A/N Watching frozen again recently I couldn't help but toy with idea that there would be at least someone in Arendelle who suffered some tragedy when Elsa froze the kingdom. Someone who may decide to take their revenge. This will be a short story, probably around 5/6 chapters. I did also borrow some lines from frozen 2
This will take place almost a year after frozen, during Anna's nineteenth birthday celebration. I'm not including Olaf in this fic because as much a I like the little guy I just find him difficult to write.
WARNING: This fic swill contain dark themes and some violence.
Chapter One.
Today was a special day in the kingdom of Arendelle. Today was Princess Anna's nineteenth birthday and Elsa wanted to ensure that it was the greatest birthday ever. It hadn't been easy planning a party whilst balancing her queenly duties, but she remained determined. After all, she had a lot of missed birthdays to make up for.
That very morning, the young queen entered the courtyard keen to observe the last minute preparations.
Gerda, the head maid was putting the finishing touches to the decorations whilst her husband Kai, the royal advisor was flustered due to being entangled with the happy birthday banner. Several other servants were busy flittering about, laying the tables and polishing the silverware.
"Good morning, Gerda, good morning Kai," Elsa greeted as she bathed in the warm light of the mid-summer's morning sun.
The two highly respected staff members greeted the queen in unison. "Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Are you okay there, Kai?" Elsa asked, attempting to stifle a chuckle.
"Just fine, Your Majesty. Nothing an old codger like me can't handle."
Gerda then approached the queen. "I take it the birthday girl is still snoring away in bed?"
Elsa smirked. "You know Anna. She never has been a morning person. And even when she manages to drag herself out of bed she'll have to deal with that terrible bedhead she always ends up with. At least though with her inside the castle I can hide the surprise just a little longer."
"Well I believe Her Highness is going to love what you've done out here," the older woman added cheerfully.
"I really hope so, Gerda. I remember how Anna would always look forward to birthday parties. Her eyes would light up at all the presents, cake, the chocolate fondue and I'd always do a little magic just for her..." she trailed off, realizing how that was such a distant memory now.
"Well that's not about to change," Gerda assured the young ruler, interrupting her reverie.
"I hope not. I just feel that Anna has grown up so much this past year."
"Well of course she has. Ever since you two reunited and she began her courtship with young Kristoff, she is like a completely different girl. And that is in no way a bad thing."
"She's right," Kai chimed in. "With each passing day I can see her slowly maturing. She is becoming a strong and independent young woman."
"That is what worries me," Elsa replied, nervously. "That so much is changing. I feel that one day I'm going to wake up and Anna won't be here anymore. She spends a lot of her spare time with Kristoff and it's obvious she plans to marry him someday. I know this may sound selfish, but it feels as if I've only just got her back. I don't want to ever lose her again."
Gerda placed her hands on the monarch's tense shoulders. "You won't ever lose her. Even if she and Kristoff choose to marry, this is still her home and there is plenty of room in the castle for us all...even with the added pitter patter of tiny feet," she added with a subtle wink.
Elsa grimaced at the way Gerda was getting way ahead of herself. The thought of having a little niece or nephew running around the castle calling her Aunt Elsa seemed scary, bewildering and wonderful all at the same time. She had realized for quite some time now that there was very little hope of her finding a suitor who would be accepting of her powers, let alone being able to consummate in order to bear a heir. That duty would now fall to her sister. "Well whatever the future holds I know that Anna would make a magnificent queen and Kristoff I'm sure would make a worthy king."
Gerda curtly nodded. "One day she will. But for now all I can say is, may you have a long and healthy reign."
"Thank you."
Princess Anna came running, bouncing to a halt at the pair of large oak doors which led outside of the castle. "Elsa! Elsa where are you?! Are you out here?"
Elsa stiffened. Anna? Spinning around swiftly, her attention now shifted to her younger sibling. Surely it was far too early in the morning for her tardiness, wasn't it? The queen politely excused herself before rushing to greet Anna and ushering her back inside.
The redhead rubbed her eyes before attempting to stifle a gaping yawn. "Is that my birthday decorations? Let me see! I wanna see."
"You'll see soon enough."
That response earned a childish grumble from the princess. "You know I don't have that kind of patience."
Rolling her eyes, Elsa placed an arm around her sister and managed to steer her further inside the castle.
"Um, where are we going?"
"I thought perhaps you'd like to join me for breakfast," Elsa said.
Anna's eyes suddenly lit up and she nodded her head excitedly. Due to her usual busy schedule, it was a rare occurrence for Elsa to partake in breakfast so the princess didn't hesitate to grab this opportunity with both hands. "Can I have some chocolate muffins pleeese. It is my birthday after all."
How could she deny her sister a special birthday treat. "You've twisted my arm. I shall go inform the cook."
An entire hour passed before Anna could begin feasting on her muffins. The cook had made them using their mother's recipe and they were almost to perfection. She took a sip of orange juice whilst Elsa went over the plans for the upcoming birthday party. "So the townspeople should be arriving around midday. I heard a rumor that several of the children would like to offer you gifts and I kind of promised I would put on a little ice show for them."
"That's wonderful Elsa. The children are always so dazzled by your magic and for some reason they never seem to tire of it."
"Well whatever I can do to prove to everyone that I'm not a monster."
Anna's face turned pale as she felt the temperature of the breakfast room mildly drop, a thin layer of frost now coating the table. Even though Elsa had spent the past year being in full control of her powers, there had been the odd occasion when intense feelings of self doubt or insecurity would trigger them. And this just happened to be one of those times.
"I'm sorry Anna," Elsa apologized, her eyes downcast
Anna inhaled deeply and took hold of Elsa's hands firmly. "Look at me! You're not a monster, Elsa. You never were and you never will be never. The people love you for who you are. They've accepted you for what you can do. It's about time you did too."
Even just a few soothing words made Elsa feel much better. The ice quickly dissipated and the room returned to normal. She cracked a soft smile. "What would I ever do without you?"
Anna smiled. "You'll always have me."
More to come...
