A/N: Thanks to everyone who's followed/favorited and/or is reading but not reviewing!:)
NrDg-I always wondered why Hans said that when we NEVER see him or anyone else trying to get Elsa's attention in the movie.:P So I was like, 'Hey, he must have just done it off-screen!' Lol. Thanks! (Um...just assume Elsa did already have something on underneath and she was just being fussy.:P That's what I meant, anyways.:) Although I did not know that's what goes underneath is called.:P Thanks for the info!)
bananas-rule-2015-Thanks!:) I figured you were just busy.:) Yeah, I agree.:/ That part just makes me want to give Elsa a big hug and tell her everything's going to be fine.:P
Lindstrom-I thought Elsa needed something a bit un-serious to bother with. Plus I figured she has to have SOMETHING silly she doesn't want to do.:) The water in the hallway thing was ElsaAnnaforLife's idea, but I agree yes it gave Anna a good clue. Too bad she didn't come down the hall before it melted...:/ Thanks! I've been thinking Hans HAD to have bothered Elsa at one time or another because he said that.:P
BellaCullen931-Thanks!:) Yep, Elsa's big sister instincts are spot on...XD
dmcreif-Thank you!:) I thought the coronation party started around noon and went on into the evening/nighttime. I took it that "Love Is An Open Door" actually took up a lot more time than a few minutes. Anna and Hans needed time to actually walk to all those places in that song, But hey, party starting between 5 and 7 works too. Anyway...:) Elsa has more conversation things before Anna comes back in this chapter.:) YES, Elsa should absolutely recognize the duke! She did; I guess I should have made that clearer. Should be cleared up in this chapter that yes she did indeed recognize him.:) Thank you!:)
SkySorrow-Yep, Let It Go is in this chapter! Hopefully it's good.:)
olaf99-I like filling in the 'plot holes' from Elsa's POV.:)
On to the story!:)
Elsa was still just standing numbly a long while later when she heard an all-too-familiar voice next to her. She resisted the urge to sigh in annoyance as she turned to face the Duke of Weselton. "How may I help you, sir?" she asked, trying her best to be polite.
"I just wish to tell you Weselton shared Arendelle's loss of the Venskabet and the king and queen three years ago."
Something's wrong with that statement…The Venskabet? How would he know the name of my parents' ship since Weselton sent that letter that just said my parents never arrived? The ship her parents had left on was the Venskabet… Elsa shrugged off her suspicious thoughts, figuring her parents had sent a letter with the name of the ship they would be arriving on or something. Perhaps some piece of the ship washed up at Weselton after the storm. "Thank you," she answered simply. Elsa remembered the duke referring to her as a little brat when she was three and that he 'wasn't looking forward' to her being on Arendelle's throne. I know he still doesn't like me…what is he up to? I'm still certain he has cheated Arendelle for a long time; I just need to prove it. But she didn't trust herself to steer a conversation the way she wanted it to go; being excellent at people-reading was not going to help her talk to people. Pretend you're talking to Anna. You know how to talk to her, Elsa's mind told her. Sort of…I still stutter and pause with what I'm saying half the time, like if I'm upset or nervous…And Anna isn't cheating Arendelle! Elsa was just deciding she was going to take her chances and try anyway when she realized the duke was asking her if she intended to raise taxes anytime soon. "I am not," she replied firmly. Not this again…what does he think I am, an idiot?
"It would give Arendelle more income!"
"It would…give Weselton more income, yes," Elsa answered in a joking tone, although she was really dead serious. Quit pausing while you talk, Elsa. You knew exactly what you wanted to say that time.
The duke stared at her as if she were an annoying bug. "You haven't lost any of your three-year-old self's political savvy, have you?"
Elsa was beginning to feel very annoyed, but she was determined not to ruin anything. "Why, no…I haven't lost any…" she let her voice trail off, implying that on the contrary, she had gained some.
With a huff, the duke turned and stalked off.
Elsa knew that was extremely rude on his part, but she was more relieved to see him go than anything else. And more than a little amused. "Well, thank you to you, too," she said, acknowledging that she knew that his actions were rude and that she was not perturbed by it. Good grief. Awkward conversation. I think I dislike him almost as much as he dislikes me.
A few minutes later, Elsa had slipped off to one side to eat a little something-okay, she wanted some chocolate-when she heard a happy, energetic voice calling her real name, not her 'queen' title. She turned to see a girl with short brown hair about her own age, perhaps a bit older. She seems friendly…she sort of reminds me of Anna. I think I could talk to her properly. "Hello. It is nice to…meet you," Elsa said, only pausing a tiny bit as she spoke this time.
"I'm your cousin Rapunzel from Corona," the girl said. "It's so nice to see you, even though I, like, didn't even know you existed until not very long ago! You have a pretty name, Elsa…Would you rather I called you 'Queen Elsa' instead? Because I can if you want me to."
Elsa smiled. "We are cousins…just plain 'Elsa' is fine. If you don't mind me asking, how come you didn't know I existed until a short time ago?" I just said all that to a stranger-even if she IS family-without pausing or anything. Maybe I'm getting better at talking to people.
"It's a super long story, but to make a quick explanation, it's because I was locked away in a tower till I was eighteen before this crazy adventure with Eugene I had," Rapunzel said.
Rapunzel was locked away too? Why? She doesn't have uncontrollable ice powers like I do… "You're the same age I am…you were locked away too," Elsa replied softly. "Yet you're so upbeat and happy. Just like my sister Anna…" It's my powers that have messed me up. Now I know two girls who were locked away like me and both of them act perfectly normal…
"Maybe…you should let the past go. That doesn't have to define who you are now. I'm so glad I met you, Elsa! I think you're really nice," Rapunzel told her. "Oh yeah, and just 'cause you aren't a fan of talking to strangers doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. You might be shy. Or introverted. Or just, like, not like talking to the person you're talking to. Or just feel uncomfortable till you get to know the person better…I thiiinkk…You're the last reason I said!"
Elsa finally felt truly comfortable talking to someone that wasn't her sister or Gerda (sometimes) for the first time since she was little. She smiled again before saying, "You are an instant people-reader like me. Thank you, Rapunzel." Rapunzel is really nice. I wish I had been able to meet her sooner.
"I better go stop Eugene from making a big scene over something 'cause I'm 'missing'. I hope I'll get to talk to you more later!"
"Me, too." Elsa watched as her cousin headed off across the ballroom. I think Rapunzel would be a very good friend if she let me be friends with her…wait, what am I thinking? Someone like me doesn't have friends. No one would want to be my friend if they knew what was wrong with me… Elsa bit her lip and turned back to the platter of chocolates sitting on the table. She popped one in her mouth and concentrated on the pleasant taste and nothing else. I like chocolate.
Elsa spent the next several hours pointedly making sure she was nowhere near that slick little weasel of a duke. Literally AND figuratively a weasel… She had several conversations with other dignitaries, and secured two new trade deals for Arendelle, despite her awkward social ineptitude. One dignitary even made the comment, "You might have disgraceful people skills, but you are certainly a shrewd businesswoman."
Elsa replied after a moment of thought, "I am not sure whether…t-to be derogated or flattered," and ended up making the dignitary chuckle by saying that. That conversation was the best one for Elsa; that man evidently remembered her father well and ended the talk with, "Your parents would be proud of you, Queen Elsa." I'm doing fine so far. My conversational abilities with strangers might be stunted, but I haven't messed up anything. Elsa excused herself when she heard Anna's voice. "Thank you for your time."
"Elsa! I mean, Queen!" Anna dropped an awkward curtsy. "Me again. Um…may I present Prince Hans of the Southern Isles!"
Whaaa….? WHY IS ANNA WITH HANS?! He was just trying to bother me a few hours ago. Why is my sister hanging on his arm like that?! Elsa gave Hans a curt but polite nod and waited for Anna to explain.
"We would like-" Anna started.
"-your blessing-" Hans continued.
"Of our marriage!" Anna sounded thrilled.
Elsa was horrified. She jerked backwards as her eyes grew big. Tell me she's kidding…please tell me she's kidding… "Marriage?"
"Yes!"
"I'm sorry; I'm confused." Elsa shook her head, unable to believe that even romance-obsessed Anna would want to do such a stupid thing after knowing somebody for at most several hours. That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. I don't even like Prince Hans. He's got a 'tude and there's something else…off about him.
"Well, we haven't worked all the details out ourselves. We need a few days to plan the ceremony. Of course we'll have soup, roast, and ice cream-wait, would we live here?" Anna rambled on and on.
"Here?!" Elsa blurted without thinking. That Prince Hans in my castle. Just what I need. Not. Wait…did he just roll his eyes at Anna or did I just imagine it?
"Absolutely!" Hans exclaimed.
"Anna-" Elsa needed to grab control of this conversation, and fast. It was spinning out of control. She could NOT let Anna marry somebody she just met, and there was still the trouble that she couldn't have permanent guests in the castle.
Anna kept talking a million miles a minute. "Oh, we can invite all twelve of your brothers to stay with us!"
TWELVE brothers?! Twelve more reasons this is a horrible idea. Oh wait, I remember…there are thirteen Southern Isles princes. "What? No, no, no, no, no…" Elsa held up her hands, trying to gesture for Anna to stop talking.
"Of course we have the room-I don't know-some of them must-"
Not only is this completely ridiculous anyway, it would be a terrible political move for Arendelle. Anna is now first in line to the throne of Arendelle. Hans is, I believe, the youngest of the thirteen Southern Isles princes, so he is thirteenth in line for the throne. Anna and Hans getting married might be good for the Southern Isles, but it isn't good for Arendelle. Not to mention both of them sound like they think getting married is going to be a big sleepover. So stupid. And Anna is too young to get married in my opinion anyway! Finally Elsa had heard enough. "Wait. Slow down," she said clearly and firmly. "No one's brothers are staying here. No one is getting married." There. I said it. And I didn't pause or stutter trying to think what to say. Probably because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what I wanted to say, I guess.
"Wait, what?"
Now Elsa felt awful as she looked at her sister's hurt expression. Sure, Anna was being ridiculous about the whole getting married thing; but maybe Elsa could have said something a bit more tactful. And Anna genuinely doesn't understand that it's stupid, or why I can't have people in the castle. I should tell Anna my problem. If I have to, I'll take her in another room, write her a note, and then give it to her. At least she would know, even if I'm too chicken to tell her out loud. Now having made her decision, risky or not, she asked, "May I talk to you, please? Alone?" I'm going to tell her. Even if it's in a note, I'm telling her. Elsa's neutral expression turned worried as she clasped her hands together close to her chest, feeling nervous. This is it. If Anna hates me, I don't know what I'll do. But at least I'll have that horrible secret off my chest and Anna will know why everything is like it is.
"No! Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us," Anna insisted, feeling angry that Elsa would just completely shoot down her plans. Again. That isn't fair! What does Elsa know about this? She's been stuck in the castle since she was little, too. And she doesn't know Hans at all!
Elsa found herself reverting back to her impassive, closed off self. If that's what you want, Anna, then fine. I was going to tell you about my ice problem, even if I had to just write it down to get the point across. Now I won't. I'm not telling you here in front of hundreds of people. "Fine. You can't marry a man you just met." I'd tell Anna that even if I didn't have the ice problem. Marrying someone you just met is stupid. You can't get to know a person in a few hours!
"You can if it's true love!"
You can't have 'true love' in a few hours! Elsa's mind screamed. I know I don't have any experience about such things any more than you do and that I'm awful at social interaction, but I do know that's stupid! "Anna, what do you know about true love?" she asked, trying to be logical.
"More than you! All you know is how to shut people out!" Anna exclaimed. Elsa asks me that and she goes and ignores me for months on end because of one fight. Not. Fair.
Elsa jerked backwards as if she had been slapped. It's not completely my fault! You know that, Anna…okay, it's about ninety-nine percent my fault…because of my powers… "You asked for my blessing, but my answer is no. Now excuse me." She needed to get out of there fast. I'm going to lose control. I can't do that in here in front of all these people! Elsa turned and started walking away.
"Your majesty, if I may ease your-" Hans started, but Elsa cut him off.
"No, you may not. A-a-and I think you should go," Elsa said shortly. There goes the stupid stutter again. And I don't want that Prince Hans around my sister or me. Spotting a nearby guard, she added, "The party is over. Close the gates." This needs to stop. I have to get out of here…I need to get Anna out of here…I hate this…too many people…got to get out…now… Elsa's thoughts were growing frantic.
"What? Elsa, no! No, wait!" Anna couldn't lose the last couple hours of the day now. And she wanted to get Elsa to rethink her decision about Hans. And she was mad. Anna tried to catch Elsa by the arm, but she ended up grabbing Elsa's hand instead.
On instinct, Elsa jerked her hand out of her sister's grasp and her glove slipped off. Oh no, oh no, oh no…this can't be happening. Not here. Not now. Elsa frantically grabbed for the glove with her other hand. "Give me my glove!" Please, Anna, please! I need it!
But Anna held it just out of reach, thinking that was the only thing that would keep her sister around long enough to talk to. "Elsa, please…I can't live like this anymore!"
Elsa blinked back tears. I'm sorry, Anna, but I can't fix things. That's one thing I'll always be a failure at. I should stop being selfish and let her leave if she wants to. I have the right to do such a thing now that I'm officially Queen Elsa of Arendelle. "Then leave," she said quietly. Elsa took one glance at her sister's heartbroken expression and immediately wished she hadn't. She shook her head and turned away, heading for the doors to the ballroom. I was trying to help, but that definitely didn't. She thinks I just don't want her around.
"What did I ever do to you?!"
Elsa tucked her bare hand protectively under her other elbow and kept walking. Anna, you didn't do anything. Conceal, don't feel; conceal, don't feel. "Enough, Anna," Elsa said firmly. Just a little further to the door, Elsa; just a little further. Keep it in. Don't feel.
"No, why?! Why do you shut me out?! Why do you shut the world out?! What are you so afraid of?!" Anna knew she should stop exploding, at least wait till they were in private later, but the words just tumbled out before she could stop them.
Elsa could feel that everyone in that ballroom had their eyes glued on the two sisters, watching their argument. Everyone's staring at us, Anna. Can't you please shut up, at least for now? Conceal! Don't feel! Conceal! Don't feel! Elsa scrunched her eyes shut and shook her head, trying not to listen to her sister's ranting. She could feel her powers threatening to explode out of her at any second. At the 'What are you so afraid of?', Elsa couldn't put up with it any longer. "I said, ENOUGH!" she exclaimed, making a wide gesture with her hand. Too late, she realized that was the wrong hand.
Very much the wrong hand.
Sharp icicles shot from her bare hand in a semicircle, pointing threateningly at all the guests, blocking Elsa off from everyone.
It took Elsa a moment to process exactly what she had just done. I just…threw icicles…all over the place…in public…WHAT HAVE I DONE?! This was her worst fear come to life. That she would lose control in public today. You ruined everything, Elsa. Elsa clutched her bare hand to her chest, her frightened blue eyes darting back and forth as she tried to read people's reactions. She caught her sister's gaze, and in her terror misread Anna's mostly shocked expression as frightened. If Anna was scared of her, then everyone else definitely would be. No one would accept her on the throne now, and she couldn't blame them. They would chase her down. She was dangerous. What if they wanted to kill her or something? Elsa's panicked thoughts could form only one coherent and logical reaction at the moment. Run.
So Elsa fumbled for the doorknob and ran. She had no idea where she was going to go, just that she needed to get out of there. You ruined everything. You need to leave. Everyone's going to hate you now. You ruined everything you've ever worked for with one careless motion. Elsa threw the main castle entrance doors open and found herself facing a whole new crowd of people in the courtyard. Clapping for her. They don't know what I did. Somebody's gonna tell them. I have to get out of here! Still clutching her bare hand, Elsa ran through the crowd, not really hearing anything anyone was saying. I should have gone into the secret passages. Too late now…something else I did wrong.
Someone bowed in front of her. Elsa turned and ran in a different direction and nearly ran into a woman holding a baby. A baby! What if I hurt the baby?!
"Your majesty, are you all right?" the woman with the baby asked, genuinely concerned.
Elsa shook her head. "N-n-no," she faltered over the word almost inaudibly. I'm not okay! I just ruined everything! I'm dangerous! Get your baby away from me! Elsa stumbled backwards right into one of the fountains in the courtyard and grabbed the edge of it. The sound of crackling ice made her jerk away from it. I did it again. Stop it, Elsa! Stop it, stop it, stop it! I gotta get out of here! Away from all these people! Elsa stared in horror at the fountain, now frozen solid into a grotesque shape. People began backing away from her, and Elsa clutched her bare hand to her chest again, feeling even worse when the same woman shielded her baby from her. I don't blame her, but it still hurts. And I ruined…everything!
"There she is! Stop her!" Elsa heard the Duke of Weselton say.
"Please, just…stay away from me! Stay away!" It's not safe! Elsa held her hands in front of her, trying to gesture that all she wanted was just everyone leave her alone and let her get out of here. She wouldn't bother anyone anymore; she just wanted out. Ice shot from her bare hand, coating the castle steps. No, no, no! Conceal! Don't feel! It's too late. You ruined everything, Elsa!
Having fallen on Elsa's accidental ice, the duke began pointing and shouting at her. "Monster…monster!"
Elsa ran. She had called herself that too many times to count, but hearing someone else call her that to her face, even someone she already knew didn't like her, made her feel awful and broken inside. Just let me go! Please! I won't bother you by being here anymore. Please leave me alone! I just want to get away from everything. I understand why you're calling me that, but it still hurts. I'm dangerous…I ruined everything…I have to leave… Elsa found herself trapped at a dead end at the fjord's edge as she heard Anna calling her name. She looked down and saw…ice forming under her feet into the fjord. Will it hold me if I step on it? Elsa needed an escape route, so she hesitantly took one step onto the ice. It held. She took off at full pelt across the fjord, ice forming under each of her running footsteps. Elsa could hear Anna yelling for her to come back, but she didn't listen. She kept running. I need to get as far away from Arendelle as possible.
Elsa kept going, not looking back. She still didn't know where she was going to go. Only that she had to get far, far away from Arendelle. No one would want her there anymore. No one would accept her again.
You ruined everything.
Elsa ignored the accusing thoughts and kept running, completely oblivious to all the snow on the ground around her.
You need to leave.
"I am leaving," Elsa hissed. "Shut up."
Everyone's going to hate you now.
Elsa shook her head and scrunched her eyes shut as she continued running, now uphill.
You ruined everything you've ever worked for with one careless motion.
Elsa couldn't hold her tears in any longer. "I can never go home…never, ever…all those years…all for nothing, absolutely nothing!" She suddenly realized she knew where she was now. She was on the way to the big pool with the waterfall where she and Anna had gone swimming when they were little. Elsa suddenly knew exactly where she was going to go. Her feet were subconsciously carrying her in that direction anyway.
She was running to the North Mountain. The place she had dreamed of visiting for years. The happy place she retreated to in her imagination. There's nothing to keep me from going there now. Elsa picked up her pace and started running again, despite the steep path. She realized she should be getting tired; it was very late and she had been running for hours, but she didn't care. The farther away she was from Arendelle, the better.
When Elsa was what she thought was somewhat close to the summit, she finally let her steps slow and gazed around her. So this is home…
You ruined everything. "I know…" she whispered.
You need to leave. "I did…"
Everyone's going to hate you now. "I'm away from everyone now. It doesn't matter…"
You ruined everything you've ever worked for with one careless motion. "Shut up." I'm miles and miles away from everyone…if I lose control up here, it won't matter…it won't hurt anything or anyone. Elsa stopped in her tracks and began singing softly as she gazed up the sky. "The snow glows white on the mountain tonight, not a footprint to be seen…" Not even mine. I may as well not even exist. I don't even make footprints in the snow. It was true. The only mark left on the snow was from Elsa's trailing cape.
"A kingdom of isolation…and it looks like I'm the queen." Elsa dropped her clasped hands to her sides and paused. I'm not the queen of Arendelle…I should just be the queen of isolation. I guess I am. Is this who I am? It's not who I want to be. I don't like that storm of emotions inside of me. I wish it would disappear. "The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside…Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I've tried…" Have I ever. Thirteen years' worth of effort. Pointless…useless. You're a failure, Elsa. Elsa wrapped her arms around her middle and closed her eyes.
All those things I was ever told…they didn't do any good… Elsa kept singing, "Don't let them in, don't let them see, be the good girl you always have to be…" Elsa shook one finger in front of her as if she were scolding something. Myself, I guess…What my father told me was stupid. How could it ever work? I can't just stuff myself away forever. I didn't. I ruined everything…conc-no, I won't. Not here. This is my place. My refuge. It's been my refuge in my imagination for years. And I'm here now. For real. Who needs a 'reality check'? Not me. Elsa's voice grew a bit stronger as she kept going. "Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know…"
Elsa stared in disgust at her one remaining glove. "Well, now they know!" She tore that glove off and threw it to the wind. No use for that anymore. I'm by myself; I outed myself in Arendelle. I can be me here…I can be ME here! I won't hurt anything or anyone. I'm in my element!
What was that phrase I've heard before? Oh, yes… "Let it go!" Elsa's expression brightened as she made a small burst of snowflakes with one hand. "Let it go!" Then the other. "Can't hold me back anymore!" Elsa twirled a snowman into existence that looked exactly like the ones she had made with Anna when she was little. Nope, no more. I'm done with hiding who I am. I truly can't do it anymore anyway. I miss you, Anna…I wish I could have told you…
This is me. "Let it go!" Elsa threw her palm to the skies and made a larger burst of snow this time that swirled and floated through the air. "Let it go…" Another burst of snow with her other hand. I couldn't fix anything…
You ruined everything, Elsa.
"Turn away and slam the door!" I've slammed doors so many times…I'm doing it again. I'm slamming the door on those horrible thoughts. Elsa made a swift motion with both hands that sent both swirls of snow behind her drop to the ground.
Elsa whipped both hands to the right, this time shooting a mixture of ice and snow. "I don't care-" then to the other side "-what they're going to say!" Goodbye, everyone who's ever called me names or thought them behind my back. You will not hurt me ever again. This is me. If you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine. I should be able to be me without being punished for it. Just because I'm different doesn't mean I'm 'defective' or 'messed up'. So there.
Feeling more confident now, Elsa strode forward as if she had no cares in the world. "Let the storm rage on…" You just stay there, internal storm. You aren't affecting me anymore. I don't care. She paused as she felt the wind ruffle her bangs and blow her heavy purple cape out behind her. I don't need that thing. The cold doesn't bother me.
"The cold never bothered me anyway." Elsa unclasped her cape and let it fly off on the wind. And the other kind of cold? I can act how I want here. I don't have to be cold and indifferent. And people treating me coldly…leaving me in the dungeon…I don't care. They aren't here. This is MY place. My mountain. I don't care what anyone says.
Elsa's steps grew lighter and happier as she kept walking up the mountain. "It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small…" I should have come here sooner. Nothing can bother me here. She turned back towards the direction she had come before continuing, "And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all!" No more scared, depressed Elsa! She's gone and she's never coming back. I hope... "It's time to see what I can do…" Elsa found herself standing at the lip of a deep crevasse and shot her hands forward, creating the beginnings of an icy staircase. I fell when I made an ice bridge when I was little. I'm much stronger now, so that isn't going to happen. "…to test the limits and break through!" No more locked away me. No more unfair rules that are bound to fail anyway. "No right, no wrong, no rules for me…" Elsa stepped one foot on her icy steps and it immediately turned to smooth, crystal-clear ice. "I'm free!" I'm finally free. I don't have to try to change my identity anymore. This is me. For the first time in her life, she was free to be herself without someone fussing at her or being worried about hurting someone or something.
Held up by nothing but her newfound confidence in her abilities, Elsa joyfully ran up the ice staircase, forming it as she went over the crevasse, her hands running up the intricate railings. "Let it go! Let it go! I am one with the wind and sky!" I'm here on top of the world. I love it! The wind and the sky doesn't hate me… Elsa tossed her hands in the air and spun around as she reached the opposite side of crevasse and completed her staircase. "Let it go! Let it go…"
You ruined everything.
"You'll never see me cry!" That girl who goes and bawls over everything is gone. I am not letting her back in. Despite her words, Elsa actually did feel like crying right that moment…she wanted Anna back.
She wanted Anna to see her real self.
She wanted her sister to see her as something besides that terrified girl that had been locked in her room for thirteen years.
I'm not crying. No. More. This is home now. Elsa picked up her skirts and stamped firmly on the ground, letting a huge ice snowflake form around her. "Here I stand…and here I'll stay…" That's my snowflake. That's my personal mark. So there. Elsa glanced around her, deciding what she wanted to do next. "Let the storm rage on…" My dream building! I know I can make something similar to it. I just know I can! Elsa smiled and lifted both hands as the construction of her dreams formed around her, the walls swirling into solid hexagonal fractal shapes of ice, all based off her signature snowflake. This is my home. This is where I'm going to live. I can make it however I want.
"My power flurries through the air into the ground…" Elsa spun around, discovering that her snowflake-design-based floor could change color as she gestured at it. Blue…purple…pink…amazing! My powers made all this?! Why didn't I experiment before? "My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around!" I love geometric designs…especially mine. My signature snowflake pattern! Elsa began creating an intricate chandelier far above her as the roof completed itself. That. Is. Awesome. Epic. Amazing. The works! I MADE THAT! "And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast…"
Elsa plucked the crown from her hair and looked at it for a moment, feeling far too many emotions at once. What am I? Distressed? Resolved? Sorrowful? Resolved…no, I'm angry. That doesn't represent me anymore. No one wants me there. "I'm never going back…" Elsa tossed the crown away from her, now feeling mostly relieved and happy that she didn't have to deal with everything that crown represented anymore, but a bit regretful that she hadn't been able to fulfill what she had been meant to do since she was little…and no Queen Elsa of Arendelle meant no Princess Anna. I hurt her…she wouldn't want me around if she knew that anyway…would she? "The past is in the past!" No more. It's gone, gone, gone. The past is gone. It cannot hurt me anymore.
"Let it go..." No, Elsa, don't you get upset again. It's okay to be yourself here…let the past go…it's gone…I can be me… Elsa's hand flew to her hair and pulled it down into her always-favorite single braid and brushed her loose wisps back over her head. "Let it go…and I'll rise like the break of dawn…" Sparkling ice turned her coronation dress into a new creation as she kept singing. My ice-dress. I've made it before and this time it's staying. That's the real me. "Let it go…let it go!" Elsa's hands shot out behind her, forming a glittering frosty cape behind her. A queen should have a cape. Except only my way. I'm the Snow Queen. "That perfect girl is gone!" She wasn't ever really there in the first place. She just uselessly fancied trying to be perfect. Trying to please people that were never going to be happy with her no matter what she did. Goodbye, confined, scared, restricted, and whatever else Elsa. You aren't welcome here now. I'm Snow Queen Elsa now.
What I should be. Elsa strode confidently out onto her icy balcony as the sky grew pink outside. "Here I stand in the light of day!" This is me and this is my new home. And it's beautiful. I'm free at last. "Let the storm rage on!" Elsa tossed her hands to the sky and proclaimed her new freedom. She was happy, filled with exhilaration and excitement.
She was on top of the world. Literally and figuratively. Nothing can get to me here. And I'm on the summit!
"The cold never bothered me anyway." Elsa's expression went to the slightly mischievous smirk she made when she was little. Nothing can get to me here. So there. Then she whipped around, her long platinum braid swinging down her back; and strode back into her ice palace, slamming the snowflake-encrusted double doors shut behind her.
I am home.
Elsa the Snow Queen was free at last. Imagination can be a powerful thing.
A/N: The duke's comment about the Venskabet won't make any difference in this story, but keep it in mind. It's important for an event months later.:)
Please let me know what you think of the whole Let It Go sequence.:P I still don't think I did it justice...:/ I mean, Elsa's kinda happy but she kinda isn't; she's sort of free but not really; it's just super complicated.:P
Next chapter coming soon!:)