The hardest part

As weeks went by, Elsa allowed herself to enjoy the unusual routine and calmness her life had fallen into. There were things she still felt apprehensive about, especially in regards to her biological family; but surprisingly, she didn't allow those things to distract her and she managed to keep some balance with all the things going on around her.

It was true that from the moment she accepted Anna as her sister, life had become significantly simpler. She no longer worried about her friendship with Anna falling apart, and that made things easier between them.

Answering Idunn's letters had helped her find inner peace in a way that wasn't entirely related to Anna, too. She no longer stayed awake till long hours into the night wondering what was best for her to do. What Idunn had to say to her. Or what had really happened in the past. Of course, she still felt heartache and pain whenever she thought about her childhood and everything she had been forced to go through, but Idunn's letters had helped her find some comfort.

The only thing bothering Elsa at the moment was the fact Idunn and Agdar kept sending letters her way. She had read and answered the first few letters without a problem. But as time went by, and Idunn kept sending letters, she began to run out of things to talk to her about. She tried to remain civil about it, after all they had given her one of the best gifts she had ever gotten. But a gift didn't mean she could suddenly forget all the things she had gone through.

She didn't answer every letter, but still she made sure she wrote once in a while. Anna was still the main reason she answered back, and she had to admit Idunn had interesting stories to tell from time to time. However, she couldn't help feeling they were forcing a relationship Elsa wasn't entirely sure she wanted. Most of the time, she answered Idunn's letters and avoided Agdar's ones altogether – she hadn't made up her mind about him and it was easier to ignore him. The hurtful things he had said during that fateful dinner still lingered in Elsa's mind, making it hard for her to believe the words he wrote on paper. The way he had defended Weselton still made her feel like a piece of garbage and it was hard for her to forget it.

The letters she wrote to her biological family weren't the only thing that had changed Elsa's routine. Coming to an agreement with Marshmallow about their shared business had also had a great impact in her life. To her good luck, she no longer had to worry about her future as badly as she once had.

Thanks to Marshmallow accepting her offer, she now had a business plan and a great partner to help her along the way. In just the first few weeks since they had agreed on working together, Marshall had helped her see all the things they were missing and everything they could improve before Autumn came. His knowledge about the business and what they needed to focus on made things easier for Elsa in many ways. She could not only focus on her leg's recovery and getting into perfect physical shape once again, she could also plan different ski lessons for them to use while Marshmallow took care of business.

What was best, if they followed their plan correctly, Marshall was certain they could start booking classes several weeks before the season started. Something essential if they wanted to compete against the big ski schools and resorts.

Their lack of money and resources often worried Elsa, of course. Having a good business plan didn't mean all their problems magically disappeared, but Marshmallow's calmness always offered her a different perspective and a positive attitude that quickly set her worries to rest. He was certain they were going to find an investor sooner or later, or at least someone as crazy as they were who would lend them enough money to start their business. Elsa wasn't as sure as he was about it, but knowing he was working on it put her mind to rest. She was certain one way or another, he was going to find a solution.

As business partners, they began to spend more time together, even more than they originally imagined. They agreed on using Elsa's cottage as their main location since it was closer to the route from Trolheim. And Marshall ended up spending hours on end at her place.

Against all odds, the more time they spent together, the more Elsa wanted him to stay. Working with him all day made Elsa awfully aware of how lonely the days she spent alone felt. And half the time, she tried to find excuses for him to stay; even when the time together made Elsa extremely tired. Controlling and concealing her powers around him wasn't necessarily difficult since most of the time she felt comfortable in his company, but it could become tiresome, especially during summer when she couldn't allow her powers to manifest, not even for a moment.

But all things considered, she couldn't complain about her life. She had a routine that was good for her mental and physical health; she had aims and goals, and little by little she was getting closer to achieving them.

Nonetheless, no matter how smoothly things were going for Elsa, there were days she still felt inadequate to complete certain tasks. She felt strange enjoying the simple things in life. And even doubted her own potential. Those days were the hardest. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape her own self doubt and tiredness, making her daily tasks more difficult than they originally were.

"I give up," said Elsa, clearly annoyed with the exercise in front of her.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Anna had arrived early that morning to continue with Elsa's classes. They had been studying and working and practicing since she had arrived, but for some reason they were still stuck with the first few exercises Anna had planned for Elsa to complete that day. The older girl couldn't concentrate at all, and it was clearly making her feel more frustrated than usual. The fact Anna had chosen a difficult Mathematics topic to work on wasn't helping at all.

"Hey, no," said Anna reassuringly. She knew Elsa could solve those exercises if she concentrated. It was just a matter of time and dedication. "Come on. Try once again. I'll show you how to-"

"I don't want to keep trying, Anna," Elsa said, closing her books without letting Anna say one more word.

Anna took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. She hated the days Elsa just closed her books on her face that way. "You're just tired, Elsa. You can take a short break and then-"

"Yes, I am." Elsa stood up from her chair and walked to the fridge to find something to drink.

"You need to keep practicing," Anna said, not caring about keeping a calm appearance anymore. "If you don't complete these exercises now, you'll have to finish them on your own."

"Mark in the book the exercises you want me to complete for next class." Elsa answered not turning around to look at Anna.

Anna opened the book with a little more force than necessary. "I really think we should finish some of them now. This kind of exercise will be in the exam."

"Anna, I'm exhausted," she answered as she slammed the fridge's door. "I can't focus."

"That's an exaggeration."

"Oh, really?" Elsa said, calling Anna's attention. "Why don't you try to focus on Mathematics while you hold your powers back?" Before Anna could answer she continued, "Right, you don't have any."

"Then stop holding them back." Anna tried to be patient and she tried to understand Elsa's situation, but she hated it when she used her powers as an excuse not to do the simplest things. "Let your body relax for just fifteen minutes, let your powers go, and concentrate on your tasks."

"I can't."

"Elsa-"

"No," insisted Elsa. "I need to get used to it. I know I'll be a nervous wreck the day of the exam. I need to keep them under perfect control at all times."

"Study hard now and the ice won't be a problem the day of the test," Anna tried to reason. "It's ridiculous to think keeping your powers hidden a month before the exam will help you in some way."

"You don't understand." Elsa was in denial, no longer willing to listen to Anna anymore.

"No, I don't," said Anna, tired of the situation. "What do you want from me, Elsa? I wish I could help you, but I can't." She had no idea how her sister's powers worked or what she could do to keep them at bay. "I have no idea what to do besides offering you my help studying. I can try and teach you as much as possible before the exam, but I need your cooperation."

Taking a seat in her chair once again, Elsa looked down at the notes in front of her before she said in a low voice, "I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad at you. But I can't help you if you don't let me. Why don't we finish these?" offered Anna.

Elsa grabbed her pencil as if to continue, but stopped before she wrote anything down. "Please, let's have a break."

Anna sighed. Elsa was no longer trying to avoid the situation because she was mad, she seemed honestly tired. "Okay. Okay…" Anna agreed. "I guess we both need it."

Anna watched her sister massage her temples, then hide her face in her hands as she sighed tiredly. It was clear she wasn't exaggerating when she said she was exhausted. Not only her body language told Anna Elsa was at her limit, she could see it in her eyes too. "You've been awfully tired lately. Have you been sleeping well?"

"Same as always," came Elsa's reply, muttered by her hands.

"Is that a yes or a no?" Something told Anna it was a clear no, as if Elsa didn't know what sleeping well was.

"It's just…" Anna gave her sister time to order her thoughts. "I've had a hard time controlling my powers lately."

Anna had been expecting Elsa to admit she couldn't sleep well due to nightmares or anxiety, but not once did she imagine her powers were involved. "What? Why? Are you okay?"

Marshmallow and I have been spending a lot of time together - training and working," she clarified and Anna laughed, knowing the clarification came in order to avoid any remark she could send her way. "I've got to conceal my powers whenever he's around."

"All the time?"

"Yes," Elsa nodded. "I did the same when you took care of me after the accident. Doing it for long lapses of time can be exhausting."

"I still can't believe how well you hid your powers from me." They hadn't discussed much about Elsa's powers during the time Anna had taken care of her; so, any information Elsa gave her was still news to her. "It's hard to believe you're constantly concealing them though. You don't seem to struggle."

"Years of practice, I guess," she admitted.

"Does it hurt?" Anna had avoided that question for a long time. Part of her wanted to remain ignorant about it, just in case the answer wasn't what she was expecting.

"Huh?"

"Concealing your powers, does it hurt?"

Elsa took some time to come up with an answer. Anna could see she was trying to find the right words to explain something so unique. "Think about anything your body does on its own," she said after a moment. "Like breathing, for example."

"Okay," said Anna, not clearly understanding. "Breathing doesn't hurt."

"But holding your breath for a long time can make you feel somewhat uncomfortable, right? It's not pain, but your body is asking you to do something about it."

Anna stayed silent for a moment and held her breath discreetly. After half a minute, she felt what Elsa was trying to describe. "Are you serious?"

"It's not exactly the same feeling," said Elsa, not noticing Anna had actually held her breath. "But it's close."

It was clear holding her powers back didn't have the same effects as holding her breath. After all, Elsa still managed to live a normal life and do sports while she held them back. But it was impressive to think she was constantly fighting against her body like that. "How do you do it?"

Shrugging it off, she said, "I've gotten used to it."

"That doesn't sound healthy." It couldn't be. Anna was convinced that if Elsa had had the chance to grow up in a loving household with a loving family from the start, she wouldn't be so used to concealing who she was.

"I've gotten used to it," repeated Elsa. "That's all there's to say about it, really."

"Is this the reason you can't stand the city?"

"Partially." Elsa nodded her head. "I try not to let my concentration break whenever I'm surrounded by people, and it can be exhausting after some time."

"You're tense at all times!" Anna was just now realising what it really meant for Elsa to live with those powers. It wasn't just a matter of remembering not to use them. It was actually a conscious effort not to let them manifest. "That must be awful."

Once again Elsa shrugged. It seems as if she tried not to think too much about it. It was best not to dwell on what she couldn't have. Anna thought for a while about a solution to Elsa's problem. Maybe she couldn't help her sister train her powers for the exam. But if she could offer her a solution to her exhaustion, then Elsa was going to feel better during their classes. "Have you considered… maybe…" she said, calling Elsa's attention.

"What?" asked Elsa, already knowing she was about to suggest something she wouldn't like.

"Have you considered telling Marshall about your powers?"

"What?" she asked again. "No. Are you crazy? Why would I–?"

"Okay, listen to me for a sec," said Anna raising her hand and stopping Elsa before she came up with a million excuses. "You work with him now, right? You can't put yourself through something like this every day for the rest of– well… For how long your business lasts. It could be several years."

"Once Winter comes things will become easier," said Elsa trying to reassure her.

"Oh, good. Good!" She exclaimed sarcastically. "I didn't know you only had to wait like four months!" She let out an exasperated sigh when Elsa looked at her as if she had lost her marbles. "Elsa, are you crazy? You need to talk to him."

"And tell him what exactly?"

"The truth."

"Hey, Marshmallow," said Elsa, pretending to be talking to her friend. "I've got inexplicable ice powers!" She then lowered her gaze and pretended to order the things on the table before she said in a lower tone of voice, "Yes… There's no way that won't go wrong."

The mere idea of talking about her unusual ability made Elsa uncomfortable, and Anna hated it. It wasn't fair Elsa had to hide who she was at all times. She wasn't dangerous. She wasn't a threat. Then, why couldn't she just talk about herself more openly?

"You could try to explain it better. Why don't you start saying there are people who have certain abilities, different abilities, and then—" Anna tried to suggest when the front door of the cottage suddenly opened.

The girls heard the door and then the voice of Marshall. "Els? Are you home?"

"Shut–" said Elsa, putting her hand over Anna's mouth. "Shut up," she repeated in a lower tone of voice. "Don't say a thing." She then cleared her throat and said, "In the kitchen!"

Anna pushed Elsa's hand away from her mouth and took the opportunity to mess with her sister. After all, she had never heard Marshall call her that way before. "Els?" muttered Anna, playfully, earning a disapproving glance from Elsa.

"I brought the tools I told you about," said Marshall as he got closer to the kitchen door. "I was thinking we could fix the– Anna, hi." It was clear he wasn't expecting her to be there too and he stopped himself mid-sentence. "I didn't know you two were in the middle of a class. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, big guy." Anna smiled at him. Since the night she had stopped his attempt at breaking Hans' nose, the two of them had begun to talk a bit more and understand each other better. Marshall was still quite shy around her, but little by little he was opening more to her. The good thing was he didn't mind her company in the least. "We were just talking."

"We'll probably finish these exercises next class," Elsa said and gave Anna a pleading look.

"I only stopped by to leave these things." He pointed to the toolbox and bag he was holding. "I was thinking I could fix your broken window. You know, the one in the bedroom where we keep our supplies."

"Oh, that could– that'd be great." Elsa said with a smile. If Anna remembered correctly, that window had been broken long before she met Elsa. It was due time someone fixed that thing.

"I still need a few tools that I'm pretty sure are in my SUV," he said pointing towards the front door. "I'll be back in a while. So, you've got plenty of time to finish your class."

"That works for me," answered Anna with a smile that was mostly directed at Elsa.

"Good." He smiled back. "I'll go get my things, then. Nice to see you, Anna."

"You too, big guy!"

"Take your time," said Elsa as she walked him out of the house. Anna heard the lock on the door when she closed it and a nervous sigh coming out of Elsa's mouth.

"You've got to tell him." Anna said as soon as Elsa stepped into the kitchen once again. It was ridiculous in her opinion for Elsa to be so tense and careful around him.

"Anna-"

"No, listen to me." Anna grabbed Elsa's hand the moment she sat down in front of her. "You should consider it. Just imagine how good you'd feel once you stop holding your breath all the time around him. You were clearly tense right now."

"I was tense because you thought it was a good idea to talk about my powers so openly." Elsa said, pulling her hand away from Anna's.

"Hey!" The last thing Anna needed was for Elsa to blame this on her. "It's not my fault he didn't knock. How was I supposed to know he'd show up?"

"Just–" Elsa sighed tiredly. "Please don't talk about my… condition so carelessly."

Anna decided it was best to ignore the way Elsa was referring to her powers as if they were a disease. "He'll accept you the way you are."

"No. He won't," said Elsa with a bitter laugh.

"Of course he will." Everything she had learnt from Marshall in the last few months told Anna he was the kind of person who would try to be understanding. The same way Kristoff, Kai, Gerda and herself included had been.

"My own biological family rejected me," she said matter-of-factly. "What are the odds of Marshall accepting me?"

Anna knew it was true, but it hurt. It truly did. Elsa probably didn't mean it that way, but it felt like a slap. She opened her mouth to complain, but there was no point in going down that road right that moment. "Tell him," she insisted, instead.

"No." Tired of the conversation, Elsa got up and began picking up her things.

"Elsa-"

"No, Anna."

"But you'll-"

"I said no!" It was strange for Elsa to raise her voice. Anna knew she was taking Elsa's patience to its limit. "I like Marshmallow. I'm not going to ruin our friendship by showing him my powers."

"It didn't ruin ours." Anna knew she was being too insistent, but in the last few months she had learnt Elsa needed to be pushed to her limits at times. It was the only way she could break the barriers she had built around herself.

Sitting down once again, Elsa took a deep breath in before she admitted, "I know. I know it didn't. But you're different."

"Different how?" asked Anna. Maybe, just maybe, if she was able to show Elsa Marshall wasn't so different from Kristoff and her, then Elsa would try to give him a chance.

"To begin with, you're nuts."

Anna couldn't help but laugh wholeheartedly at that.

Elsa smiled and continued, "You not only accepted my powers, you also accepted me. Any other person would have pushed their bastard and weird sibling away. You didn't. You are different, Anna. In a good way."

Anna gave her a sympathetic smile. "I don't like when you describe yourself like that."

"It's the truth."

Anna remained silent for a while as she watched Elsa continue to pick her things up. There was something she could say to convince her. But it was hard to fight, not only against her sister's stubbornness, but against everything she believed she was.

Elsa picked all the books and supplies she had been using and put them on a shelf where she usually kept them. She then filled a kettle with water. It was part of their routine. As soon as they finished studying, Elsa prepared some tea for them, and soon after Anna left. It was clear Elsa had decided they were not going to continue with their lesson that day.

Finding no real reason to insist on the matter. Anna picked her own things up and left the Mathematics book on top of the shelf. "I marked in the book the exercises I want you to complete."

"Okay," Elsa said, as she handed Anna a cup of tea. She then walked to the living room and sat down on the couch.

"You should have more faith in him," said Anna absent-mindedly, after following Elsa. She was still thinking about their conversation, and she spoke before she stopped to think if Elsa wanted to continue the discussion. "If there's someone out there who'd try to be understanding about your powers and who you are, that's Marshmallow."

"Why are you being so insistent?" asked Elsa, exasperated. She left the teacup on the small table in front of her and looked Anna in the eye, trying to understand what was driving her to push the conversation forward.

"Because it's affecting you. Physically." If Elsa wanted to be stubborn, so be it. But she could be stubborn too.

"What?"

"In your words, not mine, you're exhausted. Besides, it's clear you like spending time with him. Wouldn't it be better if you could relax for like ten seconds around him?"

"Who says I don't relax-?" She stopped herself mid-sentence. "You know what? It doesn't matter what you think. I need to focus on more important things."

Anna knew she was the one who was being insistent. She knew she was consciously trying to push Elsa. But to hear Elsa say she didn't care what she had to say made her get angry instead. "You're so afraid of letting people in, you don't even try!"

"Excuse me?"

"You won't let Marshall in - no matter how hard he tries. You won't give mum a chance to meet you. Properly meet you. All you do is push people away from you. I'm starting to feel sorry for them." She knew this was uncalled for. She had no reason to demand anything from Elsa except the fact she constantly ignored her parents' invitations. But still it wasn't necessary for her to react that way.

"What do you mean I don't let Marshall into my life?" asked Elsa, suddenly annoyed and confused. "He's my only friend outside the family. I asked him to be my business partner. What are you talking about?"

"It's just–" How could she explain to Elsa what was evident at plain sight?" You really don't see it?"

"See what? You're not making any sense."

"Gosh, you really don't."

"Anna, what are you talking about?" Elsa's own patience was running thin, and Anna knew it. She needed to regain some control and start making more sense if she wanted Elsa to listen to her.

'You mean the world to him. He's crazy about you!', she wanted to say to her sister's face. But that wasn't a good idea, so she opted for a different approach. "Marshall… he tries to be there for you. It's clear he tries for you to open up and trust him. But you keep pushing him away. You don't do it on purpose. I know you're only trying to protect yourself. But maybe, this time, by keeping this secret of yours, you're doing more damage than good. That's what I meant."

Elsa stayed silent for a moment, analysing what she had just said. Maybe it was best to leave it at that. Let Elsa think about it and come to a conclusion on her own. If she wanted to continue holding her breath for the rest of her life next to him, then that was up to her.

They remained in silence for a while after that, esch sister absorbed in their own thoughts. Anna believed Elsa had taken the opportunity to end the conversation once and for all. She was surprised when Elsa asked her a question she wasn't expecting.

"Don't you think I've got a justified reason not to let Idunn into my life?"

Anna had mentioned their mother out of frustration. She was the easiest example, besides Marshall, that had come into her mind. She always made a conscious effort not to let Elsa see how tiresome it was to be in the middle. Of course she understood Elsa's reasons. Who wouldn't? But her parents were good people. And she was the one who had to tell them, week after week, that Elsa hadn't sent a letter, yet again.

"Look, Elsa, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned mum but-" She sighed, not knowing what to say. Perhaps it was best to talk things through. After all, Elsa was the one who asked the question. "If I've got to be honest, I've been trying to be patient and understanding. I know you've got your reasons not to answer mum's every single letter. And they're justified to an extent but- but do you think mum hasn't told me the things she writes to you about?"

Elsa remained silent. And Anna guessed she was trying to remember the last thing Idunn had said to her in her letters.

"She's been asking you, over and over again, for a chance," explained Anna. "She's been asking you, begging you, for the opportunity to meet you just once in person."

Anna noticed the way Elsa avoided her eyes. It was clear she didn't have a good reason besides the fact she simply didn't want to.

"Mum told you everything about her. Everything about our family. She has asked for forgiveness more times than I can count and yet… you keep ignoring her."

"She left me in Weselton's hands," said Elsa in a small voice.

"I know," Anna said, nodding her head. "And I hate that she did." It was true. She did. There wasn't a day Anna didn't wonder what their lives could have been if they had stayed together. "But… Trust me when I say she's trying."

Anna waited for Elsa to say something, anything. But it was clear she had nothing to say. So instead of staying silent and waiting, she asked, "Won't you ever forgive mum and dad?"

"I don't know." Her response was fast and it made Anna wonder if it was true. Maybe Elsa didn't know yet, or maybe she was simply trying to keep her from the pain of accepting the truth.

"They love you." She had to try.

"It doesn't erase the past."

"Nothing will." She was surprised to hear herself say something like that. It sounded mean coming from her mouth. "I'm sorry, but it's the truth."

"Don't you think I know that?" she asked in a calm and collected way.

It was strange to hear Elsa say the things she was saying so calmly. She wasn't mad, or sad, or angry. And Anna wondered how many times her sister had gone over those things in her head to be able to talk about it that way.

"Mum and dad made a big mistake. I know that, Elsa," she said, trying to show her she understood. "But they are willing to be there for you now. Why won't you even try?" She wanted Elsa to try, just once, and see that their parents were willing to give everything they could to her. They were willing to give everything up just to prove to Elsa they loved her and missed her their whole lives.

"They turned their back on me once. What if they do it again?"

Of course Elsa's doubts were justified. Idunn and Agdar had broken her trust once, and in the worst kind of way. Anna was set to help her sister see things in a different way, though. "That won't happen…"

"I don't know them and they don't know me. There's nothing tying us together," she explained. "What if they choose I'm not good enough again? Then what?"

Anna couldn't help but agree with Elsa. It didn't matter how she put it. Elsa was the one risking more things in this situation. She was just now learning how to be around people and how to trust them. If their parents ruined this up, they were going to force Elsa back to square one. "Trust me when I say they are willing to be there for you. There's time. You can get to know each other. Just please give them a chance."

"What about Gerda and Kai?" asked Elsa.

"What about them?"

"They are my parents, Anna." She was annoyed Anna wasn't even considering her adoptive parents, that much was obvious. "I'm a Bjorgman."

"Mum and dad are not asking you to give up your life." Anna was frustrated with Elsa's reasoning. Life was not black and white. She could give their parents a chance and keep her life intact. But Elsa was adamant to try. "They simply want to meet you once again."

Elsa stayed silent and Anna believed she had finally cornered her. Either Elsa accepted she was right to an extent, or countered her one last time. Anna was hoping Elsa would give in and accept that meeting their parents just once wasn't the end of the world.

To her bad luck, Elsa had one more reason and feeling cornered forced her to confess why she was so determined not to meet their parents. "I don't want to be in the same room as your father, okay?"

"What?" asked, Anna. Surprised Elsa had a precise reason.

"I can't trust a person who looked me in the eye and told me Weselton was a respectable person," she admitted. "I can't. I've tried reading his letters… I end up crumpling them every time."

There was the reason Elsa had never sent a letter to Agdar specifically, and that crushed the small amount of hope Anna had left. "It really upset you the way dad defended him that night, didn't it?"

"To hear Agdar say Weselton was a good person made me feel like a piece of crap that night." Elsa said indignantly. "To find out there were important people, like your father, who still considered him a respectable person made me feel insignificant. All my life I've struggled with this idea that people would justify Weselton's actions if they found out about me - about who I am and what I can do."

"No one would justify his-"

"And your father was sitting right in front of me," interrupted Elsa, not giving Anna the chance to change her mind. "trying to justify his actions even when I was telling him Weselton had made my life miserable - and at the time he thought I was only a normal person, just one more girl who had gone through the foster system. What I had to say didn't matter."

"Dad had to believe what you were saying was a lie not to crumble down. He was thinking of you- I mean, you as his daughter the whole time. He was blaming himself right then and there." Anna remembered her father's words when he explained his attitude that night. He had been mad, but not at Elsa, at himself.

"That night, Agdar represented everything I'd been afraid of all my life. A powerful person who would justify anything as long as he gets to protect himself and his own interests. And the worst thing is…" said Elsa with tears in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "He turned out to be my father."

Anna hated Elsa's words made so much sense. She truly did. "Dad didn't know Weselton had done those things. He didn't know he had committed those crimes."

"But he didn't take my word for it." Elsa said matter-of-factly. And it was true. "I can't trust him. Not yet, Anna. And I'm sorry."

"It's okay," said Anna, accepting, once and for all, her sister's reasons. Maybe it was best she kept quiet about it. Maybe it was best she finally listened to Kristoff and gave Elsa and her parents tiem to solve things themselves. It crushed her, but there was no way she'd force Elsa to meet with her father if she felt that way. "I'm sorry I'm so insistent at times."

Looking at the time, and guessing Elsa would appreciate a few minutes on her own before Marshall showed up, she decided it was best to leave. She had pushed her sister around enough as it was, even if it had been unintentionally. "I'd better go. It's getting late and Marshall will be here any minute now."

"Okay."

It stung Elsa didn't offer her to stay, but she couldn't blame her. "If you ever made up your mind about mum and dad. One way or another. Let me know, okay?" she asked, but it sounded more like a pleading. "I won't hold your decision against you. I will understand."


Marshall climbed the front steps two at a time and knocked on the door once before entering the house. He was in an incredibly good mood, and he was looking forward to spending the evening with Elsa. Fixing the window had been half an excuse he had come up with, but he was glad Elsa had agreed. Not only for the obvious reason of spending some time with her, but also because he finally got to fix the goddamn thing. Every time they wanted to arrange things in the old bedroom, they kept finding leaves and dirt that came from outside. It was driving him mad.

"I'm back," he said in a loud voice, announcing he was back in the house, in case the girls were still studying. "The tools were in the car, thankfully. I was afraid I had left them somewhere."

When he raised his gaze from the things he was carrying he noticed Elsa was only a couple of meters away from him, sitting on the sofa. "Oh, you were here," he said with a chuckle. "I was yelling like a moron."

She smiled at him, but for some reason he didn't understand the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes."

A fast, short answer that did nothing but confirm something was not fine.

"What?" asked Elsa, noticing the way he raised his eyebrow at her.

"I don't believe you," he said with a gentle smile. "That's all."

"I'm fine, Marshall." She rolled her eyes at him, and he knew he was right.

"Sure…"

Knowing it was best not to push Elsa, he sat down on the couch next to her, not before lying his things on the floor. He could use a rest before he began working on the broken window and he didn't mind giving Elsa some time to see if she wanted to share what was wrong.

It didn't take half the amount of time he imagined for her to say, "Anna's mad at me."

"I find that hard to believe." He didn't look at her, giving her the space he was sure she needed to continue telling him what's wrong.

"She didn't say it," said Elsa, showing they hadn't had a fight exactly. "But I know she's getting tired of waiting."

"Waiting?" That called his attention. Both girls seemed fine the moment he had seen them earlier that day.

"She's disappointed I'm not going to give her parents a chance."

"I thought you were on speaking terms with her family."

"We are," she clarified. "Sort of."

"Then what's the problem?"

Elsa took a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts before she explained, "I've answered Idunn's letters. But they keep asking for us to meet. They keep inviting me to have dinner together. I haven't accepted their invitation yet… And I don't think I will."

Nodding a few times, Marshall thought about how hard it probably was for Elsa to make that choice. On the one hand, she had people who had abandoned her - for whatever reason, she never told him what had forced her parents to do it. On the other hand, she had her new sister, who she didn't want to disappoint. "You've got the right to say no. Anna should be more understanding."

"She still hopes we can become a family I guess."

"Hmm…" He couldn't blame Anna. She was right in the middle of that chaos.

"I know she means well, and part of me knows it'd be easier to just accept–"

"Look, Els," he interrupted before she began deprecating her own feelings like she had the tendency to do. "Do you want my opinion?" He waited for her to nod before he continued, "You proved to her you love her enough to be on talking terms with her parents. You shouldn't feel guilty this time."

"I can't help but feel like I'm betraying her somehow."

"You love Anna," he said. "And it's clear Anna loves you. You don't need to meet your parents if you don't want to. They are the ones who walked out of your life to begin with."

"I know but–"

"You didn't have a say back then, but you do now." Why was it so hard for her to understand she could be selfish and do what was better for her? "Do what makes you happy. And, so what if they have to wait a few months for you. You waited years for them to show up, and they never did."

Elsa's silence made him feel guilty. He didn't want to be so blunt, but the Arendelles' insistence infuriated him. He gathered his own thoughts and finally offered, "You did the right thing a couple of months ago when you read your biological mother's letter. That was something you needed to do. This… meeting thing." He had no idea what to call it. "That's not necessary. Don't feel guilty."

Elsa stayed silent for a couple of minutes, and he sighed nervously. He always tried to avoid giving his opinion for that very reason, he never knew when he was being too honest.

To his surprise, instead of ignoring him and his small rant, like he had imagined. Elsa looked at him for a moment, smiled and then pulled from his arm; forcing him into a hug he wasn't expecting.

"You always help me see things in a different way," she said calmly, as she buried her face on his shoulder.

"Oh, yeah, sure," he said, hesitantly. He was still trying to comprehend what he had said to earn a tender embrace from her. "I just– it's only my opinion. I don't like seeing you crestfallen."

"Thank you, Marshmallow."

"Anytime," he said as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. After a moment, he put some distance between them and offered something for them to do, in hopes she forgot about her family issues for a while. "Shall we fix that window?"

"Yes, let's go," she said with a smile.

He couldn't be sure, but something told him Elsa was as happy as he was about the fact they were going to spend their evening together.


I live! *insert Mushu's meme*

Hello dearest readers, it's been such a long time since the last time I updated I can only ask for your forgiveness. I tried to continue writing dialogues and scenes for this story since the last update, but work, life and a personal project I'm working on got in the middle every time I thought about sitting down and properly write this chapter.

Good news is I have several scenes for the following chapters written. It doesn't necessarily mean I'll upload them soon enough, but at least you can rest assured I'm sticking to my word. I will finish this story. You just need to be patient.

To be honest, I can't ask you to be more patient than you have already been. You're the best readers I could ever hope for. You're all so incredibly respectful to my story, my OC (who's taken a big chunk of this story and refuses to let go), to my times and so on. I love you all.

This chapter in particular, I want to thank a few people who have been sending messages and encouraging me to keep writing in the last few months: wabitham, aries1708, bigfrozenfan, Skadi Oz, smol bean, Demons Of Doom, BadEnglishSpeaker, among many, many others. Sorry I can't mention you all.

On the other hand, I want to say this chapter is dedicated to: jimmi-arts . Who has made incredible fanart of Søsken. The art is so good and detailed I can't believe she took the time to draw something like that for this story in particular. I'm incredibly flattered. Everyone, go check her excellent work on Tumblr. You won't regret it!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. This one in particular is getting everything ready for the next big thing that's coming. But that's all I'm going to say for now. I hope the wait was worth it; and if it wasn't let me know what you didn't enjoy so I can improve!

Wish you the best! Take care!