My fourth visit to see Elsa took place exactly three years after the third one.
The kingdom was much more lively this time around. I figured a big event must've been taking place that day because the kingdom was decorated gloriously and the spirit of the people was lively. Crowds were flooding over the bridge to the castle gates. The gates were not yet opened, but the guards were lurking nearby, preparing to let the villagers in soon.
I found Elsa where I expected to, and I was very relieved to see that the window was clear of all frost this time.
I was able to peer in without hindrance.
My throat caught when my brain was able to process what I was seeing. I was seeing Elsa, but she was far more beautiful than she was in memory.
That is not to say that I remembered her as being ugly, but that she had grown even more radiantly in those two years.
It was hard to imagine her as the young girl she had once been.
It was hard to imagine myself playing hide and seek with her.
While reminiscing at the window, I couldn't help but blush.
I shook the thoughts away, returning my attention to the present.
I was there and I had to do what I was there to do.
I was there to be with Elsa.
I tapped on the glass, ever so gently.
"Jack?" She made her way to the window, ever so slowly. Even from out here, I could hear the thuds of her footsteps.
"Hey, Elsa." I smirked.
Together, we pulled the window frame up. It was a much easier task than last time, as the window wasn't frozen.
"It's my coronation today." She spoke as I came into the room. She had her arms crossed as she began to pace in a nervous manner. "It may not be the best day for you to come here."
"I would love to be here for it-"
"No," She interrupted. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Her shoes clicked against the floor as she walked over to look upon a picture hanging on the wall. I recognized the man in the painting as the same regal figure who had tucked her into bed all those years ago. This man was her father.
Elsa's eyes were filled with longing. I understood why.
There's nothing worse than wanting something you know you can't have.
Beneath the painting was a long, wooden table. A candlestick and a rounded jewelry box were upon it. They were peculiar items, but I didn't judge.
"I can't do this." She muttered.
"Yes, you can." I encouraged. "If anyone can... it's you."
She bit down on her lip.
Hesitating briefly, she pulled the turquoise gloves from her hands and placed them atop the wood table. Sighing, she picked up the strange items; the candlestick in her left hand and the jewelry box in her right.
She turned around to face me. The fabric of her cloak whooshed around her body.
I could see now that she was using these unusual objects to imitate the regalia.
Hanging above her, the painting of her father at his coronation matched her pose almost to perfection. The only difference was that the candlestick was substituted for the scepter and the jewelry box for the golden orb.
The expression on her face replicated the seriousness on her father's. Drained of every ounce of playfulness, I could hardly believe she had ever been a child.
I longed to return her lighthearted spirit, but I knew that I couldn't.
Floating her up to the ceiling couldn't fix the frozen fractals lying stagnant in her heart.
Her bare hands touching the stand-in regalia proved to be too much. Ice spread upward from her palms and began to crawl up both the candlestick and the jewelry box, engulfing the objects with it's frigid power.
"No." Elsa muttered under her breath. She turned back to the table and set the items in their previous places to let them thaw.
She yanked back on the turquoise gloves, concealing her powers within.
"You can do this, Elsa." I persuaded, inching toward her a few steps.
"It's only one day." She whispered, more to herself than to me. "It's only for today."
I could still see out the window from where I stood. It overlooked the bridge leading to the palace gates. Clear water spread itself out on either side of the bridge. I couldn't help but think it must make for some good skating during wintertime.
The crowd at the gates was much larger than when I first arrived. Some of these people had traveled great distances to be there that day.
They still awaited patiently, but even from where I stood, I could see that restlessness was settling in.
"They're all waiting for you." I said.
"It's agony to wait." She murmured.
Gathering all the courage within her, she straightened her back and held her head up high, preparing for one of the most frightening moments of her life.
Elsa was coming out of her room.
I hovered at her side as she strode across her bedroom floor, her cloak flowing behind her.
She fought to clear her face of all the fear clouding within the dark crevices of her frozen heart.
With still hands refusing to tremble, she reached out and pulled the doors wide open.
It was time to open the gates.
I followed Elsa down the hall.
I didn't need to worry about being discreet as I followed her because I knew that I could be seen by no one else.
I was there solely to be her support in whatever way I could.
I almost expected her to object, but she did not suggest I depart.
Once again, I felt something nagging me within.
Two feelings which I did not understand, nor did I wish to.
The first feeling was that affection I spoke of before and the second feeling was puzzling beyond comprehension:
Loss.