Sixteen

Elsa was petrified at the door; the sight of Ingvalda with the letters was like a nightmare. Maybe if she ran back to the dungeons, it would all go away.

What scared her the most was that Ingvalda never so much as glanced up in her direction. She was too busy engrossed in one of the letters. Elsa could only stand stock still, afraid that if she tried to back out, Ingvalda would lash out. She had to wait patiently for her punishment.

Eventually, the woman lowered the letter, an off-putting smugness in her expression. "How long did you intend to keep these a secret?"

Elsa realized she was addressing her, and tried to speak, but she couldn't find her voice.

"You began to receive these long before the bodies arrived, didn't you?" Ingvalda spoke so calmly that it was like they were discussing something as commonplace as the weather. "And yet you chose to keep them to yourself. Why?"

"Ingvalda, I'm sorry-" Elsa began, but the woman cut her off.

"I don't want to hear you apologize, I want a reason."

Elsa swallowed a lump in her throat. "I... didn't want any trouble. I had no idea the bodies would begin washing in." That much was true. "And I couldn't risk scandal." That wasn't true, Elsa couldn't care less about reputation.

But the answer seemed to please Ingvalda. "I see," she said, thumbing the letters. "You know, this could seriously hurt us. Withholding this information may even be worthy of treason."

Elsa had studied more law than some people were led to believe, and she was almost certain it was nothing that serious. "I-"

"If word gets out, we could be accused of conspiring with the killer. And as it is, it seems you are."

Elsa felt her cheeks burning, sure that Ingvalda couldn't know that she'd been kissing the same man just minutes ago, but still felt overbearingly guilty. "I'm sure he's not the killer."

"We can't go on your instincts alone," Ingvalda said, rising from the bed. She collected the letters into her frail-looking arms. "As the queen of Arendelle, your duty is to work with your advisers. You are a team. Withholding information like this is unacceptable."

Elsa held her hands together in front of her. "Yes, I know," she said quietly.

"Follow me," Ingvalda commanded, brushing past her through the door. With one glance back at her empty pillow that failed to keep her secrets, Elsa fell in step behind her.

"I understand you're still new at ruling," Ingvalda said as they walked. Elsa felt like she was being led to the executioner's block. "And I have been helping you beyond what should be acceptable. Maybe you're still too young. Too inexperienced. In fact, it may be for the better if I were to take the throne back."

"No," Elsa said defensively. She realized her tone when Ingvalda glared back. "I mean, it's not necessary. I'm perfectly capable of running my kingdom."

"Then prove it," the woman sniffed, causing Elsa to feel small in comparison.

She's right, she thought. I've been fraternizing with the prisoner and left her to clean up this mess. I'm not a very good ruler.

She scolded herself for thinking like that. Positive thoughts. Hans thinks he wants me. Anna... oh. The sinking feeling in her stomach told her that Anna must have let Ingvalda know where the letters were. I pushed her too far this time.

Ingvalda led the way to the office, where other mail was stacked high and papers were scattered all about. "Sit."

Elsa obeyed, not seeing any other option.

Ingvalda searched for a clean sheet and a pen. When she found them, she laid them in front of the queen. Elsa felt like she was in school.

"Write."

"What am I writing?" Elsa asked.

"A letter to the Southern Isles. I want you to tell them that we've had their prince locked up for months, and that they're to come and collect him."

Elsa's heart sunk so far she could hardly feel it beat. He can't go back to them, don't you understand? she wanted to scream. But she only stared blankly at the paper.

"I understand that you've been spending a lot of time with the prisoner, and I'll choose the believe it's only for interrogative purposes," Ingvalda said as if she were too merciful for Elsa's own good. "But it's become too dangerous, and we need him out of our kingdom. Now you'll sit here and write the letter, and you won't leave until you're finished."

"But-"

"You're the queen, and you have responsibilities," Ingvalda scolded. "And don't you forget to mention anything, because I will personally looking over it." The former custodian stood in the doorway, hand on the knob. "I expected better from you, Elsa. What would your father have thought?"

The custodian didn't give her a second glance as the door closed. As soon as she was alone, Elsa felt her chest heave. Hans had told her to write a letter, but now that it was in front of her, she couldn't herself to pick up the pen.

How can I let him go like this? she thought. Not when he thinks he wants me.

A year ago, Elsa would have thought herself strange for being so easily persuaded. Just a few simple words and kisses, and she couldn't do what's best for her kingdom. Anna had been so much braver than Elsa was now. She dropped everything to go find her after Elsa shirked her responsibilities to pretend she was free.

She wondered if Ingvalda and Anna were right. Maybe this had gone far enough. What if he was messing with her head? What if Hans only thought he wanted her because he was lying? What if his strategy was only slightly altered from his last scheme?

"He can't be lying," Elsa muttered aloud. "He can't."

But the doubts were already gnawing at her. And Ingvalda was right, she was the queen. And the queen had a duty to her people before herself.

She loved Hans, of that she was sure, but was this truly what was best for him?

Elsa closed her eyes, lips trembling. It was best for her kingdom, and that came before herself.

Resignedly, she put the pen to paper and began to sign away the life of the only person she'd ever kissed.

Elsa was unwillingly the center of attention at the meeting that Ingvalda called the next day. Before a council, all of her recent faults were laid out. She couldn't have been more embarrassed.

Worst of all was seeing Anna's reactions. She sat across the table, a permanent look of sadness etched on her face. Elsa stared at the table for most of the meeting, unable to meet anyone's eyes- especially her sister's.

Ingvalda spoke for the whole span of time. She told them about Elsa's constant meetings with the prisoner, which were actually interrogations according to Ingvalda. Elsa halfheartedly nodded when she was asked to confirm. The former custodian said that she had come to the conclusion, with Elsa's evidence, that Hans was indeed guilty of the bodies showing up. The queen raised her head, intent on speaking up, but Ingvalda shot her down with a look that could have withered. So she sheepishly put her head down again, determined to be seen and not heard.

She then spoke of the concealed letters, and when Elsa glanced up at Anna, she saw that she was looking strangely... guilty. That confirmed it, then. Anna had told Ingvalda about the letters. But Elsa wasn't mad at her. She could never be angry with Anna. In fact, by this point, Elsa had more than deserved this fate.

The letter Elsa had written in a rush so she wouldn't think too hard about what she was letting go was read aloud by Ingvalda. As her words were vocalized, she regretted ever touching the pen to the paper. It eagerly invited Hans' remaining brothers to come collect their trash. If only she had the nerve to release him, disregarding all consequences. I really am a terrible leader, aren't I? she thought as Ingvalda continued in her booming royal voice. How often have I put my own wants before the needs of my kingdom?

She couldn't have been more grateful when the council members all nodded and spoke in a bumbling sort of fashion, happy that things seemed to finally be under control. She could see the disdain in their gaze, even if they did still bow to her upon their exit.

Everyone was filtering out of the room afterwards, but Elsa didn't have the will to stand up. She sat like stone in her seat, head still down towards the table. The room swiftly became silent, and when she heard the doors close, she folded her arms across the table and allowed her head to sink into the hammock she'd created. She wanted to cry, but she was all dried up from the amount of tears she'd shed yesterday.

A brief tap on her shoulder made Elsa jump, head whipping up and glancing around for the assaulter. She'd expected Ingvalda, but found a sheepish looking Anna standing behind her.

"Hey," Anna said quietly.

Elsa's shoulders relaxed. Strangely enough, though, Elsa felt better knowing she wasn't completely alone; she had Anna.

"Hey," Elsa repeated. After a silence, Elsa turned to the chair next to her and nodded with her head, gesturing to sit. Anna nodded, not quite meeting her eye, and took a seat.

Elsa could have said a million things, but it had been Anna that tapped her shoulder. She must have had something to say. The dry silence between them must have meant Anna was having a hard time getting it out of her system.

"I told her about the letters," Anna said finally, as if it were her death sentence. "I'm so sorry, I was just so frustrated and I-"

"I'm not mad at you, Anna," Elsa said, causing the redhead to close her mouth. She turned towards the queen, who was already looking at her.

"You're-you're not?" she asked, stupefied. "But, I mean, Ingvalda found out and now we're telling his brothers to come take him back."

"It was bound to happen eventually," Elsa mumbled. "There's only so many secrets I could keep before it all blew up in my face." She only wished it had blown up before she'd gotten so attached. "And I could never be mad at you, Anna. You only do what's best for everyone. You're the most amazing, selfless person I've ever known in my whole life. Of course, I haven't met many people, but it still stands."

Anna smiled, though her eyes were still sad. "Aw, Elsa. That's sweet."

"It's true," the queen said, her sister's smile causing her to smile a little in turn. "And I'm honestly sorry about all the secrets. I know I told you before that I wouldn't keep anything from you anymore, and I wouldn't shut you out, and all I did was continue my actions. And that was... beyond unacceptable. So I hope you'll forgive me."

Anna punched Elsa lightly on the arm. "Of course I forgive you," she laughed. "If you really mean it this time."

Elsa rubbed her arm, Anna having forgotten her own strength, and smiled wider. "I do. And... with Hans leaving, maybe we can finally mend our lives back together."

Anna's smile faltered. "Yeah... about Hans, I'm really sorry about the way I acted when you told me about... him."

"There's nothing to apologize about," Elsa said, her own smile now a heavy line. "I'm the one who's being ridiculous. Who falls in love with the one person they shouldn't, after all?"

"Well, Kristoff thought otherwise," Anna said with a shrug, then held her hand to her mouth, like she'd let out a huge secret. "Oh, you won't tell him I told? I was really mad and complaining to him about you and he told me about how you came to him and he told you the story about his parents and all."

Elsa chuckled and shook her head. "Promise not to tell."

Anna exhaled and slunk back into her chair. "Long story short, I guess I cooled off a lot, thanks to my big 'ol mountain man. We can't really help our emotions."

It was Elsa's turn to be surprised. "You mean... you're not angry with me?"

Anna bit her lip and cocked her head. "Well... it's not blistering fury or anything. I mean, I'm still a little angry with you. You can't expect me to let it pass without some uneasiness. But for now, I... I guess I'm not totally angry with you. I'm like 63% fine with it."

That was enough for Elsa. She pushed her chair back and without warning, crushed her sister in a hug. Anna yelped slightly, but caught onto the act soon and hugged tightly back. Elsa was reminded of how pleasant it was to be wrapped in the warm arms of someone who loved her.

She released her sister, smiles on their faces at finally finding each other again.

"I missed you," Elsa whispered.

"Aw, you big sentimental goof," Anna said with a giggle. "I guess the only thing I'm worried about now is that he's going to break your heart. Like, I know you've got feelings for him, and I've kind of accepted that, but when you said he'd never told you 'I love you', then I got worried that maybe he wouldn't give you the affection back that you craved."

Elsa could feel the warmth glowing on her cheeks. She could hardly meet Anna's eye, and bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Well... I... he-"

Anna gasped. "Wait, did he say it? What were his exact words?! Tell me everything!"

Elsa allowed the smile to grow as she sheepishly answered, "He said 'I think I want you'"

Anna's nose wrinkled. "That's it? He didn't even fully commit? 'I think I want you'?"

"I know, I know," the queen said, rolling her eyes slightly. It felt so natural to talk like this to Anna again. If anything good had come of this situation, at least she had her sister back. "But... then I kissed him."

Anna's skirts seemed to be on fire, because she couldn't sit still. She jumped around in her chair, girlish shrieks muffled by her bitten lip. "Really? You actually kissed him? What was it like? What happened? He didn't propose to you, did he?"

Elsa laughed, shaking her head. She stood from her chair and offered Anna a hand. "Yes, I did. It was... warm. And he didn't propose."

Anna stomped her feet lightly and quickly. "I can't believe it! What other secrets can I know now?"

Well, there was a pretty big, fiery one she'd been keeping, and Elsa was dying to spill it. She promised Anna a stroll towards the waterfall so she could finally clear her conscience.

At least we ended on a happier note this time! I'll never tire of all your frustrated reviews at how nothing ever seems to go right. They warm my heart.

Words never seem to convey my love for all you!