Chapter Text
A melodic tune knocked from the door of Elsa's study.
The Queen raised her head in interest, fur prices and trade routes leaving her mind. She already knew who it was. "Come in!"
The door swung open, and a certain red-headed girl stepped into the room.
"Hi, Elsa!" Anna said brightly.
She skipped across the rug, reaching the Queen's desk. Elsa dropped her favorite quill, opting to shift her attention to her younger sister.
"Anna, hi. What brings you here?" She wondered.
"Oh, you know. I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"You mean you didn't come here to bother me?" Elsa giggled.
"Where did you get that idea? I just wanna know what you're up to."
"Work," Elsa said. "Signing documents, the usual."
"You mean all that boring paperwork?"
"It's not boring…"
Anna snickered, "Yeah it is. Maybe you're just boring."
Elsa pouted. "Hmph. And you're mean. Sit down?"
Anna laughed and pulled a chair. "So, how have you been?"
"Well, like I said, I've been really caught up with work lately."
"You're always caught up with work. What have you been up to besides that?"
"Ah…" Elsa thought. What had she been doing the last few weeks? "Well, I took a walk through the garden yesterday. Does that count?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "Sure. It's better than sitting at the desk looking at those boring papers."
Elsa flushed, "They're not boring!" She repeated.
Anna giggled, "Whatever you say. How'd you like some help?"
"You? Helping with paperwork?" Elsa snickered.
"Hey! I'm offering it now. Take it or leave it."
"Alright, alright. Scoot over here."
Anna shuffled her seat across the desk to sit next to Elsa.
“So whatcha got for me?”
“... Do you know how to do paperwork?”
“Oh. Er… a little. No."
"It’s easy, I’ll teach you. It's just tedious, but if you really want to help me, that’s how it is.”
Anna nodded, “Fire away.”
Elsa motioned across her desk, “I’ll just have you sort things since it's my signature these documents need. This is the unsorted stack,” A sheaf of papers was moved towards Anna, “They’re yours. Check the bottom of each paper for a signature line, and if it needs one, slide it here. And if not, to your right.”
“Seems easy enough!”
“You get the easy job, yes. Look under the table.”
“What’s there to see- oh. Wait. I have to do all of these?”
Elsa grinned, “You offered your help. This is what I need help with.”
“Yeah, but... there’s so much…”
“This is actually the least I’ve had to do for a while.”
“In that case, you need a break!”
“If only,” Elsa smiled. “Oh, important thing—if it’s got a red stamp like this, put it in a separate pile up here.”
After that, the pair began their work. For a while, the quick dashing of quill on paper and the rustling of pages moving into formation was the only sound heard in Elsa’s study. Anna had burned through 3 stacks, and Elsa had signed about the same amount; The sun had only fallen slightly, indicating how little time had passed, and how much busywork had been finished. Eventually, Anna moaned at the sight of another stack in front of her. "Jeez, if I knew there was this much!"
Elsa giggled. "Oh well. It's not like you've been much use anyway. You're only saving me about 5 minutes in total. Ack!"
Grinning, Anna pulled her elbow from where she had struck Elsa. "Posh. I've been sorting papers for an hour! It's only been an hour!"
"Please, I'm shedding a tear for you. One hour barely puts a dent in it." Elsa laughed.
"Ugh!" Anna groaned.
Elsa smiled and placed her quill in an inkwell.
"Hehe. You know you don't have to be sorting papers; I can take care of this."
Anna pouted. "Hmph. But what if I want to sort papers? What if I want to be here?"
"Be here… sorting papers?"
"No, dummy. I want to be with you."
"With me?"
"Yeah! I just noticed we haven't been speaking much lately. And I get that it's because you're queen, and you don't have much spare time, but-"
Elsa nodded. "I understand. You know, I feel the same way. About not having a lot of spare time, that is. I suppose it's a downside of being queen."
Anna frowned. "Yeah."
Elsa sighed. "How about this: I might be able to reorganize my schedule tomorrow. I could pull some strings with Kai, and-"
"Wait," Anna interrupted. "You know you don't have to! Your work is important, and I was only complaining. You don't have to… have to…"
She trailed off when Elsa flashed a smile. "Anna. Don't think I won't take the opportunity to spend a day with you. If you want to spend more time as sisters, I can make that happen. Meetings can be postponed, but you? Not anymore. And anyway…" Elsa took the stack of papers from Anna, "I'm the queen."
Anna felt her jaw drop slightly. It was so unlike Elsa to use her position like this! Even though it was something as simple as clearing her schedule for a day, Anna still felt admiration. Well, if Elsa said she'd do it, Anna was all in Leaping out of her chair, Anna leaned forward to hug her sister. "Oh, thank you, Elsa!" She cheered.
Elsa took in the embrace, chuckling at Anna's overjoy. "Of course, Anna. I expect you'll want to choose what to do?"
Anna unwrapped herself from Elsa and sat back in her seat. Hmm… a whole day with just the two of them.
"Funny... Nothing really comes to mind. Oh! Actually, there might be a few shops I'll want to show you around the village. Maybe we could think of something as we go?'
"Sounds fun to me. And I'm guessing we'll be hungry after all that? How about a picnic?"
Anna's face lightened up. "That's a wonderful idea!"
Elsa smiled. "There's our plan then. I'll have the kitchens prepare something later."
"Anything you want. Just make sure they bring sweets!"
The next morning, Anna woke up early for once (shocker!) and changed into something suitable. For the middle of autumn, a simple day dress would do nicely. She donned a purple cloak Elsa had gifted her last month just in case. Rushing down the stairs and into the kitchens, Anna was surprised to see a certain Queen out of the picture. Surely, Elsa would've been here already? It's whatever. Elsa's never late to anything, Anna thought to herself. So, Anna sat and chewed through her breakfast. The chefs did a good job, but the food wasn't as enjoyable without Elsa across the table. She would have to turn up sooner or later, no doubt.
Anna brought her mind to the conversation they had yesterday. It's always fun to see what the queen was up to, even if Anna joked and called it "boring."
Meetings can be postponed, but you? Not anymore. Elsa's words sounded through Anna's head. She's doing this for me, she smiled to herself. It was only when she took a sip of cold water that Anna realized her cheeks were hot – quite hot.
Elsa's words really had this kind of an effect on her… Anna stared down at her food, pouting as she blushed at her sister's words. I'll have to pay her back for this later...
Another ten minutes passed, but Anna had long finished. Elsa still hadn't shown up, and the utensils across from Anna lay untouched. Where the devil could she be? Anna pondered. A maid swooped in the collect Anna's dishes, who she thanked before leaving the dining hall. Where would Elsa be at this time? Gods forbid she's in her study… Maybe I'll check her room first. And she better not have forgotten!
And so, Anna made her way back to their hallway, past her room, and up to the queen's.
She knocked a signature tune, the sound reverberating behind the door. "Elsa?" Anna listened for any sign of her sister. Well, the only thing left to do is to go in! I don't mean to barge or anything, but she did say I had open-door privileges. Anna twisted the doorknob, happy to see that it was unlocked. Elsa's room was cooler than the rest of the castle, obviously due to her abilities (which Anna loved, by the way!). Elsa's bed was made, but also empty. In fact, the rest of the room was also quite empty, not a queen in sight.
Hmm… I better check her study. And if I find her there, I'll throw a fit.
Anna closed the door, making sure it clicked. Then, she began the short walk across the castle to reach Elsa's bunker, as she would often call it. When Anna reached the door, she was just about to pull the handle when it opened on its own, a very surprised Elsa stepping out. "Anna!" She gasped, "You scared me!"
"Elsa. Tut, tut, big sister." Anna teased, "Fancy seeing you here. You missed breakfast."
Elsa blushed and smiled guiltily, before closing the door behind her. "Heh. I'm sorry, Anna. Turns out I couldn't completely clear my schedule, I just had to sort one last thing before we could have the day."
Anna huffed and gave an unconvinced look. "You missed breakfast," she repeated. "And I told you, you need to eat more often! All cooped up in your office."
"Anna, it's just breakfast. But you are half-right. Here, to make up for it you can have my portion of dessert during our picnic; whatever the chefs pick out. I asked them to surprise us."
At that, Anna smiled broadly, before grabbing Elsa's arm.
"Really? I'm not saying no to that!" She said brightly. "Still though, you know breakfast is the most important meal right?"
Elsa rolled her eyes before Anna continued, "And I am holding you to your word, you know! I get to eat both of our treats."
Elsa waved her off, "Whatever. I try not to eat too much sugar anyway…"
"Oh, you say that now. And by the way, what a crummy tactic! Using your sweets as leverage. You knew it'd work on me."
"Are you complaining?"
"No, but you still shouldn't have!"
Elsa stifled a laugh. "Come with me. I still need to change into something appropriate. If we'll be outside all day, I don't want to wear this stuffy dress!"
"Ooh, mixing it up today, are we?" Anna joked, following close behind. The two girls left the study, Elsa leading the way. They traversed across a few hallways, climbed a set of stairs, and made it back to the royal quarters. Elsa pushed the door to her room open, and the pair stepped in.
"It'll probably be hot today," Anna said, "So don't wear any long sleeves."
"It's never hot for me, silly." Elsa laughed. "And I only wear long sleeves."
"Only long sleeves?" Anna inquired. "Look, I'm wearing short sleeves right now!"
Elsa scoffed. "All of my short sleeves are too small anyway – I’ve been wearing tight clothes for so long, and it’s thanks to my years as a recluse.”
“Ohh, right,” Anna commented, “You were hiding your powers and all that.”
"Uh-huh. Not my happiest years."
"So you're telling me you actually don't own any summer dresses or whatever?"
"That's right."
"So make something out of ice!"
"...I actually could. But I want to wear real clothes today."
"Elsa!"
"Can't change my mind now!"
"Ohh, you're boring."
Elsa laughed, opening her wardrobe. "So I’m not wearing weather-appropriate attire today. Are you a fashionist?"
"Yeah, I am!"
Elsa laughed again and continued rummaging through her clothes. Eventually, she found something. "How is this?" She asked, turning around to face Anna. The article Elsa picked out was a simple white button-up shirt with a long blue dress to go with it. It might’ve been a gift to her from her mother years ago – but she either forgot about it or never had a reason to wear it.
"That looks nice! I've never seen you wear anything like that. Try it out."
"Okay then. Don't look! I'm going to change." Elsa warned.
"Go behind your covers, silly."
Elsa rolled her eyes before bringing the dress behind a wooden screen. "Have you thought of anything you want to do? Besides walking around and having that picnic." Elsa asked behind the screen.
"I kind of want to watch a show. There are a couple of places around town that do plays. Maybe we could visit one of them?"
"That sounds fun to me," Elsa responded.
Anna turned to face the window, looking out into the courtyard below. She started humming, letting her thoughts take control of her while she waited for Elsa. She leaned on the glass, watching the workers below do their magic, making the castle gardens look pretty.
"Anna?" Elsa's voice chirped, "I'm finished."
Anna spun, seeing her older sister smiling awkwardly back at her. The princess gave a genuine, "Oh, wow."
Elsa blushed before Anna quickly explained. "No, you don't look bad or anything! That was a good 'oh, wow.' It just looks so different from your usual wear!"
Elsa snickered. "I know that was a good wow. I'm flattered, that's all. I've never even worn this before, so I'm glad you like it."
Elsa's choice of daywear usually consisted of purples and blues, mainly long dresses with the occasional high collar (depending on how she felt that day). This outfit was something Anna would wear, and both girls knew it. Even though it suited the queen's modest tastes in fashion, the outfit still gave off the child-like vibes that Anna always brought everywhere with her.
"It makes you look so carefree," Anna commented.
"You're saying I'm an uptight person?" Elsa began, "Maybe we won't go out today then. If I'm so strict!"
"Elsa!"
"Hehe. I'm just having some fun."
"I know. But I meant what I said. You look more stress-free wearing that."
"If you say so," Elsa smiled. "But looking stress-free doesn't mean I feel stress-free, so let's get out of here and see that village you want to show me."
"Alright!" Anna cheered. Elsa ducked to avoid Anna's waving arms and made to shut the doors to her wardrobe. "Wait!"
Elsa halted. She turned to face Anna, a perplexed expression on her face. "What?"
Anna didn't say anything, her lips parted in curiosity, her eyes glinted with a clear interest in something. But what? The answer was revealed to Elsa when Anna reached deep into the back of her wardrobe, pulling out a deep-blue headband that Elsa wore long ago.
Anna held the item between them, clinging to it like a long-lost treasure. "You never told me you saved these!" She squealed.
"Huh?" Elsa asked, dazed by her sister's extreme reaction.
"You used to look adorable in these! I remember when we were separated, I'd sometimes catch you at dinner wearing one. You looked so cute with one on!"
Elsa immediately began to cringe. "Ohh, my sense of fashion was so peculiar back then… high collars and tight buns. I was experimenting with different hairstyles, I believe. So what if I wore these things?"
"Come on, you have to wear it now. You'll look so cute!"
"No! I'll look like my teenage self walking around Arendelle." Elsa protested.
"Well, you did wear them until you were eighteen," Anna pointed out. "And you still wear high collars from time to time!"
"It doesn't even fit anymore, I don't think." Elsa continued. Hearing that, Anna raised the headband up and placed it in Elsa's hair. It fit perfectly.
"Haha! Your head hasn't grown ever since you were eighteen."
"Shut up! It has. It's a little tighter than before."
"Oh, sure. You're only three years older than me, and our heads are about the same size, right?" Anna grinned. All this talk about head sizes and headbands was making Elsa go nuts.
"Ugh, fine, I'll wear the damn thing," She adjusted the accessory, "But only because you think it's cute."
Elsa turned red at that last part. It didn't help when Anna took notice and pressed on, "Aww, you're dressing up for me now? Cheer up. The color matches your skirts. You look great."
Elsa smiled squeamishly, hiding her hands behind her back. “If you say so. I just haven’t worn headgear in a long time. I look like a kid.”
"I think I might have some from when I was younger too. Maybe next time I'll make an effort to wear one."
“You have an obsession. Be glad I’m wearing this for you!”
Anna gave a cheeky smile before grabbing her sister's hand. "Believe me, I'm very glad. Ready? Let's go!"
With Elsa fully dressed, they turned and walked out the door.