Chapter 2: The Funeral
The king stepped into Elsa's room, dressed all in black. "Go away!" she pouted from her bed where she was lying face down. "I want mommy! Bring her back, daddy!" With a sigh the king sat down on the bed beside her. His face was strained as he gently stroked the back of Elsa's head.
"I know you do, little one. I want mommy back too. But you have to listen to me. This is going to be a tough time for both of us, and your sister too, but mommy isn't going to be around anymore. I know that you're only three, but sometimes things happen and you have to grow up before you're ready. Can you do that for me, Elsa? Daddy needs you to be a big girl from now on, and so does baby Anna."
"I don't want Anna anymore! I want mommy! Why did mommy go away when she came here? It's all Anna's fault!"
"No, no no no. Don't ever say that, Elsa! It's not Anna's fault. This is one of the big girl things you have to remember. Mommy is gone, but Anna is just a baby. She didn't do anything wrong, and she's smaller than you. She is going to need your help every day, how do you like that? Be strong, and help me take care of the baby, ok?"
Elsa finally turned over and snuggled in a little closer to her father. Her eyes were red from crying and she wasn't entirely calmed down. Even so, she considered what the king was saying, "Me? Anna needs me?" He nodded. Elsa was taken aback, no one had ever needed her before. This was a big deal! Maybe she would need to be a big girl for Anna, especially since Anna wouldn't have a mommy like Elsa did.
For the next few minutes both father and daughter were silent, both of them embracing the other. The pain was still sharp, and it would never go away completely, but at least they had each other. Suddenly Elsa spoke again. "Daddy. Um, you don't think mommy went away because I forgot our rhyme, right? I do remember it most of the time though! But not forgetting is hard, and sometimes I messed up. " She looked down shyly as she spoke, and her young voice was quavering.
"Hey now, chin up." The king lifted Elsa's gaze to his own. "Listen here. You are the best daughter a daddy and mommy could ask for. And you do everything you can to keep your secret. And mommy knew that too, she told me so many times. The reason mommy is gone now has nothing to do with you honey, nothing. Don't think like that. Now, how about we get up and go to the funeral? Put on your clothes, come on. And here, how about we bring your rose along? You can show mommy your white rose from the garden."
The king stood up and scooted Elsa over to the black dress and coverings that had been laid out by the servants this morning for her. After getting her dressed he took her hand, picked up the single rose from where it stood in a vase by Elsa's window, and together they went down to the rear courtyard. The castle was holding a private funeral for the body with only residents in attendance for Elsa's sake. Later on there would be a separate ceremony that townsfolk, visiting nobles, and distant relatives could attend to pay their respects to the departed monarch.
Elsa stood quietly as the casket was lowered into the earth, still holding tight onto her father's hand. She kept wiping away the tears with her free sleeve while clutching her rose in a gloved hand. After the services had been read, the king and Elsa stepped forward to say goodbye. Elsa clutched the flower close and whispered. "I won't forget again, mommy. I'll be a big girl, you'll see. Daddy says Anna will need me. So don't worry, wherever you are. Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know. I know it by heart now. Here you go." The white rose had frosted over from the close contact with Elsa, but she tossed it into the grave anyway.
After a silent conversation with his wife the king stepped back, and after a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, it was over. The king gave the entire castle the day off except for those needed to care for Anna and retired to his chambers. Alone in the rooms that he had shared with his queen since the day they were married, the feelings he'd kept bottled up for the last few days flowed freely. A spring shower had started outside, and the rain flowing down the window mirrored the king's tears.
