So, by popular demand, the readers of Elsa & Anna, another one of my Frozen fan fictions, wanted Coping to become a new story. If you guys haven't read Elsa & Anna please do because I'm continuing that one as well. It's about the sisters and their bond throughout life. A collection of one shots, really.
But this story is different. The first two chapters are from Elsa & Anna so if you already read them, please bare with me! Thank you!
It takes place two weeks after the movie.
Disclaimer: Disney owns FROZEN
She tiptoed across the floor, her feet muffled by her socks. The only sound she could hear was the crashing sea outside of the castle windows, where the ships were sleeping amongst the fjord. The moonlight was leaking through the cool glass and bathing the floors in its glow. Anna shivered a little, the castle always so cold at night, no matter what time of year it was. The stone exterior kept little heat inside but tended to absorb plenty during the day. How it escaped the enclosure, Anna had no idea.
Her feet took the familiar turn down the hallway and into a longer one, where a single white door was implanted inside the wooden walls. The blue, blocky designs of snowflakes painted still, making it unique compared to the other doors. Anna crept over to it, wondering if Elsa was still awake at this hour. Since Anna had trouble sleeping, she thought that Elsa could keep her company until she felt tired again.
Elsa wasn't her first choice, however, because Anna knew that it would have been rude to immediately go there first. She had journeyed to the library and read a few short stories from her favorite novel but it didn't put her to sleep. The kitchen was open to only one late night chef and he served her a glass of warm milk. Anna drank two cups of the stuff but she still remained wide awake. She went on a walk around the castle grounds and peaked into the stables to see if Kristoff was awake. The blond mountain man had been snoozing in a pile of hay with Sven by his side so Anna was left alone with no other options but her sister.
Her had twitched as she reached for the handle. It had been a long time since she asked Elsa the question. Well, 'asked' isn't quite the word. Anna never asked permission for this ever but Elsa didn't mind in the slightest. They used to do it all the time as kids, especially when Anna was a very little girl and was terrified of everything at night. Elsa was always there to offer a hand to comfort her.
Without anymore hesitation, Anna opened the door and stepped inside, gently closing it behind her. The door fell back in place with a tiny click and Anna was standing against it, her nightgown illuminated by the moon pouring in from Elsa's window. Anna's blue eyes absorbed the room around her, taking in the ice that formed around the glass to the sleeping figure that controlled the cold, curled up in her blue bed, snoring ever-so-softly. Anna stepped over to her silently and came to a halt at the side of the bed. Elsa was on the other edge, facing Anna, her hands clasped in front of her face, her lips parted slightly. Her white bangs were falling in her eyes, closed tight in the deep slumber and her mind drifting off into a world of peaceful dreams.
Anna bit her lip and slowly peeled back the covers on the empty side. As quietly as she could, she sunk into the mattress and snuggled the blankets over her, resting her head on the pillow. Elsa was still asleep, unknowing that Anna had snuck into her bed for the night. With a satisfied nod, happy about her success, Anna gazed at the canopy of the bed and let her back adjust to the position. She listened to the ticking of Elsa's grandfather clock in the corner and the crickets outside in the summer night. Her fingers laced together and rested on her stomach as she lay there, thinking of how she would explain herself to her sister in the morning.
After some time of just resting amongst the warm sheets and comforters, Anna felt her eyes grow heavy. Finally, she was able to shut her eyes and sleep. She adjusted herself so she was resting on her stomach, her head facing away from Elsa, and tucked her arms beneath the pillow for extra head support. Midnight struck as she drifted off, a chaste smile on her lips.
A very sudden, very short, but very loud snore woke Elsa up at once. The queen opened her eyes and scrunched her eyebrows together, peering through the darkness as her orbs adjusted to the moonlight. A small figure was buried beneath the covers and strawberry blond hair was starting to stick out of its braided head. It took Elsa's sleepy brain to register that someone was in her bed with her. When it hit her fully, her eyes widened and she shimmied backwards, almost toppling out of the covers and onto the hardwood floor.
The figure turned in its sleep and revealed itself as Anna, Elsa calmed and moved back to her spot and pursed her lips. With a small humph, she poked Anna in the cheek twice before the princess woke with a start, sitting up and blinking sleepily.
"What happened?" she sputtered. "What'd I miss?"
"Anna," Elsa said, sitting up, too, leaning back on her hands. "You're in my bed."
"Huh— oh, I guess I am," Anna spoke with a guilty giggle. "Sorry, Elsa. I couldn't sleep."
"You didn't ask me if you could sleep in here," Elsa said sternly.
Anna waved her off. "Oh, Elsa! Calm down. We used to do this all the time!" She collapsed back onto the bed and peered up into her sister's face. Elsa twisted her body so she could look back at her. Anna's eyes were shining like the moon, a little grin playing on her face.
"You aren't mad at me, are you?"
Elsa shook her head.
"You don't mind if I stay?"
"Don't you think we're a little old for this?"
"No." Anna put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes, relaxing in the warmth of the bed. "Not at all, Elsa! It's not weird, either."
"I never said it was."
She opened one eye and observed her. "Your face did."
Elsa blinked, raising an eyebrow. She mouthed 'my face' and Anna giggled, closing her eye again. She let out a joyful sigh and snuggled even deeper into the mattress. Elsa lay back down and turned on her side to look at Anna. The princess's smile began to fade a little, both of her eyes cracking open and staring blankly at the canopy. Elsa followed her gaze, resting on her back as well, and they fell into silence, the ticking of the clock the only thing breaking it.
"Crazy stuff, huh," Anna said.
"What are you talking about?" Elsa replied.
"Y'know— everything."
Elsa smirked and let out a small snicker from her nose. "I guess so. It was crazy for a long time."
Anna bit her lip. "D'you think that Kristoff is happy here?"
"Where'd that come from?"
The princess shrugged.
"Anna…"
"Never mind."
"No, tell me."
"It's stupid… It's a waste of breath and time."
Elsa wasn't so sure how to continue the conversation. Anna didn't sound like she wanted to talk about it anymore but her eyes were dancing with concern, obviously wanting to press on with the discussion. Instead of saying anything more, she kept staring at the canopy and sighed heavily.
Anna's body heat beside her was comforting. Elsa fondly remembered how Anna would surreptitiously crawl into her bed at night when they still shared a room. The princess had a habit of snoring and moving around in bed, often causing her hair to go rouge and flyaway. But Elsa always found Anna's presence to be relaxing. When Anna was three, when she first snuck in, Elsa unconsciously held Anna all night long. Her parents told her the next morning, before they had woken the girls up, they had looked so content with each other that the King and Queen almost didn't want to disturb them.
"Hey, Elsa," Anna whispered after a beat.
"Hm?"
"Can we… can…"
She trailed off.
"Can we what?"
It took Anna a second to reply. She smiled wistfully and her eyes glazed over as childhood memories flooded through her mind's eye. The nights they spent just giggling, Elsa creating a snowstorm downstairs, building a fort of blankets and pillows and falling asleep together under a pile of warmth, Elsa braiding Anna's hair and reading to her, teaching Anna to read, the two of them growing up together until Elsa's mistake… all of the memories made nostalgia settle in Anna. The wish that it could go back to the way it was.
"Can we move back together?"
Elsa turned her head. So did Anna. Their eyes clashed as Anna's words seeped into Elsa's mind. She squinted a little.
"What do you mean?"
"Can we be like we used to be and share a room again? At least until one of us gets married or something." Anna grinned again. "Like how we used to. The walk to your room gets awfully cold at night."
Elsa stared at her for a moment before breaking into a grin, too, and rolling onto her back, laughing. It was something Anna hadn't heard for a long time. Elsa's true, genuine laugh. Not the queen-like giggle or the suppressed laughter she would hide. But the laughter that was resonating her childhood. Anna blinked.
"Did I say something funny?" she questioned.
"Oh, Anna," Elsa giggled, running a hand through her bangs. She turned on her side and hugged her sister. "I missed you."
"You… you what?" Anna stammered, not fully understanding what Elsa meant.
"I missed you," Elsa repeated, tucking a strand of hair behind Anna's ear.
"So… that's a yes?"
"Of course," Elsa murmured, letting go of Anna. "We can move back together. I'll put in the request tomorrow morning. That sound nice?" She returned to her spot in the bed and pulled the covers close to her body, closing her eyes.
Anna's face lit up. "You mean it?"
Elsa peeked at her. "I promise."
Anna squeaked out and crawled on top of Elsa, putting all her weight onto the queen. Elsa felt the breath leave her lungs as the dead weight collapsed over her body.
"Wait, no, Anna!" she gasped, trying to shove her off. "I can't breathe."
"I'm not moving," Anna protested, wriggling her arms under Elsa's back and embracing her. "Good night, Elsa!"
Elsa unstuck her arms from her grip and rested them on Anna's shoulders, just as she had done when they were kids. Anna's head was underneath Elsa's chin as she fell asleep again, snoring softly as her dreams carried her off to a far off land.
It took Elsa a few more minutes to fully sleep again. She was letting her eyelids fall by themselves, a content smile on her face as she listened to the sounds of her sister's slumber. When her eyes finally did close completely, she slipped away and her grip on Anna slackened.
The following morning, Elsa woke up curled in a ball, her arms clutching her pillow. She was facing the window, the weak morning sun hitting her in the face. Elsa moaned and turned around, finding Anna's hair disheveled and sticking out in every direction. She was drooling a little, the side of her face pressed down in her arm. Elsa snickered and sat up, yawning and stretching. She made a circle with her finger and a cold wind blew the windows open, allowing fresh air to dance into the room.
Elsa hugged her knees from underneath the blankets and watched the outside world as birds flew by and the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the morning rush in the town square floated up to her ears. Anna let out a loud snore and woke herself up, sitting up wildly and smacking her lips in a very un-princess-like manner.
"G'morning!" she slurred, rubbing her eyes. "Mmm— how'd ya sleep?"
"I slept well," Elsa said, her eyes still gazing outside, following the shift of the clouds in the bright blue sky. "How about you?"
"Wonderful," Anna replied, flopping back down onto her back and stretching her legs. "I could get used to sleeping here."
"Don't," Elsa chuckled. "We'll be close enough anyway."
"But, Elsaaaaaa," Anna whined, pouting.
"Annaaaaa," Elsa countered, turning and tossing her pillow into Anna's face. "I need my bed for myself every once in a while."
"Fine," Anna scoffed, slumping out of Elsa's bed and stretching her arms. "I'm gonna go get dressed and maybe go to the market. Wanna come?"
Elsa paused and considered the offer. Then her mind drifted away to the night before, Anna wondering about Kristoff but never fully getting to the point of things. She smiled and shook her head.
"No, actually, why don't you ask Kristoff," Elsa said. "Perhaps he could help you pick out a few items for next week's Traders Ball. I've other things to attend to this morning."
"Ask… ask Kristoff?" Anna repeated, her face flushing, making her morning appearance look quite comical with her face red and hair a rat's nest. "I dunno about that."
"Oh, come on, Anna!" Elsa encouraged, getting out of bed and going to her dresser. "Go and have fun. All my stuff is boring anyway and I can only trust your judgement on the chocolate items."
Anna's face perked up when 'chocolate' was said. She shrugged with a pursed smile, backing away to the door.
"Allllright, then," Anna agreed. "See you later, Elsa!"
"Have a good day," Elsa called after her as she threw the door open and ran down the hall back to her room.
"Don't you think that's enough?" Kristoff said to Anna.
His morning had been normal for the most part. Getting up, feeding Sven, and lounging around the stables. Suddenly Anna had bounced inside and his morning routine took a turn for the what just happened? She had dragged him away from Sven and the stables, dressed him in his new vest, and linked her arm with his so he couldn't get away. The next thing he knew he was following her around the shops of Arendelle, looking for chocolate items for some ball Elsa was throwing to celebrate harmonious relations with their trade partners from Corona, France, and a few other places that Kristoff hadn't heard because, frankly, he wasn't paying attention when the girls were talking about it.
Now Anna's basket was full of chocolate and she was still looking for more. All of that candy was making Kristoff's jaw ache just looking at it.
"Enough? No, it's not nearly enough," Anna protested, her eyes skimming over chocolates of all kinds. "Ooh, is this imported?" she asked the shopkeeper. "I've never seen that wrapper before!"
"Yes, indeed, your Highness," the shopkeeper said, her warm brown eyes just as sweet as the chocolate she sold. "Highest grade chocolate from Germany."
"Mmm, sounds amazing," Anna mused.
"Anna, can I go?" Kristoff begged, leaning against a shelf full of display platters.
"You're not going anywhere until I'm done, Kristoff," she scolded, still not looking at him. "I think…" She trailed off, pursing her lips and staring down at the candy. "I think Elsa would like this one because it's a dark kind— and she tends to like the bitterness— but, oh! That one has a cake recipe the chefs could whip up but, oh, Kristoff do you like dark or milk?"
"Why ask me?"
"Because you're here and you're supposed to be helping me!"
"I was dragged here against my will."
"Ah, but you were at the will of a princess," she countered coyly, peering over her shoulder and giving him a flirtatious smile.
Kristoff felt his ears burn with embarrassment. She blushed, too, hearing herself and looked back at the chocolate quickly.
"Pick, Kristopher," she demanded, changing the subject.
"Don't call me that," he said dryly, walking over to the counter and gazing into the glass.
"Pick!" she said, poking him in his thick head.
"Uh… well, if Elsa likes dark then make a dark chocolate cake and I suggest a milk chocolate finger food for the guests because most people prefer milk over dark," Kristoff said, scratching the back of his neck.
"That… is a great idea!" Anna squealed. She turned to the shopkeeper. "What he said, please!"
"Right away, your Highness." The shopkeeper bowed and began to sort their purchase out.
"Ooh, Kristoff!" Anna sighed, standing on tiptoe and planting a big kiss on his cheek. "You're the best. Thank you." She lowered herself to the ground and got their things.
When they went out into the town, the summer sun hitting them full force, Kristoff bent down and kissed her right back. Anna froze as he kept walking, smirking to himself. Since when was he so bold with his kisses?
"Hey! That's not fair," Anna protested, rushing after him.
"Too bad," Kristoff taunted, taking her hand in his own. "Come on. You wanted to get me fitted for a formal suit?"
"You really want to?" Excitement filled Anna's eyes.
He shrugged indifferently but couldn't help but to smile at her fondness. "I'm out aren't I?"
"Yay!" Anna giggled and dragged him up the street and towards the tailor.
Elsa stared. She couldn't help herself. Anna was standing next to her, her chin resting between her finger and thumb, her tongue sticking out in deep thought. They exchanged looks with one another before they burst out laughing, leaning against the wall behind them for support. Kristoff smacked his forehead with his hand and peeked out from between his fingers. Who let Sven inside was the big question.
The reindeer was standing in the middle of the ballroom, servants all around him, trying to grab the poor buck so they could remove the lanterns from his antlers. One of the male servants ran forward and tried to grab Sven from behind but he skidded away, snorting and bucking, his eyes a little scared. Kai barked at a chef to try and guide Sven over with some carrots but Sven kept on snorting and backing away in all different directions. Never in his life did Kristoff see Sven so afraid of people. Maybe the big guy was guilty, not really afraid. Kristoff stepped forward and calmly coaxed Sven to come to him. When he did, the Ice Master tenderly rid him of the party lights and handed them to Kai, an apologetic smile on his face.
The butler straightened his tail coat with dignity and stormed off, the others following him. Kristoff and Sven were left only with the sounds of the howling laughter of the sisters.
"It wasn't funny!" Kristoff argued, patting his buddy on the head. "Oh, Sven, what happened to you, huh?"
"I messed up really bad. I'm sorry," Sven said.
"Awh-ha, it's okay," Kristoff replied with a grin.
Elsa composed herself and straightened her dress.
"It's all right, Kristoff. Don't mind Kai's attitude. Sven must've accidentally gotten in." She crossed her arms. "How he did I can't quite stay."
Anna was breathless with laughter, sliding down the wall with tears in her eyes. Elsa kicked her a little and told her to stand up straight. Anna struggled, clutching a stitch in her side and wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she gasped. Kristoff glared at her and Anna's face fell, all laughter gone. She stood straight and cleared her throat. "I really am… sorry, Kristoff."
He sighed and started to lead Sven out to the stables. "It's all right… c'mon, Sven."
Anna watched helplessly as he and the reindeer padded their way out. Elsa patted her sister's shoulder and guided her to the kitchen to pick out the china they would be using. The youngest sighed, wondering how Kristoff was going to be able to cope with such wild happenings in Arendelle and in the castle walls. How he was going to cope with her and Elsa— and Elsa's powers, no less.
Well, she was just going to have to wait and see.
I really hope you guys enjoyed it! Please make sure you review. It really makes my day :)
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See you next time!