Chapter 3 : Letting Loose

Anna slowly felt herself become more aware. She opened her eyes and immediately closed them as the sunlight filtering in through the windows was too much for her sleep filled eyes to bear. After willing her eyes to open she stared at an unfamiliar ceiling. Her stomach dropped in panic unsure of where she was. It was the pleasant weight on her lap that finally brought Anna back to her senses. She looked at the platinum blonde laying across her and the memories came rushing back from the previous evening. The fact that Elsa was still lying on Anna's lap meant much more then that the nights events were real. It also meant that for the first time since Anna was five she had woken up earlier than her sister. The unlikely achievement had Anna smiling like a fool. She stared out the window at the deceptively warm looking sky overjoyed trying to think of ways to brag to Elsa about her accomplishment.

When Elsa finally stirred Anna had been awake for half an hour. Anna had been growing restless having to sit still and wait for her sister to wake up. The sight of Elsa's eyes finally fluttering open was a welcomed sight. Although Elsa's body had woken up her mind did not seem to get the memo. Elsa stared back blankly as Anna watched her sister trying to wake up enough to process the day. Anna's mouth curved into a warming smile.

"Good morning sleepyhead!" Anna greeted playfully.

Elsa was too busy fighting against the sandman to respond vocally. So in lieu of words Elsa gave Anna the sweetest smile the girl had ever seen. A blush crept up Anna's cheeks as she watched captivated. Elsa still heavy with sleep rolled over on her side squinting her eyes as the light hit them. Anna felt the girl in her lap suddenly tense up. Looks like she is finally awake. The girl rolled off of Anna's legs her face radiating a bright scarlet. Elsa distanced herself from Anna a few steps. Anna could see the older girl was at a loss of words. She guessed Elsa had finally remembered the night's events and didn't know how to proceed. Anna had planned for this in her time waiting for Elsa to wake up. She promised that she wouldn't let Elsa feel bad.

"Or should I say 'Good afternoon'? It's practically noon already!" Anna tried motioning to the clock.

It seemed to work as Elsa followed her direction. Elsa felt a wave of realization wash over her as if someone had thrown a bucket of water over her.

"Eleven thirty two! I'm late!" Elsa said hastily before she bolted for her room.

Anna sat dumbfounded as she heard her sister ransack through her draws. Late? Late for what?

"I feel like I should know why you're late." Anna announced.

"It's Saturday! I have practice." Elsa responded winded.

"No! You still practice that?" Anna asked amazed.

"Of course, It's relaxing. Besides, didn't you tell me you thought it was 'cool'?" Elsa said emerging from her room wearing a long sleeve white workout shirt with a solid blue line running horizontally through the shirt and very breathable workout pants.

Anna stared for a second admiring the portrait that Elsa's pant's had painted for her. Quickly Anna tried to preoccupy herself and made her way to the kitchen to make herself some breakfast.

"How exactly is shooting pointy sticks into a foam block relaxing?" Anna asked as she took out bread for toast and eggs to be cooked.

"Anna, archery is a little more complicated than that." Elsa informed while she rummaged through her closet. "Why do you think that it's not 'cool' anymore?"

"I never said it was cool, I said you looked cool doing it." Anna mumbled under her breath.

The redhead had placed the bread in the toaster and began quickly scrambling a few eggs when Elsa made a yelp of victory. She stumbled out of the closet with a duffel bag narrowly escaping when some odds and ends fell from the closet trying to bury the girl. Anna chuckled and Elsa gave her a sideways glare. She jokingly explained to her younger sister that she planned on cleaning out the closet this weekend anyway. Anna had just finished making eggs and Elsa finished stuffing her belongings into her closet when Anna thought of a question.

"Isn't the point of practice that it is on your own time? How are you running late, can't you just stay late?" Anna asked wondering if she made sense.

"Yes, if I were practicing by myself. But I am supposed to meet a friend there. That's why I'm late" Elsa enlightened the younger girl.

"Friend?" Anna asked quizzically staring at her sister as Elsa took out her spare key.

"Yes, believe it or not, I do have some friends" Elsa joked tossing the key at Anna. "Here, it's the spare. Lock up when you leave. You can return that whenever." Elsa said ready to leave.

"Wait wait wait!" Anna called out. "You can't leave without having breakfast!" Here I even made some for you." Anna said showing off the scrambled egg and toast platter with a dramatic wave of her arm.

Although Elsa had left her house many times in the past without breakfast she knew that Anna was resolved to get her to eat. Thankfully Anna had made simple foods. Not that she could cook complicated food anyway Elsa thought affectionately. Elsa sat down and quickly ate the food taking care not to make a mess out of her table or her clothes. Elsa finished off her plate and looked up into teal eyes. Anna had been watching her eat and seemed pleased that Elsa had cleared her plate. She quickly thanked Anna for the food and got up to leave when she felt a tug on her clothing. She looked back to find Anna grasping the fringe of Elsa's shirt. The redhead didn't say anything, she didn't have to, her worried eyes pleaded the question for her.

"Tonight is dinner with mom and dad." Elsa spoke reassuringly "Maybe we can talk afterward?"

Anna quickly nodded her head relieved that her sister had understood her request. She let the smooth fabric fall from her hand. She watched as Elsa left the apartment clutching the key to her chest.

Elsa was always opposed to breaking laws but speed limits where limits not laws she justified. She finally slowed down as she approached the building. Pulling in the back parking lot she winced looking at the structure. It was ugly. The building was a brick box. It was large enough and had new equipment inside but the building itself didn't draw the eye. Elsa had always hated looking at the building, however there aren't many gyms that house an indoor archery range. So in this case her hands were tied. She entered the building, swiping her card to enter she started to navigate the hallway until she came to her destination.

The practice range was located in the back of the building so that the archers would be firing at the furthest wall to avoid the possibility of 'accidents'. Inside the range there were already a few people going about their business. She recognized the pair of people who were already shooting. They had been in here before and Elsa occasionally heard snippets of their conversation. The girl's name was Pocahontas and the man's name was John. She noticed that Pocahontas could always out shoot John and then he would always make up the same excuse saying he was more suited for a rifle range than these 'barbaric sticks'. Elsa was admiring Pocahontas' unusual form when she felt a hard impact between her shoulder blades. Elsa stumbled forward turning quickly to see who had struck her.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to show, lassie." A thick Scottish accent said.

"Merida!" Elsa recognized. "I didn't know…."

A finger poking her hard in the ribs interrupted her.

"You are late!" Merida accused.

"I overslept." Elsa explained. "Besides you've kept me waiting before too."

"That's me n' this is you" Merida supplemented. A grin spread across Merida's face when she spoke next. "Don't tell me you slept late cause you had a late night visitor?" Merida asked.

"NO!" Elsa replied immediately and heatedly. "Sheesh, why is everyone interest in my personal life all the sudden?" Elsa complained to herself.

Merida noticed the unusually frustration in the woman's voice. That added to her uncharacteristic tardiness she could tell the blonde was hiding something. Merida had known the blonde since Elsa's freshman year at college. They had both used the ranges and become fast friends. And in all that time Elsa had never once acted like she just had. She knew better than to confront her though. Pushing Elsa into a corner would only make things more complicated. The blonde would tell Merida eventually. All that the she had to do was wait.

"Now then, shall we get started?" Merida asked moving around Elsa.

Elsa followed the redhead to a nearby target lane. They began preparing their equipment for their session. Once again Elsa let her gaze wander to watch the other two practicing in the room. Pocahontas and her friend began to argue. Although Elsa was opposed to eavesdropping a few sentences of the conversation reached her ears. From what she had gathered it seemed John was unhappy that Pocahontas was hanging around another guy called John Rolfe. Elsa rolled her eyes. Drama, drama, drama. Elsa stopped listening and began focusing down the lane.

"Same bet as always lass?" Merida asked.

"You bet. Loser buys lunch." Elsa replied with a smirk.

They both took ready positions and began their regular practice.

"I can't believe I lost to you." Elsa said stunned. "I mean you're good. But you have terrible form!"

"Well not all of us took lessons, princess. Some of us are just raw talent." Merida teased Elsa.

"Did you really have to order all that?" Elsa asked rolling her eyes.

Merida didn't give Elsa a reply and started stuffing her face with the mountain of food in front of her. They were in the gym's café. They usually stopped by after practice to regain calories spent and after a while of practicing against each other the bet to buy lunch became normal. Elsa was stabbing a cucumber in her salad with her fork as she eyed Merida. Merida had ordered some chips, cookies, a protein bar, a milkshake, and a rather large sandwich filled to the brim with meat. Elsa was envious of the girl. Merida normally ate in similar quantity but never seemed to gain any noticeable weight. Elsa put her fork down and leaned toward the table with resolve. She needed advice and although Merida wasn't her ideal choice she knew that Merida would always be loyal to her.

"Can we talk?" Elsa managed to ask.

"So long as it's about what's bothering you" Merida said between bites.

Elsa opened and closed her mouth looking for words. She hadn't expected Merida to be able to read her so easily.

Merida saw the look on Elsa's face and playfully explained. "Listen lass, the last time I saw you shoot this badly was when you found out your sister got into your school right as you were leaving."

"Now spill, otherwise I'll have to pry and you know how bad I am at that."

"You know some people would call you rude?" Elsa retorted.

"Better blunt then misunderstood." Merida supplemented easily.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Elsa asked after a few seconds of silence.

Merida seemed confused at the question but answered honestly.

"No, not for lack of opportunity though. My mum's always trying to set me up with her friends' kids. I have nothing against having one I just haven't found the right guy yet." Merida finished.

"Have you ever thought about going out with a girl?" Elsa asked her voice starting to sound small.

Merida was surprised at the question. She took a few moments to really look over Elsa. Elsa was flushed whiter than her normal pale self. Elsa's ice blue eyes waited expectantly for an answer. Merida knew she needed to word her answer well.

"No" Merida finally said "Can't say I have".

Elsa looked crestfallen. But she tried again.

"Well, would you? I mean… do you have any problems with two girls… dating?" Elsa asked worried.

Elsa could hear her heart beating and the usual roar of background noise in the café seemed to fade away as she waited intent on Merida's answer. Merida felt a grin come across her face as she spotted an opening.

"Listen Elsa. I appreciate your feelings but I only see you as a…"

A sharp kick to Merida's shin cut the girl off mid sentence. Elsa glared at the girl who responded by rubbing her bruised leg.

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" Elsa said sternly.

Merida threw her hands up in defeat.

"Of course I don't. It's no one's business but your own, if you want to date girls." Merida said defeated.

Merida watched expecting Elsa to roll her eyes and come up with some sort of response. Instead Elsa looked troubled. Elsa stared at the floor and spoke with intent to the redhead.

"You think I'm gay too?" Elsa asked, her voice whispering.

"You're not?" Merida asked genuinely surprised.

"Have I ever told you otherwise?" Elsa demanded defensively.

Merida sat back thoughtfully. She picked up the remainder her sandwich to give her time think over what Elsa had told her. After finishing off the last of the meal Merida responded.

"No, you haven't" Merida said calculated. "So tell me Blondie. Are you?" Merida finished putting as much kindness on the words as she could.

Elsa seemed conflicted. She kept toying with her braid as if the answer lay inside the woven strands of hair.

"Anna seems to think so." Elsa replied after a moments pause.

"But that doesn't answer the question does it?" Merida pointed out making Elsa feel embarrassed.

When Elsa's eyes met Merida's, the blonde quickly occupied herself with her own coffee. After a few minutes of Merida's patient waiting Elsa seemed to have come to terms with her next step. Elsa leaned forward letting her shoulder making the proud girl look defenseless.

"No, I can't be." Elsa stated with an uneven voice.

"Can't be?" Merida mimicked confused. "You make it sound like you wouldn't be allowed to like girls."

"Well isn't it odd?" Elsa said quickly starting to get heated.

"No, i don't think it-" Merida started.

"But they said it was. They said two girls had no business being together." Elsa cut in.

Merida waited to let Elsa cool down a bit before asking her next question.

"Who said that?" Merida asked.

Elsa seemed conflicted but finally gathered enough courage to speak. "My parents..."

Merida looked at Elsa with sympathy. Merida knew that it took a lot for the girl to admit something so personal. Merida rubbed her now aching head. She was far better suited to dealing with sarcasm and pranks. Having to deal with her troublesome brothers and unorthodox father had prepared her for that, but in the face of this she felt unequipped to deal with such confusing problems. Merida decided to do what she knew; go at things head on and hope for the best.

"Lass, there is nothing wrong with girls liking girls. And if- if you think that you like girls then I support you completely."

Elsa took a deep breath still a little wound. "Why would you even think that?"

"Whenever we grab a coffee here I see the way you look at the girls around here." the Scottish girl stated as fact and shrugged.

Elsa did not respond, instead she looked at the girl alarmed and confused.

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed? Or did you think everyone stared holes through the barista's skirt when she turned around?" She informed.

"I do not. I mean, I don't mean to it's just…" Elsa trailed off.

"It's just natural?" Merida supplied kindly.

Elsa nodded at the redhead thinking about the Scottish girls words. After a few moments Elsa's shoulders once again regained her cool and the blonde straightened her posture. Having heard Merida say that it was natural had lifted a heavy weight off of the girls mind. She felt that for the first time in a long time she knew herself again. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply slowly releasing the breath before opening her eyes. She met Merida's eyes and held them as a wry smile came to her lips.

"Merida, thank you." Elsa said simply but the words carried weight.

"What is your plan now?" Merida inquired as her head stopped throbbing.

"I'm gonna talk with Anna, I need to clear some things up... I said some things last night that worried her" Elsa informed the red head.

Merida nodded her head in understanding. However the Scottish girl noted that Elsa still had not yet answered whether or not she was gay. Maybe the girl needs a little time to digest all this.

"But just so we are clear, I still think of you only as a friend." Merida joked as she quickly jumped away from the table to avoid Elsa's imminent kick.

"Don't be silly. We both know I can do better then you." Elsa retorted putting dramatic emphasis that Anna would appreciate.

"Good to see you're sounding like your old self lass." Merida said liking Elsa's response. "Now, how about you try to reclaim your honor in a rematch."

Elsa smiled at the thought.

"So long as you're ready to lose."