♛ She doesn’t realize that it’s him upon first glance. In fact, it takes several moments of silent disbelief on her part before she even makes an attempt to cross the street to get a better look and in finally doing so she can confirm that it is, indeed, the prince of the Southern Isles standing mere yards away calmly inspecting the fruit being sold from a nearby vendor. She parts her lips to speak but not a single sound dares escape as she watches him. A quick scan of the nearby area surrounding is enough to confirm that, for the time being, he is alone and Elsa is well aware that she needs to capture his attention in some way but with such a good chunk of distance spread between the two she wouldn’t dare raise her voice or shout. She panics briefly over her complete loss of how to properly approach him given their last exchange. Instinctively, one hand reaches up to rub at the opposite wrist as its so easy to recall the heavy weight of the cuffs that once rooted her to the dungeon cell. Once more, she silently weighs her options until seemingly fate itself causes the other to glance in her direction-- their eyes finally meeting.
While she could have easily expected his reaction to be anything but joyful, she is left perplexed by the one she receives. His posture seems to stiffen momentarily-- expression shifting to something entirely unreadable to the queen just before he recoils. When he abruptly turns away and begins to stalk off, her brows crinkle together in confusion of which cannot be easily disguised. Why did he seem so wary of her presence? It takes only a moment until the realization comes crashing upon her, head immediately bowing in both embarrassment and shame. Of course. He, much like everyone else back in Arendelle, had now become aware of how much of a danger she truly was. In fact, it was Hans who had witnessed more so than even her own sister when it had been only his pleading voice that was able to previously shake her from whatever terrifying trance she had been in once before. When she had almost...
Elsa halts the thought with a shake of her head before finally lifting her gaze once more to search for the prince’s form among the many strangers scattered in between. At any other time and in any other place she would have been more than content to allow him to escape but this situation was different. He couldn’t get away, not when she needed so desperately to find out whether or not Anna was safe at home where she belonged. There’s an unshakable sense of dread that washes over the queen as she presses forward the second she catches sight of the man once more. The noble prince and the gullible princess... Hans and Anna... The two desired marriage, didn’t they? If he was trapped within the barricades of the city as well then the likelihood of her sister suffering a similar fate was far too large to ignore.
“Wait!” She finally cries out when she gets closer to him, hoping that her voice will be enough to bring the other to a halt as she wouldn’t dare reach a hand out to grasp for him. “Please.” If not the previous command then perhaps the hint of desperation in her tone will be enough to do the trick.
“I won’t hurt you...” But it is a promise she cannot keep should he be the unfortunate one to deliver the news she is dreading to hear. “I only need to ask you a single question.”
