Author Note:
This is my first Frozen fanfic, I've been an avid reader in Frozen fandom but was a bit nervous about starting one.
After a lot of consideration, I decided to give it a try anyway. I would really appreciate any reviews from you all. Enjoy. - B
CHAPTER 1: The Midnight Letter and Prince of Edelwest
Elsa sat in front of her desk. Literally buried in a bunch of paperwork. She glanced at the grandfather clock that indicated it was almost midnight. She sighed and rubbed her temple. This is why she never a big fan of paperwork. Even how much she hates it, she couldn't just abandon them. Most of these stacks are trade agreement and stuff. She wished she could have a magical power that could magically finish all of this stuff in a matter of minutes. It was Friday night which means tomorrow is Saturday. That's one of the reason she wanted to finish this by tonight, so tomorrow she could do something else. She closed her eyes for a second then opened it again. Glanced back at the paperwork in front of her. Fortunately, this was the last one. She sighed. She opened it and started to read that last trade document.
It's been a year since her coronation last year. She remembered it correctly. The eternal winter she accidentally set in Arendelle. Though she still wasn't sure how that happened. Sometimes she is often wondered what she is capable of. Even until now, she doesn't have a logical explanation on how she could build a walking talking snowman like Olaf and Marshmallow. Or how she could set off an eternal winter on Arendelle. That was an unpleasant memory for her but it was also something that brought her here now. If something like that never happened, she wasn't sure she could be here. The gates might still be close and she might not have a chance to reconnect and rekindle her relationship with Anna again.
A knocked on her door interrupted her concentration. She frowned a little. Who would be outside her study this late?
"Enter." She granted. The door swung open. Kai appeared in his usual green attire. He bowed.
"Your Majesty, I just received this letter addressed to you." He handed her a letter. She furrowed her eyebrows.
It was unusual for a letter to arrive at this hour. It usually delivers to her in the morning. She received that letter and saw the familiar seal embedded in the back of the envelope.
"Thank you Kai. That'll be all." She said to the older man. Kai nodded slightly and bowed before he left the study.
She ripped it carefully and unfolded the letter. She recognised the handwriting immediately. She couldn't help but smile.
HM Queen Elsa Aleksandra of Arendelle,
I hope this letter finds you and your sister in good health. First, I want to apologise for not attended your coronation last year. I was assigned as a delegation for Edelwest on a political matter. But I knew all the details from my brother Prince Robert who was there at your coronation. I must say I was shocked when I first heard the news about it. It's been a few years since the last time I saw you. People talked about it. They talked about some sorceress from Arendelle who set off an eternal winter in the whole kingdom.
I'm sorry something like that happened. I couldn't help but feel guilty because I wasn't there. If I was there maybe I could prevent something like that from happening. Remember the last ball we attended together? Or maybe almost every ball you attended with me it seemed, I was the only reason you could be distracted.
I'm sure it must've been hard for you. I clearly understood how excruciating it was for you and Anna. But here you are right now. Stepped in as a ruler of Arendelle. I never had a doubt that you'd make a wonderful and magnificent ruler.
Elsa my dear,
If I may be so bold to say, I miss you. It's been almost five years since the last time I saw you. And when I received your invitation to attend the anniversary of your coronation, I decided to come to Arendelle. Let's just say, this is me being sorry for not being there last year. I will be there two weeks before the anniversary ball.
I look forward to see your beautiful smile again, soon.
Yours Truly
HRH Prince Richard Rutherford of Edelwest.
P.S: Wow, I can't believe you're a Queen now. It means I should call you, Your Majesty. Hmm, it sounded pretty on you.
Elsa snorted and couldn't help but chuckle softly. Only one person in her life she knew who could lump sympathetic expression and flirtatious banter together in one letter. That person is Prince Richard of Edelwest. Her one and only friend. At least throughout her isolation years only his letters she found quite enjoyable other than books. They knew each other for a long time. She was only nine and Richard was only ten back then. It was an unexpected encounter.
Elsa took a glance at the book that was placed next to her stack of paperwork. It all started because of that book. She reached the book and brushed the cover before opening it. Soon, she found herself lost in each every word in that book.
Arendelle, 1828
"Why do you like this story?" the boy with brown hair asked.
The room was lit. It was warm that night even though it was snowing outside. This year is going to be another long winter for Arendelle. It will usually last 8-10 months. It never bothered Elsa for sure. She likes the cold. One thing that troubled her is that when the dark winter would come. Because there'll be no light and no sun at all. She wouldn't know if it is morning or night because there will be no difference. The sun will not set in. That terrified her. She used to spend the dark winter with Anna. But ever since their parents separated both of them, Elsa couldn't find a peace of mind every time the dark winter reaches Arendelle. She would lock herself in her room and terrifies, worst, she would freeze her room solid. She hates the darkness.
Her mind was wondering around. She didn't really pay much attention to what the boy said.
"Are you even listening to me?" asked the boy again. This time, he got her attention.
"Sorry. What did you ask?"
"I'm asking, why do you like this story?" he pointed to the book in her lap.
"Oh. Hmm.. the sacrifice." she said barely audible. She lowered her head.
The boy smiled.
"The thing you would do for sibling, right?" he continued. She turned to him. He seems like he genuinely knew what she feels for this book.
"You've read it, haven't you?" she guessed. He nodded.
"It never ceased to amaze me what the younger one did for her eleven older brothers. The younger is always the spare. They're nothing like their older siblings. An extra button on a coat in case another one comes lose. There's not much they could do. Never been prioritised."
Elsa was still looking at him. Intrigued. She knew he understood the meaning of the story. Sacrifice. But it seemed he has a different approach and angle of understanding the story. She didn't say anything but only looked at him. She gave him a look as if asking for an explanation.
"I've always wondering what is it like to be prioritised. To be the one with the bigger expectation from my parents. To be more than just a spare. Back home, my older brother Robert is always the one that my parents considered as important. Because he's the one who will ascend the throne right after my father. My parents attention are always to him,"
"But then, when I read this book, I was quite in awe and adored Elisa the Wild Swan. Because in spite of being the younger and the spare, she still would do anything in her power to save her eleven brothers from the curse. That sacrifice is really beautiful. And I realised that no matter how much jealousy I have for my brother, I would do the same thing as Elisa if something bad happen to him. You would do whatever it takes to protect the ones you loved. Even if it means a huge sacrifice."
She looked at him in amazement. She never knew what is it like to be treated poorly by her parents. Because she's just like what he described. She's always the one that her parents prioritised. Even before the accident happened. She is always the one who steals her parents attention. She is expected to have a high manner. Always dictated about what she should do or shouldn't do. Her parents would be mad if she had a little scrape on her knees and would lecture her strictly about her behaviour. Sometimes it frustrated her. She wanted to be free. She wanted to do things as she wishes. But she never could do that.
Anna is always the one with such a high spirit. She is free to do whatever she wants. She hops a lot, jumps and laughs hysterically and no one would be bother by that. She envies her for that often times. She wanted to have a life like that, to be carefree and cheerful. Not to be dictated. She wondered if that's what Anna feels for her. Just like the dark haired boy beside her.
"You should be grateful. To be the one who's free to do anything you want. The older is the one who's always been dictated what to do. And believe me, it is uncomfortable. But I agree about the sacrifice. I would do anything if it means to protect my sister." she finally said. She lowered her head once more when she said her last sentence.
It didn't go unnoticed by him. Slowly her gloomy feelings triggered something she didn't even realised at first.
"It's snowing in here. Wait, where's the snow coming from?" The boy asked while looking around. Confused.
Elsa snapped at the realisation and instantly tensed. Terrified by the thought of hurting the boy. The unpleasant memory of the accident last year possessed her.
"Leave me alone." she said firmly.
"What?"
"I said leave me alone!" she pressed.
"Don't be ridiculous, why would I do that?"
Elsa didn't answer him. She was really nervous. Afraid of doing something beyond her control. She just hoped that her powers would not spiralling out of control.
A realisation dawned to him. He looked at her with an indescribable look. A look she was mistaken as fear.
"It's you, isn't it? You're making it snow!" his face lightened up in an instant. Elsa frowned. Found a little courage to look at him.
"Just, go. I… I don't want to hurt you."
"Hurt me? You could never hurt me." he said. Still awestruck by the realisation.
She shot him a look of disagreement.
"I mean, not that you couldn't. Duh! I bet you could but I don't think you would." He raised his eyebrow smugly and continued,
"That is why! You like the book because you saw yourself as the Wild Swan. You would do anything to protect your sister. That is why you distanced yourself from Anna because you want to protect her."
Elsa was surprised at the mention of Anna.
"Wait, what? You knew my sister Anna?" she was confused.
"I met her at the party downstairs, she wouldn't stop talking about you. Saying that she doesn't understand why you keep your distance and shut her out. You can't control it, can you?" he guessed again. Elsa went silent for a while before saying,
"Yes. So you knew everything and for your safety's sake, please leave me alone!" she pleaded this time.
"Hey, you would never hurt me. Look!" he placed his hand on hers. Being treated so forward like that made her instinctively tensed but she couldn't move away because his hand captured hers first.
"See? You're all right. You are fine. I know you wouldn't hurt me."
"H.. how could you know that?"
"I don't know. But I have a gut feeling. My mother told me that I should always trust my gut. And my gut is telling me, that we could be good friends." He said and gave her reassuring smile, the one that she finally couldn't help but smile back.
Elsa closed the book and opened the small drawer not far from her desk. She pulled out a small box. When she opened it she could see a pile of letters. She unfolded one of them and read the handwriting on it. It was quite dusty because she kept it for years. She always goes back to read each letter whenever she needed a little distraction. At least back when she was in her isolation years. It eased her mind. Comforted her in a strange way. Her eyes traced each words on the paper. This one is her favourite. It was written beautifully, especially the last two stanzas.
One shade the more, one ray the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven trees
Or softly lightens o'er her face
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent - Lord Byron
Yours,
HRH Prince Richard Rutherford of Edelwest
She sighed. At least he was right about his gut. They did indeed became good friends. But after the death of her parents, she stopped responding to his letters. She just couldn't bear to reply the letters. It was a very excruciating moment for her. She hadn't grasped the concept of controlling her powers at that time. She knew she will be a Queen someday she just wasn't expected it to be so soon. So, that burden weighted on her. She couldn't think about anything else other than how to carry out her duty once she ascended the throne. He didn't stop sending letters to her because of that.
She shook her head. It was all excuses. At that time she just didn't know what she should write to him. Telling him about the tragedy of her parents was too devastating for her and she wasn't sure she could do that. Let alone telling him while thinking about it at that time made her sick to her stomach. The grief was just too great.
But even though she didn't reply anything, she still found herself enjoying each story of him. It was a good life for him. He had been through lots of adventures around the world. He went to places she never imagined to visit and could only dream of. Places that she only knew from books. Besides, he's a kind of person who could be so animated when he started telling story. At least at that time his letters was the only distraction she got, the only thing that could ease her mind from everything.
