Chapter 3: Spring's Dance

The dinner started, and Anders found it incredibly formal and stuffy. The food was good, music was good, everyone seemed good—but at the same time everyone was so uptight. Except for Anna, who struggled to contain her sprightly self. Anders took it all like a trooper, bearing with every second of mingling with Arendelle's other authorities and guests and all the political talk that followed them to the large dinner table. Ambassadors from other countries were there to, especially the ones who experienced the fiasco of the year's sudden snowstorm and its Great Thaw. Once again, he had to set the record straight that he wasn't Hans, but his unfortunately identical twin brother and skillfully evaded the initial glares that were directed to him. He thought the hair was enough to call out the difference… All the while, Anders kept the knowledge of his powers as far away as possible from the others, not knowing how they'd react to another magical kid.

So, for the sake of his sanity, he relied on Kristoff and what remained of his people skills. The two men quickly grew on each other, becoming fast friends as they sat beside each other scouring for small talk that would save them from ever entering the political ones. "I can't wait to get off this chair." He muttered so softly so that only Kristoff heard. Kristoff sighed in reply. "I know it's not the most exciting of things, but you'll get used to it. Eventually. I mean it's not all that bad. You get free dinner! Hey, do you mind if you save that carrot? I'm saving some up for Sven."

"How gourmet for a reindeer."

"He deserves a little pampering every now and then."

Thankfully, the dinner passed soon enough and Anders was so eager to have it done with he greeted the other guests goodbye with polite fervor and as quickly as possible. When the last person finally left the premises he collapsed on a sofa. He was too tired from being asked all these political and economical questions he knew not the answers to, he was too tired of pretending to look interested in said matters. Lost in his thoughts, he did not notice the weight of the sofa heave a bit lower and was startled by the sudden tap on his shoulder he sent a bloodroot bud flying into the ground.

"Oops, I didn't mean to startle you!" Elsa cried. "You just seemed so tired I wanted to make sure you got back to your room safely."

Anders recovered only to succumb into a trance once again. Elsa had her hair in an intricate up-do with wisps of her baby hairs curled and framing her face. Her dress had a mix of a traditional Arendelle gown and her own personal touches of icy detail. He couldn't think of anything but that she was absolutely beautiful. Anna and Kristoff had already retired, so now it remained just the two of them. "Yeah, I guess I am tired. I should go." The clever arch of Elsa's eyebrows, if he was not fooled by his heavy and tired eyelids, lowered in disappointment. "You've had a long evening." She pointed out.

"I don't think it can compare to yours. You practically talked to everyone in the room with no clear hint of exhaustion! I couldn't even talk to you." He stood up and offered his hand. "Come on, I'll escort you to your room." And wondered if he was too forward.

Elsa paused a while but finally shook her head. "I can't ask you to do that."

"But you're not asking me. I think I should let you know I am too stubborn to take 'no' for an answer."

Elsa shot him an incredulous look before releasing a small laugh. "Alright, then."

The pair did not speak for most of the way, only Elsa did to give him the directions. Anders would've offered his coat to cover her bare shoulders from the cold of night, but he knew too well no chill would bother her. He inferred that she was most probably tired and didn't want to do anymore talking than she had to do. It was not the case. "Wait, let's not go to the room yet. There's something I want to do."

"You sure? It seems pretty late for anything else."

"Oh, it's fine! Common, this way!"

Elsa led him by the hand, dragging him further away from their original destination. Anders couldn't help the color and heat rise onto his face and was thankful for his long hair and that he was behind her. Eventually, they made it into a giant ballroom, no doubt where all the big events were always held in. Elsa strode into the middle under the gigantic chandelier, turning to Anders who was a few steps away. "Do you know how to ice skate?"

Anders's gaze went elsewhere. "We don't have snow in the Southern Isles and I never really tried anywhere else. Why?"

There was a playful glint in Elsa's eyes. "I'm going to teach you."

Elsa grabbed at the ends of her skirt and lifted it right above her knees, tapping a heeled foot at the marble floor. Ice started to spread out in a starburst pattern, covering the ground with a thin layer of ice. She blasted a small gust at his feet, plopping a pair of ice skates under his boots. He started to sway at his lack of balance. The need for sleep left Anders's body completely, adrenaline masking over his exhaustion. The adrenaline kept pumping up. "Is this really the only time for this?" Elsa made no reply but a laugh and slid effortlessly towards him, giving him her hands to keep his balance in check.

"Now, just relax. No, no don't tense up!"

"Elsa, I've never done this before!"

"Anders, relax! Okay, easy does it… keep your head straight. Look at me. Keep looking at me."

"Your eyes…"

"What?"

"I-I think I'm draining the blood right out of your hands."

"It's alright, just focus. There. Aren't you the natural?"

"But I'm still terrified."

"Oh, lighten up!"

"Elsa, I'm swerving to the right!"

"Then don't lean to the right!"

"…"

"…"

"H-hey, I'm doing it!"

"Haha, you sound like a kid."

"Let me have my moment!"

"Okay, I will. Wow, Anders. You really are a natur-oh!"

Elsa was cut off as Anders swung her around, blending her surprised laughter in each spiral. He smirked when they completed the fifth circle. Elsa smirked as well. "Now you're just showing off."

They started to skate to imaginary music, swirling and sliding to a matching pace. The adrenaline was ever so present inside of them, forgetting about tiring until time permitted so. They were so caught up they didn't know what hour it was anymore. They didn't even know how long they had been skating. The pair soon fled the ballroom and Anders finally led Elsa back to her own quarters. When they finally reached her door he told her, "I have to admit, that was pretty fun. But completely random." Elsa smiled shyly. "I don't know. I guess I wanted to teach you, that's all. It's so funny, that we only just met each other but we're getting along so well."

"We do have a great similarity."

"Maybe, maybe…"

The pair drifted off in a warm silence. Whether it was due to the heat from their exhaustion or something else, they didn't dwell on so. Anders looked at Elsa; cheeks flushed all over, a strong contrast to her pale skin; blonde hair almost unraveled of its bun in a messy but endearing way. After she shyly tucked a tendril out of her face, she suddenly materialized something out of nowhere and held it towards him. "Hey,"

"Hmm?"

"Can you make this bloom?"

Her slender fingers uncoiled to find the bloodroot bud from before nestled into the middle of her palm. He didn't even realize when she picked it up. Anders did not have the energy to laugh, but he did smile. Instead of plucking it of her hand, he cupped a hand under her own and raised the other to curl above it. The bud started to open, revealing a delicate white flower with a bright yellow center. Anders kept holding onto her hand, absentmindedly not wanting to let go. Despite the nature of her powers, Elsa's hands were warm, and it made him hold onto it longer. They looked at each other, quiet messages flooding through their eyes, looking deeper than they had when they first met. They dug so deep it was like they could see the other's soul.

Elsa broke the silence. "I think I have to go now."

Anders collected himself, slowly slipping his grip away from her, already missing its warmth. "Yeah, same here."

Elsa still held onto the flower, looking down at it when his gaze had grown unbearable. Eventually she returned to his eyes and smiled. "Goodnight, Anders."

"Goodnight, Elsa." And the door closed softly.

They were aware. They were aware of what was happening.