I've recently been missing out on writing. I know. I also totally forgot about this until this morning. So...yeah, I'll just pick up on it and finish while I'm at it.
Just as Anna said, she returned to the North Mountain to talk with Elsa who naturally shied away. It didn't put Anna off though, just made her try harder. She visited Elsa almost daily and the shy girl slowly grew accustomed to her until she expected Anna every day. They talked of everything and nothing. Elsa began to trust the exuberant girl and finally deemed it safe to tell her of her past, a subject Anna always wanted to learn of but never pushed her for. It was important that she only shared when she was ready. It almost broke Anna's heart to hear that Elsa was abandoned by her own parents. They threw her out and she had been living wallowing in her own silence all these years. It was the basis of her trust issues and space boundaries. Anna vowed to be the friend she needed. She would be there to hear her out, let her vent, or just simply be there when Elsa just needed company.
The girls found themselves making games out of their visits, Elsa sometimes popping up out of nowhere while in disguise the few times they met in town. Anna would surprise her back at the ice castle. Anna even befriended the giant Marshmallow and traded warm hugs with Olaf. She spent more and more time outside the castle and she knew Kristoff was growing worried for her, or at least suspicious, but he was too busy as of late to interrogate her. Hans was equally confused but he was caught up in internal plans to woo the youngest royal. He wasn't giving up without a proper fight. The product of a more open and trusting Elsa was better days lacking a storm or the sun coming out for a few hours. Anna knew she was getting through to the blonde, however small of progress it was. At least she wasn't shut out anymore. Anna could see the girl Elsa was underneath her insecurities and sadness. She was caring and gentle, protective and determined.
She could also be fierce, her anger flaring when she found something to be terrible or unjust. She was also very fragile and reserved, vulnerable in the most heartbreaking way. Those days she allowed Anna to hold her in a comforting embrace, the first time having come as a shock to Anna but she quickly adjusted, happy Elsa trusted her enough for such contact between them. She would always be there for her because who else really was? She was all Elsa had, human companion wise, and she would not tarnish that by losing Elsa's trust in any way. That included but wasn't limited to keeping their interactions a secret. With months flying by and Anna lost to the secret excitement of having a best friend no one knew about, seeing as it was the feared Ice Demon, she didn't notice when Kristoff's confused expression morphed into a hard frown that promised he would get down to the root of the situation.
He didn't like Anna disappearing several times a day, especially when he didn't know where she went. She could run into trouble and he would be none the wiser. He was too busy to keep an eye on his little sister so he often sent Hans in his stead, the young man having stuck around longer. He hoped the two could reconcile their differences but even Hans couldn't figure out where Anna went or what she did when she was out. Kristoff watched from his study as Anna packed up to take the sled and Sven out again. He watched as she entered town and headed out past that, just as she had done so many times before. He sighed heavily and turned back to the mountain of paperwork. He could only hope Anna didn't get herself into trouble because he would hate to break her adventurous heart as well as nature by restricting her to the castle or town. He took a seat and got to work, worry over Anna, but now it was in the back of his mind.
~o~O~o~
Elsa played with the winds and twisted frost through the air while she waited for Anna to return. She found herself looking forward to seeing her personal ball of sunshine and adorkable clumsiness. She came to adore Anna and trusted her in a tentative way she wished she could turn into a more certain trust. She gave her no reason to distrust her but Elsa just found it hard to completely trust. She huffed out a steady breath, the puff of air fanning the loose pieces of hair that fell in her face. She adjusted on her icy seat in the middle of the second floor of her palace. Freshly fallen snow fell around her, coating the floor in her rising uncertainty. She worried too much when left in silence for so long. She doubted and second guessed herself over and over until Anna returned. She was more certain of things when Anna was around. Speaking of Anna, the young woman came bounding in at the moment with a ridiculous flourish that made Elsa laugh behind her hand.
"Did someone call for a picnic because I have the makings of a great one right here!" she announced, holding up a basket and rolled up blanket.
"It's more of a summer thing but this is nice too," she added, looking around at all the snow. Clearly Elsa had been bothered over something. The magic, or curse, as Elsa liked to think of it, only really got out of hand when she was overrun by negative emotions. But when she leaned toward positive emotions, she was happy to find she had a certain amount of control.
"Summer? I love summer! Can I be in the picnic too?" Olaf cut in, having just wandered in.
"Of course. Come on, I brought sandwiches and an extra treat," Anna answered. Olaf let out a cheer followed by a happy giggle then followed the two girls to a space where they set out the blanket. Anna took Elsa by the hand and directed her to sit down. Elsa's fair skin flushed slightly at the contact. Anna was always so warm in so many ways. She rarely failed to bring a smile to Elsa's face. Anna was just glad she could lighten Elsa's mood and marveled at the times she was able to come in contact with her without the other girl flinching away. Her skin was always freezing cold but Anna didn't mind. In fact, she got used to it. Once they were seated, Anna pulled out the food. She had made an assortment of different sandwiches because she didn't know what Elsa liked. By the time they were finished they had ended up switching, finishing each other's instead of their own due to Elsa's indecisiveness. Anna didn't mind, only laughing at Elsa's trouble with deciding. She turned to get her favorite part of the meal when Elsa's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Is that…" she wondered slowly.
"Chocolate," they both said together, Anna finishing the sentence at the same time Elsa continued. They laughed at the timing and then Anna nodded.
"Yeah, I love it, and I hoped you would, which by your reaction you do," she said, taking out the sweet treat.
"We couldn't really afford it but the few times we bought it made me cherish every piece," Elsa shared, a nostalgic yet sad and far-away look in her blue eyes. Anna frowned but pushed it away with her trademark grin.
"Well now you have me and if you ever want some just let me know because I have a lot of it. Really, I think I'm obsessed with it!" Anna stated playfully, handing a piece to Elsa. She took it, her cool touch brushing over Anna's hand. She shivered, not really knowing why. Her own teal colored eyes sought out Elsa's when they pulled away. Was her obsession over Elsa more than the one she had for chocolate? Wait, what? She didn't know where that thought came from, yet she had to admit she thought about Elsa a lot, too much for it to be fleeting. Did Elsa think about her too? Elsa stared at Anna, caught up in a similar thought process.
The brief exchanges between them was enough to bring Elsa's internal howling storm down to a calm wind which reflected on the weather around her. The sun was allowed to grace the sky and the snow wasn't as heavy, all because of Anna. They both seemed to realize at the same time that they had been staring at the other so they quickly looked away, each taking a bite out of the chocolate. They shared the silence several minutes more before Anna guided them out of the awkward moment and into a more relaxed one. She stayed a little longer after they had finished, listening to Olaf recount his adventures in the woods, and then it was time for her to leave. They now stood at the door, the basket and rolled up blanket at Anna's booted feet.
"I'll probably see you in two days. Kristoff is hosting that ball I told you about. Apparently since I didn't warm up to Hans he's going to try playing matchmaker for a bunch of other princes now," Anna complained good-naturedly. Elsa held back a grimace, her features neutral. Anna shouldn't be traded off with random men she had no feelings for. It wasn't right. Anna was hers. Elsa cringed internally at that. Anna wasn't hers, she was her own person. Yeah, that was it.
"Good luck surviving that," Elsa spoke evenly, trying to keep the annoyance and distaste out of her tone. Unfortunately it made it sound forced instead. Anna's smile dropped a little, catching on to it.
"Yeah, it won't be that bad I'm sure. I promise I'll be back here when it's all over with details on how it went, ok?" she reassured her friend. Elsa nodded, her gaze on the ground. She only looked up when Anna stepped forward to hug her. She was always caught by surprise when she received hugs but she still managed to return it, if a little awkwardly. When Anna pulled away she held Elsa by the hands. It had taken a long time for Elsa to remove the gloves she kept on at all times but with trust came confidence around Anna so she removed them, no longer afraid she would accidentally hurt her new friend.
"Take care," Anna told her, voice warm and sincere. She kissed Elsa on the cheek without a second thought, blushed at her actions, and then hurriedly gathered her things.
"See you!" she exclaimed hastily, jogging away in embarrassment at her actions. Elsa just stood there shocked, a blush rising on her face. She held a hand to her cheek and then smiled genuinely, purely happy for the first time in what felt like forever. The calm wind silenced within her, replaced by complete control and warmth. She couldn't wait to see Anna again.
~o~O~o~
Anna woke up with a groan of realization. Today was the dreaded and completely unwelcomed ball. She was actually not looking forward to it which was unheard of for her. She loved socializing, meeting new people, and wearing beautiful dresses for the occasion but this time something held her back and she knew just what it was. This ball was a reminder that her brother was still playing matchmaker. He hoped to find her a suitor which she was not inclined to accept. How could she ever explain to Kristoff that her heart might be out of even her reach, that she may be falling for someone none of them thought possible? So, with reluctance, she got ready anyway. She spent the majority among the food, only talking when she had to. She was invited to dance a few times, and she accepted, but promptly forgot who it was she had danced with right after, let alone what they had talked about. Her mind was elsewhere the whole time and it didn't escape her brother's notice. He excused himself from a woman he had begun to take interest in and left her side to attend to his lackluster sister. He pulled her aside, away from the party, so that they could speak in private.
"What's the matter with you?" he questioned, a little roughly. He obviously disapproved of her behavior.
"What? Kristoff, I told you I didn't want to be here. Be happy I'm at least trying," she retorted.
"You call that trying? Anna, you need to be serious. You need to stop dreaming of traveling and adventure. Wanderlust didn't do anything for anyone and it won't hold anything for you. What will we do if something happens to me? Who will take over? No one has heard of a queen without a king," he chastised her. She bristled at his words instantly.
"I won't accept any random person either just to fulfill my duties Kristoff. If I should meet the one I want to be sure before making any permanent decisions," she snapped. His eyes hardened and he took off his crown to run a hand over his blonde hair then replaced it. He always did that when he was unsettled, much like Anna fixing her hair when she was unsettled.
"Anna, I…it's not just that. I feel like we haven't really seen eye to eye recently. I don't want us to drift apart. I miss you," he told her, taking her hand to hold in between his. Her eyes softened under his caring voice.
"I miss you too but you've been so busy and I know I tend to bug so I just…" she tried to explain but fell short.
"Yeah, you found something to hold your interest, which, by the way, you haven't told me about yet. What do you do out there?" he questioned, his tone a careful mix of hurt, suspicion, and curiosity. Anna bit her lip, wondering if she could trust him. She had trusted him all her life but for some reason she hesitated with this. What would he think? Would telling him endanger Elsa?
"Anna?" he inquired after she had been quiet too long. Silence from his normally talkative sister was never good.
"Kristoff, I want to tell you but…I just can't," she answered. His back stiffened at the rebuff.
"Please tell me it isn't dangerous at least," he said in a terse tone.
"No, of course not," she replied with a shake of her head.
"Because you spend so much time out there and we both know you can be a bit reckless. Plus, I worry about what's out there," he continued.
"What's out there to fear?" she demanded, knowing what he would say.
"That creature no one has ever been able to slay! You know this and you still go!" he shouted, his worry for his sister breaking through the carefully placed calm he covered it with.
"'That creature' hasn't done anything to anyone!" she spat back defensively.
"How would you know?" he questioned, his voice rising.
"I-I don't, but has anyone reported an attack? No, they haven't," she retorted.
"You've never seen it! You don't know what it's done! It sent battle toughened men running scared and wounded! Anna, geez, sometimes I wonder how far you'll go to prove a point. Which is why I hope you aren't out there trying to prove that point," he warned.
"And what if I am?" she yelled, fed up with everyone's fear of the unknown. If they only cared to get to know her, they would see how kind hearted she was.
"What?" he responded, expression and tone incredulous.
"Anna, you didn't…" he stated, his voice falling back down into concern.
"There's nothing to fear Kristoff. There never was," she pleaded with him. He shook his head.
"No, Anna, I won't allow this. How long have you been going behind my back? That thing could have killed you and I wouldn't have ever known. I would have been unable to do anything," he ground out, beginning to pace.
"She has been nothing short of nice and hasn't harmed me. She only needed someone to trust and be there for her," Anna tried to explain but her brother wouldn't listen.
"She? You expect me to just accept it just because it has a gender?" he questioned.
"She's human Kristoff! She isn't dangerous just misunderstood!" she yelled at him, her patience nonexistent.
"No, I forbid you from going out again. Do you hear me?" he ordered.
"Kristoff!" she shouted, furious with him now.
"I said do you hear me? You are to stay here until it's taken care of," he confirmed.
"No, no you can't-Kristoff, she needs me! Kristoff!" she shouted but he already turned away, gesturing to a pair of guards to take her to her room.
"Stop the party, send everyone home. I have to make plans to end this terror," he said to another guard.
"Yes, your majesty," the guard accepted. In ten minutes everyone was ushered out, Anna was sealed in her room to cry at the unfairness of it all while beating herself up internally for failing Elsa, and Kristoff was busy gathering his finest men to send off to defeat the creature once and for all. None of them were aware of Hans who had heard the whole fall out and was making plans with his own men to kill the creature before it could harm Anna. He strode off in search of his men, sending two. They could hopefully injure the beast, leaving it open to him and two more of his men. They would leave at dawn.