Prompt 4: One Song

Lullaby

Anna sat quietly with her sister on the couch. They had been reading silently, but now she was watching Elsa's head nod as the queen fought off sleep. Eventually she gave in and listed to the side. Anna let her sister lean against her and she smiled as the queen unconsciously rested her head on Anna's shoulder.

"Why do you always fall asleep when we're sitting here together?" Anna murmured curiously. "I never find you asleep in your study."

"You make me feel safe," Elsa slurred, still mostly asleep. Her voice startled Anna but she made sure not to move. "I… I don't feel as safe when I'm alone." She sleepily nuzzled into Anna's shoulder. The girl bit her lip in concern.

"Is that why you don't sleep well at night?" Elsa's eyes opened at this question and she lifted her head.

"You know about that?" Anna nodded in response, regretful that her comment had woken her sister.

"Sometimes I check on you. You know, to make sure you're really there," Anna admitted. "I can hear you moving restlessly even from outside your door at pretty much any hour of the night."

"Oh Anna, if you needed something you could have asked and I'd have let you in! I promised I'd never turn you away again," Elsa exclaimed, guilt filling her eyes.

"No, that's not what I meant," Anna replied. "And that's not what this is about anyway. It's about you not getting any rest. Because you don't feel safe, you said?" Elsa dropped her eyes in shame.

"It's nonsensical, I know."

"It doesn't have to make sense," Anna argued gently. "What matters is if anything can be done about it. You don't seem to have any problem falling asleep around me," she noted.

"I'm sorry, Anna," Elsa entreated. "It's not because I find you boring at all. You're not!"

"That's not what I meant either, Elsa. You're obviously exhausted – that's all. I'm concerned about your wellbeing, not about my entertainment value. I know you love me. You've made that perfectly clear, so don't apologize." She smiled, recalling the innumerable ways Elsa had lavished love upon her over the past few months. Then concern crept into her voice. "So you don't feel safe when you are alone?"

"I don't know," Elsa murmured. "It really doesn't make sense – I'm used to being alone. I guess it reminds me of being isolated and missing you so, so much. And now that I have you, it's even harder to feel okay when I'm on my own." Anna nodded slowly with understanding. Elsa had curled in on herself in shame, so Anna put her arm around her sister's tense shoulders and pulled her close.

"I can fix that," she whispered comfortingly into Elsa's hair. "Will you let me stay with you tonight?" Though surprised, Elsa nodded.

That night was strange for Elsa in the best of ways; she was not alone. Anna settled happily under the covers beside her sister, but became worried when the older girl did not relax.

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly after a while.

"I don't know," Elsa replied. "I can't… I'm sorry, Anna. I guess I'm just broken." Anna sat up in an indignant rush.

"Don't talk about my sister like that! She is not broken!" She leaned on one elbow and cradled Elsa's cheek with her other hand. "You are not broken." Anna's gentle touch drew the tension right out of Elsa's face, and when the princess noticed this she smiled. "You're not broken, and I love you so much." Elsa's eyes softened and eventually closed as Anna continued to stroke her hair and face. Anna began to hum a soft song, calling her sister to relax and helping her to feel safe. Only when Elsa lay completely still and fast asleep did Anna lie down beside her again. She nestled into her sister's side and her song faded into the safe, comfortable silence of sleep. It was the best night's sleep Elsa had had in years.

AN: Anna's song was "One Song" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Heard it recently and thought it would make a nice lullaby. The prompt reminded me of it.