You wake up in an unfamiliar bed, the pain in your head comparable to being stabbed with an icicle.
You scan your surroundings. Wherever you are, it's fancy, which makes you wonder what you're doing here.
The bedroom door opens and you hide behind the covers.
A beautiful blonde enters.
You recognise her instantly and the memories come flooding back to your brain.
She smiles, glad to see you're awake.
You sheepishly return the gesture.
"How are you feeling?" she asks, sitting down in the chair at your bedside.
At first you're speechless. You can't believe she's real.
She looks concerned.
"Hungry," you say without thinking, clamping your hands over your mouth and blushing.
She stifles a giggle. "In that case, I'll have the staff prepare something delicious for you right away." She opens a drawer beside your bed and withdraws a small, elaborate box. "But for now, will chocolate do?"
Your eyes light up and you nod appreciatively. Chocolate isn't a delicacy commoners like yourself are used to.
"I'm Elsa, by the way."
You tell her your name, also.
"Where's the girl?" you ask, your voice hoarse. "The one who fell through the ice."
"Anna is recovering," replies Elsa, her expression reassuring. "I spoke to her earlier. She wants to thank you personally."
You breathe a sigh of relief and place a chocolate in your mouth, closing your eyes as it melts against your tongue. It tastes better than anything you can remember.
Elsa is smiling as it's clear how much you're enjoying her gift.
You realise she's watching you and almost choke.
Startled, she places a glass of water to your lips and you gulp it down. You're thirstier than you thought.
"I apologise," she says. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I'll leave."
"Wait!" you utter, placing your hand on her arm. "Stay. Please. I have so many questions." You retract your hand at the sensation of frost forming on your palm and fingers. "What the-"
Wide eyed with embarrassment, Elsa tucks a strand of loose hair behind her ear and clears her throat.
She starts by revealing that you're in the kingdom of Arendelle, that this is her castle and she is queen, that the girl you saved is the princess.
You've heard tales of Arendelle's royal family, of the powerful Queen Elsa who accidentally plunged her land into an eternal winter and the courageous Princess Anna who sacrificed herself in an act of true love.
You gaze at the thawing frost on your hand and blink in disbelief. Outside of Arendelle, most people believe Queen Elsa's abilities to be nothing more than a rumour and that the midsummer snowstorm had merely been a coincidence.
Seeing it for yourself, you now know better.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you wish," Elsa says. "I owe you my sister's life, after all."
Hearing this makes you smile. "Thanks, Elsa. I-I mean, thank you, Your Majesty."
The queen shakes her head amusedly and places her hand on yours. "Please. Just Elsa is fine."