As the last chord played out in the lounge, Elsa's eyes locked with Anna's. Blood rushed through Elsa's veins, and in that moment she knew what it meant to be alive. Not just being there, in that moment, but truly living in it. Anna had this way of making her feel that. So when that question -"Are you gonna be my girl?"- played through Elsa's mind on repeat, she found the word "yes" floating out under her breath. Red painted her cheeks, and she knew it, but she was finally revelling in the warmth it brought.
Before Elsa could process what was happening, Anna was packing up and moving offstage. Elsa found herself rushing to meet her. The only image in her head was of Anna's hopeful expression. It fueled her legs and pounding heart.
She scanned the backstage area: red hair leaving through the back door. After a few calming breaths, Elsa followed. A familiar ladder leaned against the wall. The only sign of life on the roof was an occasional puff of smoke.
She steeled her resolve before climbing the ladder. Her eyes made contact with those teal ones, and her heart rate picked up. She could only hope that her countenance didn't betray her inner turmoil.
She wanted to give Anna an answer to that infamous question that continued to run through her mind - "Are you gonna be my girl?" Yes, she wanted to say yes, but what about everything else? Her engagement was off, as far as she was concerned at least, but it wasn't like Hans would just give up. Furthermore, her father would be absolutely livid if she dated a woman, and while she wanted to not care about what he thought, she did. After all, he was still her father.
With the way her thoughts were jumbled, Elsa couldn't bring herself to answer Anna. But even more… she had to know if it was real. "Is that song why you called me here?" Her voice was shaky, and tears waited to well up, but she managed to force the question out.
Anna looked at her with confusion, which in turn made Elsa's stomach drop to the floor. "Called you here? I don't reca… Kristoff." Confusion morphed into a clenched jaw and hard set eyes. Oh. So Anna hadn't wanted her here at all. And Anna not wanting her made Elsa realise that she did, in fact, want at least something with Anna. Not maybe, definitely. God, it was almost enough to make her laugh. Trust Elsa to figure out her feelings at the exact moment it became clear that they weren't going to be reciprocated. "Are you gonna be my girl?" Had it really meant nothing?
"Then… that song… wasn't meant for me?" Elsa couldn't maintain eye contact. She wanted to vomit. Sweat pooled in her palms, and she turned away completely, holding herself together with weak arms.
Now Anna's anger was replaced by horror. "Now… I didn't… oh God…" Great. Now she was being pitied. "I didn't say that, Els. I-I mean… I… I like you, a lot, and I guess Kristoff is right, you deserve to know." Elsa's eyes snapped back to Anna's, and she barely dared to hope. Anna liked her?! "But. This doesn't have to change things. You don't have to answer me with returning feelings, you are not obligated to like me too, Els." Is this really happening? She slowly turned around. "But if you even might, give me a chance and tell me when you've really decided." Nope. This was definitely a dream- Elsa looked at Anna, and in that moment, she knew. Anna really felt this way. A weight had been lifted. She and Anna could be together, and-
But it isn't that simple, is it? The engagement. Father. "A-Anna… I… I need time okay? Not a yes, or a no… definitely not a no," she allowed herself a grin. , "I just… I just need to figure things out. For me. Okay?"
Anna was positively glowing. Forget singing, Elsa thought. That girl needs to go into acting. Her grin seemed to actually light up, and her eyes were twinkling, tugging Elsa's heart in so many directions. "That's more than I could ask for, Els. Th… Thank you." Elsa smiled at her, suddenly finding herself wrapped in a bone-crushing hug.
"Since when did you call me Els?" She grinned at Anna.
Anna responded with a mischievous grin of her own. "Since now, I suppose." Two full-bodied laughs filled the space between them and Elsa's heart lightened.
"I guess we should thank Kristoff." Both girls' laughter echoed off the rooftop.
Though the last half of an hour had been filled with heart crushing anxiety, Anna was feeling lighter than ever before. The assurance that she wasn't outright rejected was more than she could have asked for.
With a hop in her step, she strolled back to the house, even humming to herself. Just as she was strolling into the house, giving a quick wave to Gerda and Elsa, on the couch, her phone began to ring. The caller ID showed Norges Fekteforbund, lighting up Anna's eyes. She had forgotten, with everything that had been happening around her, that the regional fencing tournament was coming up. She coughed before she answered, settling into her voice for Sir Anders.
"Hallo, this is Tove Bakke, Head of the Arendelle branch of Norges Fekteforbund. I am calling in hopes of reaching Ser Anders Slovik. May I speak with him?'
"This is he. How may I help you, Miss Bakke.?"
"We would like to formally invite you to participate in the regional tournament in one week's time. Will you be able to attend, Ser?"
Anna quelled her own giddiness. Despite having effortlessly won this tournament before, and even beaten the best of the best in the fencing world, she still found herself excited for any chance to fence on the real mat. "Yes, Miss Bakke, you may count on my attendance."
"Thank you very much, Ser. You have a wonderful day."
"You as well." As soon as the phone call ended, Anna squealed, momentarily forgetting she wasn't alone. When she heard a chuckle, she turned to see Gerda trying to hold in laughter, and Elsa smirking at her, lighting a furious blush upon her cheeks. "Uh.. I. Uh. I have the regional fencing tournament in a week. Um… would you two like to… and Kai, of course! Ahh… would you like to watch the tournament? They usually have reserved seats for top competitors… and well I've never really filled those seats before, so maybe this is a good opportunity? I mean, of course you don't have to. It's only if you want to! I mean I don't want you guys coming just because you feel obligated by my invitation… I would rea-"
Elsa's light chuckle and voice broke Anna's ramble up, "Anna." She blushed and met ice blue eyes. "I would love to come, and given Gerda and Kai's love of Ser Anders and his fencing prowess," she smirked, "Well, I'm sure they would be delighted as well."
Anna nodded dumbly. There wasn't much else for the girl to do as she stared into the playful icy blue eyes. If she was completely honest with herself, which she rarely was, the smirk that played at those pink lips had her wanting to kiss it away. So, to ignore the dull ache and thoughts of how those soft lips would be, Anna averted her gaze, now terribly interested in the patterns in the wood beneath her.
"I… uh… I'm going to call and let them know my seats will be filled this year. You know. So that they can set up the hotel rooms. Yeah. Thank you guys." Anna shuffled nervously and this time it was Gerda who spoke up.
"Okay dear, thank you for inviting us, it'll be a good experience for all of us." And with that kind, gentle voice, Anna's knotted stomach finally relaxed, leaving with the exhale of her breath.
A new voice cut in, "What will be?" And just like that, all of her anxieties were back in her stomach, knotting their way through her whole body. It was Elsa's mother. The one she's been uncomfortable around since that fateful confrontation, but it seemed the older woman paid it no mind.
Anna's mouth gaped like a fish and by the time she had formed a reply in her head, Elsa was speaking. "Anna has invited us on a trip in one week. Gerda, Kai, and I are very excited for it. She was just going to reserve our rooms at the hotel, weren't you?" Teal eyes met icy blue ones, only to find the girl mouthing the word "go." She had created an exit for Anna in her discomfort, and Anna has never been more grateful as she nods before bounding up the stairs.
Kristoff had been playing for at least two hours since Anna left. He watched a multitude of people come and go, only one customer never left. He'd been sitting in the same spot since before Anna left. Keeping his eyes glued on the mysterious customer, Kristoff started to pack up his guitar, and slung it over his shoulder. Something about the man and his piercing gaze drew Kristoff to confronting him. Yet, he found the man towering before him gruffly requesting he come out behind Oaken's.
Wary wasn't a strong enough word for the feelings that churned through Kristoff's guts. Behind the café, he found the man crushing a cigarette beneath his boot.
"Patrick O'hare." The large man's gruff voice seeped past his beard, straightening Kristoff's posture.
"Kristoff, sir. Now… not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" The man's presence set Kristoff on edge.
Now the man turned to him and smiled, "Why, boy, I'm here to be talking to you, so here I am."
"Er… Yes… Here you are? But, why me? I've never met you in my life." Kristoff took a step back from Patrick.
This time he guffawed. Kristoff took another step back. "Oh what it's like to be a young lad again… Kristoff was it?" He didn't wait for an answer before continuing, "What do you know of this country's… political sphere?"
At this, Kristoff glowered at the man warily, "That depends… What do you mean by the political sphere? Parliament? Or the Royals." His tone was biting.
Patrick smirked. There was clearly
something that the boy knew, and if what Rapunzel said could be trusted… This boy knew. "Lad, you find yourself in the middle of a very large… conundrum, so to speak. Have you heard about Her Royal Highness's recent, and quite unfortunate passing?" There was a sadness, a remorsefulness when he mentioned Anna's mother that prompted Kristoff to take a step closer. This man had a very real connection that was severed by her untimely death, but his connection made Kristoff feel as though he was friend not foe.
"Yes. Her untimely passing has affected us all a great deal… What of it?"
A laugh again, though sad this time. "Without her missing daughter… Parliament will be forced to disband the monarchy, or request for a foreign minister to assume the position as head of state. Now, to a young lad, as yourself, this might not mean much… but the Royal Family' power and influence has saved many, many lives, without even considering Parliamentary powers…" His voice had cracked at the mention of saving lives, and Kristoff had a feeling that he was one of those lives. And with a steely resolve the man continued, "We must find the Lost Princess, and protect her at all costs. She must continue the family's undying sense of kindness to all. I know who she is, Kristoff. I- No, we know the who and the where, but we also know that Her Royal Highness is… hesitant to reemerge from hiding, knowing that a monster is still on the loose. So, Kristoff, lad, I have a proposition for you."
Kristoff's face paled at the mention of Anna, and them knowing who she is, and where she is. With a shaky breath, and a failed attempt at calming his racing heart, he looked with hard eyes, directly into the green eyes of the man across from him, "A proposition you say?"
Patrick grinned, his white teeth shining through his red beard, "How would you like to help us slay a monster, my boy?"
Memories of all the horrible things Anna has told him about the murdering son-of-a-bitch ran through his head. The fear always hiding behind her eyes, dimming her smile just enough to notice. All the nights he found her in a bottle, hiding behind a pack of cigarettes. The tears. The sounds of her sobs echoed through his mind, and with a resolve unlike any other he has known, he smiled at the man, "I would like nothing more than to rid the earth of scum like him."
It was late now, the sun far past setting, when Kristoff's voice rang through the phone, "We need to talk."
A/N: Hey guys! Missed all of you so much and I absolutely promise this and my other, TST, are no where near abandoned. I was taking a break from FFs to do camp Nano in April then May was AP testing and I lost a friend too... RIP Josh 3
Anyways life kept throwing shit at me and I was drowning with FFs being the last thing on my mind. Now, though, I am back and more ready than ever :)) I'm not doing Fall Quarter this year so I will try as hard as I can to update at least monthly (No promises though because I'm working 40 hour weeks with 2 days off that aren't even back to back).
This chapter is un-beta'd after Elsa's POV but after receiving another review I decided I'd post as is, so those mistakes are all mine.
BlossomCharms: Yes yes! Kristoff is Anna's BFF, sneaky is a necessity. I suppose that technically he hasn't done anything more, but he has attempted, and an attempt can be just as scarring with what he did! (Another hint without actually revealing)
Lord West Gordon: Idunn is a very brilliant woman and devious too. But yes, I think if he knew he'd hired the lost Princess he would be furious. Kristoff is a very good man, and I love his family so much. I really wanted to give a highlight to Anna's dark past. I hope you are satisfied with the end of Kristoff's plan.
Cedricthesorcerer: I hope you enjoy this one as well! Again, sorry it took so long.
Guest: I really appreciate that:) Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope you like this chapter :)
Icebicycle: My apologies for the overdue update but at least its here! Thank you for your love for this story :))
TerribleTempy: I appreciate the compliment that strokes my fragile ego. Writing is something I love and if it weren't for my Creative Writing teacher this story wouldn't have even started, but its encouragement from people like you that keep it going :) A big part of me focuses internally on their eventual togetherness, but every time I type the story just takes over! I really hope it will continue to be such an interesting story for you. Your support will certainly help with my update rate :)
PenguinVuelve: BlossomCharms is an amazing author and person :)) I'm glad they encouraged you to read this and you enjoyed it! The support always helps :))
john86710: Fencing for men and women is pretty equal which is why her act isn't about who she can fence with. She loves fencing and the only way she can hide her identity, as both the Anna that Hans knows and the Lost Princess, she has to pretend to be male. Mallen streaks are very uncommon, especially among women, and even as Anna, who doesn't remove her fencing mask, due to her position as a member of the Royal Family, her mallen streak is kind of an identifying factor. I hope that answers your question, and thank you!
LexQuest: That is honestly one of the best compliments I have received. Mostly because of its specificity and my love for the word "riveting". It just sounds like such a powerful compliment. This story is definitely not going to be abandoned and it was your review again today that prompted me to just post it. I hope it satisfies you enough to hold you over until I can get the next one out :)))
Thank you everyone for all the support you show me and this story. Reviews are honestly the best way to encourage me to write more, and keep this story up :) Love you all ~ Keanan :)