Chapter 2

Elsa slowly opened her eyes. The warm sunlight was falling on her face from the stained glass on the wall. She raised up her head and looked at the pendulum clock : it was already ten in the morning. How horrible could it be to wake up in such a comfortable place and have to leave it in a hurry, feeling guilty and stupid ?

Elsa got up like a tornado, legs entangled in her light nightdress, and called her butler for help. Zyga came into the room instantly, thinking that something was wrong.

- What is it my queen ? she said anxiously, rushing toward Elsa, holding a pile of clean bedding in her arms. Are you hurt ?

- No, Zyga, everything's fine, it's just... it's just that I'm extremely late ! Why did you let me sleep for so long ?

Zyga put the bedding on an armchair close to the bed and hugged Elsa to comfort and reassure her.

- Here, don't worry, she said with a soft voice. You need to calm down. I think you are experiencing a form of overstrain.

- Overstrain... repeated Elsa.

It was highly probable. She wrapped her shaky arms over Zyga's shoulders and tried not to burst into tears. It was not the first time her butler had to play the role of a nurse. Ever since her parents disappeared, Zyga had been the only confident she could count on, even though she could never tell her about her powers. Anna's departure from the castle seemed to have affected her far more than she thought. But why ? They had lived multiple years without seeing each other. Of course, it was heartbreaking to see her leave the castle one month only after their reunion. But she was still living in Arendelle. Ten minutes on foot, this is how far she really was. Still, a queen could not leave her responsibilities aside to visit her sister and chat and giggle like they used to during that month. Maybe she was mad at Kristoff ? Maybe she was mad at nohing but destiny ? She couldn't decide.

- I miss her so much, she finally confessed, tears inevitably dropping. What can I do ? I have no right, whatsoever, to care about myself over the people of Arendelle...

- Listen, queen Elsa, said Zyga, untightening her hug to look directly into her eyes. A kingdom cannot be rightfully ruled by a wounded sovereign. To take care of you is my absolute priority. Whenever you need something, just ask me, and I will do my best to please you.

- Thank you, Zyga... I'm sorry to bother you like this.

The two women got up holding their hands, smiling at each other.

- You know, my queen, princess Anna and Kristoff would certainly be delighted if you invited them to live in here with you.

- This is the first thing I thought of when Anna told me she was going to live with him. But she precisely told me that she needed to take her distances from this castle, for a moment. And how could I not understand ? These walls were nothing else than a prison, for so much time... I too would be glad if I could... just... fly away !

Zyga frowned for a second. Elsa didn't even realize what she was saying. She giggled, ill-at-ease, and tried to lure her butler's attention over something else :

- Hey, look ! My hair is all messed up. Let's fix this shall we ?

When on the throne, the hours seemed to last forever. Elsa had to listen to the people's requests from eleven in the morning to three in the afternoon. Of course, she was sincerely glad to help, but some requests were just ridiculous. There was this man who had come by with two fat pigs, pretending that they were still traumatized by the sudden climate change of the Never-Ending Winter, and asking for an insane whole lot of money to buy new and sane pigs. Or this young couple, about to get married, and asking the queen if she could come to the ceremony in order to play magic tricks for the children... Sometimes, the requests were so irrational and weird that Elsa had to pinch her thigh to prevent herself from laughing.

After this, Elsa had two hours to spend as she liked. But she had so much papers to sign that she always ended up spending this time working. This day, however, things did not happen as she expected. At all. She couldn't even imagine what scourge was about to hit Arendelle when Zyga came to announce a personal visit.

Elsa's heart was beating faster and faster as she crossed the hallway. Zyga didn't want to tell her who these two visitors were, so she was burning with hope and impatience when she saw the guards opening the gate to the visitor's room.

Her heart nearly exploded.

It was just as she wished : Anna was rushing toward her, hysterically screaming, arms wide open. She made a final jump to wrap her arms over Elsa's head, and the two sisters fell, made one or two rolls on the floor, and giggled like crazy before actually looking at each other. Seeing the sweet and dynamic face of her little sister filled the queen's soul with happiness and relief.

- Surpriiiise ! said Anna, springing her arms and falling on her back again. What's up big sis' ? How is the crown going ? Have you finally found a king worthy to rule by your side ? Hoooo ! Do you still have some of that amaaaazing white chocolate with pink candy sprinkles ? I promised Kristoff he could get some so you'd better say yes !

- Ha ha, Anna !

Elsa put her hands on her sister's shoulders and smiled out of pure delight. She couldn't resist the life she was seeing in Anna. It was as if the sun itself was her battery. She was litteraly shining.

- I'm so glad to see you ! said Elsa, hugging her sister as hard as she could.

- Me too, said Anna. Actually, I didn't think it would be so weird to live in a different place, even though everything is perfect with Kristoff. I just feel a lack of... family !

The two sisters exchanged another look before getting up and coming toward Kristoff. Apparently, living with Anna made him change a bit. He didn't look like a poor boy anymore. He was wearing a nice silk jacket with a green and blue vest. He had cut his hair shorter and simply looked more comfortable in general. Elsa went to greet him.

- Thank you for taking care of this human whirlwind, she said. You must be living a very high-paced life now !

- Ha ha, this is the least you can say, yes ! said Kristoff, and Anna stepped on his foot. But to be honest, I have never been so happy before.

He and Anna smiled at each other before kissing. Elsa tried to look somewhere else.

- Anyway, welcome to the castle ! she said with a little movement of the right hand. I'm terribly sorry, but I can't stay with you for too long.

- Queen's work, heh ? said Anna, twisting her lips. Let's enjoy every second we spend together, then ! Maybe we could do a visit of the castle for Kristoff ?

Elsa accepted, and the three of them began their walk. It was a really peaceful moment. Elsa's heart was apeased as she watched her sister jumping around with excitement. Kristoff was kind and very interested to discover the place where his girlfriend had grown up. Everything was pefect.

But suddenly, while they were going upstairs to show the upper rooms of the castle to Kristoff, a loud noise reverberated through the walls.

- What was that ? said Anna, surprised. Did Olaf break something again ?

- The sound came from the outside ! said Elsa, rushing upstairs as quickly as she could.

She went on the main balcony to see what was going on. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Anna and Kristoff came by her side and opened rounded eyes.

A dragon was attacking the town.