When we heal ourselves, we heal the next generation that follows. Pain is passed through the family line until someone is ready to feel it, heal it and let it go. If pain can be passed down, so too can healing.
Yelena's last words wandered through Elsa's mind as she worked on her handicraft. It had been several years since Yelena's passing and yet that last profound conversation held a special place in her heart, and had crystallized in truth each day since.
After all she, Anna and their children were living proof of it.
Her sister was approaching her fortieth year, a milestone which Elsa had tried to quietly pass. The extravagant party Anna had thrown her in Arendelle however, had quashed this wish. But as it so often went, she enjoyed the party immensely—mostly watching her family all together in one place, happy, healthy and vibrantly living life.
Such a contrast to her and Anna's own upbringing—and this she knew, was exactly what Yelena had meant.
Her son Rune was nearly twenty-four, a full grown man with a reverence for the forest, kindness towards people and animals alike and a contagious and fearless love of life. She had watched him grow from a shy, nervous little boy into a strong, confident young man—and she couldn't be more proud of him.
Elsa smiled and smoothed out the blanket she was stitching. Rune was so much like Maren, just like Aleksandra was exactly like Anna. At just fifteen, Aleks was the spitting image of Anna in both looks and personality and it brought Elsa a special kind of joy to watch her push her mother's buttons in all the same ways Anna used to push hers—to the edge of patience.
The circle of life was a beautiful thing, Elsa mused with a quiet chuckle.
And then there was her Eliza, Anna's eldest daughter and Elsa's namesake, who had recently turned seventeen, and whom Elsa found herself worrying about more and more as of late. On top of her studies and shadowing Anna, Eliza was growing into a beautiful young woman and had already started accumulating numerous suitors and marriage proposals—and Elsa remembered with bitterness how much she abhorred that entire process.
Eliza was also more publicly reserved than Aleks, which made the entire social nature of entertaining suitors that much more draining—a fact she knew Anna empathized with, but did not fully understand. However, Eliza was mature for her age and Elsa knew Anna and Kristoff were watching the suitor situation carefully. Still, she couldn't help but worry—ice powers or none, it was a difficult time in any young persons life—especially an intelligent and beautiful young woman, preparing to one day rule a kingdom.
The circle of life was also alarmingly repetitive—and if it didn't repeat itself, it certainly knew how to rhyme.
And this, was the source of her worry.
But no, Eliza was different from she. The circumstances were different and despite their numerous similarities, despite the fact that strangers from foreign lands often mistook Eliza for her daughter, it was their main difference that brought Elsa the most joy: Eliza was largely fearless. She had grown up with the freedom to feel and love and make mistakes and this had granted her a level of self-assurance and self-love that had taken Elsa years to build up.
When we heal ourselves, we heal the next generation that follows.
Eliza would be just fine, Elsa decided with a smile.
'Look who I found.' Elsa turned, surprised at the sound of Honeymaren's voice. 'The miniature version of you has arrived—well perhaps not so miniature anymore.' Maren finished with a smile—and there, standing next to her, already slightly taller than Maren—stood her eldest niece, hands clasped with a small smile and tilted head.
'Eliza, hi sweetie—is everything alright?' Elsa stood, surprised to see the person she was just thinking about. 'Did you come out here by yourself?' Elsa's eyes flicked to Maren who flashed her a concerned look.
Eliza nodded, glanced at Maren then said: 'Mom and I had a fight.' Her voice broke over the last word, and Elsa then noticed her slightly puffy eyes.
'Oh sweetheart.' Elsa opened her arms as Eliza quickly closed the gap between them and collided with her in what felt like a desperately needed hug.
'It was bad.' Eliza mumbled into her shoulder through tears and hitched breaths. 'We've never fought like that before.'
A pang pulled at Elsa's heart—she had never seen Eliza like this before, and couldn't imagine what on earth had caused this. 'Shhh, it's alright. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out.' Elsa soothed and rubbed her back. Her eyes met Maren's who nodded towards the lavvus indicating she would give them privacy.
Elsa pulled back from her with a small reassuring smile and looked into those sad teal blue eyes, so like Anna's it nearly broke her heart, then brushed the tears away from under them. 'Come here, sit down and tell me what happened.' Elsa led her to the table where she was working on the blanket. 'Take a deep breath.' Elsa said once seated. Eliza wiped more tears from her eyes and did as told.
An origami bird suddenly came drifting down on a gentle breeze and slid its way onto the table between them. Eliza huffed and turned her face away from it, Elsa picked it up and opened it:
Tell me Eliza is with you and that she's safe.
We got into an argument last night and she left at some point during the night, or early this morning.
I'm about to send out a search party, Elsa please, I'm losing my mind.
'Honey, you didn't leave your mom a note that you were leaving?'
Guilt spread quickly over Eliza's features. 'I meant to, but I was really upset, and then so focused on sneaking out that I guess I sort of just, forgot…'
'Well, I need to let her know you're safe before she unleashes the entire Arendelle guard to come find you.'
Eliza's eyes went wide.'That would be really embarrassing.'
'Indeed.' Elsa smiled. 'But I can't blame her for that, I would do the same.'
'Something told me you were going to need this.' Maren said with a smirk, returning with a pencil in hand. 'And this, considering I know how you both neglect to eat.' She added and set down a large plate filled with berries and several slices of bread spread with jam.
'Thanks Auntie Mare.'
Elsa thanked Maren, then quickly began to scribble a note back to Anna on the same paper:
Eliza just arrived, she's perfectly fine.
Hasn't told me what happened between you yet, but I'm sure all will be well. Give her some time, and try not to worry.
Why don't the three of you come collect her tomorrow?
Love and miss you all.
'Listen, Rune and I are going to take some of the young fisher-people up to the lake for the day and teach them how to lake fish. Why don't you have your aunt all to yourself today and tonight when we get back we'll cook up a fresh fish dinner, how's that?'
'That sounds nice.' Eliza answered with a small sad smile.
Elsa quickly folded up the paper and sent it off on the breeze. 'Thanks Gale. I can also tell you haven't eaten today, so start in on this.' Elsa ordered and slid the plate towards Eliza, then rose to say goodbye to Maren.
'You ok with us still going?' Maren asked quietly.
'Of course, Eliza will be fine with me.' Elsa pursed her lips. 'As long as I catch my sister before she sends the Arendelle guard up here.'
Maren chuckled. 'Sneaking off in the middle of the night, reminds me of someone else I know.'
Elsa cocked a brow. 'I haven't done that in years.'
'I recall you doing it only last week, my love.'
'That's not fair, I went for a ride because I couldn't sleep.'
Maren smiled and shook her head. 'Send a note if you need me today?'
Elsa nodded. 'Be safe, and don't let Rune jump off that high rock outcropping—you know I don't like it.'
'He won't.' Maren chuckled. 'Sabin doesn't like it either and you know he'll do anything for that girl.'
'Hm. He's just like you in that way.' Elsa whispered as she moved in to kiss a smiling Maren. 'Love you.'
'Love you too.' Maren ran her hand down Elsa's arm as she turned towards their niece, 'And Eliza, everything will work itself out, you'll see.' Maren kissed her on top of her head.
Eliza nodded. 'Have a safe trip.'
Elsa returned to the table and sat down across from Eliza, who had barely touched her food.
'I can't wait to have that someday.' Eliza mused wistfully. 'Love like you two have.'
'It's worth waiting for.' Elsa confessed with a smile. 'When the right person comes along, you'll know.'
Eliza nodded, her brow knitted together in contemplation.
'Sweetheart, will you tell me what's going on?'
Eliza took another deep breath, seemingly hesitant. Her eyes finally came back up to meet Elsa's. 'I met someone.' She confessed with a shrug and small smile. Elsa raised her eyebrows in surprise, this was not at all what she thought this was about. 'And I like him, very much. He's not at all like all those other suitors, you know, the ones who only court me because I'm a princess or because they like the way I look—
Elsa nodded, recollecting that similarity all too well.
'Well not him. He's interested in me, for who I am and what I think and what I'm interested in… And he's so witty, he genuinely knows how to make me laugh.' Eliza was smiling, her eyes faraway as she recalled the memory, then brought them back to Elsa's as if to gauge her reaction. Elsa smiled, encouraging her to continue.
'We just have so much in common—it's uncanny really. We both enjoy the same books, and like to go horseback riding in the mountains and he wants to take me hiking—where he's from there's all sorts of beautiful places to hike. And I actually miss him when we're apart—I mean, I've never felt that way about anyone—I usually can't wait to get away…'
Elsa hummed in genuine understanding.
'He's also incredibly smart, he actually understands—you know those complex astrophysical concepts we've been discussing?' Elsa nodded. 'Well he understands them! He's also a genius at alchemical theories—you'd probably really enjoy talking with him as well—and even when he doesn't understand what I'm talking about, he still really listens to me, and asks interesting questions and wants to know my opinions… I swear, the rest of them only ever like to talk about themselves.'
Elsa realized she was smiling as her niece opened up to her about this seemingly charming young man—if in fact he was everything Eliza said he was—he sounded like a perfect match for her. Eliza lit up as she spoke about him, and once again reminded Elsa of herself when she first met Maren.
'And of course he's handsome on top of everything else,' Eliza continued, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks, 'Actually he's a prince—which is another aspect of my life that he completely understands.'
'Does this prince have a name?' Elsa asked curiously as she leaned in, grabbing a few berries off the plate.
'Oh of course, I'm sorry I'm rambling. His name is Caleb—the IV. He'll likely never be king though, he has many older siblings—which he's thankful for—he doesn't want to be king. He doesn't care for money or power or status or any of that, he just wants to live his own life.'
Elsa suddenly felt as though she might choke on the berry she had just swallowed. 'Where did you say he was from?'
Eliza looked down and away. 'I didn't say…'
Elsa sighed. 'Eliza…'
'Prince Caleb of the Southern Isles.' Eliza said quietly. Her blue eyes drew slowly back up to look at Elsa and in them was a bold defiance that so reminded her of Anna.
May I present, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles.
'Please don't look at me like that, that's the same look mom had…'
'I'm sorry, I'm just…'
We would like your blessing for our marriage.
'Confused.' Elsa blinked again, several times as she snapped back to reality. 'Eliza, you know your mother and I have a history with the Southern Isles—'
'I know, I know. Mom was engaged to Caleb's uncle briefly and he was a terrible person, but Caleb doesn't associate with him at all—and aren't you and mom always telling me not to judge people by their families? I don't think it's fair to judge him based on that. Didn't that happen years ago, before he was even born?
'Yes…' Elsa was still at a loss for words, here suddenly before her was a future queen, using her own logic against her and making diplomatic sense. 'There's just, so much more to it than that…' Elsa breathed with a slight shake of her head, still attempting to comport her facial expressions. 'What did your mother say when you told her all of this?'
Eliza huffed and rolled her eyes. 'She sat there looking at me like you just did for about two minutes, before she started shaking her head and repeating the word no, over and over.' Elsa continued to listen, repressing her own burning desire to do the same thing.
'Then she said, you can't marry a man you just met, and I got annoyed because I felt like she wasn't listening to me, so I blurted out that I think I might be in love with him—which clearly wasn't the right thing to say because then she got really upset and we started arguing and apparently it got loud because dad came in—then she made me tell him and, I mean, I can usually tell my dad anything but when I told him this he got really quiet. And I could tell he wasn't hearing me either, because he was doing that thing, where he pretends to be calm but really he isn't because I could see that vein in his forehead pulsing—which only happens when he's really angry. So then I told them I just wanted to be left alone.'
'And that's when you decided to leave?'
'Well, not exactly. They went into their room…'
Elsa cringed inwardly—Eliza had her old room which was next to the master bedroom and she could always hear when her parents argued. 'So you could hear everything.' Elsa finished for her.
'Basically. And obviously it wasn't good but I didn't realize how much my dad actually hates those people. I didn't think my dad hated anyone, and it was kind of frightening to hear him yelling like that.'
'What did he say?'
The Westergaards are master manipulators! We should've never let him near her, after all these years those snakes are still obsessed with marrying into this family! Do they really think that just because we're playing nice now that we forgot everything Hans did? To you, to Elsa and now—who knows what this kid is really after, or how he can hurt her—if he tries anything I swear I'll kill him Anna, I will do what I should've done with Hans and throw him off a cliff before he does anything to her!
Eliza finished, in her best Kristoff impression. Elsa was quietly trying to stifle a smile—Eliza's quite accurate impression of her father coupled with the mental imagery of Kristoff launching the Westergaards off a cliff one by one was almost too much.
'He barely knows Caleb, how can he say those things?' Eliza added, her voice starting to break again. The amusement quickly drained from Elsa.
'Sweetie, I'm sorry you had to hear all that, but for what it's worth I don't think your father actually meant he's going to kill Caleb. I think he's just worried about you.'
'I suppose,' Eliza admitted with a sigh, 'But I've never heard him with such hate in his voice before. I don't understand why they hate him so much without even getting to know him, that's not like them. I just want them to like him as much as I do.' Eliza said quietly.
'I know you do.' Elsa said softly and reached out to take hold of Eliza's hand. 'There's just, a lot of history there—' Elsa paused, considering how much of this was appropriate for her to disclose—she could think of no good reason Anna hadn't already told Eliza the whole truth unless it simply hadn't come up until now—her sister was not one to keep secrets, and if there was one thing she'd learned over the years, it was that secrets could tear families apart. 'Did your parents ever tell you the whole story, about what happened with Hans—Caleb's uncle?'
Eliza shook her head. 'Not the details, just that he was a really bad person and mom was engaged to him just before she met dad—but I still don't see how any of that is relevant to Caleb.'
'Well it might be very relevant, then again it might not be.' Elsa paused, deciding where to start. She took a breath and glanced around. It was approaching noon and people were starting to mill around. 'We should go somewhere more private.'
Eliza nodded in agreement. 'Can we go up the river? To our spot?'
'If you finish the rest of this food while I go pack a bag.' Elsa stood, gathered the blanket she was working on and started towards her and Maren's lavvu.
'Aunt Elsa?' Eliza called. Elsa stopped and turned back to her. 'Thanks for listening to me.'
Elsa walked back and kissed her on top of her head. 'Anytime. And we're not done with this yet.' Elsa said seriously, then ran her hand over Eliza's blonde braid and turned in the direction of her and Maren's lavvu.
She returned not long thereafter, a small pack slung over her shoulder. Eliza smiled when she saw her and jumped up from the table.
'Shall we?' Elsa asked and offered her arm. Eliza swiftly linked arms with her.
'So where was your sister during all of this? I can't imagine she doesn't have an opinion.' This caused Eliza to let out an amused breath.
'She'd fallen asleep early last night, she has a cold—I didn't want to wake her.'
'I'm sure she's thrilled about that.'
'She's probably mad at me.'
Elsa once again hummed in understanding. 'She's probably worried about you.' Elsa corrected.
'Which is also why I didn't wake her.' Eliza countered. Elsa sighed with a slight shake of her head and wrapped an arm around her niece as they walked.
'Anyway, Aleks already knows all about Caleb—she's really excited about the whole thing. She met him at the spring festival when I did and, well I think she knew we had feelings for each other before I did.'
Elsa laughed. 'It's a sister thing.'
Eliza chuckled, then suddenly stopped and turned to face her. 'A sister thing—wait, does that mean you agree with mom on all of this?'
Elsa sucked in a breath, then let it out slowly. 'I'm not going to lie to you, I don't disagree with her—and I understand why she reacted the way she did—mainly because she loves you more than anything and doesn't want to see you get hurt. But if you'll allow me, I'd like to explain what happened back then, so you can make your own informed decisions about Caleb.'
This seemed to appease Eliza's logic and she nodded, then slipped under Elsa's arm again as they continued walking. 'I don't think I've ever seen you and mom disagree, on anything.'
This caused another unexpected laugh to suddenly burst from Elsa. 'Oh sweetheart, that is entirely untrue.'
'Well I've never seen it—about anything important anyway. I don't think I've ever even seen you two argue.'
'Well, publicly your mother and I will always be aligned, no matter what. We've been through so much together and share the same core values, nothing can break that between us. But privately we disagree on many things.'
'Like what?'
'Like that yellow is a good color on me.' Elsa mused with a smile. 'It isn't.' This caused Eliza to chuckle. 'And also when your mother came to me asking my blessing for her engagement to Hans—in fact, that was the only time we've ever had a public disagreement…'
'Oh…' This information clearly surprised Eliza. 'What happened?'
'It was during my coronation party. Your mother came bounding over to me a bundle of excited energy, towing this handsome young prince behind her whom I had never before seen or met—and unceremoniously asked for my blessing to marry him.'
Eliza smiled and rolled her eyes. 'That, sounds like mom. What did you do?'
'I was understandably shocked. Here was my little sister, whom I loved dearly and yet, hadn't spoken to in years, suddenly announcing that she wanted to marry an absolute stranger.'
'I sometimes forget there were years where you two were kept apart.' Eliza's brow creased in concern. 'I would never let Aleks marry someone she'd just met.'
Elsa hummed thoughtfully. 'And that's exactly what I told your mother—which naturally didn't go over well.' Elsa raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly down at her niece.
Eliza looked back at her questioningly, then sighed. 'I see where you're going with this, but I never said I was ready to marry him, mom jumped to that conclusion. That's part of what made me so upset. Does she really think I would run off and marry someone just like that?'
Elsa continued to arc an eyebrow at her, her head tilted.
Eliza sighed. 'Alright so I did just run away, but it was to see you—not marry Caleb—and it's not like I've ever done something like this before.'
Elsa softened her gaze and let out a breath. 'I think, in that moment your mom saw a bit of herself in you and it scared her. I see many things in you that remind me of myself—things I wish I could protect you from.'
'What do you mean? I like that people compare us—I want to be just like you.'
Elsa smiled and squeezed Eliza's arm. 'You know I love how similar we are, but I'm not perfect. Your mother and I, we've both made mistakes—we've seen, the darker side of people and we can't help but try and protect you and your sister from that—even if it means you grow upset with us.'
'You're talking about Hans again?'
'Partly.' Elsa let out a breath and stopped walking so she could face her niece. 'Sweetie, when you're in a position of power, or very different from others or a woman—or one or all three of those things, you have to be very careful whom you trust.'
Elsa could see the truth of that register on Eliza's face. 'How can you ever be sure who to trust then?'
'I suppose that's what we need to discuss, isn't it?' They had reached the river and Elsa felt Nokk's presence rise silently from the water. 'But first,' Elsa smiled and nodded her head in the direction of the river. 'Someone wants to say hello to you.'
Happy 10 Year Anniversary Frozen!
