Disclaimer: This sure does get tedious!

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Also, Elsa's last names are pronounced How-var-dar-Aus-dis.

"Have you changed your mind, Snowbug?" Kai had asked her as her gaze burned through the tinted windows, taking in the hustle and bustle of the upcoming festival. Elsa startled at the sound of his voice, gloved hands nervously readjusting the wool hat on her head.

"No," Elsa replied shakily, before clearing her throat and shaking her head. "No, I - I want to see the festival." Kai had smiled reassuringly at her through the rear view mirror. Elsa barely managed to return it, taking deep breaths to calm herself as Kai made his way over to open her door. The sun blinded her the moment Kai opened the door, the light chasing away the darkness in the car.

Elsa reveled in the warmth that kissed her cheeks. "I can do this."

Anna was late.

The fiery-haired teen leaped over the low wall surrounding the park, twin braids flying behind her as she raced through partially constructed tents and around unpainted stands of the upcoming Summer Festival. The same festival hosting the competition that would provide the money for her half of her tuition fee.

Anna knew she shouldn't have had that extra batch of chocolate pancakes.

She had been so wrapped up in cursing her cousin's special recipe that she didn't notice the figure before her until the last minute.

Luckily, she'd managed to redirect herself somewhat, her shoulders nicking the lightweight poles that seemed to hold up a heavy banner. Anna stumbled to a stop, eyes wide and apologetic. She crouched down, taking in the sight of a figure curled into themselves - arms curved protectively over a head just a hair away from the metal pole supporting the banner. Anna startled when the figure shot up, icy blue eyes burning with anger, falling right on her ass. Why did they look so—

"You could have killed me!" The blonde, Anna now saw, had exclaimed. Her eyebrows rose. And she thought she was dramatic. It was just a flimsy pole, and the girl wasn't even hit!

Anna wished she hadn't found the girl's anger completely adorable.

"My deepest apologies, your majesty," She drawled, as sincerely as she could as she gave an exaggerated curtsy. Anna smiled sheepishly at the outraged look on the blonde's face, but one glance at her watch reminded her of why she had been running in the first place.

The sign up sheet!

Anna didn't spare the huffing teen another glance, taking off once more, kicking dust up behind her.

It was only when she slumped against the table, name scribbled safely on the sheet behind her, that Anna realized that the girl's hat looked very much like the one she'd sent Elsa for Christmas.

"We have to go back," Elsa told Kai urgently after he'd brushed the dust off her jacket.

"Back?" She had heard over the dull, repetitive thud that sounded in her ears. That pain hadn't been there before.

"The hospital," Elsa choked out hurriedly in answer, pulling at the sleek fabric of Kai's coat. "My - My head, it's.."

Elsa didn't catch the look of panic that crossed her driver's face.

"Okay," Kai had whispered soothingly, leading her back to the safety of the car. "We'll go back, if you want. But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."

Nothing to worry about. Elsa would have laughed if her chest didn't feel so tight. "Please don't tell my parents."

"Your secret is safe with me, Snowbug."

"Are you ready for this, Red?" Rapunzel had asked her, moments before she was to go onstage. She jumped, almost dropping her brushes as she was jolted out of her thoughts. Anna glanced nervously at her cousin but gave her a toothy grin, regardless.

"Are you kidding? I was born ready." Anna gave a bashful shrug and nudged the brunette standing next to her. "Besides, you taught me everything I know."

Rapunzel had laughed and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, squeezing her close. "You're a natural, Red. You didn't learn anything from me." A kiss was pressed to her temple. Anna smiled at the tenderness. "Go get 'em, Red."

Anna sucked in a breath and smirked. "They won't know what hit 'em"

"How was your day, Elsa?" Her mother had asked over dinner, sending her a brief smile. Elsa knew that wasn't the question she really wanted to ask.

"It was good," Elsa replied a little forcefully, mind flashing back to her second trip to the hospital. She winced as her fork scraped loudly against her plate. "Nothing new, really."

Her papa had laughed, still dressed in his suit from work. His tie was crooked, Elsa noted. "That's good, then. That means you'll be able to go."

Elsa's eyebrows furrowed. "Go where?"

Her mother had sent her papa a scathing look, before she softened and turned back to her. Elsa's stomach twisted at the sight, hands tightening around her cutlery. "Your grandfather thinks that, now that you're turning 18, you should be formally introduced to the public as heir to the company."

Ice crept along the fine metal of her knife and fork. "What?" Her own voice resounded in her head, gaze flickering rapidly between her equally anxious parents. "I - Is that safe? I don't want to wear another helmet—" Her mind raced.

Elsa had been fine, being another faceless person in tiny book stores, hole-in-the-wall cafés and vast parks with little people. She hadn't been a monster with dangerous ice powers, she hadn't been a living breathing freak with a bullet in her head, she hadn't been Elsa Hávadr-Ásdís, heir to Ásdís Architectural Company. She was just.. there. This, on the other hand, was going to be a formal event and, knowing her grandfather, would be nothing short of her extravagant. There would hundreds of people, hundreds of cameras and just one of her.

"Elsa!" Her mother's voice cut through the sound of ringing in her ears, baby-soft hands cupping her cheeks. Through her disorientated gaze, Elsa could see the ice that coated the table.

"You'll be fine, Elsa," Her papa had whispered to her, his strong hands running gingerly over her hair.

Famous last words.

"And the winner is.. Anna Almstedt! Congratulations!"

Anna's jaw grew slack. She won? She won! She felt congratulatory pats on her back as she stumbled forward on the stage, numbly accepting the check as she grinned brightly out at the crowd. This was it! The first steps towards her future! Rapunzel had whooped, sending her a watery, but proud, smile.

Anna merely returned it, forgetting completely about the girl with the stunningly familiar blue eyes.

'2018-07-15

Dear Anna,

I saw you today, didn't I?

You were the one who knocked me over. I could recognize those eyes, anywhere.

Gods, you were so beautiful. You are so beautiful.

I wonder if you think me cowardly, for writing these letters and never sending them to you. It's been 10 years, Anna. I've written a response to everything you've sent to me. They're all hidden in a box under my bed, hidden from my mother, from my papa, from Gerda and Kai, from you. Hidden, all of them, like me.

I only hope you will be able to forgive me, if I ever find the strength to apologize.

I apologize right now, for the terrible hand writing. My hands haven't stopped shaking since I saw you. I wasn't lying when I told you I could have died. And to think, I could have died right then, never having told you how much I regret every minute I stay away from my best friend. I don't know if I could live with that, Anna. I.. You're all I think about some days. It's probably unhealthy.

I just really miss you.

My grandfather thinks I should be exposed to the public, Anna. I'm scared. But - maybe you think me silly for this - I wonder if you will recognize me in the papers, on TV, on the web. I hope you will. I wonder, too, if you've forgotten about me. A part of me knows you haven't, if the hats hanging in my closet are any indication. But a bigger part of me feels the loss. I know you are slipping away from me - forever.

I don't know if I can ever live with that.

I hope you are well, Anna. You are infinitely on my mind.

Yours, Elsa.'