Chapter Text
“People of Arendelle.” I was standing on a raised platform in the middle of the city, surrounded by a sea of townsfolk. My throat was dry. I didn’t know what to say to them to explain away all the years they were left to fend for themselves. “A very long time ago, you were told that Princess Anna had died. You were told she snuck out one night and froze. Well… that wasn’t true.” Now was the moment of my big confession. Kristoff smiled ever so slightly from his place in the crowd.
“I have the power to create snow and ice, frost and cold.” I carefully extended my hand towards the fountain, freezing it solid in an instant. “It was this power, my power… I froze Anna’s heart. That is why she died.” My throat closed, and I fought down sobs. The people gasped, some even shouted. “Since that day she has haunted the castle. It fell into ruin and darkness as her spirit grew more angry and corrupted. However, the curse is broken now.
“Anna and I were just children. Neither of us could have known what my power was capable of. Now that you know the truth, you have a choice. Should you chose to reject me as Queen, for all the grave misdeeds I have done to you through my neglect, and for the murder of my sister, I will leave this kingdom. You don’t need me. You’ve survived without the monarchy for five years.
“However, if that is not your choice, if you do not reject me as queen, I will do my best to work alongside your mayor to return Arendelle to the beautiful, prospering nation it was under my parents. There will be no more secrets. That is all. I will return to the castle and await notice of your decision.” I left the square, motioning for my guards not to follow. They, like the rest of the townspeople, should have a say. Kristoff caught up with me a few moments later.
“I’ve given them my vote.”
“You don’t count. You’re not even a citizen.” But I looped my arm through his.
“I could be. If you stay here, I will too. If you promise to visit my family with me. I can’t hold them off much longer.
“Well, I guess we’ll see.”
It was three days after the incident in the garden. The statue still stood there, unmelting even in the spring heat. Hans’ body had been removed. When Anna’s spirit was freed from the curse, the part of her soul that had gotten all twisted up with Hans’ tore free. The shock was too much for him; he succumbed at once and died. His companions departed immediately to bring his body home, but of course they had to have the full story before he left. We would have been in very much trouble had there not been witnesses from the windows of Hans trying to kill a little girl. I was afraid of the Southern Isles’ reaction to his death, but that was a problem for another day.
I went now to the garden with Kristoff to sit by Anna. We passed the day there. Not a bad way to spend what could be my last hours in the castle that was my childhood home. Eventually, though, the enormous ringing of the castle bells broke the moment of peace. The decision had been made.
***
Seven years have passed since that day. Seven years of being Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Of course I am not alone; I married Kristoff after five years of ruling, and met his family.
They were strange at first, but kind and warm-hearted. I was a bit of a fixer upper, and they understood.
New trade routes have opened up; Arendelle is now quite close economically to the Southern Isles. Weselton officially declared itself bankrupt and became part of Arendelle to help repay its debts. It is now richer than ever. I am sure the late Duke would be quite happy.
The ice statue of Anna was moved from the garden to a small park in the center of town, where it remains unchanged year after year. The first winter following the events of seven years ago, a field of Olafs sprang up around Anna. Kristoff said they were creepy, but they weren’t the mutilated creatures of my former nightmares. They smiled, some even waving tiny stick arms in the air. I cried when I saw them, and a little girl playing nearby asked me why.
“These snowmen are named Olaf,” I said. “They like warm hugs, and it’s getting cold.”
“Why don’t you hug them then, Queen Elsa?”
So I did, and soon all the children in the park were following suit. When they reappear every year, I’m not sure whether it’s Anna or the other children that make them. I suppose it doesn’t matter.
I’m expecting an heir soon, a prince or princess. Remembering my own childhood, I am afraid, but I’ve learned to see things differently… hopefully. I remember playing with
Anna, seeing the joy in her eyes. Childhood can be a time of wonder and complete blissfulness, and it is my prayer that that is what this child will know instead of the fear of the dark.
I still sing to Anna sometimes, although she’s never replied. The Olafs are enough of a message for me. Nonetheless, I sing, not knowing if she can hear. It is enough for me to know that once, we were sisters. Once, we built snowmen in the ballroom and ran, laughing, down the halls. Every time I sing to Anna, I am reminded, and I am happy.
“Do you wanna build a snowman?”