Chapter 17 - Secrets Between Us Part 1
Some nights later, Elsa and Anna's engagement ball was held in Arendelle's castle. It was fortunate that they held it on Valentine's day, very appropriate considering all the love in the air. Much like the Christmas celebrations, Elsa had made sure everything was perfect, but she hadn't gone as overboard with the perfectionism this time.
Anna had spent the day practising her curtseying and royal speech, despite having pretty much mastered it during her lessons with Elsa. As she stood in the mirror in hers and Elsa's room in her gorgeous green ball gown, she bowed and raised her head over a dozen times in preparation.
There was a sense of excitement building up within Anna's chest. This was her very first royal ball and she would be making a first impression on so many people. Of course, most of those people would be from Arendelle, a kingdom that practically adored her, so there wasn't much pressure there.
In her head, Anna was trying to remember how to waltz. She didn't want to tread on Elsa's toes again as she did during her lessons. The last thing either of them wanted was some of their guests going home with very sore toes.
Just then, Elsa stepped into the room, wearing her blue jacket and silver pants from Anna's lessons, smiling at her. She was very proud of how professional Anna was taking this, despite goofing off in the lessons just a little tiny bit.
"Having some last minute preparations?" Elsa inquired.
"Something like that," Anna told her. She breathed in. "I feel like it's my wedding day already and I've got butterflies." She beamed. "Hey, why don't we just get married tonight, right here?"
Elsa chuckled. "As much as I would love that Anna, we have to marry in an official royal ceremony, one that must be planned and arranged."
Striding to Elsa, Anna was embraced in her arms. She sighed. Even though Elsa hadn't set a date for their wedding, she wanted it to come so badly. It had already been quite the effort to ask Elsa to marry her (and for Elsa to ask Anna to marry her, something Anna still couldn't believe had actually happened) so the more Anna had to wait for the wedding, the more she got anxious.
Tilting Anna's chin up, Elsa wrapped her arms around Anna's waist and leaned down, pressing her soft cold lips to Anna's own. The strawberry blonde sighed, enjoying the kiss of Elsa's sweet lips. She opened her mouth just a little, letting Elsa put a hand on the back of her head to deepen the kiss.
Breathing with each other, the two women shared a brief tender, making out session, with Elsa's lips dancing over Anna's own as she kissed her repeatedly, an act Anna was more than okay with by now. Her hands were on Elsa's hips, keeping the dapper queen close to her.
Finally, they parted and Elsa embraced Anna, stroking her hair. "Are you ready to have your first ball, Anna?"
"Oh Elsa," Anna replied, smirking a little as she rested her head on Elsa's perfect shoulder. "I was born ready for anything, you should know that by now."
Giggling, Elsa took Anna's hand and they made their way out of the bedroom, heading through corridors and hallways before finally arriving outside of the ballroom doors. Elsa took a peek through the keyhole, seeing hundreds of guests filling the great hall, waiting for her and Anna.
This time though, there was no nervousness between her and Anna. They would go out there and put on a show, and what a show it would be.
"Introducing for the first time, celebrating their royal engagement... would you please welcome her majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle and her bride-to-be, Lady Anna Penrose!"
Opening the doors, Elsa and Anna walked into the ballroom, being greeted by an applauding and cheering public. Elsa maintained a formal position, escorting Anna by the arm the like dapper prince she was trying to be, while Anna was happily waving to the guests with a big fat grin on her face.
Clearing the way, Elsa and Anna walked into the centre of the ballroom, taking a few steps apart from each other. The entire area was silent as the onlookers watched as Elsa and Anna curtseyed to one another. Elsa smiled, holding out her hand to Anna, a respectable look on her face.
"May I have this dance, my dear?" she asked politely.
"You may," Anna spoke, taking Elsa's hand. The two lovers then pulled closer to one another, beginning their first dance in front of everyone. Just like in the lessons, Elsa was the one leading, she and Anna gliding across the floor in a beautiful motion that left everyone stunned.
Breathing out, Anna let herself become lighter than air as Elsa guided her across the floor. This was perfect, as all those lessons had finally paid off. Her feet didn't tread on Elsa's once, thankfully. Both of them were just too lost in how perfect the dance was.
Holding her hand on Anna's waist and Anna's one hand out in the air, Elsa waltzed with Anna gracefully. Who was enjoying the dance more? That was impossible to tell. Elsa loved being this dashing gentlewoman for Anna and Anna was simply giddy that this beautiful woman was going to be her wife.
As the final note dropped, the two women stopped bowing in respect as they heard applause. Their first dance had gone better than Elsa could have ever hoped. As the crowd cheered, Elsa pulled Anna for a soft kiss before holding her.
"I think that went well," Anna admitted, smiling softly. "I didn't step on your toes."
"No, no you didn't," Elsa stated. She then held Anna's hand as they bowed for their public. Once the crowd had dispersed, Elsa and Anna were free to do as they pleased, making their way through the ballroom past many guests wishing them luck.
They danced some more and shared a few drinks by the windows, looking out over the city of Arendelle in all its nighttime beauty. Anna thought the night couldn't have been more perfect. Of course, some people did stop to say hello and congratulations, to which Anna behaved perfectly.
While they were dancing again with several other couples who had arrived, Elsa and Anna heard someone call them over. They paused their dancing and looked around, wondering who called them.
"Anna! Elsa!" The voice called again and Anna and Elsa turned to see a beautiful young woman with very long blonde hair, wearing a beautiful pink and white ball gown. She was being accompanied by a woman with short black hair and wearing a white and gold suit.
Elsa smiled, recognising the pair of them immediately. "Rapunzel, Cassandra!" She greeted them heartily. "I thought you two might be here."
"Raps and I wouldn't miss this party for the world," Cass remarked, looking over her beloved with adoration, the two of them sharing a nose kiss.
Anna merely stared, a little confused by what was going on in front of her. "Um, Elsie, you know these two?" she asked, curiously.
"Oh my apologies," Rapunzel stated. "I am Lady Rapunzel, Former Princess of Corona. This is my wife and loyal bodyguard, Cassandra.
"Rapunzel is my cousin," Elsa informed Anna. "She gave me dating advice when we first got together, remember? She's the one who recommended I wear my dress."
Her eyes widening, Anna remembered who Elsa was referring to. "Oh her! Oh yes, I remember you now!" Anna then shook Rapunzel's hand fiercely. "I'm Anna, Elsa's fiancee... although you probably knew that already."
Rapunzel giggled. "We did, but it is nice to finally meet you, Anna Penrose. I must say, Elsa, you certainly chose well with her."
"I agree," Cass added. "You two are the perfect couple."
"Thank you, both you," Elsa agreed, holding Anna's hand and gazing at her lovingly with her big blue eyes. "But we already know how much of a good couple we are. That's why we're getting married."
Anna giggled. "Oh, you big flirt." Anna rested her head on Elsa's shoulder. "By the way, you two are totes coming to the wedding, even though I know literally nothing about you."
Cass smiled. "Well, since we're all going to be family, why don't you get to know us a bit, Anna? I'm sure Elsa won't mind."
"Not at all," Elsa accepted. "I was actually needing the ladies room right now. Those Agrabah whiskeys really do go down fast."
"You go and powder your nose, Queenie," Anna chirped. "I'll be here, chatting to your lovely cousin."
"Take care," Elsa bid Anna farewell, making her way to powder her nose.
After her trip to the ladies room was complete, Elsa walked back into the ballroom, adjusting her waistcoat. It was starting to get a bit hot in the room, or perhaps that was because she had a bit too much champagne.
She was about to head back to where Anna and Rapunzel were, when Kai stepped forward and approached her, the old butler bowing in curtsey to Elsa.
"My Queen," he spoke. "There is a young gentleman wishing to have a word with you."
Raising her eyebrow in curiosity, Elsa turned to face her butler. "Oh? Why does this man wish to speak with me, Kai?"
The old butler adjusted his glasses. "I'm afraid he didn't really say. Shall I escort you to him, my lady?"
"Please do," Elsa accepted, intrigued as to who this mysterious stranger was.
Kai led Elsa to the corner of the ballroom, where behind one of the large curtains, the stranger whom Kai had informed Elsa about was waiting for her. He hid his face in the shadows for a few moments before stepping out.
Elsa looked up, seeing the stranger was much taller than her. He was wearing a green and gold suit with gloves and he had deep green eyes. His hair was dark brown was distinctly styled with sideburns.
As the stranger walked out, he bowed in respect to Elsa. "Your majesty, it is an honour to meet you."
Elsa smiled, bowing in respect. "The honour is all mine, mister, um..."
"Hans," the man introduced himself. "Prince Hans, of the Southern Isles. Allow me to offer my sincere congratulations on your engagement, your majesty."
"Thank you," Elsa said gratefully. Hans seemed a nice fellow, but Elsa could feel there was something off about him. Like the face she was seeing wasn't Hans's real face, but rather some sort of mask.
As Kai left Elsa and Hans in peace, the two of them began to talk, getting to know one another a little better.
Looking at the wall he was leaning against, Hans removed his glove and stroked his bare finger along its surface. "You certainly have a magnificent castle. my queen. Truly, nothing in my homeland couldn't compare to this."
"I've never actually been to the Southern Isles," Elsa remarked. "I haven't been one for leaving my own kingdom as much. Perhaps after my fiancée and I are married, we might visit."
"Oh, it truly is a beautiful place!" Hans stated. "Or at least it was... There has been some trouble I've been fleeing from lately."
"What sort of trouble?" Elsa wondered. "If it's alright to ask that is."
"It's alright," Hans replied, taking a sip of his drink. "You see, my queen, there are some people in my country who believed their monarchy was weak, greedy, unfit to rule. Just a few weeks ago, a group of armed separatists attacked the royal palace. It was a massacre. My whole family including my parents, my twelve brothers and their families, all of them, were slaughtered. I... I barely escaped with my life."
Feeling sorry for the man, Elsa put a hand on his shoulder. "I am truly sorry, Hans. I too know what it is like to lose a family. Will you... Will you be made King?"
Hans nodded. "My coronation is in a few weeks time. I would appreciate Arendelle's support in this trying time of ours."
"We will do whatever we can to assist you, Hans," Elsa stated. "The southern isles will get Arendelle's support."
"For that, I thank you," Hans stated. "And perhaps we can aid Arendelle in some way. You seem to have quite a situation on your hands."
Elsa was confused. To what situation was Hans referring to? As far as Elsa knew, everything was perfect in Arendelle. "Excuse me, I'm afraid I don't quite follow."
"Why it's your fiancée of course!" Hans insisted. "I mean no disrespect, Queen Elsa... But is Anna really the right person for you to marry? After all, from what I hear, she just happened to be a commoner you bumped into one day."
Scowling, Elsa glared at Hans. "I assure you, Prince Hans, that Anna is more than worthy of being my wife. She is kind, intelligent and we love each other."
"A strong love does not a kingdom make," Hans stated. "I offer that in exchange of you sending supplies to the southern isles, you call off this marriage to Anna and wed me instead. I would be more than capable of ruling Arendelle at your side."
Now. Elsa was offended. First, this man had lowered her defences with a sob story and now he was practically insulting hers and Anna's relationship. "I'm afraid I must refuse, Prince Hans. Your kingdom will get its supplies, but any arrangement between us is completely out of the question. Good evening."
Before Hans could respond, Elsa had stormed off back into the crowd, her temper flaring. As Elsa marched away, he sipped his drink. "You'll come around, Elsa. Sooner or later you'll see my reasoning."
Fuming with anger, Elsa wanted to be back with Anna as soon as possible. The nerve of that prince, insisting Anna was not right for her. Fuck him. She would help his people, though. They at least deserved the assistance, but Hans would get no more sympathy from Elsa.
She rubbed her hands on her temples, burying her emotions of anger down inside of her soul. "Conceal don't feel," she recited before breathing easily. The last thing Anna wanted to see was her fiance a stressed-out wreck of a human being.
Eventually, she found Anna again, the young girl dancing with Rapunzel and Cassandra in a threesome waltz. It was quite an adorable sight and seeing all three women eased her spirit. She then walked over to them, smiling softly.
"Hey you three," Elsa greeted them. "Having fun?"
"Oh, you bet!" Anna chirped. "Your cousin is a good dancer."
Cass giggled. "That isn't the only thing Raps is good at." She then winked at her wife, Rapunzel smirking as she got the innuendo Cass was making.
Anna then noticed how tired Elsa was looking. She then let go of Cass and Rapunzel's hands, going to her fiance's side. "Hey, Elsa, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Elsa said, denying the fact she was beaten up inside. But she soon realised it was impossible to lie to Anna. "No... No, I'm not... I just had some prince practically insult me and you after he bawled some sob story to me."
"What a bastard," Cass growled. "Just ignore him, Elsa."
"Yeah, Cass is right," Anna said. "So what if he hates us being together. He's in the minority and the majority of people love us and want us to be happy together."
Elsa sighed, nodding in agreement. "I suppose you are right, Anna. No matter what anyone says, we're going to be happy together and we will always love each other."
Pulling Elsa close by the tails of her coat, Anna gave Elsa a sweet passionate kiss, Cass giggling as Anna professed her love through actions rather than words.
Rapunzel was about to hold up her drink to Elsa and Anna, but then she began to feel a little odd. Her whole head started spinning as she felt faint. Stumbling, she leaned on Cass for support. There was something very wrong with her.
Looking down at her wife, Cass raised an eyebrow of concern. "Raps? You okay?"
"I... I don't feel so good..." Rapunzel then groaned. Suddenly, she completely collapsed to the floor in a heap, unconscious, dropping her glass to the floor.
Gasping in shock, Elsa looked down at her cousin, seeing her lifeless form. "Rapunzel!" She shouted, rushing to her side.
Seeing Rapunzel in danger, Anna knelt beside Elsa's cousin, not an easy thing to do in a dress like hers. As the nearby crowd watched in fear and surprise, Anna lifted up Rapunzel's sleeve, checking her pulse. Thankfully it was still there.
"Rapunzel! Rapunzel!" Elsa continued to shout, trying to awaken her cousin. Cass was panicking completely, holding Rapunzel in her arms.
Elsa looked around, fear overwhelming her. "Quickly, everyone get out of here and someone get my cousin some help!"
Anna looked up, staring at Elsa. "Elsa... Rapunzel's alive thankfully. She's got a pulse but its very weak." She sighed. "I wish I could help her, but I'm no doctor."
"We have to do something!" Cass insisted. "What's wrong with her?!"
"Anna, Cassandra, don't worry, my physician will be here. They can take care of her," Elsa assured them both. "You should go and wait in my room. I can handle this."
"I can't just leave her!" Cass insisted. "She's my wife for fucks sake!"
"Cass, I think we should do as Elsa's says," Anna replied, taking the raven-haired woman's hand. "Let's leave this to the professionals."
Cass sighed, before nodding regretfully. "Fine... but Elsa, you tell us if there is any improvement."
Elsa nodded. "I promise I'll do everything I can."
As Anna led Cass out of the room, Elsa stroked her young cousin's cheek. She didn't know what had befallen her, but she would do anything in her power to save her. To Elsa, Rapunzel was the only family she had left and Elsa wasn't in the mood to be losing any more family.
xXx
Anna and Cassandra waited in Elsa's bedroom in complete and utter silence. Both of them were worried for Rapunzel, Cass more than either of them. Anna believed that Rapunzel would be okay, but Cass wasn't so sure.
In a way, Anna saw a bit of herself in Cass. Like how she was with Elsa, Cass fiercely protected Rapunzel with her life. She would do anything for her, even if it cost Cass her very life.
But Cass was powerless to do anything to help Rapunzel now. She was hopeless, scared as to what could happen to the woman she loved. Anna tried to put on a smile for Cass but it seemed a little hopeless.
"Hey," Anna spoke. "Cass, you feeling okay?"
"Do I look okay to you?" Cass coldly snapped. She sighed. "I'm sorry... I'm just tense and upset. This was the first time Raps and I went out together since we got married and it ends with her collapsing on the dance floor."
"It's okay, Cass," Anna assured her. "I'm sure Elsa's doing her best to help her."
"I know," Cass acknowledged. "But Raps is my whole world. I'd do anything for her."
Anna looked over at Cass. "How did you and her meet anyway?" She asked. "I'm sorry if it's personal."
"It's okay, and no it's not personal," Cass replied. "You remember how Raps called me her bodyguard? Well, that's what I was for quite some time. I was her guard, her loyal best friend, but my feelings grew for her." Cass cleared her throat before she continued her tale. "I was hopelessly in love with Raps. We eventually became lovers, but we kept it to ourselves. Love between two girls wasn't as accepted in Corona as it is here in Arendelle. But, one day, Elsa decided it would be more beneficial if Arendelle and Corona merged together. I didn't understand the full details, but Corona was going through some tough times, something related to a war with a nearby kingdom named Varderos, or something like that. When Elsa made Corona part of Arendelle, Raps and I came to live here and not long after we arrived, we got married."
"That sounds so sweet," Anna admitted. "I hope I can be as happy as you are when Elsa and I get married."
Cass smiled, thankful for Anna listening to her story. "If you ask me, you already are Anna."
Just then, the two of them heard a knock on the door. The door then opened, Elsa's head poking through the crack. "Hey, guys. I just wondered how things were."
"Elsa," Anna greeted her love. "We're fine... is Rapunzel okay?"
Elsa looked down, sighing. "Anna, can I speak to you alone for a few seconds. It's about Rapunzel."
Worry growing in her chest, Cass started to panic. "Wait, is Raps gonna be okay?" She asked, feeling a little scared. "Please, Elsa tell me."
"She'll be fine," Elsa assured her. "I just need to speak to Anna about her, that's all."
Anna put her hand on Elsa's shoulder, smiling. "Don't worry Cass. I'll let you know as soon as I get back. We'll give you some space, okay?"
Nodding, Cass accepted that decision "Okay, I understand."
Getting off the bed, Anna followed Elsa out of the room and into the hallway, taking one last look at Cass. The young woman was feeling better, but Anna knew she wouldn't be okay until she heard that her beloved Rapunzel was okay.
After Elsa shut the door behind them and the two of them made sure they were alone in the open doorway, Anna looked directly at Elsa. "So... what's wrong with Punzie?"
"That's the thing," Elsa replied. "We... we don't really know. She's just been unconscious for the past two hours, just breathing weakly. My physician has tried every trick in the book, but we're still not sure what's happened to her, Anna."
"Is she..." Anna didn't want to finish that sentence, not wanting either of them to grow any more worried than they already were.
Elsa shook her head. "No... but we're worried it might lead to that. Her pulse and breathing are getting weaker by the second. We don't know how to help her, Anna."
Just then, a lightbulb flared on in Anna's mind. It was a long shot, but she knew exactly how to help Rapunzel. Whether Elsa and Cassandra would be okay with the idea was another matter altogether, but it wasn't like either of them had a choice.
Rapunzel could have been dying and Anna knew just the way to help her.
"I have an idea," Anna spoke. "But you have to trust me, Elsa."
"What is it?"
Anna gulped. "I think I know how to help Rapunzel, but it's very risky."
"Anna, what are you suggesting?" Elsa wondered, slightly concerned.
"It's simple," Anna stated. "We're going to take Rapunzel back to the future."
xXx
Author's note: This fic is back with a double bill! Part 2 coming... RIGHT NOW!