298
**This chapter contains mentions of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. **
Marie's mouth fell open, but she quickly shut it. Her blue eyes scanned the aforementioned man before she turned her focus back to Elsa. Marie felt her chest swell with heaviness when she noticed the expression on Elsa's face. Her expression was familiar to Marie. Elsa's eyes were forcefully dulled, her jaw was tense, her eyebrows furrowed. Elsa stared at the man with a certain air of dissociation and apathy. The royal moved closer to Marie and began speaking in a hushed tone.
"After the incident with Anna when we were young, my mother and father hired private tutors for us." Elsa rolled her shoulders and closed her eyes for a moment. Marie touched her shoulder with her own to comfort her. Elsa continued, "Mister Rutfield was my English teacher. He was always trying to get close to me, trying to touch me." She paused, her gaze fixated on the floor. "One day…he tried to assault me. When I tried to fight back, I struck him with my magic." Marie's eyes grew wide. Elsa said, "I was terrified. I didn't mean to. It was much worse than when I had accidentally struck Anna. He nearly died. My mother and father brought him to the rock trolls in hopes of keeping him alive, but the damage was too great." Her gaze was once again fixated on her former teacher. "They had to erase all of his memories in order for him to survive. Even though he doesn't remember what he has done, my parents ordered that he remain in this facility for the rest of his life. He is not allowed to be with any woman or child alone, even if they are staff. He may not remember what he has done, but that does not mean he is innocent."
Marie exhaled, suddenly aware that she had held in her breath. "That wasn't in the movies," she muttered to herself.
"Neither was the incident with your father in the books," Elsa retorted, her tone more playful than scornful. She turned towards Marie. "I used to think I was a monster for almost killing him, but then I remember that people like him don't just attack one person. Although his memories are gone, he is away from other children, unable to hurt them. My mother and father believed me without hesitation, and even though I had nearly killed him, they didn't blame me or shame me." Her hand slipped into Marie's, squeezing it tenderly. "Marie, you will be safe here. I'm truly sorry for everything that you have gone through. I want you to know that it won't happen as long as you are here." Elsa moved closer, her blue eyes locked on their entwined hands. "Even if things are hard, I want you to know that I will always be here for you. You will be safe in Arendelle." Her face turned a deep red as she paused. "You will be safe with me."
It felt as though Marie had broken through the surface of a deep, cold water and gasped for air. Elsa looked into her eyes with such tenderness that Marie had never known before. Her vision blurred as tears formed behind her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She was breathing. She was no longer underwater, held by her own pain. Words itched on the tip of her tongue, the very three words that she had been holding back for a while now. Say it, she thought to herself. Marie squeezed Elsa's hand. Just say it already!
"You should do that outside," came the disdainful voice of an elderly lady who was sitting not too far from the two women.
Marie broke away from Elsa. "Right. Sorry," she apologized, immediately heading out of the door. The afternoon sun hit her face as she stepped outside. She fidgeted as she heard Elsa quietly follow her and come to her side. They stood silently for a few moments.
"There's some wedding preparations that I have to take care of," Elsa said gently. Her hand slipped into Marie's again and gave it a soft squeeze. "I'll see you soon." She broke away and began to head down the street. Marie bit her lip, the words hovering on her tongue. Acting as though she could sense them, Elsa turned and casted a glance at Marie.
Suddenly Marie rushed towards Elsa and embraced her. She closed her eyes and squeezed her tightly. "Thank you for telling me," Marie said quietly. She pulled away and touched her forehead to Elsa's. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that. It's never easy."
A quiet exhale escaped Elsa. "Anna is the only other person who knows," she said, pulling away to look at Marie. "The staff knows about his conditions, nothing else."
Marie nodded in response. She looked down at their entwined hands. "May I walk you?" she asked. Elsa nodded with a smile.
A few hours passed by. Marie was sitting on a pile of pelts, her legs stretched out. Around her, the Northuldra and some of Arendelle's citizens socialized around a big fire. Although there was room for the tribe in the castle and inns, most of the Northuldra preferred to camp outside. Their tents were just outside of the town, nestled within some oak trees that lined the fjord. Marie let out a content sigh. The sun had just set, and her belly was full of delicious food that both the Northuldra and Arendellian citizens had brought forth in a massive feast. These people sure know how to party, Marie thought to herself.
She looked at one of her hands. Ever since she took all her power back, Marie felt the magic surging within her like never before. A dark tendril wove between her fingers. It had grown in power, and sometimes she felt as though it would burst out. I'd like to know my limits, she thought.
A huff sounded next to her. Ryder joined her on the pile of pelts and placed his hands on his elevated knees. "Hey," he greeted.
Marie took note of his nervous demeanor and brought a cup of ale closer to her face. "Hey," she greeted back.
His eyes sought out two figures in the crowd. He gestured with his head before asking, "What do you know about that guy?"
A snicker nearly escaped Marie when she followed his gaze to find Daniel and Honeymaren chatting on the outskirts of the camp. Honeymaren stood close to the guard, who was tense with shyness. Marie smiled. "He's a good guy," she answered. You two are practically the same, she thought to herself, sipping on more ale. When Ryder did not relax from his protective demeanor, Marie lowered her drink. "He tried to protect me during the-…" Her voice trailed off. "He's harmless," she finished.
Ryder groaned and leaned back. "He said he was going to dance with you at the wedding," he said.
Marie sighed. "Did he, now?" she mumbled.
"Can I, too?" Ryder asked innocently. "Wait, aren't you going with Elsa?"
A deep red formed across Marie's cheeks. She brought the cup to her lips. "We, uh…haven't really talked about it."
"Oh." Ryder blinked and set his gaze back on his sister and Daniel, his expression a little less tense. "I heard you might leave after the wedding."
There it was: that gaping lurch within her chest whenever someone mentioned Marie leaving. She rubbed near her suddenly tense collarbone and averted her gaze. "I'm not sure what's going to happen," she replied honestly. "I could be pulled back any moment, or I could have no way back."
Ryder picked up a twig from the ground next to him and fidgeted with it, his expression solemn. "And if you could choose?" he ventured. "What then?"
The lurch began to numb within her. She let the numbness spread for a moment. It was a skill she had perfected for many years. "There's people that I'm not ready to say goodbye to," she said quietly.
"Here, or there?"
She closed her eyes when they suddenly swelled with tears. "Both." Marie shot to her feet. "My leg fell asleep," she said with a forced cheery tone. Frustration bubbled within her when she realized that she was not always good at hiding her emotions. People want an answer from me, she thought to herself while walking to the edge of the camp. She concealed her face from the firelit as her brow furrowed. How can I give them an answer when I don't have one myself?
Suddenly a stick poked her in the back. "BOO!"
"Jesus-!" Marie jumped. She whipped around when a giggle sounded behind her. "Olaf!" she grumbled upon seeing him and Twamley. The snowman laughed loudly as he put one of his stick arms back into place from poking her. Acting as though it sensed her tension, Twamley pecked the top of his head vigorously. "Hey, now, be nice," Marie cooed to the magical creature, gesturing with her forefinger for it to hop onto. It obeyed, but not without ruffling its feathers first. Marie tilted her head while looking at it and scratched its head. "Did you two have fun today?" she asked the snowman.
"Oh, yes," Olaf said, clapping his twig fingers together. "Stepbrother and I walked ALL around the town. Ooh, and on the beach!"
Behind him, Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, and Sven walked into the camp. Anna and Elsa must have made up, Marie thought. She gave them a smile in greeting. That's good.
Anna returned the smile before asking, "Why do you call Twamley stepbrother, Olaf?"
Twamley flew back to Olaf and perched on his head, happily fluffing its feathers. Olaf giggled, "It's inevitable at this point." Marie laughed loudly and rather clumsily. "Come on, stepbrother! Let me show you around camp!" Sven bayed and followed the two magical creatures.
Anna grabbed Kristoff's sleeve. "I think Yelena wants to talk to us," she said, pulling him along.
A group of children ran between Elsa and Marie. Elsa cupped her hands in front of her. "Inevitable," she said so quietly that Marie almost did not hear it. Sadness swept across Elsa's face. Marie's hand went to rub her collarbone when her chest lurched once again.
"Hey, um, I wanted to ask you something," Marie nearly stammered, surprised at how shaky her voice was. When Elsa's eyes landed on her, Marie could not help but think of earlier that day about the words that stuck to the tip of her tongue like bricks. "W-well, two things." More children ran between them, causing both women to take a step back to avoid being crashed into.
Elsa let out a soft laugh. "Follow me," she said.
Anywhere, Marie thought. She bit her lip as more words begged to flow out of her. It ached. They walked side by side as Elsa led them out of the camp and to the shore of the fjord. Her fingers twitched when she looked down at Elsa's hand, and her heart raced within her chest at the thought of them being alone once more. There's so much that I want to say to you, Elsa, Marie thought. SO many things that I want to tell you…How I feel about you… Her entire body shivered as their arms grazed. How strongly I feel about you…
They reached the shore. Elsa turned towards Marie, and even though it was dark, her eyes still found Marie's. "What did you want to ask?" she asked.
The buzz from the camp reached them, but otherwise, they were alone. Marie chastised herself when she had the sudden urge to pull Elsa into her. She bit her tingling lips. "Well, um…I don't think we ever talked about it, but, um…" She scratched her head nervously. "Want to go to the wedding together? I-I know that you're the maid of honor and will probably be busy, but-" Marie stopped when Elsa chuckled. She felt her face turn red.
"I was going to ask you the same thing tonight," Elsa admitted. She played with a strand of her loose blonde hair. "I realized that I hadn't asked you yet and wanted to." She smiled with a hint of sadness. "Yes."
Marie swallowed a huge lump in her throat. "I'm really looking forward to it!" she exclaimed. Elsa nodded, unable to hide the sadness in her smile. Marie's shoulders dropped, and they were silent for a few seconds. The fjord's waters lapped against the shore.
"Was there something else you wanted to ask me?" Elsa asked.
Marie looked down at her hands. "Yeah," she answered while opening and closing her fists. "My magic has grown. I feel…" She looked at Elsa. "Exhilarated."
Elsa stepped towards her and put a hand on Marie's chest. The ice mage closed her eyes as her fingers spread across Marie's collarbone. Like water to dry soil, tendrils of dark magic flowed from Marie to Elsa's hand, wrapping around the royal's fingers. Elsa shuddered and pulled her hand away, bringing it close to her own chest. "You want to spar," she stated.
Magic surged within Marie. "I want to know what I can do," she said.
A small smile crept over Elsa's face as she took a step back. "Alright." She looked around, searching for a good sparring spot for them. "I wish I could see if any boats are out on the fjord," she said.
Marie scanned the fjord. "There aren't," she replied. When Elsa casted her a look of surprise, Marie chuckled sheepishly. "I, uh, can see in the dark now," she explained.
Elsa squatted and put her hands on the surface of the water. "Fascinating," she said in wonder. Ice flowed from her fingertips as she began to freeze the water. "It must be similar to how the cold doesn't bother me." She padded out onto the frozen fjord and faced Marie, her hands ignited with magic. "I'm ready."
"Do you want to be able to see in the dark as well?" Marie asked.
To her surprise, Elsa shook her head. "That would be an unfair advantage."
Darkness surged within Marie as she chuckled. "Unfair for who?" she asked as her magic began to cover her skin. Elsa grinned and positioned her body into a fighting stance, merely smiling in response.
Even though it was ice that separated them, it felt like fire. Marie bolted forward, darkness covering her entire body. She barreled straight for Elsa at a speed the ice mage had never seen. Elsa threw up an ice wall, nearly stumbling in the process. She watched at Marie twisted her body and kicked off the ice wall, sending herself right over the top of it. The ice mage brought her hands together and shot a blast of snow at Marie as she came over the top of the ice wall. Marie flew several feet as she was buffeted with snow. Elsa gasped as she heard Marie's body hit the surface of water. She rushed forward, her chest pounding within her. "Marie!" she called out.
Suddenly a black figure shot out from the water. Marie levitated and spun herself, ridding her body of water. "Brr!" she exclaimed. When Elsa only stared at her with widened eyes, Marie floated closer to her. Everything on Marie's body was covered in darkness. As Elsa looked closer, she saw that it not only looked like Marie's skin was covered in dark magic, but that she was emitting dark magic from within. She was darkness. Her eyes, however, were not. They were ignited with light, burning brightly amidst the dark. She brought herself closer to Elsa. "You inspired me," she admitted. Before Elsa could respond, Marie flew away from her, stopping and turning around about twenty feet away. "Let's keep going," she called. Elsa smiled and readied herself into a fighting stance.
Although Elsa could not see fully in the darkness, she could sense Marie's magic. Ever since the foreigner had stepped foot in Elsa's world, Elsa could sense the magical energy within Marie. Sometimes it was quiet and subtle, and other times it was powerful. As Marie twirled within the air, she threw forward a gust of darkness. Elsa braced herself and pressed her palms together. She parted the dark wave with her hands, grunting at the weight of it. It's much stronger than Dominic's, Elsa thought to herself. Marie sent another wave barreling towards her. Again, Elsa parted it, huffing at the effort it took. A feeling of relief rose within Elsa. She had been concerned that Marie would struggle with the amount of darkness that she took back from Dominic, but that worry was over now. As Marie sent wave after wave towards Elsa, the ice mage parted them with ignited fervor. She's trying to tire me out, Elsa thought. She grinned and blasted an oncoming dark wave with her ice. I won't let her.
The dark wave froze solid and broke into thousands of dark snowflakes. Elsa took advantage of the snowy mist to charge forward under its guise. She was impatient. She did not want to combat Marie at a long-distance range; she wanted to be closer. Sensing an enormous magical energy charging straight for her, Elsa conjured an icy blade and braced herself. Marie and her collided with extreme force. Both of their breaths washed over the other as they struggled against the other's blades. Elsa pushed forward with her body. "You're going to try and force me to use it, aren't you?" she huffed. As though responding, the tip of Marie's dark blade began oozing darkness onto Elsa. She gasped as Marie's magic slithered over her skin. A shudder escaped Elsa. It felt powerful, yet warm. Elsa pushed Marie away and tried wiping the darkness off herself, but to no avail. It continued to seep into her, causing her pulse to quicken. Marie's magic was her emotion. Every bit of it that soaked into Elsa was an extension of how she felt. While Elsa was distracted, Marie slid behind her and embraced Elsa, wrapping her arms around the royal and squeezing tightly. Elsa gasped loudly under her touch.
Marie continued to emit her magic, but she dropped her arms even though she wanted to keep squeezing Elsa in response to the noises she was making. "I know you're afraid," Marie said in Elsa' ear. "But you won't hurt me." Marie pressed her face into the back of Elsa's neck, her magic surging. "So don't hold back."
Elsa groaned. I can feel it, she thought. I can feel what she feels. So why…? Ice began emitting from her hands. Marie gasped as it started to trail up her arms. With tremendous effort, Elsa broke free from Marie's darkness and sent a blast of ice out in all directions, freezing the dark magic solid and breaking it into tiny shards. Elsa gasped for breath as she leaned down, Marie doing the same several feet away. "Why?" she asked, barely audible. She shivered from the raw emotion that still encompassed her. "Why? Why won't you say it?" Marie shot to her feet as Elsa's hands emitted with ice. Tears began to form in her eyes. "I know you heard me…" She charged towards Marie. "I know you know what I said! So why?" Marie conjured two blades of her own and they collided. Elsa pressed hard into Marie, their magic grinding against each other. "Why won't you say it?"
Marie stumbled backwards after Elsa pushed her away. She quickly shot to her feet as Elsa charged forward once more. "Wh-what are you talking about?" Marie stammered, throwing up her two dark blades to block Elsa's icy blasts.
Blow after blow ensued. Marie could barely keep up with the trained royal as Elsa berated her. Marie attempted to blast a dark wave at Elsa, but Elsa merely deflected it with a wave of her hand. "The other morning, when I had a bad dream," Elsa said through ragged breaths. Marie froze for a moment before attempting to swing her blades at Elsa. The ice mage waved once, disarming Marie's blade on her right. "I know you heard me." Marie swung at Elsa with her left blade, which Elsa immediately disarmed. "When I said…" Elsa dropped her hands down to her sides. She closed her eyes momentarily, the sudden silence hanging in the air. Her eyes opened, but this time, her gaze was softer. "I love you," Elsa breathed heavily. Marie froze, her eyes widening. Elsa's face twisted with emotion. "I love you, Marie. But you've known this whole time, haven't you?"
Marie stared at the ground. Several moments passed between them as they caught their breath. Marie squeezed her knees. "Yes."
Slowly, everything began to thaw. Elsa took a step back, her eyes clouded over. "You fought well," she said quietly. Marie's eyes shot to Elsa, who turned around. She looked behind her and said, "I'll see you at the wedding," before disappearing into the night.
The door to the schoolhouse shut loudly as Marie entered. She leaned against it, the darkness looming before her. She banged her head against the wooden door and closed her eyes. She had run back to the Northuldra's camp, asking several people, including Anna and the others, where Elsa was, but no one knew. She had disappeared. Marie walked slowly to the loft's door, her body sore. After slipping into a night gown, she flopped on the bed and stared up at the canopy, Elsa's confession encompassing every fiber of her being. Marie grabbed a pillow and covered her face. "Of course, I knew…" she mumbled into the pillow. A frustrated groan escaped her, and she started rolling back and forth on the bed like a child. "I've known for a while!" She stopped when a familiar, sweet scent overcame her. Marie pulled the pillow close to her. It was the same pillow Elsa had used the night before. She closed her eyes and held it. "I feel the same way." Her body began to relax. She was exhausted from their sparring session. Marie gripped the pillow even tighter. "I have to tell you…" she whispered as she slipped into a light sleep. "…how I feel…"
Marie was standing in her sister's house, the winter's cold creeping in through the torn weather stripping at the bottom of the front door. She was putting her coat on, her mind and body desperately trying to contain her all-consuming anxiety.
"Aunty."
Marie froze for a second. She turned around to see her oldest nephew, Jack, standing near the family's shoe box. On the other side of the room, Marie's two nieces hid behind the living room couches. One still had tear stains on her face like Marie. Jack clutched his winter hat in his hands. "Are you leaving?" he asked.
Immense shame shook Marie. "I can't stay here," she said quietly, trying not to be heard. Heavy footsteps pounded across the house, and she froze as her sister charged into the room.
"Where the fuck are you going?!" her sister yelled. Marie looked down at the floor and said nothing. "He's gone! He's not coming back!"
"He's only gone for four hours," Marie replied, her voice shaking from fighting the immense anger and fear that boiled within her. "I'm not staying here."
"Dad's coming back?" Jack asked, his voice shaking slightly as him and his sisters looked at their mother. "But the cops took him away."
"You're going to leave me here alone to deal with this?" her sister shouted. "To deal with him when he gets back?"
"He tried to attack us," Marie seethed. Her nieces came to Marie's side. She shielded them. "Just because you put up with it doesn't mean I have to."
"I don't want to stay here," Lydia, her younger niece, said quietly.
"I want to come with you, Aunty," Jack said to Marie. Kayla, her other niece, nodded.
"NO!" Marie's sister screamed. "YOU'RE STAYING HERE!" She looked at Marie. "They're MY kids. They're not leaving this house."
Jack stood in front of his sisters. "Mom, don't." Something inside of Marie broke when she looked at the expression of betrayal on their faces. "Please."
Her older sister held up her cellphone. "If my children take one step out of this house without my permission, I will call the police. You will be charged with kidnapping."
Marie woke with a jolt. She lay staring up at the mahogany canopy as her body attempted to relax after her dream. She covered her eyes. Why that one? she asked herself internally. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, the blankets that covered her body slipping down to her lap. Why dream about that memory? Marie rubbed behind her eyes as a migraine pounded across her skull like her brother-in-law had pounded on the bedroom door, breaking it in the process. She gripped the sheets below her. He had tried to attack her and her nieces, yet only was sent away for a night by the police. Marie would never forget the look on the kids' faces when their own parents failed them. She gripped her forehead and closed her eyes tightly. Is that why I dreamed of this? Because I am failing to protect them? Because I am so far away from them? She gripped her scalp and slumped down. Because I am abandoning them…by wanting something else?
The sound of knocking met her ears. Marie stood and made her way to the loft's window, peeking out. A young woman who was dressed in the castle staff's dress waved at her. Marie opened the window and smiled politely.
"Good morning, Lady Marie!" the young woman greeted. "My name is Nina. I was asked to prepare you for the wedding today!"
Marie rubbed her eyes. "Be right down," she called. Once she was dressed, Marie climbed down from the loft and met Nina outside. She wore a beautiful dark purple hijab and had a bright smile. Marie scratched her head as Nina bowed slightly to greet her.
"I am very honored to meet you, Lady Marie. I am very excited to work with you today!" Nina said excitedly. When she noticed Marie's discomfort, her face fell. "Unless, you would rather have someone else work with you."
"No, no! Of course not!" Marie exclaimed, desperate to reassure her. She tilted her head, trying to find the right words to say. "It's just…well, you can just call me Marie."
Nina looked shocked. "But you are a Lady! A hero! A woman of great importance! It is proper for someone of my standing to speak to you with respect."
A sigh escaped Marie as she motioned for them to start walking. "Where to first?" she asked.
"The boutique, my Lady."
Marie shook her head. ""Someone of your standing,"" she repeated. The town was bustling. The two women had to walk in proximity of each other to not lose each other in the crowd. In the fjord, numerous ships and boats filled the waters as people scurried in and out of them like ants. Marie peered out into the crowd of people, her height coming into use. "How in the world did I sleep through this?" she asked herself aloud. Nina rushed to her side after she was halted by Oaken pushing a large wagon filled with flowers. Marie waited for her. "You know, I haven't always been a Lady," she told Nina. A group of children ran in front of them, their parents' shouts not far behind. "Back in my world, I…" She paused, considering her words. "I was on something called disability. It's basically income for those unable to work, and I was on it." Marie grew quiet for a few seconds. "Disabled people are some of the most looked down upon groups in the world where I'm from. We are poor, mistreated, and receive a lot of shame for our conditions."
"I don't understand," Nina said. "Aren't you helping out at the school?"
"Hardly," Marie laughed, but she soon turned thoughtful. "I guess I am. Mrs. Helgeson is very understanding. What I'm trying to say is that people like me, disabled people, can sometimes envy those who can hold down a job. It's not possible for some, so I don't judge people based on their occupation. Any job is a job, you know?" She smiled warmly. "So, please don't treat me any differently. We are all each our own person. Besides, I'm not officially a "Lady." Anna never gave me the title."
Nina held the door to the boutique shop open for Marie, a bell above dinging loudly. "Have you considered it's because of your actions and who you are that people address you as "Lady?"" When Marie gave her a look of confusion, Nina continued, "I don't know who you were before you came to Arendelle, but Her Majesty doesn't have to name you for everyone else to see what you've done for us all. I can assure you that you will be honored for the rest of your days."
Marie barely had the attention to take in the boutique's atmosphere as they stepped into the store. There it was again: that familiar lurch in her chest. The store was crammed with people picking up their dresses and suits. Nina talked to an employee, but Marie barely heard their conversation over her own thoughts. Was what Nina said true? Did people think that way about her? She was whisked away to the back of the wooden building where a tall mirror stood against one of the walls, barely able to react because her head was reeling. Everywhere she went, people greeted her warmly. Marie thought it was just because people had seen her with Elsa or Anna, but now she was starting to realize that maybe it was because of who she was and nothing else.
"Since the colors for the wedding are purple and orange, we decided to play around with the shades of those colors for the dresses," said a young chipper yet exhausted employee as they propped Marie right in front of the mirror. She fiddled with a loose piece of fabric on her faded dress as the employees of the store scurried around her. Nina retrieved a room divider and set it behind Marie. The tired employee looked at Marie. "Now, take off your clothes."
"Right here?!" Marie blurted, covering her chest.
"No one can see you," Nina piped up.
"There's a giant mirror here!" Marie exclaimed. She crossed her arms. "I'll change in the back." When the two began to open their mouths to argue, Marie said, "Please." They did as she asked. Marie was brought behind the mirror, Nina planting the divider between them. She made quick work of undressing Marie while the employee fetched the dress. A couple minutes later, Marie was standing in front of the giant store mirror, her mouth hanging open.
The dress was peach in color, light and very beautiful. It had a V neck design, a flattering yet modest chest design and cascaded around her legs with a small slit in the front to show off her long legs. But what caught Marie's eye was not the style of the dress, but the sequins on it. It was unmistakable: Elsa had touched up the dress with her magic. Rosemaling patterns of ice lined the dress like dew on grass. Marie could not help but turn and look at the dress in the mirror. "It's beautiful," she said in awe.
Nina gestured for her to sit down on a chair she pulled up. "Her Majesty came in with designs and helped us make it," the employee said as Nina began styling Marie's hair. "That reminds me!" They scurried off, Marie watching them in the reflection as they opened a drawer at the front of the store. "Here are the corsages for the wedding," they sang excitedly on their way back. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I made matching corsages for you and Queen Elsa." They gestured widely and openly, raising an eyebrow. "I kinda got the idea that you two would be going together, so-"
"That would be correct," answered a familiar soft, yet confident voice.
Marie immediately shot to her feet, startling Nina. "E-Elsa!" she greeted loudly. She faced the royal with shaking hands and a beating heart. The look on Elsa's face silenced Marie, and she was suddenly reminded of Elsa's confession the night before. Marie swallowed a lump in her throat and looked down at the dress, not knowing what else to do except gesture at it.
Elsa stepped up to her, her eyes never leaving Marie. "You look beautiful," she said softly. They paused for a moment in each other's presence, the mere closeness of their bodies being enough to still them. "I have something for you," Elsa said, reaching for something under her arm. "This was my mother's. She used to wear this on summer nights." A thin lavender colored shawl fell loosely over her hands. On it, beautiful rosemaling patterns streamed across it. Marie ducked slightly as Elsa slung it over her shoulders. "I thought it would match your eyes," she said shyly.
Marie felt as though her heart was going to burst out of her chest. "Elsa, I need to talk to you," she said urgently, grabbing one of her hands.
Elsa stepped out of the vicinity of their stilling closeness and became very tense. "I'm sorry. I only have time to drop this off right now."
"Wait! Please!" Marie followed her through the store and reached for Elsa's arm. The entire store stopped for a couple of seconds as Marie latched onto Elsa. Her hand slid down to Elsa's hand as several people whispered awkwardly before picking up their previous banter. Marie squeezed Elsa's hand as her throat swelled and her body shook. "I-…" Marie faltered, her heart pounding within her chest. "I-!"
"Go to the chapel," Elsa said, slipping out of Marie's grasp. Before Marie could respond, Elsa started for the door. "I have to go." Marie could only reach for her in vain before Elsa slipped out within the crowd.
Marie approached the chapel, the sun beating down on her bare shoulders. She slipped the shawl over herself. To her surprise, Daniel stood in front of the church doors, standing guard. As soon as he caught sight of her, he perked up from a daze.
"Wow." He grinned widely. "You look great!"
Marie scoffed playfully, eyeing him. "You as well," she responded. He was dressed in a fancy black suit with a dark purple vest and an orange handkerchief. She looked at the closed chapel doors. "Is Elsa inside?" she asked hopefully, her heart fluttering.
"No, but she arranged this," he said. He opened the door. "There's someone inside who wants to meet you, and I think you'll want to meet him, too."
Marie gripped the shawl in front of her chest but stepped inside. As her eyes adjusted to the dim, an elderly man rose from the left side of the pews. As Daniel closed the door behind them, Marie gasped. "H-…Henry?"
The man froze at the sight of her. "As I live and breathe…Marie." Back in her own world, Marie had almost written a book. She based a lot of what happened to her in these stories, and even grew fond of her characters. It was the same character that she had written and created, Nevaeh Reid, who had written a book series about Marie in this world. Nevaeh was the author of Within, the book Elsa had been reading aloud to Marie. Although Nevaeh was the main character in Marie's story, she shared that spot with another, her love interest, Henry Scott. He was a hot-headed, passionate young man who both loved and fought for Nevaeh, despite not being allowed to be with her. His devotion and stubborn will to always be true to his feelings often got him in trouble, but he was a good man. Standing in front of Marie was Henry Scott, albeit an older version of him. Marie stepped forward, unable to keep her tears at bay. He, too, stepped forward. His hazel eyes swelled with tears. He reached out a shaky hand to Marie's cheek, who let him touch her.
She touched his hand. "Henry," she breathed. They embraced.
"Oh, careful!" Henry huffed, pulling away. "I'm an old man now. You can't squeeze too hard." In Marie's story, Henry was nineteen, tall with curly blonde hair and a muscular build from farming. Although he looked to be in his eighties, he was still exactly as Marie had imagined him. He looked at her, putting both of his hands on the top of his wooden cane. "You are exactly as my Nevaeh wrote you."
Marie wiped tears from her face. "I was just thinking the same thing!" They laughed and wiped tears from their faces, unable to process fully what was before them. Behind them, Daniel sniffled loudly, wiping his own tears away. Marie gestured for her and Henry to sit down.
"So, tell me about your life," Henry said, grunting as he sat down. "I only regret Nevaeh was not here to meet you, but she lives on in us and our children."
"You DID have children, then?!" Marie asked excitedly. Even though she had not published the first book that contained Henry and Nevaeh, she still planned out the plot in her head. "Was there four of them?"
"Yes," Henry laughed, his eyes twinkling with fondness. "And you. Do you have seven nieces and nephews?"
"Yes!" Marie began to tell him about her journey in Arendelle. Henry listened, sometimes looking off into the distance as he imagined the story play out in his mind. Marie described how the darkness pulled her through the rift and how she met Elsa and everyone else. To her surprise, Henry frowned. Marie recognized that frown despite only meeting him that day. She had created him, after all.
"Hm…" He crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Have you finished Within?" Marie shook her head. "It seems as though only parts of your story are written, as I'm assuming parts of mine are and aren't."
Marie slouched. "Yeah," she agreed. "Some parts are metaphorical, while others haven't happened."
Henry chuckled again. "Yet," he chimed in. When Marie tilted her hear curiously, he continued, "It seems Arendelle was also a story in your world? Perhaps it is fate that you are here in a world where your creations are real. It would make sense that the creator be pulled towards His creation." He settled against the pew when he saw her reaction. "Even though it was Nevaeh who wrote your story, I feel as though I know you myself. Perhaps we are connected in some way." He leaned in closer to her to try and catch her gaze. "Your story isn't over, Marie. Although Nevaeh wrote your story, it is your own, not anyone else's."
"Is it?" she asked quietly. She tore her gaze away. "Is it mine, or is some force going to take it away from me again?" Marie looked down at her palms. "I'm confused. I don't know if I'll be yanked away from here at any second, or if I'm stuck here. I-…I don't want to lose them."
Henry shifted. "Lose whom?" he asked.
"Them!" she exclaimed, hoping he would understand. "The people I love! The ones who I want to be with." She shot to her feet and paced a few feet away. She heard Henry rise from the pew, but she kept her back turned away from him. "The thought of losing them makes me feel as though something has died within me. A part of me that I didn't know existed ached inside at the thought of losing them. Every part of me grieves for them, for each of them…" She clutched the shawl tightly. "I just want to know if they're going to be okay."
Behind her, Henry sighed deeply. "When you wrote our story, did you write the negative experiences to torture us, or did you write them because they were a necessary part of our story?" When Marie did not respond, Henry chuckled and faced the front of the chapel, looking at a large glass mural of Jesus. "Nevaeh created you, you created Nevaeh and I: I think it matters not." He stood beside her, still looking at the mural. "We each have a creator, but our creator does not force us down a path. I believe He cannot. He simply shows us the option and it is up to us to decide. There are some things that we can't predict or control, yes, but again, it is up to us to decide which path we take." He set a hand on her shoulder. "Seeing you here today, I can't help but think you existed already, and that Nevaeh just simply wrote who you are onto paper. Does it not feel that way with me?"
Marie smiled fondly. "You are much less hot-headed than the Henry I wrote."
He chuckled. "I am also an old man now. I've had a good life, one with much happiness." Henry looked at her, his eyes as intense as Marie remembered writing them. "It was a difficult path getting to be with Nevaeh, but worth it. So worth it. You're at a crossroads now. There might be pain with either path, but the choice is yours and yours alone. Take my advice and pick the one that makes you the happiest."
"Sorry to interrupt, but the wedding is going to start in about a half an hour," Daniel called from the door.
Henry extended an arm out to Marie despite needing to use a cane. "Shall we?"
Marie took one final glance at the mural of Jesus before taking Henry's arm. "We shall," she replied.
