say. Anna, quit asking me questions! Please…I'm not ready to explain this right now. 'Anna, I have ice powers I can't control. That's meltwater you see out in the hall. It leaked out of my room.' Yeah…I don't think so…
Anna decided she was going to go ask Gerda about it since she wasn't getting any useful information from her sister.
"Gerda? Can Elsa control water?" Anna blurted as she walked into the kitchen a few minutes later. "I know it sounds really crazy but I know she's immune to cold and there's freezing cold water all over the floor in the hall upstairs but only outside Elsa's room so I thought-I don't know-maybe she's got some other kind of special ability besides storm sense and being immune to cold? I mean…it'd kinda make sense…except that it just sounds really ridiculous, I don't know? So I guess I just wanna know if Elsa has some kind of special ability that lets her control water?" Gerda is going to think I'm crazy, Anna thought. "Hey, maybe Elsa's an elemental of water or something!" she added, remembering a book she had read once.
There was a long silence as Gerda debated whether to tell Anna or not. Technically it was Elsa's business, although Gerda still thought that Elsa should tell Anna. "Princess Elsa does have some special abilities, but no, she cannot control water," she said carefully. "And really, princess, you read those fairy tale type books far too much. You're plenty old enough to know 'elementals' don't exist. That's fantasy."
Anna frowned. "Yeah, I know…I just thought it'd be exciting! And pretty cool…oh well, I'm going to try and figure out what's with Elsa myself…Thanks, Gerda." She turned and ran back upstairs.
"Hey, Elsa?" Anna asked as she knocked on Elsa's door again. "Are you an elemental?"
Elsa was so surprised she just blurted, "A what?! Of course not!" I might have ice powers, but I am not one of those elemental characters from Anna's fantasy books. I know that! That's crazy. Elsa had no idea where exactly her powers had come from, aside from the fact she had been born with them, but she knew in her bones she was not an…elemental. And I know one reason that would prove it. I'm not immortal like those characters are. Elementals don't exist.
Anna made a face out in the hall. Ok, crazy idea nixed. Oh well.
The next few weeks passed uneventfully. Elsa was getting slightly better at holding things without freezing them-she could make it a few seconds now sometimes if she was calm and concentrating very, very hard-but she was still extremely worried about that particular part of the ceremony. Maybe she could just leave her gloves on and nobody would notice.
Riiiight.
Elsa decided she would leave her gloves on for that part, tradition or not, unless she was specifically told to take them off. If that happened, she wasn't sure what she was going to do.
The night before Coronation Day, Elsa couldn't fall asleep because she felt so antsy and anxious. I'm going to go take a walk. Quiet as a cat, Elsa slipped out of bed and disappeared into the secret passages, hoping the activity would clear her head. It's just one day, Elsa. You can make it that long. Once you get through the ceremony, the rest of the day should be fairly straightforward. It's only for one day. Then I can retreat back into dreaded but safe isolation again. She headed for the exit into the forest and slid the secret door up. Elsa took a deep breath, sniffing the summer night air and the smell of the pine trees. One day, Elsa. You can do this. Elsa stayed where she was in the passages until the sky began turning pink. Then she started making her way back to her room. It's only for today. Only for today.
A few minutes after she arrived back in her room, Elsa heard a knock on her door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"Are you awake, princess? It's Gerda."
Elsa smiled a bit, thinking that she wouldn't have answered if she wasn't awake. She tiptoed over to the door to unlock it before backing away a little. "The door is unlocked," Elsa said.
Gerda came in and handed Elsa a breakfast tray. "Here's your breakfast, Princess Elsa. I'll come back in a few minutes to help you get ready, all right?"
"Okay." Elsa felt like she was just going through the motions; she was feeling a bit tired from not sleeping all night and she was still nervous. One day, Elsa. It's just one day. She sat down at her desk and absentmindedly ate her pancakes and drank her milk. The official ceremony is at ten AM. I just have to get through that. After that, everything will be easier. I'll still have to socialize at that party all afternoon into the evening and whatnot, but the worst part will be over. After she was finished eating, Elsa pulled a piece of paper out of her desk and began drawing a new version of her dream building drawing that was still fastened to the wall, although it was torn and not really 'readable' anymore. I need a new drawing…something to calm me down. Elsa found herself sketching something based mainly off…snowflakes? One that looked exactly like her signature snowflake? What on earth am I doing?! I'm trying to get my mind off ice and snow, not concentrate on it. Still…it's pretty…and unique… She pushed the paper off to the side and stopped drawing, but she didn't ball it up or throw it away.
Elsa heard another knock on her door and just replied a simple, "Come in," remembering she hadn't actually relocked the door.
"Here's your new dress, Princess Elsa," Gerda said, laying a teal dress with black sleeves on Elsa's bed.
Elsa eyed the dress suspiciously for a moment; then smiled, realizing it was just a dressier version of the ones she usually wore. "It's pretty. Thank you, Gerda."
"You are quite welcome. If you're ready to get dressed, I'll help you lace up your corset, princess," Gerda told her.
Elsa sighed, but she went and pulled the distasteful thing out of her drawer. Another reason to dislike today…even if it is something silly. "Is Anna awake?" Elsa asked.
"She should be. Last I saw, Kai was knocking on her door, trying to wake her up," Gerda said. "Princess Elsa, stop purposely slouching and sticking your tummy out. Stand normally, please. You always stand up perfectly straight, so I know you're doing that on purpose."
I should have known that wasn't going to work. Elsa had been standing that way on purpose so her corset couldn't be laced quite so tightly. She sighed again and drew herself back up straight to her full height. "It's too tight," she complained a moment later.
"All done, princess. Do you want help with your hair today?"
Elsa shook her head and started pulling the teal dress on, trying her best to ignore the constricting itching of that annoying thing she was wearing. "I can do it. I just want to be by myself for now…" I'm going to have enough people interaction to last me for forever later today. I need some 'alone time'.
"All right. If you need anything, I'll be happy to help you, though. You'll be fine today, princess."
Elsa immediately ran to lock the door the second Gerda had left. Deep breaths, Elsa. You're going to be fine. Conceal, don't feel. There was the sound of running footsteps and then her sister's excited voice singing from outside in the hall. At least Anna is happy. She smoothed her dress down in all the right places and glanced at herself in the mirror before slipping her gloves off and starting to fix her hair. That girl looks nice enough, but she also looks scared out of her wits. And she doesn't look old enough to be queen of Arendelle. Elsa stuck out her tongue at her reflection and quickly made a twist over the top of her head before coiling the rest of her hair into a bun at the back of her head with the light blue ribbons on her dresser and pinning it in place. Okay, I'm ready. Or as ready as I'll ever be. She pulled her gloves back on, fastened her purple cloak on, strode to the door, and yanked it open. No going back now. This day is NOT going to be a bust. I'm not ruining everything.
Elsa found herself simply walking around the castle to take her mind off things. She took a deep breath as she gazed out a window overlooking the courtyard. "Don't let them in…don't let them see…" Elsa sang softly, wishing this day was over before it even started. Keep it in, Elsa. No losing control today. I can't ruin today. Elsa sighed and turned away from the window. "Be the good girl you always have to be…" she continued. Just stay perfect for today, Elsa. Make your parents proud, even if you can't really, truly be that perfect girl, no matter how hard you try. "I can't ever be the daughter my parents wanted…not with my powers," Elsa whispered, not singing anymore. "They wanted a normal girl, not me…at least I haven't ruined my country during the last three years…my ice problem hasn't messed up anything…" Yet, the nasty thought told her. Shut up, paranoid thoughts. Just get through today, Elsa. I may be defective and whatever else, but I'm not messing up today. I can't afford to make a mistake.
In the room where her father's portrait from his coronation hung, Elsa decided she would practice trying to hold something without freezing it one last time. "Conceal…" she sang to herself, pulling her gloves off. "Don't feel…" Elsa picked up a candlestick and a small box sitting on a table. She turned her back to the table, imagining the bishop was standing behind her conducting the ceremony. Just a few seconds…a few seconds…You have to be normal for just a few seconds… "Put on a show…" Just then, Elsa glanced down at her hands to see frost beginning to spread over the objects. "Make one wrong move and everyone will know…" I just messed up again. Please just let me get through today…please, please, please… Elsa quickly dropped the candlestick and box back on the table and yanked her gloves back on. "But it's only for today." Only for today. This will all be over in a few hours.
She set her mouth in a determined line and headed for the door. "It's agony to wait…" I just want to get this over with…without any glaring mishaps, especially ones involving ice. Elsa yanked the double doors open and announced her first official order of the day. "Tell the guards to open up the gates!" Okay, first step done. Gates open. Just for today. You can do this, Elsa. You have to do this. Elsa walked slowly down the hall, singing quietly to herself. "Conceal….don't feel… Conceal…don't feel…" Throwing the doors open out onto the balcony, Elsa stepped outside. Already guests were coming down the main path to the castle gates. Elsa shuddered. That's way too many people for me. What am I going to do? Deep breaths. Stay calm. "Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know…" Elsa smiled a little when she was about ninety-nine percent sure she had spotted her sister weaving her way through the crowd, appearing to have the time of her life. I've done one good thing by today happening like it's supposed to. Anna is happy.
After being escorted by a few guards to the chapel-it was a cathedral in Elsa's mind-Elsa was happy that at least she'd made it this far without messing up. She had smiled and nodded at way too many people for her taste, but at least she hadn't said anything stupid and she had not lost control. The only trouble now was where on earth was Anna? Don't tell me…she lost track of time and is off exploring in the marketplace or at the dock or something, Elsa thought. Just as the bells began ringing to signal ten o'clock, Anna came running into sight. Elsa sighed in relief. Good, Anna made it.
"What do I gotta do?" Anna asked, panting.
"You just walk down the aisle in front of your sister and stand next to her for the ceremony," one of the guards told her.
"Mmkay!" Anna exclaimed. "When do I start?"
Elsa shook her head. "Now. We don't want to start late. And-" she sniffed for a moment "you smell a tiny bit like seaweed! Where have you been?" What on earth has Anna been doing?
Anna shrugged and headed into the chapel, walking as carefully dignified as she could, a big smile still on her face. I didn't think I smelled funny. Maybe Elsa just has a super sharp nose. Whatever. I hope I get to see Hans again at the party!
If I can make it through the ceremony, I'm home free. Conceal, don't feel; conceal, don't feel. Elsa waited until she saw Anna standing in her spot at the front before taking a deep breath and walking down the aisle. She could everyone's eyes on her, making her feel all nervous and squirmy inside. Quit staring at me. It's driving me crazy. Elsa didn't trust herself to make a genuine smile right now, so she made a point to keep her expression neutral and her eyes gazing straight in front of her.
When she reached the front, Elsa paused for a moment, remembering the bishop would put the crown on her head first, before she had to pick up the orb and scepter. Okay, idiotic mistake averted. That would have been embarrassing if I tried picking them up at the wrong time. Elsa closed her eyes and dropped her head forward, waiting for the bishop to put the crown on her head. Now…most important moment. Conceal, don't feel; conceal, don't feel. She hesitantly started reaching for the orb and scepter.
The bishop cleared his throat. "Your majesty, the gloves."
I was afraid of that, Elsa thought. I wonder if I could just refuse…no, I can't do that. That will cause a big scene… She figuratively froze for a moment before slowly taking her gloves off and laying them on the little pillow the orb and scepter were on. Elsa took a deep breath before reaching for the orb and scepter again, her bare hands shaking. Conceal, don't feel…stay calm. Stay calm. It was more than a little difficult to stay calm when there were all those people watching her every move. Elsa turned to face her audience, not really hearing anything the bishop was saying. Conceal, don't feel…You're almost done, Elsa. Almost there. Elsa's shoulders stiffened when she thought she felt frost beginning to form on her hands. Sure enough, when Elsa dropped her gaze to her hands for a moment, there was frost spreading on the orb and scepter. No, no, no, Elsa! Please no…conceal, don't feel; conceal, don't feel.
"…Queen Elsa of Arendelle," Elsa heard the bishop say.
Elsa quickly dropped the now-icy orb and scepter back on the pillow and yanked her gloves back on, hoping with all her heart nobody had noticed her mistake. She was sure the bishop had seen her mistake-his surprised gaze had met her scared one for about half a second-but since he hadn't announced it to the crowd or given her a look of revulsion that said she was a disgrace or something; Elsa knew she could trust him not to rat her out, although she was quite sure he'd want to talk to her later. Probably a 'What was that all about?' conversation. The worst part is over. It didn't go exactly right, but I didn't totally botch it up, either. Elsa turned back to face the clapping crowd and smiled just a little.
Elsa noticed one man that seemed to be looking way too much at her little sister. What is he up to? She didn't recognize him-if she had met him when guests visited the castle when she was little, she didn't remember. Elsa judged him to be a couple years older than her own age and decided she did not want him hanging around Anna. There was something a bit…off about him, although she had no idea what.
The second Elsa was back at the castle, she retreated into her room for a breather. Okay, you made it through the ceremony, Elsa. Now you need to make it through the party. She glanced at the clock, remembering she was supposed to make her entrance into the ballroom at exactly noon. Then she had to greet guests and discuss business with dignitaries face-to-face for the first time in her life and whatever else until who knew how late. I can stay here for a few more minutes. Elsa paced back and forth in her room, willing herself to stay calm.
When it was time for her to go downstairs, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before slipping out of her room and heading to the ballroom.
Elsa waited out of sight off to the side until it was time for her to walk out onto the throne dais. Okay, Elsa, it's time. She walked slowly out onto the throne dais in a rather dignified way, holding her hands clasped together in front of her, and turned to face the party guests.
"Princess Anna of Arendelle," Kai announced, and Anna came running from the opposite side of the room.
Elsa kept her expression neutral although she was giggling a bit inside as she watched her sister's antics. Anna is a natural crowd-pleaser, even if she's not exactly…doing what she's supposed to be doing. Anna had just waved happily at the crowd while she stood below the throne dais instead of going to stand next to her sister.
"Oh, here? Are you sure? 'Cause I don't think I'm supposed to-oh! Ok!" Anna rambled as Kai nearly picked her up and put her next to Elsa. She stepped a little bit away from her sister, remembering that Elsa didn't like her getting too close…and besides, Elsa might still be mad at her for all she knew. Elsa hadn't exactly looked pleased about Anna showing up barely in time for the ceremony smelling a bit like seaweed. Still, Anna was very happy. All this people interaction was new and exciting to her. She put one hand to her head and cleared her throat a bit nervously, wondering if she should say something to Elsa. After all, she's standing right next to me…
Elsa decided that long-standing fight with her sister or no, she was not going to ignore Anna today. I'm really not mad at her anymore anyway…just a bit hurt, I suppose. But that's my problem, not hers. I shouldn't not talk to her just because I can't just move on and forget about something, even though I try. "Hi," she said softly, hoping Anna would be willing to talk to her.
Anna jumped in surprise. "Hi…hi me?" she asked, sounding a little incredulous.
Elsa nodded, now smiling a little that Anna had replied to her.
"Oh…um…hi," Anna repeated. That was silly! Elsa just said that!
"You look beautiful," Elsa said, trying to think of a way to say I'm sorry about the fight-I can't completely forget it right now, but I'm not mad at you in the least out loud.
"Thank you," Anna replied. "You look beautiful-ler, I mean, not fuller, you don't look fuller but more…more beautiful!"
Elsa giggled. "Thank you." Signature Anna rambling…bad grammar that she fixes and everything. She paused for a moment, looking out at the guests in the ballroom. "So…this is what a party looks like…" It's way too many people for me, but I haven't seen a party since I was eight. And I feel mostly okay right now, not out of control.
"It's warmer than I thought," Anna said suddenly.
Elsa nodded, but she didn't say anything about that. I have no idea if it's warm in here or not…I can't feel temperatures at all… "And what is that amazing smell?" she asked. Both girls took a sniff, and…
"Chocolate!" they both exclaimed together, ending up facing one another and giggling.
Suddenly Elsa felt like that whole fight and the awkward silence for the last several months was completely erased. Anna didn't hate her, or think she was messed up. Or if she did genuinely think Elsa was 'messed up', she didn't actually care. Anna wouldn't share a giggle with me over something like chocolate if she didn't want to be around me. Elsa knew she couldn't fix everything back the way it was when they were little, but at least they could go back to talking to each other through Elsa's door anyways. That's better than nothing.
"Your majesty…the Duke of Weaseltown," Kai announced a moment later.
"Weselton! Duke of Weselton, your majesty," the diminutive little man corrected. "As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as queen. One two, and jump!" The duke proceeded to do a series of odd-looking dance moves that ended in a bow and his toupee flopping forward on his head.
Elsa had first been annoyed that her conversation with Anna had been interrupted and then feeling very uncomfortable at the thought of dancing with anyone, especially him. But now she stifled a giggle with one gloved hand before clearing her throat and saying, "Thank you, only I don't dance. But my sister does!" Elsa gestured at her sister, who just started chuckling in a dismissive manner, thinking her sister was joking.
"Lucky you!" the duke exclaimed.
"Wait, what?!" That was Anna. "Oh, I don't think-"
"If you swoon, let me know, I'll catch you!" the duke announced, yanking Anna away.
"Sorry…" Elsa was a tiny bit sorry for making her sister dance with that annoying man, but watching him "dance" with Anna made her giggle. That dreadful little duke can't dance at all! And Anna looks funny… Elsa covered a giggle with her hand again as her sister started sending silly 'Why did you have to get me into this?!' looks at her.
A moment later, Elsa lost sight of her sister in the midst of the dancing crowd and jumped when someone greeted her. Elsa kept her expression neutral when she saw just who it was. I thought you were trying to get my sister's attention. Not mine. She brushed off her suspicions, thinking that perhaps the man just wanted to speak with her simply because she was the new queen and nothing more.
"May I have the pleasure of the rest of this dance? Prince Hans of the Southern Isles at your service." The man dropped a low bow in front of her.
"No, thank you, sir," Elsa said politely. Go away. I don't like you. You have some odd aura about you…I don't know what, but I don't like it.
"Could I offer you a formal…offer?"
Elsa just blinked in confusion. I just turned him down for a simple dance. Now he wants a courtship offer or something? Idiot. And I would not accept that anyway, even if I didn't have the ice problem. He's too pushy and he sets me on edge. She thought carefully, trying to remember what she wanted to say if this topic came up. No stupid stuttering or pausing, Elsa. Just spit it out. "I shall have to decline at this time," she replied in a tone that said she was not going to talk about that topic any longer.
"Oh…" Hans sounded surprised that Elsa had turned him down, which she immediately picked up on.
"Do excuse me, I daresay." Elsa ended that awkward conversation and just walked away. Okay, I know I wasn't rude, but I might be if he bugs me again. Elsa returned to her original spot on the throne dais and waited for her sister, who was now making her way back towards her.
"Well, he was sprightly," Elsa said to Anna the second she was close enough to be heard.
Anna rubbed her sore foot as she replied, "Especially for a man in heels!" But she was mostly just happy about how the day had gone so far. She loved talking to lots of different people.
"Are you okay?" Elsa asked. If that dumb little guy hurt Anna, I'm going to…I'm going to…well, I don't know what, but I'll do something.
Anna was delighted that Elsa was so willing to talk with her all of a sudden, and that she sounded concerned about Anna. "I've never been better. This is so nice! I wish it could be like this all the time."
"Me too," Elsa found herself saying as she gave her sister a slightly sad smile. Now why did I say that? I do, I really do, but I just can't…it can't be like this all the time…it isn't safe. I just got Anna's hopes up for nothing. You're stupid, Elsa. Really, really stupid. Elsa's somewhat happy demeanor disappeared, and she looked away from her sister, stiffening up all over. "But it can't."
"But why not? If-"
"It just can't." Elsa turned her back and jerked away from her sister, knowing Anna was trying to touch her or something. Please don't ask me anymore. I know I should tell you what's wrong, but I can't do it here. Maybe I could write you a note and just tell you that way.
Anna's excitement abruptly disappeared. Nothing changed. This isn't fair…And I miss spending time with Elsa! "Excuse me for a minute," she said after a pause.
Elsa watched sadly from her spot on the throne dais as her sister disappeared into the crowd. I messed up again. I'm sorry, Anna. I really am. At least Anna can enjoy the party, right? I didn't ruin that.
A/N: I can't believe it; we're officially at the coronation finally!:) Yay!
If anyone's wondering why Hans was trying to get Elsa's attention, I always assumed he DID try that and failed. (you know, 'cause he says 'nobody was getting anywhere with her' later in the movie.)
Next chapter coming soon!:)