Soooooo...this took way longer than expected (grins sheepishly) sorry! But it's here now :3 lemme know what ya think.

The next day Anna was up way before her internal clock chimed the noon hour- again. The previous day's events had followed her straight through the rest of the day, into her dreams that night, and on until it made her restless enough to wake up and start her day.

Elsa had spoken to her.

They had participated in an actual two-way conversation for the first time in forever! Anna smiled while she shrugged into her green summer dress, recalling her sister's muffled giggles. Finally dressed, she combed her fingers through her messed bedhead, trying to free the nest of knots before she tamed them with her brush. She strolled towards her vanity thinking through everything that had happened.

"What spooked her, you think?" Anna asked her reflection, frowning a little bit. Her fingers worked at a particularly stubborn knot. "I can't come up with a single thing that I could've said wrong." The redhead pursed her lips in thought and concentration. "I didn't even get to tell her what happened at lunch."

She watched her fingers twist and turn and tug at the knots until her hair flowed from her head like a waterfall caught in a fiery sunset.

"She's such a stinker." Anna rolled her eyes at the enigma that is her sister and picked up her brush. She worked quickly, combing through her hair a few times before braiding it in her usual pigtails. Thus ready for the day, she skipped down the hall towards the kitchen, already looking forward to whatever Louis had cooked up. Energy coursed through her at that thought.

She sprinted down the hall and slid the remaining way towards the stairs, her pigtails streamed behind her like twin banners while her face beamed with the rush. She brought herself to a graceful stop and leaned over the banister to peer towards the bottom of the stairs; checking to see if it was clear.

It was.

No servants coming or going and none at the end which she could see. Anna grinned and jumped up to sit on the polished wood, gripping the handrail behind her. A deep breath steadied her hammering heart. She couldn't help but remember the nasty tumbles she had experienced in the past. One time Anna thought she had mastered the banister slide and whooped for joy. But, as any sane person knows, a whoop of victory needed a double fist pump to be real. So Anna had done just that and lost her balance. The cold fear that had shotthrough her had stolen her ability to breathe when she tipped backwards. Luckily she had swung her foot down towards the stairs in order to balance herself out. That in turn had caused her to hook her foot into the decorative posts and everything went downhill from there.

"More like down stairs…" Anna thought with a grimace, recalling the painful thumps to her head and her broken ankle when she fell down the stairs. "Okay, Anna." She narrowed her eyes in concentration while she chewed her lip in worry. "You know you can do this. Just don't victory fist pump until you reach the end, got it?"

"Got it." She gave a firm nod and let go.

At first she thought she'd never pick up speed. She slid down at a snail's pace until her dress put up less resistance, then she practically flew down the banister. Down and down she went; twisting to keep her balance as the staircase wound downwards still. Heart basically beating itself out of her chest, she grinned as wide as she could, enjoying the adrenaline rush. The end came all too soon for the redhead. She slowed her descent with a hand behind her on the banister and jumped the remaining distance. When she landed, she stumbled a little bit, but didn't fall.

A breathless laugh escaped her smiling mouth; she threw her fisted hands in the air. "And she sticks the landing! Ha ha!"

"My, my, my." A pompous voice said somewhere next to her.

Anna started and turned her head down the hall to her left where she heard the voice coming from. Her mother, father and the Walrus stood with varying expressions of surprise. The King and Queen raised their eyebrows at the stunt she had pulled, but chose not to comment on it. Not now at least – those eyebrows said. The Walrus stood with a smirk that made Anna clench her teeth in irritation.

"That was quite a show, Princess." His voice dripped with what Anna assumed meant to be interpreted as being impressed. It sounded more like he was mocking her, especially if she recalled yesterday's lunch properly.

You're such a – bad word that I can't think of right now. But believe me buster, Anna thought, feeling her temper flare. If I knew bad words and my parents weren't here, you'd be getting an earful. She shook herself mentally and schooled her features to resemble a calm she was far from feeling.

"Yes, well," she strode past them with her head held high, "I am a very culpable woman, you see."

The dignitary chuckled, the sound grated on her nerves. "That you are." He said so only she could hear.

"I think you mean capable, dear." Queen Iduna corrected gently. Anna turned and bit her lip, realising her mistake. Culpable meant guilty. Wayta go, Anna.

"Indeed, we could see just how capable you are." King Agnarr glanced at the stairs but smiled when he returned his attention to his daughter, "We're off to continue with our negotiations, Solskinn. We'll be in the study until lunch, alright?"

"Very well," she inclined her head to each of them, "Father, mother, Wal – ahem, sir. William. Good day."

The King and Queen shared a look before Iduna made her way to her daughter. She embraced Anna, pulled her close and planted a kiss on top of her head.

"Don't mind him, darling. We're very proud of how well you handled yourself." She whispered, causing Anna to nod against her chest with a smile. "Be good."

"Always." Anna quipped when they separated. "See you later."

She caught her father's smiling eyes before she turned around and walked away without acknowledging the Walrus and his stupid, smug face.

Elsa sighed into her cup of tea and watched Gerda leave her room with her empty breakfast plate. The matron gave her one last parting smile before the door closed with a soft click. Her room plunged into silence that was only broken by Elsa's even breathing.

Okay, she thought, her gaze swept from her door over her room towards her desk. I'll continue with my assignment as soon as I've finished my tea. She took a long sip and leaned back against the wall to stare out of her window.

Anna's probably still asleep. Maybe I should go to the library – oh right, I need to go there anyway. I wonder if the assignment is still there; I'm actually surprised Papa hasn't asked about it yet. A frown pulled her brow down. He's probably busy with that dignitary. I really hope he can convince him that I don't plan on m–

Knock knock knockknock knock."Elsa?"

The blonde jerked her head away from the window to stare at the door in surprise.

"Anna?" She whispered with a glance at her grandfather clock.

"Are you awake yet? I hope I didn't wake you, if I did, I'll just come back later."

"I'm awake." It is 10 o'clock after all, the blonde thought as she stood up from her window seat and made her way to the door.

"Great! Hey, how're you doin'?"

"I'm fine, thank you." She stood before the door and looked at it with mild concern. "How are you? Is everything alright?"

Anna grinned, bouncing on her toes. "Ye-no I'm fine. Good morning – wait I already greeted you. Uhm…how'd you sleep?" Wow, I really suck at small talk…or just any normal talk. With Elsa at least.

"I – well, and you? Wait, why are you up so early?" Elsa placed her hand on the door. "You usually sleep until noon."

The redhead shrugged, "Too much energy, I guess. I got you something." A brown square slid underneath the door at Elsa's feet. She took a step back and kneeled to pick the familiar shape up.

"It's a brownie." Came Anna's explanation. The eldest could hear the smile in her sister's voice, felt one form on her own mouth as she stood up straight with the sweet in her gloved hand.

"Louis made them as a treat today. I snuck two into my pockets before he gave me one. Heh, he said that I'd have to wait for lunch for more, but that's not gonna happen."

Elsa looked up at the door, imagined her sister standing before her grinning as if she'd just pulled the heist of the century. "So, you got me one while you get two? How's that fair?"

There was a beat of silence before half a brownie slid underneath her door.

Elsa's smile widened into a grin. "I was just joking, Anna. I already had one with my breakfast."

"Wait what? Giv'it back then!"

"Keep it down, would'ya?"

"Fine Don't give it back." Anna huffed and sat down before the door. "That was a sneaky move, sister dearest."

"Oh calm down, you goof." Elsa giggled and slid the half-brownie back under the door. "Here."

"You sure?" the redhead asked but she had already picked it up from the floor next to her.

"Yes and thank you for the gesture, Anna."

"You're welcome." Anna beamed before she stuffed the whole half into her mouth. "Mmm! Som goob!"

"You're going choke if you speak with your mouth full." But Elsa took a bite and melted at the chocolate explosion on her tongue. "Mmm, yum."

"I know right!" Anna giggled, "Lu is a miracle worker." She took a smaller bite from her remaining brownie.

The sisters ate their treat in companionable silence. Elsa shifted so that her back rested against the door. When they were finished, neither knew how to break the silence that had settled between them. Anna bit her lip and pulled her knees to her chest, wondering how she had suddenly lost the ability to talk.

"So," Elsa ventured, toying with her gloved fingers. "What are your plans for today?"

"Oh, you know." Anna waved her hand dismissively, "This and that. Might go to the stables after lunch, ride Kjekk until dinner to avoid Sir Stupid face of the Southern Isles." She glared at the curtain across from her.

"What did he do to make you react this way? Did something happen at lunch yesterday? I heard you stomp past my door and can only assume he upset you somehow."

"That's an understatement." She muttered irritably and sat upright. "What are you planning on doing today? 'Cause it's gonna be a long story."

"Nothing that I can't do later."

"Great, it all started after we sat for lunch." Anna shifted, crossing her legs. "Actually, it happened before that already. I was sitting next to Mama instead of across from her like I usually did, with the Walrus sitting at Papa's left hand. Wine was served to them, and I even got some too!"

"Really?" Elsa asked, eyes wide in surprise.

"Well, kinda. It was watered waaaaay down, but I could taste the weird wine taste or whatever. Anyway, he was pleasant enough while they discussed the castle and its beauty – why are there always so many complements that seem so hollow?"

"It's part of the whole image that nobility needs to keep up." The blonde rested her head back against the door, having recalled the numerous lessons her father had given on the subject. "At least that's what Papa taught me."

"Oh. Great. Another thing that makes being a Princess awesome." She deadpanned.

Elsa laughed, "You have no idea." She cleared her throat, "What happened next? He was pleasant, you said, but I sense more to it that that."

"There was. He was pleasant…until I tried partaking in their discussions."

"In all my days abroad, your Majesty," Sir William of the Southern Isles intoned, his gaze sweeping over the dining hall, up to the high vaulted ceiling boasting a magnificent chandelier and back down to the flowers arraigned on the table. "Arendelle is by far the most exquisite."

The King's smile was reserved. "Thank you, sir William."

"How many places have you been?" Anna piped up with her usual enthusiasm. Oh how she longed to travel the world and see –

"So many, I've lost count." He dismissed her with nothing more than a cursory glance. If one could even call it that. "The mountains are –" he breathed dramatically as he stared past the Queen and Princess the window behind them where the foot of said mountains could be seen, " – simply breath taking. But," there was a subtle change in his voice, his eyes returned to the impassive King. "it must be difficult to cultivate farmland on such rocky terrain?"

"Our farmlands are beyond the Fenrir mountains" Anna replied before the King or Queen could. The three adults turned their attention to the princess. This is it, Anna. Show them how much you know. Don't screw this up. She sat up straighter. "They're used to feed the kingdom more than anything else. Our main trade is with the Ice harvested during the Winter months."

Agdarr and Idunna shook themselves from their surprise and smiled at her, proud.

"It's exactly as Princess Anna said, your grace." he told the Walrus who pursed his lips underneath his moustache. "Our farmlands are purely for subsistence reasons."

"Yes, yes, I am aware of Arendelle's booming ice trade and subsistence farming, but the Southern Isles –"

"Your grace," Idunna cut into the conversation with as much ease as a hot knife would cut through butter. She gestured for the servants standing at attention across from her, who disappeared behind the door leading to the kitchen. "I do believe we've already decided that this lunch would be enjoyed first before the actual reason for your visit will be discussed."

"Indeed." His moss green eyes flitted to the confused Princess before he cleared his throat. "I do apologise for my…eagerness."

"It's quite alright." Agdarr said with a tight lipped smile.

"They were acting all weird with each other, y'know?" Anna interrupted her story, she rested her head back against the door. "Papa was…ugh, what's that word that means emotionless? Kinda?"

"Uhm…" Elsa tapped her chin in thought, "Impassive?"

"No."

"Apathetic?"

"No. It begins with a…'S' I think."

"Sssss…Stoic?"

"Yes!" Anna nodded with enthusiasm, "That's the one. Papa was super stoic and Mama was pleasant. You know, when she'd really not in the mood to argue or when she's tired?"

"Yeah," Elsa shifted, "Most of the time she'd just let Papa do the talking."

"Ah-huh, anyway, the servants brought us our meal and I had to force myself not to drool…"

"Oh, yum." Anna grinned wide as she watched the servants lower her father's plate first. "My favourite: sandwiches."

When her plate was finally placed before her, for her mother and the dignitary had to be served after the King and before her, she caught herself just in time to look up at her father to take the first bite. Ugh, she hated etiquette. Why can't everybody just eat at the same time? Her father's every move was calm and collected as he cut a corner off of one of the open sandwiches on his plate and placed it in his mouth.

Anna all but sprang into action after that.

The redhead took the closest slice of bread decorated with the yummiest toppings in her hand and bit into it. It crunched in the most delicious way. Her eyes fluttered closed as the clash from the sweet cheese and salty beef slices exploded on her tongue.

She hummed in pleasure.

A barely suppressed snicker broke her from enjoying her food. When she opened her eyes, Sir William watched her with obvious amusement.

"I gather the food is satisfactory, your Highness?" he asked with a grin that bordered being mocking.

Anna nodded and felt her face warm when she glanced at her parents. Their disapproval wasn't plain, but Anna knew instinctively that she should've practised a little more restraint.

She swallowed, "Chef Louis is a culinary artisan. He never disappoints."

The Queen raised an eyebrow at her choice of words but otherwise said nothing. Anna shot her mother a cheeky grin before she placed her food down. She then forced herself to be as graceful as she could possibly be while she cut into and ate the sandwich like the grown-ups were doing. So focussed was Anna on remembering her etiquette and forcing her hands to move at what she thought to be a snail's pace that she completely missed the conversation going on around her.

Until Iduna cleared her throat delicately.

"Huh?" was Anna's automatic response when she looked up at her mother.

"Sir William had asked you a question, dear."

"Oh. Uh, excuse me." She said and looked over at the dignitary across from her. "You said something, your grace?"

"Indeed I did," he placed his knife and fork on his plate to indicate that he was finished with his meal. "I asked what you do to keep yourself busy during the day, Princess."

"Oh well," she perked up, happy to be included. "I climb trees or slide down the hall or ride my horse, Kjekk, or I practice with my sword or I..uhm, I read?"

He made a noise at the back of his throat. "I was expecting more..." he waved his hand, smiled dismissively, "well, more Princessy duties."

"I've got lessons I go to in the afternoon." she defended herself. Why is he being so mean. "Where I'm taught about Arendelle's history and the arts and so on."

"Ah, see that's what a Princess should do. Becoming knowledgeable in the arts, not sword fighting and whatnot."

Anna felt her temper flare. "I don't see why a Princess cannot be knowledgeable in a flied that has been deemed inappropriate for women to do. What about Joan of Arc? She was a warrior, why can't I be one?"

"Nothing and no one is stopping you from being who you choose to be, Anna." Iduna stepped into the conversation.

"Indeed," the Walrus sat back, "I meant no offence."

"Oh, he meant offence!" Anna interruped, fuming. "You should've seen his face. He didn't even apologize!"

"I'm sorry, Anna."

"What for? It's not like you made him say that."

"No..." but I should've at least been there so that he could focus on me instead. At least Mama spoke up. "I'm just sorry you had to experience nobility like that."

"Well, at least I now know what to expect with future dignitaries."

Elsa hummed.

"And things only got worse."

Dessert was served while the adults discussed whatever it was they discussed. Anna sat frowning at her krumkake. She still hadn't been able to use her 'big words' properly. The Walrus just annoyed her so much she could hardly think straight. He had this way of looking at her that gave her the creeps. He'd get this look of appraisal, like she's a piece of meat he wants to sell off and then he'd sneer at her when she mentions something she does.

What does he know about what a Princess should do anyway? She forced herself not to stab her dessert and chewed calmly. Conversation drifted around her as she wondered how she could incorporate her words into what they were talking about.

"Do you get out often, Princess?" he asked sweetly, trying to include her again.

I wish he'd just go back to dismissing me. Anna sighed softly, "I do what I can to get outside as much as possible." she looked up and realised that this would be an opportune moment to use a big word. "I get a bout of Kleptomania if I stay inside for too long."

The adults frowned at her in the silence that followed.

"You receive...what, your highness?" Sir William asked, he leaned back when a servant took his and everyone else's plates away.

"Kleptomania." Anna repeated confidently, "Y'know, when you feel like the walls are closing in around you."

"Uhh," Elsa interrupted her narrative as gently as she could. "Anna? You do know what kleptomania means, right?"

"Well, I do now!" Anna cried, slamming the palm of her hands on her crossed legs. "I was thinking about claus…claustro –"

"Claustrophobia?"

"Yes. Claustrophobia." Anna scowled at the drapes across from her. "I just got the two mixed up. They sound too alike."

"What happened, then?"

"He laughed at me! Out rightly so. Like his belly bounced around so much I thought he was gonna knock the table over! And then he called me 'cute'." Anna scrunched her face in utter disgust. "I'm trying to prove myself to be a culp – no, wait. Capable adult here and he just calls me 'cute'?" she scoffed, "Why are some words so close together anyway? They should sound less alike then I wouldn't be in this embarrassing mess in the first place. You know it happened again this morning?"

"He laughed at you again?" Elsa frowned, "The pig."

"No, he didn't laugh, although he mocked me for messing up again. And yes he's a pig. A fat walrus-pig combination thing –"

"Hybrid."

"Yeah, that word." Anna shifted with a sigh. "I said culpable instead of capable and he just stood there with this smug expression on his face."

"Why are you even doing this?" Elsa finally asked the question she had wanted to ask since the day before.

"Doing what?"

"The whole…" The blonde hesitated in the slightest, "trying to be a grown up thing? It never bothered you what people thought of you before."

"Oh, well. I, uhm, I'm just tired of…I'm tired of being seen as a child, y'know. I'm thirteen now. And I want to do more with my life than just wish the days away. I thought that if I could prove I'm grownup in some way, Mama and Papa would let…me…" Anna sighed and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. It's stupid. I should never have done that in the first place, 'cause I obviously failed. After he laughed at me, I just excused myself and left before I started a food fight."

Silence settled in between them for a few seconds before it was broken.

"What would Mama and Papa let you do?" Elsa asked gently.

"What?"

"You said - earlier - that if you could prove yourself, Mama and Papa would let you do...what exactly?"

Anna shrugged and rested her head back against the door. "That they would consider…making me… your right hand. Maybe."

The blond rested her head back against the door and closed her eyes. This is why I shouldn't've opened the door to having a converstation with her. I know I can't open the actual door we both want to open, but now I've given her hope... Why do I keep hurting the one I'm trying to protect?

"But after the tantrum I threw when the Walrus laughed at me," Anna continued. "I kinda blew it. I didn't throw an actual tantrum, but I didn't really act…uhm cordial? Cordial is the correct word to use there, right? I mean I did kinda storm out of there like a child and all. Doing the very thing I had hoped to prove I'm not..."

The silence returned.

Anna turned her head to the side, wishing, not for the first time, that they wouldn't be separated by a door. "Elsa?"

I'm sorry. Elsa thought sadly. I'm so sorry, Anna. Her magic responded to her sadness. It pooled in the pit of her stomach, cooling it down to form a ball of ice that sat heavy inside of her. Conceal...don't feel.

"Elsa, please don't shut me out." Anna's voice penetrated Elsa's mantra. "Did I say something wrong?"

"N-no." she managed through clenched teeth. "B-but I think it's time to...I should return to my studies."

"Oh, okay." Anna stood up. "Yeah, I probably kept you away long enough..."

"Thank you for speaking with me, Anna." Elsa stood up stiffly, "I hope you have a pleasant day."

"Okay, uh, y-you too Elsa."

Things changed after that.

Anna still came to Elsa's door and spoke with her sister, tried to get her to open up more, but Elsa started to respond less and less. She started to give excuses.

"I'm sorry, Anna, but I'm too busy with my studies."

"I'm sorry, Anna, but I can't speak with you today."

"I'm sorry, Anna..."

The redhead really couldn't understand what she had done wrong. She must've done something wrong. There can't be any other explanation. They were fine-ish when Elsa first spoke with her a few weeks ago - a few months ago - a few years... Now all Anna could muster up was knocking on her door just to let Elsa know she was still there. There were times when Anna couldn't even do that.

But one thing Anna never lost hope for, even after their parents tragic death, was that they'd be together again. Someday in the future. Even if it would only be when Elsa was coronated as Queen, Anna would be there giving her sister her silent support.

(Wipes at brow dramatically) Frick that...that was difficult to finish. I hope I did it justice and didn't disappoint. I kinda like how it turned out, let me know what ya think :)

'Till next time.