“Thank you,” she told Nokk as she pressed her forehead to his. Nokk let out a sound between a rumble and a soft snort, then pulled his head back. He turned around and dove back into the icy water of the fjord without causing so much as a drop to fly out. Elsa never got used to it, awed each time.
With care to not step on her cape, she turned back toward the bridge. She had worn the beautiful blue holiday dress her sister surprised her with a few years previously. Elsa had wondered at the time why her sister chose something so deliciously revealing, with her shoulder and chest visible where the fluffy trim really did nothing to hide anything.
Last year when Anna brushed aside her hair and kissed her bare shoulder, sucked on her very exposed neck and shoved her hand down the front of the dress, Elsa understood why she chose it.
And there was Anna, waiting for her at the start of the bridge, standing in the cold and biting air and snow almost to her knees.
Anna too was dressed in her holiday wear, with her hair down and the ends spilling over the blue fabric on her shoulders. On her head she wore a light blue hat Elsa knew to be knitted by Helena and while it didn't look as elegant as the rest of her ensemble, it sure looked warm and soft.
Sometimes Elsa couldn't help but wish someone would knit her a winter had, but who did that for the woman that didn't need anything to keep her warm?
Elsa hurried up the short slope. “Anna, I'm so sorry, I didn't want to push everything back,” Elsa told her, speaking almost as fast as Anna sometimes did. The way that Anna hadn't run toward her to greet her made her uneasy. Elsa loved the way Anna would run at her and hug her with such force that sometimes she did lose balance and go down.
“I know,” Anna finally replied once Elsa was closer. She held her hand out and Elsa took it, kissing the top of it as she drew her sister closer to her.
“I'm sorry, I really am,” she managed as she peppered Anna's sweet face with kisses. “I would have rather been here – or any place you are,” she assured her with her voice low and lips next to her ear. Elsa wrapped her arms around her and felt her heart settle down, her entire being settling into place.
Anna hugged her back and squeezed her. “I understand, Elsa. We had some of the storm as well and it was frigid! The wind was so terrible...Kristoff has been aiding in fixing homes. All of the ice harvesters have been. I also let many families into the castle to keep warm and have hot drinks.”
“Wow...” Elsa stepped back enough to see Anna's face as she took her hand again. “I didn't realize it hit Arendelle like that. Is everyone...okay?” Elsa bit her lip. Maybe she should have remained there after all to care for her people...
Anna nodded slowly. She seemed...stiff. Almost distant. “A few injuries, but nothing that couldn't be taken care of with some bandages, rest, and a hot meal.”
The pair began to walk across the bridge. Elsa couldn't shake the guilt she felt, building with each step. She had disappointed Anna. She let down a lot of people by dancing off into the forest – even if her help in the north had not been for enjoyment. No satisfaction was felt until the Northuldra felt ready to embark on their yearly migration to other lands, and even then Elsa helped clear some of the way.
“I'm sorry you had to ring the Yule Bell without me,” Elsa said suddenly. She couldn't stop thinking of all she had missed in those few days alone. She let Anna down again, just as she had in the past and she felt terrible.
Anna shrugged. “It is what it is! Something came up Elsa. You were needed there, and you wouldn't be you if you didn't rush to help. Besides, there wasn't much of a turnout due to what the storm did.” In that moment she sounded much less distant, and completely genuine. Elsa knew that she meant it. That didn't stave off her guilt.
She was left not knowing what to say, as she wanted to apologize more but not force Anna to stand there and placate her when Anna deserved to express any hurt she felt. “Yes...but...I really do feel terrible that it took me so long to get here...”
“You did miss your own birthday dinner,” Anna mumbled. There was that distance again.
“I know you were planning I-I'm sorry...” The word 'sorry' was already beginning to feel old and worthless on her tongue.
“Well, the castle had an amazing feast and some of the leftovers were helpful for feeding the extra people who came in for the warmth. It all worked out!” Anna insisted with a smile. There she was feeling genuine again and Elsa was confused.
She couldn't tell if Anna was mad, or sad, or happy, or tired, or-whatever! Anna was usually walking with her with a bounce in her step and chatting away, especially when Elsa would have to leave for a day or two. Whenever they would reunite Anna was over the moon and all over Elsa. Maybe once they were in the castle and alone, Anna would be more talkative.
For all Elsa knew, Anna was reserving all of her energy until the moment they were on the bed. That wouldn't be a surprise.
Still, Elsa felt very anxious. Something felt off but Anna responded as though everything was fine. “Well...do I need to...do anything? Move snow from anyone's home or...?” Elsa felt useless. She missed important events, she let Anna down...
They were almost to the courtyard, and Anna stopped them both. “Elsa, no, come on...” She sighed out of exasperation and stepped forward so she could turn and face Elsa. “You don't have to do anything. We've always had snowstorms, even when you were in your room and we never left the castle. I don't know if you made those storms...” Anna blinked as though the idea had occurred to her for the first time. She shook her head. “Well anyway, the kingdom handled snow when we were little, and Mother and Father were here.” She gently palmed Elsa's cheek and Elsa leaned into it.
“You're right...” Elsa agreed, her shoulders relaxing when she hadn't even noticed how tense she was. Her entire body loosened like it had when she and Anna hugged.
“I know I'm right! And you don't have to worry about it! I don't like to do all this Queen stuff by myself – but I can, Elsa, and I can take care of things without being dependent on your powers, and that's a good thing!”
Elsa nodded, not at all bothered by that. Maybe in a way she should have been...but knowing how well Anna could handle herself and Arendelle, Elsa was proud of her. Proud was an understatement – everything her sister did impressed her, and made her love her even more.
She captured Anna's hand and kissed her fingers. “I know that, too. I just – well, nevermind.”
“You're overthinking it,” Anna stated.
Elsa agreed. “I'm overthinking it,” she told her, and started to lean in to capture her lips. When she felt such relief like she did in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to kiss Anna and hold her and dance with her and-
A finger was pressed against her lips with the smallest bit of force. “Elsa, wait.”
“Huh?” Elsa stared, not comprehending that Anna wasn't into making out right there and then. Anna always wanted to kiss her too.
“Not right now.” Anna took her hand and started to pull her along again.
That distance again! Elsa stumbled after her, unsure of what was happening. “Anna...Anna, what is going on? You've been acting kind of weird.”
“Just...come with me...” Anna insisted, tugging her along into the courtyard proper. Then she stopped.
“Come with you where? You're not going anywhere now.” Elsa was so confused she wanted to go eat some chocolate to try and calm down. The feeling of distance was still there, but something else hung in the cold air. She couldn't put her finger on it.
Anna paused, staring at her. She giggled and smirked, and raised her arm. “NOW!” she screamed.
The courtyard, so clearly seen before her initially, was suddenly white with snowballs.
Snowballs of all shapes and sizes came flying at Elsa, pelting against her dress and skin and making her raise her arms in self defense. “What the-hey!”
“You always have the upperhand in our snowball fights, and now it's MY turn!” Anna declared, laughing and dancing around and completely dropping any trace of her ironically cold, stuff demeanor from just moments before.
“Aaaah!” Elsa shouted as she saw the familiar faces of her people around her. She knew almost all of them by name, and they were smiling as they tossed the snowballs that surprised but didn't hurt her. “Hey, I am your Queen!” she announced loudly as she started to make an ice shield over and around her.
“So am I! Keep them coming!” Anna was giggling as she turned and ran from the scene, headed toward the door of the castle.
She was leaving her!? Elsa reached out a hand for her, crying out. “Anna! Hey you can't just leave me here Anna!” Her voice was laced with joy, though. A snowball fight! Both sisters loved them, and had certainly started town-wide ones before. Elsa kept things pretty fair – but she wasn't above using her powers for whatever team she was on to have a bit of fun.
That meant she wasn't in that moment either, and with come concentration she let the snowballs coming toward her slow down, drawing them to gather around her and her ice shield. More and more came as a pile floated leisurely around her. Elsa grinned mischievously. They had been foolish to launch a surprise attack on her!
Once the snowballs stopped and she had amassed so many of them, Elsa flicked her fingers and all the snowballs suddenly shot out from her and back at her jolly assailants. She didn't see every single person who got a chunk of snow to the face but she sure saw some. Elsa found herself absolutely cracking up even as return fire started up and snow pelted her hair.
She ran forward to get through the barrage of snow, scooping some as she went and throwing in random directions. Sure – she could summon and shoot shot from her hands, but her throwing arm was good too. Anna would even comment on it when she ran her fingers down her skin.
Anna...where was she?
As Elsa got closer to the doors, she stopped throwing at the villagers and started building one of her big magic snowballs. She was ready to drop it on Anna's head with wild laughter. Of course, she would make it up to her later with her...other skills.
However, when the doors opened, it was not just Anna who exited. As she came out so did Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven – of course they were there! Elsa had been so busy feeling guilty she hadn't even been thinking about the others waiting for her. Sven was hooked up to a little cart of sorts, and Elsa could see it was carrying something large and circular, something light purple and white. She couldn't quite tell, especially as a snowball was hurled into the side of her face.
“Oomph!” Elsa stumbled a little but Anna was suddenly there, arms outstretched and catching her.
“Halt!” Anna shouted, laughing as she did so. “...And now say the thing!”
Then, all their voices together, raised in happiness, the villagers around her spoke. “Happy birthday Queen Elsa!”
“Oh...oh!” Elsa was certainly not expecting that. It made her feel good, it made her feel at home. “But my birthday was-”
Again, Anna's finger on her lips. “They know. We know. But everyone still wanted to say it to you, and it doesn't matter if it had to be a little late.”
Elsa startled as stick hands touched her and did their best to wrap her in a hug. “I would tell you happy birthday even in the summer!” Olaf told her, excited.
“I know you would,” Elsa replied with a chuckle and stroked the snowman's head. “Hello, Olaf.”
“Happy Yule, too,” said Kristoff as he came closer, stopping a couple of feet away. “Hi Elsa-aah!”
“Oh come in here,” Anna said, yanking on his arm and drawing him into the group hug.
As Kristoff's arms wrapped around them, Elsa raised an eyebrow. “Thought you were off helping with storm destruction, Kristoff?” she asked.
“Anna asked me to come to the castle with everyone else. She said we needed to do something fun, and when she's right, she is really right,” Kristoff said and Elsa knew it was true.
“She is,” Elsa agreed and let herself sink into the hug with the people she loved most. It felt warm and welcoming even though she was sure they were cold. As they separated, her suspicion was confirmed – Anna's nose was a bit red, as were the noses of many people around them.
“Oh!” Anna suddenly bounced on her feet, and darted behind Sven. “Your cake! I have cake for you – EVERYONE! There's cake! Please drop your snowballs for cake, and soon more hot chocolate! Thank you all so much for coming!”
Cheers sounded from the people around them and they started to chatter amongst themselves. Some started to approach the wagon and the group, while Elsa circled around to see her cake.
It was huge, circular with Elsa didn't know how many layers. The light colored icing had swirls in it that made her think of snow and magic and was clearly the intention. Purple crystal decorations adorned the top. Elsa was sure they were candy, and while they had yet to cut it, she was also sure it was ice cream cake.
“This cake looks amazing,” she told Anna honestly.
“Olina and I worked hard on it,” Anna replied, leaning into Elsa. She kissed her lips finally then and though it wasn't terribly long or deep since they were literally standing in front of a crowd, it was enough.
Elsa's mind got the final little bit it needed to be totally relaxed and she wrapped an arm around Anna's waist. “Oh Anna, I love you. This is wonderful...you're wonderful, I...love you so much,” she told her, running her fingers through her hair. Anna was so beautiful.
Anna blushed and smiled, looking down briefly before her gaze landed on Elsa's face again. “I love you too Elsa. I missed you, but I could never be mad at you for being late. Everything you do makes me so proud of you.”
The way Anna's words unknowingly echoed Elsa's thoughts from the bridge made her feel even fonder. “I hope you know...I'm always proud of you too, my Anna...”
“I do know,” Anna said softly. She held her gaze a moment longer before she drew in breath. “So! You want cake? You should have some cake, we'll all have some before we get warm. Ice cream cake outside-oops! Ah, I gave it away.”
“I sort of knew,” Elsa commented as something else dawned on her and she looked around. “But Anna...I don't see plates and forks. How are we all supposed to eat this?”
Anna stared. She stared some more, blinked, and her face finally turned completely red.
