There was something about men with a title. It didn't matter what land they hailed from, they were all bred to exhibit very specific traits. There was quite a line-up of arrogance and confidence waiting to greet the Queen. She'd spent the day mortared to one spot. Made out of stone, she was a twin monument to Elsa's ice. Hundreds of delegates came to oh and gawk at the Ice Queen and then bow to the Queen Regent. Anna could discern what was pomp and what was genuine. The whole day was lacking the latter. The event felt forced and fake. As if each representative from each land was given a script to follow. The winner was whoever strung the prettiest set of words together. The prize was Arendellian Ice. None of them actually cared for Anna as they tried to spew out condolences in unique ways. They all thought too highly of themselves. Fools really, Anna mused. She was far too empty to be charmed by politics. Even when Corona was announced, her cousin had no words to fill Anna.
At the Coronation, Anna had fallen prey to the games. As she met with some familiar faces, she was reminded of her own empty promises. She had been so giddy that day. Enamoured with the attention, she gave away hope to her neighbouring nations. Solely because they looked her way. Now that Arendelle had something to covet, Anna was being reminded of her carelessness. She wasn't such an easy target now. She'd been in Elsa's memories. Her sister was never charmed. A kiss to the ring did little to secure a man anything from the crown. Even with those lessons in hand, Anna did not garner the same respect the Ice Queen did. Anna had ascended as Queen Regent. She was Elsa's spare. Anna had agreed with the role. To do otherwise would be to declare her sister dead. Each nation did bow deeply to Anna, but only to promise that they had sourced the solution. They swore when the day came to perform their feats of magic or of strength, Elsa and her King would come alive again. The more the day withered away the less hope each promise garnished.
"Announcing Prince Pietro of the Southern Isles. Prince Caleb of the Southern Isles. Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, and Lord Maynard of Weaselton." Anna braced herself. She knew this meeting would come. She'd extensively corresponded with each nation in the last year. Both nations were starved for Arendelle's ice blocks. Each of Arendelle's councilmen could fit an arm's length down the pockets of the Weaselton nobility. And Southern Isles had a navy best not left ignored. The lords had worn Anna down. She'd sent each nation one singular piece along with their invitations to this affair.
As the men approached, Anna saw something shift in her peripheral. Arendelle's Ice Master stepped off his mark and moved to Anna's side. It annoyed Anna to have Kristoff swoop in but she allowed it. This was ice business after all.
"Queen Regent," the four men said in unison. They each dropped their shoulders in calculated sync. Anna laughed because they looked more like minstrels than they did Royals.
"The Southern Isles comes well represented," Anna said, using the fact that she'd cracked a smile to look down at Hans. She'd been on this pedestal for ten hours and just then, finally found the height comforting. Anna let the air settle as she scanned the men. It was evident that Hans was ill-treated by Pietro because he was ugly. It was late in the evening and Pietro – who'd primed for this occasion– was already growing back all his facial hair. The shadows the spinny hair cast were almost favourable to his face. If one didn't look too closely it added an angular dimension to his otherwise shapeless faces. As for Lord Maynard, he was a replica of his grandfather. It brought Anna no joy to look at him. Hans looked otherworldly next to him. Prince Caleb, however, looked as if Hans were made King. Each one of Hans' features was perfected when mirrored in his eldest brother.
"My baby brother thanks you for granting his furlough, your majesty." Caleb was the first to speak. Any correspondence Anna had done with the Southern Isles had been with either him or the King. Caleb's letters had been a delicate dance, easy not to sever ties any further. Anna had been a bit of a brute in response. "Your clemency gives us great hope that our nations will cement our bond."
"My apologies. Caleb," Anna started. "Prince Hans was not invited here as a guest. He is being taken into our custody. And will remain in our care until you are set to leave. Any act of contrition shall come from the Southern Isles, and Weaselton respectfully." The men straightened up at Anna's remarks. Hans' gazed darted between his brothers hoping one of them would act.
"As it stands now, our bond is nonexistent. We've extended this invitation because you are our neighbours. Not because you are friends. There's been quite a lot of promises made here today. I'm only interested in action from you."
"Yes, your Majesty," Prince Pietro said as he dropped into a low bow. Lord Maynard crossed his fist over his chest and followed. Caleb let out a breath. His prepared monologue was useless. With thick knit eyebrows, he took a knee. Anna felt far more at ease now that the men didn't look so rehearsed.
"Take Prince Hans away," she demanded. Kristoff jumped at the chance, taking the shackles out of the hands of a guard and approaching the Prince.
"Give me a minute," Hans didn't look at his jailer. He was set on Anna. Two clinks locked Hans into the cuffs. "I need a moment."
"Not happening," Kristoff sneered and yanked on the ties between the Prince's hands.
"Anna!" Hans tried one more time. There. Something genuine hit the room for the first time in hours.
"Keep moving," Kristoff pushed forward. Even with the Queen's approach, Kristoff did not stop shoving at Hans.
"In my breast pocket, Anna." Hans locked his knees to his spot. Kristoff pressed an elbow over his chest. Hans lost his footing and stumbled as Anna reached out for him.
"Hold on," Anna demanded. She grabbed Kristoff's shoulder and pushed him aside. "Relax," she told Kristoff as she reached into Han's suit jacket. Her knuckles grazed his chest as she felt around for the pocket. Hans' heart was beating fast. Anna pulled out a silk kerchief with something heavy wrapped inside. Kristoff pounced forward again. He exaggerated his force and broke the contact between the Queen and his new prisoner. Prince Hans stumbled again. The rattle of his shackles echoed, bouncing around the tall walls, as he was taken away.
The gift in Anna's hands was cold.
—
The kerchief was still unwrapped and in Anna's possession when she was relieved of her duties. The sky had darkened. The first day of the ceremonies was completed. It was lackluster, solely an exchange of pleasantries. Arendelle's guests had come from far and wide to attend. Everyone was exhausted from travel. Even at full occupancy, the Castle was quiet. Frore was settled in its spot on the Queen's shoulder. Anna was moving through the halls quickly. She was desperate to get to her rooms and unwrap the mysterious chill in the palm of her hands.
"Your majesty," someone said. Anna heard but she played a fool and kept her stride long. The man caught up anyway and rounded in front of her.
"Anna," it was Eugene. "Rapz sent me to get you. Come with me to the foyer." He pulled on her without response. She wanted to dig her feet in but Frore awoke and used its force in the Prince's favour. She fumbled along behind him.
"What's this about?" she asked. Eugene looked back at her from over his shoulder.
"Elsa," he answered. Anna stopped fighting it. The exhaustion on the bottom of her feet, from hours of standing still, disappeared.
Cassandra was at the top of the stairs. Even with the late hour her back was straight, a soldier's stance. When Anna approached, the only thing Cassandra softened was her gaze.
"You're here, good," she reached for Anna without noticing a piece of fabric Anna was clutching. In response she brought both her hands around Anna, cupping the Queen's closed fist. Cassandra was taking deep breaths, encouraging Anna to do the same. Without dropping her eyes she led Anna downstairs.
"It's going to be okay," she cooed as they reached the bottom. Anna looked over at her sister. The monument was reflecting gold tones again. In the moonlight, it was paler. It gave Elsa's skin a touch of colour. It made her look alive. Rapunzel was standing next to the block of ice. Her hair was out of its braid and had been strung along the large statue.
"I can't make any promises, cousin," Rapunzel said. "But if this is going to work, we thought it best to try now. Away from the crowds."
It was substantially colder in the foyer than it had been all day. Hundreds of people had crowded around the frozen lovers. They were playing games to see who could hold their skin against the ice and for how long. The foyer had not been so alive with excitement or joy since it was Anna and Elsa's play space. Now the real cold was present. It was on everyone's breath.
Anna greeted it even though it never responded. It only hung in the air but Anna could feel its life force. Earlier that day, the petrified cold had receded. It hid from the crowds like Elsa would have wanted to. But it was out in full force now. Anna could tell everyone was suppressing a shiver. Eugene had his jaw clenched to keep it from chattering.
"What do I need to do?" Anna asked Cassandra.
"You listen, and you do what feels right," she answered as she ushered Anna closer to Rapunzel. Her cousin reached out to take Anna's hand. Anna had to turn to Cass and let go of the gift Hans had given her. When she drew her focus back to Rapunzel, the outstretched hand did not feel as comforting as Cassandra's had. Anna reached past her cousin and laid her hands on the side near Elsa's face. They were more than a foot away from actually making contact but it was the closest Anna could get.
"Are you ready?" Cassandra asked the girls.
"Wait," Eugene said. He leaned in and handed Anna a rose. It was the same white rose she'd brought to Elsa's feet that morning. "You got this," he said to his wife before backing off.
"I'm ready, " Anna said. She heard Rapunzel suck in a breath. When she released the air from her lungs it escaped her in song.
"Flower, gleam and glow," it started. At the word glow, the gold tresses wrapped around the sculpture warmed. "Let your powers shine," and then illuminated. Anna let go of her hold on the ice, taken aback by the visible power flowing through her cousin. Rapunzel kept singing.
"Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine." The room went quiet as Rapunzel took another breath. Anna felt like she was in a memory, not because any of this was familiar, but because everything around them slowed down. Anna had time to wonder if the clock could take her back, when would she go? She'd been in so many of her sister's memories. The day of Elsa's wedding wasn't far back enough. Maybe she'd go back a year, and never challenge Elsa. Anna would keep the cold a secret, keep the gates closed, and shut out her love for Elsa. If she could go further, Anna would take back all the hugs she gave her parents before they embarked on their deaths. They hadn't deserved her farewell. She could do one better and make sure she died as an infant. Back when she was colic and ill. The moment Elsa saved Anna back then, that moment condemned the Ice Queen.
"Heal what has been hurt, change the fates' design. Save what has been lost." Rapunzel continued and just as quickly as Anna had begun to wish for her own demise, she felt her hope. It swelled up like the sunshine in Rapunzel's hair did.
"Bring back what once was mine. What once was mine." Quiet cast over the foyer. Rapunzel's hair was pulsating, dimming at each count. Nothing changed.
"Do it again," Anna suddenly pleaded. "I got distracted by the light. I started thinking about something else. Do it again. I'll hold your hand this time." Rapunzel's lips pulled into a straight line but she obliged. The touch was warm. Anna felt like this hold would correct their mistake.
"Flower, gleam and glow," Rapunzel's magic swelled up with the lyric. Anna focused on the warmth in one hand and the stem of her mother's rose in the other. She looked up at her sister's face and was taken into a memory.
Elsa was flat on her back on a picnic blanket. It was the day before her wedding. She'd been made lethargic by sex and stress. Her lips didn't part as she laughed at something Anna said. Exactly like she did that day, Anna reached down to run her fingers along Elsa's skin. That moment was a glimpse, a promise of what the sister's life could be if one could change the fates' design.
Anna returned to the present. "Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine. What once was mine."
"Maybe I need a fresh rose," Anna spat out before the light in her cousin's hair extinguished again. "Or I can sing with you this time. Let's try that. I'm going to present. In the moment. I'm going to present this time." Rapunzel exchanged a look with Cassandra. Anna tried to ignore the distress there. Cassandra urged the Princess to go on. Anna stumbled through the lyrics and halfway through she dropped the rose she'd been so careful with that morning.
"What once was mine," Anna said through gritted teeth. Her cousins put a reassuring hand on her. She swatted it away as she yelled, "Again!"
At each attempt, the vibrant light of Rapunzel's hair did not deplete. Her voice sang as sweetly each time. It was Anna who could not get a hold of herself. She went from banging her fists against the layers of ice to crying uncontrollably. She sang each lyric with all her love and she sang them with each drop of her rancour as well. She had frore at her side and banished it. She held herself stiff and rigid, holding her breath through the entire enchantment. And she let herself go deep into every memory of every kiss she'd ever shared with Elsa. Only to be left with one word at the end.
"Again."
It was Cass who stepped in. She rounded behind Anna and crossed an arm over each one of Anna's shoulders. She pulled the Queen back away from the ice. Anna began to thrash against the force. "Again!" Anna screamed. "Again! Again!"
Rapunzel reached out and tried to help ease her but Anna kicked her heels. "Do it again," Anna demanded. "Again," she cried. Her body didn't relent. Cassandra held her arms down, still, Anna was able to throw elbows and bash Cassandra with the back of her feet.
"Again!" Anna was begging. Eugene stepped forward. He took a hold of Rapunzel and eased her back a bit. "Cousin, please!" But the couple stepped further away. Anna tried again to get loose. She threw her head back, connecting her skull to Cassandra's nose. That was it. All Anna had left. She was spent. Her knees unlocked and she collapsed into Cassandra's hold.
"It's okay, Rapz. I got this," Cass urged. They were left alone.
Anna felt weightless in the bodyguard's arms. She was suspended with Cass' hold tight around her stomach. The girl bent around Anna and draped herself over the Queen's shaking frame. She held her there until Anna's breath started to subside. Only then did she lower Anna back down. Anna put her palms beside her face, flat on the ground beneath her. Her soundless sobs drenched the stone floor. Cassandra dropped her weight on the Queen. The pressure had Anna breathing evenly.
"You knew," she said to the girl at her back.
"Yes," Cassandra answered. "The ice is too thick for Rapunzel to touch Elsa. That's how we knew things weren't in our favour anymore." Cassandra had a stern voice. There was no melody to it like there was in Rapunzel's. But Anna could hear the honesty in it.
"You knew I'd make a fool of myself," Anna shrunk down into herself further. Everyone called the Queen's outbursts tantrums but Anna could only wish her pain was something that could be fixed by stomping her feet.
"You didn't, Anna. It's just, as the day passed we kept hearing that we were going to be the ones to solve this. We didn't want to falsely stroke your hope any longer." Cassandra's words came at Anna with a warm breath in her ear. "This way we can focus our efforts in another way."
"You still want to help?" Anna didn't notice she'd pulled Cassandra's arms in closer, but the movement brought the girl's face next to hers. She had room to twist her neck and look at her. "Why?"
"What you said this morning. You are right to trust me. I mean to prove that." Anna nodded at the response. She pushed herself into Cass a bit. It prompted her to move back. They both sat up on their knees. Anna instinctively looked up towards Elsa, forever drawn to her.
"Arendelle is really breathtaking. I've only ever read about the fjords. They're amazing." Cass said. Anna could feel Cassandra scanning her. "Your people are lucky to have you as Queen." Anna didn't let herself smile at the compliment. When Cassandra continued her voice fell deeper. "But it's also sad that this is the version of you they get. You are powerful, and you are radiant, and you are brave. But you're also broken. I can see all the millions of pieces that are holding you together. And I wonder, what will become of Arendelle when you allow yourself to heal?"
"I can't let it go," Anna said as she looked away from her sister. She was tired of this yearning feeling. She wanted so badly to look Elsa in the eye, head on, and read the expression there. She was done with seeing Tarik's arms wrapped around her sister's waist.
"Healing won't erase her and it shouldn't take your hope either." Cassandra leaned in and grabbed at Anna's hand, she spread open the fingers and gave Anna back her kerchief.
Anna pulled back the fabric. Inside was a radiant stone on a platinum chain. Hans had given her a large dual-toned stone, half was made out of carved ice. Elsa's ice. It was her signature brilliant blue. Anna knew it was quite a feat to alter Arenedellian ice. Somehow, someone mastered a method to not only reduce the ice but to shape it. It had the exact angles of a diamond. If Anna closed her eyes she could pretend she was running her fingers over one of Elsa's gowns, warding off the material. One layer away from caressing her sister's skin. The other side was deeply black. A rock or crystal. Touching it the same way made heat.
"Looks like there's still more to come." Cassandra reached over and her fingers grazed Anna as she also took a hit of the stone's heat. Anna watched Cassandra's demeanour shift, ever so slightly.
"Make sure you don't drop that. You got to be careful with that kind of magic."