This chapter will be a little more serious so we can get some info out of the way. Yea it's about an illness that rushes through Arendelle but if you're tired of pandemic shit don't worry elsanna is the main focus of the story lol
I don't own the characters of Frozen unfortunately lol just the story idea.
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"I love you." Kristoff looked at Anna. "We.. we fought wolves together!"
"I know."
"And giant snow monsters!"
"I know."
"We.. we're starting a life together..."
"I know.. I'm so sorry." Anna looked up at the man in front of her. "Hey, I'm not saying I don't love you."
"What are you saying? Hey Kristoff let's NOT get married. That's allllll you're saying."
"I said let's postpone the wedding! I didn't tell you to pack your things and banish you from my Queendom!"
"That actually sounds good to me." He huffed and moved by her.
"Kristoff stop!" Anna turned around and watched him move towards the door. "I'm sorry! I love you! But now isn't the time for a wedding! Have you looked outside? Have you seen what's going on out there? My people.. the land.. it's not well. They're sick! I need to put all my focus on them right now and.. and our safety!"
"Don't worry about me. Sven and I will be just fine." He snapped the door shut with a bang.
Anna growled and threw her hands up and stormed towards the window. Her heart broke and she brought her hands up to cover her face. She tried hard to keep it together. There was so much happening at once she couldn't grasp what was going on. Kristoff didn't help.
A month ago a sickness washed over Arendelle. Over the entire country. It started out with one man and then two then ten... and then now? Over 70 people were isolated in their hospital beds. It was a weird sickness. You felt fine one minute and then the next? Fever. Coughing. Body aches. And then? Light headed. Dizzy. Loss of appetite. Then? It depends on the person. Some have fallen so ill they can't get up and move. Paralyzed. Or even a stroke. Light sensitive. Tightness in the chest. So far no one had died but the medics in her Queendom were working so hard to protect everyone.
Anna had to put the entire city on hold and had to force them to stay in their homes. A curfew was set. Arendelle was a sad, empty place. Anna beat herself up over it blaming herself. Elsa gave her the crown and this is what happens? Oh God she needed her sister. Days. Weeks. Months apart from each other. It was difficult. They sent letters to each other every week. Anna always looked forward to those chilly winds or light snow flakes that found their way on her window sill carrying a letter from her beloved sister.
Anna might have neglected to tell her about what's been going on. Elsa knew there was an illness but she didn't know anything else. It was minor in her eyes because well Anna refused to tell her the truth. She was scared and ashamed of what happened since Elsa left. 8 months apart and look! The place was in chaos right now. However. The past month it's been silence between them. Anna felt she couldn't lie to her sister if she just stopped talking for awhile. Elsa's last letter was short. Asking if she was okay? How is everyone? How are the citizens? What's going on? And that was it.
Anna felt like a failure. She needed help. Not from her small council. Not from the guard. Not from the examiners. From her sister. Elsa. Anna sent word to her four days ago asking her to come home. To help her. She needed her. No word in return. And that was that. Why would she come back? She has her life. She has her own adventures. Her new life away from Anna. She was free.
"Did you know that warm weather helps drown illness?" Olaf's voice rang in her ear as he made his way into the room. "That makes sense! Who gets colds in summer!"
"That's why flu season hits in the winter and dies out in spring." Anna gave the snowman a small smile. "Are you reading again?"
"Yep! I've been in the library allllll day! Ever since I learned to read I can't stop!" Olaf smiled up at her but then it slowly faded. "Anna what's wrong?"
"Olaf.." she sighed. "Do you think I'm a good Queen?"
"YEAH!" He said enthusiastically. "YES! You are a good good good Queen!"
"I don't feel like it." She frowned.
"You should! Everyone loves you!"
"But they're sick."
"That isn't your fault." Olaf moved closer. "Things they just happen." There was a pause. "Things we can't control."
"This didn't happen to Elsa..."
"It would of." Olaf reached his little wooden hand out and pat Anna on the arm. "Tell her to come back!"
"What?"
"She needs to come back. Two heads are better than one! Well. Two brains are better than one!" He looked up at her. "I don't have brains." Anna laughed softly. "I'm glad you find my misfortune funny."
Anna laughed softly at the smiling snowman. He always has the ability to make her smile even when he wasn't trying. He was usually right too.
"You have brain power Olaf." She reached down and patted the top of his frozen head. "Trust me. You're wise."
"I'll take it!" He giggled.
"But... I don't think Elsa is coming back..." She frowned. "I already asked her... but..."
"But?"
"Olaf I'm scared. She left me this place to take care of because she trusted me. Look at it now. I'm killing the land she left me."
"No no no." Olaf shook his head. "Anna you can't even hurt a fly... or a 20 foot snow monster who wants to eat your head." He blinked. "You need help! I'll help!... I'm reading now! I'll learn everything and come up with a cure myself!"
Anna felt her eyes fill with tears. She wanted her sister back. She wanted everything back the way it was before all this. Before Elsa left. Before they all left that day and stepped into that forest. It was simple then. Kristoff and her got along. No pressure. Elsa was Queen and handled all that responsibility! Everyone was healthy and safe. She brought her hand up to brush her tears away. She missed Elsa. God she missed her so much. Her heart hurts every day. She can't sleep at night. She's lonely and empty. It didn't hit her till Elsa was gone and she found herself sleeping alone. She found Elsa's room empty. She was alone at breakfast. She was alone in the gardens. Roaming the city she was alone. Meals sometimes... She was... alone.
"And... I'm sure she will help too."
Olaf's words and cheerful tone caught her attention. Anna's eyes met his and he was smiling and then gave a wave to someone over Anna's shoulder. She turned her head and her heart jumped into her throat.
"Oh god..." She felt the tears again as she quickly rushed forward.
"Speak of the Ice Queen." Olaf grinned.
There she was. Standing tall. Strong. In a beautiful icy dress and her hair done in her signature style. She was beautiful. Her pale skin and her bright blue eyes. Gorgeous as ever. She was like an angel heaven sent and Anna would be happy to accept her call.
"Elsa!" Anna almost lost her footing as she rushed to her. Her knees wanting to give out as she threw her arms around her neck. "Elsa!" She sobbed into her shoulder. She felt protective yet gentle arms wrap around her. "Oh god you're here." Anna let the flood break and sobbed uncontrollably in her shoulder. The older girl was cool to the touch. Anna missed it. Missed how she felt in her arms. How Elsa's body soaked up the heat from Anna's. How she smelled like winter.
"It's okay.. I'm here." Elsa's voice strong in her ear. "It's okay."
Elsa's arms tightened around her sister. Anna was so warm it made her feel flush. Elsa sadly didn't realize what was happening to her home. She knew that a sickness had came in and swooped up Arendelle but... Anna sugar coated everything. She made it sound like it was a cold everyone was fine and recovering. No. That wasn't the case. Multiple people were in the hospital filling it to the ceiling. When Elsa set foot back into town it was different. Quiet. Empty. It was like no one was there. Abandoned. Till she saw the shutters start to open as she passed. She waved softly at everyone. Everyone looked scared but hopeful that she had returned. She watched a few Arendelle guards march up the streets to make sure people listened to their regulations.
"Excuse me..." Elsa called out to one. "What's happened?"
"A tragedy." Was all he said before carrying on his way.
Elsa only returned because she hadn't heard from Anna. She was concerned. Scared for her. No word from anyone. Were they even alive? Hell she thought the worse and it looked like to her she wasn't far off. Gale brought the letter telling her Anna requested her help, it was short and sweet. Still not answers. She held her sister tightly and ran her hands over her back in a comforting manner.
"What's happened?" Elsa's tone was soft in her ear.
"It's horrible!" Anna sobbed trying to control her tears. "It's just horrible. They're dying." She pulled back and rubbed her eyes with one hand and kept the other on Elsa's shoulder. "I don't know what to do."
"I need to know everything that's happened. Anna, you haven't told me anything. I had no idea." Elsa sounded disappointed and maybe a little angry but her eyes were still soft. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was scared." She confessed, tears running down her face. "I didn't want to disappoint you. The day I became Queen everyone was happy and healthy and it was perfect! And now? Eight months and look what I have to show for it."
"I'm disappointed because you didn't trust me." Elsa said firmly. "Anna this is serious."
"Anna has been a great Queen!" Olaf pitched in and smiled. "Hello!" He waved frantically.
"Olaf!" Elsa let her arms fall from Anna and she stepped passed her. "Come here little guy! I've missed you." The snowman bounced towards her and she kneeled down to give him a hug. "I've missed your warm hugs." She had a few moments of content silence with her greatest creation. Olaf was more than family he was part of her heart. "What trouble have you been getting into?"
"Awww none!" He giggled softly and then smiled proud. "I've read so much! 378-"
"Books!?" Elsa looked at him shocked.
"Yep!" He grinned. "I'm an addict."
Elsa laughed at his comment. "But I have so much more! So much much much more!" He leaned in and whispered. "I'm gonna find a cure." Elsa nodded. "And I'm gonna save everyone." He paused. "And... she..." He leaned in. "She needs help... not therapy..." Elsa arched an eyebrow. "She's tried so hard. Don't be mad at her." Elsa's expression softened. "You need each other right now and so does Arendelle." Elsa frowned and brought a hand up to pat his head. "Now! Back to the books!"
"Okay." She smiled softly and watched him spin around and skip his way out of the room. Elsa rose to her feet and let out a deep breath. She could feel Anna's eyes on her back. Spinning around she looked at her sister, she was broken. Anna's eyes were puffy and red. Her hair was down hanging past her shoulders. No crown to decorate her red locks. She had her hands clasped together brought up to her chest. The light green dress she wore brought out her eyes... or was it the tears? She shook softly in her spot and the sight made Elsa's heart just shatter. "Oh Anna.."
Anna looked at her through teary eyes and was so relieved when she came back to her. Elsa wrapped her arms around her in a quick hug. Pulling back she kissed her cheek and brought her hand up to brush a strand of red hair behind her ear. Anna felt weak in the knees but she stood strong. Elsa pulled Anna's hands apart and held them firmly in hers.
"Come on.." She rubbed her knuckles with her thumb. "Let's go get comfortable and we can discuss what's been going on." Anna was frozen to her spot and it took Elsa a good tug to get her to move. Her sister was shutting down and she couldn't let that happen. "It's okay." She slipped a arm around her waist and pulled her close to her side as they walked. "I'm not upset with you."
"You're not?" Anna stuttered softly.
"No." Elsa shook her head. "I could never be mad at you."
"But... but I-"
"Shhhh." Elsa squeezed her in a one armed hug as they headed down the hall towards the study. They would have privacy there. Elsa sat her sister down on the couch in front of the fire. Elsa propped herself next to her. For the longest time they just listened to the snap and pop of the fireplace. Soon they were being served cups of hot chocolate. Something that usually cheered Anna up but she hadn't touched it. Once the doors closed behind the servants and they were really alone Elsa reached out. Placing a hand on Anna's arm she frowned. "How many?"
"It was 70 yesterday..."
"Hey that's not bad..." Elsa said softly.
"Thats the number of critical cases..."
"Okay... look at the population... that's a tiny fraction."
"It's 70 too many." Anna said firmly. "No one should have this."
"I know..." Elsa said softly. "I know."
"I feel powerless." Anna said softly. "I can't do anything to control it.. it's not an army. It's not a corrupted trade deal... it's not anything I can stop."
"Maybe not... but I'm sure someone out there will find a way to." Elsa scooted closer. "Don't think you're alone.. we're not the only place dealing with this. It's everywhere."
"How did this happen?" Anna looked towards her. "How?"
"What is it? Like pneumonia?" Elsa was confused. "I don't even know anything about it."
"I don't wanna talk about it." Anna dropped her head back and put her hands over her face. She started to sob again. The weight of everything crashed down and she was starting to let it go. "Kristoff left me."
"What!?" Elsa asked loudly. "What do you mean left you?"
"I said we should... postpone the wedding." She sniffled. "He got mad and stormed out." Elsa glared at the thought. "Maybe it's for the best! He's been unhappy for weeks! I can tell." She sobbed again.
"He loves you!"
"I can't give him what he wants." She frowned. "A wedding would be pointless." Elsa stared at her confused. "I can't... I just... he's such a good guy. A great guy with the biggest heart and I'm wasting his time."
"I'll talk to him." Elsa sneered, how dare he. "Come here."
Anna allowed Elsa to slip her arms around her and pull her close. Elsa leaned back against the couch, pulling Anna onto her lap. She needed comfort not someone storming out on her. Anna put her arms around her sister and rested comfortably on top of her. Her head placed on her shoulder. She could hear Elsa humming softly the tune that always put Anna to sleep. Her fingers played with the younger girl's hair and soon before she knew it Anna drifted off into sleep.
—-
Kristoff slammed the door to the barn and made his way towards Sven. "It's over buddy." Sven looked at him confused. "Anna and I..."
"What do you meeaaan?" Kristoff spoke in Sven's voice. "You were sooo happy."
"That's what I thought but... Anna... she's holding back. I've felt it for a long time." Kristoff frowned.
"Maybe she's just stressed!?" Sven looked at him sadly.
"No... this has been going on before all this sick stuff happened. I think... I proposed to her out of desperation to see if this could work..." Kristoff sighed. "It sucks buddy. It really does... I love her."
"Me toooo." Sven bumped his head gently against Kristoff's
"I don't want to lose her but I feel like... she was never mine to begin with..." He looked at Sven. "I don't know."
——
Elsa was falling in and out of sleep. Only when a servant came in and fed the fire did she stir. She looked around and glanced down at Anna. She looked so peaceful so gentle and kind. She suddenly felt guilt. She left her. Maybe she was hard on Anna? Maybe that's why she didn't want to tell her everything happening. Elsa wanted to do everything together but lately they've been apart doing it all on their own.
She played with Anna's hair and hummed softly. A song their mother always sang. All those years of being apart now they needed each other. Once that door opened they were attached at the hip. Couldn't get enough of each other. Now? They had been split yet again. Elsa was here now. They could do this properly. And Kristoff? What happened? They seemed so happy? What did Anna mean she couldn't give him what he wanted? She was right. He was a great guy. Elsa already saw him as a brother in law. What happened? Elsa knew they weren't really affectionate with each other. Except the hugging and hand holding.
Elsa would have to talk to him and see what happened. She couldn't see him being mean to either of them. Kristoff didn't have a bad bone in his body. He couldn't hurt anyone with his words or fists. Sure if someone disrespected Anna or Elsa he would but when did that happen? Elsa thought when she was gone it would be just the two of them and maybe they could have real time together. But...
"Elsa...?" Anna mumbled softly bringing a hand up to rub her eyes. "Elsa..?"
"I'm here." She said softly leaning down to kiss Anna's hair. "It's okay. I'm not going anywhere."
"Okay.." Anna mumbled and a soft snore informed the room she went back to sleep.
Elsa smiled softly and played with her hair. Her red locks were longer than she remembered. Elsa always loved playing with Anna's hair. When they were little she always put it up in different styles. Anna loved it. She always said she felt like a little doll. The fond memories made her smile so big. It was crazy how fast time was flying. Look at them now! Adults. Grown women. Queens. She wished their parents were here but she knew in spirit they were.
Her eyes glanced down at Anna's freckled face. She brushed her fingers lightly along her cheek and down the bridge of her nose. She wrapped her arms tightly around her and nuzzled down into the couch. Holding on tightly to the one person in this world she loved. She missed these cuddles. She let out a content sigh. They will figure it all out tomorrow.
—-
"So far 76 have been admitted with serious symptoms." Said the man across the table. "We only have 80 beds..."
"What do we do if we run out?" Anna asked curiously. "Make some?"
"If we run out of space..."
"What about their homes?" Elsa chimed in. "Can we keep them in their homes? House calls?"
"We'd be putting the entire family at risk." The doctor said sitting across from them. "Though if one has it most likely the others will.. but it's not set in stone."
"What about... what if we build a place for them to go? Or find a place the families or the Sick? We can't just throw them in the streets or put their lives at risk." Anna looked around at the council. "What about the church! It's huge!"
"And some prayer could be welcome." The coin master spoke up looking over at the doctor. "We can afford to provide accommodations of course. As for building a place... what another hospital?"
"No we don't have the time or at this rate the man power." Elsa hummed softly. "I think the church is a good idea. It holds a hundred people..." She looked at Anna and took her hand giving it a squeeze. Letting her know she had a great idea. "It might not be a hospital but it's got the space. What do you think doctor?"
"I think it's a good idea." He nodded in approval.
"Great!" Anna motioned. "Whatever you need to make it comfortable for them please let Mr. Blake know." She smiled at him. He was a tall young man with dark brown hair and eyes. He was smart and he loved working with money. He handled the financial aspect of the Queendom.
"I'll be happy to help." He nodded.
"Doctor... forgive me but... can you please explain to me what this is?" Elsa looked at him. "Where did it come from?"
"In complete honesty your majesty I have no idea." He looked down. "A man came in thinking he had a food allergy but he doesn't have any sort of allergy to any food or anything actually." He looked at the girls. "Fever. Cough. Short of breath. We treated him as an allergic reaction and then upset stomach. Dizzy and light headed. He complained of back pain. Then suddenly everything hurt. The next day I checked on him and he couldn't move. Couldn't feel anything from the neck down." Elsa stared at him. "That was a month ago."
"How is he now?" Elsa asked curiously.
"He suffered a major stroke ten days later. He's currently in a coma." The doctor sighed. "There's no sign of recovery..." There was a silence before he spoke. "But all these cases aren't the same. These 76 now. Some have reactions like him. Others no. A woman came in her 20s. Healthy. She had a fever and light headed. Two days she was in bed and on the third day she couldn't breathe. Her chest was so tight it was like she was being squeezed to death." He shook his head. "Two days ago she got her breathing steady but now she's fighting stomach flu symptoms. This illness isn't consistent. It's not just a certain age group or gender or how healthy or unhealthy. It's hard to track. They all seem to start with a fever though."
"No deaths?" Elsa stared at him an he shook his head. "So... that's good right?"
"I've been in communication with our neighbors. They're numbers of sick are a lot higher than ours. Hundreds. But they're experiencing a great deal of deaths." He didn't want to scare them but they needed to now. "Weselton their body count is already up to 50."
"I can't hear this." Anna said with a shake of her head. "We need to not focus on dying right now."
"Anna.." Elsa looked at her.
"No!" She looked at Elsa. "No one here is dying!"
"Not yet." Hummed the man to her right.
"I know this is hard to hear but... listen to me. We have to be prepared for everything." Elsa looked at her. "It's okay to be scared."
"I'm terrified!" Anna said loudly. "No one. Is. Dying." She looked toward the Doctor. "You do what you can at any cost. We're not losing one person." Anna had that firm Queen tone to her as she rose to her feet. "Mr. Blake please... all of you gather what you need to make the church a comfortable place for recovery and treatment. Anything you need. Excuse me."
Elsa watches as Anna made her exit and looked back at everyone. She apologized and rose to her feet. "I'm sorry. I know you're all working so hard. You're doing a great job. Thank you for educating me."
"Elsa.." One of the council men stopped her before she could leave. "It's nice to have you back."
Elsa gave him a smile and quickly rushed after Anna. Her sister was having a difficult time processing any of this. Hell it wasn't like Elsa was handling it any better! It was for her to hear too. Usually she was the first to cry not Anna. Elsa was quick to be emotional. She searched for Anna and finally found her down the hall peering out the window.
"Was I harsh?" Anna asked Elsa as she came closer.
"No." She bit her lip. "Firm."
"I didn't know I could do that." Anna confessed. "All these people Elsa. I see them every day. How many times have we been running around those streets for chocolates and fresh bread and jelly? And apples and strawberries!" The girls both smiled. "The streets were full of smiles and fun and kindness. Kids playing and joking. The docks full of fishermen and traders." She shook her head. "I don't think the sun is even shining anymore."
"It's different..." Elsa said softly. "It's empty."
"A dark cloud is hanging over us... I don't know if even love could bring Arendelle back." Anna looked over at her sister. "Elsa... I don't want to think about it anymore.. can we do something?"
"Like what?" Elsa reached out and took Anna's hands.
"Anything." Anna held on tightly.
"I might have just the thing..." Elsa leaned into her and smiled. "Come on... let's play."