Only two weeks, they promised. You'll be fine, they assured her. If only someone could have seen it coming. If only they knew that beyond loomed a great storm. But no one knew. And by the time they realized it, it was too late.
The waves were great and violent. The thunder roared almost as loudly as the ocean. Lightning ripped through the sky with blinding flashes of light. Not even the most skillful seaman could keep the ship steady. It only took one colossal wave to reach up and wrap itself around the boat, dragging it under the water.
The kingdom storm struck the kingdom as well. Knowing surely the king and queen had not time to make it to their destination, a panic rose up and a search began.
Two weeks, they told her. And two weeks later, nothing but ruins remained of the Arenedelle ship. No one survived the horrible wreck. No one knew that two weeks would be forever. No one realized the king and queen would never return.
When Elsa heard what had happened, she completely fell apart with pain and despair. She locked herself in her bedroom and cried a great deal, feeling the pain and the heartache. Her powers overtook her, consuming the bedroom with ice and violent wind. For three days, she lay curled up in one corner of her room, pouring her heart out in tears.
On the day of her the memorial service, she couldn't bring herself to leave her bedroom, let alone the castle. She did move to the windowsill, however. She gazed out through the icy glass, watching the entire kingdom stand in silence. She saw Anna standing there, facing them all. Alone.
It tore her in two perhaps more than the loss itself, see her out there, hurting as well. But there was no possible way she could do anything. Her secret would only be revealed. She had less control than ever before, and that only added to her pain.
As the sky darkened into the evening, Elsa remained there in the windowsill, looking through the memories. Of course she loved them both, but she had been so close to her mother. No matter what Elsa had done or said, no matter how hard she tried to shove her away, her mother was always there. Constantly. Holding her when she cried, making her laugh and smile… She knew exactly what Elsa needed, and when she needed it. And now, her mama was gone. Before she could stop the pain she found herself crying once more.
"Just two weeks," She whispered. "It will only be two weeks…"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. She looked up, surprised to hear it. She knew that knock so well. She had only heard it every day for years. Although it had been almost three years since she last heard it. Anna had given up completely. Until that day.
"Elsa?... I know you're in there… I wish… I wish you would have been there… for mama and papa, at least…" her muffled voice trembled as she spoke.
"They all asked me where you were… where you've been… They all miss you, you know. And now… they need you…"
Elsa bit her lip, trying her best to muffle the sobs with a nearby pillow.
"Now all we have is each other…" At that point, Anna's voice began to break. It was evident she was unable to hold back tears. "Elsa, all we have is each other… and I'm here… I've been here… and you haven't let me, but just… please… Elsa, let me in…" Her voice trailed off as she stifled a sob.
"Oh Elsa…" She choked out. "What are we gonna do?" Anna leaned against the door, sliding to the floor and hugging her knees as she cried. It hurt Elsa so much, hearing the desperation. It was stronger than ever before. But there was nothing she could do. She just couldn't let her in. She couldn't let her see.
"Do you… wanna… build a snowman?" As the words fell from her lips, Anna completely broke. Elsa could hear the sobs through the door, and she couldn't help but sob along. With unsteady legs, she stood from the window seat and went to the door, gently pressing her hand against it. Ice covered the door automatically, but she didn't even care. She leaned against the door, crying desperately.
"I always wanted to build a snowman, Anna…" She weakly whispered. "I always wanted to open the door, I swear. If only you knew…"
On that day, Jack saw it all. Just as he always did. He saw the memorial, and he saw Elsa's tears. He saw her pain. And it broke him. Seeing her like that, knowing there was nothing he could do. He gazed into the window, watching Elsa at the door. "Let it go… Oh, Elsa… Just let it go… let her in…" His voice was unsteady and his usual good nature had faded that day.
As the kingdom sank into complete darkness, Elsa was still completely alone. Anna had finally been forced to go to bed by one of the servants. It was a mild relief to Elsa, knowing that even though she wasn't there, Anna was still being taken care of.
But that night, she couldn't sleep at all. She had barely slept the past three days. She was exhausted, and her body was weak. But sleep never came. She sat by the door that night, feeling almost just as frozen as her bedroom had become.
"This is all my fault…" She whispered to herself. "They left… for me. If it wasn't for these stupid powers they would still be here right now." She angrily ripped of her gloves and threw them across the room.
"This never should have happened. This never would have happened if I had just-" She paused, feeling her stomach drop. "If… If I had… just let… Jack… help me…" With that she choked out a sob. "Oh Jack… Oh Jack I'm so sorry… You were right… you were right all alone…"
Hearing those words, Jack felt his heart break. He couldn't stay away any longer. Without hesitation, he popped open the window and slipped into her room. He went straight to her, grabbing her hand.
With a start, she looked up into his eyes, tears still streaming down her face. Without a second thought she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed. "Jack. Oh Jack I never should have sent you away. I should have listened to you. I should have let you help."
"Shh… Elsa… It's okay… you can't blame yourself for all this… you didn't know…" He held her close, rubbing her back gently.
"But it's my fault. It is my fault." She clung to him, shaking uncontrollably.
"It really isn't. I promise it isn't. Oh, I missed you so much, Elsa… I really did… It was so hard… staying away… but you didn't want me anymore…"
"I always wanted you, Jack. I always did! But… I was too foolish to let you in… I'm so sorry… I missed you so much…"
"I've always been here, though. Just like a promised." He whispered gently in her ear, still holding her tight.
"I know you were." She felt herself calming down a little in his arms. "I'm so sorry…"
"Shh… It's alright. Don't worry about it." They then lapsed into silence, sitting there on the floor. He didn't let go of her for a long time. And ever so slowly, he could feel her relaxing. The exhaustion had won over and her body started to droop.
He smiled a little, looking around the room. The once raging snowstorm had settled to gentle flurries around the room. The ice still coated the walls and door, however. Jack noticed that right away.
"Interesting decorating you've done in here," He teased gently.
"Oh don't you even…" Elsa sighed lightly. "It just happens, Jack. I don't know how to control it, and I certainly can't stop it. It only gets stronger every day."
"I can still help you. If you'll let me."
"I don't think you can…" She bit her lip, looking around the room as she leaned against him.
"I can, if you would just trust me." He looked down at her, taking her hand in his and turning it over so her palm was up. He gently traced a snowflake with his finger.
"Since you were born with a power, it will only grow with you. That has it's pros and cons, I guess you could say."
"Seems like mostly cons to me," She said bitterly as she pulled her hand away.
"Not true." He shook his head. "Ice and snow are beautiful when you know what to do with it. That's a pro." He turned his own hand over, smiling gently as he twirled his finger and began filling the room with little frost bunnies once more.
"The cons are stronger, though…" She watched the little bunnies as they did their usual dance.
"Not really, when you understand them and know what to do about them. Name a con for me."
"Alright…" Elsa studied the ground for a moment. "It only gets stronger as I get older."
"That isn't necessarily a bad thing." He laughed a little. "When you know your power, strengths, and weaknesses, more power just means more fun."
"Jack…" She huffed a little. "I see you still haven't grown up much."
"And I see you've become a wise little elder. So there." With a twist of his finger a little frost bunny bounced on Elsa's head. She frowned, brushing snow and ice off her hair.
"Name another con." Jack leaned back against the wall, watching the room.
"Ice isn't easy to control."
"Yes it is."
"What?" Elsa frowned.
"I've tried to tell you. You just have to learn and understand your power. You learn through practice. Observation. For example, because you were born with the power it connects with your emotions stronger than it would otherwise."
"What are you talking about? That doesn't-"
"Haven't you paid any attention? Take today, for example. Obvious due to circumstances you've been a whole lot more upset than usual. Didn't you notice there was a complete snowstorm in your room? And now you're more calm, so the storm has calmed, too."
"Jack…" Elsa sighed. "I mean, I guess you could be right… I don't know. I'm too tired to think this much. She leaned against him again, settling comfortably into his side.
"Not surprising. When was the last time you slept?" With a moment of hesitation, he reached out and put his arm around her.
"I don't… remember…" Her response was interrupted by a yawn.
"Hm...' Jack frowned. "Maybe you should try."
"Oh, no. I can't." She quickly shook her head. "I have too many nightmares when I do sleep… Horrible nightmares…" The thought alone was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Jack held her tight. "I'm right here, okay? I'm friends with the sandman, remember?" He couldn't help but tease her a bit.
"Oh, yes. You're very funny." Elsa yawned again. "But in all seriousness...You… you won't leave me, will you?"
"Of course not. I won't leave you again. Not this time, Elsa." He let go of her for a moment, going to the bed and getting a blanket. He then went back and wrapped it around her, sitting down beside her again.
"Well… I guess… I'll try to sleep…" She snuggled against him once more, barely able to keep from drifting off. Jack kissed the top of her head, watching her with a gentle smile. For a good while, he sat in the silence.
"Oh Elsa…" He whispered softly. "I really do love you… I wish I could tell you that…" But of course she didn't know. She had already drifted off to sleep.
