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Chapter 1: To Arendelle
(Elsa)
"I want to thank you for inviting me over," Elsa said, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"After everything that's happened, I think it was well deserved. Besides, you're family," Rapunzel replied. She smiled back at Elsa.
Elsa chuckled. "The floating lanterns are quite beautiful," she said, looking to the mid-morning sky where the lanterns had been just the night before. "I'm sorry Anna couldn't make it. Her pregnancy makes her quite ill out on the sea."
Rapunzel smiled. "It's okay; I understand," she said rubbing her own round belly. "Eugene and I have been trying for so long and we're happy to finally be with child. Just be sure and tell Anna that I expect a full report from her when she has her baby. Oh, and tell her I'm deeply sorry for missing her wedding."
"It's okay," Elsa replied. "She understood. Traveling from Corona to Arendelle can be quite treacherous." Elsa's eyes softened and fell to the ground. The thought of her parents being lost at sea still perturbed her. "...our family especially should know," Elsa added softly.
Rapunzel pursed her lips. She wanted to quickly change the subject. She didn't want her cousin leaving Corona on a doleful note. Rapunzel narrowed her eyes. "What did you say the husband's name is?"
"Kristoff," Elsa replied, lifting her eyes to meet Rapunzel's again. "Anna met him when she came to the North Mountain to bring me back home."
"Adventure and love... is there really any better way to find someone?" Rapunzel turned her head to look back at her husband, who was making conversation with the King and Queen of Corona.
Elsa smiled sadly, thinking of her own non-romantic life. "Well, you have a husband and Anna has a husband. At least I have a sister who loves me enough to save me from myself and bring me back to where I belong."
Rapunzel put her hand on Elsa's bare shoulder. Her skin was unusually cool to the touch, a stark contrast to everyone else's as well as her own. "There's someone out there for you," Rapunzel said softly. "You just have to promise not to give up."
The corner of Elsa's lips tugged upward at Rapunzel's words. "Thank you," Elsa replied softly. She wrapped her arms around Rapunzel and did her best to hug her cousin, her enormous belly making it awkward and impossible for Elsa to hug her completely.
Eugene came running up to the two young women with a pout on his face. "Elsa," he shouted. "Now, I know you're not departing Corona without giving me a hug as well."
Elsa giggled. "Oh, come here!" She threw her arms around Eugene.
Rapunzel giggled as she watched her husband and her cousin embrace. Elsa pulled away and Eugene took his wife in his arms. He nuzzled his lips into the crevice of Rapunzel's neck and shoulder. "I love you," he whispered to Rapunzel, running his hands along his wife's belly, caressing the baby bump.
Elsa smiled at the couple. She extended her index finger and twirled it above their heads. A little dusting of snow rained down upon them. "You two are too adorable," Elsa said.
Eugene stuck his tongue out collecting snowflakes. Rapunzel giggled again. "Have a safe trip, Elsa. We'll be sure and visit as soon as our baby is born."
Elsa nodded. "I look forward to it." Elsa turned around and made her way to her ship. Two Arendelle guards stood on the dock. They escorted the Queen up the ramp leading to the ship. When Elsa was safely onboard, she turned and looked back to Rapunzel and Eugene. She waved. "Bye!"
"Bye," Rapunzel and Eugene shouted in unison. "I love you," Rapunzel added.
"I love you, too," Elsa shouted. Elsa turned and nodded at the guards. "Let's go home."
"Yes, your Majesty," one of the guards replied.
Another guard turned his attention to the captain of the ship. He shouted, "Take us back to Arendelle, Queen's orders."
The captain saluted and started belaying orders to his crew. Moments later, the ship left the Corona harbor and set sail for Arendelle.
# # #
That evening the ship coursed through the still waters. The stars twinkled brightly across the dark, cloudless sky, the moon casting a silvery glow across the water's surface and ship.
Elsa stepped out of the Queen's Quarters. She lifted her arms high in the air and bent her back stretching her body. She inhaled the cool night's air, relishing the salty sea breeze and taking a moment to enjoy the beautiful reflection of the celestial bodies upon the vast expanse of water. Her mouth opened and she released a yawn. "How are we doing with time?" the Queen asked.
A guard standing outside the Queen's Quarters replied, "We're right on track, your Majesty. We should be back at Arendelle in just a few days."
"Did you enjoy your stay in Corona?"
"I did, your Majesty." His voice quavered slightly.
Elsa shifted her eyes. She loved her kingdom and everyone in it, but she was deeply saddened by the fact that some people were still scared of her. It had been almost two years since the Great Thaw, yet even her own guards were still weary of her. She forced a smile. "I'm happy you enjoyed your time."
Elsa lifted her hand to pat the guard on the shoulder, causing him to flinch. Elsa immediately jerked her hand away as though it had been burned and cradled it against her chest. She looked at the guard, noticing his tense posture and watching his throat bob. She could tell he was nervous, afraid even, if she were to wager a guess. She lowered her head and cast her eyes to the wooden floor of the ship.
"Thank you for your service," Elsa murmured.
"I am happy to be a guard of the Kingdom of Arendelle - to Queen Elsa. It is my honor, your Majesty."
Elsa dropped her hand to her side. Whether or not he truly meant it, Elsa did not know. All guards were required to say that phrase as it was part of their training. She had heard it spoken several times in her youth when she would come out of her room for dinner and lavatory purposes. The only difference then was that the saying had been addressed to her father and her mother, King Agdar and Queen Idun, respectively, and the guards had been much happier—less frightened, especially.
Elsa turned around and went back to her bedchamber on the ship. She stood in her room all alone. A single oil lantern hung from a hook jutting from the wall furthest from her bed. Her room was bathed in a light orange hue. The flame flickered and danced about. She wondered why she hadn't brought a friend—even Olaf, who had wanted so desperately to see Corona, had been left behind. At the time, she felt he needed to stay with Anna. He was always a constant source of entertainment and provided much joy for her beloved sibling. And although Elsa felt terribly lonely at times like this, she always put her sister's needs and happiness above her own. Elsa was convinced that Anna needed Olaf more, for she was much more accustomed to being alone.
The Queen waved her hand over her ice gown and a pool of water quickly gathered at her feet. She stood in the middle of her room as naked as the day she was born. She walked over to the large, wooden dresser and opened a drawer. She pulled out a bed gown and a pair of panties and dressed herself. She stepped toward the lantern and pressed her finger against it. Ice shrouded the lamp and it quickly melted, extinguishing the flame. The bedchamber was enveloped in darkness. Elsa laid down on her bed and stared into the pitch black room.
Rapunzel's words repeated in Elsa's head, "There's someone out there for you. You just have to promise not to give up." Elsa's eyes fluttered shut. Sleep was slowly overtaking her and one last thought coursed through her mind. I just have to promise not to give up...
# # #
Elsa jerked awake as her body slammed into the wall next to her bed. She screamed.
The door to the Queen's Quarters opened in a fury. The guard standing outside her door shouted down to Elsa. "Your Majesty!"
Elsa felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. She ran her hand over it and caressed the spot. Elsa shook her head trying to pull herself out of her sleepy haze. "What going on?"
The guard stepped into her bedchamber and came rushing downstairs holding an oil lantern. "There's a storm. It's a terrible one. Walls of water are crashing into the ship and lightning is striking all around us."
"A storm," Elsa muttered in confusion. "But the sky was perfectly clear—"
"The storm came from the North. We rolled right in to it, your Majesty."
Elsa stood up. She was limned by the orange, flickering light emitting from the lantern. Her platinum blonde hair appeared as orange as her sister's but retained its natural elegance and form. A loud, thunderous sound crashed in the sky outside followed by the pulsing, bright light of lightning. The ship was struck by another wall of water and Elsa was thrown over her bed and against the wall—as was the guard.
In the midst of thrashing by the sea, the lantern was dropped, the glass shattering, oil spreading across the wooden floor and igniting shortly after. The room erupted in a heat of orange blaze. Elsa groaned, rubbing her head. The guard was knocked unconscious. Elsa watched as the fire spread and the room became consumed by the orange glow and heat. Thick, dark smoked quickly filled the room and Elsa sat up and began blasting spurts of ice at the flames. The fire however spread too rapidly due to the spilled oil and became too much for Elsa to handle. She jumped up off of the bed and darted around the fire. Lying still on the floor was the guard. The Queen stopped and watched as he didn't move. She couldn't tell if he was breathing or not. With how quickly the flames were consuming the room, she had two choices: get out of the room alone and save herself or risk her life and try to lift the man up the stairs.
Elsa did not dwell on her options long. She knew if she ran without at least trying to save the man—her own Royal guard—it would weigh heavy on her conscious. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself.
Elsa knelt down as smoke billowed up the stairway and escaped out of the Queen's Quarters. She managed to tuck her arms under the guard's and began to heave and pull. The heat in the room was immense and Elsa's cool, pale skin had become hot and flushed. Sweat emitted from every pore on her body and drenched her night gown. She tugged and heaved, but made very little progress going up the stairs. Smoke filled her lungs and her eyes and chest burned, nearly causing her to lose consciousness.
"Help!" the Queen tried to yell, but it came out as a series of coughs instead. She quickly lowered her head close to her feet to take in a breath of air that was less smoky. This time she was successful as she let out a loud yell. "Help!"
Thunder boomed outside and the rain poured, drenching the surface of the ship. Waves crashed relentlessly into the side of the vessel. The fire raged on in the Queen's Quarters and her voice was drowned out by the commotion all around.
Elsa felt exhausted. She was running out of fresh air to breathe and the blistering heat quickly grew intolerable. Her eyes began to flutter, her body felt heavy, and she just wanted to lie down and sleep. Her cousin's voice rang clear in her head.
"Promise not to give up."
Elsa clenched her teeth, narrowed her eyes, and flared her nostrils.
I won't give up!
With all of her strength, Elsa lifted the man and carried him up the stairs.
I won't give up!
She trudged through the thick, black smoke holding her breath for as long as possible.
I won't give up!
Her lungs and muscles began to ache. She wanted to take a breath, but she knew she couldn't. Her resolve strengthened with every step she took.
I... won't... give... Elsa reached the stop step. "...up!" She stumbled out of the Queen's Quarters and the guard tumbled off of her back. She landed face first into a puddle of seawater and rain that coated the floor of the ship. Elsa lifted herself up and inhaled a deep breath. The smell of rain and salt water filled her aching lungs. Her clothes were instantly drenched by the rain, further soaking and ruining her bed clothes. She rolled over on her back and stared up into the dark, menacing sky. Lightning danced across the canvas of black above her, followed closely by the booming of thunder.
A loud explosion erupted from the Queen's Quarters. The flames had completely engulfed the room and had caught the lantern that hung from the hook. Thick, black smoke continued to billow out of Elsa's bedchamber.
Elsa sat up, startled at the sound of the loud explosion. She surveyed her surroundings and noticed that nobody was present. All she heard was the storm above and the sea below and no one was rushing to her aid. That's when she realized the guard that came to her aid was the last guard left on the ship. Elsa had no time to mourn their presumable deaths; she had her own life and the life of the remaining guard to worry about.
Elsa stood up and looked back at the black smoke pouring out of the Queen's Quarters. She had to make a decision and fast. She spotted the guard lying near the edge of the ship and quickly ran to him, kneeling down. He let out a groan.
Elsa's eyes widened. He's alive! Elsa shook him lightly. "Hey, wake up."
The guard slowly regained consciousness and his eyes fluttered open. "Ugh, where—what happened?"
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed in the sky again.
"The storm—" The ship suddenly jerked sideways and Elsa and the guard were thrown against the side railing. Elsa let out a scream as her shoulder hit the side of the ship. The guard was not as fortunate, and he let out a bloodcurdling wail as he toppled over the side of the ship.
"My Queen...!" He shouted all the way down until he was devoured by the raging sea below.
Elsa stumbled to her feet and looked over the edge of the ship. He was gone. Tears filled her eyes and her jaw began to tremble. Each breath was heavier than the last. Each breath was taken faster than the last. Her heart pounded in her chest. Yet again she found herself all alone on the ship.
Lightning coursed through black clouds and lit up the ship and its surroundings. A massive wall of water loomed high above the Queen's vessel. Elsa felt numb and her whole body tingled. She stood with bated breath, ready to accept her fate.
"I won't give up," she muttered under her breath.
The wave slammed into the ship. Elsa was thrown back and she landed against the wooden pole that was the mainmast. Ice ejected from her hands and climbed up the pole, cracking and shattering the wood until it was split, causing the pole to topple over. Elsa darted out of the way as quickly as possible but the sails and shrouds came down with the pole. She was too slow, and she was instantly swept up under the sails and shrouds. The pole crashed hard enough to break through the floor of the ship, taking the sails, and trapped Elsa into the depths of the sea. Elsa unleashed spurts of ice in the hopes of providing enough buoyancy to stay afloat like an iceberg. Unfortunately, the pole in addition to the drenched sails was too heavy, swiftly dragging the ice as well as Elsa down toward the bottom of the sea.
Cold, salty water enveloped Elsa. She struggled fiercely under the sail to get free. Flashes of Anna appeared in her head. Her sister's red, braided hair, her freckled cheeks and her nose, her sister's swelling baby bump—she would miss all of it if she couldn't get free.
The loud, booming thunder was soon drowned out by the water above her as she sank lower into the dank abyss. She held her breath for as long as possible. And though her lungs ached, she held in that breath of air—the breath that kept her alive and still fighting.
She continued to struggle but she was quickly growing weaker. She wanted to exhale and take in a breath of fresh air so badly. She needed to breathe again.
Darkness surrounded her vision and whether it was from unconsciousness settling in or her eminent death, she wasn't sure. Anna's child would never know their aunt. Poor Anna, a soon-to-be grieving sister would have the entire kingdom of Arendelle thrust upon her, as she would become queen in the wake of Elsa's death. Elsa wanted none of this for Anna. She didn't want to put her beloved sister through more torment, especially with the previous loss of their parents. She didn't deserve it, not then, not now.
Elsa couldn't go on, she was tired of struggling. She told herself she wouldn't give up, but she couldn't fight it any longer. It was her cousin's voice that gave her warmth in the final seconds before her body went limp and her consciousness faded to blissful rest.
"There's someone out there for you. You just have to promise to not give up."