Prompt 3: One Scene

(An unpublished extra from A Musical Collection; "I Didn't Know They Did That Anymore", in which the staff comes upon a touching scene one evening after the thaw.)

"Come quick! They're doing it again!" It was a sight to behold, according to the excited maid. Her rapid-fire chatter soon had the rest of the staff hot on her heels up the stairs. She shushed them as they drew near to the half-open doorway. One by one, they popped their heads in for a quick, subtle peek.

There, speaking in low voices, were the queen and the princess. Barely a week after their reunion, they were still inseparable. This circumstance, however, was unprecedented. As the castle's workers filtered by, the voices in the comfortable sitting room petered out into silence. Gerda was the last to approach the door, and she lingered while the others left to gossip. She stepped into the room with fondness in her eyes at the sight of Elsa and Anna sprawled on the couch. Anna was fast asleep on her back wearing a gentle smile, for on top of her lay Elsa. The nervous expression that usually adorned the young monarch's face was gone with her ear pressed against her sister's chest, obviously listening to a heartbeat even in sleep.

Gerda put a hand to her mouth in wonder as her eyes teared up. The scene reminded her so much of the girls in their childhood. So often she used to find them curled up asleep together whether out and about in the castle or in one of their beds. The unexpected sight of their peaceful young faces as they lay fast asleep in each other's arms again made Gerda's heart ache with gladness, and she was smiling as she returned to the kitchen where a discussion was already underway.

"Well of course they'd do that," one lady said. "They've been separated for thirteen years."

"I have never seen the princess be still for so long in all my life," the old nanny grumbled.

"I never thought Her Majesty would let another person that close!" another maid exclaimed. "She's always been so cold and standoffish."

"It's because she's been terrified of her powers almost her whole life," a butler insisted. "I think she has wanted this all along."

"Princess Anna certainly has," the cook added, nodding. "She missed her sister so very much."

"So did our queen," Gerda mentioned quietly. "I'm so glad. Thank you for showing us, Elise. I didn't know they did that anymore."