Well, well, well...I think it may have been noticed that I haven't written a chapter for a few days. I just needed a little "vacation" from the story. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing...But I hope that you all like this chapter. I wasn't sure where to go at first, but I expanded a little bit more on a few things from chapter 6...I'll stop talking now! Happy reading! :)


Chapter 7

"...So I think it might be beneficial if we increase trade with Weselton and the Isles..."

"Are you so certain? There could be other opportunities as well. Starting up more trades with the kingdom of Darrow would be wise too." The Queen told her husband. Her youngest daughters listened to their parents talk, but out of the corners of their eyes, they watched as their older sister pushed her food around with her fork.

Terra sat quietly, her chin her hand; appetite having been lost long before she joined her family. The small family usually were in the dining room from an hour or two at the most. This way they would have some time together before each of them, one by one, would retire to bed after saying their good-nights. But she, the oldest girl, was in no mood to speak to in anyone. She was unsure of how to go about what she was feeling right now. Terra jumped slightly when her father spoke to her, her fork clanked against her plate.

"What do you think Terra? What are your opinions on the matter?" She looked over at him, not exactly sure what he was talking about. Her parents usually included her in diplomatic conversations as of late. It was done to ensure that she knew and was learning the inner-workings of the kingdom for her rule one day. Terra often talked openly with them about it, expressing her views, which they would take into account.

"...I'm sorry...Opinion of what?" She said swallowing hard. Anna studied her sister and she noticed that she was a little "squirrely" this evening, but she thought maybe she just wanted to talk. Elsa on the other hand, had a bit more information. And the blonde noticed that there was a great difference in her sister from the happiness that she was last night and to her attitude she had right now. It was so unlike Terra, but she knew that one of two things would happen. Terra would either talk about it and be upset or she would leave the room to swallow her feelings. Which wouldn't really be the best course of action at all. Elsa hoped that her sister would take the advice she constantly gave her. To breathe and just take her time.

"Of the trade dear." The Queen said, she was noticing too that her eldest was not all there. But she knew that there were times that Terra did her best to keep things going on within herself separate. Separate from her family duties. Separate from her Princess duties. And separate from the duties to herself

"Oh..." Terra slightly recalled what she had heard. She thought for a moment. "I fear that increasing the trade with Weasel- Er...I mean Weselton wouldn't be the wisest. And we already receive so much from the Isles, but now the trading with the Darrow...That could open up more channels and passage ways for ships and the like, for exploration of new land..." She went silent again, taking a tiny bite of vegetables and meat for the first time in the hour that they had been there. Her food was cold, but she just wasn't hungry. This was when Anna decided to speak, seeing the politics were dying down in conversation.

"Why didn't that boy join us Mama?" She asked. Terra could feel her shoulders tense up. Inside herself she spoke. 'Don't Anna. Just leave it alone...Don't be mad at her, she's just curious.' The Queen shrugged her shoulders, knowing best for the moment to just let the moment pass. Matters of the heart were a curious and frustrating thing sometimes. Elsa looked across the table out of the tops of her eyes. Her stomach dropped. This was not going to be good.

"Was that him Terra? The one from the letter?" Anna said looking to her right at the brown haired girl. Terra did her best to remain calm and cool as a Princess should. She breathed in and breathed out.

"...I'm not going to talk about it right now. Just eat your dessert Anna..." Terra took a few more bites of her cold potatoes. Elsa locked eyes with Anna and shook her head, warning her younger sister. Anna still went on. She wanted to know about this mysterious person who had been allowed into their lives in the castle.

"He seemed really nice. Where does he live? What does he do? Does he eat his vegetables? I don't like mine...How did you meet? Why didn't you introduce us? Did he not want to mee-" Terra stood up quickly, her chair squeaking. Her hands rested on the table at the sides of her plate and silverware. She only stared at her plate, tears forming her eyes. The girl couldn't bring herself to look anyone in the eye. Her voice was quiet, but so was the dining hall.

"...I don't...I don't want to talk about it right now Anna..." Anna wasn't sure what to do with herself. She usually talked about things with Terra when she wasn't feeling okay, why didn't Terra want to talk? The girl had thought her sister might feel a little better if she did. Anna felt her fathers hand upon hers, giving it a small squeeze.

"Eat your food Anna. You too Elsa." The girls nodded and they began to eat again. "Terra why don't you sit back-" Her voice came out small.

"Can I please be excused?"

"Are you alright Terra?" The Queen asked, even though she knew the answer. Terra shook her head, her arms beginning to hug herself. It was also something that Elsa did occasionally until she could get back to her room.

"...I'm afraid I'm not feeling well this evening..." Her heart hurt and her stomach was knotted up. It might be that she was coming down with something, but this was only a lie Terra tried to tell herself.

"Well, how about you go draw yourself a bath and then go to bed early tonight? Papa, the girls and I will be upstairs after a while." Terra nodded and began her trek upstairs. Her heart felt as though it were being squeezed. She so badly wanted to crawl under her blankets and just disappear for a while. Anything so she wouldn't have to think about James.


The dinner was feeling even quieter after Terra had left. The conversations would start up, but quickly lull out. It was an awkwardness that the royal family was experiencing for the first time. They had not seen Terra like this before, but then again, a boy was involved this time. The King wiped his mouth and set his napkin down, getting ready to go speak with his eldest daughter. He felt his wife's hand on his arm.

"I don't think that would be best right now dear. I think," The Queen looked at her younger daughters and back her husband. "it would be best to give Terra space right now. She is not well and just needs a moment...This means you too Anna and Elsa." Elsa understood, but Anna still didn't get it. Weren't her sister and that boy just good friends?

"Why?" Anna asks. "She always tells us goodnight and gives us hugs and kisses and tells us a story before bed." The Queen smiled slightly. She knew that one day her two youngest would understand even more, but it didn't mean that they weren't inquisitive. It was then Elsa spoke up. She still was not completely sure how this form of love worked, but the words just came to her.

"Anna, remember when Darren the servant boy pushed you down or when I fell over some of your toys when we were little? Do you remember how much it hurt?" Anna nodded. "It's kind of like that." The king smiled as Elsa tried to explain, he decided to help the thirteen year old.

"Terra fell down today Anna and your sister is hurting." The little girl nodded, understanding a little better.

"Well why doesn't she go to the nurse or Gerda?" The King and Queen did their best not to laugh, but Elsa replied. It conveyed the love she had for her older sister, but the kindness and love she had for the younger as she spoke.

"We can tell Terra everything, but there are somethings that Terra can't or won't tell us. She helps us out, but she also lets us figure somethings out on our own. This time, she is the one who has fallen down and we can't help her. We have to let her figure it out on her own." Elsa smiled a little, hoping that it helped Anna to understand. She saw a light come into Anna's eyes.

"I think I get it now...But isn't there anything we can do?" Elsa sighed. She knew that somehow, Anna's plan would need her help. It would have to wait until her parents had gone to bed, but for now, it was best to let Anna's questions continue until she was sated in her curiousness.


All Terra could do was just lay on her bed in silence, looking up at the stars inside her canopy. She had let down the curtains of her canopy, letting them encase her bed. It made it as though it were a tent. The girl even placed a lantern on the bookshelf headboard of her bed as well, making the small "campsite" seem to glow. She gave a sigh as one of her arms now laid across her eyes. Why was this so hard? Why did she have to feel this way? Would it ever stop? Her thoughts were interrupted. Knock. Knock. Knock. Terra wasn't really in the mood to see anyone and she felt bad for it.

"C-come in..." the girl said reluctantly, her voice cracking. She heard the faint squeak of her door open and close. Their were several faint footsteps and a head poked in through a separated part of her canopy curtains. It was her mother, a tenderhearted smile upon her face.

"Well my dear, this is quite an interesting thing you've got going here. I wish you would have told me you were going camping, I would have brought my sleeping bag." This elicited a small laugh from Terra and the Queen was thankful. "Do you mind if I join you?" Terra shook her head and watched as her mother got onto her bed, shutting the canopy curtains behind her. The lantern provided enough light for the mother and daughter to see one another properly. Terra sighed and looked at the stars hanging down from her canopy.

"...How are Anna and Elsa?"

"Oh they're quite alright. Your father and I just tucked them in and told them goodnight." Terra swallowed hard. It was the first night in years that she hadn't done it. But she felt so awful. The Queen saw her daughters turmoil.

"Don't worry. You are allowed to have an off day my dear."

"...I know...It just feels so wrong..." Terra scrunched her eyes shut as she felt a lump form in her throat. "...I'm just..."

"Come here." her mother says, her arms are open. Terra sits up quickly and falls into her mothers arms. She rests her head on her mothers shoulder, doing her best to breathe. It is then that she notices her mother has also pulled her into her lap. Several years had passed since her mother had last done this. Terra was much too big now as she was just a head shorter than her father.

"..." The girl could find no words to bring forth what she was feeling. She wished that the gates could be open. She felt even worse because a part of her wanted to blame her sisters. Anna for revealing the letter. Elsa for...the gates. But she knew that this was not their fault. Her mother spoke, helping to ease her mind a little.

"I know that you want to find other reasons for the situation...but you cannot do that my daughter." The Queen told her. Terra could feel her mother's breath in her hair. Her eyes were stinging again as they filled with salt water. "It will consume you. It will cause you to be bitter...He loved you enough to let you go. The same goes for you."

"H-how did you..."

"I could see how you looked at each other. The same looks your father and I have for one another...Tell me Terra..." Her mother told her and she knew what her mother wanted. The real reason for letting James go. For when her parents had spoke to her the day before, they were willing to give her a choice. A choice to relinquish her crown in order to live in the village and have a new life, but it meant that she would not be able come to the castle unless called upon.

"...I just couldn't bear to leave..." her heart felt so sad. "...I couldn't leave the girls...I couldn't leave you and Papa...I love you all so much...But..." It was then that did it. Sobs began to leave Terra's lips, tears running down her cheeks. They dropped onto her nightgown and her mothers sleeve. She felt her mother tighten her hold on her.

"I know sweetheart. I know." Her mother cooed, placing a few kisses on the top of her daughters head. It was a sad thing for Anna to hear, as she was listening at Terra's door. And she was not the only one who heard the cries coming from Terra's room. Elsa could hear them through the vent and she curled up into a ball in her blankets, trying not to let ice form. It had been almost five years since Terra had last wept. The night that Anna had been struck.

"...It was so hard...I loved him..." Terra said through sobs. She had never felt anything like this before and she just wanted this feeling to go away.

"I know...And it may not seem like it, but everyday it will get easier..One step at a time." Her mother told her. And Terra felt a small bit of comfort from what her mother told her. She just hoped that she was right.


Several days passed and Terra continued her extended lessons as part of her punishment for sneaking out of the castle. Slowly she would say a word here and there, but she mostly stayed in her room unless it was meal time. Or she would make sure to say goodnight to Elsa and Anna, having felt so awful that one night not doing it. It had become like a tradition to her and she couldn't bear the thought of not doing it. On one afternoon, there was a knock yet again her door. She didn't look up from her desk or her school papers as she spoke.

"...Come in..." The door opened and Terra continued her work, adjusting her reading glasses. The older girl felt a small tug on one of her dress sleeves. She stopped writing and looked over to see Elsa and Anna in her room. The girl set down her quill and closed her Literature textbook.

"Well, don't you two look lovely." Terra said, a soft smile upon her face. Her heart still ached, but slowly her mothers words were slowly proving themselves to be true. Her sisters were wearing new dresses and as usual, Elsa's was blue and Anna's was a bit of a light shade of brown, a few pinks here and there.

"Thank you." Elsa said quietly.

"Thank you." Anna said following Elsa's words. Terra turns her chair to face them more properly, tucking one foot behind the other. Her hands are now folded in her lap. She was becoming more and more regal almost everyday her sisters thought as they looked at her.

"What brings you two in here?" She asked, her eyes kind. The girl watches as Elsa brings something out from behind her back. It was wrapped in a brown type paper and she could see little drawings all over the paper. Drawings of snowmen, mystical creatures, castles, and princes. Things from the adventures that the three girls had. A deep crimson tie was around the book.

"It's for you. To help you feel better Terra."Anna told her. It was all Terra could to choke back her tears. She cleared her throat as she took the gift from Elsa and set it on her desk.

"Are you going to open it?" Elsa asked softly. Terra nodded.

"But I want to say something to you girls. I want to tell you that I am sorry," she reaches forward and takes a hand of Anna's and a hand of Elsa's in her own. "I am sorry for what you heard." She watches as her sister's eyes go downward. "I know that you two were listening that day and I must tell you, I do not blame you. I do not blame you for what happened that day or any day of my life. You are the most wonderful sisters anyone could ask for. I could never be mad at you." The girls look back up at her, their cheeks a little pink. Terra smiles.

"You don't know how hard it was, but you two helped me in more ways than you know. I know I didn't talk about what happened with you, but you were right to let me get up on my own. I am still hurting, but you two give me the courage I need to keep going." She feels her sisters come at her, wrapping their arms around her. Terra hugs them tightly, feeling a few tears fall.

"You can't ever let go okay?" She hears Anna whisper.

"Please don't." Elsa says and Terra lets out a small, melodious chuckle. It was such a lovely sound to hear thought Elsa and Anna. It had been too many days since they heard Terra laugh. It had even begun to feel like years, but they knew she was slowly beginning to heal. Terra lets them go and they step back a little.

"I won't. I promise." She says with a smile. Terra watches as Anna grabs the gift off the girls desk and forces it into her hands.

"Open it! Please! Please! Please!" She watches as the the girls across from her seem a bit lighter now. Elsa smiled and giggled a little at Anna.

"Alright. Alright. No need to shout, Anna." Terra began to pull off the wrapping paper after cutting the tie with her letter opener. Her eyes widened slightly, tears once again pricking her eyes. Her right hand ran over the leather cover. It was a blue covered book and the pages were golden, with their edges dyed pink. There were countless empty lines on each page. "Wh-what is this?" She asked her sisters, her voice cracking.

"A new notebook, for our adventures. You were running out and like Anna said, we wanted to make you feel better." Elsa said, a sweet smile appearing on her face. Anna nodded in agreement.

"The pink is me, the blue is Elsa, and the lines are green for you Terra." Anna tells her. "It's so we'll always be together." She smiles at her older sister. Terra quickly puts the book down and gets up from her chair and kneels down to hug her sisters and then looks them in the eye.

"You have no idea how much this means to me. I absolutely love it." A few tears fall down her cheeks and she feels her sisters wipe them away and they embrace one another once again. It was really just as their mother had told Terra. It would get easier every day. One step at a time.


I hope the longness of the chapter makes up just a bit for the lack of updates the past couple of days...But if any ideas strike out at you, let me know. The next chapter should be interesting, but I figured out how to work in Hans and what Elsa's new hobby would be instead of focusing on the Queenship. Hope that you liked this chapter and thanks for reading! :)