Just a little something for those of you who have been in contact and waiting patiently for more Elsa x Reader. I intend to write another story after seeing Frozen 2, so I can incorporate/reference whatever changes, characters, songs, etc. the sequel introduces.

Until then, I hope you'll enjoy this!

(Btw, I read that Frozen 2 takes place three years after the first film, so I'm imagining this story happens after Frozen Fever, Olaf's Frozen Adventure, but before the events of Frozen 2. Also, this is NOT a sequel to A Royal Wedding. Giving you a heads up so you're not disappointed.)

:)

It's your first evening on duty, ever since returning from the campaign that kept you from Arendelle for almost three years. You and your fellow soldiers were tasked with protecting and training the army of a nearby smaller kingdom, which had been desperate for military aid, promising an eternity of allegience in return.

Queen Elsa — then just a princess, mourning the loss of her parents — was advised by her council not to interfere, that any action might draw ire from the neighbouring kingdoms. And without a reigning monarch on its throne, Arendelle, too, was vulnerable.

Of course, the crown princess considered their warnings, but for reasons unknown to you, decided to help the small kingdom anyway. Arendelle wasn't pleased, especially you. Shipped off to a foreign land, living in conditions barely suitable for an animal, facing peril every day, losing friends in battle — their lifeless faces fresh in your mind — and trying to convince yourself that surviving is nothing to feel guilty about.

Merciful or naive, it doesn't matter. Maybe she was both. Either way, you can't forgive her. Your 'queen' sent her own people to die in a land she would probably never visit. To her, you mean nothing. You're just a pawn.

"Captain," says one of your subordinates as you pass, acknowledging you as they stand to attention.

Your medals glint in the candlelight as they dangle from your jacket. You feel foolish, wearing your military formal attire, its colours — purple and green with yellow accents — representing a kingdom you barely recognise.

You adopt a stoic demeanour, ensuring the guards maintain their positions and stay alert. You don't allow resentment to inhibit your judgement. After all, it's how you reached the rank of captain.

The party being held in the ballroom sounds as though everyone is enjoying themselves; chatting, laughing, dancing, drinking. Nothing unusual, considering there's a sentient snowman — a reality you're still adjusting to — in attendance.

Queen Elsa and Princess Anna's safety is your responisibility. For this evening, at least. You decide it's time to leave the guards in the hallway and enter the ballroom, where you can watch the royal sisters more carefully.

You realise you haven't seen the queen in years, not since her obligatory appearance at the departure of your ship, when you and the other soldiers reluctantly set sail. As a matter of fact, you barely saw the queen when she was Princess Elsa, all the time you lived in Arendelle. She spent her days inside the castle, reading or studying, you assume. Even on the rare occasions she made a brief public appearance, she always seemed desperate to avoid physical — including eye — contact, as if the very idea terrified her.

A cold woman, quite literally. And to think, while you were away, she plunged your beloved homeland into an 'eternal winter' in the middle of summer! Or so you've been told. You still haven't witnessed her 'ice magic' for yourself. Evidence of it, yes; the friendly creature they call Olaf; those random ice sculptures and ornaments which keep popping up around the castle; the fact the kingdom's ice supply never appears to dwindle anymore. You can't deny the influence of these so-called 'powers', yet you won't quite believe it until you see it.

On the other hand, you find her sister Princess Anna delightful. A ray of sunshine who goes out of her way to speak to everybody. Peasant and noble alike. It surprised you to learn that her boyfriend — Kristoff, you believe his name is — Arendelle's Official Ice Master and Deliverer, hails from humble beginnings like yourself. Your own parents being bakers who work in the town. Which reminds you, you should make time to visit them soon. It's almost been a week since you returned and you've been so busy reintegrating your soldiers back into civilian life, you haven't had a chance to see your own family.

"Oops, sorry!"

Your thoughts are interrupted by someone bumping into you. A young redhead woman. It's none other than Princess Anna! She's just as you remember her, if not a little more grown up and as radiant as ever.

"My apologies, Your Highness," you say, bowing. "Please, continue your celebrations."

She looks you up and down and smiles. "You're apologising? It was my dancing that made me bump into you."

You don't disagree. Your training demands you never argue with those you're outranked by, and nobody's rank is higher than royalty. Instead, you nod and reciprocate her smile.

The princess's blue eyes hone in on your chest, scanning the medals with intrigue. She then offers you her hand, her smile growing wider. "Care to dance, Captain?"

You're uncertain. Do you decline? You're on duty. You can't allow yourself to be distracted. Surely she'll understand if—

"Anna," a woman's voice calls, barely audible among the lively atmosphere. "You're trying to get the guards to dance with you again?"

Your chest feels heavy. Not because of the weight of these damn medals, but this gentle voice which is all you can hear. You're not quite able to catch a proper breath, yet you're hiding it so well, nobody would even realise. The music, the guests, your own heartbeat in your ears, they no longer exist. The only sound you can focus on is that voice.

A young blonde woman gracefully makes her way to Anna's side and links her arm with the princess's. It's her voice. Queen Elsa.

For a moment, you stare, awestruck by her presence; her beauty, her posture, the power she radiates. This isn't the same aloof princess you last saw on the Arendelle docks. This person projects warmth, despite the rumoured ice magic flowing through her veins. She doesn't seem as fearful as she once was...

Her pretty blue eyes — so much like her sister's — are kind and observant as they take you in. All of you. Not just your medals and uniform as so many do.

You notice her hair is worn in a loose side braid, decorated with what appear to be crystallised snowflakes which, to your amazement, somehow don't melt. And her outfit — a purple off-the-shoulder dress — to your surprise, reveals the fair skin of her dainty neck, where a thin chain — also apparently made of ice — rests above her collarbone. This new style, you feel, suits her, granting her an air of freedom you never would've thought a ruler capable of.

Remembering your manners, you clear your throat politely and bow lower than you did for Princess Anna. "Your Majesty," you say, standing upright again and placing your hands behind your back. You do your utmost not to gaze in Queen Elsa's direction. You don't wish to make her uncomfortable, as you recall how shy she used to be.

The sisters share a look.

"Please, there's no need for such formality," says Elsa, blushing slightly. "This is a party, after all."

Anna catches sight of her sister's reaction. The smile the queen is giving you is one the princess hasn't seen before.

You're confused. The queen's insistence that you relax in her company isn't what you expected. After spending years wondering if any day could be your last, you aren't even sure you know how to relax anymore.

"I know!" says Anna excitedly, glancing between both you and Elsa. "How about a dance? What better way to protect the queen than to keep her right in front of you?"

You can't help but secretly agree with her logic.

Blushing a deeper shade of pink, Elsa shakes her head at her sister. "Anna, I don't think—"

"Oh, come on, Elsa! Are you really going to waste all those dance lessons? Gerda called you a natural, remember?"

Sighing, Elsa turns to you, clearly nervous, and holds out her hand. You tell yourself you're imagining it, but you swear you can see the tiniest amount of frost forming on her palm and fingertips. "Well, would you do me the honour?" she asks, managing a small smile. You can still tell she's worried. Behind her formidable reputation, she seems such a sweet girl. Vulnerable, even.

"The honour is mine," you say sincerely, taking her hand in your gloved one.

Wait, what are you thinking? This is still the snooty princess who blindly ordered you and your comrades into danger. You mustn't forget!

Together the two of you join the other dancing couples.

Smiling to herself, Anna watches you and her sister for a moment, before deciding to go find a dance partner of her own. Kristoff is sitting this one out tonight. He hates fancy balls and getting dressed up in general, so on the occasions her boyfriend is absent, Anna knows who she can turn to.

"Olaf, over here!"

I remember a few people said about A Royal Wedding that they would've liked the Reader to be a more skilled fighter, so I figured I'd try making you a battle-hardened soldier in this one. Let me know what you think!

Also, did you prefer me giving you a bit of a backstory, or should I make you more of a blank slate next time? I'm curious.