Chapter 3: Introductions

It didn't take long for a laundry girl to come and get Anna and Elsa, leading them in the right direction.

"Don't worry, your majesty," the girl said as she trotted along in front of Elsa, ebony curls bouncing against her back. "I had a lot of trouble navigating when I first arrived as well. Believe it or not, it only takes a few days to get oriented."

"Of course, you would have spent much more time running around the castle than we're planning to," Anna commented idly while she looked around.

Elsa shot her a glare. It wasn't polite to remind servants of their status unless they tried to act above it without warrant. The girl, however, just laughed. "I suppose so. But you'll get used to heading down to the Grand Hall I'm sure. Until then, feel free to call."

"Thank you," Elsa said. She was very pleased with Reyendor so far, with its handsome people and kind servants. She hoped the king would prove to be the same.

The girl left them at a set of double doors off to the side of the main staircase. Elsa smiled at the two butlers outside the door, who bowed to her. "Welcome, your majesty. King Matthias told us to watch for you. Would you like us to announce your presence?"

"That's quite alright. We'll just go in, if that's acceptable. It is not our feast; there is no need to make a fuss," Elsa responded. The men bowed again and opened the doors.

Elsa was never much one for attention, so she felt uneasy when everyone turned to look at the sisters when the door opened, even without an official announcement. She smiled tensely as everyone fell silent, but King Matthias interrupted the silence before it had a chance to become awkward. "Ah! Queen Elsa! Princess Anna! I'm so glad you decided to join us!" He stood from his seat at the end of the table and motioned to two empty chairs on his right, next to one of the princes. "Please, sit. The main course is about to be brought out."

Anna smiled. "Oh good, I'm starving!" She half-ran, half-skipped to her seat. Elsa stifled a groan and worked to keep from rolling her eyes. Luckily, the guests just laughed, so Elsa followed the princess.

A butler appeared to pull out the chairs for them. Elsa sat closest to the head of the table, next to the prince. Anna sat to her right. Along the table, the nobles resumed their discussions with the occasional glances over at the girls. Elsa suddenly wondered if they knew about what had happened over the summer, and what they thought of her. But none of their glances seemed hostile, merely curious, and she let the worries go.

The king beamed at Elsa as he sat back down. "Queen Elsa, I am so glad you came. I had hoped we could get to know each other a little better before our business was to begin."

"I was thinking the same," Elsa replied. "And there was no sense having a separate meal brought up to our rooms. We don't want to be any trouble."

King Matthias chuckled. "It would have been no trouble at all, Queen Elsa. You are our guest, and we have more than enough to share."

"King Matthias, this is a casual setting. Please, Elsa will be fine."

He nodded. "Then I shall go by Matthias when we are not in negotiations."

A servant stepped up to Elsa with a glass and a bottle of wine. "Can I poor you a drink, your highness?" she asked. Elsa accepted and sipped from the cup as the king spoke again.

"I know I introduced my sons earlier, but I'm sure you could not tell them apart, they are so close in age," he said.

"True, I tried my best but they look about the same," Anna said, taking a bite of bread.

The king chuckled. "This is Edward, crown prince of Reyendor," Matthias said, pointing to the son on his left, across from Elsa. This was the prince with dark brown eyes. "And his bride-to-be, Tristina."

Elsa had been trying to avoid looking at Tristina since she had first noticed her. It wasn't that the woman had poor table etiquette or was unpleasant to look at—in fact it was quite the opposite. She was young, most likely only a few years older than Elsa. Unlike the majority of the dark-haired women in Reyendor, Tristina had long golden curls the color of fresh wheat and smooth pale skin. She was obviously of foreign descent. The issue came from her apparent…comfort with her body and with her peers. She was large-breasted, much more so than Elsa, and her dress was very low cut; it left almost everything exposed. Nevertheless, Elsa smiled at the couple and said hello. They responded cheerfully. Edward had one arm draped across Tristina's shoulders. "Also, please just call me Tris. Eveyone does," Tris said, wide green eyes sparkling. Elsa felt like she was staring a little too intensely as Tristina's face when she agreed, but she figured it was better than staring somewhere else.

King Matthias now pointed to the prince sitting next to Elsa. "And this is my younger son, Alistair."

Alistair turned to Elsa, looking at her with eyes the color of an evergreen tree. Elsa wondered what his mother had looked like, as his eyes did not match the others of his country. However, as his mother was not present, Elsa knew it would not be proper to ask. They smiled at each other and said a brief greeting.

"And of course, I can't forget the guests of honor," King Matthias said, "Not that it gets any more honorable than the two of you of course," he said, nodding to Elsa and Anna. "This is young Samuel and his new fiancée, Julia." Samuel was maybe twenty-five, with short hair and freckles. Julia was probably Anna's age and had a round face with a sort of babyish cuteness to it. They each gave Elsa a deep nod and smiled. Elsa had noticed them casting moon-eyed glances at each other ever since she sat down.

"Congratulations to you both," Elsa said.

"Yeah, I hope you are happy together!" Anna added. The couple thanked them.

The doors opened, causing heads to turn once again. This time it was a chef and several butlers, bringing in the food. In front of the king they set a large turkey, roasted to a beautiful shade of brown. Also set out were bowls of mashed potatoes, leafy greens and carrots, and a yellowish hash Elsa did not recognize. The aroma made her mouth water.

Servants moved around busily, serving their king first and then moving down the table. One refilled Elsa's wine before cutting her a slice of turkey. The food was every bit as delicious as it smelled, and there were a few minutes of silence as everyone ate. Elsa hadn't realized how hungry she was, and was thankful her stomach hadn't been rumbling.

After a bit, once people had begun to slow their pace, conversation started back up. "So, how long have you two been engaged?" Anna asked Edward.

Tris beamed and replied. "Four months. The wedding is planned for next July. If the treaty goes well, we'll make sure you're invited."

"Oh, that would be so awesome!" Anna said. "I've never been to a wedding!"

Edward looked at her in surprise. "Never? I see that Elsa is young, but surely by now at least one of your nobles has been wed?"

"Well, until a few months ago, we didn't really, uh…," she trailed off when she caught the look on Elsa's face.

Matthias, to Elsa's surprise, cut in. "That's right, your gates were closed. It is why we could never meet before."

"Yes," Elsa said curtly. "But it's all been resolved now." Sensing that it was not a subject matter up for discussion, the other royals moved the conversation to something else.

It was Alistair who spoke next. "How old are you, Elsa, if you do not mind my asking?"

Elsa raised one eyebrow and looked at him. "You know, it's not polite to ask a woman her age. Are you going to try and get my weight next?" she teased, but she was not really offended and she made sure her tone showed as much.

Alistair laughed. "My apologies, your majesty. But your weight is of no matter to me. I have eyes; clearly it cannot be that high."

To this, Elsa blushed and rolled her eyes. Edward laughed at Alistair. "Very suave, little brother. You may find yourself a woman yet."

"Oh, shut up," Alistair replied good-naturedly.

Elsa smiled. "Anyways, I am twenty."

Matthias regarded her with eyes that looked almost sad. "So young, to be in such a position. It is no easy job, being ruler."

Elsa sighed but shrugged lightly. "It is not so bad thus far. Granted, I have only truly been queen for about four months, but my people have been as receptive as one could hope."

"That's good," Matthias said.

"How old are you two?" Elsa asked the princes, feeling it was not polite to ask the king.

"I am twenty-four, and Edward is twenty-six," Alistair answered.

"And I'm twenty-three," Tris added.

"I'm eighteen," Anna put in before turning back to the girl on her other side. The other girl had wavy brown hair and brown eyes with a deep tan that made her teeth almost painfully white. She was chatting animatedly with Anna, and Elsa couldn't stifle the slight relief that Anna had found someone else to talk to.

"Elsa, I love your dress," Tris said, taking another bite of potatoes. "You have a very talented seamstress."

Elsa resisted the urge to tell Tris that it seemed her seamstress didn't quite have the proper measurements and instead said, "Thank you. I made it myself, actually."

Tris's eyes widened. "Really? "

Elsa nodded, not going into detail about the dress's materials. "Yes, but it was before my coronation. I barely have time to make anything now. Most of my clothes are made by our royal seamstress."

Tris sighed. "That's a shame. I would have loved to have had something that beautiful."

"I'm sorry," Elsa apologized, making Tris laugh.

"Don't apologize. You're running a whole kingdom. It's no surprise that you're so busy."

Elsa smiled. "A position you too will one day be in. You are to be wed to the crown prince, after all."

Edward kissed Tris's temple. "But she will have me to take care of the stressful tasks. Tris will be the social planner for the kingdom."

"And we shall have balls or barbeques every weekend!" she declared.

Alistair laughed. "And I cannot wait until that time. The best part of being second in line means all the benefits but none of the stress."

"Alistair," King Matthias said, his voice reprimanding. Elsa knew the stiff look on his face. If Edward was king, that would mean Matthias had passed on. Though it was inevitable, that did not make it pleasant.

"Sorry, father," Alistair said. "But I suppose that time is far off. The old man's still got a few fighting years left in him!"

"Quite more than a few, I should think," Matthias said, grinning.

Edward made a noise of disbelief. "Oh, please. Already your moves are slowed by age. I predict you shall be bald within the year," he said with a joking tone.

"Pah! Impudent whelp! Tomorrow we duel, and I'll show you who has slow movements!" Matthias responded grandly. Then all three laughed, while Elsa and Tris watched and smiled. Then, the doors at the end of the hall once again swung open to reveal the chef, this time bringing with him Elsa's favorite smell. Chocolate. Immediately both Elsa and Anna sat up and turned eagerly to the doors. The servants walked in with several chocolate cakes, and Elsa put all of her focus into remaining dignified.

The cake was placed in front of Elsa and was served on small golden plates. It was a dark nearly-black shade of brown with a red cherry on the top of each piece. When Elsa received her plate, she had to resist digging in without waiting. The servants left and Matthias stood, tapping his spoon on the side of his glass. Everyone fell silent and turned to look at him.

"I want to say a warm thank you to all of you for coming this evening. Weddings are my favorite type of celebration, and I am so glad that one of our most prominent families is going to have that honor." He turned to Samuel and Julia. "I cannot wait until the ceremony. I hope it will be wonderful." The couple thanked him. The king then turned back to the assembly. "Also, by a stroke of luck, we have a pair of very esteemed guests with us tonight. Ladies and gentleman, may I formally introduce Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, of Arendelle." Elsa waved calmly while Anna's hand moved almost spasdomically back and forth. Along the table, the nobles murmured hellos and bowed in their seats.

"Now, I vote we all enjoy this wonderful dessert prepared for us by our most wonderful chef," Matthias finished, sitting back down. Finally. Elsa waited a moment longer until Matthias had taken a bite before putting the fork into her mouth. It was delicious, and she stifled a pleased moan. So rarely she allowed herself to have chocolate, and every time she wished she could spend the rest of her life consuming it. A glance to her side revealed that Anna had already inhaled half of her piece.

"Goodness, Anna," Elsa chided, "Did you even bother to taste any of it?"

Anna gave a happy sound and swallowed. "I did. That's why I couldn't wait to eat anymore."

From Elsa's other side she heard chuckling. She turned to see the princes laughing. "Big chocolate fans?" Edward asked, grinning.

"It's our favorite!" Anna gushed. "But Elsa doesn't let us eat it that often."

"Well, of course not," Elsa said. "It may delicious, but it isn't healthy."

Alistair chuckled. "Ah, so that is the secret to her slim waist. A strict diet."

Elsa rolled her eyes. "It's hardly strict. I'm just aware of what I'm eating."

Alistair made a face of mock seriousness and nodded. "Of course. And, in the interest of keeping you within your goal, I'll help you finish your cake," he said, reaching his fork toward it.

Elsa slapped his hand away. "You most certainly will not!" Everyone laughed again.

They continued on that way for another hour, joking and making small talk. Then everyone began to drift off, back to their carriages. Elsa stood up from her chair, and Anna followed suit. "Well, this has been lovely, King Matthias," Elsa said with a slight bow. "But I think it is time my sister and I head off to bed. It has been a long journey."

"Of course, of course," King Matthias said, also standing. "I will see you tomorrow. A servant will bring breakfast to your room. I'll have someone show you to the throne room at around, say, one o'clock, and we can begin talk of trade."

Elsa nodded. "That sounds acceptable. I will see you then." She and Anna turned and left the dining hall, and at that moment the same girl who had led them down the stairs earlier was passing by with a wicker basket of fresh garments.

"Hello, your highnesses," she said. "I hope your dinner was good. Were you in need of any assistance?"

"Yes, please," Anna said. The girl smiled and began leading them in the right direction. "Maybe that's what I'll do while you and King Matthias are in your meeting tomorrow," Anna said. "I'll explore the castle a bit, maybe I can get my bearings."

"Alright, just don't cause any trouble," Elsa said.

Anna looked at her with faux hurt. "You always say that like you expect the worst from me. Don't forget, last time there was a major crisis it was your fault."

Elsa eyed the laundry girl before responding. "Actually, it was only because you set me off. I'm not the one running off to get married to any pretty boy who bats his dreamy eyes."

Anna huffed. "Okay, so that wasn't one of my finer moments. But let's be honest, it wasn't one of yours either. And look at us now, I'm happy with Kristoff and you're not a hermit anymore. I think my screw-up was beneficial to all."

Elsa raised one eyebrow. "But see, you admit that it was a mistake."

"You two remind me a lot of the princes," the laundry girl piped up, before hurriedly saying, "Um, if you don't mind me interrupting, your majesty."

"That's alright," Elsa said. "How do we remind you of them?"

"You're always teasing each other," the girl said. "In the same way they do. It's like you use insults as compliments."

Anna laughed. "I suppose that's true. It's all in good fun though. I wouldn't say anything to really hurt Elsa."

The girl sighed. "That's sweet. I don't have any siblings, you know. An orphan, unfortunately."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Elsa said.

"So are we," Anna added quietly.

The girl turned to look at them as they approached the staircase up to their rooms. "I'm sorry to hear that as well. But it's not so bad for me. I never knew my parents, see, so I can't really miss them. Sometimes I wish I had gotten to meet them, live with them, but I'm alright here. The king offers me the same vacations as anyone else and everything. I just usually don't take 'em, cause where am I to go? I haven't got any family to visit."

Elsa smiled at her. "Our parents died when I was seventeen. It was hard, knowing that I would have to take control of the kingdom. And I miss them every day."

The girl smiled softly. "I'm so sorry. But at least you have your sister, and I have plenty of friends here at the castle. It's never so bad. We're never alone."

"What's your name?" Elsa asked the girl.

"Lily," she responded.

"Well, Lily, thank you for your help. I hope to see you around while we stay here."

Lily grinned. "It's no problem at all. Thanks for listening to my sob-story. If you need anything else, feel free to call for me, your majesty." She curtsied then headed off down the hall to finish delivering the laundry.

Elsa pushed open the door to her room and Anna followed her. "What are you doing?" Elsa asked.

"I want to test if your bed is as comfy as mine," Anna said, throwing herself down. "Mmm, it is!"

Elsa laughed. She took off her crown and once again set it on the vanity. She tugged her bun loose, letting her braid fall over her shoulder. "I'm going to change," she told Anna.

"Okay, I'll stay over here," Anna said, taking off her tiara.

Elsa rolled her eyes and stepped behind the screen with her nightgown. "So, what did you think?"

"Oh, Elsa, I love it here! Everyone is so friendly, so lighthearted! Not that they aren't like that home, but it's always nice to have such a warm reception," Anna responded. "And I still hold that they are unfairly good looking. Especially the princes. What did you think, Elsa?"

Elsa let her dress dissolve off of her. "Anna, I thought we were over this."

"What? I'm just asking. I know you aren't blind."

"Then you know that I thought they were attractive and didn't really need to ask. Besides, Edward is engaged."

"But Alistair isn't," Anna said suggestively. "And he was totally flirting with you."

Elsa stepped out from behind the screen, now in her pajamas. "He was not. He was just being friendly." Anna gave her a look that read really? "And I said no more."

"Alright, easy there," Anna said. "And I noticed you didn't say anything about your powers, so neither did I, but are you planning to keep them secret?"

Elsa searched a moment for the right words. "No, not really, I just don't want to make a big deal about it. If they ask or if something happens, I won't try to hide them, but I don't want to bring it up if it isn't necessary."

Anna shrugged. "Whatever you say, sis. You're the professional professional here." After a minute, Anna added, "Also, I may wish you'd dress a little younger, but at least you have a sense of decency."

Elsa grinned. She knew exactly what Anna was talking about. "Aw, Tris was a sweet girl. She means well. She just…" Elsa wasn't sure what else to say.

Anna rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah. But even if she is engaged, some things are private, you know? Even if they are impressive." Elsa raised an eyebrow at her sister's word choice. "Okay, you can't say you didn't find them just a little distracting," Anna said.

"I can say that," Elsa protested.

"Okay, but that doesn't make it true," Anna said. "I'm pretty sure I stared a little, and I have a boyfriend!"

"Anna," Elsa groaned.

There was silence until Anna piped up, "What if they think we're lesbians?"

"Anna!" Elsa replied, shocked. Her magic had been calm all evening, but now snowflakes shot out of her fingertips.

"Okay, okay, sorry, I was just thinking. That would be really awkward."

Elsa shook her head. "Maybe you shouldn't think then. I think it's time for bed."

"Alright," Anna conceded, giving Elsa a hug before heading back to her own room. Elsa yawned and let her hair out of her braid before crawling under the comforter. Anna was right. Elsa would probably never manage her way out of bed again.