Chapter 24

~ A Princess' Concern ~

Elsa stared out the large window in her study. It was a new day in the kingdom the dark grey still loomed over Arendelle.

"Elsa." Anna opened the door slightly and peeked in her sisters room.

The Queen didn't turn around but greeted her sister taking small steps Anna crept towards Elsa. "I don't know what to do Elsa, I've looked into possible solutions but nothing has come up yet."

Elsa turned to face her sister instead of her usual braid she wore her hair up, her light blue dress was gone and traded for a dress of deep purple and green. The Queen had taken to wearing her two blue gloves again. Even the Princess took notice to the Queens current state of misery. "Anna I'm dreading having to be married, to someone I know doesn't care for me, somebody I know has harmed us in the past."

Anna looked at her trying to understand. "Elsa, it's been a few days we still have time to find an alternate solution."

Elsa closed her eyes shaking slightly. "No Anna we don't, not anymore."

The Princess looked at her sister confused. "What do you mean?" Anna Questioned. "Is something wrong?"

"The first death due to starvation occurred today. A small child died... I've accepted the offer from the Southern Isles, I knew you wanted to help me but... I couldn't let this go on any longer."

Anna's heart sunk she thought that there were still a few days left for her to try and think of an Alternate solution to end Arendelles crisis.

The Queen remained silent as she exhaled deeply and walked to her desk. Papers were piled up high, various objects scattered around it. Elsa began writing a notice letting the people of the kingdom know what was happening, that help was on the way.

"Elsa." Anna strode to the front of her sisters desk and placed her own hand over Elsa's. "Please."

The Queen shook her sisters hand off. "Anna, I made my choice." Elsa began looking up from her writing. "I've done many terrible things, I'm

Not going to let anyone else die because of me."

The Queen returned to her work in silence and Anna left the room her was hung low. The Princess was growing extremely worried for her sister. Elsa had seemed miserable for days, it had been a long time since she had seen the Queen truly happy.

"Princess Anna, you look sad, is there something I can do for you."

Edith, one of the castles doctors smiled softly walking over to Anna. She was very kind hearted and had been with the girls through so much.

"I'm really worried about Elsa, she's miserable, Edith. I don't know how to help her."

Edith walked into the library with Anna and the two sat down on a couch. "what seems to be the matter Anna? What's gotten you so concerned?"

"Elsa seems to be getting worse. She wears her hair up again, she's wearing darker clothes and she's started wearing the gloves again. I'm worried about her. She was doing so well with coming to terms with her identity and now... Now it's like she's just gone back in time."

Edith looked at the disheartened Princess. "Anna." Edith took her hand. "Be there for your sister, she needs you now. You don't have to speak, just listen to her and she will tell you what is worrying her the most eventually."

The Princess smiled "Thank you Edith." Anna stood up. "I'll let you know if Elsa's condition gets any worse."

Elsa wrote in her study notices to the Kingdom of Arendelle announcing her wedding, and marriage to the Prince. She sighed reading over it, clearly unhappy with her choices.

"Elsa?" The Queen heard her sisters little voice call.

"Anna, I don't want to hear about how you think I'm making the wrong choices."

"Elsa all I want is to talk to you." Anna admitted getting teary-eyed. "I'm really concerned for you and I just want to know how you feel, I want to help you get through whatever path you choose and I can't do that unless you share your thoughts with me." Anna was crying now, she was incredibly worried

Elsa wrapped her arms around her younger sister. "Oh Anna don't cry." The Queen spoke softly. "Don't cry, I'm alright, just a little nervous." She admitted softly. "It's going to be just fine we can get through it."

"Elsa you're going to be stuck with him for the rest of your life I'm worried you'll be miserable."

"Anna." Elsa began softly. "Please." The Queens voice got very quiet Anna could tell she was almost crying. "I don't want to talk about how I'm going to be miserable for the rest of my life..."

"Tell me why you're worried Elsa, you can't keep it all inside it's going to eat away at you, tell me please."

The Queen pulled out of her sisters embrace and tears already stained her cheeks. "I'm worried about being married, about how Arendelle will react. I'm worried for my safety and yours last time he was here both of us nearly died."

Anna listened not taking her eyes off her sister for one moment.

"I'm worried for you Elsa, I want you to be happy with your choices. You shouldn't have to make ones you aren't comfortable with. I know you have responsibilities as Queen. But there is a line that has to be drawn. If this is going to make your entire life miserable." Anna took a deep breath and exhaled loudly slowly shaking her head. "Then Elsa." she paused. "Don't do it."

The Queen was still teary eyed looking at her sister. Her tiny red haired sister, Anna was still recovering from her time in captivity. She was starving Elsa could tell and Arendelle had no food left, the last of it was used up a day ago.

"Anna." Elsa looked at her, her voice shaky and unstable. Half crying the Queen glanced at her with despair. "Anna, people are sick! Dying! Starving, and it's all because my forces aren't strong enough to overpower them. Or even to find them, and when I lost you I turned evil and the kingdoms surrounding us were far too afraid."

Anna shook her head and turned away. Heading for the door Elsa wouldn't change her mind, tears ran down the princess' pale face. "Elsa." she spoke softly. "You have to realize that not everything is your fault."

She left the Queen standing there, and closed the door. Her sister had shut herself out again, and she was afraid. Of her magic, what people would think of her, the Queen was fearful again and Anna was concerned that this time there wouldn't be anything that she could do to reverse the damage, or pain that her sister had gone through. Anna was afraid the Queen would be trapped in her misery and fear forever.