a.n. Got this posted a bit later than I had hoped, but here it is. Check out the updates section of my profile for more info regarding this chapter.

Chapter 1: Sisters

"Elsa."

The soft sound of her name being whispered roused the snow queen from slumber, but it wasn't enough to get her to open her eyes or even acknowledge that she heard.

"Elsa."

The voice was a little louder and accompanied by some soft pokes this time. Elsa fought back a smile to not give herself away. The voice would not win this easily. Not this time.

It was quiet for a long time and Elsa thought perhaps the voice had given up. Good. Now maybe she could just relax and get some more…

"ELSA!"

This certainly got her attention and Elsa sprang up from her bed, knocking over the lurking figure that had been hovering over her. Both of them tumbled to the floor, bed sheets and limbs tangled up in one another. Elsa found herself on top of a soft, blanket-covered lump, a lump that was currently moaning and wriggling beneath her. Keeping still and refusing to be moved, the white-haired queen regally held her ground atop the body beneath her. For several moments, the lump wiggled and thrashed, desperately trying to relieve itself of its burden. When Arendelle's monarch refused to budge, the lump decided it would be best to give up its fight and it remained motionless, causing said monarch to look down skeptically. She moved the blanket below her and looked into her sister's happy smiling face. Her smile was infectious and it wasn't long before a similar smile was gracing Elsa's own pale face. Both girls started giggling and Elsa, not unaware of her sister's predicament, kindly and gracefully got up and, ever the queen, she straightened her nightgown, glancing down at her sister. Anna had not moved from her spot, though her sides were still heaving in laughter. When she was finally able to settle down, the auburn-haired girl was able to lift herself high enough to rest on her elbows and looked up at her elder sister.

"Aren't you going to help me up?" Smirking as elegantly as possible, Elsa cocked her head to the side.

"Why would I do that?" The younger girl stared hard at her.

"You were the one that knocked me over and fell on top of me. It is the least you can do."

Elsa just shrugged her shoulders. "Well, you were the one that was hovering over me trying to wake me up. Why did you think it would be a good idea to yell at me to wake me up?" Anna smiled sheepishly. "I think you got what you deserved."

"If you had woken up the first two times, I wouldn't have had to resort to such matters, oh mighty ice queen of Arendelle," Anna jested. "And might I ask, have you been sneaking some extra chocolates recently? You were quite heavy, you know. I could hardly breathe." Elsa glared at her sister and for a brief moment, Anna thought she had perhaps overstepped her bounds. Although it had been a year, she knew that her sister still struggled with controlling her emotions, and thus, controlling her powers. While she was significantly better at it than she had been, sometimes it only took the wrong word or a bit too much pushing (usually unintentionally courtesy of Anna herself) for the snow queen to lose control. Anna was afraid that this was one of those times and quickly tried to backpedal. "Look, Elsa. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. You're right. It was all my fau…" Anna stopped her apology when she heard her sister begin to laugh. It was a wonderful, beautiful sound that she was still getting used to and while it surprised her, she could say she was glad to hear it. She had never heard enough of that sound over the last decade and she doubted she would ever tire of it.

"Oh, Anna," Elsa giggled. "It's fine. Really. No one got hurt, well aside from your pride, and I'm sure you'll think twice before pulling this little stunt again. Am I right?" Anna nodded. "Good. Now how about I help you up and we both get ready for breakfast." Another nod and Elsa reached down to help pull her sister to her feet. Once Anna was upright once again, the two sisters stared at each other, hands still clasped, not really wanting to let each other go. After thirteen years of isolation, Elsa marveled at her little sister's willingness to stay as close to her as possible. Just a little over a year ago, she had been afraid of hurting anyone, especially Anna, with her powers and she could never dream of being so close with someone. But Anna knew what she could do with her powers, knew what she had done and almost did, yet she was always eager to lend her sister a comforting hand or a hug whenever she needed it. She gave Elsa the love, the closeness, and the trust that she desperately needed and had been craving for so long. She forgot what that felt like and was grateful that she would never have to forget that feeling ever again. And she would always be thankful to her sister for showing her that true love could indeed melt even the most frozen of hearts.

Holding hands wasn't enough for Anna however, and she pulled her sister closer for a swift hug. Elsa was startled at first, but she quickly managed to calm herself down, though the few snowflakes that fell were proof of her surprise. Elsa squeezed her sister gently and made to pull away, but Anna didn't want to let go. With over a decade of loneliness behind her, being able to touch and hold Elsa like this was a welcome experience and she cherished every time she could get this close to her sister. Elsa relaxed into the hug once more, knowing that Anna needed this. After thirteen years of saying no, who was she to deny her sister anything anymore?

Anna finally released her sister from the hug a few moments later, a satisfied smile on her face. Neither one said a word to each other as Anna pulled away slightly. Reluctantly, she dropped her sister's hands and headed to the door, a bright smile still on her face. She turned around and gave Elsa an affectionate glance before heading out the door and back to her room.

Elsa remained where she was as she watched her sister depart, her own smile just as bright as Anna's. She watched as the young woman closed the door behind her, a pleasant sigh escaping her lips when she heard the latch click. Finally moving from her spot, Elsa moved about her room to prepare for the day.

Breakfast, as usual, was a relaxed affair. It was one of the few times during the day that the sisters could spend together without someone or something interrupting them. No queenly business to interrupt them. No party planning to distract them. No talking snowmen or reindeer or handsome ice harvesters to demand their attention. Just the two of them.

Sisters.

As it should be.

Although Anna had just left her a few moments ago, Elsa was still happy to see her sister sit down beside her at the table. The girl began chatting animatedly as soon as she was seated and Elsa, always the quieter one of the two, was more than willing to listen to her sister's happy, excited ramblings.

"…and then I apologized for knocking over that suit of armor, but who leaves something like that out in the open anyways? Seriously, who does that? It's like it was just asking for it." Elsa smiled as her sister finished the story and resumed eating. It was just like Anna to do something like that. Her bumbling nature was notorious around the castle and she found it endearing. It was just another quality of Anna's that made her unique, that made her, well, Anna. Most of the servants did too, though it did tend to grate on the nerves of their most curmudgeonly of attendants.

"Well, dear sister of mine," Elsa started, "it sounds like you've already had quite the interesting morning. What other exciting adventures could you possibly have planned for today?" Anna was about to answer but remembered, almost too late, about the food in her mouth. She quickly swallowed and looked at her sister, an embarrassed look on her face.

"I was hoping to go into town to do some shopping and looking around. I'll probably stop by the baker's, the dress shop, the market, the chocolatier…" Anna drifted off, a wistful, childish look in her eyes. It took her a moment to get her thoughts back in order "Eh hem…right. I think I'll need to visit the florist, perhaps the fabric store, and I have to get in touch with the party planner soon. And I need to figure out a guest list and get that started." Anna sighed. "There is still plenty of planning I need to get started on and I would love to get some more ideas before I even begin to start finalizing anything." Anna's cheerful, happy tone turned sad as she glanced down at the simple ring on her left hand. "Though I do wish Kristoff were here to help." She looked back up at her sister. "I know he just left yesterday, but I wish he was here again. Did he tell you when he was coming back?"

While she had suspected this question would come sooner rather than later, Elsa still had to take a moment to figure out what she should tell her sister. I know I promised him I wouldn't say anything, but it's really hard to keep secrets from Anna and I really don't want to. But I did promise and I really do want her to be surprised.

Elsa shook her head. "No. He just said he had something to take care of and that he would be back as soon as possible." She sighed at her sister's sad look. "But I'm sure he would be here if he could. You know how much he loves you, little sister." Anna brightened up considerably at her sister's words and for that, Elsa was grateful. She never did like seeing Anna sad and it hurt her to have to obscure the truth from the younger woman. But she knew that in the end it would all be worth it.

Anna giggled giddily. "You're right. There is no way he would be gone if he didn't have to be." She sighed again, her happiness slightly dissipated. "I'm just worried about him. It's just…whenever he leaves for ice harvesting…I'm always afraid he won't be back. I've seen what's out there and I'm scared for him. But I know he can take care of himself." Her eyes watered slightly and Elsa placed a loving hand on her sister's and gave it a slight squeeze. This tiny gesture from her sister, who once refused all physical human contact, gave Anna encouragement and she brightened up again. "Besides, the wedding is still months away, and he won't be gone any longer than necessary. I know that. There is still plenty of time for him to give his input."

"If you let him," Elsa added slyly. "At least this time he doesn't have a fiery, feisty pants little princess he has to drag along behind him, evading wolves and perilous chasms along the way. I'm sure his travels will be much safer and go much more quickly this time around." The two sisters shared a hearty laugh and finished breakfast before they parted ways with a quick hug, Elsa to her study to read over some treaties and Anna to town. It had been a long road back to sisterhood and there had been plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, but now, they were both loving the easy affection and warming closeness that they had both been denied for so long and they were grateful for every moment they had together. Walking out, Elsa renewed the silent vow she made to herself over a year ago, and every day since, to make sure to never let anything come between her and her sister ever again.

No matter what.