Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Queen Anna

Elsa burst into the throne room and ignored the group of high military officials and royalty that flocked the room.

The chattering that filled the room dipped into a lull before becoming silent. All the officials watched as Elsa beelined it for Anna.

Anna was immediately concerned and ran to meet Elsa halfway. "What's wrong?"

Elsa couldn't help but smile with pride every time she came back to see Anna. The crown and the way her hair was coiled and braided reminded her so much of mother.

But her brows dipped forward, and a frown marred her lips as she thought of what happened at Ahtohallen. "Anna, we need to talk in private."

"Who is this?" One man in a decorated caveat came forward.

Another shifted and murmured. "That's the Queens older sister." A woman with an entirely too large of a gap in the front of her dress muttered, using her gold-rimmed fan to fan herself.

"Ah, I heard she frolickes in the forest, how scandalous." One older man whispered.

"And she gave up the crown." Another added, scoffing.

"Yes, and that she -ahem- has relations with that thing." The woman with the fan pointed to Keahi.

Keahi rolled up her sleeve and marched over to the group of snobby royalty. "Excuse me, what did you say about her?"

"Wait, stop!" Anna shouted, holding her hands up.

Kristoff jogged over and glowered at the group of snickering officials. "Any words against our family will be a cause for immediate dismissal, and we'll cease negotiations." Kristoff's voice boomed over the room. Everyone became quiet.

Keahi came to stand beside Kristoff, elbowing him and leaning in. "Wow, impressive reindeer king."

He grinned in response.

Matthias ushered the rest out of the room and the door closed behind them. Leaving just Anna, Kristoff, Keahi, Matthias, and herself.

Elsa tried not to let the whispers get to her, even as she wrung her hands uncomfortably in front of her. They were long gone but she could still feel their judgmental gazes and whispers on her like a wet blanket. "Something terrible has happened in Ahtohallen. I'm afraid something bigger than Arendelle is coming." Elsa's voice wavered as she recanted everything that happened.

She felt Keahi behind her and she took strength from that.

Anna was pacing. "What could this mean?"

Matthias came beside Anna, bowing his head. "Whatever it is, it can't be good. I'll be posting guards around the castle —"

"What? No! Make sure to post them around Arendelle to be sure everyone is safe!" Anna shot back, horrified. She came back to Elsa, taking her hand. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. We always do."

Elsa rested her forehead for a moment against Anna's. "You've grown up so much." She whispered, pulling back. She had the utmost confidence in Anna.

Now, Elsa needed to do her part. She needed to help protect both Arendelle and the precarious balance of the land.

Whatever this was, it threatened them all.

"I'll send word to the other kingdoms to see if they notice anything out of balance." Anna started hastily, coming over the Kristoff and putting a hand on his arm. "Can you see the guests to their rooms? Matthias, please make sure guards are posted around Arendelle."

Elsa watched her sister. A tired smile was on Anna's lips but she looked so happy.

Anna glanced back at her, "There's nothing we can do until we get word from the other kingdoms. Relax, I'll let you know if we need anything."

Since when did Anna grow up so much?

Elsa hugged her arms around her chest, unsure of what to do. She couldn't just sit on her hands and let Anna handle everything. But she wasn't exactly the Queen anymore. She had no idea the current issues that resided in Arendelle outside of what Anna tells her.

She headed out of the room before Anna or Keahi, leaning her back against the wall in the hall. Kristoff was ushering the group of high officials down the hall. When she turned her head to look over at them, they let out another long series of whispers.

It shouldn't bother her.

And she would never let it be knownthat it did.