Conceal. Don't feel.
This feels all too familiar.
I take my place at the center of the platform.
It is usually Arendelle custom that the royal family's marriage ceremonies be held in the grand throne room, but of course Anna opted that it be done in the village square.
She always hated being stuck in that castle.
"You know, you should always wait to catch snowflakes in your mouth until after all the birds have flown South." Olaf waddles over to me.
"What?" I ask, confused.
"Well, it's always good to take precautions." Olaf looks at me knowingly.
"Olaf, you shouldn't be here, you silly snowman!" I scold him, ignoring whatever it was he was trying to warn me about. "The ceremony is about to begin, you should be in your place and ready."
"Sven isn't even here yet."
"Kristoff." I correct him.
"Same difference." He responds. "He still isn't here."
"Well, he will be." I nudge the little snowman towards the edge of the platform.
Olaf huffs. "Alright, alright. No need to be so pushy." He adds, "But we all know you should be the one doing my job. If you would make it snow just a little, which we all know you can do anyway, then I could be sitting in the back, snacking on snow cones."
"And then you would be complaining that you weren't a part of the wedding." I tease him.
"Can I have a snow cone. Just one?" Olaf bats his eyes at me.
I nod my consent. "If you hurry."
He scurries off the platform and to the refreshment table.
Conceal. Don't feel.
My fingers are aching.
I wish we had done the wedding earlier in the year when it wasn't quite so cold out.
It isn't that deep into the seasons yet as to have snow, but the wind has quite a bite to it.
Kristoff steps onto the platform.
At last!
He grins at me, then takes his place at the right.
"Are you ready?" I ask him.
"Indeed." He replies.
He looks nervous, but I don't blame him. I'm nervous, and it's not even my wedding.
I take a step forward and address my people. "People of Arendelle, we gather here today in honor of my sister, Princess Anna. Today, she and this young man will be joined together in marriage. I know that we have all been anticipating this day for quite some time now, and I am glad to announce that it is finally here.
"I know that my mother and father, your beloved queen and king, are smiling down upon us on this day. Though they be not with us in flesh, I know that they are here in spirit. They have been anticipating this day since my dear Anna's first breath.
"It is my pride and joy to be able to share this moment with each and every one of you. It is my pride and joy to be able to unite my dear sister to her beloved.
"Long live Arendelle and many blessings to all her people!" I bow my head and step back into place.
A soft melody lifts from the orchestra and into the air. It dances in the wind and around the square.
For a single moment, it seems as though all of Arendelle simply stops and inhales a single breath.
Then, that breath is expelled and the ceremony begins.
It begins with 12 beautiful bridesmaids, who are young village girls, hand-picked by Anna.
Donned in identical, elegant gowns, they walk down the aisle, two-by-two.
Once they reach the platform, Sven (who is Kristoff's reindeer), proceeds to trot down the aisle after them, carrying two silver rings upon the crystal-blue cushion secured to his back.
After Sven reaches his place on the platform, Olaf emerges and begins to perform his duty in the wedding.
As Olaf waddles down the aisle, he showers the guests with little snowflakes. This was Anna's idea, of course, that she have a snow man, instead of a flower girl.
Olaf seems to be enjoying himself as he makes his way toward the platform, so I don't feel like I'm inconveniencing him too much by not doing it for him with my own powers.
I did grant him his request for a snow cone before the ceremony began, so he shouldn't be too displeased.
At last, Olaf reaches his destination, and there is only one last person to make their journey down the aisle.
Last but not least... my sister.
Anna appears, clad in her extraordinary wedding gown, and I do believe we all are taken aback for a moment.
She is beautiful.
Her gown is an icy blue, with mountains of lace, cascading down, layer after layer until the skirts brush against the ground.
Her hair is twisted back into an elegant style that really brings out her big, blue eyes in the best way.
As she walks, we can see fragile, glassy shoes peak out occasionally from under her dress. They look as though they were carved of ice. The thought sends shivers down my spine.
Anna is halfway down the aisle now. It seems as though time has slowed down.
We are focused on her every step, on every swish of her gown.
All she is focused on is Kristoff, for he is the only thing she has laid eyes on since she first entered and began her walk.
A sharp stinging pain stabs into the tips of my fingers, and it takes everything within me not to cry out in pain.
Conceal. Don't feel.
I just need to get through this.
This is when the flames break out.