Alright here is the 7th Chapter….
I just wanna tell you that I'm going to take a break after the 8th chapter. It doesn't mean I'm stopping, I'm just taking a breather…. So anyways enjoy.
Chapter 7- The Months of Grief and Love
The next day, Elsa is asleep dreaming of James and his touch. She always enjoyed James's warmth and his smile. But then she awakes from a rapid knock on her door. The drowsy princess looks at the clock and sees it is 3:45 in the morning.
She groans as she answers, "Who is it?"
Elsa hears a familiar voice that is filled with whimpers, "It's me Elsa, let me in!" She does as her sister asks of her, while putting on her robe. She opens the door to see Anna with tears falling down her face as she hugs Elsa as she tries to bring out the words through her sobs. "Elsa…..our parents….. the ship… the storm!" Elsa tries to comprehend, until realizing what she was saying, 'Our parents died in sea!'
Elsa, in shock hearing the news, can't hold back the tears as she hugs her sister tight as they both cry. Ted soon appears from the halls with his arm wrapped in bandage, his eyes looks as if he's only slept four hours, but it is clear that he is distraught. Elsa lets go of Anna as she looks at Ted in the eyes, "Where's James?" Ted looks at Anna, as she also wants to know where he is. He gestures for them to follow him as he has a car already waiting for them.
Elsa has never been out of the castle walls, but if it is to see James she'll do what has to be done. Even though for months she kept her mind off of the fact that she's in love with him, her body and mind ignores the denial as butterflies in her stomach go wild. He heart pounding to hope that James at least survived! Her anxiety gets to her as she then notice little ice particle coming off her hands. She quickly put the gloves on her hand and chanted the matra in her head, 'conceal don't feel, conceal don't feel!' She closes her eyes and continued saying her matra in her head as the car drove, with Anna looking out at the night also hoping that James is okay, and Ted looking down with a heavy heart.
The car stops at the Arendelle St. John infirmary where Elsa and Anna give a look of fear of what is to come. They go through the halls when they soon see James in the hospital bed unconscious. He is being look over by doctors; his right arm is in bad shape as it is covered in burn marks and a large hole on his shoulder. Elsa again tries to hold the tears while her hand covers her mouth to not let out a loud hollering cry. Anna is in the same shock as she holds Elsa to stay up, as wells as even trying to hold back her tears.
Ted soon explains while sitting on a waiting room chair with a cup of coffee, "It was storming pretty bad and the ship was taking in too much water, so we had to get into the lifeboats. However, as James and your parents were getting on, a mast broke was falling towards them. Zach in a split second sacrificed his life to save them, but a rope was holding both your parents down with the ship. James was going to save them, but they stopped him because of the large wave coming towards them."
Elsa's heart just stopped from hearing James trying to save them despite the situation! Ted continued, "When the wave crashed and capsized the ship, James was put on the lifeboat by your parents. He tried to go back into the sea, but they-they" Tears begin to fall on his cheek, "They already went under water!" Ted breaks down as Anna and Elsa's eyes start to water, "James…tried to go back into the water to save them, but a lightning struck his arm and in a coma!"
Elsa looks over at James, she wanted to go over and wake him up, but she can't. After a few minutes of waiting for the results the while asks in a frantic panic, "How is he?" The doctor sighs as he takes off his mask, "The good news he's alive!" Soon the doctor turn to look at the arm behind the window, "But I'm afraid his arm is in no longer useful, the lightning strike shut off his nervous systems! We're going to have to amputate it." Everyone is in shock hearing this; Ted tried to reason with the doctor, "Is there anyway we can get the nerves backed up?" The dock looked down with a solemn shaking head, "I'm afraid not, it would take a miracle to get his arm back in health!" Elsa looks at James and then the doctor, "Is he in any shape to be transferred to a different hospital?" The doctor looks at her for a moment of curiosity.
"Why?" She looks over to James and then the doctor, "Because I want my friend to be somewhere that won't be called in any media attention! Plus my father knows the best surgeon to take care of him!" The doctor looks around nervous, not wanting to anger the princess, "I wouldn't allow this, but… as you wish your majesty!" He sighs in defeat. Anna on the other hand is curious, "What surgeon does dad know?" Elsa looks at her sister than at her hands with the eyes of determination, "A good one!"
Hours later, James is being hauled by Royal guards and fellow hospital nurses to the infirmary part of the Castle, where Elsa, Anna, and other band members can visit. It didn't take long 'til it got the attention of the media to know about the death of Zach and the royal family's death. Bill soon visited to see that his nephew is in a state of coma and his temperature is burning him up.
All the while, Elsa began searching in the library for the map that her father had in order to find the Rock Trolls. Elsa begins to lose patients, "Come on where are you? I know you're here somewhere!" Soon she found the book and the map inside of the pages. In a split second, she dashed out of the library, asks Ted to join her, and take James on horseback out of the kingdom. Elsa never left the castle walls, since the accident, but if it's to save her friend that she will do whatever it takes.
Minutes later, Elsa and Ted are in the Mountain forest. Ted is skeptic a bit while Elsa keeps on yelling out her distress, "Please I need help… it's my friend he's very sick!" Soon boulders begin to roll and reveal to be Trolls. Ted stands there speechless and shocked when seeing these…trolls. Soon Grandpabbie looks over to Elsa and bows, "Your Majesty!" He soon sees James and comes over to him. He motions Ted to bring him down, who is still in shock of knowing trolls exist. He brings James down and lays him on a bed of moss.
Grandpabbie, examines James's arm and sees the damage, "Yes…the arm is indeed destroyed, but I can fix it. I recommend a healing crystal to heal the wounds, but it'll take sometime to be amended." Elsa nods in understanding, "Do what you must!"
Grandpabbie and other trolls bring in a glowing green crystal where they begin to put their hands together to strengthen the crystal's power. The crystal glows brighter than it was, and soon turned into a dark sap green. Grandpabbie then took the crystal and prepared to put it inside James's wound, but he looked at Ted and Elsa, "You two may want to stand back…this healing magic is far powerful!" The two heed his words and stepped back a bit. Grandpabbie in one swift motion, stabbed the crystal into the hole! The crystal begin to glow in a fiery green in which James begins to scream and yell in pain. He struggles, but the Trolls hold him down to not unbalance out the energy flowing in his arm.
After ten seconds, of yelling and crying from James he returns back to his comatose state. The trolls release him as Elsa looks over at James who is now sound asleep. Ted and Elsa smile at the efforts, but soon notice something as James is sweating profoundly horrid, his temperature is not brought down. Grandpabbie notice this and explains, "The healing crystal only heals the injuries and loss of limbs, the temperature I'm afraid is going to have to be done, by nature." Elsa and Ted look at each other, as they know what that means… he has to go back to bed. Ted picks up James to place him on the horse as Elsa gets on her horse. She looks over at the trolls and Grandpabbie giving them a thankful bow, "Thank you for saving him!" Grandpabbie and the others bowed, "Anytime Princess!" As they ride off, Buldah comes over to Pabbie, "You knew the boy is thawing her heart!" Pabbie smiles, as he knows the future, "Yes Yes I did!"
Ted and Elsa return to the palace and put James in bed with a Cold blanket. Elsa then turns to a shocked Ted and asks him a favor, "Ted, I know you have questions, but please understand this is one secret that must be kept! Promise me you won't tell anyone about this!" Ted nods in understanding, "You have my word Elsa!" Ted retires to his room as Elsa looks over James.
Elsa begins to tear up as ice travels from her feet to cover the room and with flurries falling. She ignores it as she takes off her gloves and plays with James's hair and rubbing his forehead, "James, I wish you can hear me! People are saying to have courage, but I can't." She looks around to see the room covered in ice, "I'm losing control again! I can't hold these feelings anymore, what am I going to do James? Please come back, help me!" Tears start streaming down her cheek as she hugs James's body and says the one thing that she lied to herself for so long, "I love you!" she finally admits it. For the longest time she tries to hide it, deny it even, but she can't hold it off anymore.
Without thinking and without any remorse she kisses him on the lips. She stays in that position for 30 seconds letting the feel of his lips touch hers. Not noticing, that her ice magic seeps from her lips into his body where the temperature begins to balance him out. She parts her lips from his as she lays her head on his chest and drift into sleep.
The next morning a warm hand touches Elsa's back, making her jolt awake to see the hand, she follows where the arm which it belongs to James! "E-Elsa? W-where am I?" she smiles as she hugs him, but jerks away when he screams in pain. He looks over to the arm and begins to go frantic, "What happened to my arm!?" He gets up in a panic, but Elsa puts him down gently back in bed.
She calms the exclaimed boy as she rubs his head, "Shhh ssshhhh! Easy, easy, It's okay, your back in Arendelle!" Anna then comes in to see James wide awake, but still frantic. She stops and quickly gets the doctor.
Minutes later, the doctor looks over the arm and shoulder with amazement of him begin back on his feet. "Amazing! I must know this surgeon and give him my congrats!" The doctor soon did some tests with him. All the while everyone is in the halls waiting for results. The doctor leaves as he allows the friends and family to see him. everyone started rolling in: Elsa, Anna, Ted, Brad, Harry, Uncle Bill, Kai, Gerda, Pete, and Rick. All of them giving him pats on the back, laughs, and smiles. However they tell him what happened and how he got struck by lightning! James gives a smile at everyone, but as he turns his head to Elsa looking at him….he looked away.
Elsa is stung at this and wonders what did she do that was hurtful, was it the kiss? Was it her love confession? She doesn't know, but she had to let it go for now! Ted and Bill notice Elsa's reaction and knows why.
Soon the doctor comes in with the X-rays, as everyone's breath stops, "The good news is your fever is gone and you 'll be back on your feet tomorrow and your arm is functional, but…"
James looks at the doctor with concern, "But what?"
"But I want you to not do anything with your arm for three weeks! I want you to rest and relax and also to give the nerves sometime to adjust. " James understands as he lies back down and looks up at the band and friends, "Soon we're going to have a band meeting, but for now I need some exercise!"
James begins to get out of the bed, but as he lifted his legs, he tumbles. However Elsa and Ted quickly support him up as Kai quickly gives him a cane. A look of guilt is written all over James's face. Elsa and Anna see this and draw concern. Kai on the other hand looks over to Ted who wants some answers. James stays quiet as he begins to walk, but soon turns, "Elsa….Anna?" The sisters look at him, "Would mind accompany me to the garden?" Without hesitation the sisters walk with James. Ted and Bill look over Kai who's very concerned, Ted spoke, "I'm guessing you want some answers." Kai and Gerda give them a nod as Bill and Ted takes them over somewhere private they can talk…
At the gardens James walks around admiring the flowers, until stumbling upon a beautiful Sapphire flower, which he gives one to Elsa, and a Burnt orange flower to Anna. After a few minutes of walking around admiring the beauty and the fresh air, he sits down on a stone bench by the pond, where he welcomes the sisters to join. He looks down at the water as it sways and moves, with the fishes swimming and ducklings playing. He breathes in as he looks out of the world where the cool wind and sun shining with autumn leaves being a beauty in his eyes, "You know when I was in Japan, I sat in a peaceful zen garden kinda like this one! Where the Koi fish swam and played!" Elsa and Anna look up to see James looks at the pond with the memories flooding in, "But soon an Orange and Purple Koi was swimming in front of me. For thirty minutes straight it kept on swimming beside me. Even when I was walking on the edge of the pond, it followed me!" He looks at the sisters; who're wondering what he's going with the story, "Koi fish in Japan represent rebirth courage and prosperity! While purple represent Royalty and Orange Love and Happiness; with denotation of civilization and knowledge."
The sisters begin to grow curious on what he's saying, Anna leans closer to James, "What are you going with this?" He looks down as he begins to explain, he takes a deep breath as he closes his eyes for a minute and looks up, "I know what it's like to lose loved ones. My parents were killed when I was turning 10." Elsa and Anna are stunned at what he's saying, "I was in deep depression, I stayed in my room never allowing anyone to come and talk to me! But soon Uncle Bill and Ted stayed with me, they never gave up on me. They soon began to help me by giving me harmonica lessons and on my 14th birthday they gave me a archtop acoustic guitar. Very old, but sounded and looked new!"
Anna and Elsa soon realize what he's going with this, "Ever since in Japan, I got a tattoo of the Koi Fish and kept it with me ever since." James pulls down his shirt to show a large Orange and Purple Koi Fish on his back. He gives a smile to the sisters with tears in his eyes, "I'm going to be with you guys no matter what. I'll always be with you, I promise on my life. If anything happens…please call me." He gets up, unitl falls onto his knees where Elsa and Anna in concern go to him and lift him, "I'll be there! No matter where you are I'll be there." He cries as both sisters hug him in which he returns.
In the months that have past, the funeral is held with the family and friends coming to give their condolences. Zach is given a memorial with his bass guitar displayed in the Crocus Music Hall, as a gesture of honor. Zach's family were sad in hearing the news, but are told that his songs will be remembered where the band will play in tribute to him.
The next day, the band comes together with Rick, Bill, and Pete in the same room. James comes in with pajama pants and a white t-shirt, with a shoulder and arm sling. He walks with Anna supporting him into the room as she sits by his side. What's odd to the band is why Elsa's not with him.
Ted speaks up, "Why isn't Elsa with you?" James just looks up, "She has to prepare for her Coronation." Ted raises an brow, "But that's three years from now!" James just shrugs, "She also has to learn about the kingdom and what needs to be done. Trust me, I've seen what she has to know!" He changes the subject back to the meeting, "So the album, Frozen is about to come out in two weeks time…. And we're about to start the gig!"
James looks at the band, "I believe without Zach, without everyone else we cannot go on!" Everyone knows what he's thinking, "With a heavy heart, I believe it's time for the band to split up! I know we all don't want to have it that way, but without any of us…with our own charm that makes the band what we are…we cannot go on!"
Rick and Pete stand up with their voices roaring with protest, "But this is unacceptable!" Rick says, "I understand your grief, but you just need a new Bassist! This band doesn't have to end because of one band member's death!" Pete stands up, "I agree. Metallica, ACDC, E-street. These bands had members die during or after touring and they still kept on going with a new member!" but soon Harry spoke up, "I disagree!"
He stands up with his head held up high, "James is right! Each of us has a unique skill that makes us charming. If we put in a different charm, it's not going to feel the same." Brad soon stood up, "I second that. It hurts to say, but if any of us died we would've thought of the same thing! But what are we going to do?" Anna all the while is amazed at the band members who're going with the break up, but soon looks over to Ted who hasn't said a word about this whole ordeal. He then stood up to give his thoughts that'll be the final verdict, he looks over to James with a smile on his face "Wherever you go James, I'm coming with! It's never fun to write songs with anyone except you!"
James then stood up, "Then it's settled. We'll play our final performance in Corona!" Everyone nods their head in agreement, until they begin to make plans. But soon Brad still has one answer, "But what are you going to do?"
James stands up, rejecting Anna's help, "I have been given a record deal from Abbey Road Studios…. and I know Harry, that you want to go on a career in Politics! I talked to Uncle Bill and he's happy to take you under his wing. But Brad, Ted if I'm going solo, I would love it if you two join me! "
They all look at each other, then to James, "Harry you have Ideas and courage that the people of our country would strive and support you on... Brad you have the best music sounds I've heard in years and would love it if you joined me. And Ted …for the life of me, I don't see why not having you as my personal Producer and song writing partner!"
Everyone smiled as Harry says with a confidence, "You're a legend James!" James nods, "Yes we're all legends!" And the four members hug as if this is their last time they'll see each other!
For the next two days…
The band gives a public announcement as they also will be giving a farewell concert. Pete agreed to join the band as a substitute guitarist for James's parts, as the arm is still wonky. But one thing is a bit of a problem that Harry brings up, "Hey James who's going to play bass?" James thinks for a minute, until remembers someone in his past! "Hey Ted do you keep Patrick in touch?"
Ted thinks for a minute and sees where he's going with this, "Yep sure do!" Everyone looks at him in confusion, where Bill steps in for a moment, "He used to be Ted and James's guitar teacher."
In weeks of preparations: The band worked hard as they played hard and performing. As of Elsa she has been in her room studying and learning about ruling a kingdom and what needs to be focused on in her kingdom. Even though James and Anna come by to see if she wants to take a break she never hesitated with her sister, but for James it is something else. Ever since the kiss, she never wanted to see James in fear of kissing him again and knowing that their relationship will not be okay in the public.
James is hurt of Elsa being cold to him, feeling that there's something she's hiding. He decided to write a song that will help in the long run and got to work. He kept on working and working with his guitar in hand, even though his nerves are still out of whack he kept on going. Soon another song came to him and worked on that as well. Then another one and another, where kept on going, without knowing the sun is setting.
All the while Elsa, who decided to leave her room for a break, stumbles upon James writing the songs. Hearing James playing has always kept her in a state tranquility, but soon she hears James grunt in frustration pain, "Aaaargh!" He drops his right arm as he picks up the pencil and writing down the lyrics, "This'll have to do for now!" He gets up and soon has the song he wanted, he plays the guitar with the best of his ability as he sang:
(Dear Prudence- The Beatles)
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Elsa begin to tear up as James is playing in a way that Elsa can hear him. But she knows she's not closing off the world, it was he. But he's hurt from it, and she in return feels guilty!
Look around, round (round, round, round)
(Round, round, round, round, round)
Look around, round, round (round, round)
(Round, round, round, round, round)
Look around
Dear Prudence, let me see you smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
James plays the guitar harder ignoring the pain in his arm.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
James plays the final notes on the guitar as he pants heavily. He turns off his phone in recording the song with a shaky hand and turns to the door, "Did you like it Elsa?"
Elsa in fear of being notice, dashes out but soon trips and hurts herself. James comes over to her side. He can see that Elsa scraped her knee pretty bad and helps her up. As soon as he touched her hand, she jerks away. James feels betrayed from this happening, "Why are you pushing me away!?"
She looks down guilty, she promised him that she wouldn't lock herself away anymore and be a better person, but her love for him is what's making it hurt the most, "Please just leave me!"
James just stares at her intently as he forces her to look at him. She stares at his eyes that are burning with determination and at the same time pain, "No! I told you I've been in that situation and I won't let you go through it too! I may not know what's going on, but you have to tell me what's wrong!?" He lowers his head as he begins to feel a lump in his throat, "I don't want our friendship to be over! Please, I don't want to lose you! I care about you, Anna cares, Kai, Gerda, Uncle Bill. We ALL CARE ABOUT YOU!" Elsa just stands there as James shows her his eyes. The eyes of, as Elsa call it, the vulnerable one. He continued on his ramble, "I don't want you to isolate yourself, I want you to be free and having fun! I said I'll be there for you, so please let me be your guidance, let me help you!"
She can't hold in her tears as she begins to cry and James pulls her into a hug, in which she pulls back a bit, but James is stronger. Both held onto each other as their body temperature begin to collide. James soon begins to have this nagging feeling in his heart, as Elsa held him closer to him and looking at him with the same eyes that she gave when after the first Arendelle performance. It didn't take long until he hears Elsa's heartbeat with the same rhythm as his. James doesn't know why, but he can't put his finger on it. It was as if Elsa loves him, but then his heart begins to warm up when meeting Elsa's eyes, 'Why am I okay with Elsa being in love with me?'
It didn't take long however, as they notice another person standing behind them. They look and see Anna standing there sad after hearing James's ramble to Elsa. James breaks a bit free as he offers her to join the hug. All three hugged each other and stayed that way until they start to go back to bed.
Since Elsa was a bit more tired than the others, James took her to her room. Until a tug on his shirt makes him turn to see Elsa looking up with a sad expression, "Please sleep with me tonight! I don't want to be left alone!" James hesitated a bit, until he agreed.
Elsa scooted a bit over as James lies in her bed and under the covers. He soon turns his back to look at the ceiling as he remembers something," Y'know Elsa, when Aurora Borealis passed by here it reminded me of you and Anna." She looks at him, as he puts his left hand over his head, "Anna told me the story of how she would say the sky's awake and that's a reason for you two to play." James chuckles at the story as he start to see Elsa drifting to sleep, "Well she's not wrong, the sky truly is awake!" Elsa puts her head onto his chest just to hear his heartbeat, until looking up with sleepy eyes, "Can you sing me one of your new songs?" He nods as he sings one of the three songs he wrote:
(You'll be in my heart- Phil Collins)
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
And hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
He yawns as he looks over to Elsa and gives her a peck on the forehead, and whispers in her ear, "Always!" Both fall asleep in an instant letting the stars dance and the night sky being what it is... a thing of beauty.
WHEW BOY! See you guys in the next chapter…and remember it ain't over just taking a break!
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