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It was another beautiful and warm day in Arendelle.
Queen Anna, who was sitting on her big chair at her huge desk signing documents, sighed for what
looked to be the hundred time since that morning. Ever since Elsa gave the Royal title to
Anna, she has done her job with no complaints or problems along the way. Six months have passed
in the blink of an eye. Six. She should be happy, right? She should be satisfied.
Anna, who was now called Her Majesty, who everyone respected, adored. When she spoke, her word was law. There was no one above her, her decisions were abolute. She had to admit it took her a little while to get used to her title in the beginning.
And she also had to admit that hearing people calling her by her title still reminded her of her sister.
There was definetly something...intriguing about Queen Elsa, she just couldn't understand what it was that kept pulling back to the image of her sister as the previous monarch.
Anna accepted the role as the Queen, no questions asked. No deeper conversations about it, no hesitation.
Because that's just how she is, isn't it? Anna loves the blonde so much, that she would follow her wherever
she may go without thinking twice. And that made Anna wonder on some occasions if any of it was justifiable.
Like, how deep was her love and devotion, that made her jump into danger to protect Elsa, putting herself at risk.
The readhead is very much aware that it goes exactly the same when is the other way around.
Elsa would do the possible and impossible to keep Anna safe and that is one of the thousands of reasons that make her heart skip a beat when thinking about the blonde.
Because once Elsa found herself, she became even more beautiful than before.
Because Elsa is graceful and confident. Feminine, bold. A Fearless, powerful and the most important person in the whole world to Anna.
And also a Godess, that's very much what the readhead thinks about her when she crosses her mind.
Speaking of the blonde, she is supposed to visit Anna today, even though she didn't say at what time she would arrive at the castle.
Their castle. Because it will always belong to both of them.
The first week without her sister was strange. She was so used to see or bump into her in a corner of a hall. She even called for her as she
was entering their study once but in vain.
But the worst part was when only three days after the episode of the study, she went to her sister's room only to find it unlocked and....empty.
She got inside and closed the door behind her. Inside Elsa's room it was dark, of course. The maids would still come to clean but it looked so lifeless.
Even after having a lingering fragrance in the air. Elsa's perfume.
Anna walked to the bed and lied down with her head on the pillow she new it belonged to Elsa, even when she would sleep with her, which turned out to be practically every night ever since the Great Thaw. They were inseparable back then. Anna cried herself to sleep that night.
From the next morning on, things started to get harder. Anna missed her sister deeply. Waking up and not seing the older girl beside her was agony. She got depressed, she lost apetite, she focused on her work so she didn't think, so she could feel a little less.
And she was gaining courage to break up with Kristoff because she new her feelings for him had changed. No more than two days later, she did it. She ended it. Kristoff was confused at first and didn't want to believe her but she was getting tired and her pacience was thin, so she end up raising her voice causing him to go serious and leaving no doubts.
He was hurt, she knew it would happen. That same day he left the castle and she haven't seen him since.
Queen Anna continued signing and reading papers, even though her concentration wasn't the same as when she started after lunch.
As she was about to stamp the Arendelle seal, approving new tradding goods, there was a knock on the door.
It was a pretty common knock so she only stopped for a second to answer before stamping the seal and moving on to another document.
"Yes?"
The door opened slowly and a blonde head peaked inside. Seeing the readhead focused on her work she smile before coming in and closing the door.
"Your Majesty, I believe you deserve a break."
Anna snapped her head up with an unhuman speed and she almost didn't belive it.
"Elsa!" Anna jumped from her seat not even caring about her quill and dropping it on top of the desk, running to her sister and throwing her arms around her who was laughing.
"How are you?" Elsa asked, Anna still hugging her.
"I'm...way better now that you're here." Even though the blonde couldn't see her face, her cheeks were a tad pink.
The taller girl decided to move back so she could take a look at the redhead, holding her now by her elbows.
Now that Elsa was looking at Anna more closely, she could see that her sister had lost weight, had bags under her eyes and looked tired. And even going through all of that, Anna was smiling and looking up at her like she was the cure to all of her problems.
"I'm sorry, Anna." She said with a frown.
Anna was confused by the sudden apology. "What are you sorry for?"
A sigh. Cupping her sister's face with her hands she said: "All this being Queen thing has been difficult for you, hasn't it?" What Anna was finding difficult was trying to keep her focus, now that Elsa started to brush her thumb against her cheekbone. "Oh, I mean..it's not exactly the easiest job in the world."
"And there are some boring parts about it as well." At this she looked behind her so she could see the papers on her desk. "But I'm doing it." She finished with a small smile so she could reassure the blonde, who now had her hands on her shoulders, while Anna had her arms wrapped around her sister's waist since they hugged.
Elsa was still somewhat worried, but she believed her. "Okay. But you don't need to overdo it."
"That's what you used to say to me, remember?" She teased with a small smirk.
Anna rolled her eyes fondly before moving backwards while pulling Elsa by her hands, until they were standing in the middle of the study.
Once they stopped moving, Anna just kept looking at Elsa with a soft look on her face.
Elsa noticed this and felt the corner of her mouth twitch into a smile but she managed to hold it. Until she couldn't and the smile turned into laughter, surprising the readhead. "What's so funny?" she asked fighting a smile of her own since Elsa's laugh was contagious.
"I'm sorry, it's just you had this funny look on your face and I couldn't help it." Elsa answered still chuckling. Anna pouted.
"Aww don't worry, you still looked cute though." Anna blushed this time.
Elsa was definetly having fun whith the situation. The brat.
"C'mon, let's sit down." The blonde sat down on the couch situated in the corner and Anna did the same.
"So" the readhead started, "How has it been for you back in the forest?"
"Oh well...it has been...peaceful? Quiet? Safe? You know." As the words left her mouth she knew that her tone sounded..doubtful.
"I...see, that's- umm that's good, right?"
"Yeah, It's just-" Elsa knew exactly what she wanted to say, but could she? Was it fair to the spirits? To the Northuldra? Besides it's not like she could come back or could she?
Gods, this last months were insane. In the beginning she thought staying away from Anna would be for the best, she thought that would help her clean her mind.
She thought her more than sisterly feelings for Anna would go away...But they didn't. And as the time passed by, keeping her distance only got harder.
Yes, she would visit as often as she could but it wasn't the same, not even close. When she first realized her true feelings for Anna, first came the denial. But her feelings were far too strong to ignore so she accepted them, eventually. After all, loving Anna comes easy for Elsa.
"Elsa, are listening?" Anna calling her name, brought her back to where they are. In Arendelle, in the castle's study.
The blonde looked back at her and shook her head softly trying to get rid of her toughts.
"Hey, where did you go just now? I had to call you three times to get your attention back." She told the blonde with no accusation in her voice.
"Ah, sorry." She felt guilty. "You're right I got lost for a second. But it won't happen again." She promised looking directly into her sister's eyes.
"It's okay, I'm not mad or anything." Elsa smiled at her, grateful.
"But is there something wrong?"
"No, not at all. Like I said the forest and spirits are fine." She used what she hopped to sound her most convincing tone. "Okay, then." Anna offered a small smile.
"Oh and of course the Northuldra have been lovely to me as well. They're still so formal to me, can you believe it?" Anna's smile grew a little bit.
And then dropped at her sister's next words: "Well, not all of them. Honeymaren is one of the people that calls me by my name. And she's really sweet and caring."
Anna only hmm'd making Elsa look at her slightly confused, what made her ask: "Anna, is there something wrong?"
Anna clenched her teeth before answering "No, Elsa. Everything is fine, wonderful even." Even if she tried she couldn't hide the sarcasm in her voice, so obviously that didn't help Elsa drop the subject right away. "Anna, c'mon, you know you can talk to me." A pale hand held a tanner one. "If there's something bothering you and I'm able to help, I'd like to do it." The younger felt her heart skip a beat at the gesture and although she found it odd, she gave her a quick squeeze back.
Anna licked her lips, which didn't go unnoticed by Elsa who glanced down but snapped her eyes back up to Anna's not a second after.
"Seriously, there's no need for you to worry, sis." She was trying her hardest to sound convicing and positive. Damn her jealousy. Elsa only sighed and gave her a nod.
They kept talking about random things for another good while and simply enjoying each other's company, until the blonde looked towards the window and saw the sun was starting to set. This was the worst part whenever she came to visit. Saying goodbye to Anna and promising she would comeback for another visit, would never be easy.
When Elsa looked back at Anna, her sister was already looking back at her. She knew what she was supposed to do, it wasn't the first time.
She had to go.
" Anna." She called softly. "I should go. It's getting late and I-"
"Do you really have to go? Can't you stay... at least for a little longer?" The readhead knew the chance of Elsa saying yes was small, almost tiny even.
But she had to try right?
"Anna-" Before Elsa could say another word, there was a knock on the door.
Elsa was the one answering, gaving permission for the person on the other side to come in. It was Gerda.
"Oh, Elsa! It's so good to see you, dear. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting but Kai told me you were here with your sister, so I just wanted to see you."
Gerda explained with a big smile. "It's good to see you as well, Gerda, thank you." She answered kindly.
"Well, since I'm here, would you girls like for me to bring tea and these delicious chocolate troufles?"
Elsa's smile dropped a bit and she was about to explain she was leaving when Anna beat her to it "Actually, Gerda, that sounds like a great ideia."
"What do you think Elsa?" Anna turned to her with hopeful eyes which didn't give her that much of a choice.
"Sure." she looked back at Gerda who was looking at both of them expectantly.
"That would be nice. Besides, can't really refuse chocolate, can I?" She joked. Gerda chuckled "No, dear, you can't. And neither can Anna." She finished looking fondly at the pair.
"Well, I'll be back right back." Before closing the door, Gerda winked at the readhead who only smiled at the playful gesture, unnoticed by the blonde who was looking down.
Now it was only them in the study, but the air around them felt different somehow and her sister was still facing the floor as if was suddendly the most interesting thing there. At the same time this gave Anna a few more minutes to gather her thoughts. Truth is, there was something bothering her, it has been for a good while now and she was tired of this restless feeling.
The older girl sighed "Anna...you knew I was about to leave. I told you it's getting late and the Northuldra need me there, It's my duty as the fifth spirit."
Anna frowned slightly "I'm sorry, I just wanted to spend a little more time with you and enjoy those chocolates Gerda suggested. Is that so bad?"
At this, the taller girl turned to her "Of course not, is just..you didn't have to corner me like that, you know?" She said defensively.
"I cornered you? How?" She almost demanded.
The blonde sighed once again "Forget it, Anna let's just leave it. I'm staying for a little while so I can eat with you." Anna knew the blonde was avoiding the question
because she probably didn't want this to turn into an argument, but that only annoyed the readhead.
"You've got to be joking. I just asked you a question Elsa. And instead of giving me a simply answer, you dodged it." But then she understood what she did to corner Elsa. And it was ridiculous.
"I didn't dodge anything, Anna. I simply don't see a reason to dwell on it if not necessary." Ok, no more running away from this. Since they were kinda arguing already...
Anna scoffed. "Not necessary" She repeated her sister's words.The younger decided to stand up so she could say everything she was about to say properly.
She took a deep breath and then released it. Elsa was looking at her with a confused yet curious expression.
She started talking, promising she wouldn't keep this to herself. Not anymore.
"You asked me if there was something bothering before....and I said that I'm fine." "Well, I lied."
"Yeah, obviously-" "Don't interrupt me, Elsa." Anna ordered making the older girl blink twice and swallowing a sudden dry throat.
She nodded and the readhead continued:
"The truth is I'm not fine. Truth is, when I try to do something, I always seem to lose focus. And all because of you. Because I miss you more that I ever thought possible, Elsa."
A few seconds passed with them just looking at each other.
"You said the Northuldra need you but what about me, Elsa? I need you too and I can guarantee that no one needs you more than I do." "When I say that I need
you, I don't mean once in a while, I mean every single day. Beside me."
Elsa wanted to speak but her voice was stuck in her throat. That and Anna literally gave her an order.
"Honestly, I still don't understand what you need to protect so much since the forest is free and the spirts are as well." Elsa's eyes widened for a fraction.
"Is it the Northuldra? Because they seem pretty safe and relaxed to me ever since we met them and set them free along with everything else." Her tone was bored.
"And getting back to the spirits, isn't your connection with them magical? You said so yourself, that your magic could feel it."
"And you Elsa, you always liked your comfort, your space and especially you're privacy. You're not telling me you don't care about those things anymore, right?" "Because if you did, I wouldn't believe you, dear sister."
Elsa could only stare at Anna. She had no ideia her sister would feel like this about her staying in the forest. And she wants her beside her, in Arendelle.
But her motives were different from the blonde's. The older girl still hasn't stopped staring at the readhead. And the longer she stared, the more certain she was it would be almost impossible for her not to do anything stupid because of her feelings. It would be dangerous, she could destroy everything they've built until now. Why did it have to be like this? Why couldn't she just think..normally? It didn't help that Anna was right. She was with no doubt, right about everything she said.
Anna broke the silence: "I just remembered...What about that thing you said a few years ago? That it didn't matter where we were as long as we're together, hm?"
Elsa recognized her own words instantly and of course she meant every letter.
"Elsa, don't you see? You're place is here in Arendelle. By my side." She smiled softly. "And this castle is ours, it already was before we were even born and will always be." Damn it. What was she to do, now?
Elsa took a deep breath and was about to answer when there was a knock on the door for the second time. This time the blonde went to open the door herself. It was Gerda, carrying the tray with the promised tea and chocolates. While her sister was talking with the older woman, Anna started to think about how she had actually admited all that. Wow. She just hoped she got some sense into the older girl. Well, all of it was true, she wanted Elsa back so she could hug her, cuddle with her, fall asleep and wake up next to her. Basically be with her 24/7- Wait, what? Where were this thoughts coming from, seriously... She wanted Elsa next to her but why would- And then she understood the why. She just doesn't love Elsa, she is in love with her.
Oh.
That actually explains a few things like the recently strange dreams bordering on romance which were getting bolder each time, her devotion. The pain in her chest whenever they had to say goodbye. The inexplicable amount of jealousy she felt towards Honeymaren, the way she would go breathless at the sight of Elsa wherever they were and what is probably the real reason why she broke up with Kristoff.
Shit.
After leaving, Gerda closes the door while Elsa puts the tray on the small table in front of the couch. She turns around ready to get back on topic when she notices her sister is covering her mouth with one hand and gripping the edge of the desk with the other. Elsa is worried but she keeps her voice soft when she calls her.
"Anna?" The readhead didn't react, so she tries again.
"Anna." This time Anna hears her and turns her head in Elsa's direction slowly.
Now that Elsa got her attention she takes a few steps until she's closer and asks:
"What's wrong?" Anna locked eyes with her. Should she tell her? She cold lie but it didn't seem like a good ideia at this point. Better get this over with, tell everything and hope that would be no more secrets, doors or forests between them. Here it goes. Still looking straight into Elsa's eyes, she procedes.
"Elsa. I..I need to tell you something. Something that has to do..with you, with us." She had to clear her throat.
"I just realized how I really feel about you. Guess I've always felt this way, I just never new what it meant." She looked away before bringing her eyes to Elsa's again.
"Not until now, at least." She mumbled.
"Anna, what are you talking about? The blonde was confused.
A sigh. "What I'm saying, is that I love you."
Elsa raised a questioning brow " I know that Anna, I love you too. You're-"
"No, Elsa" She interrupted "That's not-" Gods, her heart was beating so fast and she was losing courage but she couldn't give up. She told her too much already, there was no way the blonde was letting her go without an explanation. She huffed. Elsa could be so infuriating sometimes.
"Then what do-"
"I'm in love with you!" There, she admited. Loud and clear.
Elsa's eyes were wide and her lips slighly parted. She was shocked, of course. Never in a million years did she expect Anna to reciprocate her feelings.
The silence stretched for what it felt like hours, until Anna broke it.
"Elsa, say something." She pleaded. Her sister was now looking everywhere in the study but her with her arms crossed below her chest.
Maybe she should've kept her mouth shut, maybe she could've kept her feelings for herself for a little longer. What if Elsa didn't want to stay anymore? What if she stopped visiting for good?
"Anna, I-I don't know umm.." Anna noticed the color on Elsa's cheeks and found herself fighting her smile with how adorable her sister looked.
The blonde moved past her so she could lean her lower back against the desk. Anna was biting her lip, anxious.
"Sooo..what do you exactly like about me?" It was Anna's turn to blush. She definitly wasn't expecting her sister to ask her that so directly.
The readhead just stared at the blonde for a few seconds before answering firmly:
"Everything. I love absolutly everything about you, Elsa. I love the sound of your voice and how you say my name. I love how kind you are, how you're always willing to help other people. I love your magic and I love to see how happy and raddiant you get when you use it. I love your laugh and your smile, I love your hair so soft to the touch, I love how deeply you care for me. I love that we both love chocolate" Here she chuckled "I love when we hug tight and when we hold hands. I love sleeping next to you, it's really comfortable and soothing. I love every moment we spend together. You are beautiful, stunning, easiest the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. "Yes, Elsa I love your body, it's impossible not to. You are an abolute Godess. I love all of that about you and so much more, dear sister."
"I love you Elsa. I just do." Anna finished without looking away from her sister's eyes.
Elsa was left speachless. She didn't know what to say, that was easiest the most beautiful thing someone has ever said to her. She didn't think all that of herself but, hearing it from Anna made it easier to believe it. It's always Anna bringing the best in her and when they're together nothing could stop them.
"I don't know what to say. Gods, Anna." She was grinning and she wasn't even hiding it.
"Look, I- I understand if this is too much for you but I really had to say this. All of it. And you don't have-"
"That's not it. I just never tought this would actually happen."
"What?"
Elsa smiled at her before sitting on top of the desk and then extending her arm. "Come here."
Anna did so, holding her sister's extended hand and being pulled gently into a hug. They spent a couple of minutes like this until Anna broke the comfortable silence they were in.
"Hey..what did you mean earlier? When you said this is happening?"
She felt Elsa tighten her arms around her briefly along with a soft chuckle.
"Really, Anna? You didn't get it yet?" The blond asked, amusedly.
"Eh..no?"
"Hmm. Well, I'm hugging you. And you didn't exactly hear a rejection from me, did you?" Anna shook her head no. And then she snapped her neck up so fast she startled poor Elsa who was now looking at her with wide eyes.
"Then do you mean-"
"Yes, Anna. I'm in love with you! I love you so, so much." Anna new that it was true, she could see it in her sister's eyes, the way they were shining with so much affection and happiness.
The readhead couldn't contain her smile and before she new it, she leaned forward and closed the distance between them crashing her lips into Elsa's.
The blonde left a sound of surprise escape her throat, before closing her eyes and kissing Anna back.
When they pulled apart, both had flushing cheeks and were breathing a little faster.
They were smiling at each other and simply enjoying each other's warmth, when Elsa remembered Anna was engaged (or so she thought).
"Anna, what about Kristoff?"
Anna could hear worry in her voice, but she answered truthfully.
"Oh..me and Kristoff broke up a week ago. Guess we weren't made for each other after all. There's even rumors he found another
girl in his expeditions. And honestly I don't mind one bit." she retorted with a shrug.
"Oh, and I gave specific orders to our castle staff to confirm that me and Kristoff are no longer together in case someone asks." "I have nothing to hide and I don't care what people think. This is my life and I'm the Queen after all."
Elsa humm'd with a smirk.
"Well, as long as you're fine. And happy." Elsa kissed her forehead.
"How couldn't I be? I have my one and true love right in front of me. That's all I'll ever need." She pecked Elsa because she could.
But then, she remembered that was still something she still needed to clarify with the taller girl.
"Elsa?"
"Yes, my love?" Anna nearly exploded on the spot with how sweet that sounded coming from Elsa's mouth but, she manage to keep her composure.
She was now looking into Elsa's eyes, hopping that what she was about to ask, would have the answer she wanted to hear the most.
"Are you going back to forest?"
"Of course not, love." Elsa assured. That was definitly what she wanted to hear. Thank the Gods.
Elsa continued: "How could I go back after everything you told me? After knowing that I can call you mine, just like you can call me yours? That we love each other in the same way?" Elsa kissed her longer this time and when they parted, Anna looked like she was in a trance. She was brought back by Elsa's voice speaking once again: "You don't have to worry about me going back or staying in the forest, snowflake" That was new, Anna tought.
A sigh coming from the older girl."Honestly, in the beginning I wasn't planing to stay there. But, after Kristoff proposed and you said yes, I started thinking about it. And then Yelena and Honeymaren said that I was more than welcomed to stay so, I thought it was for the best. I'm sorry, love." She finished sadly.
"It's okay, Elsa. It really is. We're here, now. Together and in love." They kissed until they were both gigling at each other.
After another moment in their warm embrace, Elsa glanced at the tray that was still on top of the small table, untouched.
She snorted.
"It's unbelievable." She said and Anna could hear the smile in her voice.
"What?"
"We forgot about the chocolate Gerda brought us." Anna twisted her torso so she could look at the tray. Elsa was right.
"The tea must be cold by now." She pouted and Elsa couldn't help but find it adorable.
"It's still drinkable." "Or are you afraid of a little cold?" The audacity of this woman.
Anna leaned until she was breathing on Elsa's ear and said in a low, husky voice:
"Elsa, I could make you melt with my bare hands. So, I don't think the cold will be a problem, at all."
Good thing Elsa was already sitting down because she didn't know Anna's voice could have such an effect on her.
It was only when Anna pulled back to see her reaction, that Elsa noticed tha she had gripped Anna's clothes without meaning to.
Anna was blushing but Elsa's face could match the red in Anna's hair.
Noticing this, the redhead laughed and gave Elsa a quick peck on the lips as a silent apology.
Anna took a step back and pulled Elsa by her hand toward the couch and the small table.
"C'mon, even though it's almost dinner time we can still eat these chocolates. They look delicious."
Elsa was looking at Anna. Smirking she said "I'm sure they do, love."