Disclaimer: do not own Disney or any of their characters. No harm is intended. I write purely for my own amusement.

Wake up, Princess Snowflake

by

Ninja Elsa

Chapter 18: Breakfast

Elsa woke early, before anyone else in the place. She could hear Ivar snoring softly on the couch. She could hear whom she assumed was Rapunzel's fiancé Flynn snoring upstairs. She knew Anna didn't snore that loud. She made her way to the kitchen and glanced at the clock on the microwave. Oh god. It's 5am. Why am I up at 5am? Anna said that we would be leaving around noon, she replied out loud to herself. She turned on the light and went through the cupboards in an attempt to find something to eat. There were several boxes of overly sweetened American breakfast cereal that Elsa could never get in the habit of eating in the morning. Ugh, thinly sliced white sandwich bread. Wait, is that?

In the back of the cupboard shoved in a corner, Elsa pulled out a small box. "Ja! Knekkebrød!" she cheered softly as she placed it on the counter. Next Elsa opened the refrigerator. She spotted a brown wrapped package with a label that read 'Uncle Joey's smoked salmon'. If she couldn't have gravlaks Anna's Uncle Joey's smoked salmon was a welcome substitute. Even the kitchen staff at the palace was impressed by it. She opened a drawer where it looked like cheese would be stored. She could live with Jarlsberg cheese which she spotted along with several bags of shredded cheese and sliced American cheese. But then she saw it! "Anna, jer elsker deg! Gjeitost!"

"Yay toast? You are looking in the refrigerator." Rapunzel replied. "I think you are sleepwalking, Princess Elsa"

"I'm awake, Zel." Elsa chuckled handing the cheese to Rapunzel as she closed the refrigerator.

"Ew, yuck. This is Anna's stinky cheese. Ga je ee tosst."

Elsa snickered behind her hand. "This cheese is not stinky, it's delicious! And it's pronounced like 'yay toast'."

"Yay toast? How is that even pronounced like yay toast? It's spelled –G.J.E.I.T.O.S.T –. She got so excited when she found it at the International market. She screamed like a school girl even."

Elsa smiled at the image that formed in her head. "It's Norwegian, Zel. Gjeitost. It's goat cheese."

"Yuck. Cheese should come from cows. I see you found Anna's goat crackers in the back of the cupboard too. She puts the cheese on those. I guess goat cheese goes well with gat crackers."

"Goat crackers?" Elsa asked. She sighed. She had heard that a lot while in college.

"Yeah, those grain crackers are terrible and look like the kind of crackers you feed to the goats at the petting zoo." Rapunzel replied.

"Knekkebrød, crisp bread. I guess I got Anna hooked on them while we were in University together or she's a little home sick for my food. I discovered that I loved cooking while living here. The cooks gave me a few pointers and lessons before I left for America. I even called home or emailed them for recipes," Elsa responded. "Anna would come over for breakfast and we would walk to campus together."

"You actually eat this stuff, Princess Elsa?" Rapunzel chuckled. "No wonder you're so thin."

"I do eat this stuff, Zel, and it's hardly why I'm thin." Elsa replied.

Rapunzel smiled. "Hey, let's wake everyone up. I'm a great cook. Allow me, Princess Elsa, to make you a good ol' American breakfast! Pancakes, lots bacon, eggs and real toast, not those goat crackers." she replied. "And you are not eating fish for breakfast when there's bacon to be had! Time to put some meat on those bones!"

Elsa sighed. "I don't eat bacon for breakfast." she responded. "I'm Norwegian. I eat a lot of fish."

Rapunzel stared at Elsa. "So you're telling me Norwegians do not eat bacon?" she asked. "How can you even survive without bacon? I hate fish."

"We eat bacon. We wrap our hot dogs with bacon. We put it on pizza. We just don't eat it for breakfast. Oh I'm sure some people do now. But my family doesn't. It's not traditional to have it for breakfast." Elsa replied. "I don't care for it on my pizza, but my best friend Sofia loves it."

"So Norwegians don't eat bacon for breakfast but they like it on pizza?" Rapunzel asked. "Do they eat pizza?"

"Norwegians eat the most pizza per person in the world actually." Elsa replied. "I love pizza. Beast would tease me because when I first came here I ate it with a knife and fork. It took about a year for me to feel comfortable eating it with my hands." Elsa chuckled. "My table manners are horrible as it is as it's difficult and awkward for me to eat with my fork in my left and not switch hands after cutting it with my right. I constantly have to switch hands, and it's considered bad manners. My family and close friends could care less but when I'm in the public eye or on Royal duty I have to be proper and keep up appearances."

Rapunzel had been gathering up the ingredients for her pancakes.

"Oh, and I love American pancakes, so you had better make a lot." Elsa responded. "And my guard Ivar has become fond of American pancakes and has a rather healthy appetite as well."

"Oh I will make a lot. Eugene eats like a horse. Honestly, I've never seen anyone who eats more than him."

"Has he taken any of the food challenges in Los Angeles or anywhere else?" Elsa asked. She enjoyed the food challenges going up against her friends on the Bruins football team, just not on a regular competition basis. It would hardly seem proper.

"He wants to take the challenge at Fat Sal's but doesn't want to do it alone or make a fool of himself. Not to mention it's $50! Why do the challenges always have to cost so much?"

Elsa sighed. "Well, Zel, it's a lot of food. Part of the prize of winning is you don't have to pay for it. They don't expect people to win all the time. So if you don't win, you still have to pay for the meal. Makes perfect sense." She replied as she sliced the Gjeitost to put on her crisp bread.

"I guess." Rapunzel replied. "I think most of the contests have got to be rigged. Like Nathan's 4th of July hog dog contest. There's no way a skinny dude can eat that much food."

"I don't know about the competitive eaters. For me it's not about eating fast, but a lot." Elsa replied. "I eat large meals and I'm constantly snacking. I can't stand those protein shakes or powders, so I have to keep snacks on me at all times, or have my guards carry them."

Rapunzel chuckled. "I just cannot picture you, Princess Elsa, as someone who eats a lot. I mean look at you! You must weigh what? Ninety pounds? You're so tiny."

Elsa sighed. Her weight was something she really hated talking about. As a 'super fan' she figured Rapunzel would know better than to go there. "I weight around 110 actually. Probably a bit less at the moment because I've been in the hospital. But I'm usually around 110/115."

Rapunzel chuckled and proceeded to dig through the cupboards for a mixing bowl. "Yeah, whatever. There is no way you're gonna eat more than Eugene."

As Rapunzel started her pancake batter, a sleepy Anna made her way into the kitchen.

"Zel, why must you always clank the bowls when you make pancakes? Oh hi, Elsa. She didn't wake you up did she?"

Elsa had just taken a bite of her crisp bread and shook her head. "You have Gjeitost." she said with her mouth full.

Anna smiled. "Yes, I do. Bet you haven't had that in a while."

Elsa swallowed. "I had some in Seattle. As well as gravlaks but no lutefisk."

"Oh Em Gee! You went to Seattle?" Rapunzel asked. "Did you visit Starbucks coffee headquarters?"

"I don't like Starbucks coffee." Elsa replied. "So no, I did not. My parents went though. I didn't want to have to make nice and drink something I can't stand so I excused myself to having to practice my piano, which I did have to do, just maybe not at that moment. I told my parents that I didn't like it beforehand so they allowed me to politely opt out."

"How can you not like Starbucks coffee? Don't they have Starbucks in Norway? Have you even tried it?" Rapunzel asked. "Elixir of the Gods if you ask me."

"Yes, I have had Starbucks. There isn't one in Arendelle but there are Starbucks in and around Oslo." Elsa replied. "You forget, I spent four years here in Los Angeles going to school."

Anna chuckled. "Is that something that has to do with you?"

Elsa laughed behind her hand. "Yes, no, not really. We have a lot of little coffee houses cafes in Arendelle. Even the city they have a decor sort of thing. They didn't want to comply but it's mostly for the competition. The smaller shops don't want them around. Every once in a while they come with a proposal to bring one to Arendelle. On time they proposed it to be on the palace grounds or served in the palace."

"Was that after Frozen came out?" Anna asked.

"Yes. Papa turned them down of course. He wants nothing to do with publicity like that." Elsa replied. "That and the fact that they were literally asking for a store to be put in our home. Outsiders often forget that the palace is our home. Yes, we do open it up for tours but never is the personal floors and rooms shown. And the courtyard is open for the Spring and Winter festivals. Once in a while I disguise myself and go on a palace tour with Sofia, just to see what the guides are saying, or what kind of questions people ask."

Anna turned to Elsa. "Something I've always wanted to ask you. Higher education is free Norway, right? Why did you come here?"

Elsa nodded. "Public education, yes. I got a lot of flak over my decision to study abroad, but I wanted to experience the music variety here. I had always wanted to see Hollywood. I love movie scores. I wanted to see the art culture as well. Things are so different here than my country. And besides if I had stayed in Norway, I never would have met you."

Anna chuckled. "That is true." She kissed Elsa on the cheek. "I see you found Uncle Joey's smoked salmon. I took it out of the freezer 'cause I knew you would want some." Anna took out a knife and cutting board. She sliced the salmon into thin slices for Elsa to put on her crispbread.

Rapunzel stared at Elsa. "Hold on. Did you say public education, as in college is free?"

"Yes. Public education. There are private universities, but public ones are yes, free but keep in mind Norway has the second highest cost of living in the world, so it may not be the bargain you think if you are thinking of going to college there." Elsa replied. Anna fed her some of her uncle's salmon. "Yum. Will your uncle be at the barbecue?

"Yup. He texted me. Asked if I was coming. He saw us on the jumbo tron during the game so he knew I was back in town with you. Told me that he has a big announcement to make." Anna replied. "I didn't want to steal his thunder so I texted him back that I too had one. He responded with the diamond ring emoji."

"It will be nice to see him and meet his wife. I was so disappointed that I had to cancel and could not come out for the wedding." Elsa replied. "Saying that visits to Weselton are unpleasant is an understatement. Kai says the Duke is a nice old man and I should humor him and be nicer to him. It would make negotiations more pleasant and Arendelle would come out of the meetings with a better deal. Ivar says he's a filthy old man and I have to make sure Ivar knows his place before every meeting. I agree with Ivar. He makes Hans look like a harmless child. However, I would much rather deal with the old man than his grandson. At least the old man has some respect. His grandson I downright rude and disgusting. Thank the gods the elder Duke is stubborn and not yet ready to step down. Some of my father's advisors think the younger Duke would make the perfect husband for me."

"Oh my." Anna replied. "What does your father think of him?"

"Off the record papa assured me that lesbian or not he would never subject to such a man."

Anna snickered.

"Not funny." Elsa responded. "Even if I liked guys, I would not like him. I would rather marry Hans."

"Wow. That bad?"

Rapunzel looked at Anna and Elsa. "Who is Hans?"

Anna answered. "Someone we went to school with. He was pretty much a loser. He constantly tried to impress Elsa and hitting on her."

"Elsa, will you relax? It's just my family. And you've met some of them already." Anna replied.

"Just your family? Anna. You are about to introduce me to them as your girlfriend. I am not prepared to answer some of the question they will more than likely ask me." Elsa replied.

"Oh don't worry about it. It won't be that bad."

"Not that bad?" Elsa worried. "Oh Elsa your accent is strange. I've not heard it before! Where are you from? Norway. Where is Norway? I got that question a lot at UCLA surprisingly."

"Elsa, my paternal Grandmother is Swedish. They will recognize your accent and know where Norway is."

"We don't like each other." Elsa chuckled. "I could care less because I think of my Royal upbringing, but you should hear some of my friends." Elsa trailed off. "Herregud. I have a Swedish girlfriend."

"Half Swedish. Mom is German." Anna replied. "And I thought that didn't matter to you."

"It doesn't. I'm mostly joking. It won't bother my family either. Norwegians don't like Danes either. But my mama is from Denmark so we don't care." Elsa replied. "However, as Royalty, I must always take care with what people think or see things. I also don't like being made a fuss over. Then only friend whose home I will visit it my best friend Sofia. Her parents treat me like just Sofia's friend, just Elsa. People change when they learn I am 'Elsa, Crown Princess of Arendelle'. It's going to be intimidating enough being introduced as your significant other."

Anna was deep in thought. "Well, let's see if we can stretch the truth a bit." She chuckled. "What does your father, the King do? Does he have a particular thing that he does as King personally? Something that he oversees?"

Elsa smiled. She was seeing what Anna was getting at. "He likes to fish. Arendal is known for its fish. He takes great pride in that and does the inspections himself or personally appoints someone. He sometimes goes out on the boats for inspections but also to fish."

"Well, there you go. Your father is a harbor supervisor/inspector and fisherman." Anna replied. "What about your mother?"

"She's an interior designer." Elsa replied with a smile.

"Okay. That solves that. Not lying about your parents. Now about your name."

"I'm confused." Elsa responded. "My name?"

"Arendal." Anna replied. "It's the same as where you're from. Kind of strange."

"Not as strange as hearing people refer to my parents as Mr. and Mrs. Arendal."

Anna laughed. "Good point." She replied. "So why did you choose Arendal? Why not your last name?"

"Our last name isn't really used. Yes, we do still use it as in 'House of Frossen' but most of the time we are referred to as the 'House of Arendelle'. Arendal is the modernization of Arendelle and it is a way of saying 'Elsa of Arendal' I guess."

A shadow appeared on the blanket Anna and Elsa were seated on. Both girls looked up to see Hans Markussen.

"What are you doing here, Hans?" Anna asked.

Ignoring Anna's question, Hans addressed Elsa. "Your Majesty. Looking beautiful as always, I must say. The summer sun makes your blonde hair shine so very wonderful."

"Just Elsa. What do you want?"

"I have two tickets to the baseball game at Angel's Stadium tonight." Han's replied. "I would be honored if you would join me. I am not accepting no as an answer."

Elsa sighed. "I am sorry. I already have plans to attend a barbeque with Anna and her family."

"I can assure you that a baseball game with me will be more enjoyable than a lousy family barbecue, Your Majesty." Hans replied.

"Well, Mr. Markussen, I can assure you that I would much rather spend my time with someone who appreciates me and my friendship enough to address and call me by my name and not some title that he seems to think is flattering." Elsa replied.

At that moment both Anna's and Elsa's cell phones rang.

"Hey, Chris!" Anna replied.

"Hallo." Elsa responded.

"Yes, I'm with Elsa. Haha. Big surprise, huh?" Anna chuckled. "Okay. Elsa put your phone on speaker."

Elsa smiled and did just that. "What is up, Bucky?" Elsa asked.

"You girls want to go to the Freeway series game at the Big A tonight? Two of the guys' girlfriends backed out so we have a couple of tickets. Everyone was like 'invite Anna and Elsa!' So the two of you want to come along?" Bucky replied. "We're all Dodger fans so it will be fun! And you won't be exactly in enemy territory."

Hans spoke up. "Sorry, Bucket, Elsa is going to the game with me. I asked first."

"I am not going to the game with you. I am going with Anna to her family barbecue." Elsa replied.

Chris chuckled. "Oh my. You will have fun! I've been to a few of them. Kafer or Kenda? Not that it makes a difference. Both sides of Anna's family, are equally wacky and I mean that in a good way."

Anna laughed. "Kenda."

Elsa looked at Anna. "Should I be afraid?" she asked. "I get nervous sometimes around large crowds and I don't like being touched. I usually have my bodyguards around to prevent that."

"Well, Your Majesty, if you go to the game with me, you won't have to worry about Anna's family or anyone else touching you. I will make sure everyone knows you belong to me." Hans replied.

"I do not belong to anyone, Mr. Markussen."

"Hans, when are you going to give it up?" Bucky responded.

"Markussen men do not give up." Hans replied. "Which is something a faggot like you would not understand."

"Now, now, Mr. Markussen, it's not nice to call people names." Elsa replied in a tone that caused Anna to snicker. It could only be described as either a motherly voice, or in Elsa's case her polite Princess tone.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. And please call me Hans. No need for formality." Hans replied pleased that Elsa was speaking nicely to him.

"Mr. Markussen, if you wish to have any chance with me, which you do not, you will stop insulting me by calling me 'Your Majesty'. While you may see it as flattering and thing that I should be a queen and therefore addressed as such, a Royal title is not something one makes light of. To an actual member of royalty it is rather insulting, to both the addressee as well as those who actually hold the title. I am merely a princess, and should be addressed as 'Your Highness'. Majesty is reserved for the King and Queen. Telling me that I deserve to be queen hurts. Can you see that? Since I am a princess, that is telling me that my father is no longer fit to be King. King Adgar II is well loved and healthy so no one is in any hurry to replace him. I have told you this before. I do not see why you cannot do as I ask."

Chris' voice replied. "Hey, Elsa, sorry Buck and I aren't there, but we have to go. We need to find someone to use the two tickets."

"Do not worry. I can handle myself. And I have Anna here."

"Hey, Chris." Anna replied. "We will join you for another game. Later."

Hans looked at Elsa. "Why won't you go out with me?" He asked. "I've never encountered a lady as stubborn as yourself. I like a challenge. You will give in to my charm sooner or later, Your Majesty. I always get what I want."

Elsa sighed. "I am here in America to study, not to find a boyfriend. I do not in fact even want a boyfriend." She responded. "You will find that I am quite stubborn. You are being tolerated. As much as you annoy and irritate me, I find you amusing as well, Mr. Markussen. But I advise you not to cross the line and make me angry. If I were you I would concentrate on your school work instead of sports and your pursuit of my affections. Find another major. You obviously know nothing about music."

Anna was trying not to snicker. It always amazed her at how calm Elsa could be. She had to be fuming.

"If you will not come to the ballgame with me, at least allow me to take you to the beach?" Hans replied. "Gorgeous as you are, my lady, you need a tan!"

"I am not your lady, nor do I wish to be." Elsa replied. "And now you are insulting me, if you mean to call me 'my lady' because I have told you not to call me 'Your Majesty'. I do not see why you insist on addressing me with a royal ranking since I do not wish to be acknowledged as such. Now if you will excuse me. Anna and I have a barbecue to get ready for."

Anna took the hint and started packing up their little picnic although they had yet to have their dessert that she had packed for them. They had at least eaten their sandwiches. Anna had a second sandwich for Elsa.

"Elsa, I made a second sandwich for you. Do you want to eat it now?" Anna asked to give Elsa the opportunity to turn away from Hans politely.

Elsa smiled. "Yes, please. What kind is it?" she asked taking the sandwich and opening the wrapper. "Mmmm. Italian cold cuts."

"You eat up. I can carry everything."

"Boy, Hans seems like a jerk." Rapunzel replied.

Elsa groaned. "He never quit or gave up."

"I wonder what became of him." Anna mused.

"I frankly don't give a fuck." Elsa replied.

"Elsa!"

"Your Highness!"

Anna and Rapunzel responded at the same time just as Ivar entered the room. "My goodness, princess! What would Kai think? Such language!"

Elsa gave Ivar a look and burst out laughing.

Anna looked at Ivar. "We were just talking about Hans and wondering what he's doing now."

Ivar rolled his eyes. "Kai thinks he would make Elsa a lovely husband if King Adgar would consider entertaining Elsa having an American husband."

"He does? Surely he knows Elsa is a lesbian, right?"."

"Yes. It's just a phase. Elsa will come around and stop this nonsense when duty calls." Ivar replied.

Anna turned to Elsa. "Wait, what? Did Kai actually say that?" Anna laughed. "He's been with Elsa most of her life right? As one of her personal guards?"

Ivar nodded. "Yes. I have only been Elsa's guard for five years."

Elsa sighed. "Kai has been my guard since I was four. He wasn't required to watch me while I was at the palace, as I knew better than to wander out of the private areas of the castle without Mama or Papa or a guard, but he still watched me whenever I ventured out of the private floors of the castle. That's when I took to the servants' hallways." Elsa replied. "Matthias has scolded him to let me be several times. I was only required a guard when I am in public areas and the castle is not one of those. Still I care about him dearly."

Flynn entered the room sniffing the air. "Ahhh! I smell pancakes!" he replied.

Everyone sat at the table. Anna made sure Elsa sat at the head of the table. Anna sat at Elsa's right and Ivar at her left in order to give her some space from Rapunzel. Rapunzel was a bit disappointed that she couldn't sit next to Princess Elsa but she was more than proud to be serving the Norwegian princess her homemade pancakes. Rapunzel placed the plate of pancakes on the table along with bacon, eggs. She went back to the kitchen to get the maple syrup. Anna remembered the pancakes Elsa made for their first date.

"Hey, Zel! Get the chocolate syrup." Anna replied.

"What?"

Elsa smiled. "Chocolate syrup. I love chocolate syrup on my pancakes."

Flynn turned to Elsa. "That sounds gross."

Rapunzel scolded her fiancé. "Eugene! Don't call the Princess gross!"

"I love chocolate." Elsa replied. "I am not someone who will eat anything with chocolate but I will try putting chocolate on everything. Not that I do that."

"Still gross." Flynn chuckled. "I don't like chocolate."

"I don't like you." Elsa laughed.

Rapunzel returned with chocolate syrup, maple syrup and boysenberry syrup.

Everyone started off with two pancakes, toast and bacon, except for Elsa and Ivar who didn't have bacon. Anna, Ivar and Elsa had crisp bread with Gjeitost and smoked salomon.

By the time everyone was finished, Elsa had eaten twelve pancakes to Flynn's eight. Rapunzel could not believe it. She had only eaten two, Anna four, and Ivar 6. Elsa was still munching on toast and cheese.

Author's Note: Yes! I am still here... still writing or at least keeping this in my head as this story just does not want to come out on paper. Life distractions and computer problems have gotten in the way.