Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Henry of WeaselTown

Elsa paced the floor just outside of the throne room. It sat rough on her heart how she left things with Anna the day before. But they both had things to tend to and had to push personal problems aside. She had been pouring over books in the library, but nothing mentioned curses. It was frustrating.

Aside from finding business with the Duke of Weselton ridiculous, she found this entire situation nauseating. A thousand things jumbled around in her head.

Keahi's curse, what her brother would do in desperation, her fight with Anna, her feelings for a certain wayfinder. And now, the Duke wanted to waltz in and talk about proposals and marriage to gain whatever trading he could with those grubby, skeletal fingers of his. He made his bed, but apparently wouldn't lay in it.

Her patience was drawn and her nerves frayed. For once in her life, fear and anxiety didn't control her. But anger and frustration filled her.

Inhaling and letting it out deliberately, she pushed open the doors to stride into the throne room where Anna already stood. Her sister shifted restlessly as Elsa came to stand beside her.

The Duke of Weselton stood with two foot soldiers. An equally skinny, pale man with scruffy brown hair stood beside the Duke. He was a little older than both herself and her sister, probably nearing his early thirties.

But he was scrawny and he reminded her of a rat with the angle of his jaw coming to a point and his large nose.

The Duke couldn't be serious, could he?

She didn't think that highly of herself but...oh boy.

"This is my son, Henry of Weselton." The Duke announced, snuffing his nose in the air and taking no time to look over at Elsa.

She just arched a brow at the two.

Henry walked up to Elsa, she cringed as he took her hand and kissed it. She truly hated to be touched, why did everyone insist on touching her?

A shiver ran down her spine. Not like the quaking tremble that ran through her every time she remembered her kiss with Keahi.

She shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts. Those thoughts had been consuming her lately. She needed to pull it together. Politely, she gave Henry a tight smile. "What do we have the pleasure...?"

Henry went to answer, but the Duke put a hand on his shoulder and pulled his son back. Standing as tall as he could when he came to stand in front of Anna and herself.

He cleared his throat, the spritely old man could still move around quickly. "First, congratulations, your majesty, on your marriage." He told energetically. That same energy fizzled out and turned to a stale droll when he turned to Elsa. "To apologize for my actions and to, in hopes, restore trade and good faith in Weselton, I'd like to offer a marriage proposal." The way he made it sound was Elsa was getting one hot deal.

She wrinkled her nose, laughing wistfully and politely, "Thank you, but I'm unfortunately not looking for any sort of marriage. Restoration of trade will have to go through Anna." If she was honest, she didn't care if they restored trade with them or not. She trusted Anna to make good judgements in that regard.

Anna stayed silent, but when Elsa glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes, it looked as if her younger sister was trying to keep from bursting into a fit of giggles.

That alone made her smile. At least Anna didn't hate her.

The Duke gasped and looked appalled at her answer. Trying to scramble to adjust, "We brought goods, delicious food, and wine. Perhaps a small gathering in the great hall for a feast with the nobles before you write it off, princess Elsa?" The duke pleaded with a weaseled smile.

Her shoulders slumped as she nodded with a sigh. It would be rude of her and Anna especially if she refused. She didn't want to make her look ungracious. So she agreed. "Very well." She whispered.

"Fantastic! Watch it Henry, I may make all the ladies swoon. Remember, they don't call me Little Dipper for nothing." He told as the two walked away. Their soldiers following behind them.

Elsa let out a breath and stole a peek at Anna.

Anna did the same, and they laughed with one another.

"Are you ready to dance with a man in heels?" Elsa asked with a gentle lift of her brow.

"No way, I did that last time. It's your turn." Anna joked back lightly. Both still unsure about where they stood.

Elsa glanced away, letting it a breath and heading out of the room.

Silence filled the gap between them.

Once out in the hallway, Elsa let out such a violent breath she thought a piece of her soul went out with it.

She didn't know how much more of this she could take. How many more gatherings, parties, or meetings she could handle.

Her own turmoil over everything that has happened the past few days; learning of the curse, her fight with Anna, and her own feelings, left her frustrated and confused.

And one face kept popping to her mind when she wanted comfort.

A tanned wayfinder with sea foam green eyes.