GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
"Anna, What!?" Elsa exclaimed as she was being dragged by the arm by her sister. "Have you lost your mind?"
A trail of ice crystals and snow followed the sisters as they were almost running down the corridors of the castle. Down three flights of stairs and through the empty halls.
"I'm so sorry Els, but we have to make it to the Dining Room right away. I'll tell you when we get there!"
Anna briefly entertained the thought of sliding down the spiral staircase bannister with her sister. But she stopped short when the image of Elsa falling off appeared in her jumbled brain. She didn't know if FLYING was an unseen ability her sister possessed, but she didn't want to find out the hard way!
"You are SO going to get it when we get there!" Elsa hissed through clenched teeth. She tried to disengage Anna's grip from her arm, but Christ, Anna was strong!
For her part, Anna gulped when she saw her sister's expression. She has never seen her sister angry at her during the short time they've been together. With the exception of the time right after the ballroom incident. And that time, Elsa was running on fear and adrenaline.
She wrinkled her face and thought how stupid she must be to forget that her 'boyfriend' was coming for dinner. Also, Elsa would be furious, make that more furious, for not being told!
She could at least attribute part of her lack of recollection because of the the 'Naked Bathroom Incident'.
"Now how am I going to explain THAT to Kristoff?!" Anna hummed to herself in grief. It just kept getting worse and worse!
The Royal Sister's burst into the Dining Room through the side doors just as the main doors were opening from the other side.
Anna almost threw her sister onto the Queen's chair as she dove into her chair on the Queen's right hand side.
The Officer Guard paused at the main door and proclaimed in a loud voice: "Master Kristoff Bjorgman, Royal Ice Master."
Anna stood, and waved to Kristoff, then turned to her left expecting to see a seated Royal Monarch.
Instead she saw her sister face down in her chair with her butt in the air and both legs flailing at the ceiling! She almost lost it, and instead cupped both hands to her mouth to stifle a squeal of amusement; much like when the Duke of Weselton bowed low and his toupee flapped in front of Elsa and herself."Ggrrruuuuppmmh!" she snickered.
As Elsa righted herself with the aid of her sister, the whole entourage of servants came bounding through the side doors pushing the four carts of food. Cutlery, plates and other assorted pieces were flying off as the whole crew tried to keep up with their sovereigns. The whole company finally settled down just as Kristoff arrived at the Queen's left hand side and bowed.
"You sure don't do things small around here?" He whispered before he quickly said,"Thank You for the Invitation your Majesty, and your Highness." to Elsa and Anna.
Elsa glared at her sister who was busy looking sideways, while quietly whistling.
"Please call me Elsa when we are in private settings such as this, Kristoff." Elsa replied, The slow cool off had commenced and her breathing was just returning to normal. Anna it seemed was in much better physical shape as she was not breathing hard at all.
"Probably goes with her rabbit-like stamina!" Elsa quietly fixed a stare at her sister. She already put together the pieces of the puzzle that Anna so graciously left her, but planned on thoroughly chastising her sibling in private and at length at a later time.
"It seems that Anna has planned out an extravagant repast for us, so if you'll please be seated, we can start." smiled the Queen.
As the house servants started arranging the plates, dishes and wares, Elsa quietly regarded the man seated to her left. This was actually the first time she had met him in a private setting, and in truth, she didn't know him at all. Though she did hear that he may have some issues regarding his personal hygiene.
He was good looking in a rustic sort of way, and his physique was certainly evident. She looked into his face and saw that he had an honest and trusting expression. He definitely was a factor in helping her sister and herself overcome the obstacles of the last few days, and for that she forever owed him her gratitude.
He was however a potential suitor to her sister, which was definitely not something she particularly enjoyed. Also, whatever near-term relationship Anna might develop with this man would not factor into the long-term future of the Princess.
When Anna did get married, court etiquette and the welfare of Arendelle demanded that Anna's future husband be royalty, or at the very minimum of noble birth.
"Now why doesn't that make me happy either?" Elsa wondered? Certainly Anna's happiness must also be taken into account? She only wanted her sister to be happy, though she did realize that in reality, Love and Happiness don't always go together.
For Anna OR herself, she sighed...
Elsa must have realized that she was staring far too long at Kristoff as she was thinking to herself so she quickly gazed at Anna who she assumed must be making 'googly eyes' at Kristoff all this time.
To her surprise, Anna's gaze was on her! She quietly gestured a loving smile at her sister after reflecting so long about her, her future and her boyfriend.
Anna, smiled lovingly back. Unsure of what to expect of Elsa's quiet time of reflection with Kristoff and the sudden mellowing of her demeanour.
"Shall we begin?" Elsa said, lifting a glass of wine to both her guests. Anna and Kristoff both smiled and nodded.
The servants then lifted the silver covers off the dishes that Anna had the cooks prepare earlier that evening.
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It was later, Anna reflected, that the loving gaze her sister was giving her instead of the cold shoulder treatment she was expecting from yanking Elsa all through castle, was genuine.
How else could she explain the instant change of expression Elsa was giving her from 'Quiet Love' to 'Shock and Embarrassment' when Anna's Special Seven Course Menu was unveiled.
It took three servants, Kristoff and Anna to help Elsa recover from choking and sputtering the wine she was drinking when the whole dinner was presented.
Doesn't everyone LOVE: Hot Dogs, French Fries, Three kinds of Pizza, Chocolate Cake and Ice Cream for dinner?
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Anna and Kristoff were walking down the hall towards the private family parlour after finishing Anna's special menu meal.
"It's alright Elsa, The food is FINE!", Kristoff kept replying to Elsa's apologies.
"This is much better food than I normally eat anyways."
"No, you don't have to re-order the meal, I LOVE hot dogs and pizza!"
"No, I don't think we should give this food to Sven, he's not used to such a fine meal!"
Much of his conversation with Elsa seemed to revolve around assuring her that everything was alright with dinner. Though he did seem to detect an undercurrent of apprehension that was not quite in sync with a poor menu chosen by the Princess.
He was about to take Anna's hand in his but stopped short. He wasn't sure if it was because he was still shy, or it was because Anna seemed pre-occupied with something else?
Or maybe someone else?
"Uh, Anna, are you feeling ok?"
"Yes, why Kristoff?"
"You seem to be a lot quieter than usual. I kinda figured you forget our, uh date and that's why dinner turned out ... differently than I expected, but..." He was awkwardly saying.
"I'm SO sorry, Kristoff!" Anna exclaimed, turning to him and placing both hands on his chest. "I don't know how I could forget something like this! Or you!" She looked pleadingly up into his eyes. She was shivering slightly.
He could tell she was sad and embarrassed at the same time.
"It's okay, you know I'm used to your goofy antics by now."he said softly. He put his hands to her waist and slowly lowered his face.
Raising herself on her tiptoes, Anna lifted her face and began closing her eyes as she puckered her lips with the intent of kissing him.
As their faces slowly came together, through lidded eyes, Anna thought she saw a shadow further down the hall.
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Elsa was finishing having a discussion with the kitchen staff who were apologizing to her profusely.
She dismissed their apologies knowing full well it wasn't their fault for tonight's 'Comedy of Errors'. However, as the NEW Monarch in charge of the castle, she imposed some new restrictions for her sister that her parents, bless their misguided souls (again), had not thought of.
That accomplished, she headed to the private family parlour that they all agreed to meet at after dinner for some sherry and fine conversation.
As she climbed the stairs, she heard the voices of a young man and woman down the hall. She assumed it was Anna and Kristoff and was about to address them by calling out but stopped suddenly when she saw their silhouette in the dim hallway candle light.
Both figures were wrapped around each other as their faces drew together for a passionate kiss!
She gasped slightly as she stared at the pair for a few seconds, then turned away and quickly ran down the stairs...
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AUTHOR NOTES:
I plan to update as often as I can, but I've also started another Frozen Fanfic based on Star Wars AU called: The Brightest Light casts the Darkest Shadows. I was only planning to make it a short Elsanna one-shot but it quickly lengthened to a full story.
So bear with me, I will try to update weekly. Any comments are appreciated!
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Preview of Chapter 6
PLEASE BREAK MY FROZEN HEART
She needed to see for herself.
"Err,... Elsa?"
"Yes, Anna?"
"Can I kiss you goodnight?" Anna gulped, closing the distance between them.
Elsa's smile grew and her eyes deepened, "Of course you can, Anna." She placed her hands on her little sister's shoulders and closed her eyes as she bent her face down.
"It's now or never!" Anna thought. With more determination than courage, she lifted her head up while placing her hands on Elsa's hips. Her lips pressed softly on her sister's lips and her eyes fluttered closed.
Anna's heart started beating faster. A soft noise was building up in the back of her throat and she felt goosebumps forming on her arms. It was a chaste kiss so why was she feeling this way?
Her hands instinctively went to Elsa's chest, just as she had done with Kristoff. She heard her sister emit a quiet muffled noise, but she didn't pull away. Anna slowly pressed her hands on Elsa's breasts and heard her sister sigh. The seconds ticked away.
After what seemed like forever, Anna slowly started pulling away, ... but Elsa pulled her back, dropping her hands to Anna's waist, not wanting to break the kiss.