Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen

Review reply to WednesdaysFire: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Re: liking David - you can dislike him if you want. Is he a guy who gives in too easily and worries about pleasing other people too much? Yes. Does everyone like that? No. It must be said that the overall story relies a bit on this being who he is. Or, more accurately, if it were someone else, the story would take a very different approach. Also, I find it intriguing that David appears to think Elsa is "out of his league" as, of the two, I actually think of David as being more well-adjusted while Elsa is, from an outsider's perspective, fairly weird. But there we go. (As I realise this is in writing so tricky to tell tone, I'm saying that out of genuine curiosity.)

A/n: I should have gone to bed but I haven't. This is the fourth chapter and, I suspect, one which may well divide opinion. Ominous, I know. All I will say about what happens in this chapter is: Ask Me Anything and this story were written with this in mind and I checked pretty much everything on it before I wrote it. With that disclaimer in mind, I hope you enjoy!

4) The Preparation and What it Taught

They're a week and a half away from the wedding. Anna can't remember the last time she was this busy. She's drafted Kristoff in to help with various decorations – much to his chagrin – and when she dreams, she dreams of decorations and lists and very stressed event planners.

When she daydreams, she daydreams that none of this is happening, because every decoration, every polite letter, every discussion about musicians or chuckle at Kristoff's expression is a reminder that she failed and that Elsa is likely going to live the rest of her life in misery. For Anna. Always for Anna.

They haven't spoken much since Anna nearly doomed Arendelle. She hasn't told Kristoff about it in detail – just that she did something stupid. He's worried about her, she knows. Elsa is too and that makes their evening dinners awkward.

She didn't go to Elsa when she saw David march away. Sometimes, at the dinners, she nearly asks. But Elsa will answer and Anna will be interfering and she knows that nothing good ever comes of her interfering. Yet Elsa doesn't look much happier and what if…

That night, she walks Elsa back to her room – a tradition that started months ago and a tradition that's going to end soon. In a week and a half. They haven't discussed it but she knows that's what will happen.

"What's wrong?" Elsa says softly.

"Nothing."

"Anna." When Anna still says nothing, Elsa says, "It's about the wedding, right?"

It's out before Anna can stop it. "It's not fair. I only just got to know you and I'm going to lose you."

Mostly out, anyway.

Elsa stops, turns to Anna and hugs her tightly. She feels herself relax into Elsa's hold.

"You won't lose me, silly. I'll still be here. It's going to be fine." Elsa leans back and Anna can see a small smile on her face. "You're the one I'm worried about losing."

Anna wants to be reassured. Maybe, once, she would have been. Before.

"It's just … you'll be … gone."

She doesn't say miserable but that's what she means. The Elsa who's here, who laughs, who plays with small children, who drinks stimulant so that she can work until stupid o'clock in the morning, will be gone. The Elsa of closed doors and icy stares will return. And it will be all her fault.

I'm not saying give up but there's only so much you can do.

Not when it comes to Elsa. Never again.

When did that change?

"Anna, what-"

"I can't let it. I can't let you go like that. The nightmares are already-" She cuts herself off before she can say anything else. "I just don't want you to go."

"Nightmares?" Elsa says slowly. "Anna, what do you have nightmares about?"

"Nothing. Nothing. Just, you know, monsters, dragons, normal stuff. I was thinking of another conversation. Sorry, my mind slipped."

"Anna-"

"I promise. Come on, you know me, you think I dream about serious things?"

Elsa takes a step back but keeps her hands – her cold, cold hands – on Anna's shoulders.

"Anna, you need to stop this."

"Stop what?"

Elsa looks around and drags Anna into a nearby cupboard. Which is certainly new. They've never argued in a cupboard before.

"Anna," Elsa says quietly, "you're wonderful."

"What?"

"You're funny, you're smart, you're kind, you're great with people. You need to stop thinking everything you do will fail and that every bad thing that happens is your fault."

"Wait, what? Have you looked in the mirror, sis? I go around telling everyone how freaking awesome I am. And you…" She trails off. She can't say that.

But then Elsa says, "Did I ever tell you what Hans said to me on the fjord?"

She hasn't. Anna has never asked because whatever it was, it made Elsa give up. Hans barely knew Elsa and he still knew what to target. How to break her.

"He told me I'd killed you."

Anna staggers backwards and a broom hits her shoulder painfully. "Elsa-"

"He wasn't wrong, was he?"

"Wait, what? Elsa, I'm here. Alive. Breathing, being, you know, me."

"Because you saved yourself. You loved me. It had nothing to do with me. If you'd been just a few seconds too slow, or if Olaf hadn't been there with you … you'd be dead." She looks away. "I have plenty of reason to doubt myself. But you … no." She returns her gaze to Anna, her eyes as intense as they were the day she told Anna that she could ask her anything, or the day she told Anna that she refused to let her break up with Kristoff to marry a prince. "I don't ever want to hear you say you're useless, or stupid, or … or anything. And if anyone says that to you, tell me. Because it's not true. You were the only person who came to get me from that mountain. I would never have gotten this far without you and…"

Elsa turns away, hands wiping at her cheeks.

Anna hugs her. "Elsa, don't … don't. You didn't kill me. It's fine. Hans lied." She tightens her grip slightly. "You made a mistake. People … people make bad choices when they're mad, or scared, or stressed. But it's how you deal with it afterwards. And you…"

"If I hadn't run away, or snapped at you in the party, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. You'd stop thinking the worst of yourself. You'd stop thinking I could do no wrong."

Elsa made a mistake and she continues to punish herself for it. Maybe Anna has more of Elsa in her than she thought.

"Hans said there was no one out there who loved me."

"Anna, what-"

"In the castle. Instead of kissing me, he told me there was no one out there who loved me. Then he told me how I'd helped bring you down. Because I was dumb."

Elsa's eyes are wide. "That isn't true. You … I stopped you from leaving the castle. Mother and Father stopped you from leaving the castle. You weren't dumb. And Anna, I loved you. Why do you think I … fell?"

When Anna heard the sword being drawn, the snow had stopped and Elsa knelt on the ground.

She can feel tears spring to her eyes but she won't cry. She never cries. "I know, Elsa. Hans was wrong. That's my, that's my point. I ... OK, sometimes … sometimes I have nightmares about the … when I froze. You can't imagine it, Elsa. It's … nothing. Just the colour of black. It's the absence of everything. But," she says fiercely, "I have nightmares about being on the fjord again and not reaching you in time." She looks away. "Those are worse. But, Elsa, you didn't kill me. I'm alive because of you. Because you were worth saving. Because I could see you and hear you because you loved me and … and you trust me to do things. You tell me what to do and then I learn. You listen to me when I'm upset and you're always there for me because you're an amazing sister and we all know if I was the one in charge, Arendelle would fall because you're good at this and … and my point is, Hans lied, OK? I didn't die because you were there and I'm learning and I'm happy because of you."

She bites her lip and breathes deeply until the tears stop threatening to fall. Then she looks up at Elsa.

"Just … I … I wish..."

"Let's say we're both at fault then."

She squeezes her eyes shut as a tear falls. When she opens them, Elsa kindly doesn't comment. "It's not fair. You've been through so much for me. I just want you to be happy."

Elsa's eyes are red as she gently reaches for one of Anna's clenched fists and holds it. "How can I not be, when I have a sister like you?"


"Do you think I blame myself too much, Kristoff?"

Kristoff stops and thinks about this. "Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you do. When it comes to Elsa, you do." He pauses. "And Hans. OK, maybe, yeah, you do."

"But it usually is my fault."

Kristoff smiles. "Sometimes. But not always. Besides, loads of people make mistakes – but no one works harder than you to fix them. Except Elsa." He squeezes her. "People like you make me think that not all people are worse than reindeer."


"Olaf, are you ever unhappy that I … made you?"

Olaf looks genuinely taken aback. "Of course not. Life is wonderful!" He stops. "Except when you're sad."

She puts a hand on his head in gratitude. "I wish I could be like you. So … happy with everything."

"Oh, that's easy."

"Is it now?"

He nods. "I like everything good. You made me so I must be good." He looks at her. "You're good too. That's why everyone likes you."

"Most people don't."

Olaf shakes his head. "Everyone likes you, Elsa. Except maybe you." He pauses. "And Hans. He probably doesn't like you either."


His parents and brothers arrive when there's a week left. He and Elsa greet them. When Aled snorts at David's expression, David resolves to ask Olaf to hide in his bed. Olaf would probably do it too.

His father goes to speak with Elsa. David insists on being there. Not because he's worried about Elsa but because she's nervous enough that she'll probably end up scaring his father and he'll have to reassure him that Elsa doesn't want to kill anyone. Elsa's demeanour is cold and icy but he can see that she's trying to be open and accommodating. There's only so far he can step in.

Sometimes, when Elsa is upset, Anna holds her hand.

They haven't really spoken since the kiss that went wrong (he should, he knows he should, but all of the what ifs stop him and he can live the rest of his life without looking Elsa in the eye, right?) but he reaches out and gently takes her hand in his. She glances at him but he only squeezes in response, keeping his gaze on his father. At first, he isn't sure it helps. But she slowly relaxes and soon she's … not laughing and joking, but certainly pleasant.

Later, his father says, "She's exactly as I imagined her."

"Is that a good thing?"

He smiles sadly at his son. "Of all the people I could have asked you to marry … I'm glad it was her."


"David, what are-"

David runs past, chased by one of his brothers. Kristoff looks at her.

"Did you know David could run that fast?"

"Why is his brother chasing him?"

"It's weird, isn't it?" Olaf says, walking up to them. "David said I should hide in his brother's bed 'cause his brother wanted to hug me. He hid behind the curtains and when his brother saw me, I tried to give him a hug but he screamed and David started laughing." Olaf shrugs. "At least they're happy."


They still haven't spoken about that kiss.

Part of her is annoyed that their conversation is now awkward. She should just tell him that it's fine and he can do what he wants. That's what she decided. That's all there is to it.

Olaf said she should chase after David but it's not as easy as that. She doesn't think this is something she can discuss with him – it's something he needs to discuss with her. The truth is that she doesn't know why their conversations are awkward or why they've stopped kissing. Their kissing doesn't have an impact on anything else. It's not as though a discussion about whether lower taxation means more money flowing in the economy makes someone think of kissing. Why can't David just separate the two? The distracting feeling – that strange heat – that sinks through her body when they've been kissing for a while is only there sometimes. Only when she's lost in it.

But the more she thinks about it, the less convinced she is that her reaction is the normal one. And, she thinks glumly, that's probably why she doesn't want to start the conversation.

So as the days tick closer, she starts to look at people with an intenseness almost bordering desperation. She tries to imagine things. She looks in her mirror at night and sees that same uncertainty from so many months ago. She's had months to work this out.

One day, she hears David telling someone that her room should remain untouched. He said early on that their room could be somewhere else but it's only hearing that she'll be able to access her own room that she realises…

No one's coming to save her.

This is happening.

That night, she kisses David goodnight. He's startled and breaks it off quickly. They need to talk about this but he won't. And maybe she's putting it off because she doesn't know enough. She doesn't know enough and she … she…

She has to know.


The fourth time Anna sees one of Elsa's sculptures, they're eating dinner together, two days before the wedding, when Elsa says, "Anna, what does attraction feel like?"

The question is so blunt that Anna nearly chokes on her food. She glances around and realises that there is no one else in the room. Somehow, she's not surprised when Elsa says she sent the guards outside the door away.

"It's… I don't know. It's a feeling, you know? Like, I look at Kristoff and I think, I don't know, I want to touch him. I want to feel him. I notice all sorts of things about how he looks, like how his hair flops in a certain way, or the colour of his eyes, or, or, anything. I become more aware of how I look. I…" She can feel herself blush but this is important to Elsa. Just the fact Elsa asked tells her that. "I feel hot, maybe. Like, hot rushes, not like I look hot 'cause that'd be awkward. When we touch, I just want to keep doing it. And if we're not touching, I kinda notice things, like how close he is to me, or … I kind of imagine doing things with him anyway. I mean things not things and you know what I mean. I hope."

Elsa nods. "Thanks." She glances down. "Um. Good food."

She looks thoughtful but she doesn't elaborate on her question. Why has Elsa asked now? Why not before? Wouldn't she have discussed it with David? This is something that she's been worrying about for months. Surely, she knows by now. So why ask?

When Elsa agreed to the Burakoemin king's proposal, months ago, she wanted Anna to be the one to tell her to do it. Elsa relies on Anna to voice the things she's afraid to. That's why Elsa said she would answer any of Anna's questions. Some of Anna's questions are questions Elsa is scared of answering.

Some of those questions are questions that needed to be asked.

She takes a breath.

"Are you attracted to David?"

Elsa freezes and Anna knows she's close. It's not the question but it will help.

"I … I like kissing him," Elsa says. Quietly, reluctantly, but she says it. "But I don't … crave it. It's just nice if it happens." She looks down. "Are you sure that's what it is?"

"It's hard to describe, Elsa. I mean, sometimes, I see other guys and I think about kissing them or … you know. And I don't, 'cause I have Kristoff, but I still think about it. It's maybe a bit less concentrated. Strong." She hesitates and then says, "It doesn't have to be David. You can feel it with more than one person. It happens if you speak to people, or are near them or just looking at them. Even people you don't know."

Elsa is quiet for a very long time. Her hands grip the edge of the table.

Then.

"No. It doesn't." Her knuckles are white. "All of that just doesn't … happen. Not to me." She lets go of the table. "I'm sorry, Anna. I have to go."

Just like previous times, Anna sees a tiny sculpture form on the table as Elsa stands. This time, it's a little girl, walking somewhere. It would look normal, Anna thinks, if it weren't for the small heart sitting in a pool of icy blood at the girl's feet.


He's pacing his empty room. Most of his belongings are in the new room. His and Elsa's new room. He shudders. Two more nights. One and a half days. Then he'll be King of Arendelle and he'll never live in Burakoem again. He won't wrestle Aled or talk to Geraint as often. Llew won't be there to bring him down to earth – most of the Burakoemin retinue is returning with his family. He'll be alone.

Alone, except for his wife, sister-in-law, his sister-in-law's boyfriend and Olaf.

But Burakoem is safe. Arendelle is safe. Since their engagement, countries have backed down from Burakoem, and Arendelle's economy has begun to stabilise. That's what they wanted. It's a pity no one's going to sing a heroic song about him.

Someone knocks on the door. It's probably Aled, come to start the "bachelor's party" early. Maybe it's midnight already.

"Come in," he shouts.

The door opens slowly, which alerts him to it not being Aled. He turns away from the window to see Elsa. She's slightly stooped and even from here, David can tell that she's spooked. He strides over to her and puts his arms around her, ignoring the open door. Elsa stiffens and he lets go.

Of course she would. They haven't spoken properly for weeks.

"What is it?" he says anyway. "What's wrong?"

She seems to realise where she is because she takes a step back and glances at the door. David closes it, not taking his eyes off Elsa.

"What's wrong?" he says again. He tries to smile. "Aren't we supposed to freak out tomorrow?"

"I can't do it to you."

"Do what?"

She bites her lip, the firelight flickering on her hair, and it makes him want to stand there too.

"I … I don't…" Ice forms around her hands and, suddenly, she turns, flinging it at the fire. As darkness settles over them, she looks at him. "Sorry."

"Why?" he says, in as light a voice as he can manage, because that usually calms her down, and because if he talks like that, maybe she won't hear how fast his heart is beating. "It's the fire you killed."

That was probably not the right thing to say. She looks even more freaked out.

"OK," he says, hoping that when she said she can't do it to him, she wasn't referring to some kind of assassination attempt. "Ignore that. What, um, what are we freaking out about? I'll join in if I can. There's an armchair that's been giving me the evil eye, see."

That works. She doesn't smile but he can see some of the tension leave her body.

Some. A tiny amount. She looks at her hands and, suddenly, the assassination theory has gained a lot of weight.

"I'm sorry," she says, which doesn't help. She apologises for everything. "I…" She breathes in. "I tried. I did. I really did. But Anna says it's about heat and wanting to be close to someone, and people say it's something that's always there and … I don't. I don't feel that about anyone. I tried looking at people, I tried imagining things, I tried telling myself I felt things, I even kissed Indira and Torsten but … I don't." She looks at him. "I just don't feel attraction. I … never have."

Her fists clench and unclench. Blood wells at her lip because she's biting so hard.

"Huh," he says because he doesn't know how he's supposed to respond. She closes her eyes and he knows he has to say something, so he says, "You're, ah, you're sure then? Not, um, not even a little bit? You don't … um, you don't think anything about me?"

From the guilt on her face, that wasn't the right thing to say. He's getting good at saying all of the wrong things.

"It's … I look at you and I feel … happy, I guess. But it's like how I feel when I look at, say, Kristoff or Gerda. I don't feel anything more. I don't imagine anything more. It's … if I didn't know you, if I didn't like you, I wouldn't notice…" She wipes at the blood on her mouth. "I'm so sorry, David. I shouldn't say that."

At least he's not the only one saying everything wrong tonight.

"You said you liked kissing me," he says and wishes he hadn't because the last thing they need is to make this worse. "That … doesn't that mean … anything?"

Elsa looks at her hands. "I like kissing you," she says softly. "When it happens. There's a feeling it gives me which is … nice. But…" She swallows. "I don't … it's not something I ever really want. I don't look at you or anyone and wish they would kiss me. It's like … a bit like chocolate when I'm not hungry. I'll enjoy it but I didn't really want it." She seems to realise what she's said because she hurriedly adds, "David, I didn't mean that I wasn't saying yes all those times you kissed me. I was. I promise, I was. And I do like it. Just … not like you do."

He doesn't know whether to be offended or not at being compared to chocolate. He doesn't know whether to be offended or not at any of this.

He looks at the cold fireplace. There aren't even embers left. He's never seen Elsa lose control like that. That alone tells him just how upset she is.

It's not a surprise. She's never told him she's attracted to him. She's never told him she's attracted to anyone. And every time they've kissed, he's taken the lead. But it doesn't mean he didn't hope.

And now he has no hope left for anything like that.

"I'm sorry," Elsa says. "I just couldn't…"

"You don't need to say sorry," he says, fighting to keep his voice even. "You never once said you loved me, see. And what is a marriage like this if not…"

"Do you really think I can't love you if I'm not attracted to you?"

It's not an angry question. She genuinely doesn't know.

"I think you can love me," he says softly, "but not the same way I … could."

Elsa doesn't speak. Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say. Wasn't it him who said she isn't broken if she doesn't want to kiss someone? Just different? But then, wouldn't different mean a different kind of love? To be honest, he's beginning to think there is no right thing to say.

"You … you can still sleep with me, if you want," she says. "It's not fair on you."

"I … what?"

Elsa looks down. "I've heard people talk about it," she says quietly. "It's … distracting for you. Physical. That's what … that's what happened last time, isn't it? You wanted to carry on and I … well." She swallows. "But if we're married, we should be equal. It's not fair for me to deny this for you. It's … well, it's what we're meant to do and it's your right so..." She swallows again. "Just tell me when you want to and I'll … you know, try."

It's tempting – so tempting – to accept Elsa's offer. She might not be enthusiastic about it but she isn't saying no. She suggested it. Which means she thinks it's fine. If she liked the kissing, who's to say she wouldn't like this? And she's right: he's giving up a lot – more, in fact, than she is – for this wedding. Llew said he should be allowed to do what he wants sometimes so why not this?

"Elsa," he says, "are you seriously suggesting I treat you like a prostitute?"

"What?"

He smiles even though he doesn't feel happy. "How else was I supposed to take that? You're a human, see, not some toy of mine. We're only doing something if both of us want to do it."

"But… it's not fair on you."

He nearly says something to appease her but then he remembers Llew's words. He can't keep pretending he's happy just to make her happy.

"I … want to do more than kiss you. It … it's stupid, I know, but knowing you don't want … it hurts. But we have to live together for the rest of our lives, see. I'd rather be mostly happy for most of my life than … well."

OK, so he can't quite get it out. He's trying. Something obviously strikes a chord with Elsa anyway because her eyes widen. She smiles slightly. "I understand. But … we could compromise, maybe?" Red tinges her face. "I … I mean, I liked the kissing once I got into it so maybe I'd like the … more." She pauses. "I don't know how that works though. I guess the problem is that if it hurts as much as people say the first time does, I might accidentally freeze you."

He waits for her to laugh. When she doesn't, he says, "I think you've misunderstood compromises, Elsa. You don't offer a solution and then casually add that you might turn me into a snowman."

"I wouldn't mean to."

"Well, I feel better." He smiles but she isn't smiling. Maybe it wasn't something to joke about. "OK, we can work on that maybe then. How about this? You can tell me if you want to and… that isn't going to work either, is it?"

Elsa sighs. "This feels almost as difficult as negotiating the betrothal to begin with."

David hesitates. "It's not the end, you know."

"What isn't?"

He makes himself say the next words. "We both know why we're marrying. If … well, once Arendelle is stable and Burakoem is … not being attacked … who says we have to stay together?"

Her eyes are wide. "What?"

"We could live together for a few years, see, and then divorce."

"David, what are you-"

He makes himself smile. "You know. Divorce. It's what couples who don't l- … it's an option."

Elsa looks startled. "I … sure, David. I mean, I understand. But that wouldn't be for a few years, right?"

There's something weird about her voice. He thought she'd sound relieved. Instead, she almost sounds … hurt?

"Right," he says. "And it would depend on all sorts of things."

She smiles slightly. "Maybe let's just take it as it goes."

He can feel his heart lift as he says, "Good idea."


On the night before the wedding, Elsa and Anna sit together in Anna's room. It's traditional to have some kind of party, of course, but she doesn't want that. Anna's obviously picked up on that because while she made Elsa eat with Olaf and Kristoff, she didn't push the point further.

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, Anna says, "Elsa … do you … d'you wish Kristoff and I hadn't found you on the mountain?"

"And let you marry Hans and have everyone die in a blizzard?"

"OK, assume none of us were going to die. At least, not then, 'cause eventually we've all got to die, unless you know how to live forever. Although if you do, maybe you shouldn't tell anyone, because it'll just add to the witch thing."

Elsa shakes her head although she can't help smiling at that little train of thought. "I've told you before. I think … eventually, I'd have been unhappy up there. Lonely."

"I remember," Anna says. "You said it was a prison of your own making. But isn't this like a prison?"

Elsa thinks for a moment. "Do you remember when Lars broke up with Angharad? You told me I should forbid his father from disowning him, and I said that of everyone in Arendelle, I'm the least able to break the law?"

"Until you went into the city in a stolen shirt and kissed a woman."

"Apart from that. My point is that everything about being the Queen is about being bound." She shrugs. "As far as prisons go … at least I'm not lonely. And at least I get to see my little sister live the life she always wanted. So no, Anna. You coming to that ice castle was one of the best things that ever happened to me."

"Well, it's not like you had a huge repertoire to pick from."

Elsa smiles. "I'll have you know you're competing with a very romantic marriage proposition in which my betrothed did not, at any point, actually ask me to marry him. His father did."

Anna laughs but then sobers. "But seriously," she says. "You're … you're going to be OK?"

Elsa thinks of David, trying to smile and reassure her. The discomfort on his face and the sincerity in his words. How he wouldn't begin the discussion but he saw it through. How he listened to what she said and tried to work with her rather than shaming her. How he started their reconciliation even if he distracted them so quickly.

Different, not broken. Even if it means she doesn't love him like she's supposed to.

"I think so."


Aled, Geraint and Llew are still in David's room. It's supposed to be a party but David just wants to sleep. Almost. He forgot how much he missed his brothers.

"So, little brother," Geraint says, "nervous about the wedding?"

David nods. "I'm still trying to get to grips with all of … Arendelle."

"Nervous about the wedding night?"

Aled grins wickedly. David is flummoxed. If he nods, Geraint, Aled and Llew will laugh at him. If he says no…

"I don't think there's anything to be nervous about," he says slowly.

Llew laughs. "That confident?" David doesn't blush through sheer force of will. He opens his mouth to make a retort but then closes it. Aled, of course, picks up on this and starts mocking him. David makes some joke and the moment of hesitation passes.

Eventually, he ushers his brothers and friend out of his room. Llew and Aled stagger out but Geraint pretends to drop something. Once Llew and Aled are gone, Geraint steps back in and closes the door.

"You alright, Dai?" he says. Of the three brothers, Geraint is the most serious. He's always viewed his role as the eldest brother as coming with responsibility. A bit like the way Elsa views herself in relation to Anna. "You looked a bit nervous, earlier, see."

"Nothing to be nervous about. Nothing's going to happen, see." He realises what he's said. "No, Geraint, I didn't mean-"

"Dai, what are you on about? You'll be married. It's not a marriage if you two don't … you know."

"Um…"

"Dai, are you serious? That's a ground to dissolve the-"

"No!" He sighs because Geraint is right. He's surprised neither he nor Elsa thought of it when they spoke last night. "Geraint, if we dissolve the marriage now, she'll have to marry someone else. Probably the first prince she meets. And he'll…"

"She can defend herself though."

"She won't though. You don't know her, see. She could but if she had to do it for Arendelle, or Anna, she'd do it without hesitation."

Geraint nods. "Well … OK, maybe she doesn't want you but she could just close her eyes and pretend."

Which stings more than Elsa's admission that she's not attracted to him did. "Apart from that being a horrible thing to suggest she do," he says, somewhat stiffly, "that … also won't work."

"It won't ... wait, you mean she really is an ice witch then?" Geraint sees his expression and raises his hands. "Sorry. It's just … aren't you bothered?"

David shrugs. "There's not much I can do about it, see." He hesitates but since they've come this far, he might as well carry on. "She … offered, actually. I don't want to do that to her. Not if she doesn't want it."

Geraint peers at him and then smiles. "You have it bad, brother. But, you know, maybe she wants to do things for you? Might be something to think about."

David shrugs again, trying not to think that this is disturbingly close to Llew's advice. Then he remembers Elsa's comment about accidentally freezing him. "Maybe," he says, "but trust me when I say she's going to have to start this one."


Elsa and Anna stand outside the wedding hall with Kai. Elsa is wearing an ice-blue trailing dress. She turns nervously to Anna and Kai.

"You look beautiful, your Majesty," says Kai.


He stands at the altar, fiddling with the ends of his waistcoat. The door opens. As everyone stands, he turns to look.

Kai walks her down the aisle. Anna follows, smiling as hard as she can.

And Elsa…

Elsa looks…

She reaches him at the altar. She smiles.

"Hi," she whispers.


"If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

She nearly says something. She should. She can't let this happen.

But Elsa seems at peace with it. She's even smiling.

Life isn't a story. It doesn't have happy endings or sad endings. Just events that follow, one after the other, where the only thing that determines how happy or sad they are is how you deal with them.

It's not the end. Not yet.


"Your Majesty, Queen Elsa Agdardottir of Arendelle, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

There's no going back now.


"Your Highness, Prince David Ap Guto of Burakoem, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

He looks at Elsa, still smiling, somehow content and all the more beautiful for it. A lump forms in his throat.

"I do."


"May I have the rings, please?"

She takes the ring. She can feel the ice at her fingertips but she stops it. "David," she says and she's surprised her voice doesn't crack, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you."

Her hands shake as she slides the ring onto his finger. His finger curls slightly, as though to squeeze her hand, and that makes her feel better. This whole thing would have been so much harder if this wasn't David.

Then it's his turn. He takes the ring and faces Elsa. He looks nervous – as nervous as he was when they first met. "Elsa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you."

He gently holds her hand and slides the ring onto her finger. She hates jewellery – hates anything extra touching her skin – and she has to concentrate again to stop frost forming.


"You may now kiss the bride."

David steps forwards, hands on Elsa's shoulder, and kisses her.

People cheer. Anna says nothing.

If she didn't know better, she'd think this was a love story too.


At the wedding reception, Anna and his father give speeches. They speak to all sorts of people, congratulating them on their marriage. Only Llew and the royal families know that this wedding is for political reasons, and so David makes an effort to act as the deeply besotted husband. Although if he's as obvious as everyone says he is, maybe he doesn't have to pretend.

The reception itself is pleasant. He meets plenty of people he's never met before. There's good food, good music, even some dancing.

Elsa and David meet the carpenter behind all of the carvings – a very nice young man called Torsten. David doesn't say anything because Torsten doesn't know that Elsa invited him to do the work because she feels bad about kissing him and never seeing him again. He doesn't seem to realise that he kissed the Queen.

He meets Indira, as well – she designed Elsa's dress but didn't make it. Elsa acts as though it's the first time she's met these people but after Elsa has thanked her for the dress design, Indira says, "Anything for a fellow runaway … Elle." Elsa blushes bright red and David has to pretend that he's seen someone they simply have to meet to save her. Pieter, the head chef, is somewhat surprised that David and Elsa want to ask him about the main course of the wedding dinner in such great detail but by the time David has learnt how to make it, Elsa's skin colour has regained its normal, pale pallor.


Once the wedding reception is over, they head to their new room, followed by a crowd of well-meaning but remarkably irritating people. Once inside the room, David locks the door.

The room is big. It has a table, two wardrobes, chairs, paintings, and everything is in perfect condition. It's light and breezy and nothing like her room.

She doesn't look at David. Somehow, she hasn't thought about what they do now. There's only one bed. They have to sleep in the bed together. She hasn't slept in the same room as anyone since she was eight.

David walks in front of her. He looks relieved to be away from the reception. Then he sees where her gaze is directed.

"It's fine," he says quietly. "I'll sleep on the floor."

"Don't be silly," she says, even as part of her screams for her to accept the offer. "You can't sleep on the floor for the rest of your life – you'll get back problems."

He laughs. "What?"

"It's true. It's not true that sleeping on a wooden floor is good for your back."

"You … you're thinking about my back problems? That's what you're getting from all of this?"

"It's … well, there's no point in you being uncomfortable. I mean, one of us could have half the bed and the other could have half…" She trails off as she realises that he offered because of what they are supposed to do in the bed, not because she would find the whole thing uncomfortable. Then she remembers what she offered him and she feels herself turning red. "I'm sorry. I said I would-" He laughs even harder. "What?"

"Sorry," he says, "it's just that I was wondering if you were going to suggest putting up a wall of pillows between us or something, see." He looks at her and maybe he sees what she's now worrying about on her face because he sobers slightly. Then he regards the various pillows. "Actually," he says slowly, "that could be fun."

"What?"

"Let's do it."

"Do what?"

He grins. "Do you want to build a pillow fort?"