Chapter 23 - You are enough

Elsa drifted in and out of consciousness. While in Anna's arms she felt the most safe she had ever felt in years. No nightmares. Nothing could harm her here. Not even the voice in her head.

Memories of what Anna had done to her just hours earlier warmed her. She loves you. Accepting it had been difficult at best. How could someone love her when she couldn't love herself? Anna had been so sincere. So loving. It was unreal.

Elsa was pulled out of her lucid dreaming by the distant sound of voices. Anna's sweet tone was like a lullaby. The words were muted but those musical notes were enough to give Elsa all of the reassurance she craved. She had believed Anna had been whispering that honeyed song to her but the sound of a second, all too familiar voice drew her back to the real world.

"-speak with her. Alone." Elsa caught the tail end of the words.

"I really don't think she's ready," Anna was protesting quietly but firmly.

"Anna," Iduna said as patiently as she could manage.

Elsa sat up slowly, causing both the women to pause in their conversation. Elsa caught her mother's eye and was lost in the whirlpool of emotion within then.

She hadn't faced her mother since leaving that day. Voice mails and emails didn't do the pain Elsa had inflicted on her justice.

Too late. I have to do this now. Her mind may have been groggy from the sleep but it was sharp enough to know this couldn't wait, for either of them.

"Thank you, Anna," Elsa murmured, squeezing her hand beneath the sheets. She could already feel her cheeks redden. Being caught lying in bed with Anna... so inappropriate. And then she remembered that awful tape. Iduna knew everything anyway. It was no less humiliating.

"I can stay if you need me," Anna leaned in to whisper. Elsa gave her a forced smile in appreciation as she rubbed her thumb across her palm. She wished Anna could stay forever but having her present wouldn't be fair on any of them.

"No. I'll be fine," Elsa promised her, putting on the bravest face she could manage. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her mother. Seeing her family again had been a distant dream she had spent so many years longing for but after everything... Her heart was hammering in anticipation for the moment they were alone. Her mother's judgement weighed heavy.

Anna wanted to protest, she could see it in her eyes. After a moment of fierce internal debate, she leaned forward and boldly kissed Elsa's lips. Elsa's breath caught. It was a quick kiss, full of passion but over in a heartbeat. Anna pulled back, a sly smirk on her face. Elsa could have frozen her solid right there and then but the way Anna climbed out of the bed in nothing but the Batman t-shirt and a pair of panda printed panties, giving her a cheeky wink, knowing just what buttons to press... Elsa couldn't be mad.

She took several moments to return from the heaven that was the kiss; her attention torn between the anxiousness of her mother's presence and an unexpected heat from seeing Anna in panda panties again. Do you even know what you do to me? She didn't take her eyes off Anna as she helped herself to one of Elsa's fancy dressing gowns.

"Call me if you need me," she said as she made a goofy phone gesture with her hand. It was dorky enough to get a genuine smile from Elsa. Her eyes didn't leave the redhead until she had left the room, and even then she lingered on the door; mind lost in a hazy daydream in the wake of Anna's love.

"Are you quite done?" Iduna asked with a raised eyebrow and folded arms.

Elsa snapped out of the haze and glanced up at her mother, and then away again, her face flushed. She just saw all of that. Elsa wanted nothing more than to bury herself under the sheets. There was no use hiding it anymore. Just where to even start? Anna? The tape? Her captivity? ...Her father? She opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't find the words. Regret warred with resentment. So much had happened, and she had denied involving her parents in any of it for so long she didn't even know how to face everything. Then again, she never really knew how to talk to her mother even before she left.

Iduna walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. With gentle fingers she tilted Elsa's chin to face her. She gazed up at her mother, surprised by how old she looked. Grey starkly highlighted her dark hair. The lines on her face were more prominent than Elsa ever remembered. Just how much have I missed?

"I knew as soon as you left this would be the only way I'd see you again." The pain behind those words made Elsa close her eyes in shame. She had hurt so many people and she was still hurting them.

"I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner," she choked in guilt, reaching forward to cling to her. Being this close it was impossible to resist that slither of comfort. "I'm sorry I missed everything. Father-"

"He was at peace." Her mother accepted the embrace and rubbed gentle circles on her back.

Despite all of the bitterness and anger she felt towards her parents, the way they brought her up and the way they shut her away, she still loved them. Tears streamed down her face as she let herself cry.

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. It was enough just to be home and safe in her mother's arms. The quiet was welcome.

Iduna was the first to pull away, albeit only a fraction. "If it had been up to me I'd have never let you go," she admitted, fingers gliding across Elsa's cheek. "Your father trusted you to make your own decisions. He had so much faith in you."

"And I disappointed him," Elsa whispered in guilt. It felt real now, being here at home and him not being here. Her father had always been the one to pick her up. He'd have been the one here talking to her, comforting her. The void was bigger than she could ever have imagined.

"You didn't disappoint him." Iduna pulled her tight. "You were everything to him." Elsa flinched at the words. "He was disappointed in himself for not being able to help you. He didn't see how much it hurt you to hold back. At least not until the end. Neither of us did. We failed you, and for that, we're sorry."

She struggled to listen to her mother's apology. Despite it being everything she so desperately wanted to hear it tore her to pieces all the same. She didn't know how to feel: happy they had seen things from Elsa's prospective? Sad it had happened too late? Or just angry that they had kept her isolated for so long?

"Please don't apologise," she murmured, unable to take anymore. Despite the warring emotions she couldn't truly blame them. If she could have controlled the ice none of this would have been a problem. It was ultimately her own fault in the end. "You and Father worked hard to keep me safe. It was an impossible task."

"You burden yourself so much," Iduna whispered. "If I could take that guilt away from you I would. It was as much mine and your father's fault. We were so caught up in unimportant things. It shouldn't have taken losing you to see that. You are enough; for me, for your father, for Anna and most of all for yourself."

Elsa sharply looked up, surprised at how easily she had read her. Then it occurred to her: she'd been out cold, literally, for god knows how long. She's already spoken to Anna. She already knows everything. She closed her eyes in shame. Despite her inner voice protesting otherwise, Elsa allowed herself to accept her mother's words. It was a nice feeling, one she wished she could have had from the start.

She leaned her head onto her mother's shoulder for a long while, enjoying the silent acceptance.

"...How could they have done this to you?" Iduna murmured, her hand tracing the marks up Elsa's arm. Elsa shuddered as her mind flicked back. She shook her head, not wishing to relive it.

The words of one of her captors resurfaced. You're as goddamn stubborn as your mother.

Elsa stopped, looking up to face Iduna directly. "They mentioned you." The lack of surprise from her mother only confirmed it. "How?"

Iduna hesitated, hand holding Elsa's arm tight. She didn't face her daughter right away. She was too busy tracing those awful red blotches that marred her skin.

"...I worked in research alongside Weselton before you were born. We had some disagreements and ultimately I resigned," she didn't deny it as she met Elsa's gaze. "When Anna said you were there..." Iduna's jaw clenched. "People like him were the reason we had to keep you so hidden."

Elsa would have laughed if it hadn't been so tragic. It had taken going through the ordeal for her to truly appreciate just how difficult her parent's position must have been.

"Am I safe here?" Elsa couldn't stop herself from asking. Yet again she was relying on her family to keep her safe. When will you stand up and fight for yourself?

Iduna nodded and relief filled Elsa's heart, not just for herself but for Anna and her mother.

"I've dealt with him." Elsa wanted to question it but something in the way her mother said those words stopped her. "There will always be others out there who will find out and who will try to use you. You will need to be strong because, as much as I wish it, you cannot live your life stuck in this manor."

Elsa blinked. The U-turn caught her completely by surprise.

"You've been living and working independently for four years. Your father and I didn't think it was possible. You proved us wrong," she paused, expression becoming more serious, "and I don't think Anna would want a life trapped here."

Elsa's breath caught.

"I always believed the girl was a passing infatuation. She represented the hope and freedom of the outside world. I naively assumed you'd grow out of it. I was wrong about that too. She is good for you. Don't let her go," the sincerity in her mother's words warmed Elsa more than she ever could have known.

"Thanks," she whispered while leaning into her mother's shoulder, grateful for this new slice of normality.

...If only it could have always been like this. She closed her eyes and absently thought back to those days before she left: talking openly, dropping all of the pretence of maintaining this charade, oh how happy they all could have been. It was a distant dream, but maybe it could be a reality now.

"...Mother?" Elsa asked after a moment. "I'm sorry I killed your garden."

Iduna wore a look of surprise and then understanding dawned. "Anna told you," disapproval laced each word. She sat back while looking Elsa over in concern.

"I wasn't going to tell you right away but now you know, you know," she sighed.

Elsa's shoulders sagged gloomily. The weight of her lack of control hung heavy.

"It's given me the chance to refresh the garden for the first time ever. I've ordered a variety of replacements. If you'd like you could assist me in planting them," Iduna offered.

Elsa knew her mother could see through her as easily as she could see through a sheet of glass; as if atonement would somehow ease her guilt. Yet, unlike with her father where she had frequently followed him around learning everything he did, as a child Elsa had never been involved in her mother's hobbies. It was both a scary and tempting offer.

Even as thoughts of failure haunted her, she nodded in agreement. She would be strong. No matter what she broke, no matter how many times she caused destruction, she'd make sure she would fix it.

"You really weren't kidding when you said she had a mansion," Kristoff said as he cooked up a storm at the stove. "This kitchen is like a dream. I can't believe how many toys are in here." His eyes were sparkling as he set up the hand blender. "Have you seen how many settings this thing has?"

With her dressing gown sleeves rolled right up, Anna was furiously kneading dough.

"I know, it's pretty incredible," she agreed with a smirk. She could remember so clearly the excitement of first entering this house so many years ago with Elsa. It was like a treasure trove full of secrets... That novelty wore off pretty fast after Elsa left.

"And you never cooked much in here?" he asked her in disbelief.

Anna wore a sad smile as she continued to vigorously put her all into the dough. This house had never been a home, at least not to her. As safe as it had been, she had never felt free. Maybe it was her own fault. Perhaps those constraints were what she had placed upon herself and not what her foster parents had insisted upon. Somehow being here now, after knowing everything about Elsa, it was like it wasn't the same grey place. The house was full of colour... or maybe it was just Anna seeing nothing but brightness in her future.

"I rarely spent time here," she admitted. "I was too busy spending as much time away from here as possible," she sighed. "Being reminded of your almost-girlfriend at every turn was enough to drive anyone insane."

"I would say I could imagine it, but it's just so out there; I really can't," he admitted as he stirred his soup.

She caught him glancing at her with so much empathy. Please don't pity me. She couldn't say the words out loud. I know things were bad back then. Worse than bad. But I have Elsa now. After everything we're back and together. Things will be good now. She smiled warmly to herself with renewed conviction. The butterflies in her stomach filled her with nervous excitement.

"I wouldn't expect you to get it," she chatted lightly. "I know it's not conventional."

"You can say that again," Kristoff grinned.

Anna smirked back as she put her dough to one side to prove. Kristoff was rushing about like a professional and she followed his lead, chopping, slicing and dicing whatever he needed. It was therapeutic, and one of the few activities that really took her mind off of everything.

She closed her eyes as she thought back to university and the crazy cooking contests she'd have with Kristoff and their flatmates. They made a good team... before the competition descended into some sort of food fight. Those were some of the best days.

"So what are you going to do now you're with a rich sugar mama?" Kristoff joked and Anna let out an unladylike cackle. Elsa, her sugar mama. She liked the sound of that but she couldn't help but catch the serious undertone of his question. It was something Anna had tried to forget thinking about. She couldn't consider leaving Elsa to go back to university, as much as she enjoyed the freedom it had afforded her. Before this whole mess she had fantasised about them getting together, buying a place close to work and university. A perfect life from a perfect dream. Now she knew Elsa better, and she knew her girlfriend had a long way to go before she'd be ok. All Anna could do was support her.

"I don't know," she admitted with a sigh. "Honestly? I don't want to leave Elsa. We need to sit back and talk about it... but I'll probably stay here with her and help her get better."

Kristoff let out a hum as he continued working. Anna eyed him carefully, unable to work out if he was judging her or supporting her. Putting her life on hold for Elsa was an easy decision. It wasn't like her life was going anywhere exciting as it was.

"I would say I was surprised, but we did break into that lab. If that isn't dedication I don't know what is."

"Yeah, we totally did. Have you heard from work or uni about that?"

Kristoff's face hardened in a way Anna rarely saw and she braced herself for the news.

"I got a phone call this morning from my boss. They have terminated my contract but they won't be prosecuting me. It's going to be a pain to find another placement with it on my record, but at least I'm not in jail." His bittersweet smile did little to make Anna feel better.

"I'm so sorry," Anna murmured in shame. "I'm sure if there was somewhere else you wanted to get into Iduna could pull some strings. You were integral to saving her daughter after all, and trust me when I say these people can make things happen."

"Oh I believe it. She's already pinned me down about that. She said she'd give me a reference... and also a very generous cheque for my trouble. She was quite insistent."

"Everyone is pretty stubborn here," Anna was unsurprised Iduna had given him money. She had grown to accept her foster family believed money could fix everything. She knew all too well they considered it to be small change. It reminded her of how Elsa had bought her that top of the range mobile phone all those years ago.

"You'll fit in perfectly then," he said with a cheeky smile. Anna scowled before throwing a handful of flour at him.

Elsa watched from the door as Anna flew around the kitchen, taking orders from the stranger she could only assume was Kristoff.

They got along well; then again she was sure Anna would get along with anyone. She had gained so much more confidence since school. Back then she had trouble finding good friends but now Elsa knew she could charm anyone. And she picked you. It still didn't feel real.

She observed in silence for a long while. She could have watched Anna so carefree and happy all day long. That smile, the endless positive energy she had, everything about her was absorbing... addictive. Elsa wondered how she'd ever be able to make Anna happy.

"Hey, I think we have company," Kristoff elbowed Anna in the ribs. Anna looked up, caught Elsa's eye and immediately slammed her hands down on the bench. A puff of flour rose up and clouded her head in a plume ...and then she proceeded to descend into a coughing fit. Elsa was by her side in a heartbeat, gently rubbing her back until she could breathe again. Anna leaned into her, nose tickling her neck.

"Smells better," she murmured, giving Elsa only the briefest of looks before claiming her lips. "Tastes better too." Anna's cheeky smile only brightened as she pulled back.

"So rude. It wasn't my fault you were too impatient to let me brush my teeth earlier." Elsa's smile grew as she gazed down into Anna's adoring eyes.

This is real. She is mine. The words sent both a thrill and a bolt of fear through her as she held Anna's fragile body in her arms. One slip up. One mood swing. Anna wouldn't stand a chance. Keep it together. Don't throw this away.

"Well, your mouth has been dirtier," Anna shrugged mischievously. It took a good five seconds for Elsa to catch Anna's meaning. She almost dropped her lover as understanding dawned on her.

Kristoff cleared his throat to interrupt them before they could take it any further, and in one awkward movement, Anna leapt back up to her feet.

"Ah, right, Elsa, this is Kristoff. Kristoff, this is Elsa. You two haven't been formally introduced so here I am, doing formal introductions," Anna gestured at each of them, talking so much faster than she should have been.

"Thank you for saving me," Elsa held her hand out to Kristoff formally. She remembered him from the breakout. She felt a pang of guilt at just how much he must have risked. It was one thing Anna throwing herself into danger for her. They had known each other for a long time. They had history. But to have a complete stranger risk his life for her was insane, to say the least.

He wiped his hand on a tea-towel before accepting the handshake.

"Please, its fine, really," he assured her. "When Anna told me what was going on... I couldn't just ignore that."

"You could have. You chose not to," Anna said as she punched his arm playfully. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"Anna is right. I owe you so much. If you ever need anything please just ask," Elsa assured him.

"Rest assured, Princess, your mother has already had that chat with me," his reply was strained which only left Elsa amused. She knew all too well just how intense her mother could be. Of course she'd take care of everything. This is what it meant to be home.

"How are you doing? Was the talk with your mum ok?" Anna asked curiously, diverting the conversation. The way Anna was gazing into her eyes was full of devotion and concern. Elsa felt her heart skip a beat.

Elsa placed a finger to her lips and led her by the hand. Anna flashed Kristoff an apologetic smile as she was guided from the room. He nodded back knowingly.

Alone in the hallway Elsa threaded her fingers through Anna's. She wished it could be just them forever, and quickly realised that was now very possible.

"It went better than I could have hoped," she admitted, taking Anna's second hand in her own and rubbing circles over her palm. "It seems between you kissing me in bed and that awful tape, Mother is more than aware that you and I have... something."

"Only something, mmm?" Anna teased as she leaned up to give Elsa a deep kiss.

"Ok, more than something," Elsa said with a smile as she wrapped an arm around Anna's waist and pulled her flush against her. "We need to talk about this properly... but I want this. I want you," Elsa had to assure her she was as invested in this as Anna was. Anna's lower lip quivered and for a moment Elsa feared she had said something wrong.

Anna swallowed the lump in her throat as she rested her forehead against Elsa's. "I love you so much," the words were barely audible on her breath.

Elsa heard the phrase and braced herself. She knew she desperately needed to give them back to Anna but saying them aloud was so difficult. It wasn't that she didn't feel the same way, but admitting to it would open up a whole new set of challenges. You've already given in to it. Embrace it.

Elsa opened her mouth to speak but the words caught in her throat. Anna gave her an understanding smile.

"It's happening quickly and you've been through a lot. Don't worry, I'm not in a rush," she assured Elsa gently before embracing her.

"And as much as I want to spend this whole day with you I need to finish cooking," she added, loathed to break the moment but she had no choice. She couldn't abandon Kristoff to finish prepping and cooking the dinner alone.

"It smelt delicious. I didn't realise you were so adapt in the kitchen," Elsa said easily, welcoming the change in direction of the conversation. Anna had been right; it was all happening so fast. Her heart could barely keep up.

"You haven't tasted it yet," Anna said with that goofy grin Elsa loved so much. "But after dinner, you and I-" she purred and it was enough to send a thrill through her. "-I'll prove to you I can beat that challenge you laid down at the Westergard Winter Ball."

Elsa went beet red as the memory resurfaced. She did challenge Anna, but she never expected her to really have the chance to have a shot at it. Just the idea of Anna's hands all over her... worshipping every inch of her body... With that thought in her head it made it impossibly hard to let go of her. But somehow Elsa did.

"I'll hold you to that," she murmured, already feeling the desire burning between her legs. Anna knew exactly what she had done. Elsa was sure it was why the woman looked so frustratingly smug as she skipped off back to the kitchen with a spring in her step.

The drawing room smelt as it always did; of freshly polished wood and lavender. Elsa's fingers danced along the intricate carvings on the fireplace. A fire hadn't been lit here in years, there was no need now the house had central heating, but her parents still kept the spare logs beside it. She smiled at memories of hiding them around the house. Not so much an inconvenience for her parents, more a headache for poor Kai. How often I used to bully him into my games. He never did used to tell tales to Mother and Father. She had been lucky. She was certain she'd have gotten into big trouble if they found out about half the chaos she caused him. Of course, I wouldn't have caused him such trouble if I didn't get away with it every time.

Elsa took her time taking in each detail as she walked around the grand room, pleased to note her deadly frost hadn't reached the greenery in here. Everything was as she remembered it. Even in the depths of winter the windows were still large enough to light up the whole room.

She paused when she reached a small round table by one of the windows. Out of everything in the room, this was what she both hoped and dreaded to see. Her hand brushed over the black and white squares of the chessboard. She was conflicted as to whether she was pleased her mother had left it out or annoyed it hadn't been packed away. After all, who else was going to use this now he had gone? Even each piece was lined up with such care. There was no dust on the set. It was cleaned regularly. What is the point?

Squeezing her eyes shut, she wanted nothing more than to slam her fist through the thing. Just one week earlier-

"Oh good, you're here. I didn't want to discuss this right away, but time dictates I must," Iduna greeted her as she walked in. Having heard her mother's footsteps even before she entered, Elsa was stood straight and composed to greet her.

Kai followed with a tray of tea and cakes. Elsa found her mouth salivating at the sugary delights. Just how long had it been since she had eaten something sweet? Anna doesn't count.

"Your tea, ma'am," Kai announced as he placed the tray down and began to serve two cups.

"And might I say, it is good to see the young Miss up and well," he turned to Elsa.

"It is good to see you again too," despite the formal attitude Elsa meant it. Despite her mother having aged years, Kai was exactly the same as he was four years ago, down to every greying hair.

"Thank you, Kai. That will be all," Iduna dismissed him. He gave a quick bow before taking his leave.

The sweet, floral fragrance was nostalgic. Home was the only place Elsa ever drank tea. She had always preferred the taste of coffee, but tea was her mother's favourite, and Elsa was never given the option of anything else. Not that she minded. Drinking tea with her family was just another thing she had missed.

"Would you like a game?" Iduna asked as she approached the chess set and Elsa immediately rebuked herself for not moving away from it.

"No, it's fine. I know you don't play."

"Oh, do I not?" her mother raised an eyebrow. "Who do you think played with your father before you learnt?" Being the stubborn old woman she was, she helped herself to a seat, and not just any seat either. She knew damn well she was sitting on Elsa's side.

"Fetch the tray, while you're up. I know it won't take me long to beat you but I'd still like to drink my tea while it's warm."

Elsa twitched at the challenge. Fighting talk. She could hardly back out now, especially when her reputation was on the line.

Without saying another word, Elsa pulled up an extra chair and placed the tray on it before taking the seat opposite her mother.

"I always play as white."

"Looks like you're black today," Iduna's reply was unsympathetic at best.

Elsa stiffened but swallowed any protests. It was odd, comparing her mother to her father. They were so alike yet so different. He never would never have dared to play as white. They had their routine. Elsa had to shake the memories away before she lost control of her emotions. Reminiscing on her father could wait. For now she had to win this match.

They played the first 30 minutes in complete silence, save for the occasional clink of a teacup being placed back on the tray. Elsa was impressed by her mother's fortitude. She was good, better than good. Elsa hadn't played in so long but she was calling upon every move she had been taught. It had taken her until now, after each move and strategy had been delicately unpicked before she realised that her parents had played together. Of course Iduna would have known all of Agnarr's moves. He would have taught her... or worse, maybe she taught him?

She tried not to show how rattled she was. The game wasn't over, not for a long shot.

"You are as serious as he was. Try to enjoy it," Iduna said as she sat back. Elsa looked up, surprised by the comment. She forcibly relaxed her muscles. It was only then she felt just how tense her body had been.

"I need to concentrate if I'm going to beat you," Elsa went back to reviewing the board with calculating eyes. "Which I will. Beat you that is."

"You will, one day," Iduna replied as Elsa moved. With just one tiny mistake, Iduna immediately punished her by sweeping her bishop across the board.

"Checkmate."

Elsa blinked.

"No," she breathed, standing up to get a better look. There had to be a way out.

"You're rusty. You should have seen that coming a mile away. I had you 7 moves back."

Elsa reviewed the board again. And again for good measure. Just how had she slipped through her defences so silently? Were the comments she made a distraction so she'd mess up? She looked up to meet her mother's eye. She wouldn't put anything past her.

Slowly, Elsa calmed herself. Conceal. Don't feel. She hadn't had to use those words outside of a storm for years, but she needed to keep herself level headed. As much as she wanted to demand a rematch and battle onward she couldn't let that rash stubbornness rule her. She had been taught better than that.

Slumping back on the chair in defeat, she picked up a slice of cake and turned her attention back to the matter of why her mother wanted to see her in the first place. Surely it wasn't to goad her into playing chess.

"What was so urgent that you had to meet me this afternoon, yet couldn't tell me before mocking me at chess?" Elsa asked with a sigh.

Iduna tensed and the way she held her composure made Elsa's stomach drop.

"Because I want you to hear it from me and not the tabloids," she replied as she sat back on her chair, teacup in hand, lips pursed in contemplation. Elsa consciously squared her shoulders and sat properly. It was an odd feeling, calling on all those lessons from so long ago. She had become so lax since leaving.

"When your father died, he left behind a very large fortune."

Elsa nodded in understanding. That was obvious. Her father owned a huge business. Of course he had a massive fortune. Wow, I hadn't even thought about that yet. Just how much work has mother been fighting through? Stepping into a business of that size...

"I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to sift through everything. I know I've probably missed so much but I'll help where I can. All you have to do is ask," Elsa promised her.

"Oh, my dear," Iduna wore a wry smile as she set the teacup down. "Your father didn't leave it to me. He left everything to you."

Elsa continued drinking her tea while nodding. And then she stopped, replaying her mother's words in her mind. She must have misheard.

He left everything to you.

She hadn't misheard. Snorting, her lungs constricted, forcing the mouthful of tea she was halfway through swallowing back up and out through her nose. In her choking, Elsa knocked the cup over. Iduna could only sigh as it smashed on the floor.

"I should have made you put that down before telling you," she murmured to herself as she waited patiently for Elsa to come to terms with the news.

Elsa was still coughing as she struggled to breathe; both from inhaling the tea and the panic that had struck her since hearing those words.

He left everything to you.

She held her chest, certain her heart would hammer itself out if she didn't hold it back. A storm had started and she couldn't stop it, not that she even cared to. She couldn't see past this revelation.

"Perhaps the choice of room was a mistake too," Iduna said idly as the wind and snow assaulted them. So much for the plants surviving in here.

"You can't be serious!" Elsa exclaimed as soon as she could talk.

"I am completely serious."

"But-he can't have-you're his wife!" she argued in anguish.

"Spouses can make their own wills," she said as if it were obvious. "He loved you, Elsa, more than anything."

In the blink of an eye the storm had stopped. Snow that had settled slowly thawed in a sparkling spectrum of colours. It would have been beautiful had Elsa even cared to notice it. She was blinkered.

"I loved him too..." Elsa whispered, touching her cheeks. They weren't wet. Do I have no more tears left to cry?

"I can't... I can't take over the company. I can barely take care of myself, let alone head a global business," her voice was as small as she felt. Wrapping her arms tightly around her abdomen, she withdrew into herself.

"You set up your own company and that's been doing well," Iduna said patiently.

"We have two employees! Father's company must have two million!" It was an exaggeration, she was sure. Even so, she didn't have the experience for what was being asked of her, let alone the people-skills.

"Believe me, Elsa, I agree it's the wrong time. I would prefer you to stay here and focus on your recovery. I know your father wouldn't have wanted things to have worked out like quite like this either but life doesn't often turn out how we expect. He wouldn't have left it to you if he didn't believe you could handle it."

Elsa balled her fists in frustration. How could her parents have so much faith in her after everything?

"You have options. You don't have to play an active role in the management of the company if you don't want to. You'll be a significantly large shareholder. We could appoint someone to represent you on the Board... but we both know that wouldn't have been what he would have wanted," she explained it all so calmly. Just how long had she known about this? Had her father always planned to cut her mother out? Elsa was still reeling. How could he drop this on me? Mother should be the one to inherit all of this.

"...It was your father's wish for you to replace him as CEO, but I don't believe that was really his decision to make."

Elsa's hands caught her head before it hit the table. Taking deep breaths she tried to rationalise it like her mother was doing. She was right, Elsa wouldn't need to be involved if she didn't want to be... yet it felt like a betrayal of her father's wishes. He would have wanted her up front and fighting. He'd want me leading his business into a new era, a bright future. How can I do that when I am so volatile? I could destroy its whole reputation within minutes if I let go of the ice.

It was an impossible decision.

"You have some time to think about it. There will be an annual company conference at the North Mountain resort in a few weeks time. I've spoken to Henry Westergard. We've agreed to wait until then before giving any solid response about what your father wanted for the company."

"Can't you do it instead?" Elsa asked desperately.

Iduna let out an audible sigh. "No. I'm sorry, Elsa. This is something you need to make a decision on. If you really don't want to do this I can organise the representative for you," she relented. "At least think about it."

Elsa let out a breath as gazed down at the chessboard.

Agnarr's knight glided across the board, taking Elsa's rook. She chewed on her lip as she watched him carefully. He gave away nothing. Sat composed and confident, she couldn't help but envy his strength. No matter how many times they played, nor how many hints and tricks he gave her, he was always one step ahead of her. She wished she could win just once.

"How do you always know what to do?" she asked with a deep frown. Wrinkles lined her forehead as she peered over the board again.

Agnarr took a long sip of his whisky before setting the glass down.

"You give yourself away with every move. You can't let your opponents read you. Conceal those thoughts and feelings. Don't feel them."

"Conceal it. Don't feel it. Like with the magic," she murmured while looking down at her hands; hands that could so easily freeze this whole room. She understood what he was saying, and Elsa had been working hard to keep her emotions in line when thinking about the ice but it was so difficult not to express that happiness when she came up with a good strategy or took one of his pieces. It was just as hard to hide the frustration every time he picked that strategy apart.

A warm hand on her own caused her to look up sharply. The contact was so unexpected that Elsa almost knocked half the pieces over.

"You've been doing well." Her eyes widened at the praise. "I've been doing this for years and you're only 14. There will be a day when you'll win every game. Probably the day when you take the company off my hands."

"I don't think that would ever happen," Elsa shook her head with a sad smile. She looked down in disappointment as he withdrew his hand. She knew she was too old to sit on his lap, but she wished she was a child again when it was both acceptable and expected to charge into his arms. Instead she sat restrained and composed, as a dignified young lady should.

"Why would that not be the case?" he seemed genuinely interested. Elsa chewed on her lip again as she considered just how much to say.

"You'll be working forever," she opened with a hint of playfulness. It was enough to draw a smile from her father. "...And by then I'll be married and have my own job. I won't have time to do yours too." Elsa hesitated, wondering if she had crossed some sort of line.

"I was hoping you'd continue the business, or at least pass it down to your children." Elsa kept her face neutral despite fearing her father could see right through her. Even at this age Elsa was sure of who she was. While she maintained the perfect pretence of a future family life she knew children wouldn't be in the picture. After all, two women couldn't have a child, at least not by natural means.

Elsa had to summon up all of the courage she had to face him head on and with conviction. "I want to forge my own path."

"You could. You'd have all of the money and resources to change whatever you wanted in the world. You may not have built it, but you'd have control over its future. Why spend a lifetime creating something never to actually have the chance to use it as you wish? I'm building it right now. By the time you get there it'll be ready for you to steer however you wish." It was a convincing argument, and not one Elsa had considered.

"...You were right, I will be working forever," he diffused the tension before Elsa had time to come up with the counter argument. "It'll be a problem for your children," he smiled and Elsa gave him a bittersweet smile in return.

"Yes... a problem for my children."

The memory was so vivid, as if she was reliving it at that very moment. He always wanted this for me. Am I right to reject it? How can I not honour his final wish? The indecision tore her apart. In all of her years reflecting on those moments with her father she had never even considered him leaving everything directly to her.

She picked up her queen, wondering if her mother truly agreed with his choice. It was impossible to tell. Her poker face was as good as her father's.

Elsa played with the piece, feeling each detail, testing its weight. It was a good piece; versatile, the best piece on the board. She found it strange to think the king was so limited. The queen held all of the power.

"...Could we play again?" Elsa caught her mother by surprise.

"Are you sure you won't be too distracted?" Iduna raised an eyebrow.

"No... I think it will help me focus," she admitted as she placed the queen down.

"Alright then," Iduna nodded and began to set the board up again. "But I won't go easy on you."

Elsa smiled at the warning.

"I wouldn't expect any less from you, Mother."

A/N: Oh boy, these chapters are getting longer and longer. As is this whole project. It'll probably take me a good few weeks again for the next update. One day (when I have time in my life again) I'll go back and read this whole story through and see if it even makes sense!

Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing so far :)