possible spoilers in the comments?

[nowtheyknow]

[ she quietly laughs. ]

If it's so cold outside, shouldn't you wear something warmer?

... and thank you, for thinking of me, but I belong in Arendelle.

Comments

I am sorry and I blame it all on Disney

[knightoftheswan]

[Something's wrong. Something's really wrong.

But her eyes are blue.

No, this isn't her.

But her hair is blonde.

His wife is dead and he sat with her ghost just a month ago.

But this woman named Elsa looks so much like HIS Elsa that...

That....

That he just has to be here a moment.]

omg ahhh oh no

[nowtheyknow]

[ ... strange. elsa thought she'd grown past being nervous when people stared at her too long, but she's a little guarded, nonetheless, even as she presses a small smile to her face, gracious and graceful. ]

Are you alright?

[knightoftheswan]

[It's just another subtle difference. His Elsa didn't smile too much. And yet he finds himself smiling a little in her presence, though he doesn't understand why.

Maybe it's because her question isn't The Question.]

It's been a long time since I've been all right. But that needn't be your burden.

[He bows before her as he should.]

It's my own bad fortune that you remind me of someone. That's all.

[nowtheyknow]

[ her smile fades into an expression of confusion and surprise, one of her hands raising off of her chest to her lips. what could she say to that? ]

It's coincidence. [ she finds herself saying. ] So it's neither of our faults. I'm sorry you're troubled.

[ with a hand outstretched to him; ] What is your name?

[knightoftheswan]

[He starts at The Question. It's not her fault, he has to remind himself. She doesn't know. He didn't warn her. No witch has arrived with a swarm of challengers. The swan isn't coming to take him away again. This woman he doesn't know is not about to die.

But all of that doesn't stop the automatic reaction of shooting up straight again and taking a small step back.]

Ah. My apologies. Lohengrin is my name.

[He finally remembers his manners and takes her hand, bowing again. He has to stop himself from pressing his lips to her knuckles and must be satisfied kissing the air over her delicate fingers.]

[nowtheyknow]

[ he pulls back so quick elsa's lips purse into a frown. what had she done to make him retreat so quick?

she relaxes only a little as he moves back, surprise tensing her body when he takes her hand. she's icy cold and he feels, well--normal, likely, but too warm for her. conceal, don't feel, she chides herself, no longer a chant for her powers and more to keep her regal stature. ]

It's a pleasure, Lohengrin. I'm Queen Elsa, of Arendelle.

[ i hope i haven't frightened you. ]

[knightoftheswan]

[He doesn't know what he would prefer, the warm but ethereal touch of the ghost that visited him on All Hallow's Eve or the real but cold hand of this living person. As soon as she introduces herself, his mind fills with the fact that her name really IS Elsa and oh no she said she was a queen he's not showing proper decorum and where is Arendelle that isn't Brabant thank goodness it's not Brabant he just came back from there.
At least he remembers to let go of her hand at some point.]

If you will pardon me for saying so, your majesty, the circumstances themselves are not so pleasant. But I've learned before that poor circumstances mean little and it is, indeed, a pleasure.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Well now! Anyone should feel warm by lookin' at such a happy face!

[He bows, politely.]

... Welcome aboard our lil' family, Elsa.

[nowtheyknow]

[ a-aw, mouse bowing to her! she brightens a little, softly chuckling with her hands folded before her. ]

I'd say it's anything but a little family. [ she curtsies. ] Thank you.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Heh! It's easy ta say lil', since it keeps on growin', with plenty of room for more! Why, yer gunna fit like a glove!

[He... just realized what he said. lskfjdks-]

I mean, uh, a boot! Fit in like a boot... Uh... Oops.

[nowtheyknow]

[ aw, mickey, you sweetheart. ]

It's no trouble. I understand.

[ and then, a little nervousness; ]

I hope it's as you say. I know Anna will fit in. [ a little laugh. ] I know... Anna will. [ but... herself? ... ]

[takesyoubytheheart]

Anna could fit in anywhere! But when folks get a look at ya, Elsa... wow! It's like the first sign of winter! Real good ta look at, and a sign of good times ta come!

[Gotta make sure the newest members of the Disney line are treated well, after all.]

[nowtheyknow]

[ aw. she's not afraid of being herself anymore--but she's always a little hesitant of being accepted. not everyone is as kind as her people, after all. she's always been royal. ]

Thank you. You're very kind.

[watcheslanterns]

Be careful! They can be awfully tricky about putting you someplace that isn't home, you know.

[nowtheyknow]

Oh, I know.

Rapunzel, isn't it?

[watcheslanterns]

Yes! And you're Elsa, right?

[nowtheyknow]

[ she outstretches her arms and bends her knees in a slight curtsy. ]

I am. It's a relief to meet someone who has--or has had--some control over magic.

[watcheslanterns]

[Rapunzel returns the curtsy with one of her own, though hers perhaps less precise.]

Yes, well... [She runs a hand through her hair.] It has it's ups and downs.

[nowtheyknow]

[ she can't help but laugh, bringing her hands against her lips. ]

I can imagine. [ she def can. ]

[opendoor]

You absolutely belong in Arendelle and I am totally willing and able to argue anyone who says otherwise into submission. [ arms crossed, chin up. bring it on ]

[nowtheyknow]

Anna.

[ she says it with a smile even if it fades. ]

She does seem intent on finding a place for me.

[opendoor]

But we're- [ -finally a family again she stops herself from continuing. however selfish it may sound, being able to be with elsa again is more important than that. but she doesn't want to say anything that would remind elsa of what came before and cause her even a second of unhappiness ] Do you think I can trick her with like a map with wrong directions that'd just circle back to Arendelle? [ so unlikely but she has to try! ] Or some other similar but not as laughably ridiculous plan?

[nowtheyknow]

I know.

[ her voice is softer, and she does reach out--even if she hesitates before touching anna's arm again, to squeeze it gently. she's here. ]

I don't plan on leaving you or Arendelle [ but anna first, because she might be able to leave arendelle in capable hands, but her sister has always been a worry. big sisters do what big sisters have to do. anna has seen that firsthand. ] any time soon. I'm just as determined as she is.

[opendoor]

[ she gives a start in surprise at the contact but quickly covers elsa's hand with her own before her involuntary reaction might make her sister draw away and she even leans into her, eager to bridge the gap (of years, of carefully maintained distance) even in small gestures. for a few seconds she's quiet, mulling over elsa's words. then- ]

But you know [ there's an oddly plaintive note to her voice, like she's not sure about what she's saying and is hoping they'd would be the right words anyway ] if you ever want to go somewhere... like a trip or just to see other places... I'd be the first to encourage you to go.

[ she remembers her own excitement when the gates opened, like the whole world was flooding in, the rush of unfamiliar faces, the sweep of the fjord opening out to the horizon. she remembers her own loneliness and with her new knowledge of what elsa has been hiding all along, knows now that elsa has been forced into a much smaller world than her own. ]

If it can be arranged, like things wouldn't come to a crashing halt in Arendelle I'd- [ glancing away ] like to go with you.

[nowtheyknow]

[ it surprises her--the suggestion, the query. oh, elsa was destined to be the queen; she was the oldest, and as such, even when she was caught in solitude... she studied. she learned about all the different lands, their exports, imports, culture, festivals, climates...

well, she had to do something in there. ]

I-- [ for a moment, she stops being so assumedly flawless, hits pause on her soft, regal smiles and looks hesitant, searching for affirmation and acceptance. ]

With Weselton no longer our trading partner, I need to meet with neighboring kingdoms. That means... I'll have to make some trips.

[ and her grip tightens just slightly, enough to be noticeable. how could she share her fear of crossing the ocean to anna? instead, she tries to relax her shoulders, and smiles gently to her sister. ]

I'd love for you to go with me... if possible.