Crown Princess Elsa of Arendelle sat at an elaborate dressing table, watching calmly as her handmaiden put the finishing touches on her hair. She was already dressed and her makeup had been completed. Then the final pin was placed. She was more than presentable now, she was outstanding--just the way the King and Queen required it. 

"Thank you, Abegail," stated Elsa, shifting her eyes away. The neutral tone of her voice had less to do with a lack of appreciation for her handmaiden's help and more to do with her unease over what she'd been helping her dress for.

"Yes, your highness," murmured the handmaiden, withdrawing from the room. She was a sweet woman, older than the princess, who knew the girl's secret and pitied her greatly. Enough even to keep the secret and not to judge her harshly. But Elsa didn't want anyone's pity today... she had enough of it for herself.

As the door closed, Elsa rose from her vanity and crossed through streaming light to the large, latticed window in her room. It was already late morning. She placed gloved fingers against the glass, momentarily twinging at the memory of blasting it with ice as a child--so many mistakes she'd had, and looked out. 

It was a bright, beautiful morning with people milling about in the city below. To the side was the harbor, with many ships moored already. But Elsa easily picked out the royal ship from Corona Kingdom. She looked down, at the castle walls which were proudly thrust open, and was just in time to see the tail end of a procession. Just then trumpets blasted. 

"She's here," Elsa murmured, closing her eyes, hands slipping from the glass.

She turned and looked into a mirror. She had white blond hair twisted into her customary style, with a small tiara resting atop her head. Purple eyeshadow, rosy pink blush, dark pink lips. Tasteful stud earrings. Her dress was beautifully crafted. She looked flawless and fashionable. But did that equate beauty? What about her countenance? Unguarded as she was at the moment, Elsa's expression was uncertain and nagged by worry. There was, as always, an undercurrent of terror in her eyes, an almost hunted look that she could easily pick out. Did others see it too? She shuddered at herself and turned away, tugging at her gloves for reassurance.

There was a knock at the door. She smoothed her dress, straightened, and fully turned her back on the window. 

"You may enter," she called. Then she swallowed hard, her heart beginning to pound. Was it Anna herself? Or a manservant come to collect her? 'I'm not ready to see her!' she fretted, picturing the girl's typically enthusiastic and hopeful greetings, struggling to keep the war of emotions out of her posture and off of her face. But as soon as she saw who it was she felt like fainting with relief. "Abegail," she said, allowing herself just a sigh of relief and slumping of her shoulders.

The handmaiden curtsied, appearing not to notice her slipped control. "Yes, your highness. May I make any last minute adjustments for you? It is time to go down."

Elsa breathed calmly and forced herself to smile. "No, thank you. We will go now." She swept forward immediately, not stopping, trying to leave her fears behind. Abegail shut the door behind them.