Three years later...

The day of Elsworth's coronation had arrived, allowing for the gates of Arendelle to be open. A dock master greeted those who came off the ship with a warm, "Welcome to Arendelle!"

"Ah, merci, Monsieur," the French Dignitary responded as he stepped onto the dock.

"Watch your step, please. The gates will be opening soon."

Off to the side, a woman attempted to put a jacket on a squirming, whining boy. "Why do I have to wear this?" he complained with a pout.

"Because the king has come of age! It's Coronation Day!" she responded excitedly.

"That's not my fault."

The boy who once hung out with the ice harvesters, now grown, hung a carrot around the now-large reindeer. "Whaddya want, Sven?"

"Gimme a snack," he responded for the reindeer in a lower voice.

"What's the magic word?"

"Please?"

He gave him the carrot, shaking his head when Sven took the whole carrot. "Ah ah ah ah. Share."

He spat out half of it, the man taking a bite out of the spit covered half.

A couple excitedly walked by the blond, the husband chattering away. "I can't believe they're finally opening up the gates!"

"And for a whole day, too! Faster, Persi!" She dragged him along, Persi almost tripping over his feet, revealing an old man with glasses and a glorious mustache behind them.

"Ah, Arendelle. Our most mysterious trade partner. Open those gates so I may unlock your secrets and exploit your riches." Realizing he was being a bit too loud, he looked around nervously. "Did I say that out loud?"

Ahead were two more dignitaries, one Irish and one Spanish, discussing the coronation.

"Oh, me sore eyes can't wait to see the king and princess. I bet they're absolutely lovely."

"I bet they are wonderful."

-

Anna let out another loud snore, her hair disheveled and stuck to the drool coming out of her opened mouth.

Y/n peeked up from behind her, whispering, "Anna. Psst! Anna!"

"Huh...?"

"Princess Anna of Arendelle!"

She sat up, eyes still half closed, her hair frizzed everywhere. She let out a cough. "Yeah...?" She removed the piece of hair from her mouth, wiping it. Beginning to nod off again, she jerked herself up. "Who is it?"

"Still me, dumb-dumb. C'mon, we don't have all day!" She grabbed the princess' shoulders and began to shake her to wake her, not succeeding at all. "We need to get ready!"

"Of course..." She stretched, her eyes still closed. "Ready for what?"

"Did you seriously forget?" She tapped her foot impatiently. "Your brother's coronation?"

"My brother's...cornoration..." Her eyes slowly opened, landing on the dress that Y/n had picked out the night before. Eyes flying wide now, she whispered, "It's coronation day."

"No, did you just figure that out?" Y/n rolled her eyes, then left to patiently wait for Anna to finish changing.

-

F/c

OR

In under a minute, the princess came flying out the door in her green-skirted dress that complimented her fiery hair, tied in a bun and braid over it, spinning her around. "It's coronation day!" she repeated excitedly, sliding down the bannister just in time to see the curtains open.

Anna:
The window is open, so's that door!
I didn't know they did that anymore
Who knew we owned eight thousand salad plates?

She took one of the plates from a stack one of the servants was carrying, then placed it on a different stack.

Y/n calmly appeared behind her, breaking out into a grin, unable to suppress her urge as she skipped through the ballroom.

Y/n:
For years, we've roamed these empty halls
Why have a ballroom with no balls?
Finally they're opening up the gates!

Anna:
There'll be actual real-live people
It'll be totally strange

She tried to awkwardly shake hands with a suit of armor. The arm fell off, Anna trying to shove it back in.

Y/n threw the window open, smiling brightly out into the morning.

Y/n:
But wow! Are we so ready for this change!

Anna jumped past her and onto a swing hanging from the window, pulling herself up, her lady-in-waiting grinning up at her.

Anna:
'Cause for the first time in forever,
There'll be music, there'll be light

Y/n:
For the first time in forever,
We'll be dancing through the night

She spun around, gliding away from the window.

-

Anna:
Don't know if I'm elated or gassy
But I'm somewhere in that zone

Y/n bent over the pond she and Anna had been exploring together, a duckling waddling into her hand.

Y/n:
'Cause for the first time in forever...
We won't be alone

"I can't wait to meet everyone!" Y/n squealed to the duck for some reason.

Anna let out a gasp, her eyes wide with realization, whispering, "What if we meet...the one? What if I meet the one?"

"HONK!" the duck cried.

-

Y/n danced into the curtain, wrapping it around herself.

Y/n:
Tonight, imagine us gowned and all
Fetchingly draped against the wall
The pictures of sophisticated grace

She took the rope of the curtain and tried to spin it, whacking herself in the head. "Oof!"

Anna pushed past her, taking out her fan, to a decorative head statue on the table. She waved the fan in front of her face, covering her lower half.

Anna:
I suddenly see him standing there
A beautiful stranger, tall and fair
I wanna stuff some chocolate in my face

Reaching to the table next to her, she grabbed the chocolate on a plate and began to shove it in her mouth, swallowing it with a gulp.

Y/n had abandoned the curtain to spin around the room.

Y/n:
And we'll all laugh and talk all evening
Which is totally bizarre

Anna picked up the head, swinging it around.

Anna:
Nothing like the life we dreamt so far!

It slipped from her hands, crashing into the cake. Y/n groaned, knowing she would have to tell the castle's baker and have to hear yet another rant on how no one appreciates him and he has half a mind to quit, except he never did, hoping he could get lucky with the princess.

Anna, on the other hand, still too excited to care, burst into the art room to imitate the pictures.

Y/n:
For the first time in forever,
There'll be magic, there'll be fun

Anna:
For the first time in forever,
I could be noticed by someone

She put her hand out to imitate a lady in a painting, the man in it grabbing it to kiss it.

They copied more pictures as that continued.

Y/n:
And I know it is totally crazy
To dream of fun and romance

Anna:
But for the first time in forever...

She stopped on the couch, smiling to herself.

Anna:
At least we've got a chance

-

Elsworth looked out over the kingdom from his window. Inhaling, he closed his eyes, then opened them, dreading the day ahead.

Elsworth:
Don't let them in...
Don't let them see...
Be the good girl you always have to be...

He moved away from the window to a portrait of King Agnarr. Removing his gloves, not taking his eyes off, he picked up the royal ball and scepter.

Elsworth:
Conceal...
Don't feel...

He turned with them, trying to replicate his father's pose, but looking much more nervous than he.

Elsworth:
Put on a show
Make one wrong move and everyone will know

The ball and scepter began to ice over. Panicking, he put them back down, looking at his hands in fear.

Elsworth:
But it's only for today...

-

Anna:
It's only for today!

-

He put his gloves back on, pulling them over his wrists.

Elsworth:
It's agony to wait...

-

Y/n:
It's agony to wait!

They ran down the stairs together, holding hands.

-

Elsworth flung the door open to his servants.

Elsworth:
Tell the guards to open up...
The gates!

They obeyed, not questioning why the prince was singing his orders to them.

-

The gates began to open, the town more visible from the front of the castle.

Anna, Y/n:
The gates!

They ran out, passing by Elsworth and Anna's cousin and her husband. They waved, then continued running into town.

Anna:
For the first time in forever,

-

He repeated his mantra as he walked towards the giant window.

Elsworth:
Don't let her in
Don't let her see

-

Y/n:
We're getting what we're dreaming of!

They ducked under a giant cake, skipping throughout town.

-

Elsworth:
Be the good boy you always have to be

He opened it up to look into town, seeing Anna and Y/n as they jumped on top of a wall, clinging onto a pole.

-

Y/n:
A chance to change our lonely world

-

Elsworth:
Conceal

-

Anna:
A chance to find true love!

-

Elsworth:
Conceal, don't feel, or else she'll go

-

Anna:
We know it all ends tomorrow

Y/n:
So it has to be today!
'Cause for the first time in forever...
For the first time in forever...

She and Anna swung around with their hands intertwined, switching sides, then skipped down the path.

Anna:
Nothing's in our

Anna, Y/n:
Way!

"Whoa!" Anna cried, zipping past Y/n after being knocked into by a horse.

"Anna!" She reached out, but was unable to grab the princess as she fell, her foot getting stuck in a bucket. She fell into the boat, waving her hands around to try to keep balance, despite boat about to fall. The horse stomped into it, saving her from tipping over. Anna bounced up, a piece of seaweed falling onto her forehead.

"Hey!" she yelled at the stranger, removing the seaweed.

A handsome man halted his horse, concern in his face as he worriedly looked down upon her. "I'm so sorry, a - are you hurt?!"

Still sitting unladylike, she awkwardly chuckled. "Hey...heh...I - no, no, no, I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" He jumped down, getting into the boat to help her up. Y/n watched him suspiciously, making sure that no harm came to the princess.

"Yeah, I just wasn't watching where I was going. But I'm great, actually."

He reached down, smiling down charmingly at her. His hand was gloved in a pure white. "Well, thank goodness."

Anna took it, looking back up at him, getting lost in his eyes.

"AHEM." Y/n fake-coughed rather loudly, embarrassed to be witnessing a flirt session.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Who are you?" the man asked, his smile dropping once he saw her.

"I could ask you the same."

"Oh, right. How rude of me. Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." He bowed to both girls after helping Anna to her feet.

"Lady Y/n of Arendelle," she responded with a curtsy. "And you almost killed my princess, Anna."

"Princess?!" he asked, surprised. "My Lady!" He dropped to his knee. Anna tried to stop him as the boat began to tip again as the horse bowed to her, as well, and Hans fell into her.

"Hi...again."

He stomped on the boat, flinging Anna into Hans.

"Oh, boy..." he chuckled while Anna got up.

"This is awkward," the princess stated, getting off of the prince and helping him up. She corrected herself with, "Not you're awkward! But just 'cause we're...I'm awkward. You're gorgeous. Wait, what?"

He paid no attention and said, "I'd like to formally apologize for hitting the Princess of Arendelle with my horse...and every moment after that."

"No! No, no, it's fine. I'm not that princess." Y/n helped her out, brushing off her dress as she wandered to the horse. "I mean, if you'd hit my brother, Elsworth, it would be...yeesh! 'Cause, you know." She scratched under the horse's chin. "Hello."

The horse neighed a laugh in return.

"But, lucky you, it - it's just me. I mean, I'm not the heir, I'm just the spare."

He chuckled, but asked, "Just you?"

In return, all Anna could do was smile, smitten with the handsome stranger.

"Your Highness?" Y/n called, hearing the church bells. But Anna was still too focused on Hans to notice her. "Your Highness!"

"Hm?"

"The bells?"

"Oh." The ringing finally sunk in and she began to back away, glancing back at the church. "The coronation. I - I - I better go. I have to go. I better go," she excused awkwardly, backing away from Hans. "Uh, bye!" She waved, then was off with her lady-in-waiting trailing behind her.

Hans waved back, still in the boat. The horse lifted up a hoof to wave, the boat beginning to tip.

"Oh, no."

Hans fell into the water, the boat on top of him. He lifted it to resurface, smiling softly after Anna...

-

The choir sung as Elsworth stood by the bishop. Anna stood next to him while Y/n sat in the front row, nodding along to the music.

Anna glanced at her and waved, getting a nod back. Seeing Hans behind her in the pews, she waved at him. He shyly returned it, giving her a small, "Hi."

The bishop took a crown and, after the king bowed, he placed it on his head.

After the choir had finished singing, Elsworth reached out for the orb and scepter. To stop him, the bishop cleared his throat and whispered, "Your Majesty. The gloves."

He looked at the blue gloves he had on. His childhood ones had been swapped out as his hands grew bigger for short blue ones. He tugged at the finger and removed one, then the other, placing them down on the tray. Hands shaking, he picked up the objects and turned to the audience, who all rose. He bit his lip nervously, trying not to let his hands tremble.

"Sem han heldr inum helgum eignum ok krýnd í þessum helga..."

Elsworth anxiously looked down at his hands. Frost had begun to cover the orb and scepter.

Only Y/n seemed to notice his fear, but not the frost, trying to nod encouragingly to him.

"...stað ek té fram fyrir yðr: King Elsworth of Arendelle."

He turned back and almost threw the items back on the cushion. He took his gloves and shoved them back on as the crowd repeated, "King Elsworth of Arendelle." This made him look back at them with a small bittersweet smile, knowing that they deserved a better king.

-

The party was held at the castle after the coronation. The music stopped to allow the head servant, Kai, to introduce the siblings. Everyone who had been dancing paused and watched the front of the room.

"King Elsworth of Arendelle."

He elegantly walked up, his cape dragging behind him, and stood with his hands on front of him, folded neatly. Gently, he smiled at his people, who clapped for him.

"Princess Anna of Arendelle."

Anna ran in, waving at everyone, standing off away from Elsworth. Kai took her by the shoulders and put her up by the throne.

"Oh, here?" she asked. "Are you sure? 'Cause I don't think I'm supposed to -"

He plopped her next to her brother.

"Okay." She glanced at him, then took a step away.

"Lady Y/n of Arendelle."

He gestured off as Y/n came in, Elsworth's gaze following her as she walked up. She met his eyes and gave a small smile. He nodded back and she stood just behind Anna, who took her hand and pulled her up next to her. The audience gave an applause, then went back to their party.

Anna tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, keeping her gaze on her best friend and away from her distant brother. Elsworth looked over at her and said with the same smile, "Hi."

Surprised, Anna looked back. "Hi - hi me? Hi us?" She first put her hand on her chest, then pointed between them confusedly.

He nodded in a silent response.

"Um, hi."

"Hello, Your Majesty." Y/n curtsied/bowed [whatever you decided to wear] and stood back up straight for the king.

To both girls, he said, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she replied with a nod, then looked back out. The king looked more mature than she had remembered in his coronation attire. And kind of cute.

"You look beautifuller," Anna said before backtracking. "I mean, not fuller - and - and not beautiful like a girl, but...handsome," she corrected.

With a chuckle, he responded with, "Thank you. So." He looked at everyone chattering away. "This is what a party looks like."

"It's warmer than I thought," Anna said, laughing awkwardly.

"And what is that amazing smell?"

Both siblings inhaled deeply, turning to each other with their eyes closed. "Chocolate!" they both said, giggling when they saw their noses were almost touching.

Y/n opened her mouth to speak to Elsworth before being interrupted by Kai, introducing another nobility. "Your Majesty. The Duke of Weaseltown."

"Weaselton!" the duke snapped back. He softened at the king. "The Duke of Weselton, Your Majesty. As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as king." He hopped around and spun, then bowed, holding out his gloved hand, the top of his toupé coming off.

After choking on laughter, Elsworth cleared his throat as the duke stood, his hair back in place. "Thank you. Only I don't dance."

"Oh," he said, a little disappointed.

"But my handmaid does."

"Oh-ho. Lucky you."

"Oh, no, Your Grace, please -"

He took her hand and pulled her out into the ballroom, right in the middle, despite her protests. "If you swoon, let me know. I'll catch you!"

Elsworth waved, only half apologetic when he whispered, "Sorry."

Anna shook her head at her brother, still laughing, though, at Y/n's obvious discomfort.

"Like an agile peacock!" the duke exclaimed, hopping right onto Y/n's feet with his heeled shoes, making her wince in pain. "Speaking of, so great to have the gates open again. Why did they shut them in the first place?" He suspiciously eyed her, getting all up in her face. "Do you know the reason? Hmmm?"

Y/n respectfully backed away, answering, "No, Your Grace. I am only the King and Princess' lady-in-waiting. Royal matters are not often discussed with me."

His hands trailed on hers in suspicion before lacing their fingers together. "Of course...alright. Hang on!" He dipped her so far down, her head snapped all the way back so that she could see Elsworth and Anna snickering at her. She rolled her eyes. "They don't call me the Little Dipper for nothing!" Picking her back up, he jumped around with arm-wings. "Like a chicken with the face of a monkey: I fly."

As the song ended, Y/n hurried away from the duke, who called after her, "Let me know when you're ready for another round, My Lady!"

As she returned to Elsworth and Anna, he chuckled, "Well, he was sprightly."

"Especially for a man in heels," Anna observed.

"Seriously, I thought those went out of fashion awhile ago," she replied with her own giggle, rubbing one of her feet as she hopped on the other one.

"Are you okay?" Elsworth asked.

She put her foot back down and nodded, folding her hands in front of her, "Quite so, Your Majesty."

Anna sighed, watching everyone in the ballroom. "This is so nice. I wish it could be like this all the time."

"Me, too," Elsworth replied. His smile dropped as he looked away from her and said quietly, "But it can't."

"Well, why not? If we -"

He turned away from her, tensing up in defense. "It just! ...can't." His arms came up with his palms facing outward, then gently dropped back to his sides.

"Oh..." She blinked a few times, her eyes moist. "Excuse me for a minute." She hurried away from them, Y/n watching her go.

"Your Majesty?" she said after a minute. "If it isn't my place, please tell me to shut up, but...is there a reason it can't be?"

".........yes. But it isn't your place," he responded.

"Of course. But...if there's any way to change your mind, look at how happy it makes her."

He looked out, seeing her disappear into the crowd, then shook his head. "There is no way to change my mind. I'm sorry."

She nodded, but secretly, wished that there was.

-

Sniffling, Anna avoided bumping into a few people. One rude guy, however, did not get the message to not come near her and knocked her over into someone's arms.

"Glad I caught you," her catcher said, smiling down at her.

"Hans..."

He put his cup on a tray a servant was holding and took her other hand, dancing away as the waltz began.

They danced together through the castle, Anna catching Y/n's eye. She waved, pointing at Hans. Y/n shrugged, then swayed along to the music.

Elsworth watched, his fingers twitching gently. "She...looks so beautiful," he whispered to his maid.

She nodded, then offered her hand. "Your Majesty, allow me to offer you a dance."

He shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. "Didn't you hear me earlier? I don't dance."

Dejected, and trying to hide it, she put her arm down. "Er, very well, Your Majesty."

Elsworth glanced at the door, then jerked his head to it to motion her to follow. "I need some air. Would you care to accompany me?"

"It would be my honor, King Elsworth," she responded, waiting for him to offer his arm. But he did not, instead walking out with Y/n tripping just behind him.

-

Out of sight from everyone else, the king gave Y/n a cheeky grin. "Come on," he urged, jogging to the balcony. She followed, trying to keep up.

"This is my favorite place to come to," he continued, extending his arm as Y/n stepped onto the balcony. From there, she should see the town of Arendelle.

"Oh, my..." she breathed, taken aback by it. "It's...it's beautiful."

For the night of the king's coronation, the town had been lit up, lanterns on wires between houses and lights all around the cobble streets.

"I know," he responded, looking at her instead. When she glanced at him, he coughed, leaning over the rail. "This is the only place I often sneak off to."

"I can see why."

They stood in silence, looking at the festivities being held in the courtyard. Just inside, they could still faintly make out the sound of the orchestra's waltz.

"Your Majesty -"

"We're alone," he said, still looking out. "So...couldn't you simply call me...Elsworth? Treat me like a normal person? Just when we're alone? Because...I know you do that for Anna."

With a small blush, she looked back at the railing. "Okay, well...Elsworth." Wow, did that feel weird. "If you don't dance, would you prefer a hand-dance?"

He seemed to tremble at the thought.

"You don't have to." She reached out to put her hand on his arm, but he pulled back quickly before she could, his eyes saucers.

"N - no! Wait! Don't touch me, please!" he cried. Her hand recoiled, then limped.

"E - excuse me," he said quickly, waving his gloved hands. "I - I just...I can't..."

"How about this instead? Put your hand out. I won't touch you."

Hesitantly, he obeyed and Y/n reached out. Elsworth flinched, but remained. Their hands stayed just apart.

"Now walk."

Around in a circle they went to the music. Other than that, there was only silence as they looked each other in the eye. Both were snapped out of their daze when the music stopped.

"Was that alright?" Y/n asked hopefully.

Elsworth nodded, admitting sheepishly, "...quite. Now, um...l - let's go back inside. Before they realize that I'm gone."

Y/n nodded, no longer waiting to be offered an arm, but instead walking by the king's side until they were in view of everyone else, where she stepped back and walked behind him.