Chapter 23

~ A Difficult Proposal ~

Anna opened the envelope and read the letter inside her heart dropped she was astounded.

"Elsa you can't be considering this. How do you think it's a good idea?" Anna asked.

"I don't like it, but it's better than having my kingdom starve. It's a sacrifice I have to make. This will let us gain resources, and our forces will be stronger we can finally capture the people who have attacked Arendelle."

"Elsa, I don't want to see you commit to something you're not going to be happy with."

Elsa grabbed her sisters hands and smiled softly, she tried to be happy but it just seemed fake. "I'll be okay Anna, I must make choices that will create a better place for people to live. Being the Queen is wonderful, but I have difficulties too. There are many things that people just don't realize."

Anna sighed. "This is terrible Elsa, this is beyond what you should have to do."

"Anna..." Elsa trailed off

"Elsa you can't, he tried to kill you, we can figure something else out please don't do this I don't want you to be unhappy with your life."

Elsa sighed sitting down at her desk Anna stood in front of her. "There is nothing left to do Anna, we can't wait any longer, as soon as I confirm

We will receive help and the people will be okay and so will you."

The Princess looked at her sister. "But you won't be!" Anna raised her voice. "Please Elsa don't do this! I can't stand to see you so unhappy and this will make you miserable."

Elsa closed her eyes. "I know Anna." she said solemnly. "Stop." she paused looking up ever so slightly. "I have to"

"You're the Queen, you don't have to do anything. Nobody can order you around! Elsa! There are other things we can do I know there are lets figure them out I know we can do it!"

The Queen wasn't nearly has cheery as her sister she sat with her hands over her face stressed out and exhausted. "Anna." Elsa spoke in a firm tone. "Please, just stop." she asked. "I'm going to do this."

Anna sighed crestfallen. "You're really going to do this? You'll be miserable Elsa..."

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to reestablish my Kingdom."

Anna sighed. "I do not believe it, is there nobody else you can ask?"

"No, everyone else is too afraid to come here, either because of me, or because the guards allowed for both members of the Royal Family to be attacked and nearly killed."

Anna sat down in one of the chairs near her sister and crossed her arms. "This is so unfair!"

Elsa breathed out and drew a deep breath in holding it for a long time. "I know it's unfair Anna, I'm really sorry." Elsa knelt down in front of her. "Arendelle will be safer and the people of our kingdom will be happy again."

"Elsa I want you to be happy. You've come so far and now we are just going backwards."

"My decision is final Anna." Elsa spoke in a stern voice as she stood. "I'm going to accept the offer."

Anna was silent. "You never think of yourself! You only think about what you have to do!"

"I am the Queen! Anna!" Elsa called out frustrated with her younger sister.

"Elsa, this one choice will make you're entire life miserable not just a few days or a year but your entire existence."

The Queen looked at her for a moment she turned to a guard who had come when he heard all the yelling. "Please take my sister to her room, I want to be alone."

Anna was escorted away and Elsa sat down in the chair with the letter in her hands. She had received it a few days prior to Anna's arrival. It wads deal, to 'unify' the kingdoms and 'Assist Arendelle'

Elsa, Queen Of Arendelle.

It has come to my knowledge that your kingdom is in a time of crisis and that Arendelle is running out of resources for trade as well as for their own use. We offer our resources under the condition that our kingdoms are unified under the rite of marriage .

Sincerely

The Queen and King of the southern isles.

Elsa sighed and put the letter aside. She rubbed her eyes and stood walking gracefully to the window and looking out. The world was dreary and the few people who loomed around outside walked slowly and without purpose.

Elsa imagined herself where she would be in a few weeks. She imagined how she had been treated before, how it was likely not to change. Anna was right she would certainly be very unhappy with her life.

"Elsa!? Elsa?!" a voice in a panicked tone woke her, it was then she knew that she must have fallen asleep at some point. "Elsa, I know you want the Kingdom to be happy but..."

"Anna." she began very strictly. "I told you enough is enough I've made my choice."

"Do you really think they want him as their king?" The Princess questioned her sister looking curiously into her eyes.

The Queen thought for a long time. Finally she breathed a sigh of relief. "Maybe not." Elsa was torn over her decision she knew that she may be miserable and maybe the people of her kingdom would be too. But they wouldn't be starving and the would be safe.

"Elsa." Anna took her hands. "We will find another way, how long do we have until you need to send a reply."

"Anna, I'll give you a week at most we need food, resources Arendelle is in crisis we have to bring the kingdom out of this difficult time and quickly."

Elsa paused and for the longest time both girls just looked at each other.

"If we don't find another way in one week I'm going to accept the offer."