Chapter 2 Coronation Day

Three years later.

It was coronation day. I was in my father's old study with Jack, desperately practicing holding the orb and scepter in my bare hands. Of course, I didn't have the real orb and scepter, but Jack and I had found a small circular jewelry box and a tall candlestick that would work for practice. After an hour of trying, I needed a break, so I walked to the window to see hundreds of people waiting by the closed gates.

"Anything could happen, anything." It was alarming to think about. "One slip, one wrong move and I could hurt all those people."

"It'll be okay, Elsa," Jack said. "Just don't think about it."

"I'm just so worried that if I lose control for even a second, everyone will see."

I turned from the window and walked to the table where the 'orb' and 'scepter' were. I removed my gloves and took hold of them, turning as if I was turning to face the crowd of people while being coronated. I tried to hold in my magic but it was no use; frost covered the 'relics'

I sighed. "It's no use!"

"Try to calm down," Jack advised. "Maybe that would help."

"Easy for you to say," I retorted. "You have control of your powers."

Jack shrugged. "I was only trying to help."

I relaxed a bit. "It's alright. I'm sorry I snapped at you." I took a deep breath as I put my gloves back on. "I should tell one of the maids to tell the guards to open up the gates.

Jack smiled. "Good idea. And, Elsa? Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine."

I smiled faintly, willing myself to believe that my friend was right, but I couldn't get rid of the nagging suspicion that something would go wrong today.

The last time voices were raised in song in Arendelle's Grand Cathedral, it was a time of sorrow; to mourn the passing of the king and queen. But today the church walls echoed with the sounds of joy.

I stood in front of the bishop and, out of the corner of my eye, noticed Anna waving to someone. Had she made a friend? I hoped so. She didn't deserve to be lonely any longer, even if it was only for one day.

I bent my head and felt the bishop place the small crown in my hair. I looked up as the bishop held out a pillow with the orb and scepter on it.

As I reached for them, the bishop whispered, "Ahem, Your Majesty, the gloves."

I hesitated for a second after I had taken off my gloves, but I heard Jack whispering behind me, "it's okay, Elsa. You can do it."

Hands shaking, I took the relics. I turned and faced the congregation, who had stood as the bishop started speaking the traditional words of the ceremonial crowning. Suddenly my hands felt colder than usual and I looked down and gasped silently when I saw frost on the orb and scepter. As soon as the bishop had finished speaking, I quickly put the relics back on the pillow and put my gloves back on.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "See?" Jack murmured. "That wasn't so hard was it?"

I sighed as I relaxed a little.

"I present, Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" the bishop announced.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" the gathered people echoed.

The people moved into the ballroom and began to dance. After the first song, Kai, the palace butler, announced mine and Anna's arrival. I walked out to stand on the center step in front of the throne as the crowd bowed. Anna hurried out and stopped at the bottom and gave a little wave to everyone, as if unsure of what to do. Kai came up to her and directed her to stand beside me.

"Here?" she asked. "Are you sure? Because I don't think I'm supposed to –"

Kai seemed to pick her up and place her right beside me.

"Oh," Anna seemed uncertain. "Okay."

The crowd rose from bowing and applauded. Anna looked away, as if unsure of what to say or do.

I tried to start a conversation. "Hi."

Anna seemed taken aback. "Hi, hi me?"

I nodded.

"Oh. Um, hi."

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look beautifuller. I mean, not fuller. You don't look fuller. But more, more beautiful."

I laughed slightly. "Thank you. So, this is what a party looks like."

"It's warmer than I thought."

"And what is that amazing smell?"

Anna and I sniffed deeply and replied in unison, "Chocolate!"

We both laughed.

Anna seemed to want to say something, but Kai cut her off.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Weaseltown," he introduced a small older man with white hair and spectacles.

"Weselton! The Duke of Weselton, Your Majesty. As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as queen." The Duke bowed and offered me his hand. As he did, his wig came part of the way off!

It was all I could do to keep from laughing, though I could hear Jack in hysterics behind me; even Anna gave a little snort of laughter.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you. Only I don't dance. But my sister does."

"What?" Anna whispered.

"Lucky you," the Duke murmured as he linked arms with her.

"Oh, I don't think –" Anna exclaimed as the Duke pulled her away.

"If you swoon, let me know, I'll catch you!" I heard the Duke call out before he and Anna disappeared from view.

"You know it's not exactly nice to take advantage of your sister like that," Jack said.

Before I responded, I looked around to see if anyone was watching me. People would think I was crazy if they thought I was talking to myself.

A maid walked by me and right through Jack! I gasped in shock. Did it hurt if someone went through you?

Jack seemed to know what I was thinking. "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. In fact, it almost tickles, but I'll still never get used to it."

Two songs later, Anna returned looking a bit tired.

"Well, he was sprightly!" I admonished.

"Especially for a man in heels!" Anna exclaimed as she held the toes of one foot and hopped for balance with the other.

I laughed. "Are you okay?"

"I've never been better. This is so nice."

I smiled.

"I wish it could be like this all the time," Anna confided.

"Me too," I replied. Then my smile faded as I thought of what could happen if it did. "But it can't."

"Why not? I mean, we –"

"It just can't!"

"Ex-excuse me for a minute," Anna sounded choked up as if she were going to cry, as she walked into the crowd of people.

"Now look at what you've done," Jack accused.

"I couldn't tell her the truth! What else was I supposed to do?" I whispered hoarsely, glancing around to make sure no one was in hearing range.

No one was, and I decided to meet some of the dignitary from other countries. I was talking to two foreign ambassadors when Anna walked up, with a young man I'd never seen before in tow.

"Um, may I present, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles," Anna introduced the young man.

"Your Majesty," Hans dipped his head.

"We would like –" Anna began.

"Your blessing –"

"Of –"

"Our marriage," they announced in unison.

I was completely shocked, and I could tell from the silence that Jack was also quite surprised.

"Marriage…?" I asked, not quite sure if I heard right.

"Yes," Anna squealed.

"I'm sorry, I'm confused," I admitted.

"Well, we haven't worked out all the details ourselves. We'll need a few days to plan the ceremony," Anna continued as if it were no big deal. "Of course, we'll have soup, roast, and ice cream and then – wait, would we live here?"

My eyebrows shot up. "Here?"

"Absolutely!" Hans acted as if the decision was all his.

"Anna –" I tried to interject.

"Oh! We can invite all twelve of your brothers to stay with us –"

"What? No, no, no, no, no." This guy had twelve brothers?

"Of course we have all those rooms on the east –" Anna continued as if I wasn't there.

"Wait. Slow down. No one's brothers are staying here, no one is getting married."

"Wait, what?" Anna finally turned to me.

"Anna may I talk to you please?" I asked. "Alone?"

"No," Anna turned back to Hans. "Whatever you have to say, you-you can say to both of us."

"Fine," I answered. "You can't marry a man you just met."

"You can if it's true love."

"Anna, what do you know about true love?"

"More than you," she retorted. "All you know is how to shut people out!"

How wrong you are. I thought. I drew in a sharp breath. "You asked for my blessing, but my answer is no. Now, please, excuse me."

"Your Majesty," Hans returned. "If I may ease your –"

"No, you may not, and I-I think you should go. The party is over, close the gates," I told a guard as walked toward the ballroom door.

"What? Elsa, no. Wait!" Anna dashed toward me and tore off my glove as I wrenched away from her grasp.

I lunged toward her, reaching for my glove, but she stepped back.

"Give me my glove!" I shouted.

"Elsa, please, please. I can't live like this anymore!" Anna begged.

"Then leave," I answered.

Anna looked hurt. I turned away and, clutching my gloved hand with my gloved one, continued walking toward the door. But it seemed Anna wasn't done with me yet.

"What did I ever do to you?!" she questioned.

"Enough Anna," I called over my shoulder.

"No, why? Why do you shut me out? Why do you shut the world out? What are you so afraid of?!"

"I said enough!" As I turned, ice shot from my unprotected hand and separated me from all the people in the room, including Jack, who had all stopped talking to listen to me and Anna.

"Sorcery," the Duke of Weselton muttered as he hid behind one of his two bodyguards. "I knew there was something dubious going on here."

"Elsa," Anna whispered.

That was it. My power was finally revealed. It was my worst nightmare come to life. I didn't know what to say or do so I just ran out of the ballroom, through the castle's many hallways and passages until I burst through the front doors.

The courtyard was filled with commoners of every shape and size. As soon as they saw me, they began applauding. My fear must have shown on my face because a kind looking woman holding a baby asked, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

I shook my head and backed into a fountain. As soon as my bare hand touched it, the fountain immediately turned to ice, water and all. The people gasped and backed away, staring up at the fountain.

"There she is!" I turned to see the Duke of Weselton in the castle doorway, pointing at me. "Stop her!"

"Please just stay away from me!" I begged, holding up my hands. "Stay away!"

Ice once more shot from my hand and hit the stairs leading to the castle doors, causing the Duke to slip and fall.

"Monster, monster!" he shrieked.

The people heard what the Duke had said and moved back; I could see the fear in their eyes. Maybe the Duke was right; maybe I was a monster. But I couldn't bear the thought of hurting anyone, so I ran. I heard Anna behind me and ran faster. I ran out of Arendelle and down to the fjord.

I felt a rush of wind behind me and turned to see Jack walking beside me, a smile on his face.

"You didn't think you were leaving without me, did you?"

I smiled and noticed that Jack was walking on the water, his frost making a path for him to walk on. That was it! If Jack could do it, couldn't I do it too?

"Wait, please!" I heard Anna call from behind me, but I didn't listen.

I put one foot on the water, and sure enough, the water turned to ice. I ran across the fjord, Jack flying next to me. I could hear Anna telling me to stop, to come back, but I didn't even look back. I simply kept running across the fjord and up the mountain beyond it.