Many Beauty and the Many Beast

by Felicity Collins

  "You look beautiful" he said smiling lovingly at her. Anna blushed and thanked him for the compliment. In that moment, I knew I did the right thing to give them my blessing. Maybe they were actually going to easily pull through these seven months of wait and get married so soon. They were in love, that's all that mattered.

  "Elsa" called Storm knocking me out of my trance. He was looking handsome as well. He had changed out of his uniform. He was wearing a dark brown leather jacket that was open to his chest and a white shirt with the same neckline underneath. He had a black leather belt on his waist with his sword hanging from it, dark brown pants that matched his jacket and black boots. His jet black hair swept to the side. Storm flashed me a perfect smile as he saw me. "You look amazing, your Majesty" he complimented. I felt myself blush.

  "Thank you" I said with a nod of the head "You don't look too bad yourself" he smiled charmingly.

  "I hope you don't mind if I accompany you" he said "I wanted to formally ask you earlier, but Kai told me you were extremely busy" he added offering me his arm. I smiled and took it.

  "Not at all" With that we walked down the hall exchanging a few words with one another. Anna sometimes would give me a wink or… hints. For example when Kristoff and Storm were too busy chatting together, she would mouth me something like 'rub his arm' and rub Kristoff's arm with her hand, earning a kiss on her head from him, or something like 'hug his bicep' and hug Kristoff's bicep scooting closer to him as he smiled at her covering her hand with his. My reaction was probably something like wide eyes and mouthing a big fat 'No!' or 'Forget it!'. Anyway, as we got to the castle door, Skylynn was there waiting for us, still in her uniform. As soon as she saw us she flashed us a smile… Hans' smile. She greeted Anna, Kristoff and I with a friendly greeting, while with Storm, she gave him a glare with a cold nod of the head. Storm did tell me she was kind of angry at him, so that was expected. As she joined us we walked out of the castle and got to the royal carriage, while Skylynn walked to her horse, although Anna and I insisted for her to come with us in the carriage.

  The moment we got out of the gates, we finally got a good look at the town. It was full of lights and people. Decorations with our new flag were everywhere. After the Thaw, Anna had an idea. She suggested we should change our flag that instead of the crocus, it should have a dark blue background and an ice-blue snowflake on it. I wasn't really convinced of the idea. I thought it was too… self-appreciating, but our ministers approved. Enthusiastically, may I add.

  All around town there were families walking around, kids playing with their parents on their tails, booths selling candy, flowers, game booths. We got to the main square were people were dancing, having the time of their lives. The air was filled with happiness and it felt impossible for anything to ruin this night. I looked over at Anna who's eyes were shining with excitement. Then I looked over at Kristoff who kept fiddling with the collar of his shirt as he looked at the town's clock. I could see why, it was almost time for the Traditional Dances. I looked over at Storm and noticed he was looking my way, but he didn't avert his gaze, instead he smiled at me. I smiled back.

  As the carriage stopped, both Kristoff and Storm got out of it first and like two proper gentlemen, they both offered their hand to Anna and I helping us out of the carriage, while Skylynn got off Black Beauty and tied him to it. As the four of us got to the square, people who saw us immediately bowed in greeting as we made our way. I recognized some of the aristocrats who had come here. Some had left, others were willing to stay for the festival. Two of these royals were Princess Rapunzel and her husband Prince Eugene who seemed to be having the time of their lives as they were already dancing in the middle of the square. As soon as they saw us, they came towards us greeting us, as the other aristocrats. While Anna, Kristoff, Storm and I were busy with the nobles. Skylynn had been swarmed by her fans, mostly from middle and lower class. She just stood there smiling and replying politely. Probably to get out of the situation, she kindly invited everyone to go enjoy the dances. At the suggestion, Anna didn't resist and dragged Kristoff to the dance floor, the same went for Eugene as Rapunzel took him back among the dancing crowd. Skylynn, Storm and I laughed at the princesses' enthusiasm and at the two men. Kristoff wasn't a bad dancer, though. He started slow, but when he finally got the rhythm he was kind of good. Skylynn then excused herself and headed over to one of the drink booths. Around the square, there were many tables, where people would sit and have a drink before going dancing. There was one lager table, a little isolated from the others, which was the one destined to the queen and her followers. While Anna was having fun dancing with Kristoff, Rapunzel and Eugene, Storm led me to it, moved held my chair out for me to sit, like a gentleman, and told me he would go get us something to drink but assured me he would be back in a little bit.

  Skylynn's POV:

  I had just excused myself and headed to one of the drink booths to get some grape juice. I wasn't really looking forward to the festival. I'd rather stay in my room instead of being here. Don't get me wrong. The festival was beautiful. All the lights, the people, the joy radiating through the kingdom was wonderful, I was just not really looking forward to party when my brother was wounded and in the dungeons. While I was sipping my drink, Storm came up next to me ordering two drinks.

  "Has the assault to the beautiful queen already started?" I asked with a smirk.

  "Which beautiful queen? I see two of them" was his nonchalant reply. I glared at him.

  "If I were you I'd be very careful. Not keeping your promises to a queen might have you… lose your head" And without waiting for an answer I walked away with my drink. As I tasted my grape juice, I walked around the square looking at the people, the booths, the kids. I also noticed the glances I got from some people as I walked. I admit I still wasn't used to it and, honestly, I didn't deserve all the glory. I was not alone in that rebellion. What about all those who died for their king? They are heroes. All those people who fought for their freedom are the real heroes.

  Anyway, as I looked around I saw the last three people I wanted to see: Theodore and the two apes. I glared at them, but restrained myself from doing anything stupid. I noticed they were looking for someone and I was pretty sure it was either me or Elsa and Anna, and I was NOT letting them near the two sisters, especially since Storm was under their command. I headed back towards where I left Anna and Elsa. I stood near a booth where I could clearly see both Anna and Kristoff dancing and Elsa sitting at a table with Storm talking. If Theodore and the other two were supposed to go near them, I could just walk to them and ruin their plans, whatever they had in mind. Luckily, they didn't. A few minutes later, the clock stroke 9:00 p.m. that meant it was time for Arendelle's Traditional Dances. I saw Elsa excuse herself and getting up from the table, followed by Anna and Kristoff, who had joined her and Storm. They walked to the front of the square, where the musicians were and the square fell silent. I walked up to the front row, so I could have a better view of them and so did Storm. I then noticed Anna signing me to come over. Trying not to attract too much attention, I walked over to them without complaining even if I didn't see the need for me to stand next to them. As soon as I was standing next to Anna, Elsa gave me a nod of the head, acknowledging my presence, then she turned back to her people and spoke up.

  "People of Arendelle" she began "I'll start by saying that you have all done a wonderful job at setting up our festival, as this is by far one of the best Autumn Festivals that we've had and I honestly have nothing else to say, but to wish you a wonderful night and to have fun. And now" she paused "the Traditional Dances will begin as Princess Anna and our Ice Master Kristoff Bjorman will star us off" then she turned towards her sister and Anna ,taking Kristoff's hand, headed to the middle of the square, in silence, as the musicians waited for the queen's cue to start the music. Then Elsa spoke up again as Kristoff and Anna stood there waiting "Before they star us off, though…" she gave a side smile to Kristoff "Our Ice Master has something to say" I saw Kris
toff pale as soon as she said that Hm… this has just got interesting. Kristoff fiddled with the collar of his shirt gulping. He shot Elsa a look and she answered with a warm smile. Anna seemed surprised at what was going on. Elsa took a few steps back and stood next to me.

  "What's going on?" I asked. She smiled not taking her eyes off the couple in the middle of the square.

  "Wait and see" she answered.

  "Okay… uhm… thank you, Queen Elsa for letting me have a moment" Kristoff began clearing his throat "There is indeed something that I needed to say…" he paused and looked nervously at a confused Anna " I had thought about it, but right now… I forgot what I was willing to say, so I'll improvise" he took a deep breath "Throughout our lives, we learn lots of things. Some things are taught by our parents, others we figure out on our own. If there is one thing life has taught me, is that there's just one life to live and we can't waste it" Everyone looked slightly confused at his words, and so did Anna, while Elsa was looking expectantly. Kristoff continued his speech as Anna looked at him confused "There is a friend of mine that says… well… he says that with all the women in this world, how do you know that the one you chose is the right one? I mean- there could be one in… Bekintosh, that is the right one for you, but you'll never meet her because… you'll never go to Bekintosh. There's another good friend of mine that says that you can't know that that person you chose is the right one, if you haven't known her long enough" he paused as he and Anna both gave Elsa a look as she silently snickered to herself. Then Kristoff went back to speaking "But I'm lucky" he said taking Anna's hands, getting back her attention "Because I know I found the one"

  "Aww… how cute…" murmured some people in the crowd around them. Anna blushed at his words.

  "I know this" Kristoff continued "Because I want to make you happy, because I want to surround you with beautiful things, I want to see you smile, I want to fall asleep every night with you kicking me" he said letting out a nervous chuckle "And I want to wake up every morning with your face next to mine… a-and I want to spend the rest of my life with you" At those words, Anna's face was unreadable, the was some awing in the crowd, and Elsa suddenly gripped my wrist tightly as her smile couldn't get any wider, I don't think she even noticed. By now, I knew what was going to happen next. Taking a deep breath, Kristoff put a hand in his pocket and took out a red velvet box and what he did next earned a gasp from both Anna and the crowd. "Anna, my love" he said and got down on his knee opening the box with a ring inside "Will you marry me?" he proposed. Tears of joy were forming in Anna's eyes as she nodded enthusiastically.

  "Yes! Yes! Absolutely!" she answered smiling joyfully. There was a general cheer from the crowd, even Elsa was clapping her hands cheering at her sister. Kristoff then took the ring out of the box, which he put back in his pocket and slid the ring on Anna's left ring finger. Then as he got up, Anna jumped in his arms kissing him happily. Kristoff smile couldn't get any bigger and so couldn't Anna's. I smiled at the newly engaged couple, then I don't know what happened, but in the general cheering, one moment I'm standing smiling at the couple, the next Elsa is hugging me. Even though I was surprised at first, I returned the hug.

  "My little sister is getting married!" she cheered happily hugging me tight. Then she noticed what she was doing and took a step away. "Sorry…" she apologized.

  "Nah, it's alright" I said smiling. Then she looked at the musicians and signed them to start playing, they immediately obliged. As the music started, it took a moment for Anna and Kristoff to realize there was music. The couple looked at Elsa and I. I gave them a thumbs up as Elsa motioned them to start the dances, but unable to contain her smile. Anna took Kristoff's hand and they started dancing at rhythm of Arendelle's traditional folk dances. Unlike during royal balls, apparently folk dances consisted more in a sort of playful 'dance competition' between the man and the woman, there were many moves Anna and Kristoff did singularly, but also others where Kristoff would have Anna twirl. After the first few minutes, people started to join in. At first, they repeated the same pattern of movements, but the moment the music got even livelier, people formed two circles, an inner one with all the ladies and an outer one with all the men, clasping their arms on each other's shoulders. Then the men stepped forward and the women came to the front, passing under the men's arms before linking their hands together and moving clockwise while men were moving counterclockwise until they divided men on one side, women on the other then they mixed up again in alternation, man, woman, man, woman and so on, everyone finding their partner again. It was indeed very similar to Corona's dances, but that's no wonder. Arendelle and Corona do come indeed from the same ancient tribes of the North, but while the part of population that remained in the North became the people of Arendelle, the other that moved to the warm South became the people of Corona. Anyway, the dances were indeed beautiful, and looked very fun, but in the end, the 'new tradition' cut in, after a while, and the folks started dancing freely with not a thought on their minds but having fun. It happens all the time.

  "Why don't you go for a dance, Skylynn?" Elsa asked me with a smile.

  "I'm not that much of a dancer and I'm not really in the mood. But Arendelle's dances sure look fun" I answered with a smile, crossing my arms "What about you?"

  "I don't really dance" she said looking at the people. As if on cue, Storm came to us.

  "Elsa, Skylynn" he greeted bowing. Elsa and I gave him a nod of the head.

  "Are you having fun, Storm?" Elsa asked… oh? On first name basis I see…

  "I am. The festival is amazing" he said then smiled "And it would be even better if you accepted my invitation, since as your chaperon it's only appropriate that I invite you to your first dance of the night" he said offering her his hand. Elsa gave him a timid smile.

  "Thank you, Storm. Only I don't dance" she said and in that moment both Storm and Elsa looked at me with a playful look.

  "And neither do I" I said before either one of them could say anything

  "Oh, that's a shame" Storm said. I knew he was about to add something, but thankfully for him, he caught the look I was giving him and restrained himself from doing so. In that moment Anna came to us with Kristoff trailing behind her holding her hand, with a smile that couldn't get any wider.

  "Elsa!" she called and tackled her sister in a bear hug with enough force to have Elsa take a couple of steps back, as she repeatedly kissed her cheek loudly, as Elsa embraced her back, while Kristoff and Storm shared a manly handshake "So this is why you and Kristoff were so suspicious these days!" Anna said keeping her arms locked around Elsa's neck. Elsa laughed.

  "Surprise!" she said with a smile. Anna smiled back, kissed her cheek once more and hugged her again.

  "That proposal could have melted the coldest of hearts, even mine" I told Kristoff with a side smile. He laughed at my comment.

  "Thank you, Queen Skylynn" he said with a smile.

  "Please, call me Sky" His grin got wider.

  "Of course, Sky" he replied. I smiled satisfied and directed my attention to Anna.

  "Congratulations!" I told Anna with a smile as she let go of her sister.

  "Thank you!" Anna said turning to me. She raised her hands as if she was about to hug me, but then retreated them, looking unsure. I smiled and held out my arms for her. Anna smiled widely and flung her arms around my neck as I leaned down a bit so she didn't have to stand on her toes. What? Whether I like it or not, I'm a Westerguard and being tall runs in our genes, plus, the fact that, without heels, my mom is as tall as Elsa wearing her 2 inch heels, doesn't really help. Anyway, I saw Elsa shake her head with a smile as Anna hugged me tightly. We pulled away, the exact moment in which Kristoff opened his arms taking a step towards Elsa, who wasn't looking.

  "Don't even think about it" Elsa said with a glare making him stop dead in his tracks. Storm, Anna and I chuckled.

  "Oh, come on!" he pouted "Your little sister just got engaged! Allow your soon-to-be-brother-in-law a hug!"

&nbs
p; "No" she answered hiding a smile

  "But Skylynn allowed Anna to hug her!"

  "I'm not Skylynn and you're not Anna" she answered

  "Frigid party pooper…" he mumbled.

  "Oooh… he dared" I mumbled as Anna stifled a laugh.

  "Excuse me?" Elsa said calmly

  "Nothing!" Kristoff replied with an innocent smile.

  "I think you said something" she said taking a step forward.

  "No, I didn't" he took a step back.

  "Yes, it sounded something like 'frigid party pooper', didn't it?"

  "I would never dare as much" he said, but Elsa kept stepping forward "A-Anna… sweetheart, darling, my lovely fiancée, help?"

  "Sorry, you asked for it" Anna said with a smile.

  "I was afraid of that" he said and looked at Elsa, his face morphed from uncomfortable to terrified "No… no… Elsa, don't look at me that way…. HELP!" and he quickly took off hiding in the crowd. Elsa just smiled to herself and walked back to us, with a satisfied smile.

  "No snow blasting, today?" Anna asked.

  "Too many people" Elsa said nonchalantly. Anna looked at both me and Elsa, then to the dance floor, then grabbed my forearm and Elsa's hand excitedly.

  "Let's go dance!" she suggested.

  "Uhm… no thank you" Elsa and I said in unison, holding our ground.

  "Come on! I just got engaged! Please, Elsa! Just a dance? For me?" Anna said giving Elsa the puppy-dog eyes. Elsa looked at me helpless. Ooohh, guilty trick!

  "Come on, Anna" I said getting her attention "I'm sure Elsa will eventually dance with you. But Storm here was pretty much up for dancing not too long ago" I said giving him a look as Anna moved her attention to him.

  "It would be an honor to have a dance with the Princess of Arendelle" Storm said with a small bow and a charming smile, holding out his hand for her.

  "The pleasure is all mine" Anna said happily taking his hand and going for a dance, but as she was walking away she didn't restrain herself from looking back and mouth a 'stupid!' to her sister who just shrugged. I smiled shaking my head, clasping my hands behind my back.