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

[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.