Not a good achey feeling. 2 hours of this everyday is not good. Nope. Not at all. Elsa was struggling to get up from bed, and not for the first time since training began. It had been almost 2 weeks, and she had yet to see Sir Anders outside of tutoring. He lived with her, yet she hardly caught a glimpse of him. If he was inside, his door was locked. Though he hardly was inside. Where does he go all day and night. She'd heard him once, with a friend of his, she assumed. Christopher? It was just before she finished her lessons, but she could hear the two talking in the hallway. She rushed out, hoping to catch a glimpse of her mysterious tutor, but he remained elusive as ever.
"Miss Elsa, are you coming to eat before your lessons?" Gerda, Kai's wife and her other favorite servant, called out to her through the door. Elsa answered with a groan. However, as the smell of cigarettes wafted through her open window, she threw herself out of bed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. The only people she could see were a redheaded girl and a blonde man walking side by side, the redhead with a cigarette on her lips.
A sigh drifted from the blonde woman, and the aching feeling returned, almost making her drop to her knees. She decided to skip the shower this morning, and opted for a quick dress in jeans and blue flannel. Slowly walking down the stairs, Elsa rested most of her weight on the railing. The pain in her legs made her want to stay in bed all day, but she knew that wasn't likely. Luckily, she had a mostly free schedule, save for her one morning and one evening study sessions. Sir Anders refused to practice on Saturdays, and she didn't feel the need to question him.
"Ah! Miss Elsa! You have decided to join us!" She smiled at Kai, as he pulled out her seat at the dining table.
"How are you doing sweetie?" Gerda was much more willing to drop the formalities than her husband, but the question made Elsa groan. "Well, you know that walking is the best remedy for that! Kai and I were planning on heading down to Oaken's for a nice coffee and maybe some of his delectable chocolate before going shopping! We were hoping you'd join us?" The glint in her eyes was mischievous, but Elsa couldn't fathom why. It seemed an innocent enough trip.
"Okay. After my lessons?" The question made Gerda grin.
"We negotiated you a free day. It'll be a learning experience. To see how other people work, yeah?" Elsa gave the old woman a grateful smile, and nodded.
"Will Sir Anders be joining us?" Unintentionally, Elsa wove a sliver of hope into the question, and it caught Gerda off guard. Elsa had kept to herself for the most part, never having time otherwise. To see her hopeful about seeing another person made Gerda happy.
But, that mischievous look was back, "I suppose he might. Can't be sure though."
Kai drove them to the city center, parking in the Solnberg Hotel parking lot. He reduced the hour long walk to a fifteen minute drive. For once, the couple was silent. Not trying to meddle in her personal life like usual. Completely silent. Something weird is going on here. Why are they so quiet?
The walk to Oaken's was silent, just as the drive was, and it was actually driving Elsa insane. However, as they neared the small coffee shop, she could hear that angelic voice she swore she heard two weeks ago. Her slow pace quickened as she became more eager to know the owner. Behind her, Kai and Gerda exchanged knowing looks.
Elsa's eyes graced a beautiful redheaded girl, eyes closed as she sang out to the blonde man's guitar. He would chime in here and there, but never more than a stanza. The song's music upbeat, and even the melodic voice, but the words seemed to indicate a sadness. Like a passing sadness that you reflect on in your most personal moments, but it never stays for long.
Those sad, teal eyes opened, and drifted to the blonde, surprise etching its way in, if only for a second. The last chord strung out, filling the small coffee shop, and Elsa's wide eyes displayed only confusion. The redhead leaned to the blonde, whispering something in his ear, to which he nodded, before plucking at strings.
This tune was all around happy. It was like every word was filled with true joy. Elsa felt the redhead's infectious smile grace her own lips. They were the ones walking this morning! She smokes, but still has this musical voice. Wow. She's amazing. Elsa caught herself openly admiring the woman and shook her head, attempting to regain her composure. Focus. Find Kai and Gerda. Unsurprisingly, the two were smiling at her, coffee and chocolate already having arrived at the table for three.
"Enjoying her?" Kai was the one to ask, a teasing lilt in his voice. Elsa furiously shook her head. "That's Anna. She goes to your school, you know. The blonde is Kristoff. They're here every Saturday, and some nights during the week." This information made Elsa perk up. Kristoff… where have I heard that unusual name before?
"Wait, Kristoff?" Elsa was truly confused. The name rung a bell and she couldn't remember why for the life of her. Then the girl filtered into her brain again. "Anna…" she trailed off, pensive.
Kai and Gerda couldn't help but pay each other devious grins. They enjoyed teasing the young woman, especially since it was hard to find something to grind her gears.
Gerda spoke next, "Why don't we come here at least one Saturday a month. I mean, you obviously enjoy their music." Gerda rose her voice on the last sentence, drawing the redhead's shot the old woman a glare, but nodded.
"Wait, you said she goes to my school. How do you know that? And why does Kristoff sound so familiar?" Elsa's mind was bogging up with unanswered questions, but the two that rose to the top seemed to be eating away the most. Her hopes were not high that Gerda would answer, and rightfully so. The woman who had served her since birth loved to tease the blonde. It appeared as though her favorite way to tesse was giving just enough information to spike curiosity, but not enough to satisfy.
"A maid must have her own secrets, dearie." With a sip of her coffee, Gerda hid her smirk.
One ringing note signified the end of the song, and the gruff voice if the blonde man filled the room. It would be 15 minutes before they took the stage again. Elsa watched the two exit, off stage and a small detail caught her eye. Twin pigtails. With a mallen streak of almost white hair. If Sir Anders was a female, I'd say she was him. He is quite small. But he holds himself like a man. No reason for a woman to hide her identity in the fencing world. But, maybe we could be friends. No. Don't fool yourself Elsa. You are cannot burden her with your flaky friendship. Distance is good. Elsa nodded to herself. Though, she realized her first comparison of the woman was to her own tutor. A man who clearly hated her. I just want to see his eyes once. Just once.
"All in due time Miss Elsa. We wouldn't want to pressure him into something he was uncomfortable with." Kai was right. She'd just have to wait for him to trust her more. For whatever reason, she didn't know; but, part of her was very curious as to what had troubled the man so much that he felt the need to hide always. It took a moment before she realized that her thoughts were spoken out loud and her countenance morphed into shock and fear. However, by the time she glanced at Kai's face, a smug smirk was painted on it.
She practically chugged the rest of her coffee, wanting to leave before the singer returned to the stage. Kai and Gerda obviously understood her wishes, as they recovered their own to-go cups, and slowly stood. Elsa smiled gratefully again, something she seemed to be doing more and more with the arrival of their guest.
With a deep breath of fresh air, Elsa stepped outside of Oaken's Brew, Kai and Gerda trailing behind her with suspicious grins spread from ear to ear. Elsa kindly ignored their smiles, for fear of what they would tell her if she asked. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.
Yesternight Anna asked Kai to wake her especially early, knowing that he was up at four in the morning at the latest. Especially early for Anna meant five thirty, yet he woke her nearly an hour earlier than that. He had quickly learned that it would not be an easy task to wake the young woman, and promptly began dragging her out of bed every morning. When she woke with a slam, she nearly wanted to rip the man's head off. It was early, but she also knew it was earlier than she meant. He had already thrown himself back from her, knowing her first reaction could very well be a fist to his stomach, or lower. Sure enough, she swung hard, fist connecting with an empty space. She glared at the human alarm in her room, and struggled to her feet, already having learned how effective her alarm was. A quick glance at her actual alarm clock told her that she was up way too early. A glare directed at Kai found his wife next to him, a smile on her face.
"I asked him to wake you earlier. I need to talk with you while Elsa is still asleep." Gerda nodded her head towards the door, before dragging her husband away, "Get dressed and meet us at the table." Anna's respect for the woman had grown, and she found herself nodding at the closed door. Dressed in remarkable time, Anna silently slinked down the stairs, and joined the old couple. Gerda had set a plate of food for Anna and a cup of creamer with coffee.
Before Anna could thank the woman, she was stopped. "How are you enjoying Arendelle Proper?" In all honesty, Anna hadn't been expecting this question, but lit up all the same. It was an amazing school, and there was no wonder to why it was top in the nation. The professors engaged their students, and made it feel like learning wasn't just about reading the book and finding only what you're expected to find. Well, at least most of them.
"Oh I absolutely adore it! Mr. Castille is so funny! Who knew Latin would be such a difficult language? But he makes it so fun! Like he makes these really strange poses and funny signs to help us remember the words! He makes me actually want to study! And Kida! She's a little weird, I mean it kind of makes me uncomfortable to call my teacher by her first name, but she asked us to so I guess I will. But anyways, chemistry has never been so cool before! One day she actually made an experiment explode in her face. She acted like she meant to but I think she just messed up. Oh but Weasetown is really boring. The only thing interesting about his class is guessing when his toupee will fall down. He claims it's real but how can he even try to pull that when it's so obvious! English is hard enough, but having him, I might as well have a slug teach me. Oh and history! Ted is awesome! It's kind of-" She got caught off with a laugh from the couple, and she finally realized she had started getting too excited. A blush so red that it hid her freckles covered her face, and even faded down her neck. She buried herself in her food, hoping they wouldn't say anything more.
"Sweetheart. I'm glad you are enjoying your classes, but what about friends? Have you made any?" Anna's face fell, and the blood drained. This is the question she had been dreading. She shook her head. She hid away from people, and sat right in front of the teacher, so people wouldn't talk to her. It was easier to just be alone, than deal with two identities, and hiding one from her friends. Her response made Gerda sigh. "Honey, if I request you to do something for me, would you do it?" The question, so laced with sadness, made Anna actually contemplate an affirmative. She's done so much for me. Who am I to deny her a simple request. And why is she so sad? Anna hesitantly nodded in answer to the question. The smile that erupted on the older woman's face convinced Anna that she was doing the right thing, whatever that may be. "I need you to try to become Elsa's friend. As Anna that is. I know you have your own reservations regarding who her father is, but maybe you'll find that she isn't so bad. See, you have Kristoff. You've had him most of your life. But Elsa? She's had no one but Kai and I. We are her friends, family, and servants. All at the same time. Don't you think she at least deserves a chance? You need a friend at that school, and she just needs one in general." The request caught Anna off guard, and she couldn't bring herself to give any response other than frightened eyes. One, at the fact that they knew about her distrust of the man who fathered Elsa. And two, that Gerda was asking her to risk her true identity as the man behind the mask, even knowing how important it was to her.
Her answer caught in her throat, Anna turned her head, unsure of how to proceed. Nausea stirred her stomach, and she pushed the plate away, practically running up the stairs to call Kristoff, letting him know she was up earlier than planned. Memories from her childhood slid into her mind while she waited for him to make his way to the house. "Loser. It's no wonder your dad didn't stay around for you. I bet your mom doesn't even want you." The snake's face morphed into an evil grin, eyes darkening to a black void. "If you wanted, I could make you feel loved. Important." His slimy hands slamming against the wall she was shaking against. "NO! NO! YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THAT TO ME YOU BASTARD!" Surprise slipped into his face as she yelled at him. A uppercut slammed up into his diaphragm, and he clutched his stomach, growling at the ten year old girl, who was already running out the front door. "YOU WHORE! I'LL MAKE SURE YOU REGRET THAT YOU LITTLE B-"
The door slammed open, with Gerda standing there, worry etched into her face, and Kai red faced. "Anna! Are you okay? You weren't answering, and we were getting really worried!" Gerda's hands were cupping Anna's face turning it side to side, making sure there was no evidence of injury. Anna's less than convincing attempt at a reassuring smile didn't help. However, as much as Gerda wanted to press the younger girl, she knew that now wasn't the time. "Kristoff has arrived. Elsa will be waking soon, so I suggest you get out of here quick. You can give me your answer tonight. I hope you enjoy your day" Gerda's kind smile made Anna want to cry and release all of her troubles into the woman's shoulder. She wanted to tell the older woman everything. Gerda was the closest thing she'd had to a mother in a long time, and it felt like it would be so easy to just unload on her, but she held her tongue. She nodded thankfully at the woman and stood. She quickly wrapped the woman into a strong hug before running off.
Kristoff immediately noticed the sadness in the redhead's eyes and offered her a reassuring smile. He knew better than to ask, letting her unload when she was ready. She lit off her cigarette, taking an especially long drag while they walked down the hill. The walk was full a shallow small talk, and Anna didn't even contribute much to that until the question that was plaguing her mind rose to the surface. She cut-off Kristoff's comment about the ice sculpting contest coming to town this winter, "Gerda asked me to be friends with Elsa. As Anna."
"Okay…?" completely unfazed by the change of topic, Kristoff looked at her quizzically, "What are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. I told her I'd do something if she asked me to, but I wasn't expecting that. I have no idea what to do Kristoff. Her father is the second most hated man in my life, and I don't know if I should giver her a chance. She's really lonely though. She hasn't had a single person over that wasn't a tutor in the two weeks I've been there."
"Maybe she wants to be alone."
"You're the only person in this world that actually wants to be alone. And you have me! So what does that say? I think it's just too dangerous. She can't find out what I am, and definitely not who I am."
Kristoff sighed, "You aren't a 'what' Anna. And what's she going to do if she finds out who you are? Track down that man and go tell him 'Oh guess who I found! The girl you have been looking to murder since she ran away from your slimy, sickening advances!' Just take a chance Anna. No one wants to be alone, and even though you have me, don't think I don't notice how lonely you are."
Anna flinched at the mention of him. She had already thought about him enough that morning, and she really wished that Kristoff wouldn't bring it up. "Okay. I'll think about it."
It was an hour later that customers started shuffling into the coffee shop. Anna looked around, bored of the faces who were barely glancing at their performance. As they finished their third song, Anna sighed. Then, she heard a familiar picked out intro. That's the only song I didn't expect him to play. I thought we didn't sing it because it was too sad. I don't know if I want to sing about Dad. She did it anyways, and somewhere into the third verse, she almost started to choke up, but quickly recovered. She opened her eyes for a second, the ring of the door catching her attention, and when she made eye contact with those familiar icy eyes, she found herself surprised. She let it melt away from her face, closing her eyes, trying to get those striking blue ones out of her mind while she finished up the song without crying. Not many people were actually listening to the lyrics, so the song seemed a happy one, but when she opened her eyes as Kristoff let the last note ring, she could see the curiosity sparked by the lyrics in Elsa's eyes. Part of Anna was glad that Elsa was here, but the other half, the scared half was upset. Anna leaned over to Kristoff and whispered in his ears, "You are an absolute ass and if you do that again without warning I will hit you. Play something happy."
Kristoff grinned at the old couple that had walked in with Elsa, and started plucking along to a different tune. It was just a happy song, something mindless for Anna to sing as she tried not to let the blonde's stare make her heart race. In that moment she knew, though. She knew the answer to Gerda's request earlier that morning.
"You obviously enjoy their music." She overheard the old woman speaking with the blonde, and when Elsa turned red, Anna couldn't stop her heart from racing. Their eyes locked and a need to keep the blonde smiling filled Anna. Stop it. You can't let her affect you like this. Maybe if you were just friends, you could stop this. When Kristoff called time for a break, Anna found herself dreading the break time. As much as she needed the sugar filled coffee awaiting her, she was afraid the blonde would be gone by the time they were back on stage. Fifteen minutes felt like fifteen hours, and her fears were confirmed when she set foot on the stage again. A small sigh escaped her lips, and she sat on the stool for another day of mindless singing.
She walked up the hill, answer still swimming in her mind. It was nearing midnight, and she was praying that the blonde woman was asleep. She needed to talk to Gerda alone. Kristoff had reassured her decision before they split, but a dark night alone could make doubts quickly fill the mind. Quickly, before she could change her mind, she rung Gerda. One ring. Two. Thr-
"Hello?"
"Hey. Um. Gerda?"
"Yes honey, what can I do for you? Do you need a ride home? Kai is sitting next to me."
"No no. I'm fine. Thank you. Um… Is Elsa up?"
Gerda laughed, "No honey, you've got her muscles so tired she went to sleep right after dinner. How can I help?"
A sigh of relief passed through her lips, "We need to talk. I'll be there in five minutes."
Sure enough, five minutes later, Anna's hand was on the door knob. It'll be okay. She just wants you to be friends with her. The door opened, and Gerda stood there with a big smile, "Come in."
Anna steeled herself, and stepped inside. Before she even turned around, the answer was passing through her lips, "I'll do it. Or at least I'll try. I'm not going to push her. But I'll try."
Gerda nodded and smiled at the young woman, "Thank you Anna. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Maybe." Anna drifted upstairs, ready to sleep after all the emotional turmoil she'd been through today.
A/N: Hey everyone! I'm not really a consistent updater, but God do I love this story! I'm having new ideas every time I sit down to write. I do appreciate the comments too! I know that I keep throwing in new things, that fuel the questions, but that's the whole idea! Now for review answers!
Revealtheremedy: Here it is! I hope you enjoy it!
Guest Reviewer: There will be angst, mostly on Anna's part, but most of it isn't going to be chapter consuming. I want to show what's made her how she is today, and her angsty past is part of that. However, I don't want this to be omg so much angst when will it stop ripping me apart.
Rathofawesomeness: I want you to have questions! But you'll just have to find out by reading. Hopefully this chapter does give some insight though! :)))
Thank you to all the faves and follows! I'll keep up on the writing when I can if you guys acn keep p on the reading! It makes me happy to know y'all like this story, and I'm open to suggestions too!