Princess Elsa
by AJ Marks
Part 17
Elsa watched her mother take Lynn away before turning back to her father. He seemed to be pondering several things as he rubbed his chin. Elsa sat down and went over upcoming events. Sure, there was the winter festival, but that seemed too far away to be any good. Her father mumbled a few dates and seemed to not be pleased with any of them when one caught Elsa’s eye.
“What about the All Hallow Eve’s dance party I’m always invited to?” Elsa asked seeing her father look up.
“You’ve never attended before,” he said.
“I know, but it does gather a lot of attention,” she said.
“Hmm, it might work,” he said. “It’s still a couple of weeks away though, you think you can handle that? It’ll mean not seeing her as much as you’ve been seeing her.”
Elsa pouted at that, like a child being denied her favorite toy. Her pout was interrupted by a laugh from her father.
“I’m not forbidding it, just be a lot more careful in sneaking out, okay,” he said to her.
“Yes sir,” she said smiling.
“Now, I think we can get ready by that time, have a bio made up, she can go over it a few times, and on the night of the dance we’ll release the information on the royal website,” he said to her.
Elsa gave it some thought and realized it was probably the best and agreed. Before realizing she would have to come up with a costume and that it would have to ‘Star Wars’ themed, an old Earth show from some time ago which still held a lot of interest among its fans. She would have to look up some themes to see what type of costume she would wear.
It was that moment Lynn and her mother reappeared.
“So, what did you two come up with?” her mother asked.
“The All Hallow’s Eve dance at the King’s Palace,” her father replied back to her.
“Hmm, interesting choice,” her mother replied. “Give us time to get this one up to speed.”
“I’ll let you do that,” he replied.
Elsa looked back and forth wondering what they meant. It was easy, just announce it, maybe do a few other things, but no really that much of a complex issue to her.
“For now, I think I better get back to work, I have to go through the upcoming exhibit with Mr. Peters,” Lynn said.
“I’ll guide you back though the hallways,” Elsa said, despite a look from her parents they agreed.
Walking out of the room it was quiet for a few steps before Elsa’s curiosity got the better of her.
“What did my mother want to talk to you about?”
“Oh, just getting used to some things, things you’re probably used to, like being the center of attention, walking down a red carpet, that type of stuff,” Lynn replied back.
Elsa stopped to look at her.
“Are you having second thoughts?” she asked, nervous about the answer.
“You, no,” Lynn replied quickly making Elsa smile. “You’re world, it does scare me, but I think I can adapt, or go running screaming through the bushes.”
“Just not naked,” Elsa replied causing Lynn to laugh.
“So, about this dance, seems more like a party of who’s who from what I’ve read,” Lynn replied. “And you’ve never attended, though Anna does.”
“She is the party goer of the two of us,” Elsa said. “And, normally I’ve had other things to do.”
“Means I’ll have to get a costume,” Lynn said. “What’s the theme this year?”
“Star Wars.”
“Really,” Lynn replied, Elsa saw her eyes light up. “Always wanted to be a Jedi, or a Sith, but Jedi have the cooler lightsaber colors.”
“Um, if you say so,” Elsa replied.
“You’ve never seen Star Wars?”
“No.”
“We’ll have to change that,” Lynn said. “It’s a classic, though the technology is dated now, and special effect cheesy, its still a great sci-fi universe. Or at least the first three films were, the second three were okay, and the last three, meh.”
Elsa suppressed an urge to giggle at the excitement Lynn showed.
“I think we can help you with a costume,” Elsa said.
“Guess I have to look my best,” Lynn said, as they turned the corner.
“You always look good,” Elsa replied. “This corridor will take you back to the museum.”
“Till later, text you,” Lynn said.
“Look forward to it.”
With that she took off back to work, leaving Elsa looking on before heading back to her own small office to see what else she had going on today.
*****
Lynn relaxed at home, watching the TV and the local news. So far things were actually calm within the Empire and a few other powers were fighting but wasn’t effecting them, at least not yet.
She had been texting Elsa quite a bit, along with her friends who now were asking for all types of things, and pictures. They had been quiet about things so far and she had been meeting with the queen regularly to practice on how to act, what to expect.
Surprisingly a new friend had been Kristoff who had helped her out as well, but then again he had gone through all of this as well, and Eugene who had texted her with advise as well. Add in support from both the king and queen it made her feel better, though not seeing Elsa was the only bad part of waiting.
“Rumors are swirling at the palace recently about Princess Elsa, up next after these commercials,” the new anchor said.
Lynn paused before texting Elsa.
So, what did you do that the news is talking about you?
Sending that off she waited not surprised at the quick reply.
No idea, been too busy with work to do anything else. Have to keep myself occupied until All Hallow’s Eve.
Lynn chuckled as the news came back on and she turned to see what happened now. She had learned over the past few weeks that most of the rumors were false, or had some other truth which the media distorted for some sensationalism that the King’s press secretary would have to deal with.
“Princess Elsa, the heir to the empire, is in the middle of vicious rumors of being in a lover’s affair.”
Lynn coughed at that.
“The person in speculation is an older gentleman who they think works for the museum,” the reporter said. “We don’t know much but its rumored she is involved with a married man. Of course we tried to contact the royal palace to confirm these rumors but so far there has been no reply.”
Um, you’re having an affair with some married man who works for the museum?
Lynn frowned hoping that this bit of news wouldn’t affect her boss, which was probably the person they were speculating about.
I am?
Heard it on the news, it must be true. Said they tried to contact the royal palace for conformation.
Lynn watched a bit more as the reporters went live to the palace as they spoke for a bit before the news turned to another subject.
We heard nothing, putting out a press release on it. Dad says thanks.
She felt a bit happy at what happened. Sure, her past relationship had someone who cheated on her often, but for some reason it felt nothing like what Elsa would do. Of course, it was something the queen warned her about as well, always swirling rumors of the king, or Elsa, or Anna involved with someone else but they were very loyal.
Oh yeah, expect a costume designer to show up to help you design your costume.
Okay, you have yours?
With that there was a pause before Elsa replied back.
Got my idea from Anna.
Really, who are you going to be?
Lynn wanted to know.
It’s a surprise.
Spoil sport.
It’s worth the wait.
Hope so.
Lynn looked to see what else her friends were doing before deciding to turn in early wondering how many others had seen the ‘news’ when she went into work tomorrow.
*****
Lynn made her way into work seeing several co-workers standing around. Walking over she could hear what they were talking about this morning.
“So, which of you is the lucky one?” one asked who Lynn didn’t the name of.
“It’s all speculation and rumor, don’t believe any of it,” an older worker said.
“They don’t lie, they have a lot of people looking into this, and if she’s having an affair with an older, married man, she’s terrible,” the younger man said.
“I know who it isn’t,” Lynn said looking at him. “She has too much class for someone like you, or to be going after some married man.”
“Oh, look at you, know so much,” he said with a laugh. “Guess we’ll all bow down to you Miss I-graduated and know so much more than anyone else.
Lynn started to say something else when Mr. Peters walked in.
“I take it we’re not hung up on rumors?” he asked.
“Nope,” the younger one said.
“Yep, they were,” the older man said pointing to the younger one. “Has dreams of disillusions.”
“We don’t deal with rumors, so get back to work, you’re not paid to be gossip nannies,” Lance said to them.
Lynn watched as everyone walked away and she headed to her office as well. Part of her couldn’t wait until they made the announcement. Heading into her office sand powering on her computer she waited as the program loaded and connected.
“Everything okay?” Lance said standing at her office door.
“Yep,” Lynn replied, watching as he entered and closed the door before sitting down across from her.
“This was what I was afraid of,” he said and Lynn had the impression he wasn’t speaking of anything at the museum. “The princess thought she was sneaky, but I noticed her several times and put two and two together before talking to the king who confirmed my suspicions.”
“We’re you afraid I wasn’t doing my job?” Lynn asked.
“Oh, no, you’re work has been great, better than I expected and a fast learner,” he said to her. “I was more worried about rumors and, well, what happened earlier in the corridor with the other co-workers if rumors started. They would start looking for her, and who knows what else.”
“I see.”
“Though, I will admit, hearing that the princess was having an affair with a married man was amusing, especially to my wife,” he said.
“She wasn’t mad at you?” Lynn asked.
“No, I already informed her of what was going on, she’s the one who suggested I tell the king,” Lance replied to her. “So, when do you finally come out?”
“All Hallow’s Eve dance,” Lynn said, suddenly nervous.
“I see, I suggest you take the next day off, it will give you the weekend to sort things out,” he said to her. “I can remember when Anna announced she was dating Kristoff that was big news, and then her wedding, a circus around here. I really made things hectic around here.”
“Yeah, and they’ll know I work here,” Lynn said.
“Don’t worry, while the museum is public, the offices are not, and we’re associated with the palace so there are many ways to get you into work.”
“Thanks,” Lynn relied feeling as if she had another person she could talk to about this. Her friends were supportive, but had no idea what to do and not to do.
“So, what are you going as?” he asked, leaning back into his chair.
“A Jedi,” she said.
“Star Wars, interesting,” he replied. “We had an exhibit for that last year.”
“I know, wanted to go but couldn’t, was in school too much,” she said.
“Pity, it was a lot of fun,” he said to her.
“Yeah, and I’m a Star Wars nut,” Lynn said.
“Then we’ll have to bring it back some day,” he told her.
Lynn considered that before looking back at Lance who appeared to be thinking.
“Things will be getting interesting around here, that much is for sure,” he finally said standing up. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Yes sir,” Lynn replied,
“You’ll have to make sure you do your best for a while, with everything that’s going to happen, at least until the media sensation dies down a bit,” he said to her.
“Yeah, think I’ll just be myself,” Lynn replied.
“Best advice to follow, its easier to maintain,” he replied before leaving the room.
Lynn wondered what might happen next.
End part 17