Enchanted 23: The Announcement

Elsa

I will call everything that happened to me for the past months a miracle. It was a miracle that after all I went through I am still alive and breathing. Looking back at it, it felt like all of those events were distant dreams, a bittersweet dream. When I was going to think about how I managed to survive, I did not know. But all I know is for the last month, I felt like a zombie. Functioning just to do my royal job and it went like this: Waking working, sleeping, waking again, working again then I will fall asleep. It was just like that, the monotony of my job made me feel like my brain is functioned to do certain things just like how the zombies is functioned to eat brains. And I keep on searching if I still put my heart on everything I do or I was just doing this out of responsibility not because I love what I am doing.

I was not supposed to be like this you know, before being the-current –me, I was happy and contented but everything changed when the greatest miracle of my life came. He changed a big part of my life, he changed me. In the process of changing me I learned a lot of new things both wonderful and sad. Things I wouldn't know if I had not met him. Like how to love and to be loved so unconditionally that it hurts just thinking about it. It still hurts that our story ended just like that. It was a tragic and it was sudden.

My greatest miracle was gone before I even know it.

So maybe that's the reason I became the current–me. I learned how Love can be so cruel and I don't want it to repeat. I don't want another pain that will mostly crushed me to bits.

Oh, talking about my royal job. Arendelle is fine maybe more than fine, after the winter storm faded so suddenly (although I know the real reason why the winter storm faded and the people claimed that it was all my doing), the Arendelle survived and still standing strong. But of course, I have to admit that Arendelle would not be the-Arendelle-of-now if it is not with the help of the Kingdom of Ardenia, Steven's kingdom. If not for them probably Arendelle was crumbling to bits together with their pathetic queen.

Because of the sudden storm that we were not prepared of, the crops and livelihood was frozen to bits and obviously up to no good. The weather was not fine for trading stocks and the traders were too afraid to come here because they might not come back alive because of the raging snow storm. So you see, we were just one heap of a frozen isolated island if Ardenia was not brave enough to come to our aid.

Jovan was right after all, I cannot rule Arendelle alone. No matter what, I will need help and because of my stubbornness I almost made my people die, because of my utter selfishness.

But sometimes, I wonder if chasing for my own happiness was really a selfish act? Was it really wrong to find your own happiness? Maybe a yes for me, because I have to be happy just being the queen of Arendelle, I have to be contented with it. But every time I am going to find happiness on what I am doing, I can't find any now. I do not know what's wrong with me, I was fine like this before..

Ah, maybe it's because of another job that I was supposed to do, a job where I could not find real happiness. I forgot to mention that the help of Ardenia was not for free and I am bound to pay the price sooner.

A price not worthy of gold because it was more than that…

In front of the people close to me I was always putting the best face of steel, hiding every bits of emotion behind the mask of steel. Anna thought that I was just fine but she was still constantly asking why she was not seeing Jack anymore and my answer was always the same, he has a job to do so he might not be back sooner. Or rather forever as I always mentally add after answering her. It's not like I wanted to keep it a secret to her forever, it's just that if she knew about the real reason behind it, she'll make a big fuss about it and she's the last one I want to deal with. I will probably tell her after the big announcement.

I know also that Kristoff and Anna has something going on with them but I let it slide because they were kind of on speaking terms since the winter storm but still, I could feel a gap between them. Oh well, I think their situation is much better rather than not seeing each other. I know they will be fine in the end.

So for today's affair, I was glued to my chair as usual with today's work lying in front of me. Arendelle was still recovering so I have a lot of work on it to do. (well, did my work decreased anyway?) I remember how we spent the Christmas and New Year with little things we had. It's kind of depressing thought. I could not feel the spirit of holidays on the faces of the children I greeted in front of Arendelle.

Aside from the many things I don't want to repeat from the past, that was one thing, the gloomy faces of the children who could not afford to make a small smile despite a supposed to be happy season. Those children are my motivation that I made up my mind on the biggest decision of my life. It's a New Year, might as well make it a worthy year.

"Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Alfagos sealed the deal to trade with us"

I look up to see Louisa standing in front of me, papers in hand.

"oh, that's good we've been waiting for their approval since forever" I say smiling

Louisa nods also smiling but there's something off on her face "and for another good news. The Traders Union Society promoted Arendelle with other neighbouring nations as one of the top trading nations"

My eyes widen covering my mouth in shock "Whoa, that's great!"

"and there's more" she suddenly cough and clears her throat " The High Congress is giving you a recognition for surviving that fast after a calamity hit. Well, even though we are still recovering, they said we are on a speedy recovery" another series of cough from her

I frown at her coughing fits "well, that's great but we owed our fast recovery with Ardenia, you know if not for them-" I was interrupted again by her coughing fits.

I stand up and walk towards her, rubbing her back "hey, Louisa, are you all right?"

She shakes it off "this is nothing-"cough "-I'll just drink some medicine for this-" cough

That's when I touch her forehead. My eyes widen again

"hey! You've got a fever" I say in alarm

I don't know what's funny but she manages to laugh despite her current condition "Your highness, I'm fine, relax. I won't die from simple things like this"

"I am so sorry. Maybe I let you worked too much. You know just take a rest for today. I'll handle all the works" I said worriedly at her

She smile weakly "actually I won't say no to your order. I think I really need some rest today but I'll just finish this small works"

"but-"

"please majesty, I can handle myself quite a little longer besides it is my job to help you and I am not complaining about it"

I hug her "thanks Louisa. I really don't know what I will do without you"

"you are handling yourself quite impressive, I daresay"

I suddenly pull from the hug and look at her "what?"

She smile again "All I mean is, I know you are a strong queen, like after the calamity we've been through your still up and standing"

I sighed. Sometimes it feels like Louisa can see right through me. She talked about things that can send a great impact on me and sometimes mysterious that still hit some nerves in me

"but I won't be able to do it without all your help"

"but there are things that are beyond our help but still you manage" she's still smiling

See, this is one of her mysterious sayings

I just nodded in acknowledgement even though I have no idea what she is talking about.

"by the way before I forgot, I've already told the people of Arendelle that you are going to have some announcement tomorrow morning but what is it?" she says tilting her head

Ah, the announcement..

I just smile mysteriously at her." You'll know tomorrow"

She nods slowly "okay. I just hope it was some good news"

Good news huh?

But my smile never fails "Of course it is"

"really, that's great! Anyway, I have to go I need to submit this to the council" she waves the papers she's holding

"all right but after that I hope you will take your rest you can't miss the big announcement tomorrow"

She smiles "yes Your Highness, I will" then she leaves the room

"big day tomorrow, I guess" I mutter then I head back to my seat to continue my work

Minutes after I resumed my work Anna comes in interrogating me what this Announcement is all about

I groan "Anna, you'll just know it tomorrow"

"but why can't you tell me now I'm your sister" she complains

"yes you are my sister but I want everyone to know it tomorrow" I say shuffling some parchments

"and who else knows this announcement?" she quotes in the air with her hand the word announcement

"just me and the other party involve" I say

"the party involve? How about Louisa?"

This time I look up at her "No, she did not know either because I know you'll just going to pester her so I didn't tell"

"this is unfair" she stomps her feet like a child

"no it's not"

"but is it bad or good"

Both. I mentally answer

"Good, of course"

She sighed "all right. Guess, I'll just wait till tomorrow then" then she pouts

I laughs "good girl"

"but that's better be a good news" she puts her hands on her hips

"and what if it's not?" I raise an eyebrow

"you said it is a good one!"

I shrug "just curious, if it was a bad one"

She frowns "well, I don't know maybe it depends on how bad it is"

Another shrug again "all right" then I looked down on my work to continue

"but Elsa, it's better be a good news huh" I could sense the worry in her voice

I did not look up "of course it is. I won't make a public announcement if it is a bad one"

"all right. I'll go ahead"

The night comes

And approximately 12 hours before the announcement

I was in the middle of the ice skating rink absorbing the silence around it. The silence helps me relax and ease my nerves. The winter is almost over and spring is coming.

Winter, Jack.

His Significance will fade and it was almost like Jack never came here…

"Your Highness"

I turn to see Steven walking towards me and I gave him a surprise look

"why are you still here? It's late you should go home"

"oh, I just want to see you first to see if you are okay.." he stops in front of me

I raise an eyebrow at him "okay with what?"

"with what's going to happen tomorrow, the announcement.." he rubs the back of his neck

I smile "of course I am fine, why wouldn't I be?"

"are you sure about this, I mean you can always back down if you really don't want to. I don't want you to force into this" he says

I hold his hand but I could not feel anything it is not the same holding Jack's hand. Wait, why am i comparing? Of course he cannot be like Jack..

"I already chose this you know. The moment I said it, I truly mean it" okay, maybe not at all..

He smiles as if in relief "thank you Your Highness" then he kisses my knuckles. None. There's nothing special on his kiss. Maybe I became numb after everything that happened to me.

The day of the announcement

Every people of Arendelle is standing at the front gate waiting for the much awaited announcement. As I stand at the balcony at the top of the gate, I resolve that this was the right decision. Just looking at my people made me sure that I am doing the right thing. I look at Steven who was standing beside me. He squeezes my hand in assurance but my confidence is not coming from his small action. It is because the Arendelle needs me that's why I am doing this.

I clear my throat "Good Day, People of Arendelle, I gather all of you here to give you some news. We all know that it was just recently that we faced some calamity but thankfully because of the aid of Ardenian Kingdom we were able to surpass the obstacle that was thrown upon us" the crowd make a round of applause and I nod to Steven. I look back at the crowd "because of this, I am truly grateful to them and this made me see and realized new things. For one thing, Prince Steven here is a very good and caring man sometimes silly but still good" the crowd erupted with laughter when the laughter subsides I continue "when we were all in need he did not hesitate to help us despite most of our neighboring nations did. He was brave to go back and forth from his kingdom and here just to give help despite the danger of the storm. I saw how deeply he cared for all of you even though you are not his people and he is merely a stranger in this land. That made me realized that this man beside me has the characteristics. The characteristics to rule alongside with me.." I hear Anna gasp from the other side of me. I think she already knows where is this going and the crowd broke into murmurs.

"For all the things I've seen about him and for all he is, I truly like it. I truly like him for being him, the honest, caring and good man I've seen was enough to make me come to a huge decision of my life, of Arendelle.."

I take once last glance on Steven, he nods encouragingly while holding my hand.

"I am marrying Prince Steven of Ardenia…"

The story continues, ladies and gentlemen.

I grab the opportunity to update something when a free time came, i'm actually on a break from my life i mean from my school so i was able to be a fanfiction writer for the time being. man! i miss writing so much.. Since i'm on a break i might be able to update faster so cheers for that.

so my dear fellas, may i hear your rants i mean your thoughts about this chapter? if i got encouraging reviews i might update some special chapters *winks* and just to let me know that some citizens of the world still care on how this story ends. yes, dears we are reaching the end of our story *sniffs*

anyways reviews pls huh?

oh, i am on promoting mode again if you don't mind, i am doing another fanfiction story. it's actually a 5 Seconds of Summer story, ever heard of that awesome rock band? if you do, and you are coincidentally a fan like me check out my story on wattpad, the title is Your Guardian Angel by hemmohoodmuse (that's meyy) i am not going to put the link here since FF doesn't acknowledge it anyway. so if you have spare time and you are interested, you might want to read it and drop some comments there and let me know if you are a fellow FF writer! i'd love to chat with yah. same goes here if you want to talk to me here just pm me, like talking about random and other stuff. honestly i want to have some friends here i am a member here for who knows how long and i barely know anyone and i think it will be fun:)

okay this is getting longer

till next time guys! stay tuned!