"Elsa! Wake up, breakfast is ready!" Anna said, pounding on Elsa's bedroom door. It was a bright, sunny morning, and Elsa was still buried under her covers, trying to avoid whatever the day had to offer.
"Go away, Anna," Elsa mumbled loud enough for Anna to hear.
"Nope, not this time!" Anna burst through the door. She ran across the room and jumped on Elsa's bed. She threw the covers off of her older sister and smiled brightly. "Come on, Elsa, I'm staaaarving!" she said, right in Elsa's ear.
Elsa gently pushed Anna's face away from hers, leaving a frosty handprint on the whole left side of her face. "Alright, alright. I'm awake," Elsa laughed.
"Great! Now hurry up and get dressed," Anna said, hopping off of the bed and walking out of the room. "And, uh, fix your hair," she turned around in stride and added in a whisper.
Elsa waited a few seconds until she was sure Anna was a safe distance away to get out of bed herself. She ran her fingers through her hair a couple of times, and looked around her room. She couldn't seem to focus on anything. She sighed and walked over to her closet. She pushed the giant doors open, and quickly scanned through the ridiculous amount of dresses she owned. She settled on one of her trademark light-blue ones.
"I'm sure my hair looks fine," she mumbled to herself, striding out the door.
"There you are!" Anna said when Elsa was halfway down the dining room stairs. She scurried over to her older sister, linked their arms together, and led her down the rest of the stairs. "Look what Hilde and Callan did!"
Elsa looked at the table and saw the most beautifully arranged fruit trays, bursting with every fruit you could think of. "Wow, this looks great!" she said.
"I know, right? Look how colorful and juicy everything is! I can't wait to dig in!" Anna said.
"Where are Hilde and Callan?" Elsa asked.
"Still in the kitchen. I'll go get them!" Anna said, unlatching her arm from Elsa's. Once Anna was in the kitchen, Elsa walked over to the table and reached for a piece of melon.
"Not so fast!" Hilde yelled, walking out of the kitchen with Anna and Callan. Elsa stepped back and put her hands in the air. "Your Majesty has to wait, just like the rest of us."
"Alright Hilde, I'm sorry," Elsa laughed.
"Would anyone mind if I invited Sigvard to join us?" Hilde asked.
"Who's Sigvard?" Callan asked.
"He's one of the butlers," Anna answered. "Oh, and Hilde's boyyyyfriend," she added, wiggling her eyebrows
"Your Highness, that is enough," Hilde scolded, her face beet red.
Sigvard, who is only a couple years older than Hilde, started working for the Royal Family at around the same time that she had. Throughout all the years, they'd spent lots of time together, and as much as they'd hate to admit it, they liked each other.
"Cut it out, Anna," Elsa laughed. "Of course he can join us, Hilde. Why don't you go get him?" Hilde nodded and went to go find Sigvard. "So how did you two pull this all together?" Elsa asked, reaching again for a piece of melon. Anna slapped her hand.
"Hilde and I went down to the market really early this morning, so we got first picks at the fruit," Callan answered. "I hope everyone enjoys it."
"I know I will!" Anna chimed as Hilde walked back into the dining room joined by Sigvard.
"Good morning, everyone," he said, offering a small bow. Sigvard was a tall, skinny fellow, with a full head of perfectly groomed white hair, and an impressive mustache. He always appeared serious, but was no stranger to being a laid-back goofball.
"Good morning, Sigvard. I'm so glad you'll be joining us!" Elsa said, smiling warmly. Her and Anna took their places at the table, then she motioned for everyone else to sit down. "Oh, by the way Sigvard, this is Callan. She'll be taking over for Hilde."
"Oh, hello there," he greeted her, nodding his head. He wasn't necessarily happy that Hilde was leaving. He would have considered leaving with her, but he said that there is no one else fit to be a butler to "his girls", as he would sometimes affectionately call Elsa and Anna.
"Hello," Callan waved. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Anna stood up.
"I'm going to start, if no one minds. Those grapefruit slices are calling my name," she said, grabbing the plate of grapefruit. She also grabbed the melon plate that Elsa had been eyeing, and passed it to her. Everyone else filled their plates, and the the next fifteen minutes or so were spent in silence while everyone ate. "So what do you have going on today, Els?" Anna finally asked.
"I have a few more trade proposals that I should probably go over," Elsa answered. "What about you?"
"Aw, can't you skip them? I was going to take a hike up to your ice castle and I wanted you to go along."
Elsa's heart sank. Anna believed her to be the perfect older sister who could do no harm. Guilt was quickly taking over. "I'd love to, but I really need to look through those. How about tomorrow?"
"Okay, sure! Can we stop and have a picnic lunch too? I think that'd be nice."
"Of course," Elsa said, forcing a smile. It was killing her to have Anna be so nice to her when she was doing something behind her back that would break her heart. She had to talk to Kristoff about this.
"Great! Callan, you wouldn't mind packing us a lunch tomorrow, would you?" Anna asked.
"That's what I'm here for," Callan smiled, as she stood up and started collecting everyone's plates.
"It's okay, I'll get mine," Elsa said when Callan came around to her. She stood up and followed her into the kitchen. "Great breakfast today," she said.
"You really liked it?" Callan's face lit up.
"Yeah! There are very few things more delicious than fresh fruit. And the best part is that it was something that you were comfortable eating also," Elsa said. Callan nodded. "I know you're hear to take care of Anna and I, but don't forget to keep taking care of yourself too, okay?"
Callan smiled in response. Anna then ran into the kitchen carrying a small clay pot. She slid past Callan and Elsa, grabbed a bucket that was sitting in the floor, and filled it with soap and water. She smiled at the two girls, then took off just as quickly as she came.
"Where are you going with those?" Elsa asked, walking after her.
"I'm going to Town Square to blow bubbles with the kids! They should get a kick out of it," she answered.
"Alright, you have fun!" Elsa said, following her until she walked out the door, then gently shutting the door behind her. She walked back into the dining room where Sigvard and Hilde were still sitting and chatting. "Sigvard, could you please send for Kristoff? Some of the trade proposals include ice, and I would appreciate his input. I'll be in the meeting room, if you would send him up there."
"Of course, Your Majesty," he replied.
"Great, thank you," she exhaled, turning around and jogging up the stairs. What am I going to say to him? What do I even want to say to him? She thought to herself while scurrying down the hall. She shut herself into the meeting room, and sat down at her desk. She sighed and started flipping through the small stack of trade proposals. About twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Your Majesty? Kristoff is here," Sigvard said.
"Oh, good. Let him in." The door opened, and Sigvard motioned for Kristoff to head in. "Kristoff, hey!" Elsa said, standing to greet him. She couldn't help but be happy to see him. "Thank you, Sigavrd, that's all for now." Sigvard nodded, shut the door, and left.
"Hi," Kristoff grinned. "So some of these other kingdoms want some ice? They called on the right duo," he said, puffing out his chest. Elsa giggled.
"Yeah. Ever since word about my powers got out, they've really been trying to deal. Here, read this one," she said, handing him one of the papers.
"'Our kingdom is having a rough summer, and it seems we are in a drought. In exchange for half of the cotton we've harvested, would you consider sending us a little snowstorm?'" Kristoff read. "Really?" he chuckled.
"Really," Elsa said. "But… that's not really what I called you here to talk about."
"Oh?" He placed the paper back on Elsa's desk, and stood so close to her that he could feel cold air coming off of her. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I, uh," she stammered, both nervous and thrilled about how close he was standing. When she didn't answer right away, Kristoff pressed his lips against Elsa's, and held them there long enough to make Elsa completely forget why she had initially called him here. "I don't remember," she whispered, once their lips had separated.
"Too bad," he smiled, wrapping his hands around her waist. She smiled in return and threw her arms over his shoulders and around his neck. She stood up on her tip-toes and kissed him.
Time seemed to be irrelevant when they were together. Ordinarily lost in a kiss, only stopping to catch their breath, whether time was moving slow or fast, they didn't know. And they didn't care. But this time, much like the last, the moment was ruined by a knock on the door.
"Elsa? Are you in there?"
"Shoot, it's Anna! Kristoff, hide!" Elsa whispered, pulling away from him.
"Where?" he said as softly as possible.
Elsa frantically looked around. "Under the desk." Kristoff nodded. "Yeah, one second," she called to Anna once Kristoff was safely hidden. Elsa straightened her dress and answered the door. "What's up?"
"Oh goodness, Elsa. You look like you just ran up six flights of stairs. Are you okay?"
"What? Yeah, I'm fine. It just startled me when you knocked. I jumped, like, ten feet in the air," she chuckled loudly. "It embarrassed me."
"Ha! Sorry about that. How are the trade proposals coming?" Anna asked, letting herself into the room.
"Uh, great! Great!" Elsa barked, covering her mouth, realizing she was talking too loud, a nervous trait she's only recently developed. Anna strolled towards the desk. Elsa ran to catch up to her, then jumped in front of her well before she got there. "Wh-what are you doing? I mean, I thought you were blowing bubbles in Town Square."
Anna furrowed her brow and smiled, confused by her sister's action. "I was," she said. "But the kids kinda took over. So I left them the bubbles and decided to come home," she shrugged. "Can I help you with your Queen stuff?"
"What do you mean?
"Like these trade proposals and stuff. I want to know how it all works," Anna said, stepping around Elsa and heading for the desk again.
"Why?" Elsa asked, almost racing her to the desk. "You've never shown any interest before."
"Well come on, Els, you're my big sister. Of course I'm interested in what you do. Little sisters always want to be just like their big sisters," Anna smiled. Elsa's stomach did an uncomfortable flip. "Plus, I'm bored," Anna added.
Elsa beat Anna to the desk, and practically dove into her chair.
"You're acting weird. Is everything okay?" Anna asked her.
"Everything's fiiiine," she said, drawing out the word for emphasis. "I'm just a little possessive over my Queen desk." She clenched her eyes shut, realizing how stupid that must have sounded. "Well if you don't have anything else going on, and you really want to help, could you actually go to my room and bring back my crown? I forgot to put it on this morning."
"Sure! I'll be right back," Anna said, spinning around on her heels and leaving the room. Elsa bent down to check on Kristoff, who was looking rather cramped.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," she whispered. She stood up so Kristoff could get out from under the desk.
"Anna?" he asked, straightening out his clothes.
"Yes. Well, sort of. But later. Right now you need to leave. Hide in the room right to the left of this one until Anna comes back. I'll shut the door once we're both in here, then you sneak out, okay?" said Elsa, who was in a slight panic.
"Alright, got it. But calm down, okay? Everything's going to be fine, Elsie," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders and lightly massaging them.
"Elsie?" Elsa smiled.
"Yeah," Kristoff blushed. "Why? Was that dumb?"
"No, it was cute," she said. She gave him a quick kiss, then gently pushed him towards the door. "I'll send for you again the next chance I get." Kristoff nodded, then swiftly entered the next room, closing the door behind him.
Elsa let out a huge sigh of relief. She put her hand on her forehead and walked slowly back to the desk. Just as she was straightening a stack of papers, Anna turned the corner slowly, wearing Elsa's crown and humming some fanfare. Elsa laughed, walked over to her, and bowed into a comically low curtsy. "Your Majesty, Queen Anna," she said.
Anna broke character and laughed. "'Queen Anna', huh? Kinda rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?"
"Don't get any ideas," Elsa smiled, taking the crown off of Anna and putting it on her own head. "Come on, there's this one proposal that you have to read." She ushered Anna in, then shut the door behind them.
That was Kristoff's cue to leave. He opened and shut the door as quietly as possible, then started tip-toeing down the hall. He was in the clear, but was still startled when he heard Anna laughing loudly.
"They want you to send them a snowstorm? HA!"