The severity of Elsa's imprisonment truly hit the day that her son came home with the first of her worst fears.

The day had started really well. Anna had sent a letter to her and Gillian as well as a gift. It was something that her time on the Isle had made her forget about Arendelle traditions. She was elated when she realized her sister cared more for her son's royal education than she did. Elsa sometimes wondered what the Isle was doing to her and what it would eventually do to her son.

Gillian's ninth birthday was two weeks before, and it came and went with an okay carrot cake that Elsa made from the few carrots she managed to get from her garden. It was winter, and fresh food from the garden was even harder to come by now than any other part of the year. Gillian had celebrated with his mother, and Evie and later that week celebrated with his father. Elsa got the day of because she simply gave birth to him, and Gaston did not.

He came home not long after she finished reading her letter with a maniacal grin on his face.

"Mama! Guess what!" he called as he bounded into the warehouse, nearly crashing into a piece of ice furniture.

"Gillian, calm down. What is it?" she asked giving her son a hug.

"I joined a gang today!" Gillian said. He was thrilled with himself, and was excited as he could be. Elsa's heart filled with dread. She knew this would eventually be coming, but she didn't expect it so soon. All of the Isle kids were in gangs. It had become a rite of passage to join a gang for those who grew up on the Isle.

"Really," she gasped out.

He nodded. "Harry and Harriet asked me today. They needed more people for their crew, and I said that I would be good. Uma spat in my face, she said I was too neeve. Uma's the captain."

"Naive, Gillian," Elsa corrected out of habit. "And you are not naive. It just so happens that you are more of a gentleman than most of the boys you know that are your age." She paused and looked at the smile on her son's face again. "Will you be careful? Will you be safe?"

Her blonde, grimy nine-year-old scoffed. "Of course, Mama. I can defend myself."

"Really? Without your powers?" Elsa asked in disbelief.

"Mhm. Dad's been teaching me how to fight with a knife and how to properly use a crossbow. I got both of my own for my birthday, so did Georgia. I also have eight siblings. I know I need to know how to defend myself." Elsa wasn't really fond of what that implied, but she wasn't surprised that Gillian fought with his brothers and sisters.

"Okay, honey."

"I will be fine, Mama. Harry's the best. I am his first mate. He's going to teach me all about sailing," Gillian said, happier than she had seen him in a long time. "And don't worry. I won't forget about my lessons, or about Evie. Evie would probably kick me in the not nice places if I started to ignore her."

"I don't really care as long as you stay safe."

"I will mom. And before you say it, I remember. No powers." He was so innocent. She struggled to make sure she taught him the skills he needed to survive and what he needed to know to become a proper Arendelle royal. He seemed to do just fine on his own surviving the Isle. She worried as only a mother could that her son would become something that wasn't the innocent boy she knew and loved.

This gang better pray that they didn't change her son too much. She didn't want him to die in a stupid turf war. Jafar's son and Maleficent's daughter were both making their positions clear on the Isle. They were in charge and people better respect that.

Maleficent's daughter worried her. Elsa had seen her around the barge and in the shops whenever she went to retrieve food. The girl was nasty and truly had no respect for others. Her mother was raising her to be as awful as she could be. Elsa couldn't really even fathom the thought of raising Gillian to be evil.

It was becoming rarer for Elsa to really have to go and see town. She had a garden where she planted seeds from rotting fruits and vegetables and then froze them once they were ripe. If people were brave enough, they came to her for fresh food. After the word of what she had done to Gaston had gotten out, people avoided her warehouse like the plague. Only the ill really came to her. Vegetables were the closest thing they had to medicine that isn't harmful drugs or alcohol. People thought it was magical. But it was nothing more than nutrition.

"Gillian, before you go read or study, I have something for you," Elsa said. Gillian sagged a bit at the mention of schoolwork, but Elsa knew he would do it anyways. Deep down, Gillian clung to his title as a prince. The one solace of maybe getting off this forsaken Isle.

"What is it?"

"A letter from your cousins and aunt and uncle. I know it is a bit after your birthday, but they sent a gift as well."

"I got a letter?" he asked, nearly bouncing out of his shoes. Of course her son found a letter more interesting than a gift. It must be an Isle thing. She didn't spoil him, but she didn't have anything to spoil him with either. "What does it say?"

Elsa laughed and handed over the letter. "I don't know. Why don't you find out?"

He snatched the letter as quickly as he could. Gillian took care to carefully open the envelope.

"Dear Cousin Gillian,

Happy ninth birthday! I know we have never met, but we miss you and Aunty Elsa so much. You would love Arendelle and Olaf, (who says hi, by the way). We can't wait for both of you to come home.

Love,

Topher and Margret

To our wonderful nephew, Gillian,

Have a wonderful birthday! We love you and your mother so much. I've sent along a gift. It is tradition in Arendelle to gift princes and princesses with their first symbol of royalty when they are nine years of age. Yours is made of pure diamond, blue and pure. You are your mother's child from what I hear. I hope it suits you.

We love you, and stay safe.

Aunt Anna and Uncle Christoph"

He put the letter down gently as he saw the box wrapped in butcher's paper. He picked up and gently peeled off the paper. It revealed a solid cherry box with intricate designs carved into it and a lock. There was a key on a chain inside the envelope. He unlocked the box as gingerly as he could. Nervous as he was, it didn't help with his mother looking over his shoulder.

Both gasped at the sight inside the box. There was a glittering crown inside. Just as the letter had said, it was made of pure diamonds. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his life.

"She, she did this for me?" Gillian asked in awe.

"Of course, you are the crown prince. That is nothing less than what you deserve." She smiled, "Well, aren't you going to try it on?"

Gillian handed the box to his mother and ran to get his jacket from his bedroom. The one his mother made for him specifically. He pulled it on then picked up the crown and gently placed it on his head.

"You look so handsome," Elsa beamed. The crown was his, and no one ever would look as good in it as he did. It glittered in his dirty, blonde hair that was coated in grime. He looked so much like a prince, but the Isle wasn't lost on her in that moment either.

He didn't move for a few moments. He ripped off his gloves and threw them to the side of the room and turned to see himself in a mirror.

"Mama?"

"Yes, Gillian?"

"It is so simple to forget that I am a prince," he replied. "Because we are here. When we get home. I will never wear my gloves again. I'm sick of hiding."

"I know. I'm sick of hiding as well. I will never make you do something you don't want to ever again," Elsa said, a few tears she allowed to trickle down her face. "This isn't forever. Please don't forget that."

"You promise?"

"I do. I promise we will leave here someday."

"Thank you."

"You know that your crown never leaves this house, correct?"

"Who do you think I am, Evie?"

"That's my boy," Elsa said, ruffling his hair, and tracing the diamonds that were upon his head.

They'd go home someday. For crown, and for country.