Half an hour later she found herself stood in the cemetery of one of the cities many church's looking down at the gravestone that bared the names of Anna's parents.
"In memory of Lukkas and Ghita Anderson (m 1980). They are remembered by their beloved daughter"
Next to the gravestone was what she assumed to be last night's bouquet of flowers. It was beautiful, pink lilies, she then watches as Anna kneels down to place the bunch she had in her hand down next to those already present.
"Mom, Dad I'd like you to meet Elsa, we've not known each other very long. Only a few hours in fact, but she wanted company and I said I'd show her the town. I hope you guys don't mind." Anna paused for a little while, her eyes growing glassy. "I miss you guys. I wish you could've seen how the flower shop is doing. Kristoff agreed to the coffee morning idea and they seem to be a success. I'm still renting his spare room. I know you'd be asking when I was going to move out." She rolled her eyes. "But you know, it's nice to have a roommate instead of living alone. Oh and before you ask yes I am still single. No there isn't a girl on the horizon, and yes I would tell you if there was. I'll speak to you guys tomorrow." She then kissed her fingertips before resting her hand on the top of the gravestone, completely missing the blush that her words had given to the soon-to-be-Queen as well as the clasped hands attempting to hide the frost trying to escape the tips of her fingers.
"She likes girls, should I tell her I also like girls. Would that be strange? God, I didn't imagine that she was anything but straight." Once she had looked up and noted the Royal's odd expression she asked what the matter was, the replay she gained was a vague yelp and then a note of "Oh well it seems to be getting late I'm going to have to get back to the castle." She didn't buy it but decided not to push the Princess further.
"It was nice to meet you Anna, I'm sorry to have sprung this upon you so suddenly. You've been nothing but discreet, I'd like to thank you for that. I can imagine had the press got wind of this there would be people vying for photographs by now."
"No problem, it was lovely to meet you. You can keep the wig by the way, although it is a shame to hide such beautiful, urgh, hair." Her eyes bulged as the other girl clamped her hand around her mouth. "Umm sorry, I mean… I'm sure that's not the most appropriate thing to be saying to the Monarchy of Arendale. But, yeah… your hair is lovely."
"I'm sure considering the circumstances Anna "appropriateness" might not apply to this situation. Besides, I'm sure my hair has got very little on your freckles." At this point they were both blushing, said freckles almost disappearing from the Auburn girl's complexion. "Elsa you're going to have to ask her if you ever want to see her again. Come on… don't pussy out of this. . ."
"AnnacouldImaybepleasehaveyourmobilenumber?"
"Sorry, what was that?" The giggle gifted to her could almost turn her to jelly.
"Anna, could I please, umm if you would like? Could I possibly, take your number? Would you like mine that is…. Maybe we could, do this again. At some point?" "Well that was smooth"
"Yes, that'd be great. Hang on let me type my number into your phone." Then came the awkward exchange of leaving, Elsa wanted Anna to hug her but also feared how her emotions could easily get the better of her. When Anna leant in and kissed her on the cheek she felt the tell-tale spark of frost coming along with a burning sensation from her cheeks. She wished she could've welcomed the touch but she was well aware of her secret.
Elsa wasn't sure how she got back to the castle, she was too busy grinning from ear to ear and going over the past 3 hours in her head. Anna had tilted her head in question before giving her a soft hug. She'd commented on how cold Elsa had felt asking if she was "warm enough". Of course Elsa simply stated that the "cold never bothered her any way" so Anna needn't worry. The fact that Anna would think to ask for consent before hugging her warmed Elsa, she hadn't thought someone would be that considerate of her boundaries. Certainly a lot of the "suiters" that Kai had attempted to set her up with recently had no apparent quam in invading her personal space.
She vaguely wondered if anyone had noticed her absence as she made her way through the hallways to her room. Her question was answered when she bumped into Gerda, her head maid knocking on her bedroom door.
"Where have you been Ma'am, Kai and I were worried, we were going to raise an alarm if you hadn't emerged for much longer." Elsa noted the older woman looking her up and down, eyeing her casual clothing suspiciously faulting at her converse and then coming back up.
"I went for a walk in the grounds Gerda, I'm sure I told one of the guards." She notes Gerda's eyes narrowing certain she failed to believe her. "Okay for one I am the future Queen and two, I admit that I may have forgotten to tell a guard I was leaving the building however I am an adult. So you know, be chill?" The resulting clip round the ear was a moderate surprise Elsa would admit, when Gerda told her that she was to be her "guardian" after the death of her parents Elsa wasn't certain she understood. Apparently this entailed actual beating of the Monarch now.
"Don't try to sass me; you and I both know who changed your nappies don't we." At Elsa's blush she chuckled. "You're allowed to have a life Elsa, just you know… try to not panic the entire staff in doing so. It's only been two years you know, we'd prefer to keep you intact for a while longer. Now, here's the list for tomorrow. You've got a meeting with the Archbishop; he's keen to get you accustomed to the coronation procedure. Before you say it yes you can keep the gloves on and no he won't be touching you, but that's mostly because he's a creep and if he did I'd be swatting him away. You know Ma'am you can bring someone to be with you if you'd umm, like?" Her eyebrows rose slightly as she looked up to Elsa.
"You know that probably won't be necessary Gerda."
"It is still an option though your Royal Highness." "True, though I doubt the person I'd want to ask would want that. Would she? Even if she did how would it be taken the Queen taking a female partner?"
"Yes thank you Gerda, could you please tell the kitchens that I will be taking my dinner in the dining room in about an hour. Oh, and that I don't need anything particularly special?"
She spent most of the night building up the courage to text the number that Anna had put into her personal mobile phone. Finally she decided on "Hi, this is Elsa." It wasn't long until her phone notified her of a reply.
A: Hi Elsa.
E: I know it's rude but maybe you should save my name as something different on your phone?
A: Already on it "hopeless stalker".
E: Well that's…different?
A: :-P, so Elsa. Is there a chance you might be free again soon? If so I would love to see you again?
E: How does tomorrow night sound?
A: Pretty perfect to me.
The Princess found herself drifting to sleep with a smile on her face and her phone in her (ungloved) hand.