A/N: Thanks to everyone who's followed/favorited and/or is reading but not reviewing:)
bananas-rule-2015-Is the 'strong emotion' thing a good thing? I don't want to be melodramatic...:P Anyway...yeah, if I was Elsa, I'd freeze Agdar's butt or his feet tooXD
Angela3000-Yay!:)
WarriorQueen 14-I agree. Anna is DEFINITELY underestimated.:)
ElsaIsAmazing-You are quite welcome!:) I'm glad you liked the way it came out. (Turns out your idea was double good because it moved the plot along for this chapter very nicely;)) Argh, I don't want to make my readers cry...then again, I guess it's good I made you feel bad for Elsa and Anna.:/ Thank you:)
olaf99-I know; I never expected to get this many reviews!:) (I wasn't sure how unique my plot line was...:P) Cool! Thank you:)
princessdianaofparadiseisland-Definitely a jerk:/ Yeah, Anna is awesome:)
On to the story!:) (I do apologize to everyone who can't wait for the shipwreck at sea, but this chapter got way too long as it is.:P So...that's in the next chapter. Promise.:))
As summer turned into fall and then winter, Anna continued knocking on Elsa's door and just saying a few sentences before walking away. "You aren't worthless, Elsa. You're worth more than…um, I dunno, ohh, I know, all the gold in the world! Yeah! You're my super awesome sister and I love you. Bye, Elsa," Anna said one cold day in December before Christmas.
Elsa smiled and let out a small giggle on the other side of the door. Well, I don't believe you, but that sure was funny, Anna.
Anna stopped in her tracks in the hall. Had she just heard Elsa giggle from inside her room? She considered going back and talking to Elsa some more to see if she would reply, but decided against it. I'm sticking with my plan. And that means I don't try to make Elsa talk and end up making her feel bad for not replying. Anna forced herself to continue down the hall. Still, I made her giggle, at least for a minute. That means my plan's finally starting to work! Yay! And that's the first audible reaction I've gotten out of her, too.
Elsa still hadn't quite figured out what Anna was up to, even though it had been several months since the hurricane now. But the New Anna that would simply just say a short something to her without trying to get her to reply was a welcome change. Elsa had hated listening to Anna talking to her and asking her questions and trying to get her to participate in a conversation. It made her feel horrible inside because she was ignoring Anna, who had never done anything to Elsa to make her ignore Anna. What Anna's doing now, how she just 'drops a line' without expecting a reply, actually makes me feel a bit happier. The only thing is…I should be replying to her. She deserves it…
On Anna's birthday a few days later, Elsa reread the letter she'd written for Anna. "Dear Anna, I have no idea what exactly you're up to, but I really, really appreciate you talking to me without trying to get me to answer...it makes me a bit happier than I would be otherwise. You're awesome. Remember how you told me I was worth more than all the gold in the world a few days ago? You're wrong. YOU'RE the one who's worth more than all the gold in the world, not me. I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me, but I can't. Promise me you'll never be anything but yourself, okay? Because just plain you is amazing. Happy birthday, Princess Anna of Arendelle…You're fourteen now! Your very grateful sister, Elsa." She waited until she was sure Anna would be awake and out of her room. Then she slipped into the secret passages holding the letter, and quickly made her way to Anna's room. Elsa pressed her ear to the secret entrance into her sister's room, just in case, before darting inside and leaving the letter under her sister's pillow. Elsa slipped back into the secret passages and went back to her own room. I can't wait till Anna gets it. That's my present to her, although it's more of a thank-you than anything else.
When Anna found Elsa's letter that night when she climbed into bed, she squealed in delight. "I finally got a reply from Elsa!" she whisper-screamed happily. Anna's mission was starting to shape up nicely. Elsa must be happier or she wouldn't have replied. It crossed Anna's mind that it was awfully odd how Elsa's letter had mysteriously just appeared in her room, but she didn't care. Anna was just getting ready to read Elsa's letter when she heard a knock on her door. Anna froze for a moment before putting the letter inside her nightgown and diving under the covers. There. Nothing suspicious here…uh-uh! "Who is it?"
"What on earth were you squealing about?" Anna heard her father ask.
"Uh…I tripped and almost fell," Anna fibbed. She was not getting Elsa in trouble again. Not after what happened last time. Poor Elsa got sent to the dungeon last time. That is NOT happening again. Just…no. She'd lie forever and a day if it got her sister off the hook.
"Are you all right?"
"Yep, perfectly fine." Anna let out an overdone yawn. "I'm reaallly sleepy…g'night…" Anna sighed in relief when the footsteps faded away down the hall. Then Anna hopped out of bed, locked her door, and finally, finally opened her sister's letter. Anna had been extremely happy that Elsa had given her something; but now as she actually read what her sister had written, she started frowning. I haven't helped Elsa at all. She still thinks she's not worth talking to…at least she says she's a bit happier anyways… "Thanks for sending me a reply anyhow, Elsa," Anna whispered. "I will keep talking to you. I will make you happy. And nothing can stop me."
Anna soon discovered, though, that there was something that could stop her. She got caught talking to Elsa in the hall one day in January, which was made all the more ironic because although Anna didn't know it, Elsa wasn't even in her room at that moment. She was somewhere in the secret passages. Anna managed to get Elsa off the hook by saying that Elsa had not said one word to her in reply, but Anna's mission was ruined. It seemed like there was always someone following her around the castle now, and she didn't dare try talking to Elsa again because was somehow a hundred percent certain that Elsa would be the one blamed next time.
With no explanation for why Anna didn't say anything to her anymore, Elsa just figured that Anna had given up on her. Elsa grew less and less hopeful that Anna's silence was a temporary thing as the weeks went by. By springtime, Elsa had reconciled herself to the knowledge that Anna must have moved on. You can't be upset, Elsa. She had been fussing with you for nine years. Anna should have moved on long time ago. She did what she should have done in the first place.
"I still miss her," Elsa whispered. "She was the only one who didn't…treat me like…like something you just deal with because you can't throw it away." I didn't deserve someone like her in the first place. I'm dangerous and I hurt Anna. She should ignore me… Still, Elsa's already pained heart was crushed that Anna had seemingly abandoned her. She wanted Anna back, even just her voice that floated into the room from out in the hall. I can't lose my head. I still have future responsibilities to be the queen of Arendelle eventually. That was the only thing that kept her going now. Elsa had lost her one source of happiness, but she was determined not to dump her own responsibilities on Anna. Anna told me over a year ago that she did not want to be queen of Arendelle. I will not leave her and dump those responsibilities on her. Maybe when I'm queen I can finally apologize to her, if she'll listen. That would be better than nothing, even if I can't fix everything to the way it was when we were little. Elsa clung to that thought every time her mind drifted to something she would regret doing and be unable to take back.
For her part, Anna had no idea what to do anymore. Elsa probably thinks I've abandoned her. If she was depressed before, what's she feeling like now? What if…no, I'm not gonna even consider that. Elsa wouldn't do that. She has more sense in her head than that, Anna convinced herself.
By Elsa's eighteenth birthday, Elsa just plain didn't care what day it was. It didn't matter. She wasn't going to be queen for years and years, so what was the point in keeping track of the days at the moment? I don't care. I hate life. I wish I could disappear. But I can't, and I won't. I'm still the crown princess. That means I have future responsibilities.
Elsa's 'storm sense' continued to become aggravatingly more acute. All summer, every time there was even a minor thunderstorm, Elsa became very antsy and jumpy. I wish my powers would stop making me do that. I hate that feeling of an 'internal storm' swirling inside. One September morning, Elsa woke up and somehow just felt there was going to be a tornado later that day. I have to warn someone! Elsa had an ice barrier against the door, so breaking the lock and getting out that way was out of the question. She'd have to use the secret passages. Elsa bit her lip before going anywhere. What if no one believes me again? I might just get myself in trouble for nothing… Elsa, you're being selfish. You have to give the warning. Tornadoes are destructive. She took a deep breath and headed into the passages. Where do I go? Deciding that since this was important business, the Great Hall would be best; she quickly headed in that direction, hoping her parents would either be there now or soon would be.
Elsa slipped into the Great Hall. There was no one there right now. Of course. I always have rotten luck…now what? Next course of action: her father's study. Surely he would be in there. Quiet as a cat, Elsa tiptoed through the castle, hoping she wouldn't meet anyone on the way. She didn't. Elsa lightly knocked on the door to her father's study and waited for a reply.
"Who is it?"
Elsa sighed in relief. Thank goodness. "It's Princess Elsa."
Now the door opened, and Agdar asked, "What are you doing here, Elsa? Did you break the lock again?"
"No, I did not." Elsa clasped her hands behind her back and said calmly, "I know I am not supposed to be here, but there is a tornado coming later today." Please believe me…please, please, please…
"I thought your powers only consisted of things relating to cold."
Elsa sighed. I knew it. Now I'm going to be in trouble. "Evidently they don't. Please believe me! I know there's a tornado coming. I can feel it…"
"Did you make this so-called tornado? Are you controlling it somehow?"
Elsa was horrified. Dad actually looks genuinely frightened. Oh no…I think he really, honestly believes I'm doing it. "NO! How could you think I'd send a destructive thing like that into Arendelle?!"
"Then how else are you predicting it?"
"I don't know! I have no idea why my powers do anything! I'm just trying to help and give the warning!" Elsa replied, trying to remain calm. Conceal, don't feel. Emotions on lockdown.
"I think we need to make a trip downstairs…maybe then you won't go through with this…"
"Euphemism alert," Elsa responded through clenched teeth. What have I done? Nothing but gotten myself in trouble. "Fine. But you have to believe me! Please! Even if you don't, couldn't you just take some precautions anyhow? Please?" Elsa didn't know what else she could do. She followed her father 'downstairs', her head held high, blinking back tears. I never do the right thing.
As she had done the last time she was down here, Elsa stepped into the cell without a word. She paused for a moment before turning back and saying quietly, "I'll stay here. I won't make a fuss. I won't try to get out. But you are not putting those…things on me again." I'm not going to say nothing this time. It's not fair.
"How else are we going to make sure you don't go through with the tornado?"
Elsa thought this over for a moment. Well, if those horrid things are on me, and Dad thinks I can't do anything with them on-which is true; then he'll know when the tornado comes anyway that I didn't do it. "Okay." She looked away, but she didn't move away or otherwise protest. Get out of here. Just get out of here and leave me alone. The second the door closed and locked, Elsa realized she had forgotten to ask one very important question. I have no idea how long I'm going to be left down here. Elsa knew from her previous experience that it was pointless to try to get those shackles off her, so she didn't even bother trying. She leaned against the wall and tried to zone out, but she still felt too agitated because of the incoming tornado. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I am NOT doing that in here. Disgusting alert! Trying to take her mind off her upset stomach, Elsa paced back and forth as far as the chains would let her. Soon, she grew tired of that and just stared out the latticed window at the fast-darkening sky over the fjord. Come on, tornado, hurry up and get here. That's my ticket for getting out of here.
A few minutes later, rain began pouring down. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed loudly. A shiver of unexplainable excitement ran through the eighteen-year-old girl standing in front of the window in the dungeon. Upstairs in the castle, the king and queen of Arendelle briefly wondered if their oldest daughter had perhaps been right. But she had said tornado, and no tornado was here. The younger princess of Arendelle just wanted to know what her sister was doing, and wondered if she'd predicted this storm as she had with the blizzard and most likely that hurricane.
Back in the dungeon, Elsa still stood gazing out the window. What was that she saw out in the fjord? I'm right! I'm right! There's a waterspout out there! If it hits land, it would be called a tornado! Wait, why am I excited about this?! Tornadoes are destructive! Elsa looked hopefully out the window. Come on, just stay out in the fjord, waterspout. And Dad, Mom, PLEASE go look out a window! Then nothing and nobody will get hurt, and Dad will know I didn't make the tornado, since I'm stuck chained up down here. She bit her lip as the swirling vortex moved closer towards land. No, don't hit land. Please don't… Elsa was very hesitant to attempt to do anything to alter the course of the storm. She probably couldn't even do that anyway, especially with her hands shackled. Plus she might just end up destroying everything. Still…Elsa would never forgive herself if she didn't at least try. So she closed her eyes and tried to really, genuinely feel her 'connection' to the storm. Move away from Arendelle. Move away. Please… Elsa blinked her eyes open just in time to see the twister literally eat up an entire ship floating in the fjord. Did I make it do that?! Elsa had absolutely no idea, but she wasn't going to take any more chances. She shrank back against the wall and curled into a ball. That storm was only going to destroy things naturally if she could help it. Not because of her. Just get away from here and move away from Arendelle, stupid storm. Please.
To Elsa's surprise, the twister spit out that ship a few feet from where it had disappeared and started moving away from land before dissolving into nothing far, far from shore. Did I do that, or did it do it on its own? The more she watched this storm, the more confused she became. She knew tornadoes could change directions seemingly at random, and that they could sometimes pick up things and drop them again. But it was still weird. Elsa decided that she must not have meddled with the storm at all. I don't have nearly enough control to make a natural storm do what I want it to. Besides…interfering with the natural course of nature…that's almost creepy. I can't do that. I shouldn't do that anyway, even if I could control it.
An hour later, the storm had dissipated, leaving the sky still looking droopy and gray. But the rain had stopped. Elsa was glad the tornado hadn't made a direct hit on Arendelle, but now she was growing worried that no one would come let her out. The minutes slowly ticked by. I'm not going to just get left down here, am I? What am I going to do? Elsa wiggled her cramped fingers as much as she could. She wanted those things off. Why had she agreed to this, again? Yes, she'd been trying to be logical, but she still didn't have any way of getting out of here. And now the tornado and its adjoining thunderstorm(s) had passed; and here she was, still locked down here. Elsa plopped down on the bench against the wall and absentmindedly kicked at the chains. Rattle went the links in the chain. Clunk it went against the stone floor. Rattle, clunk. Rattle, clunk. Annoying noise. Elsa stopped kicking and wondered what to do next. She could yell for someone to come get her, but she was not going to beg to be let out. I'm not begging. I'm NOT breaking down. Elsa was actually angry this time. All she had done was give a warning, for goodness sakes. And not only did her father not believe her, he thought she was making the storm herself. The only thing is…I think Dad really, genuinely believed I was doing it. He was scared. If I had been doing it, I would completely understand that; but I DIDN'T DO IT. Why didn't he believe me?
By late afternoon, Elsa's anger had disappeared, leaving her feeling depressed and miserable. What if no one ever came? Would she have to stay down here forever? The storm is long over. Why hasn't anyone come? Why? And I want Anna back. Even just hearing her talk to me through the door would make me happy.
Anna darted down the hall to her father's study for the second time that afternoon. Dad's been acting really weird since this morning. Like…nervous, but something else too; I don't know what it is. And I think it's got something to do with Elsa. "Dad, where is Elsa?" she asked the second she ran into the study.
"Why do you ask that all of a sudden?"
"Why don't you tell me where she is?" Anna's eyes fell on the large ring of keys lying on her father's desk. Wait a sec…I bet Elsa's in the dungeon again. Dad never carries those keys around. Anna pulled her eyes away from the keys in order to avoid suspicion. I'm getting Elsa out myself this time. I just gotta get those keys. Anna started to form a plan in her mind. She'd go down to the dungeon that night and let Elsa out herself. And if Elsa wasn't there, then ok. But if she was, then Anna would be able to help. And I can tell Elsa why I've been ignoring her.
Anna edged her way out of the study and ran back to her own room. I gotta help Elsa. I have to.
There was one caveat to her plan. She needed those keys! So Anna hung around the study all afternoon. When she saw her father put the keys in the back of a drawer and shut it, Anna was quite pleased. Now she knew where to get the keys that night. Anna tiptoed away down the hall.
Late that night-or rather, early the next morning around four AM, Anna hopped out of bed and tiptoed down the hall to her father's study. She'd kept her regular dress on so that if she got caught, she could just claim she hadn't gone to bed yet. It's a lousy excuse, but better than nothing. Anna eased the door to the study open and ran over to the desk. She opened the drawer she'd seen her dad put those keys in and felt around in the back of the drawer. Awesome. I've got 'em. Next she fumbled to light a candle before heading down the hall and downstairs. Anna found the door leading down to the dungeon and paused before pulling it open. I'm going down there for Elsa. This is no time to turn chicken. My sister needs help. Anna tiptoed down the stairs down to the main corridor of the dungeon before starting to whisper her sister's name. "Elsa? If you're down here, please answer. Elsa?"
Anna heard muffled crying from somewhere farther down the corridor and jumped for a moment before realizing that had to be Elsa. I knew Elsa was down here! Now I just gotta find her. She followed her ears toward the sound. Anna finally stopped in front of the right cell. "Elsa? It's me, Anna."
On the other side of the door, Elsa struggled to stop crying. Did I really hear Anna's voice? I must be going crazy, imagining things that aren't even there. Anna wouldn't come down here. She doesn't even know I'm here. "I have to be just hearing things," Elsa whispered.
Anna tried several different keys in the lock before finally finding the right one. "Elsa, you aren't just hearing things. I came down here to let you out," she said as she stepped inside the doorway. Anna realized that it was downright freezing down here, and worried Elsa might be cold too until she remembered her sister was immune to such things. I'm not gonna say I'm cold…Elsa'll probably start worrying about me or something.
Elsa just stared at her sister. "I th-thought you…gave up on m-me," she stammered. Wait…Anna didn't give up on me. She was being prevented from knocking or anything. That's what happened. It figures… Elsa looked down at the floor as tears of relief trickled down her cheeks. "Anna…I missed hearing your voice so much…"
Anna frowned. I thought Elsa might be mad at me that I'd been ignoring her, but she just missed me? "I thought you might be mad at me."
Elsa turned her gaze toward her sister. Why in the world would I be mad at her? "I have no reason to be mad at you. You have full reason to not bother with me anymore."
Elsa doesn't look mad…she just looks sad and tired… "Elsa, please. You are NOT a bother. And let me take those horrid old things off you. Why are you down here anyway? Has it got anything to do with the storm earlier?"
Elsa nodded as Anna started trying to find the right key to unlock the shackles. Wait…with my hands chained up, my powers actually are unable to hurt Anna…I can't even freeze the shackles off. So… "Anna, wait a second…can I have a hug? Please? I mean, if you don't want to, that's okay, but…"
Anna stared at Elsa in surprise. I thought she didn't want anyone hugging her because of the 'it's not safe' thing. But whatever! "Of course you can, Elsa. Just lemme get these stupid things off first." Anna couldn't stand seeing her sister's hands chained up any longer.
Elsa immediately moved away from Anna. "No! It's…I…um…oh, I can't explain…just Anna, please can I have my hug first? Please?" Anna must think I'm crazy…
Anna quickly obliged her sister's request. Elsa all but collapsed into Anna's arms. "I'm so sorry, Anna…I can't help it…I don't want to do this anymore…I can't…"
She what?! What did Elsa just say? Anna held her shaking sister close and didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Elsa, promise me you won't…leave me. And if I'm not talking to you, it's because I'm trying to keep us from getting in trouble, ok?" I knew Elsa had to be getting awful thoughts in her head, and sure enough…
Elsa flinched. Anna knows the rotten thoughts I've had and she hasn't even seen me… "I won't. I promise." Elsa's voice sounded a bit faint, but she also sounded determined. Anna knew her sister was telling her the truth. Elsa hesitantly lifted her own arms and hugged Anna back. I'm giving Anna a hug. And I'm safe for her to be around right now. I'm so happy. "I'm so happy right now, Anna…" Right that second, it didn't matter to Elsa that she'd been locked down here unfairly; that her hands were sore; that she had ice powers she couldn't control; or that she was so, so tired of everything. She was with Anna safely for now, and that was all that mattered.
Anna frowned when she felt the cold metal that bound her sister's hands against her back. How can she be happy right now? Elsa's still all chained up and she says she's happy…What's wrong with her? I wish I knew exactly what was bothering Elsa. "And Elsa? About the storm…did you predict it like with the blizzard?"
Elsa nodded and mumbled 'yes' into her sister's shoulder.
"Cool! So you've got like 'storm sense'?" Anna asked.
"No, it isn't. That's what landed me down here," Elsa said quietly. And that Dad thought I was making the storm…
"That's stupid. I think it's awesome! Maybe you shouldn't give storm warnings anymore," Anna suggested. "I mean, if nobody's going to believe you anyway, what's the point?"
That's true. "Thank you, Anna. I guess you're right." I'm so glad Anna came down here, Elsa thought.
"Of course I'm right. Elsa, can you please let me take those shackles offa you now? I hate seeing you like that."
"But then I can't let you get near me anymore," Elsa said, frowning as she glanced down at her shackled hands.
"What?! That's silly, Elsa. You just let me hug you, and you hugged me back for goodness sakes! Have you got poison ivy on your hands or something?" Anna asked, only half-joking.
Elsa giggled. "How would I have gotten poison ivy indoors?! That's totally illogical!" The prospect was so ludicrous to Elsa it was hilarious. She wished poison ivy was the problem. That went away after a while.
Anna still didn't understand, but she didn't press the issue further. She had made Elsa laugh, and she seemed to be happy; so that was Mission Accomplished. And besides, she had to get Elsa out of there soon, or they were going to get caught. "Elsa, I REALLY don't want to cut off our conversation, but if I'm gonna get you out of here, we need to leave as soon as possible."
Elsa looked disappointed for a moment, but then she smiled. "You're awesome, Anna; you know that?" Anna's really going to get me out of here.
Anna tossed her head and flipped her pigtail braids. "Of course I'm awesome! And so are you! I'm the…ooh, I know, Stealth Princess, and you can be the Storm Princess! Yeah!"
Elsa was still giggling as Anna finally figured out which key unlocked the shackles. She stepped back a few feet from Anna the second her hands were free, but she was still smiling. "Thank you, Anna."
"You're very, very welcome," Anna told her. She wanted to give Elsa a hug again, but Elsa seemed happy at the moment, even if she suddenly didn't want to be touched again; so Anna didn't try. "Let's use our special spy-stealth-ninja powers to sneak back upstairs!"
Elsa grinned, and the two girls tiptoed quiet as mice back up to the main first floor of the castle. Anna made sure not to invade Elsa's space, which Elsa quickly realized and greatly appreciated. One issue…how am I going to get back into my room? Oh wait, Anna has the keys! Except, I think there's an ice barrier on my door. There is no way it's melted already…
When they reached Elsa's room, Elsa immediately asked Anna for the keys. "Elsa, does your door lock on the outside?" Anna hissed, starting to ball her hands into angry fists.
"Mmhmm…don't worry about me, Anna…" Elsa tried to blow it off. "Confidentially, I know how to pick locks," she whispered.
Anna snickered. "I knew you still had that mischievous streak of yours!"
Elsa found the key that opened her door and took a deep breath before attempting to push it open. To her surprise, it opened easily. "I just don't exercise it very often," she said, giving Anna a lopsided smile. "Thank you so, so much for everything you've done for me. Goodbye, Anna." Elsa gave the keys back to Anna, disappeared into her room and shut the door. My ice barrier is gone?! The ice barrier had mysteriously disappeared entirely, aside from a puddle of water on the floor. That's odd…I know it couldn't have melted that quickly…
To Anna's surprise, she heard her own signature knock from Elsa on the other side of the door. That's a special message from Elsa. She did the same knock in reply before heading off to her own room with a bounce in her steps.
Elsa happily put on her nightgown and climbed into bed. I've got Anna back! Well, sort of…in any event, she didn't just give up on me. That's enough for me. Elsa fell asleep smiling. No bad dreams bothered her that night.
The next morning at breakfast, Anna was all smiles. She figured she was going to be asked where Elsa was, but she didn't care. Anna had successfully gotten her sister out from the dungeon, and she didn't care one bit that she'd probably get in trouble for letting Elsa out. Elsa shouldn't have been down there in the first place. I mean, seriously, what's the big deal about her 'storm sense' thing? It's actually helpful anyways…
Sure enough, Agdar asked, "Did you have anything to do with your sister yesterday? Because she wasn't-"
"In the dungeon this morning?" Anna interrupted.
"What did you do with her?"
"I let her out," Anna said simply. Then she shoveled the rest of her pancakes in her mouth, gulped her milk; then stood up from the table. "Excuse me, please." Anna was just getting ready to leave the dining hall when her father stopped her.
"Anna, that wasn't any of your business."
Anna just stared. "On the contrary, it was definitely my business! Why did you put Elsa down there for giving a warning about a tornado?! She was trying to be helpful!"
"Just what exactly did she tell you?"
"I asked Elsa if she'd predicted the tornado like she had with that blizzard. My sister, whose name happens to be Elsa, said yes; I said that was super cool; and then she said no, she'd been put down there for it! That is so STUPID." Not to mention, you've made Elsa beyond depressed, Anna added in her thoughts. I gotta tell him what Elsa was thinking about; maybe that'll shock some sense into him. But I have to figure out exactly how.
"There was no tornado yesterday, Anna. Your sister was wrong."
"No she wasn't. I saw a twister out over the fjord. It didn't hit land. You prob'ly didn't see it, I guess," Anna said. She turned and began walking out of the dining hall.
"Don't have any contact with Elsa."
Anna just kept walking. You wish. I WILL find a way to talk to her. At least if I can't, Elsa knows why now though.
Back upstairs in her room an hour later, Elsa heard Anna's footsteps out in the hall. Then she heard an "Oh, I'm SO sorry!" and a crash against her door. Then a note appeared under her door. Elsa held back a giggle as she ran to pick the note up. Anna must have pretended to fall so she could flick the note under my door. Ingenious. Wondering what she could do to reply without being suspicious, Elsa glanced around her room. Pretending to fall probably wasn't particularly a good idea, but she wasn't sure what else to do. So she knocked a chair over and let out an "Ow!"
Suddenly there was dead silence out in the hall. Then Elsa heard Anna say, "Something's the matter with Elsa! I heard her say 'ow' about something!" Oops. That wasn't the reaction I was going for, Elsa thought. She quickly ran over to the door and did Anna's special signature knock. Wait, I shouldn't have done that…
Anna heard Elsa's code reply and immediately realized her sister had just been trying to give her subtle message. Elsa knows I was pretending to fall! That's what it is. Cool!
Later that afternoon, Elsa heard another knock on her door, but this one wasn't one she wanted to hear. It's either Mom or Dad or both. What if they want to make me go back to the dungeon? She was just thinking that maybe she had better put an ice barrier back on her door when the door opened. Elsa moved back towards the opposite wall. Please don't…please…I hope it's something else entirely…
To Elsa's great relief, that was not the reason. "Elsa, we have to go on a trip for two weeks. We leave tomorrow. You will have to take on the responsibility of being queen regent for that time. Kai will help you."
A seemingly endless stream of thoughts ran through Elsa's mind. I can't be queen regent, even for just two weeks! I'm only eighteen! At least Mom and Dad trust me to do that. That's a good thing. Wait, if they're gone, then Anna can talk to me during that time. Awesome! But what if someone wants me to open the gates while they're gone? I can't do that. I can't have anyone see me. What if I mess up? It doesn't matter; Anna will be able to talk to me. IT DOES TOO MATTER IF I MESS UP! What if I lose control or something? Finally, Elsa answered, "What exactly is the trip for?"
"We think we may have found a way to cure you of the ice problem. There is also important business to take care of in Weselton."
Elsa frowned. I really, really don't think there's any way to cure me. And Weselton? That place is trouble. I still think the duke tries to cheat Arendelle for his own personal gain… "Okay. I will do my best to take care of Arendelle. Is there anything specific I will have to do?"
"No. There actually is nothing specific at all to do at the moment, but should something come up politics-wise or letter-wise, you'll have to take care of it. That's all."
Elsa smiled. I can do that. Writing I can do. I don't really care for it, but I'm capable of that. "I can handle that."
That evening, Elsa not-very-sorry-in-the-least excitement had completely faded. She could feel that there was yet another storm coming, and would arrive in Arendelle within a few days. Closing her eyes, Elsa tried to feel her faint 'connection' with the faraway storm. Elsa blinked her eyes open in horror a second later. That storm is right in the path Mom and Dad have to go! What do I do?! Anna had suggested she not bother trying to give storm warnings anymore, but wasn't it wrong to let her parents leave on a trip right into the path of a storm? They won't believe me anyway…and I can't deal with staying in the dungeon for two weeks, which is probably what would happen. Except I'm supposed to be in charge of Arendelle while they're gone…I don't know what to do. I don't know. Wait…maybe I can try asking them not to go without saying anything about the storm.
Early the next morning, Anna ran down the hall, pausing in front of Elsa's room but not saying anything. She frowned for a moment, but then remembered she'd be able to talk to Elsa every day for the next two weeks. She wasn't going to mess that up by talking to her now. I'll talk to Elsa the SECOND Mom and Dad leave. That should make her happy. Anna ran into her parents' room. "See you in two weeks!" Anna paused for a moment before adding, "Mom, Dad, can I please tell you something about Elsa? It's really important…"
"Make it quick…"
Anna was trying to go for shock value, so she started to say, "Elsa has considered s-s-" I can't even say the word… She noticed her parents looked appropriately shocked (Thank goodness, Anna noted), so she added, "She promised she wouldn't, but I'm still super worried about her…"
"Anna, we'll talk to her when we get back. Your sister is responsible for Arendelle while we are gone. You said she's promised not to, so let's not put the idea back in her head when she's supposed to have important responsibilities."
Anna grinned. I'm getting a little somewhere, finally! It took something way too extreme to grab their attention, but it finally worked. Awesome. Maybe I'll at least be allowed to talk to Elsa now. "Ok. Thanks, Mom; thanks, Dad." Anna was so pleased she jumped in her parents' arms and gave them a hug. I'm still really, really mad at them for what they've done to Elsa, but maybe we'll be getting some things fixed now.
Elsa stood at the bottom of the castle staircase to see her parents off. She still wasn't sure what to do about the storm. She didn't even know how severe the storm would be; it was still too far away for her to determine. Maybe it's just a minor storm system working its way to Arendelle. In that case, Mom and Dad should be fine anyway. Elsa dropped a polite curtsy when her parents came down the stairs. "Do you have to go?"
"You'll be fine, Elsa."
But I don't know if you will be or not… "Could you maybe postpone the trip for a while?" Elsa asked hopefully.
"No…there are scheduled meetings and it is too late to cancel them."
Elsa bit her lip. What else can I say that would be convincing but not mention that storm? Elsa was still mulling it over when Anna came up behind her a few minutes later.
"I get to talk to you for two whole weeks now!" Anna said excitedly.
Elsa moved a few feet away from Anna and asked, "You mean they're gone already?!" I've lost my chance. I can only hope that storm is a nothing…
"Uh-huh. I think you were zoned out when they left. Want to have breakfast together?"
Elsa frowned. "Don't you think that's a little rude on my part? Like, 'Ooh, the parents are gone, so let's break the rules!' type thing?" I do want to, though…if I feel like I'm losing control, I can always run back up to my room.
Anna just grinned at her. "Well, yeah. But who's gonna make you do anything? Mom and Dad told me you're in charge while they're gone. So you can do whatever you want!"
"I can?" Elsa glanced down at her hands, those dangerous hands of hers, and then back at Anna. Maybe I can…just for now. As long as I stay away from her, I should be fine. "Will you promise not to touch me and stay away from me?" she asked.
"Sure. We can sit on opposite ends of the table if you want. Whatever is fine with me," Anna assured her. And loads better than Elsa being physically locked in her room. "Come on."
Elsa gave her sister a small smile, and the two girls headed off to the dining hall together. Not hand in hand like when we were little, but still together all the same. Thank you, Anna.
A/N: So...Anna managed to catch their parents' attention finally, but we all know what's going to happen. You're just a bit late, Anna.:/
Next chapter coming soon:)