When they arrived at Corona a royal carriage was waiting to take them straight to the castle under cover of darkness. Sven trotted alongside, happy to be on solid ground. Eugene led them to a back entrance where Rapunzel was waiting.
"Thank god you made it here." Their cousin threw her arms around Anna and then Elsa. "I've been so worried."
"I'll take Kristoff to get Sven settled, okay?" Eugene said.
Rapunzel nodded. "Come with me, I'll take you to your rooms. They're adjoining, is that okay?"
"We really need only one room Rapunzel." Anna said.
"We have plenty of room, it's no bother."
"We just prefer to share. If that's okay."
"Sure, whatever you want. Here we are then." Rapunzel opened the door to a perfectly appointed room. "Your things will be up momentarily. Tomorrow father intends to present you to the court. He has decided not to hide the fact that you are here. He wants everyone to know that you have come here seeking asylum."
"In that case, there is something we must tell them first. It may change their mind."
"What on earth could change their mind?"
"Rapunzel, you should sit down." The princess of Corona did just that, looking very worried as she did so.
"So, I really don't know how to tell you this," Elsa started. "But, the fact is, I'm in love with Anna."
"Oh. Well, that's something. How do you feel about that Anna?"
"Pretty ecstatic actually."
"Okay. Well, I must say it is a surprise. Maybe it shouldn't be though."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Well, sure. I mean, I guess it will be hard when one of you finally gets married. But I suppose you can both live in Arendelle."
"No, Rapunzel you don't understand. We love each other, the way that you and Eugene love each other."
"I get that. But there's a huge component missing." When Elsa and Anna just looked confused she continued. "Like, physically?"
"Oh. Uhm not really." Elsa said.
"Not at all." Anna clarified. When Rapunzel only looked confused she sighed and turned to Elsa, pulling the blonde down for a very passionate kiss. Once they had finally broken apart she looked back to see that understanding had finally dawned on Rapunzel.
"But...you're sisters."
"We know. But there's nothing we can do about that."
Rapunzel sighed. "That looked like a really good kiss."
"You have no idea." Anna grinned.
"I think I do." Rapunzel looked up to Eugene who had just entered the room.
"He already knows." Elsa said. "I know this is different, and maybe weird but it feels so right for us. "
"Than that is enough for me. I'm happy for you guys."
"Thank you Rapunzel. We both love you, you know. And you Eugene."
"You guys should get some sleep. We get to have this conversation all over again tomorrow."
The next morning Elsa and Anna were once again dressed in their royal attire and were ready to meet with their aunt and uncle.
"Girls, I'm so relieved to see you here safe." Aunt Emily engulfed them both in hugs.
"Yes, I'm glad you thought to get word to us Elsa." Uncle Philip also hugged them. "Anna, I'm so sorry for what you went through." Everyone in the room took a seat.
"It's over now though. Well, I guess not really over. Has there been word about the reaction of Cannonvale?"
"Not yet. I do know that the King and Queen have returned home. Girls, I know you probably feel terribly about what happened, but this is probably the best possible outcome. His death that is."
"What do you mean?" Anna asked.
"You're no longer married. The marriage would have been binding. There is nothing we could have done to save you once you had been brought back to Cannonvale. A fact that all of us here have been quite upset about. Yes, this will have consequences, but you Anna, have been saved."
"And it is my understanding that the death occured before the marriage was consummated?" Emily asked.
"Yes. Uhm. He was, well," Anna stammered.
"He brutalized her. He bit her and choked her. And when she wouldn't give in to what he wanted he complained to my parents."
"Mom came in to talk to me but I refused to listen. So they sent Elsa."
"My god."
"And at first I actually did try to talk her into it." Elsa admitted, eyes tearing up.
"You only did what you thought was right. You didn't know." Rapunzel comforted her.
"When I saw what he had done to her I just snapped."
"Then Anna still has very good prospects for marriage in the future. When she decides to of course." Emily pointed out.
The sister's exchanged a glance. "Well, that's what we wanted to speak with you about actually." Elsa said.
"Oh? You already have someone in mind? That young man who arrived here with you?"
"No, not him." Anna answered.
"Uncle Philip, do you know why father was so eager to send Anna away?" Elsa asked.
"Does this have to do with the trolls prophecy?"
"It does."
"Yes. He was determined to separate you after learning that. I told him that separating you would have no effect. If you are destined to be with each other than seperating you would only cause you both heartbreak. He didn't want to hear it."
Queen Emily sighed. "Are you telling us that you intend to be together?"
Elsa gripped her sister's hand "Yes. I know it's not looked upon favorably but we have come to accept that we are in love."
Philip nodded. "I can't say that I'm shocked. And let me be clear that we love you no matter what. This is going to be a hard road however."
"We're both prepared to abdicate the throne of Arendelle. If we must we can live a quiet life as ordinary people."
"You would do that, do be with each other?" Rapunzel asked.
"Absolutely."
"I forbid it." Philip spoke up. "You cannot do that. Elsa, one day you will be Queen of Arendelle and the country will need you. You must realize how powerful you are. When you are the Queen you can live your life however you please."
"What do we do in the meantime?"
"For now we wait. We must wait and see what the response will be from Cannonvale. I think that for now you should keep your relationship quiet. We need to get past the potential political upheaval before adding that into the mix."
"We understand. Thank you for being so accepting."
"Of course. Not much to accept really. You can't argue with true love, and what uncle wouldn't want his only nieces to be happy?"
