Frozen characters owned by Disney.

1.

Family

Elsa's POV

It has been little over two years since I began comfortably reigning as Queen of Arendelle. Depending on how you look at it, so much has been going on or nothing at all has happened since then. I've gotten much work done. Arendelle has become one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the world. Our trade is thriving, and since I am capable of taming the harsh winters of our land, the people here no longer fear ice and snow. It has been a wonderful time for my people.

It will only get happier, I thought, looking outside my window into the harbor. It was such a lovely day. I hoped it would be like this tomorrow. My beloved sister deserved nothing but the best for her wedding. Even Kristoff, the gruff, burly mountain of a man she was claiming deserved it as well. They both did. For all the things the two of them have done for me, I wanted nothing more for their lives to be perfect.

Like clockwork, moments after I was dressed and ready for the day, there was the familiar knock at the door that I had come to expect on a daily basis. It was Anna. The happy sound of her at my door brought a smile to my face. Surely she was anxious about tomorrow. Even I found myself rolling about in nerves. If I was nervous at giving my baby sister away, I could not imagine how she felt.

"Good morning, Anna," I purred, opening the door. She squealed, hugging my neck before I could say much else. We fell back into my room, laughing. "Someone is excited."

"Of course I am! The wedding is tomorrow! I can't wait! We only have a few more things to do and then there's tonight! Oh, tonight!" Anna's long, braided red hair danced behind her, as if to mirror the dancing movements of her feet. She twirled around my room, then hoisted herself up onto my bed. "I can't wait, we haven't had a night together in months it seems! There's been so much to do and I can't wait to just spend time with you!" She swung herself around the large bedpost. I could not help but giggle at her enthusiasm.

"I hate to burst your bubble kiddo but you do have some work to do before the fun can begin tonight. You do remember that, don't you?" I folded my arms across my chest in a valiant attempt to appear stern.

"Not fair!" Anna pouted. She jumped back onto the floor in front of me, lip poked out in a pout. Once again, my firm demeanor had been melted away by her cuteness. Who can tell that face no? A heartless person?

"Okay, okay, I do get to at least do one thing right today," I said, lips curling up in a smirk.

"Oh? What's that?"

"I have to keep you away from Kristoff." With a giggle of delight, I grabbed Anna's hand. She half laughed, half gasped in protest, but as I dragged her out into the halls, she did not object to wherever I was taking her. I had a surprise for her, and I was fairly sure she would like the gesture. After slowing down from our spontaneous run, I stopped her outside a door.

"Now, you have to close your eyes," I said.

"Aw, why? I thought you said no surprises."

"I lied. Now, eyes closed, or I'll be forced to use drastic measures," I threatened with a devious smile. My hand began conjuring up a snowball. Anna backed away in defeat.

"Okay, okay! They're closed!" She obeyed, even putting a hand over her eyes. I took her other hand and opened the door. Leading her in, I took one last look around the room. Everything was perfect, just for her, just as it should be.

"You can open them now," I said softly, squeezing her hand. Anna opened her eyes. She gave a small gasp. Her hand flew to her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes as I watched her take the scene in.

The room was small. In the center of the room was a mannequin. That mannequin had been fitted with a light blue dress, nearly identical to the one I had worn in my ice palace. It was fitted for Anna. The only difference is that it had white trim and a few more snowflakes. I felt myself becoming insecure quickly. Sheepishly I spoke.

"So, you like it after all?" I asked quietly, moving a hand to the back of my neck.

"It's perfect," Anna whispered, blinking back her tears. "I love it."

"I just remembered how much you said you loved the one I wore, and you've been having such a hard time deciding what you wanted to wear. I know you decided on one yesterday, and you don't have to wear this, but-"

She cut me off. Her arms were flung around my neck again. It was such a warm, loving embrace. I couldn't even continue to speak. I hugged her waist. How could I be so afraid of impressing her? Even though she kissed the ground I walked on, I still felt the need to please her. After two decades of ignoring her though I guess it was ground into my brain that I needed to be a better sister.

"It's beautiful, Elsa. I would love to wear it tomorrow. Thank you," she whispered again, only tightening her arms around me. I coughed a little shyly, but smiled despite myself. It was so wonderful to see her happy.

"Now, you can't show it to Kristoff. You want to surprise him tomorrow, right?" I said, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah! That's a great idea!" she agreed, letting go of me. She bounced back, giggling. "Which reminds me. I know I'm not supposed to go see him, but-"

"Ah ah ah, don't you get any ideas, I will handcuff you to me if I need to." I waggled a finger at her.

"But Elsa!..."
"Don't 'But Elsa' me. You know that you can't see him the day before your wedding. We have plenty to do ourselves to day. We have to test the cake, see to it that all the guests will be taken care of, check the seating arrangements…" I continued to ramble off useless chores that I was fairly certain Anna would have no interest in. But, she put on a brave face and we began our rounds around the castle. I was careful to take her the long way around, away from Kristoff's room, and if she noticed, she did not object. She was growing up.

I was so proud of her. I loved my sister so much. We had been so busy the past two years, it was almost like we'd still not had time for one another, but somehow we managed. She and Kristoff became engaged a few months ago, and I thought it was the most perfect thing in the world. Even though it was beautiful, I was still terrified. Anna and Kristoff were my world. They were all that I had. In a way, I felt like I was losing them. As Anna and I continued our rounds, my mind continued to wander. I felt like a part of me was going to be lost when Anna and Kristoff finally said their 'I dos'. Anna would be a wife. Kristoff would become a husband and a prince. He was such a wonderful match for Anna. I admired him. He and I became close friends following the months after my coronation.

In a completely different light, I was so excited to have a family back in the castle. For years, there was just lonely silence. Anna changed that. Anna was the sole purpose that this castle was brought back to life. She was the only reason I still had a life. I owed her everything, and sometimes, I wondered if I did not tell her that enough. I was happy for her. Truly I was. One day, my sister would become a wonderful mother. She would always be the pride and joy of my heart, and of this wonderful home that she created. I would do anything I could to protect her, and to keep her happy.

I hope she remembers that for the rest of her life.