Chapter 2

Many years later…

Fredrik had just recently turned 16 years old. His birthday was about two weeks ago, and he felt no different. Well…maybe a tiny bit taller.

He wore a fancy suit consisting of a gentle light aqua blouse, which a white tuxedo and pants with black formal boots. They weren't exactly what he would call "comfortable" but he was doing this for his sister, it was her special day today and he wanted to look his best.

The staff was extra busy today, especially Gerda and Kai, as they were the staff leads overseeing how all the food and decorations for the event were to be prepared.

Gerda literally looked like she was seconds away from having a panic attack at the flower arrangements being brought in. She was always very particular about everything since one detail out of place could represent the kingdom very badly….at least in her opinion.

Fredrik continued to sip his coffee and stare out the window of the library he was reading in. He had gotten up extra early today, due to mainly his excitement of the gates opening…but also the chance of finally seeing Elsa again.

He never saw her very often, but when he did it was always a treat to him. He had to admit he was a little bit nervous about how she would handle it though. This was going to be her first time interacting with a LOT of people in a very long, long time…and Fredrik was the only person alive now who knew she had powers, excluding Elsa herself.

He hoped everything would go alright today…after their parent's death, he could use a happy occasion to focus on for a change. He wanted to have fun today…let loose, and enjoy the gates being open.

All of a sudden he saw Anna rush through the hallway with alarming speed while shouting, "IT'S CORONATION DAY! WOOOHOOO!", while nearly knocking into the poor servant trying to wash the walls.

Fredrik chuckled and sighed to himself, "Well…it's about time she got up and out of her bed already." He put down his book onto his chair and paced out of the door into the hallway, and up to the top of the stairs. He came just in time to see Anna accidentally breaking the glass vase in the foyer in her excitement.

Fredrik shook his head and shouted, "Annie, would you quit breaking stuff?! Gerda is stressed enough already; she is going to kill us for breaking that."

Anna whipped her head around behind her and smiled sheepishly at her brother, "Sorry! I can't help it though, I'm just so excited! Can you believe it Fredrik? The gates are finally opening…oh my gosh who do you think we'll meet?! Will they be nice? Oh, I hope they'll be nice…"

Fredrik chuckled as he walked calmly behind his older sister who was currently beaming with excitement. He then took notice of her coronation outfit, it was actually quite comfortable looking. At least he hoped it was more comfortable that his tight-fitting suit, which was starting to get even more tight due to the hot summer heat of July coming into the castle due to the windows being open.

Fredrik sighed as he loosen his collar a bit, "I envy you sis…I wish I could wear something more comfortable than this hot stuffy suit. That dress looks amazing by the way, sis, I adore the colors. I can't wait to see what Elsa is going to wear, though."

Anna nodded, but made a slightly sad face for a moment at the mention of Elsa. She nudged Fredrik on the shoulder playfully and chuckled, "I have to admit, you don't look too shabby yourself, lil brother. Who knows, you might impress some pretty ladies today, haha!"

Fredrik blushed slightly and stammered, "Aw come on I don't…I don't look THAT great…I mean what girls would honestly be interested in someone like me-".

Anna then put her arm around the teenager and smiled as she spoke, "Are you kidding?! The ladies are going to be allll over you little guy, trust me. I'm telling you, today you and I are going to be finding some true love, guaranteed! We are finally free…"

Fredrik smiled a bit as he grew more comfortable hearing his sister's words. Maybe he could find someone today…who knows?

It wasn't like he had many chances to find girls when they were all stuck inside the castle.

Maybe this was his chance to finally…be a part of the world again for once.

Anna then rushed outside to greet everyone as the guards finally went to open the gates, and she ran straight towards the village as fast as she could.

She waved back at her brother and shouted as she ran, "I'm gonna go do some exploring for a bit!"

Fredrik smiled, as he watched his excited sister run. He then shouted back, "Make sure to get back in time for the ceremony! Remember it starts at 2:45 sharp!"

Anna gave him a thumbs up as she disappeared into the crowd of people coming in to the castle courtyard.

He hadn't seen Anna this happy in a very long time…it was nice to see her full of life again. He was happy for her.

He then went back inside, and journey upstairs towards the library only to be greeted by Elsa, in her full regal attire.

Fredrik bowed and smiled, "Hello Elsa…er, I mean your majesty!"

Elsa chuckled, "Fredrik, you don't need to bow, it's just me. Besides, I'm not really even queen yet…technically. How's everything going?"

Fredrik smiled as he stood beside her, "Well, Gerda has been up since 5 am trying to make everything perfect for today…I have been spending most of the day in the library…and Anna is well…bouncing off the walls, haha."

Elsa chuckled, as she and him walked towards the main upstairs window that oversaw the entire bridge to the village, "Aww…is she really that excited?"

Fredrik leaned his arm over the banister casually, "She is literally running all throughout town right now trying to meet everyone, haha."

Elsa smiled warmly, "That's good to hear. I can never ask for anything more than for you and her to be happy. I only wish I could say the same for myself."

He looked at her with concern, "Elsa…"

She had a nervous look painted all over her face, "The truth is Fredrik…I'm terrified right now…I am not sure I can do this. I mean, everyone is going to be here in the coronation hall, looking at ME. If I mess up, EVERYONE is going to see it…there is nowhere I can hide and there is no one I can ask for help anymore… the only thing I have are these gloves and-"

He interrupted her sentence, while gently putting his hand on her gloved hand, "-and me and Anna."

Elsa looked at him with confusion and shock at his sudden touch on her hands. She was expecting him to be…more wary, like their parents were.

Fredrik spoke with the utmost care in his voice, "You will never be alone Elsa, because you have me and Anna….and you always will. Listen, I know Anna may not know about your powers right now…but she will, and I think we should tell her after tonight...I feel like she is going to be much more understanding about everything after she finds out. You and her haven't talked much…I know that, but please understand that she doesn't hate you, Elsa. She just…well she is just curious about you, is all."

Elsa sighed as she held her gloved hands together close to her chest, and closed her eyes, "I just want her to be safe, that is all I have ever wanted for her. The whole reason that I have been doing this is because I want to protect her…and I want to protect you too. I know I have never hurt you, but what is stopping that from even happening? I could just as easily accidentally hurt you just like I did to Anna. I don't want that to ever happen again."

Fredrik sighed, "That's a fair point…I could get hurt. However, I have been visiting your room for 15 years, hanging out with you, and guess what? I am still alive and breathing right now. You and I have been able to hang out without your powers going crazy for years, mom and dad have been able to see you too. So what makes Anna any different? We can still be a family again, Elsa. I want to do fun stuff again with all of us just like we did with Mom and Dad. Travelling the world, going to different kingdoms, vacations, just…enjoying life…that's what I want our future as a family to be like…I don't want us to be isolated anymore, and neither does Anna. We should be free to be open to the world again."

Elsa shook her head, "That…sounds lovely dear brother. The reality is though is that you and Anna may be able to do those things but I can't. Let's face it…I'm nothing but a burden on you two…I'm an embarrassment to our family name and I need to keep hidden-"

Fredrik hugged Elsa, throwing caution to the wind about her powers, and spoke, "Elsa…I love you, Mom and Dad loved you too. You are not an embarrassment, and you deserve to be queen and to have a good life. Don't say these things about yourself because they aren't true, I know that for a damn fact I have seen for myself how much of a wonderful person you are, and if other people can't get past the fact that you have powers…then they simply aren't worth your time sis."

Elsa smiled as she hugged him back, this being the only physical affection she has had for a while now. She felt the urge to cry, "Thank you Fredrik…I don't know what I would do without you and Anna. I still feel a bit nervous but…not as nervous as before, haha."

The servants then walked towards the two and bowed, "My lady, we are almost ready to start the coronation ceremony. Shall we take you to the church to get you prepared? It is going to start in 5 minutes."

Elsa nodded, as she took a deep breath in, "Yes, I'm ready."

As they walked to the church building, Fredrik waited a bit outside for Anna to show up.

He checked the clock tower in the town square and tapped his foot impatiently.

Come on, Anna…god darn it, I told you to be here on time. It is already almost starting!

He then saw Anna rushing up from the docks across the courtyard to him with a bit of seaweed on her dress, "Fredrik! So sorry…I was running, and then I bumped into someone, well actually it was their horse that I bumped into, and then I got knocked onto a boat and then I met this guy and-"

Fredrik shook his head, and took her hand, "You can tell me later, but we don't have time right now. Everyone is almost seated, Elsa is already here and we need to start."

Anna nodded, "Right, right! Sorry! Lead the way, I'm right behind you."