–Those who Give of Themselves–
Elsa was sitting in the library, waiting. She didn't really expect anyone to arrive at the crack of dawn. Still half asleep, she only heard the third knock.
"Who is it?"
"Someone that wants to help," the voice was a little apprehensive. "Did I wake you?"
"No, no. I didn't get much sleep. Worrying about what Papa would think. Are you still there?"
"Yes. Would you like me to come in?"
"Oh, uh, yes, You may enter."
Elsa looked at the man. Older than her father would have been, certainly. But there was a grace and dignity in his features that belied his age. His face was no mask, the smile was sincere. It was surprising how at ease he seemed. It made Elsa nervous.
"It's a pleasure to officially meet you, queen Elsa."
"We weren't introduced?"
"No, we weren't. You met Belle. My wife."
"Ah. And you are?"
"Adam. But perhaps you know the story already. I was once known as 'The Beast'."
"I heard stories. Bedtime stories. I didn't think they could be true."
"They were. But I deserved my punishment. It took me a long time to realize that. Even after Belle married me, it took me a while to understand."
"That's—I don't know what to say," Elsa was surprised and horrified at the same time. She had always thought it was just a story. A man cursed to live as a beast for one small and shallow act of unkindness. Elsa thought of her own curse. She hadn't done anything to deserve this. The people she had hurt hadn't deserved what she'd done to them either. It just… happened.
"It's okay," Adam smiled. "It's all in the past now. I understand what it's like living with a curse, having to shut everyone out, drive away the people you care about. Even if they care about you."
"But you had the staff, right, Lumiere and Cogsworth?"
Adam laughed. "Well, they put up with me. Tried to help me see the lighter side. Lumiere, he was… he was such a scoundrel. Even as a candelabra. Maybe even moreso."
They were both surprised to hear another knock at the door of the library. Elsa turned and saw a few strands of red hair hiding a young but determined face.
"Ah, you're from Scotland, King Fergus's daughter?"
"Merida," the young woman said proudly. "I hear you've had some trouble with magic. I get it. I turned ma into a bear once."
"You what?"
"It was an accident. It was only s'posed tae change her mind. But the witch gave me a gammy spell. Might be her only spell, considering that was wha' Mordu was too."
"How do you think you can help Anna?"
"Well, I know magic. Well, what not t'do wi' magic anyway. And I can sew. Had to sew the family tapestry back together to turn ma back into a human."
"It's… something," Elsa admitted.
Everyone jumped when two knocks sounded against the door. There was an argument outside.
"I said you didn't have to come Eugene. So go back to the room and get under the blankets."
"I'm here because you are blondie. I don't want you to have to face her—" the door opened and the short haired woman walked in, leaving Eugene to stumble through the door. "—alone."
"Hi," the young woman waved to everyone. "I'm Rapunzel."
"And I'm Eugene and—my nose does not look that big!"
"Ahem, Eugene, that's the librarian," Elsa's tone was cold. "I doubt you have hair that white either."
"Oh, right. Sorry. Blondie, I'll just wait outside while you folks talk."
"Blondie?" Merida asked.
"Long story," Repunzel replied. "Involving evil mothers, queens, and a very strange horse."
"Mine's got bears!"
"It's not a competition," Adam spoke softly. "Besides, I was the monster in my story."
"Rapunzel, what can you do to help?" Elsa asked quietly.
"I could heal people. My hair was magical."
"Was. Meaning it isn't anymore."
"No, but I still have a little magic left in me. If anyone is worth using it on, it's your sister. I saw how much she loved you."
"Thank you. Thank you all for coming here. I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to."
"I'm here 'cause ma said I could help if I wanted."
"We're here to help you, to help Anna."
"Where do we start, what are we looking for?"
"Books on magic, curses, potions, anything. Especially books about healing magic, and the trolls—even though they weren't much help last time."
"Belle would love this place," Adam whispered quietly.
"I bet Eugene could find something in here," Rapunzel spoke to the air.
"Ugh, books," Merida was unimpressed. "But mom said I have tae read. To understand history and our culture. I'll do it."
It wasn't long before Belle was in the library, and with Eugene flicking through everything it was really quite crowded. Elsa left them there. There was something she had to see.
Anna stood rooted to the spot. She couldn't move from where she was. Elsa knew it was crazy, but she thought she could see a strange little smile in her sister's expression. The light reflected off her right hand differently now. Elsa looked closer. There, just between her middle finger and ring finger. A tiny crack. A flaw in the ice. No. Elsa felt the ice. It was chipped. A piece was missing. Could it have been that simple?
She rushed back to the library. Books were everywhere, maps and pages spread across every available surface. Elsa took a deep breath.
"I need your help," it was a simple request. "Part of Anna is missing. Right where Hans's sword struck her. I need your help to search the fjord."
And hope it didn't break off when she fell in, Elsa added silently.
