This feels like déjà vu.
The marriage ceremony is about to begin for the second time in one day.
This time it is going to be held in the royal throne room, kept true to Arendelle tradition. Due to the unfortunate events earlier in the day, I did not think that it would be appropriate to hold it in the square as before, being that the square is currently filled with rubble and debris. Do not worry, this decision was made with Anna's blessing.
I open the door to my bedchamber and slip out into the hall. It is time. I make my way across the castle, down the grand stairway, and towards the throne room.
As I walk, I wring my hands together. I just have one more ceremony to get myself through.
Conceal. Don't feel.
Who am I kidding? I can feel the agony in my hands more than I can hear myself think.
Someone clears their throat behind me, which startles me.
I whirl around only to find myself face to face with Ember.
It seems he now feels comfortable enough to let down that hood of his; this reveals that he has a bush of shaggy black hair. I am doubtful that I have ever seen anyone with hair quite so dark before.
"Oh! Oh, it's just you..." I say.
He stares at me intensely, with those smoky gray eyes. I just realize that this is what his eyes remind me of: smoke.
"Uh... is there something I can help you with?" I manage to get out.
"I want to ask permission to leave the castle grounds for a few hours."
I raise an eyebrow. "Might I ask why? You aren't going to try to run away, now are you?"
He keeps his gaze upon me still as he answers me. "No, I do not intend to run away." He pauses for a beat. "I do not agree with your decision to join me, but I do intend to abide by our deal. You have been more than generous to me, so I must be fair to you.
"I wish to leave the castle for a short while during your sister's marriage ceremony, as I do not believe that I would be welcomed there by many of your people. I also would appreciate some time alone before we are to set off on this journey tomorrow.
"You have my word that I will return to the castle after these few hours have passed."
His reasons are understandable. I can tell that he genuinely means what he says.
"I give you my permission."
"Thank you." Ember bows his head solemnly.
"Of course." I reply. "Now if you'll excuse me."
I turn back towards the direction of the throne room. I make it two steps before I am overtaken by tortuous pain.
I slam into the wall. I try to hold myself up with icy hands that feel nothing.
"Elsa!" Ember reaches out and steadies me.
As soon as his hands make contact with my skin, I am overtaken by a completely different phenomenon: heat.
For a single moment, I forget about every icy particle wreaking havoc within me. I forget that my body is beginning to freeze itself solid. I forget that I am dying to my own powers. For all of two seconds, I forget.
Ember jerks his hands away from me. He jumps back with a haunted look upon his face. "Elsa! I... I... am so sorry. Are you... Are you hurt?" He stammers. "Did I hurt you? I... I'm sorry."
"No, Ember. You didn't hurt me..."
He gives me a confused look. "How...?"
Olaf suddenly comes up from behind me. "Somebody's late!" He sings out.
"Oh no! Are they ready to start?" I make a beeline for the throne room.
I hear Olaf behind me, "How in Arendelle did you possibly forget about your sister's wedding, Elsa? We just had her other wedding earlier; it really hasn't been that long."
I push open the throne room doors and head toward the back of the room.
Everybody is here, even Kristoff.
I wonder if he is as nervous as he was earlier. I mean, once you go through it once can it really be that big of a deal the second time through?
I realize that I am nervous, so I suppose that answers that question.
I take my place to the left of Kristoff.
Conceal. Don't feel.
This goes through my mind out of habit.
My hands hurt considerably less since just a few moments ago with Ember. I can still feel a tingling sensation from where his hands made contact with my arms.
I know that this relief will not last long, but I think that I can make it through the ceremony.
I go forward and address my people for the second time in one day.