Elsa sat there alone. She hugged her knees to her chest and just cried. She had ruined everything. She should have listened to Anna, and to the warning in the lullaby, but she had been so dead set in believing that she was Ahtohalla, that she barely hesitated when she jumped into Ahtohallan's heart.
Now she was trapped all alone on an iceberg with no way of getting off. Her powers were sealed. She could still feel them inside of her, but she could not conjure them. At least she still did not feel the cold. With what she was wearing, she would have frozen to death really quick.
She knew why her powers were sealed. It was to prevent her from trying to get back into Ahtohallan and attempt to inter its heart once more.
Elsa didn't know what she was going to do even if she did get off the glacier. She had burnt so many bridges. She had lost Anna's trust. She had barely even thought about Arendelle after she left them on the side of that cliff, and she had been more than happy at the idea of abandoning them to live with the Northuldran, even before she knew her grandfather had betrayed them and the Northuldran were innocent. And now she had too somehow right the wrong.
Elsa knew what she had to do. Her grandfather was to blame for everything. The dam was weakening the forest. But if it was true, then the only way to fix everything was to break it. But that would cost Arendelle its home. All of her people would be homeless, and with winter right around the corner, it was practically a death sentence, especially as they kept all of their harvest in the town.
This was a choice that Elsa could not make, and not after what she had just done. She finally realized how much of a coward she was. If she had been Ahtohalla, then she could have run away from Arendelle. She could run away from the guilt she still had over what she had done to them when her powers were revealed. She was a freak that did not belong with normal people. But she was just running away instead of actually trying her best and making things right.
Maybe it was a good thing Ahtohallan had not allowed her to see the truth. From the looks of it, she would not have been able to handle it. And perhaps it was good that her powers were gone. She could just lay here in the snow and just forget about everything.
Elsa clutched her knees tighter at that thought.
She felt so alone. Never before had she wanted to see the people of Arendelle as much as she wanted to right now. She wanted to hear Kai's nagging voice as he told her what she had to do today. She wanted to be fretted over by Gerda. She wanted to have Marie's pies, and to have another portrait painted by Ferdinand.
She wanted to hang out with Kristoff and ask him questions about troll magic.
And she wanted to hug Anna.
Oh, Anna. There was so much Elsa regretted when it came to her sister. She could have been nicer to her while they grew up. She was terrified of hurting her, but there must have been something she could have done. She could have said hello when they passed in the hallways. She could have baked cookies or sent letters. Anything. Anything to show that she did care instead of just hiding.
Elsa felt a small snowflake land on her arm. She looked up confused. She was on an iceberg but it should not be snowing this time of year. All around her snow drifted down. Elsa got up and saw something in the distance.
"Arendelle?" Elsa whispered as she recognized the pillars of the castle. Elsa walked forward hesitantly but as she got closer to the palace, the stronger the wind and snow got until it was a blizzard. Elsa struggled her way forward until she was just outside of the gates. Elsa fell to her knees and when she looked up, Arendelle was covered by snow and ice. Only the tops of the towers were showing.
"No." Elsa could not believe her eyes. Arendelle was destroyed. A figure appeared in the distance as they walked towards her.
Elsa's eyes widened in shock when the person stopped right in front of her. She could not see their face as it was being covered by a hood from a cloak made out of the northern lights. But Elsa knew this was Ahtohalla.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah." Ahtohalla sang her haunting call. Elsa looked up to her confused as Ahtohalla reached out her hand to her. "Come my darling homeward bound."
Elsa felt tears pricking her eyes at that. "I was trying to."
"Come my darling homeward bound." Ahtohalla repeated but Elsa just covered her ears. "Ah-ah-ah-ahh, ah-ah."
"Come home to what!" Elsa finally shouted. "I was never meant to live in Arendelle! I am a freak that could wipe it off the earth from one misstep. I can't relate to anyone! I have no future there! Why! Why do you insist that I belong there?!"
"Come my darling homeward bound!"
Elsa cowered into the snow as she curled up crying, the storm raging around her as it slowly buried her body. "I don't know what to do. I don't know where I belong anymore."
Elsa jolted awake from the nightmare as she found herself back on Ahtohallan. She must have dozed off for a moment. But that didn't make reality any better than the dream. She was still trapped alone on the iceberg with no idea how to mend anything.
Elsa once more clutched her knees to her chest.
"Elsa?"
Elsa jolted up at Anna's voice. She looked around and then up at Ahtohallan to see Anna climbing out of a hole near its top.
"Anna!?" Elsa was in shock and scrambled to her feet. Anna gave her a wave and hurried to get out of the glacier, but her hand slipped, and she started to slide down. She tumbled over and then finally came to a stop on her stomach. Elsa ran over to her and helped her up.
"Anna! Are you okay? How did you get here?" Elsa asked as she looked over Anna in worry.
"I am fine, underground tunnel." Anna quickly said as she dusted herself of. "What are you…?"
Elsa threw her arms around her sister. She held her tightly as she tried not to cry. Anna was stunned for a moment before she returned the hug and started to stroke her sister's hair in comfort.
"Oh Anna. I am so sorry." Elsa cried, tears pricking at her eyes.
"It's okay Elsa." Anna said but then she pushed Elsa away so that they were looking at each other. "What happened? Why are you here?"
Elsa looked down. "Ahtohallan pushed me out." She confessed as she grabbed at her sides.
"What? But I thought you were Ahtohalla's reincarnation?" Anna looked at her in confusion and worry.
"I thought so to, but…" Elsa went silent, and Anna pulled her in for another hug. She then looked around and saw a small ice ledge and led Elsa over to it. They sat down and Anna took her older sister's hands.
"Elsa, tell me what is wrong?"
Elsa twiddled her fingers in Anna's hands. "I wanted to run away."
"Wait, what?" Anna said in confusion.
"I wanted to be Ahtohalla so that I could run away." Elsa confessed as she squeezed her hands.
"Why?"
"I thought it would be better. That I belonged with magic and that Arendelle would not have to fear me going out of control again."
"Arendelle loves you, Elsa. They have excepted you and have forgiven you. I know your afraid of slipping up, but you can't let that fear dictate your life." Anna told her sister, trying to comfort her.
"But what if I lose control, or…"
"What is this really about Elsa?" Anna could see that her sister was trying to avoid the real answer. She was instead trying to pin it all on her powers, just like always.
"I can't have what you and Kristoff have!" Elsa confessed.
"What?" This surprised Anna.
Elsa looked at her and her lip wobbled. "I am a freak Anna. It doesn't matter if my powers are a blessing or a curse. No one would want to be with me. How could they even relate? They would be terrified at the idea of me losing control and hurting them or worse. I was born different, and everyone will always look at me differently."
"Elsa." Anna said her name in a way that told Elsa that she needed to make eye contact. She slowly raised her eyes. "Have you even tried to start a relationship with someone?"
"Well, no." Elsa stuttered.
"Elsa, do you know who I see when I look at you?"
"Your big sister?" Elsa gave a weak joking smile.
Anna shook her head with a small smile. "That to, but you are so much more."
"Like what?"
"Like how you can't dance." Anna said and Elsa turned to her in confusion.
"You are awful Elsa. Sure, you can twirl around by yourself, but I have promised Kristoff that he does not need to dance with you ever again." Anna giggled.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Elsa asked still confused.
"Well, there is more." Anna said and then she started to list things off. "You are a great ice skater. You like green tea. You have an artistic eye. A bit of a perfectionist. You hate to be alone. You love throwing parties, just so you can chat with everyone. You are a worry wort. You are not an optimist. And you are the most stubborn drama queen I have ever known."
Elsa blinked at her as Anna tilted her head.
"You are all of those things. Now do you think that you are the only one like that?" Anna asked her.
"I, I don't know." Elsa said still in shock.
"Well, the Duke of Weaseltown is just as bad at dancing as you." Anna pointed out. She then took her sister's hand again. "Elsa, your powers are only something you can do. They are not who you are. They are only a small part of who you are. You, the real you, is so much more. You are graceful and kind. You are serious and rather levelheaded in most situations that don't involve you. You are my big sister, our parents' oldest child. The queen of Arendelle. A friend to Kristoff and Olaf."
Anna squeezed Elsa's hands and looked her in her eyes. "There is going to be at least one person that will love you, for who you are. Someone who can relate to one thing with you. And if they really love you, then they will except all of you and what you can do."
"But what if they don't like me?" Elsa asked scared.
"You won't know unless you try." Anna encouraged.
Elsa looked down and then she glanced back at Anna. "What if I don't belong in Arendelle?"
"You belong wherever you feel safe and loved." Anna said but then she thought of something, remembering what she saw in Ahtohallan and how happy Elsa looked amongst the magic of the forest. "Elsa, do you not want to live in Arendelle anymore?"
"I don't know." Elsa confessed as she wrapped her arms around her waist. "I was so focused on finding the voice and then finding out if I was Ahtohalla, I don't know where I belong anymore. I don't know."
Anna nodded her head. "Why don't you take a break?" Anna suggested.
"What?" Elsa asked as she lifted her head.
"Why don't you take a vacation. I will watch over Arendelle, and you can stay in the forest. You can learn more about our mother's side of the family, and the Spirits like you too." Anna suggested. "And then you can decide from there."
"I can't do that!" Elsa said suddenly. "I can't just dump Arendelle on your lap. I was raised to be queen. What about what you wanted to do? What about Kristoff?" Elsa said and then she stopped herself.
Anna looked at her sadly. "I will be fine. I would honestly like to have the chance to show everyone how capable I actually am, and that I am not just a spare to you. And I think Kristoff and I are done."
"Anna." Elsa said as she touched her sister's shoulder
"It is not either of our faults. We just live in two different worlds." Anna said sadly. "He tried to live in the palace, and I did my best to help him, but I know he is miserable."
"I am so sorry Anna." Elsa looked at her sister in concern, her hand still on her shoulder.
"We will figure it out. But I would rather see him happy and free, rather than forcing him to stay with me. Just like how I feel for you." Anna smiled sadly and Elsa hugged her.
"Thank you, Anna."
"You are welcome."
The two sisters broke apart and looked up to the sky.
"Grandfather is the one who started the war." Elsa said and Anna snapped her head to her sister. Elsa quickly continued. "Before I was thrown out, I saw that our grandfather had built the dam to weaken the forest. He feared magic and distrusted the Northuldra because they lived among it."
Anna realized that her sister did not know the whole truth, but she decided to remain quiet.
"So, we have to destroy the dam." Anna said. She didn't know what to feel.
"But that means that we have to sacrifice Arendelle." Elsa said in worry.
Anna nodded. "I know, I know." Anna frowned and looked down sadly. "Our people are safe. Maybe that is why the magic was going crazy, so that everyone would get out."
"But it is still our home." Elsa said but she knew it had to be done, she just hoped that maybe if she complained enough, something would hear her and take pity.
"Our people stood by." Anna said as she clenched her fist. "They may have been ignorant, but because of their ignorance, the Northuldra have suffered for years because of what our grandfather has done." Anna looked up at her sister. "A price has to be paid. We have to do what is right, and free the forest."
Elsa stayed silent. She knew what Anna said was right, but it was still cruel. Their grandfather was dead. Arendelle had no idea of what their previous ruler had done. Why did they all still have to pay?
"I don't have my powers." Elsa confessed.
"What? What do you mean?"
"It is still inside of me, but Ahtohallan sealed it. So that I would not try to inter again." Elsa hugged herself. "I am useless, I cannot do anything, and I can't save anyone! If I had my powers, I could destroy the dam and then I could stop it from destroying Arendelle! But I can't do anything!" Elsa buried her face into her hands. Her ignorance and selfishness were now paying their price.
"Hey, hey." Anna said as she grabbed Elsa's shoulders. "It is okay, we will figure something out."
Elsa looked distraught as she spoke. "How can I face them, Anna? This isn't like the eternal winter, where I could just wave my hand, and everything was okay again. I am going to destroy their homes, their lives. All because of what my grandfather has done." Elsa was crying now. "What can I do, Anna?!"
"You face them." Anna said calmly. Elsa jolted back. "You face them and apologize. And then you help them, you lead them, you be the queen that they deserve and need."
Elsa nodded her head in understanding as tears still flowed down her face. "I can't do this alone." She whispered.
"You won't." Anna said and grabbed Elsa's hands, holding them up. "We will do this. Together."
"We will protect our people." Elsa smiled as she sang softly.
"And they will love." Anna continued the song.
"Me and you." They both harmonized together.
Anna and Elsa hugged once more. When they broke apart Anna glanced over Elsa's shoulder and saw a horse standing there. Anna stood up as she stared at the horse in shock.
"Anna?" Elsa said as she stood up with her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the water Spirit. Elsa gasped and backed away from it, grabbing Anna's shoulder in the process.
"Is that?" Anna asked.
"The water Spirit." Elsa said. She looked into its eyes. Elsa had been so sure that she was Ahtohalla, and that she could tame the Spirits. But now that she knew the truth, she was not sure if she had actually tamed any of the Spirits. The anger that she saw in the horse's eyes told her she had failed, at least with this Spirit.
Anna walked forward.
"Anna, wait, he is not tamed." Elsa pulled her sister back in worry.
"But he might be able to help us get out of here." Anna said and then she touched Elsa's hand on her arm. "Trust me."
Elsa didn't want to let Anna go, but she nodded her head and stepped back. Anna approached the water Spirit slowly.
"Nokk?" Anna said cautiously.
The water Spirit tilted its head in curiosity. Anna stopped in front if it. The water just missing her feet as it lapped on ice. Anna bowed her head in sorrow.
"Ahtohallan showed me what happened to her." Anna said. Nokk became stiff at her words. "I am sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am." The Spirit gave an angry neigh. Anna took a deep breath and looked up. "My sister and I are going to destroy the dam. We will pay the price for what our grandfather has done. Arendelle will be destroyed and the forest freed." He looked down at her in shock. Anna continued. "I know I have no right to ask you for anything, but we need your help. Please take us to the mainland." Anna bowed to show her sincerity and desperation.
The water Spirit reared up, his legs thrashing above her. Elsa ran forward in fear, but Anna stayed still.
"Anna!" Elsa yelled.
Anna flinched but she refused to move. The Nokk's legs hit the ground. He stared at Anna and then stretched on leg forward and bowed down.
Elsa walked forward and touched Anna's shoulder to get her attention as she had her eyes tightly shut. Anna looked up and rose in surprise.
"He is letting us ride him." Elsa explained as she smiled down at her little sister.
The two sisters shared a look and then proceeded to mount the water horse.
Anna looked back at the glacier. She had learned so many things here, she hoped she would use that knowledge wisely. A small blue head popped out of a crevice.
"Bruni!" Anna shouted and Elsa turned her head to where Anna was looking as Bruni scurried across the snow towards them.
"How did he get here?" Elsa asked but Anna was to busy reaching down so that he could jump into her hand. He then crawled up and snuggled in her hood.
The Nokk neighed and dashed across the water, causing Anna to clutch his mane tightly and for Elsa to grab Anna's waist so she did not fall off.
Author's Notes:
One of the things I felt I did not set up well, is Elsa's ark. She finds out where her powers come from but also finds herself.
In the movie. Anna is supposed to work on dependency issues, and Elsa needed to rely on others more. But because of the ending where Anna has to let Elsa go, it felt like Elsa learned nothing. That the one lesson she has been told in both movies, don't run away or push others away, is lost and that is why so many people say she is selfish and has not proven herself worthy of the title Fifth Spirit. I guess her sending Anna that message is her learning to trust others, but that whole scene is stupid.
Everything she has done, is thanks to her powers. Yes, she has magic that can overpower the other Spirits, but what about her as an individual? How does she as herself, bring magic and people together?
Anna and Elsa both had their characters completely changed to fit the ending of what the writers wanted. Elsa has been shown to be nothing but elegant and loving her life as the queen of Arendelle. Now she is something of a hermit that is running around in the woods. When has she ever shown that she wanted that? When she ran away in the first movie, she created a palace for herself to live in, with a frozen fountain and a chandler. She did not go and find a cave.
Okay, so I really looked at Elsa's character from Frozen, Frozen Fever, and Olaf's Frozen Adventure. And I realized that Elsa is in fact, an extravert.
When she held her coronation, she was having a great time chatting with people, and only had to stop it when Anna was confronting her and making her panic.
She got the towns people to help her with Anna's birthday.
And in OFA. Anna and her both prepared a party for the town and were sad when they were leaving, and they even tried to stop them.
I think people only assumed Elsa was an introvert because of two reasons. For some reason Anna and Elsa were thought to be complete opposites of each other, so Anna was the extravert and Elsa had to be the introvert. And then there is Let It Go. This song is so impowering that many people forget that this is a bad place for Elsa to be in. Running away and cutting out everyone who loves her. And that she is in forced isolation.
Besides. If Elsa was an extravert that loves others company, then that makes her thirteen years of isolation even worse.
If you want to argue that Elsa is an introvert, go ahead. I am not an expert so I could be wrong. Just give me examples of her being an introvert. But you cannot use her time in forced isolation or Frozen 2.