Perhaps what Elsa have dreaded was not meeting Anna but what she was to say. It may not seem like her to lose poise in front of another noble but Anna was different. Their history was something she can't forget. It was the sweetest times of her life.

As her heels clicked through the large halls of the palace, the lonely cold of the halls was her only company.

Now she was thinking that she should have brought Jack with her.

Heading to no where in particular, her feet brought her to the palace gardens. It was a beautiful place to be in no matter what season. Large bushes of roses, honeysuckle and lilies, fountains that spew clear water that sparkled under the morning summer sun, statues of gods and goddesses, lakes and trees that were blooming--It was a beautiful place indeed.

The lady headed to the garden pavilion which was surrounded by a large pond, wisteria dripping by the sides. Elsa took a seat at a marble bench, looking out at the scenery, worry shown by her furrowed brows.

"Oh Anna.." She sighed, worried for her life.

The crown and her precious childhood friend. The decision weighed her down like the sky fell on her. She wanted to catch up and ask how Anna have been! And if their friendship stayed...

Elsa hummed as her thoughts brought her elsewhere.

This garden was very memorable to her. Often, the Queen would catch them playing here and she taught them how to make flower crowns from woven fresh ones. Anna made the most beautiful sunflower crowns whereas she made ones out of lilies. Under the summer sun, they laughed as children in this very garden.

At a flowerbed for peonies, they used to play tag and have dirt on their dresses. Such fun was that with Jack chasing them too! Elsa sighed with a smile as she fondly remembered those days.

Behind her, Anna stood with a flowercrown of sunflowers in hand. She sneaked on to Elsa who had a distant look in her eyes.

Gently, she placed the crown on Elsa's head who smiled. She knew who was behind her and who was brave enough to sneak up behind her like that.

Dutchess Anna, with her regal green, black velvet and gold satin dress, sat next to Elsa with a soft yet nervous smile.

"Did you miss me?" Anna asked looking at the waters around the pavilion as well. It sparkled like a million diamonds under the summer sun...

"Very much." Elsa replied after a brief moment of silence. The blonde turned to her old friend with a soft smile. "Welcome home..Anna"

To the Dutchess of Sherwood, it made her heart flutter to hear Elsa's soft and gentle voice again. It felt like those beautiful winter days that one can simply go out for a long walk. It made her smile.

"I'm home, Elsa." Anna softly smiled, turning to the blonde with a look that was nothing less than affectionate.

To Elsa, Anna changed so much. Her eyes gleaned wild and beautifully, her smile looked like she knew secrets of the world, her body grew well and gosh darn good over decades. It seemed like a far memory but she saw a young Anna who had the same look in her eyes. She was still her Anna.

"Elsa, you look beautiful." Anna complimented out of nowhere. Elsa can't help but be flustered red by such words. "Still as beautiful as the day I left."

Elsa can't help but feel her heart ache. She should hate Anna for leaving. She should hate her for abandoning her knowing that they shared something special. But she can't...she still held a special place for her heart.

"Anna..."

"Elsa.." The ginger cut her off before she would even say anything. "I'm sorry if I left. Papa wanted nothing more but to let me grow in a place far away from the politics of the court. I can't say no..." she explained. Elsa knew of this as it was explained to her in a letter by the Duke of Sherwood before.

"I know, Anna. Your father told me so." The blonde gently replied. "I'm not mad at you. I just want us to look forward to what tomorrow might bring."

Anna looked at her like someone doused her acid. Pained. "Like the decision if you want to take the crown?"

The blonde can't meet her eyes. It was hard to think about it, more so now that she's back. How can she make a decision when she was given three mere days?

Anna gently placed her warm hand over the blonde's cold one. "Hey. It's not just you."

Right. Anna has to make the decision as well and they both have to agree to it or else their houses might cause a war. The crown can be a feeble yet fragile matter in the kingdom.

"Anna, you just got back and you're already having a crisis. We can't even catch up properly." Elsa complained.

The dutchess frowned knowing that Elsa was right. Then she remembered something she heard from a few servants and ladies she passed through the hallway earlier.

"But we do have that ball tomorrow, don't we?" Anna asked, fixing the flowercrown the rested upon Elsa's head.

"Did you get an invitation for that?" Elsa asked curiously as she weaved a flower crown on to Anna's head of lilies made out of ice. "You know you can't head in a ball without--"

"I guess Aunt Giselle does?" Anna guessed, her fingers running through the light and cold accessory on her head. "I remember when we were kids..."

"Flowercrowns with the Queen.." Elsa smiled.

"Good times." Anna nodded. "How have you been...?" She asked her blonde friend.

"Anna so much has happened! I'm currently the General for the soldiers of Arendell and Olaf grew so much! Father has passed away, unfortunately. He died in a fight but--Oh Anna we have so many things we can talk about. What do you want me to say first?" The blonde asked with a smile on her lips, a twinkle of eagerness and joy in her eyes.

Anna smiled. "Tell me everything." 

Elsa bit her lip in hesitation but she held on to Anna's hands and started telling her many things. The court had changed many laws and regulations, they helped the people too, Arendell had more and more enemies as the days go by, Jack and Olaf had grown a lot, the king and queen never had a baby, the nobles of the court were getting nicer, ladies of the court were making the kingdom better with their suggestions, children had free education now, and Elsa is a general for the soldiers of the kingdom. 

Anna sat there and took in the story. It seems like Elsa had been busy...

"Anna...how about you?" Elsa asked after she told the highlights of the kingdom. Nothing much had changed but the brunette was sure curious of what else changed with Elsa.

The dutchess sighed. "I...Well--"

They both heard someone coming their way before Anna could even start. The ladies turned their heads to look at who might be intruding at the moment and it didn't really make their moods better.

A palace guard bowed to the ladies and removed his helmet, bowing in front of them. Elsa recognized this guy...

"Sir Flynn...it took you a while to report to me." Elsa noted, pulling her hand away from Anna for the meantime.

"Your grace...I...Came here under Lady Rapunzel's orders. Err.."

"Punzie?!" Anna grinned. "I haven't seen her in a long while!!" She cheered.

Flynn stepped aside to show a well dressed blonde in lavender and silver silk, her hair in a long braid that reached the floor.

"Flynn...Still nervous in front of Elsa I see." The blonde turned to the two, approaching them with grace. "Anna...It's so good to see you!"

Anna was reminded that she left several friends behind and she had her work cut out for her because it dawned on to her that her friends are nobles, strong names no doubt. Perhaps they will come in play at the court sooner or later but she could care less for that. Grieving with loss and happy with change, Anna is a little overwhelmed at the moment but nothing she can't handle. Right?

"Sooooo...What did I guys miss?!" The blonde asked. "Elsa, did you pop the question yet?! You told me you probably would when Anna comes back!" 

"Uhm, what?"

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A/N: Hi, I am well aware I have not updated for a loooooong while but hellow, hey! I am active again (for some magical reason) XD

Hellooo!! Hi! Tell me what you think of the story so far! And what do you think did Rapunzel mean~! >w< I wanna hear from you guys! Don't forget to Vote and leave a comment o(;;w;;)o I like reading your comments goiz...

With love, 
Sapphy~