The following week it had almost seemed like the Elsa was avoiding meeting with Anna again, at times she would be sleeping or too busy with work to even utter a word, but that was the role of the Queen to make sure everything runs smoothly. Anna decided to get out of the castle, walking aimlessly she found Kim, picking up supplies, she could also sense the familiar disappointment.
"Hey Stranger"
Kim turned around to find the fellow red head with the same expression she saw in the mirror, longing and disappointment. Feigning a smile she responded "Hey Anna"
"Where are you going?"
Gesturing to the sled "I'm actually going to hunt in the woods, I don't suppose you want to-"
"Please!" Walking over to the reindeer Anna smiled while petting his nose.
Deciding to hunt near the Forest Kimberly taught Anna how to avoid , and locate traps that were previously set by other hunters. The sun was in its highest position in the sky,as Kim took a seat by the trunk of the tree closest to the lake.
"So, have you talked to Shane?"
Kim blushed and shook her head, " No, he always seems so occupied trying to ease Elsa's workload, even if it means traveling for her to various places."
"It seems they want to expand trade..." Anna sighed
Kim's back rested on the tree. "... Have you talked to Elsa?"
"No, everytime I see her, she just smiles at me and goes to work or falls asleep standing up."
"Can I ask you something? "
"Hm? Sure"
"Who is Shane? I mean what does he like or dislike?"
Anna rubbed the bottom of her chin, she had known him for almost the majority of her life yet she didn't know a lot. "His last name is PenDragon, he likes cold things, as well as sweet pastries. He utterly dislikes being touched on the chest."
"Chest?"
"Yes, weird isn't he? It's not too late to go after a different guy"
Kim blushed "I wonder why."
"Beats me..." a grin crept across her face "Wanna hear something crazy?"
Kim smiled brightly "I love crazy."
Leaning over to whisper in Kim's ears, both red heads at the end grinned widely they could make even a cheshire cat proud. Deciding to cut the hunting trip short after not a lot of sucess, both girls returned to the castle. The windows were still open, as well as the doors. It almost seemed like it was only yesterday that the castle gates had remained shut. Anna walked inside followed by Kim, both girls marveled at a new addition to the halls, a glass vase, with various colors as well as a glass rose inside.
Both girls walked over to the study to find Shane asleep on the couch with Elsa resting her head on his chest while his arm was wrapped around her. Anna fought back the desire to grab him and shake him, but for Kim's sake didn't noticing a letter on the table. Picking it up, the first thing that caught her attention was the seal that enclosed the envelope, it was a Gryphon, with a sword hidden behind it. Signalling that it would be a bad time both girls walked out with the letter in hand. Both amazed at the penmanship and the ink that they thoroughly examined the letter befkre reading its contents.
"A visit from the Princess of the ..."
"Where is that? " Kim tilted her head to the side
Anna shrugged "I can't pronounce it let alone say it."
After an hour of trying to find out where in the great big world the kingdom of the Ares was located. Both girls were summoned to dinner.
"I'll race ya!" Anna girled before taking a head start running.
Kim laughed and followed suit, almost as if gliding through the hallways avoiding servants and the priceless artifacts in the home both arrived at the dining room. Both decided to sit next to each other, it was only a matter of minutes before they were joined by Elsa and Shane who entered the room laughing.
"That did not happen!" Elsa chuckled before noticing Anna and Kimberly were already at the table.
"Good Evening " Shane smiled before helping Elsa take a seat , and sitting beside her.
A maid walked in with fresh plates of steaming rice, and fish, setting them down in front of the two red heads she giggled. "It looks like you two could be sisters Princess Anna with your guesr and her majesty and Prince could be the parents ."
Anna's lips twisted into a scowl displaying her obvious disapproval of the observation.
Kimberly sighed disappointed while fiddling with her utensils.
Shane chuckled "That's too bad if they see us like this, I can't ask you out Anna"
Anna blushed "Don't even joke like that!"
Elsa decided to join in "Oh darling don't tease her so. She's still young."
Another maid entered with two more plates, setting them in front of the queen and prince she promptly walked away. The group began to eat, making lively conversation and jokes.
"So, Elsa... how are things going?" Anna asked while pushing around her brussel sprouts with her fork.
"The good news is thanks to Shane here, we are now trading almost world wide. With various goods, I'm sure it will be spoils for the both of our kingdoms." Elsa smiled
"And also free time for both of us" Shane chimed in.
"What?" Anna grinned "Really?!"
Elsa nodded her head "We'll have time to spend together"
Shane grinned "So, Kimmie how about-"
"My lord " An elderly servant came rushing into the dining hall handing a letter before bowing to his knees.
"Christian, I thought I told you just to call me Shane..." she sighed before taking the letter, noticing her emblem on the seal Elsa plucked the letter from her fingers. Opening the letter she read carefully before having a serious look on her face. "I'm sorry..." she whispered
Unlocking the second pair of gauntlets that had been custom made to withstand her abilities, as well as the cape, and armor from the kingdom, and set it gently on Christian's servant with tears in his eyes, got up slowly and walked away.
Anna tilted her head in confusion, "What happened? "
"Judging from their behavior, one of two things... my father has died, or I no longer have a right to the throne." Shane shrugged before finishing the meal.
"How can you be so calm?" Kim spoke
"Because I know the King hasn't died, he's far too stubborn. And well I've been warned about being disowned."
"What did you do ?" Anna asked as the plates were now being cleared away.
"It's more of what I didn't do." Shane rubbed the back of his neck.
"What is it?" Kim asked peaked with curiosity.
"Get married. " Shane looked up at the chandelier.
"WHAT?!" Anna and Kim both exclaimed.
"You never told me this She- aanne. " Elsa almost let Shane's real name slip.
"It wasn't important, besides I've been so busy I had forgotten as well. "
Maids entered with coffee and slices of cake for each individual.
"Do you have a place to go?" Elsa asked
"Of course he does! With a face like that I dare someone to kick him out!" Anna unintentionally complimented him, but was hoping Shane wouldn't be staying with them.
"Shane won't you stay with us?"
"I don't want to impose."
"He doesn't have to-"
"Anna, he's done so much for me. It's the least I could do."
"Well I have already invited Kimberly to live with us."
Kim turned with a mouthful of cake in her mouth "mmph?"
Anna patted her back " Her house's roof broke so I offered her the guest bedroom."
Elsa rubbed the bottom of her chin, "That's alright we can share my quarters, my bed is big enough for the two of us. Until we remodel the other rooms for you." She smiled.
Shane smiled "Thank you Elsa. "
After dessert Anna walked to the rooftops with Kim, both red heads sighed as they stared up at the stars.
"Do you think they like each other?"
"I don't know" Before she knew it Kim was being dragged down into the stairs, as the knelt in front of Elsa's door.
"I don't think I'm ready... wait.." Elsa moaned
"D-don't tell me they're doing that already!" Anna said in a whisper
"Is this your first time? You feel so tense Elsa, at this rate you'll feel more pain than pleasure" Shane said
Kimberly's face turned red "maybe we should leave" she whispered back
"Elsa" Shane whispered "Trust me"
"Wa-wait, not that fast!"
Chuckling softly "Where did all your eagerness disappear to?"
Elsa than moaned louder "If you keep doing that than I'll-"
Anna trembled full of rage her hands gripped the door knob as sbe swung it open. "Elsa!" Only to see Elsa sitting in a chair massaged by Shane. Wearing a silk robe to cover her night gown, as Shane was wearing black silk robes tied at the waist. "I uh... forgot to say good night! Good night!"
Kimberly smiled before dragging Anna away.
"It wasn't what we thought" she said before walking Anna to her room.
"No, but if they keep this up they might as well be married. " Anna sighed not fully understanding why she was so jealous of him.
"Don't you think Shane would have asked her already? "
"You're right this one is tricky. I'll have a plan for tomorrow! "
Kim shook her head "Goodnight"
"Goodnight"