It has been over half a year since I have set foot in Arendelle.
Save those few times in my nightmares, this is the first time in forever that I have been back.
It feels surreal.
When I had departed on the Gerda all that time ago, a good portion of my kingdom had been burned to the ground.
Arendelle now stands tall and magnificent, even more splendid than it had before.
There are still parts of the outskirts that have not been reconstructed, but what has been remodeled looks far better than it originally had by a great deal.
Anna has done well; very well.
Ember and I walk down the streets of Arendelle, Celeste trailing along behind us.
Something does feel strange, although I cannot quite put my finger on it.
"Where is everyone?" Ember examines the deserted streets.
Ah, that is what it is.
There are no people; not a single one. This is what feels off.
"I don't know..." I answer, feeling rather bewildered. "I would have thought they would all be singing and dancing under Anna's rule."
The whole village seems to be abandoned.
I could sense movement behind me. Someone just rounded the corner.
"Follow me." I order Ember, taking off after the figure.
We chase after this unknown being. We round the corner to find the village baker pushing a cart of his delectable treats.
"You! Stop!" I command. It has been a rather long time since I have exercised my authority.
The baker halts, jumping a little out of surprise.
"Oh! You're Highness!" His eyes are wide. "I was just retrieving some refreshments for your coronation."
"My... coronation?"
"Er... yes." The baker looks rather uncomfortable. He shifts his eyes from me to Ember to Celeste.
"Baker, was I at this coronation just a few moments ago?"
"Er... yes."
This must be where everyone is gathered.
"Thank you, Baker." I say. "You are permitted to return to your obligations."
The baker continues on his way back to the castle, pushing his cart along with him, and looking back several times with a critical look on his face.
"They picked me." I breathe.
"What?" Ember's face is now almost as critical as the Baker's.
"My people picked me to be their queen." I explain. "Over Anna."
I never imagined in my wildest dreams that my people would ever pick me in Anna's stead. I thought I was a disappointment to them. I thought I never measured up to their expectations. I can't believe they still want me to rule the kingdom.
Reality kicks in.
Elsa is at the coronation. Hemmin is stealing my crown.
"We have to stop Hemmin." I declare.
"Agreed." Ember nods. "But how?"
"How?" I laugh. "The old fashioned way."
We make our way to the palace, keeping a determined pace.
We go down the road, around the corners, and all through Arendelle.
Finally, we stand before my old home. The castle rises up gloriously tall, spreading up toward the sky.
The gates are open wide. This is Anna saying, "Welcome! You are all welcomed here!"
I march through the gates. Ember and Celeste follow close behind.
I know exactly where I am heading.
Where else does one perform a coronation? The throne room.
I remember when my coronation was held all that time ago, before anyone knew about my powers.
It isn't the best memory of mine; quite the contrary, actually.
The people are holding a new coronation for me now, to symbolize the rebirth of our Arendelle. I fully intend to be the one who gets crowned today.
I reach the door to the throne room. I stop suddenly, taking in a deep breath.
Ember squeezes my hand, letting me know that he is right here beside me.
There comes that time in almost every fairytale when the hero (or heroine) does that one noble thing that alters the course of the story.
Sometimes, this particular thing that I speak of is a prince barging into a wedding ceremony right at that perfect moment, trying desperately to prevent his true love from marrying another.
I suppose what I am about to do could possibly be compared to this.
I barge through the door.
The other Elsa stands in the back of the room, precisely in front of my throne. Anna stands next to her, about to rest my crown upon the imposter's head.
"Stop!" I order, my voice ringing through the large room.
The crowds of people turn around at this disruption, all gasping simultaneously at the sight of me (the real me).
"Elsa?" Anna's face displays much confusion. She looks from me, to the other Elsa, then back to me again.
"Anna." I take a few steps down the center aisle of the room, slowly making my way towards her. "It's me."
Everyone keeps looking back and forth, from Elsa to Elsa.
I can hear various murmurs arise from perplexed villagers.
"There are two Queen Elsa's, Mommy." A young girl whispers.
"Shhhh..."
"What is this trickery?"
"Which one is the real one?"
"I can't tell..."
How can I convince them that I am their true queen?
The other Elsa looks quite displeased by my presence. I feel greatly displeased by her presence, as well.
"You're ruining my coronation!" Her accent has become significantly more convincing. Have we been practicing to not thud our words out, Hemmin?
"That's peculiar." I respond. "I am fairly certain that it's mine."
She gives me a piercing look. I hope that Anna notices this; Anna would know that I would never look at someone in such a way as this.
The other Elsa suddenly snatches the crown from Anna's hands. She places it upon her light hair… my hair.
Anna looks quite disoriented.
The imposter flees the throne room, by way of one of the smaller side doors.
I take off after her, leaving everyone in a state of shock and befuddlement.
In the name of Arendelle, I am going to get my crown back.