I sit on the edge of my bed. My room looks the same as it always has.

My books are carefully lined on my shelf. My old dolls lay on a chair in the corner. The cover of my bed is pulled tightly around each corner so that there are no wrinkles.

It is spotless, perfect...empty.

I fold my arms across my waist. I miss the security of my gloves. Anna promised me that she would get me some as soon as possible.

I touch the sleeve of my green day gown. Already I miss my blue vision of satin and light. But it was only a reminder of who I truly am.

I fold my hands in my lap and stare straight ahead, waiting for my sister's knock. She should be here by now.

Anna has transformed overnight from the joyful, carefree sister to the solemn, responsible one.

She still hasn't told me everything that happened since I ran away. I haven't seen Hans yet, but I hear about him constantly.

I may not have handled the situation correctly, but I still do not approve of him. He might turn out to be a kind, caring man, but how can Anna accurately judge someone she has just met?

One thing I know for sure, love does not develop in less than a day. Infatuation perhaps, or even attraction-but not true, lasting love.

A knock sounds at the door. I cross the distance from my bed to the door. I hesitate, but only for a second, before opening the door.

"Anna-" I step back at the sight of my cousin, not my sister. "Rapunzel?"

"Hello, Elsa."

**

Rapunzel leads me through the hallways towards the dining room. "I am sure that you are starved by now."

"Yes, but where is Anna?"

"She and Hans are busy. They have many things that they need to get done."

"Oh." I twist my hands together. "Did she happen to find gloves for me?"

Rapunzel reaches into her pocket. "Yes, here they are." She holds out a pair of satiny white gloves.

I slip them over my hands and immediately feel safer. Conceal, don't feel.

"What is the plan for this morning?" I ask, my voice softer than normal. Already I am reverting back to the quiet, proper girl who I was before my storm.

I miss the freedom that came when I danced on a mountain covered in snow. But freedom is a small price to pay for my sister's love and my kingdom's safety.

A queen is only a servant of her people, after all.

"Breakfast, first." Rapunzel smiles at me. She tucks a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. "If only my mother were here. She has always wanted to meet you."

"How long are you and Eugene staying?"

Rapunzel walks into the dining hall and sits down at the long, wooden table. "We have our own kingdom to worry about. But I have convinced him to wait another week or two before we sail back. We are still needed here."

I nod and slide into the chair beside her. I fiddle with my fork, before placing it back on my napkin and folding my hands in my lap.

Hunger stirs inside of me. I didn't notice it before, but now I can think of nothing else.

The door opens and a tall, handsome man strides in. He winks at Rapunzel and drops into the seat across from her. "Good morning, ladies."

"King Eugene, I presume?" I nod at him.

"At your service, although I will never get used to that title."

Rapunzel hides her smile. "Whoever thought you would get a crown without stealing it?"

"Ah, but I did steal your heart."

I raise my eyebrows. He certainly doesn't talk like a royal. He must not have been a prince before he married my cousin. I know that they have a story of their own, but at this time I am too caught up in my own to ask.

Eugene blesses the food with a quick prayer. As soon as he finishes, the doors swing open. Servants descend upon us with plates overflowing with eggs and pastries and fruit.

I would rarely eat outside of my room. I am not used to the organized chaos that comes with a formal meal.

Halfway through my second pastry, the doors fling open once more and a man runs in.

It takes me a few seconds to recognize him without the layers of fur. He was in the clearing with the trolls. I can't remember his name, but it would be hard to forget his golden blond hair and light brown eyes.

"Kristoff!" Eugene stands up. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Anna?"

"No." Kristoff holds up one hand and catches his breath. "But they got your message, Rapunzel. They are here."

I push away from the table and stand as well, my half-eaten pastry falling back onto my plate. "What message? Who's here?"

Rapunzel's beautiful green eyes light up. "The guardians."

The guardians...

I adjust my gloves to make sure that my hands are still hidden from sight. Does that mean that Jack is here too?