The storm had finally ceased. The windows stopped rattling. The only sound in the room was Anna's heavy snoring.
Elsa smiled. She remembered hating that sound back when they used to share rooms. Anna's snoring would keep her awake all the time. She was glad to know that after all these years, her sister hasn't changed.
She walked out of the room and quietly shut the door. She couldn't stay near Anna for very long. She had done it again. Her powers almost froze her sister to death. Twice. Thirteen years of suffering would have all been in vain.
It was almost sunrise. Elsa sighed. She could no longer hide in her room. She had duties to attend to, a kingdom to run. It was only a matter of time before her powers slipped out again, and then it would be all over. She felt dread at the thought of failing her parents, but a part of her was eagerly looking forward to being thrown out of her kingdom.
'I could finally let it go. I wouldn't have to conceal anymore.' she thought. 'Anna would be a good queen, worthy of the throne.'
She felt a pang of guilt at the thought of leaving such a huge responsibility on her little sister's shoulders. She hoped Anna wouldn't be too angry.
She had breakfast alone, occasionally catching Gerda sneaking sympathetic glances at her. She glanced around the table and imagined two monarchs sharing a meal with their little daughters, laughing at the redhead's antics. She swore she could hear them.
After finishing, she went straight to the council room. Immediately after she entered, there was an uproar. Failed crops, damaged property, and various other reports were thrust in front of her.
"Luckily, the people of Arendelle are hardened against the cold, so no permanent damage was incurred, and no one was hurt" a councilman stated proudly.
'Except for one,' the Queen wanted to add, but didn't.
She spent the entire morning allocating resources to various damage control projects.
As the council meeting finally ended, and the Queen headed off for lunch, she heard a cough behind her. She turned around to see the Physician looking at her.
"Your Majesty…."
"Is she alright?" Elsa asked, fearing the worst. 'Please, I don't think I could take it.'
The physician smiled. "Your Majesty, she is awake."
Later, the doctor's friends at the bar wouldn't believe him, when he would tell them that Queen Elsa is faster than an Olympic track champion, but for now, Elsa burst into Anna's room.
"Anna!"
Anna was sitting up in her bed. She smiled shyly.
"Hi."
Elsa wasted no time in smothering her. "Oh Anna, I thought I had lost you!"
"The doctor said I'll be fine, Elsa."
Elsa made a mental note to increase the physician's wages.
Anna pulled away from the hug and looked at Elsa. She seemed troubled.
"What is it?"
"Did you mean it? When you said you loved me? Or was I imagining it?" she asked.
"Oh Anna, of course I meant it." Elsa kissed her forehead. "It was something I should have told you sooner."
"I love you too, Elsa." Anna managed to choke out. "Please don't shut me out again. Just tell me what I did wrong, I promise I won't bother you."
"You are not a bother, Anna." Elsa gently wiped her tears.
"Then why did you avoid me all these years?"
Elsa wanted to be a responsible big sister, and stay away from Anna, especially given what has happened. Staying, would mean hurting Anna again. But the prospect of going back to a life in isolation was too painful to comprehend.
"I…I will tell you when you get better."
Anna stood up and looked Elsa in the eye.
"Tell me now."
Elsa sighed. "Then come." She took Anna's hand and led her towards the ballroom.
On the way to the ballroom, Elsa started panicking. What will be Anna's reaction when she finds out that her big sister almost killed her twice? Would she hate her? Of course, she would hate her!
"Elsa?"
They were standing the middle of the ballroom. Just like that fateful day, thirteen years ago.
She quietly took off her gloves and gave them to Anna. Anna looked at her, confused.
Elsa closed her eyes. Her powers were swirling inside her, eager to be let out. She swirled her hands, and embraced the cold feeling around the fingers. She heard Anna gasp.
She opened her eyes to see a single large snowflake sitting in her palm.
"How did you do that?!" Anna asked her excitedly.
"I was born with this power, Anna." Elsa smiled at her little sister's enthusiasm.
"You can make ice appear in the palm of hand? That is so cool!"
Elsa laughed, and threw the snowflake up. It burst into a spectacle of colors. Anna's jaw dropped as snowflakes started to land on her face. Elsa simply couldn't resist tapping her foot on the ground. Anna slipped as ice formed underneath her, and Elsa caught her neatly.
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? Is this why you hid yourself all these years?"
This was it. She wouldn't lie to her sister anymore, no matter the consequences.
"You knew about my powers Anna, a very long time ago."
Anna blinked and looked around. "All this does seem a bit familiar to me."
"We used to play with my magic all the time, but one day, I accidentally hurt you with my powers." she touched the white streak of hair on Anna's head. "That's how you got this streak of white hair."
"I didn't get kissed by a troll?"
Elsa blinked. "No, but we took you to the trolls in the valley of the living rock, who healed you by wiping all of your memories of magic. That's why you don't remember. After the incident, Mama and Papa decided that it would be best to keep me away from you."
There was silence as Anna processed the information. Elsa watched her in suspense.
Finally, Anna looked at her, and raised her hands.
'Is she going to hit me?' Elsa thought, 'I deserve it.' She hung her head in shame.
Anna stepped forward, and enveloped Elsa in a bone crushing hug.
"Oh Elsa, you endured so much to keep me safe."
"I hurt you. I could hurt you again."
"I don't care." Anna said fiercely. "You were just a child! I can't believe Mama and Papa would punish you so severely for one mistake."
"It wasn't a punishment," Elsa pointed out, "they were trying to protect you."
"What they did was wrong, and you know it!" Anna said angrily.
"It doesn't matter, Anna. The past is in the past."
Anna looked like she wanted to say a lot of things, but decided to drop it.
"Was the snowstorm caused by you?"
Elsa looked at her guiltily. "My powers are an extension of my emotions. I can't control them. I thought you had left me forever."
"I am not going anywhere Elsa! You will always have me."
Elsa hugged her.
"Thank you, Anna. You are the best sister I could have asked for."
The sisters stayed locked in their embrace. They weren't alone anymore.
