Author's Note: And may no one believe it, but this is the last chapter. I can't believe it eithr but...its here so...nine months later, this will be (hopefully) the last update ever for thi story. I know this might be good news for some and sad for others but...this being my last personal note...I don't know what to tell you guys...I usually say this phrase whenever I finish a story that took lots of effort from me, so here it goes "I am overcome by this overwhelming feeling. I feel complete, yet empty, like if a cycle has come to an end"
Laslty I want to say thank you for all the review, the favorites, the follows, all of it. Even if you just drop by to have a glimps of the story, because all of you took the time and for that I am grateful. I don't know what I will do next or if I wil continue Fics, but...it was quite the ride and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
So with no further explanation I give you the last of it...
The night sky shone with stars all over. When Elsa woke up she found herself already in bed back in Regina's house. She felt like it all could had been just a dream, but as she started to doubt herself sitting in the bed, an all-too-familiar knock called from the door and a freckle face sneak in.
"Elsa?" she mumbled, once she saw her, she smiled widely "Oh, great, you are awake" she came in going directly to hug her "this place is so weird, I was in my room and I pressed this little buttons and suddenly the thing started to talk to me and then singing and…"
"It's a radio, Anna" said Elsa chuckling "they use it to listen to music or so Henry told me" she let go of the embrace sighting "She is really gone, isn't she?"
"She will always be with us, Elsa. Within your magic or a snow day, we won't be lonely anymore" she said cuddling next to her.
"You are right" she smiled looking around "How did I got…?"
"Um, Kristoff carried you here with Sven's help. The others have been checking every now and then on you, specially that little boy" she smiled "he seems fond of you"
"Well, he did help me out multiple times" Elsa said quietly yawning "What time is it?"
"Probably past 11"
"Well if you aren't going back to your room anytime soon, you could always stay here for the night, we have so much catching up to do"
Anna smiled and got herself under the covers hugging her.
"Tell me about your wedding" asked Elsa
"Well it was sort of a private thing, I mean people weren't to happy about getting froze in time without being able to leave Arendelle, so we had just enough. Pabbie officiated it, you should had seen the dress!, it was…ishh!, but…the only thing it was missing to be perfect was you. I always thought you would be my maid of honor, so no one took your place, although Olaf insisted"
Elsa laughed softly "He could had been a great replacement"
"Yeah, but it wasn't the same"
"I am sorry I missed something as important" said sincerely Elsa "I shouldn't had went behind your back to try to take my magic away"
"Yeah, you should never tried such thing, it makes you special and I wouldn't want to change a single thing abut you. Well…perhaps whatever you are wearing, it's so bizarre"
Elsa chuckled "Emma lend me this clothes to try to blend in among people"
"Did it work?"
"Mostly" she admitted
"You made good friends here, didn't you? When I asked for their aid none of them doubted to help you"
"I guess I did" she smiled
"I just wish things could have been different" said Anna cuddling ready to sleep "I mean I am happy for you, but…we missed out on so many things…"
"Well" pondered Elsa "I might…have an idea…"
"Come again, kid?" asked Emma what Elsa just had said just for her and Regina's ears.
"You want me to what?" interrupted Regina.
"Officiate my sister's wedding with Kristoff" she answered hopefully, her hands intertwined with Anna's.
"Please, say yes" pleaded Anna.
"But why me?"
"You are after all the Queen of the Enchanted Forest" said Anna
"Yeah, the Evil Queen" she rectified.
"It…would be an honor if you did" said Elsa "You…helped me out, took me in since the beginning, and…trusted me when not even I trusted myself…I, I couldn't think of a better person to do it"
Regina exhaled slowly smiling at the young queen she had found frightened and lost in the side of the road just weeks ago "I would be the one honored to do it" she said.
"Wait, what?! Really?!" exclaimed Anna "Thank you!, thank you so much!" she launched forward hugging her and then Emma "This is going to be so exciting! I can't wait, Kristoff will be thrilled to hear you agreed! I have to go tell him!" she ran to the door "second wedding day here I come!"
Elsa just smiled watching her run then turned to Regina "I really appreciate it; it means the world to me, after all that have happened…"
"You are welcome" Regina said taking a step forward and tentatively put her arms around her. Elsa stood still for a second, but gave in into the embrace resting her head in her shoulder. Regina had been her mentor these past weeks and had been her hostess but beyond that, she had been a close thing to a parent figure.
Everything that day was bright white and beautiful. Some snow decorated the outside of the woods with columns made out solid ice and trails of snowflakes. Everything and everyone was ready, just waiting for the bride.
"I can't believe how nervous I am" Anna said looking herself in the reflection "I thought maybe the second time wouldn't be as intimidating, but, what if I fell? I am really clumsy and if they laugh? At least my other wedding was just with my in-laws, so it wasn't as embarrassing when I stumbled, but now!"
"Hold still" laughed Elsa decorating with her magic the plain white dress, while her own was once again the icy blue that represented her perfectly "everything will be perfect, don't you worry" she went behind her looking at her eyes in the reflection of the mirror "you look beautiful" she complimented and finally the redheaded took a second to breath in and chuckled.
"At least I know if I fall you would catch me"
"Without a doubt" she walked in front of her holding her shoulders "I…wanted to…thank you. For never stopping looking for me, for saving me just for…everything"
"You are my sister" Anna said calmly "Of course I would've keep looking, I would have never had given up on you" she smiled taking her hand in her own "You are worth much more than you give yourself credit for" she hugged her tightly and for a second time froze and they were just those little girls that used to wonder around the empty halls at night. When they broke apart both their eyes were struggling to keep the tears form rolling, but finally there were not the salty anguishing ones, they were just plainly grateful and happy tears.
Before either of them could say another thing, a knock at the door called them back to reality. "Dearie, the poor groom is wondering if you are having second thoughts" appeared Rumple from behind the door.
"Don't let him get away, I am going" she assured before squishing her sister's hand reassuringly.
"I will see you there, then" smiled Elsa taking the bouquet exiting the room to head to her rightful place as the maid of honor.
Rumple was about to follow her when Anna called for him "Wait" she asked
"Yes dearie?"
"El-Elsa tld me about…well everything. How you were our father's friend and all the sacrifices you did for him, for us…I-is that all true?"
"Absolutely" he nodded "You father was a dear friend to me. He…was the only man that would befriend me at that time"
"Then…Can I ask for a favor?"
"A blessing for the little baby girl?" he asked
"No. Wait, what?! I am having a girl?!"
Rumple chuckled "besides the point, what is your request?"
She looked down a bit embarrassed "That you would…walk me down the altar" she said sheepishly.
Rumple's chest swelled with pride "I would be most pleased…it would be my honor" he nodded raising his arm up ready for her to take it.
As they walked down the hall, all eyes were on her, but she couldn't have noticed this, because hers were eternally devoted to the man she loved, and he looked at her in return the same way, like if nothing could ever keep them apart.
It seemed like just a few minutes passed before Regina pronounced the impatiently awaited phrase.
Without tearing her eyes away from Kristoff she said "I do" and for the first time, that didn't sound crazy, but still they were crazily in love…
After Kristoff agreed as well, they finally got the second opportunity to share that special kiss before cheers were heard all over. Elsa could just look at her sister and realize, she wasn't anymore that naïve little girl caught up in her own world, she had grown and she had turned into a woman.
When the ceremony was over, they had a little reception in the woods that were lighted by hundreds of lights that looked like fireflies in the night sky. People were buzzing and chatting with excitement. After all they had been thru; it certainly called for a celebration. Kristoff and Anna were at the middle of the place sharing a slow dance while Elsa sat in a table looking at how happy they were.
Emma joined her with a drink in hand watching them as well. "Is this what you expected? Find your sister, have a nice little wedding for her, even if it's not very fancy"
"No" said Elsa lightly "This is much better" she finally gazed towards Emma "I have her back, I will have a nice or nephew…things can't get better than this"
"Cheers" she said raising her glass against the untouched cup that Elsa had been holding for a while now. After a sip she put the cup down.
"So what now?" asked Emma.
"I don't know" she answered "but for now…it just feels nice…all of this" she gestured her surroundings.
"I bet" she took another sip of her drink "Funny thing; Henry told me you knew Neal…" she inspected her suspiciously
"Well no" she said staring at Emma's puzzled look as her lie detector went off. So she smiled "I knew Baelfire. Briefly"
"Well…whatever you told Henry about him…thank you kid, it helped him much"
"Glad to hear so" she exhaled "You know, for the longest of times, all I wanted to do was…runaway, from home, my powers my family…and now…I just can't imagine how many things I would have missed on if I had done it"
"Anyone can runaway, the real challenge is to stay" she looked at Henry who was petting Sven "I should know, I abandoned that kid as soon as I saw him" she sighted "ten years later he showed up and taught me…how much family can mean"
"Family" she echoed nodding
"Well, I will drink to that" she finished her cup "Come on, you need to at least have one dance before we call it a night, I bet Henry wouldn't mind doing the honors"
"I guess he wouldn't" she stood up before Red and Belle approached them.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Emma knowing those expressions in their faces, excitement.
"Well, we have a wedding gift, we thought better to tell you guys first"
"What is it?" asked Elsa confused.
"We followed the trace with some tracking magic, courtesy of Rumple" said Ruby
"And some tracking skills from a very docile canine" said Belle to annoy a little her friend "And we found it"
"What did you found?"
"The portal" said Red
"To Arendelle" clarified Belle "Same one the Queen used to get here" she explained
"You can go home!" said excited Red.
"Seriously?!" asked Emma impressed and cheerful.
"Yes! we are completely sure"
"Thank you!" was all Elsa could manage to say as she launched forward to hug them both "Thank you so very much" she could just break in tears again of pure happiness.
"Seems like things did get better, kid" said Emma patting her shoulder "So this might be your last night in town" she suddenly realized this.
"Appears to be so" Elsa agreed.
"Then lest make the best out of it!" said Red.
"Would you mind if I set a last snowfall?" asked Elsa joyful
"Please, be our guest" they said as little snowflakes fell from the sky just above them.
One landed on top of Anna's nose "Wait, what?" she slipped out of Kristoff's arms looking at her sister who held a smile upon her lips "Elsa, what's going on? Why the snow?"
"We are going home!" she answered
"Are you serious?!"
"This is no joke?" asked Kristoff thrilled as well
"Yes! We are going to Arendelle"
"I can't believe it!" she shouted with enthusiasm hugging her sister jumping up and down. "Ow, this is so great!" she exhaled "I can't believe its finally happening! Our happy ending!"
"Sure it is" she let go of her "now go enjoy yourself, tomorrow we go" she nodded her head making a mute promise.
"Ok!" she grabbed Kristoff "Come on!" they spin around goofily. Elsa smiled tenderly at the sight of them before she felt a jolt on her back and the snow going down her spine. She looked behind finding Henry ready to attack once more.
"One last time?" he raised an eyebrow "we never settled who won last time, please?"
Elsa couldn't help but laugh and form a snowball in her hand attacking as well. Soon all the guests were taking side as the fight carried on until wee hours but no one minded. This was the last night they would have the young Snow Queen in town and her relatives. This was more than a victory party or wedding celebration, it was more like…the last family reunion.
The sun rouse with the promise of a new morning, and before Red and Belle could lead them to the portal, the two sisters had one last matter to attend.
Hans was brought to the town's line, no handcuffs on or whatsoever to retain him, just accompanied by Kristoff and David.
"So what are you two going to give me? Death sentence? torture? After all I did kidnap you both" he faintly smiled
"We are going to give you something that no one ever has" said Elsa evenly "we are going to give you a choice" he looked up warily "you can either go back to our realm, far away from us and Arendelle…or you can stay here, cross the town's line, forget everything about your life until now and start over"
He stared at them with a mixture of confusion and caution "Why would you do that? Give me a way out? Specially after all I-"
"You were never given a choice, you were pushed around and…shut out" said Elsa guiltily looking at Anna "perhaps all the circumstances shaped you before, but regardless, you helped us defeat the Snow Queen and…admit it or not, you saved my sister's life, therefore you saved mine so…chose wisely" she said finally giving him some space to think.
He looked behind her the line "I wouldn't know who I am, what I did?"
"Not a trace"
"Its as fresh of a start as they can get"
He pondered for a second and exhaled hunching his shoulders "I…I chose to stay" he said courageously "cross the border and…forget"
"So it shall be" concord the young queen moving aside for him to walk further.
"By the way, take this" David tossed him some money "just to give you a better chance at surviving" he said and Hans nodded looking in front of him the town's line. With firm steps he walked over and when both feet were out, he looked around and then backwards seeing nothing. He noticed his handful of money putting it in his pocket and started to walk down the road looking at the big trees and birds and wearing a never seen honest smile in his features.
"Are we ready to go?" asked Ruby with her arms folded in front of her, waiting for them at the entrance of Regina's house.
"All set" said David getting Sven on the back of the truck with Kristoff's help
"It's alright buddy, it's like a sled that…pulls you" he pet his side.
"Ok then, let's get all into the car" instructed Emma.
"Hope you don't mind" appeared Snow with Neal in hands and Rumple behind along with Henry "but we wanted to come to say good bye as well"
Elsa smiled affectionately "I was hopping you would" she admitted.
"So, everyone into a car, we are leaving now" instructed Regina as the whole Charming Family plus Rumple and Belle came as well as Ruby.
They were all in an unsettle silence in the car when Emma decided to turn on the radio to avoid the sad feeling settle in the atmosphere. "You want to hear some music?" she asked noticing her voice cracked a little while she turned the radio on.
'Only miss the sun when it starts to snow'
"What's that?" asked Anna
"It's a radio, like the one in your room" answered Henry.
Only hate the road when you are missing home
The way there seemed painful as they all realized this was a permanent farewell, they would never see each other again and that hurt.
'Only know you love her when you let her go'
Ruby finally parked in the road somewhere deep in the forest and got out of the car along with Belle and Rumple. When the other two cars catch up, they all gather around as Belle pointed where the magic portal was, Regina could feel its presence too.
After unloading Sven they stood in silence in front of the portal.
"So…this is it" said Emma gazing at them
"It is" Elsa responded feeling already the emptiness "I am…going to miss you all" she said trying not to break down "I will never be able to repay you"
"You…helped us plenty too" said Regina "You brought out the best of us"
"We will never forget you" said Henry in low voice being the first to come close and grant her a warm hug. Elsa leaned in hugging as well until he broke apart, tears already rolling freely down his cheek.
Next, came Snow and baby Neal to wish her farewell to her and Anna. David held her as well "you are a very special person, Elsa. Never forget it" he let go before Red gave her a bone-crushing hug "don't let those demons of yours ever conquer you"
"I won't" she mumbled against her shoulder as she began to give into crying.
Regina extended her arms "It was a pleasure to have known you and tutor you. Don't overlook what I taught you"
"Never" she cleaned her eyes before being embraced by the Dark One
"And with you going home safely I can finally say I have settled all my unfinished business with your father"
"I can't thank you enough"
"Don't worry child, I would have done anything for your family. Good luck, dear" he let go prior to his wife's assault.
"I know we didn't start off with the right foot" Belle said "But I do hope that didn't ruined what came next"
"I have a deep regard for you, don't worry" Elsa comforted.
"Thank you" she extended her arms "Here, have these, they are some books you might enjoy, including your personal tormentor"
Elsa read it out loud "The Snow Queen" she chuckled
"Everybody signed it" informed Belle.
"Thank you so much" she hugged again the librarian who mumbled into her ear "Don't tell anyone, but I think I am going to make Rumple a father again"
Elsa's face showed her excitement but didn't say a word "I am so happy for you" she looked at Rumple "You two will make great parents" she whispered back and Belle backed away with the prideful smile on her face reaching out for Rumple.
Finally, just Emma awaited "You are sure gonna be missed kid" she tried to joke around to avoid breaking down in tears as everyone else.
"The feeling is mutual" she walked a step closer embracing Emma "It was great meeting you"
"You too" said Emma looking at the portal "You know…you don't have to go" she muttered "You all can stay here in Storybrooke, make it your new home, your second chance…"
"Thank you but…I already have a home and…I was already given my second chance" she looked at Anna "And I intend to make it count"
"So it is a good bye then"
"I prefer to see it as a… short farewell" she let go smiling "perhaps in the future our paths may cross again"
"Hopefully" Emma said, tears already down her chin.
"Hope for a better tomorrow" Elsa freed her hand walking towards Anna, Kristoff, and Sven.
…Only know you been high when you are feeling low…
"We ready?" asked Kristoff.
"Yes" she took a deep breath as Sven and Kristoff crossed the portal first.
…Only hate the road when you are missing home…
Anna then took her hand "Its time"
"Yes it is"
…Only know you love her when you let her go…
Anna crossed just mere seconds first, but Elsa look over her shoulder seeing all those watery eyes and couldn't hide her own. The last thing heard from her, before a white spark ignited, was a weak and tender 'I love you' and then she was gone forever…
And you let her go…
Farewell Snowdrops... 3th of May 2015
