Chapter 5 - Making Amends

Making her way through the forest on horseback, Anna tried to hunt down her sister. She knew she had likely fled out of the city, considering the royal guards had searched everywhere for her. Anna felt guilty about this, what was she thinking disguising herself like that?

It didn't matter now though. All that mattered was Anna trying her hardest to find Elsa, and maybe put an end to this unnatural winter... if she even found the cause. Truth be told, she was starting to question her initial theory of the winter being caused by Elsa, even if it felt so true.

Like it was something she had always known yet somehow forgotten. She couldn't explain it, not really sure how she understood it exactly, so she just kept riding on into the woods, on the back of her loyal steed. As she turned the next corner, a familiar face joined her.

Riding up next to Anna was her friend Essi, the maid having been searching down another mountain track for Elsa. Judging from her arrival, it had been likely that her search had all been for nought.

"Did you find her?" Anna inquired, but already knowing the answer.

Essi shook her head. "No, I searched half of these woods, but still no sign of her. For a girl who spent most of her life hiding in a room, your sister is a surprisingly fast runner... and a pretty damn good hider."

"She always did ace at hide and seek," Anna admitted, recalling a pleasant childhood memory to ease her current pain. She then looked at the wintery scene around them, amazed that the entire kingdom had become like this overnight.

As she looked further into the woods, she saw the ice and snow seem to get more intense, with more icicles forming on the trees and the snow drifts getting ever larger. It was clear they were nearing the heart of the storm, whatever or whoever that was.

"Let's keep going this way," Anna said. "I don't know why, but my gut is telling me Elsa went this way."

"Is this the same gut that told you that Elsa somehow caused all this?" Essi inquired. "Not judging, but the idea of someone creating an eternal winter overnight is actually pretty crazy."

Anna nodded. "Yes... just trust me, okay?"

"I never said I wasn't going to trust you, Princess," Essi agreed as they headed down the nearby snow-covered path, heading in the direction Anna specified.

Trotting down the path on their horses, both women soon felt a noticeable drop in temperature, as the area almost felt sub-zero to them. Good thing both of them were wearing winter cloaks, with wool coats underneath to keep out the cold.

With a determined look on her face, Anna led the pair of them through the snow-covered woods, seeing ice and snow, formed into so many chaotic, unnatural shapes around them. No natural snow could have formed in such a manner.

Up ahead Essi then noticed a small glimmer of blue light in the icy fog, faint but still not impossible to make out with the naked eye. "Anna... I think there's something up in that clearing up ahead."

Looking closely, Anna too could see the strange blue light. Could that be the cause of all this? Whatever it was they needed to investigate it. Tugging on the reins of their horses, the two of them headed towards the source of the light.

However, once they reached the source, both of them were met with a very, very unexpected sight. Curled up under a tree, her hands held close to her chest and magic, icy sparkles surrounding her and snowflakes suspended in mid-air... was Elsa.

Essi's eyes widened with surprise. Anna was right. It was indeed Elsa who was the source of all of this.

Knowing she needed to speak with her sister, Anna gestured for Essi to stay back. It would probably best she dealt with her sister alone. Essi nodded, as Anna dismounted her horse, gently creeping over to where Elsa was sitting.

The blonde princess was crying heavily, constantly muttering the phrase "It's all my fault," over and over again. It was quite tragic to see, but Anna would do her best to care for her sister. Even if she wasn't a maid anymore, it was still her duty in a way.

Staring at her sister, Anna knelt beside Elsa, smiling kindly. "Elsa...? Is that you?"

Elsa looked up, before she quickly hid herself in her arms. "Please... stay away from me," she whispered. "I don't want to hurt you, Anna. Not again." She then hugged herself tightly, continuing to cry soft tears.

Anna sighed, feeling very bad for her sister. "It's alright, Elsa. I'm here for you now. I'm so sorry for what I did to you Elsa, betraying your trust like that. I only wanted to help you... and all I've done is make everything worse." She looked down at her sister, feeling very sombre.

"It... it isn't your fault Anna," Elsa sniffled. "It's my fault you didn't have a best friend, that you've been lonely all these years."

Finally understanding, Anna then smiled, giving Elsa a caring look. "It's this ice of yours isn't it... you've been hiding it from the world to protect me, haven't you?"

Nodding, Elsa confirmed Anna's suspicions. "Yes... years ago I hurt you with my powers and our parents had your memory erased. Then I was told to conceal them all the time and keep myself hidden from the world... but I was so sick of that."

"And you just... let it go," Anna finished. "I'm so sorry, Elsa... But you need to stop all this now, stop whatever power of yours is causing this winter. I don't want everyone in Arendelle to freeze to death because of what happened the other night."

"I... I don't know if I can control this," Elsa expressed. "I tried so hard to all these years, but nothing worked. That's why I wear my gloves all the time. My magic almost always comes out from my hands... but even now they aren't helping. I've gone too far."

"No, my sister," Anna comforted her. "Because you have never gone too far. I believe in you. You can do this Elsa. You can put an end to this winter."

"I can't, Anna, don't you see that," Elsa insisted. "I can't control this curse. Nothing in this world can stop my powers. Not even you can stop me." She started to cry. "Please... just go. Take care of Arendelle, leave me out here to die."

Shaking her head, Anna knew that wasn't an option. "No, Elsa, I'm not leaving you, because do you want to know one thing?"

"W-What?"

Anna smiled. "I love you, Elsa. I love more than just as my sister, more than just as your servant. I love you for who you are, your faults, your flaws. I love you because you are the only person in my life who has ever brought a smile to my face, who has always been there for me, even when you aren't there in person."

"Y-You really do love me?" Elsa stuttered, her tear filled eyes staring up at her sister. "Even though I've done so much."

"Yes, because love is putting someone else's needs before yours," Anna said. "And all I ever wanted to do by being your maid was to make you happy." She then smiled down at Elsa. "Elsa... I love you so much."

With all the love in her heart, Elsa then stood up and threw her arms around Anna, hugging the young princess as tightly as she could. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she held the woman she loved close to her heart, never wanting to part from her again.

Hugging back, Anna smiled, letting Elsa cry out her tears and kept her safe and close. She kissed her cheek and let the older girl nuzzle her softly. As they shared a tender, love-filled embrace, Anna began to notice something. All around them, the ice and snow was beginning to thaw. The trees, the bushes, everything that was covered in Elsa's ice started to melt, the world slowly starting to return back to normal.

Looking Elsa dead in the eyes, Anna gave her sister a passionate, love-filled kiss, realising that this was the secret to Elsa's powers. Elsa kissed her back, cupping Anna's cheeks as they held one another, as the world around them melted and the icy greys and whites gave way to natures beautiful green.

Essi watched in awe as the world around her was restored and the shadow of Elsa's winter faded from the land. She looked on as the two royal sisters shared a passionate, true love's kiss, one that literally thawed the entire world. She did it.

When they parted from their kiss, Elsa looked around and saw what had happened because of her kiss with Anna. "I... I can't believe it... I controlled my powers!" She then looked at Anna with elation. "Love... that was the secret all along."

"I knew you'd figure it out," Anna smirked. "That's all you ever really needed in your life, Elsa. Love, and I'll be the one to give that to you."

Feeling very grateful, Elsa then pulled Anna into another warm hug. Finally, after all these years, she and Anna were together again, reunited at last after so long apart. She knew she couldn't make up for all the sadness over the years, but she could make a start.

"I love you, Anna," she said, smiling with confidence. "Thank you... for never giving up on me."

"My pleasure, Elsa," Anna accepted, cupping Elsa's cheek. "Will you be alright now? Controlling these powers of yours?"

"I... I don't know," Elsa expressed honestly. "I suppose as long as I have you in my life, I'll never need to worry as much, but I think my gloves should stay... at least for a while, until I can fully control this power of mine." She then smiled at Anna warmly. "But... that doesn't mean we can't be the same as we once were, Anna... although, it will probably be a bit more closer now."

Anna giggled. "Yeah, I totally didn't expect to be falling in love with you... but I'm glad that I did." She then sighed. "And... I'm again sorry, for misleading you like that. I should never have played that whole disguise game with you. I just wanted to see you again after all these years."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Anna," Elsa accepted. "It's because of me you didn't have a best friend growing up, but now you have me again… as someone who is so much more than just a friend."

Grinning, Anna then kissed Elsa passionately again, holding the blonde girl close to her. She was grateful for all of this, being with Elsa again and as she kissed her sweetly, a crazy, but a rather cute idea formed in her mind, one she wanted desperately to share with Elsa.

Pulling apart, Anna then cuddled Elsa, before she finally said her crazy idea. "Elsa... will you... will you marry me?"

Elsa gasped, surprised at Anna's sudden proposal, before she finally nodded and held the younger girl in her arms. "Yes... oh yes, of course, I'll marry you, Anna. I would want nothing more than to be your bride." She then cried happy tears and kissed Anna's lips again, sealing their new engagement.

xXx

And so, a few weeks later, Arendelle was to bear witness to a long-awaited royal wedding, one that had been long in the making. In her room in the castle, Elsa was waiting patiently to be called down for the ceremony, finally enjoying the peace.

She was wearing very closed off, white wedding dress, with long sleeves and gloves and a slender skirt. Her hair was done up in a beautiful bun and covering her face, was a long silky transparent veil. It was truly a beautiful dress, worthy of a princess.

As she waited patiently, her thoughts turned to her parents, who would no doubt be watching from the heavens above.

"Mama, Papa," she spoke, calling to their spirits. "I'm getting married today. I know it seems a little sudden for me, but I am marrying Anna and we deserve to be happy together. I always dreamed of her being my right hand and now that moment has come."

Smiling softly, Elsa looked forward. "I'll take care of her, just like you wanted. I'll make sure that she is always happy and that nothing bad ever happens to us. Thanks to her, I'll gain control of my powers as well and when I become Queen in a few months, I'll rule Arendelle with a fair hand."

But then she sighed softly, realising that there was more she needed to say. "But, I know that I have made some mistakes, and so did you, but I don't blame you for doing what you did. You were only trying to protect me and Anna, but we're grown up now. I can care for her and she will care for me. We'll carry on, Mama and Papa, just like you wanted. I... I miss you, but I won't mourn for you now. Anna and I have already done enough of that. Right now, I just want to be happy."

Relaxing herself, Elsa was glad to have made peace with all her inner demons. Now that she was finally free of all her pain, she could turn her attention to more happier thoughts. Like the fact that within the next few minutes she would be walking down the aisle to marry her sister.

And just moments later, the time had come. Soon, there was a knock at Elsa's door, as Essi poked her head inside. "Princess, they're ready and waiting for you in the chapel." The young maid then stepped forward, wearing a simple blue dress and bonnet cap, taking the role as Elsa's bridesmaid.

Standing up and smiling, Elsa picked up her bouquet and took a deep breath. "Okay... let's do this then." She then looked at Essi through her veil. "Thank you so much for being a good friend to Anna and I these past few months, Essi."

"As I told your sister, Princess, I live to ensure the pair of you are happy," Essi responded. "Now come along. We wouldn't want Anna to be kept waiting, would we?"

Elsa chuckled. "No, of course not."

The Princess and her bridesmaid then walked out of the room together, making their way down to the wedding chapel. Elsa could feel her heart pumping in her chest, but these were simply butterflies, happy ones, no worries in her heart.

Closing her eyes, Elsa took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the ceremony. Soon, the loud organ piped into life and the doors opened, as Elsa, the blushing bride, began her long walk down the aisle, holding her bouquet tightly.

All of Arendelle had come to witness the wedding of the royal sisters, many people clapping and cheering Elsa on as she made her way to the altar. Elsa was elated to see so many happy people all in one room, all encouraging her on her big day.

Standing at the altar and smiling at her sister, Anna watched as the beautiful, veiled bride made her way towards her. She was wearing a beautiful dress as well, a white wedding dress with rosemaling patterns and shoulder straps, as well as a wide skirt and long gloves. She had also recently gotten a haircut, her strawberry blonde hair now styled in the same look as the wig she wore as Greta the maid, as a reminder of what had brought her and Elsa together.

Finally, Elsa arrived at the altar and made her way to Anna, Essi standing at her side to watch the vows. As Elsa stood at Anna's side, the Princess looked through her veil at Anna.

"I love you," she mouthed, holding Anna's hand tightly.

Anna merely smiled back, as their blessed wedding vows began.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Princess Anna of Arendelle and her sister, Princess Elsa of Arendelle. They come before this gathering to be joined in the bonds of holy matrimony. If there is anyone who believes these two should not be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

No one would dare speak against them of course. Elsa would probably freeze them alive.

"Very well, let us begin with the vows. Do you Princess Anna, take Princess Elsa to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"

With a warm and loving smile, Anna looked at her blushing bride and nodded. "I do."

"And do you Princess Elsa, take Princess Anna to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"

Elsa nodded, knowing that this was indeed what she truly wanted. She knew that her whole life had led up to this moment, with her and Anna being joined as one. Beaming through the veil, she accepted. "I do."

Essi then held out a pair of beautiful golden rings for the two beautiful brides, symbols of their new commitment to one another. Anna took one ring and slid it upon Elsa's finger, while her sister did the same, both women not letting their gaze part.

"By the power vested in me by the church of Arendelle, I now pronounce you wife and wife. Princess Anna, you may now kiss the bride."

The crowd broke into an applause, as Anna and Elsa then faced one another. Reaching her hands under Elsa's veil, Anna lifted it and revealed her beautiful bride to the world. The two sisters then wrapped their arms around each other and kissed passionately, with Elsa holding Anna close.

Letting her sister take the lead in their nuptial kiss, Anna sighed, opening her mouth just a little as the older sister pressed her bouquet against her. Their kiss soon parted, as Anna grinned brightly and picked Elsa up in her arms, carrying her.

Elsa giggled, holding Anna close. "Oh, you." She kissed her cheek. "We did it, Anna. We're married."

Smiling, Anna then carried Elsa back down the aisle, her heart happy to have now been joined to her sister's. "We are indeed my love and I'll always be at your side."

The two brides then kissed again, as they walked off into the future that awaited them, a future where they would never be separated ever again. Till death did they part indeed.

xXx

Author's note: And so ends this beautiful fic! I did have one side for a little spinoff, of Anna actually staying disguised as Greta and using that identity to woo Elsa, while as Anna she woos Essi and stuff happens etc. Not sure what else, but hey if anyone's interested, let me know. Anyhoo! Hope you loved this fic! There's more on the way!