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The doors of Elsa's old bedroom burst open as she slammed her way in, her path leaving a small icy trail. Anna rushed after her, nearly slipping. "Elsa-" She was silenced by Elsa holding up her hand. The queen inhaled and waved her hands around. "I panicked!"
Marie slinked inside the room like a scorned child, still dressed in the armor. Kristoff was keeping Olaf occupied in the hall. Dominic and his crew had settled in the castle and were currently bathing from their trip on the seas. Footsteps padded across the floor as Elsa paced. "You've gone too far this time, Anna," she spat. "It was bad enough that you said he could court me, but now I have to pretend to be in love with someone who doesn't exist?" Marie jumped as Elsa's blue eyes pierced into her. "And what do you have to say about this?"
The brunette took off the old guard helmet. "Uh…"
"She was just following along with what I was saying, Elsa," Anna said, taking a step forward. "Don't blame her."
Elsa clenched her hands together but grew quiet. What was Anna thinking? It was obvious that Dominic did not believe their story, but her sister had been persistent in telling it. Ian and Elsa were romantic interests who were new to each other, with Ian coming to visit a few times a week when he had time. A strand of hair fell in front of Elsa's face as she stared at the floor. Marie had gone along with it. "Sort this out and fill me in later," she said after a few seconds. "The preparations are yours to deal with."
Anna reached out a hand. "Elsa…" Her sibling turned away. The ginger faltered, then said quietly, "I'll see you at dinner, okay?" Elsa's fingers dug into her arms as she listened to Anna leave the room. She heard the hesitation flood off Marie. The royal felt she could drown in it.
"Um…" Elsa casted a glance over her shoulder as Marie spoke. The foreigner stared at the old, iron helm in her hands. "I guess I should put this back on for now." Marie's face twisted into a frown. "I do think you should talk to your sister, though. Make some sort of plan, even if you're angry." The royal sucked in a breath. Marie's outspokenness both irritated and thrilled her, to which she found harder to hold her reactions back. "Whatever you two decide, just know…I realize that I don't know the guy well enough yet, but you seemed really unhappy around him. So, if there's anything I can do to help, I will." Elsa felt her chest lurch when Marie started for the door. Ice began to form on her palms as she reached for her, and she withdrew them in haste. Marie eyed Elsa and faced her. "Are you okay?"
The royal's blue eyes stared at her own hands widely. She lowered them, but not without shaking. "I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now," she said softly. A hand drifted to her chest as her cheeks flushed. "Wh-when we…kissed…" Elsa's eyes flickered from the floor to Marie, who had suddenly grown very still. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, of course not," Marie replied in earnest. A gasp escaped Elsa as Marie came in close to her. The iron from the suit she wore scraped lightly against Elsa's dress, and their eyes met. "You never hurt me. I mean, it was chilly." They both chuckled quietly. Elsa shook her head at Marie's attempt to lighten the mood. She gazed down at the foreigner's hand, lifting her own. It hovered over Marie's warm skin before pulling back slightly. Marie turned her palm, so it faced the blonde's lingering, shy hand. "I know you're scared of hurting me, but you won't, Elsa." Her fingertips grazed Elsa's palm. "Even if you did, it wouldn't have changed anything."
Elsa shied away and curled her fingers in. "Wouldn't have changed anything? Like wanting to help me not be afraid?"
Marie let out a frustrated grunt. She snatched Elsa's hand and placed it on her upper chest, nervously holding it there over the armor. Elsa grew still. The memory of her fingers drifting under the collar of Marie's shirt flooded them both, and Elsa found her hand relaxing and spreading out over the armor. Marie gripped her. "I didn't want you to stop," she breathed.
Every inch of Elsa trembled. She suddenly became very aware of her tingling lips, her burning skin, and her racing heart. Her breath came heavily and washed over Marie, who hung onto her as though she never wanted to let go. During the last week, Elsa had tried convincing herself that what she felt was fleeting. But as Marie calmed the storm that whirled inside her mind, yet set her body on fire, she questioned herself. Elsa's other hand drifted up to Marie's lower neck and spread across her collar bone. "Didn't?" she repeated softly.
Marie suddenly pulled away. "Shit, I'm sorry." It took Elsa a moment to compose herself, but when she did, she found herself wanting to pull Marie back to her. The brunette stared at the floor, her face flushed. "You're being courted by someone else. And we're both…"
Elsa's hands rested on her chest. "We're both what?" she ventured.
The foreigner's hands shook. "We're both women," Marie said quietly.
"Does that matter?" Elsa asked. Anger surged within her as she took a step forward. "I thought your first love was your best friend."
"And I was shamed for it!" Marie shouted. Elsa stopped. The foreigner gritted her teeth and turned away, but not before Elsa could make out tears forming in her eyes. "You wouldn't understand."
"I wouldn't understand?" Elsa repeated. "I was locked away for thirteen years because of something I couldn't control and that wasn't my fault. I understand better than anyone!" Instant guilt formed on Marie's face. Elsa reached for her. "Why can't you let yourself do the same?"
"I don't know." It was a whisper, a painful, traumatized whisper. Elsa's breath shook. Marie shook her head, attempting to clear herself from any emotion. "D-don't worry about me. I'll be alright," Marie said, her voice rising in pitch. Elsa started for her as Marie headed for the door, but the blonde was not fast enough. The door shut softly in her face, leaving Elsa on the other side.
A sigh escaped Anna. She stared out a window in the dining room, her reflection twisted from the rain pattering the castle outside. Her hair was pulled back in a neat braided bun, and her dark green dress weighed heavily on her body. Behind her, she watched in the reflection of the glass as her sister sat on the right side of Anna's chair. Elsa casted a glance toward her before looking away. A gentle presence approached on her left. "Anna?"
The ginger turned towards her fiancé. "You look handsome," she said with a smile. Kristoff ran a hand over his smoothed hair and chuckled. Her smile faded. "Is she almost ready?"
"I think you mean "he"." The engaged couple looked to the source of the voice. Anna gasped. It was Marie. She was now dressed in a modern soldier's suit built for a tall young man, and she sported a short, dark blonde wig. Anna had sent the castle's cosmetologist to her to prepare her for the first dinner with their guests, and they did not disappoint. Marie's chin and cheeks were darkened to make it appear she had faint facial hair, and the wig was neatly combed and parted on the right. Marie bowed, her shoulders widened by the armor. "Destin gave me some tips on how to act like a man," she said in a lowered tone.
Anna curtsied back. "I'm impressed!" She nudged Marie on the shoulder. "Have you considered cutting your hair for real?"
"What a funny joke," Marie seethed. Anna looked over at her sister. Elsa was staring at Marie with a gaping mouth, something Anna had seen her do only a handful of times in her life. A devious smile covered Anna's lips as her sister looked at her. Anna motioned at Marie, her eyebrows raising. Elsa rose from her chair quickly, nearly knocking over her wine glass. She rested her hands in front of her hips and walked over slowly, her blue eyes never leaving Marie. Another nudge landed on Marie's shoulder.
"Stand tall, and walk with your shoulders, not hips. Try to keep a level expression; guards keep a level-head," Anna instructed, leaning over to speak in Marie's ear. "Especially in times of duress."
Marie's cheeks were a bright red. "I didn't realize this was such a formal event," she muttered cutely. Elsa was dressed in a lavender colored dress that was adorned with her ice magic on the side. It curved up her side in a way that would catch anyone's attention, and her hair was free flowing. Anna inwardly praised herself for picking out the outfit.
"Act couply now. Shouldn't be hard." Anna walked away before Marie could respond. Elsa rolled her eyes but blushed.
"Right." Marie cleared her throat as Elsa approached. The royal stopped a foot away from Marie, her brilliant blue eyes fixated on her. Marie reached out a hand, which was surprisingly still. "You look lovely," she said quietly.
Elsa set her hand in Marie's, which was clothed in a light layer of leather. Her fingers grazed over her palm before settling. "I'm sorry if I was too abrasive earlier," Elsa said.
"It's okay," Marie replied. Elsa looked up at the foreigner. Marie rubbed the top of Elsa's hand with her thumb. "I need to be scolded sometimes, anyway."
A chuckle came from Elsa. "Yes, you do." They looked at one another for a few seconds before tearing their gazes away. Marie lifted her hand slightly.
"So," Marie started, "should I kiss it or-?"
"Yes." Elsa's face lit up tremendously at her own quick response. "I-I mean…" She cleared her throat and stood up straight, lifting her chin up. "It would be most welcomed."
Marie leaned down and pressed her lips against Elsa's hand. The tip of her nose touched her skin, and Marie pulled away, her lips making a puckering sound. "Guess what I-?" She grew silent. Elsa stared at her with slightly watery eyes and a deeply flushed face. Marie grunted nervously, her heart lurching in her chest. "…f-found…"
Elsa moved her hand to her chest, feeling the place where Marie's lips had been. "Wh-what did you find?" she asked, her eyes flickering to and from Marie's face.
Heat wafted from Marie. She bit her top lip to stop the feeling. "I was looking through my jacket pockets and found my phone and headphones! And it wasn't dead or fried from crossing through, although there isn't any service here." Utter confusion covered Elsa's face. "Uh…There's music stored on the device I have, and there's enough energy left in it to listen to some songs I have downloaded on there."
"Head…phones?" Elsa pondered, playing with her hair. "As in phonetics? Is that one of the devices that is used for communication you told me about in the tent?" Marie had shared many stories from her world with Elsa during their stay with the Northuldra.
"Yeah!" Marie's childness began to show through as her voice raised in tone. "Sound travels through them and you can listen to it. They go in your ears." Elsa touched her ears in caution. Marie laughed. "Not inside them! They just rest right here," she explained, sticking her pinky fingertip in her own ear.
"You'll have to show me later tonight," Elsa half commanded, and half implored. "And I can continue reading Within, if you'd like."
A joyous smile spread across Marie's face, automatically lightening Elsa's mood. "Yes! We're on chapter eight!" The woman stood up straight, taking on a more serious expression. "Ahem. I mean, we're on chapter eight," she repeated in her lower tone. Elsa snorted.
Suddenly the doors of the dining hall swung open. Everyone's attention was caught by the person who strolled in. Dominic wore a white shirt and vest with a long red robe that dragged on the floor. His guard, Daniel, followed. He was dressed in a black suit. Dominic stopped a few feet in, his eyes running over the small crowd of royalty and nosy staff. Soon, his eyes landed on Marie and Elsa. For Marie, a man who physically imposed or intimidated her made her automatically widen her shoulders and grit her teeth, and as Dominic's gaze ran over Elsa like a slow, compacted elevator, Marie found herself reacting like so. She exhaled slowly. Whoa, she thought to herself. I'm just angry because I recognize that look. Her mind wandered to the many gazes she had gotten from not only men, but women as well, simply because she decided to dress in shorts that day. The attention was not what bothered Marie; it was the action she knew was coming after.
"I must say," Dominic said smoothly, bowing slightly. "These past few years have been extremely good to you, Elsa." His mouth curled up into a smile as he looked her up and down once more. Marie narrowed her eyes. Dominic stood up straight in response. "Sir Ian." He strolled over to them. "I don't believe our first meeting was on the best of terms." Dominic extended a hand.
Marie took it, trying to imitate the way she had felt her stepfather shake her hand once. "It's nice to match a face to the name," she replied lowly. Anna moved Dominic to the table as she approached to greet him. Marie listened to their casual conversation as she pulled a chair out for Elsa, keeping watch on Dominic's body language. He sat at the end of the long table with an elbow propped while he stroked his chin. His head nodded slowly as Anna made pleasant conversation, but he stopped moving whenever Elsa would speak. A pit formed in her stomach. They're just talking, Marie thought. She swallowed a dry lump in her throat. Why do I feel so uneasy? A gentle hand rested on her armored forearm. Elsa's gaze washed over her in worry, but Marie simply shook her head.
"So, Ian," Dominic's voice landed on Marie. "What part of America did you go to?" A wine glass covered his lips, but not before Marie saw them curl into a smile.
"Georgia," she answered quickly. "Have you been?"
"I can't say I have." Dominic set his glass down. "Brave of you to venture in such a civilly disputed area." His finger traced the rim of the glass. "Must have been hard for someone like you."
"After the meal, why don't we start looking at some of those trade policies?" Anna asked cordially but firmly. Kristoff bit into biscuit silently. "Unless the journey has exhausted you."
A loud sneeze erupted from Daniel. Dominic sat up smugly as his guard wiped his nose sheepishly. "Sorry! Ugh…The pollen is insane here."
Elsa chuckled. "A steam bath will help your allergies, Daniel," she said to him. He nodded.
"I assure you, Your Majesty, I am of good health. The seas failed to shake us." Absolute silence spread across the room. Dominic closed his eyes. "I apologize. That wording was not intended to mock anyone."
Marie felt a wave of emotion from Elsa hit her immensely. "Fucking asshole," Marie breathed through unmoving lips.
"If memory serves me, Arendelle can be reached by mountain trails from Westleton." Elsa's eyebrow twitched as she casted a glance at their guest.
Dominic leaned back. "Yes, it can."
Her posture was both proper yet graceful. "Then my sister's hospitality should not be met with such pompousness since there was a way of travel that is nearly twice as short and twice as efficient with the size of your party, unless horseback proves to be too arduous," Elsa stated flatly, picking up her glass of wine. "My apologies. My words were not intended to mock anyone."
The only sound that filled the hall was the crackling of the fire, and Marie felt as though it was shooting through her. She looked at Elsa in awe. The blonde sipped her wine, waiting for Dominic's response with no expression. Marie felt her heart flutter like a child. A boisterous laugh filled the room. Anna jumped in her seat as Dominic continued to bellow. Kristoff and Daniel exchanged glances. Dominic leaned forward with a smile. "I missed you."
Another knot twisted in Marie's gut. She slammed a fist onto the table, unable to distinguish between her emotion and discomfort. "Would you lay off?" she hissed quietly.
Elsa's chair scraped across the floor as she stood. "You're as pale as a ghost." Her hands gripped Marie's chest and back to steady her. "Maybe you should lie down."
"Transitioning must have been more taxing than you expected," Dominic commented.
"Excuse us, Dominic," Anna said, standing to help her sister. "Ian is still adjusting from the time zone transition." Marie was dragged out of the hall by the sisters. Anna shook her head to order Kristoff to stay. As soon as the hall doors were closed, relief flooded Marie, and she breathed in heavily. The sisters released her. "Are you alright?" asked Anna.
Shame began to suffocate Marie, but her pride kept it at bay. "I don't know," she admitted.
Anna sucked in a breath but exhaled with a huff. "Look, if this is going to be too hard, you don't have to do it."
"I'm doing this." Complete certainty enveloped Marie. Her eyes pierced into Anna's. "I know there's not a lot you can tell me since I'm new and I'm not involved with Arendelle's politics," Marie began. She took a step forward, her armor scraping together briefly. "But I've been reading up on Arendelle's law books in the library. That decree named after…some guy's name I can't pronounce states that trade policies must be renewed whenever someone new is put on the throne. That's why they all showed up to Elsa's coronation, and that's why they're probably going to show up for your wedding." Anna and Elsa exchanged surprised glances. "I get it. You couldn't tell me. I understand. And…it's just an observation, but…" Marie scratched her scalp through the wig. "He basically admitted to having a stronger naval system versus land. I didn't catch where Westleton is, but isn't that type of information useful to outside kingdoms?"
Elsa smirked. "I'll do it, too."
"Wait, what?" Anna blurted.
"I don't need a partner to prove anything to anyone, especially Dominic, but I'll admit…" Elsa smiled at Marie. "Having one will have its benefits."
Anna waved her hands around in quiet frustration. "This is literally what we talked about last night!" she hissed.
"I know, I'm sorry!" Elsa said. "But look on the bright side." She nudged her sister lightly. "We might be able to get rid of him faster."
A groan came out of the ginger. "That would be amazing!"
Elsa closed the door to the guest room and sighed happily. The sun had set, and her day had ended with her reading another chapter of Within to Marie. She gripped the book tightly in her hands. They had started it during their stay with the Northuldra, and Marie did not hold back her opinions of the book's plot compared to her own life. A lot of elements, much like the movies Marie spoke of, were full of fantasy and dialed down tragedies. Elsa had not even finished the chapter due to Marie's constant playful criticism. It's no wonder why she was tense throughout this chapter, though, Elsa thought to herself as she walked quietly down the castle hallway. It deals with her old best friend, Grace. Her footsteps came to a halt, and she stood still. I was hoping she wasn't real.
"Good evening."
Elsa nearly froze her book solid at the familiar voice. "Dominic," she said in exasperation. "Why are you on this side of the castle?"
The trim young man rested his weight on his leg that stood on an upper stair. His eyes gazed outside. "The dark is peaceful." Elsa blinked. For once, his tone was not arrogant. He looked at the book in her hands. "Within. Your favorite. You always raved about Marie when we were children." He chuckled at her flushed face. "What chapter are you on?"
She clutched the book tighter to her chest. "Eight."
"Ah, the one with Grace," he said. Dominic put his hands in his pants pockets before continuing up the stairs. Elsa moved aside. "I always thought she was literal grace but turns out she was a real person all along." He paused on a stair level to her height and stared at her from the side. "Torturous, to pretend to be someone you're not around someone you wish to be yourself with. Don't you think?"
Elsa felt as though her nails were going to pierce through the leather cover. "They didn't know how they felt about each other yet. They were young."
Dominic reached the top of the stairs and tilted his head back. "Oh, no, Elsa. They were stuck." What felt like a jolt shot through her chest. Elsa stared at the floor. Dominic waved. "See you tomorrow." Around the corner of the castle walls, a dark-skinned soldier hid in the shadows. He could only watch with a downcast face as Her Majesty finally realized that what was written in the pages of her cherished book were not just fairytales.
