Chapter 28. The Afermath
Hi sorry. I had to upload this Chapter again as I had uploaded a version that still had some typos and grammar errors. ( Writing in phone is terrible)
Quoting the one and only sassy jedi Obi Wan Kenobi "Hello there!"
So, I was asked by dear eliimg if I have tumblr. I do. If you are interested in sharing the story through the fandom's mother of gilds. Be my guest. My tumblr is : starflame7
And what where your thoughts on the movie? . I loved it of course. The songs Show yourself, Into the unknown and All is Found got me smiling the whole time. And I had always had the headcanon that Elsa was quite a reckless badass where her powers had more significance, hence why added that in this fic. And now it is officially canon. Also to see that they actually put the characters in dramatic and epic situations made me smile too. But that my single opinion.
As always thanks for the reviews, likes, and adding to your favorites. Hope you are liking this so far. Suggestions or request are welcome. Even song recommendations (I do listen to all of them)
Here it is . The next chapter. It took months to write this but I wanted to badly to publish the day of the movie premiere. No spoilers.
Disclaimer: Frozen and other Disney characters belong to Disney Co. This is merely a fanfiction and a bunch of fandom references and puns.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .
Chapter 28. The Afermath
Everything was trembling. Fire was everywhere.
"MOO!, MOO!, MOO!" somene yelled or better say mooed at her.
"Are you crazy?!" She replied. Not sure how she was able to uderstand him but right now she couldn't care less. The fire was too close now. "if we jump from that window we'll die!"
"MOO!" He insisted.
The smoke made the person in front of her look blurry. But she recognized that voice or better say mooing. It was familiar somehow.
The flames were so tall now that they were visible behind his tiny horns. Wait horns?
"MOO?" he said as he offered her a human hand. In his other hand he carried something in a blanket.
Did she trust him? How if she didn't know who or what he was in the first place?! Not to mention how could she trust someone who's only words were a bunch of moos.
Something exploding from downstairs made her come back to her senses.
"I...I want to." She took his hand and he nodded in understanding. This was crazy. How could she moo, erm, trust him? And yet...
"MOO!" he nodded happily.
She looked up again and his blurred face was almost visible. She recognized those eyes. She'd seen them before. Her mind clicked suddenly. His name was Derek and he was her friend.
As soon as she remembered who he was, his clothes became more bright and visible over the smoke. He was dressed as his usual self. the bundle he was carrying cleared. It was Anna?! But as a baby. Anna wasn't a baby. Was she?
And what about his clothes?! White shirt, dark blue vest and black pants. Okay that was normal. But for some reason there was a bell hanging from his neck and he had horns and was that a tail?!
What the ….?!
"MOO!" The Prince yelled again as he pulled her.
Elsa felt herself being pulled and tried to run at his pace. But couldn't. Her legs were clumsy and it felt like running uderwater. Slow and silly.
"Wait..." she yelled but he kept running until her hand slipped from his so Elsa grabbed the first thing she could handle. Derek's tail.
They were getting near the end of the hallway and Elsa knew she had to shot ice first to the window to shatter it but as she tried no ice came out of it. It failed.
"What now?!" Elsa tried in vain to shot break the ice again but only tiny snowflakes came out.
"MOO! MOO!"
"We use the head?" she asked confused. "What do you... hey!"
Elsa was grabbed by the waist by the Prince and he made them jump. Then his head hit the window and the tiny horns broke the glass of the window letting them through.
And they fell.
As they fell, Elsa saw the bottom below waiting for them. ALL COVERED IN FLAMES!
She had to try and conjure lots of snow beneath them if they wanted to survive.
She shot with all her might and a blizzard was conjured below them making the fire disappear.
But that wasn't the only thing that happened. The snow began to change into ice and then into something more.
"WHAT?!"
The ice took form of spikes. Very big, pointy, deathly spikes! Made of her own magic.
"No please!"
They wouldn't make it. This was it. The end.
They fell in rapid motion, and she pressed herself hard to his chest. Elsa closed her eyes preparing for the impact. She hugged baby Anna with all her might as Derek's arm covered her head and waist firmly.
"MOOOOOOOO!" Derek yelled as as they fell in to the void.
… …. ….. ….. ….
Elsa woke up suddenly gasping for air. Her heart was beating fast and her breathing took a while to calm down. She was drained in sweat. Her eyes took a second or two to adjust to the dark room. Wait... She was in her room. How?
"Elsa!" called a familiar voice. "You are finally awake. Great!."
The Queen blinked and turned to the source of the familiar voice. After a few seconds, the blurry white bundle became more nitid until the shape of a familiar snowman came to view.
"Olaf?" She asked. Elsa had to blink a few times until her eyes adjusted to the dim light that was passing through the closed courtains.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Olaf sounded so relief. "Kristoff said you fell from a really, really high biulding."
Flashes of the fire came to her mind. She remembered the fall. How could she forget that? The window crashing while she kept her eyes closed and her chest pressed to Derek. Both trying to shield the baby from the broken glass.
It had happened so quick and yet it had felt like an eternity to hit ground. She remembered hitting her head in the right corner. Instictively her hand reached the area and found a small bandage over her ear. It hurt a bit when she touched it.
"Does it hurt?" Olaf asked.
"Just a bit." Elsa admitted. Few by few she was starting to register not only her head but her whole body felt sore. "But don't worry. I am fine."
The snowman's gestures changed from seming worried to a more content smile. "Kristoff says you must have a big skull." Olaf menitoned as Elsa realized she had bandages here and there.
"A thick skull?"
"Yeah. I was worried when they brought you here asleep. But later Kristoff told me you were fine. That you fell from a big biulding but Marshmallow caught you and Derek and a baby and that you were just resting from ceasing the fire." Olaf explained as he patted Elsa's leg gently. "I don't uderstand much because i don't have bones but I'm glad you are fine."
"I'm fine now." Elsa said as she touched Olaf's tiny wodden hand. He had been worried, just as Marshmallow has been. She smiled tenderly at him.
Elsa, shook her head slightly in order to clear her mind. Her mind felt confused and filled with memories from the night at the ball. Then an explosion coming from the park and ...
"The fire!" Elsa rembered out loud.
It hadn't been just a dream. Although her mind had twisted the memories into a weird nightmare. Instead of the baby, she was trying to save a toddler version of Anna. And Derek was half cow, half himself. Not to mention he was mooing. Now that was a real nightmare.
"Yep." Olaf said. "Kristoff told me you were very brave yesterday. And that you kind of fell but Marshmallow caught you and then you fainted."
"I fainted?"
"Aha." Olaf explained. "You must have been really tired because you've been sleeping for hours and hours."
"Hours?" she asked. "Wait. What time is it?"
Olaf smiled. "I don't know. But both the hands in the clock from the living room had moved a lot already." He added as his stick hands moved resembling the hands of a clock. "Oh, are you looking for something?" Olaf asked.
"My pocket watch. So I can see the time." the Queen said as she couldn't spot it anywhere. She had it in her right pocket of her dress. But she was no longer wearing it. And it wasn't in her night table either. "I think I lost it."
"Where?" Olaf asked.
"I don't know." Elsa said feeling a bit upset with herself. "I must have dropped it somewhere during the fire."
"Maybe you left it in the room or the study." the snowman said.
"I don't think so. I remember putting it inside one of my dress' pockets." She explained. "Wait, where is my dress?" it was then she noticed she was wearing a nightgown.
"Oh, you mean the dress that you were wearing yesteday? The one that got all torn and smells like a fireplace?" Olad asked. "That dress?"
Elsa nodded. "I bet that's the one ."
"Oh, it's right there in the corner." Olaf pointed at the closet hanger in the far room. "But I wouldn't recomend you to wear it. It's all liquid now."
"Liquid?" Elsa looked where the sowman was poiting. And there it was, her ball dress. Or what was left of it. The dress was hanging from one of the closet's hangers. The top was still in shape, but it was covered in dust, charcoal and wodden sticks. It looked dirty, and so unregal. As if Elsa had survived a reindeer stampede that passed over her. The bottom of the dress looked even worse. It looked torn and and it had a long diagonal cut in the middle. And to top it all, the dress was melting. That's right melting. Someone, maybe Anna, had even added a bowl under it to gather the water drops and not damage the carpet. The bowl was almost filled with water already.
"Poor thing. Can you fix it?" Olaf asked. "I liked this one."
"Well, I can try later. Let's hope the dress hangs in there enough." Elsa added with a small smile.
A giggle sounded from the door.
Elsa and Olaf turned their heads to the source of the laugh.
The Queen didn't even realized when did Anna entered the room.
"Anna!" the snowman approached the Princess. "Remember when you asked me to tell you when Elsa was awake? Well, good thing you came. That way I can tell you. Elsa just woke up. "
"I can see that." Anna smiled. "Thank you Olaf."
The snowman smiled back. "Do you need any more help?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, why don't you go downstairs to the kitchen and ask them to get some food ready please."
"Right on!" the snowman saluted like a soldier and then left.
…. … …..
"So," Anna said while sitting in the chair. "I see you are recovering now."
"I am. "Elsa nodded. "I feel like I've slept for an eternity."
"You did. You sleep like a bear." Anna added giving another bite.
"Well, to be honest I bearly rested. I had a weird dream." Elsa explained as she poured some water for herself.
Anna almost choked as she tried to hide a giggle.
"What?" Elsa asked her sister.
"Oh nothing." Anna said giving the Queen a smug smile. "Just something funny you just said. Not once but twice."
Elsa arked one eyebrow and turned her head confused.
"Funny? Who me?" Elsa laughed sarcastically this time. "Now that's a good joke."
"You sure? I bet you'd be surprised by how natural it comes to you." Anna giggled again.
"Anna, what are you saying?" Elsaf felt so confused.
"Oh, I don't know maybe it was my imagination when I mentioned you sleep like a BEAR and you kind of dropped the wild "I BEARLY rested" or what about earlier huh?" Anna suggested, her eyebrows moving up and down teasing her sister. "when you said "Let's hope the dress HANGS in there enough." Anna said imitating Elsa's tone of voice. "Did I imagined that?"
Elsa's eyes opened wide. Did she just? Her mouth opened but no words came out.
Anna laughed this time.
"Oh, my God your face!" Anna grabbed her stomach. "Elsa don't tell me you just..." Anna tried to contain herself. "Don't tell me you... you just realized what you said."
"I ...well..." Elsa tried to say but her tongue felt dumb. Maybe because she was feeling dumb. Meanwhile she just kept asking herself the same questions over and over again. When? How? What?!
"What?!" the Queen said this time out loud.
"Oh, this too good." Anna cleared a lauging tear and returned to the smug smile.
"I don't see the fun in this." Elsa said feeling her cheeks go warm. "Besides it was not on purpose. Just mere coincide."
"Of course. Of course. "Anna tried to stop smiling. "Of course."
"Good." Elsa sighed .
"Of course." Anna gave a pity smile to her sister. "In that case, I guess you wouldn't mind if I tell Derek about your tiny slip?"Anna pointed shrugging.
"And give him full freedom to pun around the Kingdom? No thank you." Elsa shook her head. "Arendelle has suffered enough already."
"Fine. I can't argue with that logic." Anna said finally calming, letting Elsa finally notice the dark bags in the Princess' eyes. "Still, I would have given a big amount of chocolate just to see his reaction to your puns. I don't know which face would be funnier, his or the one you made just now." Then Anna yawned. And Elsa saw the bags under her eyes.
Anna must have been worried sick for her. Olaf had been taking guard. But that didn't mean he had been doing it all night. So that meant that the chair was for Anna. She must have been taking care of her and the kingdom while the actual ruler was sleeping.
Great!
"Anna," Elsa interrumped. "Did you even sleep? How's everyone in Arendelle?"
"And there is responsible Elsa. I was wondering when she'd come out." Anna said patting Elsa's hand. "Don't worry, I did sleep an hour or two. And before you say it. Yes I did spoke to the Council. And let me tell you, you should brace yourself for a lecture from them. They didn't like very much that you risked your life in that way. And neither did I. Still, they were diligent at the end and started a plan of rebuilding the damaged buildings. "
"I should arrange a meeting them and get back to work." Elsa started to take off the sheets.
"Hold on dear sister! " Anna added. "The Doctor said you needed rest so for the moment you'll have to take one step at the time. Okay?"
"Anna…." Elsa .
"Please."
"But," Elsa sighed.
"Pleaasse!" Anna did the face.
Damn those puppy eyes!
Elsa rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine."
"Good."Anna said. "Besides, it's your birthday."
"Oh, right. I kind of forgot ." Elsa admitted. "Still, even it's my birthday I should reevaluate the budget plans for emergencies and…."
"Oh, we are already on that. I just came back from another meeting with the Council and it will take time and we'll have to make some cuts in our budget; and some plans for the Culture Department had to be cancelled or put on hold until we restore the damaged buildings. And of course we had to come up with a reconstruction plan but thanks to papa's administration and your impecable management of the Crown's savings, Arendelle has resources to solve this kind of incidents. Also we checked your notes from the Council trades you made and they will come very beneficial to restore the market and the hospital mostly. We'll have to pull some strings with Rosendelle to get an early shipment in wood but, I already spoke with Derek and his dad and they said they had already sent a letter to Derek's older brother to get that cargo ASAP. So mostly we need to come up with a meeting with Prince Robert to revise the final amends as the lead time Clause needs to be revised and signed by you and King Frederick of course. But I spoke to both of them and they agreed to meet you tomorrow as today is the Queen's birthday and she needs rest by doctor's orders."
Elsa opened her eyes even wider. She couldn't hide the little proud smile forming in her lips.
"Since when did you become an expert in politics and economic trades?" Elsa asked now fully smiling.
"Since last night." Anna smiled.
"Wow. Maybe I should resign to the throne and you should be crowned Queen instead." Elsa added.
"Yeah right. Can you imagine that?" Anna asked laughing. "Although Queen Anna of Arendelle does have a nice ring to it. Don't you think?"
"It does." She nooded.
"But I still prefer how Queen Elsa sounds." Her sister insisted.
"Well I could keep the Snow Queen title." Elsa laughed.
"Mhmmm… tempting, tempting. " Anna pretented to think very serious. "But after those long hours with that kindergarten of Council you've got there and all that paperwork I'll have to give it a thought."
They both smiled.
There was a knock on the door.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I come in behalf of Master Olaf, " it was Kai. "Food is served. Also, Your Majesty, I am so glad you are awake and safe."
"Thanks Kai." Elsa replied.
"Thank you Kai." Anna responded. "Now, as much as I'd like to keep talking, you need a shower and dress yourself."
"I thought you wouldn't let me leave the bed." Elsa mentioned.
"I know you dear sis. You would find a way to get back into action. Look, all I ask is that you take a break and rest. No rushing to work just yet. Leave that to me."
"Doctor's orders?" Elsa asked.
"Actually , Princess' orders." Anna winked at her. "Now let's get you. You smell like burnt marshmallows."
They both laughed.
… …. …. …. …
After a quick bath and changing some bandages from the bruises Elsa got from last night, Anna and Elsa decided to eat lunch in the gardens. By Elsa's constant plead, Anna agreed to fill the Queen with the state of Arendelle after the fire. They talked about restoration programmes and how to help the shop owners that lost their shops. Then the topic of the hospital came and Anna took the opportunity to speak what really was in her mind."
"Speaking of the hospital, I totally agree we should demolish it and rebuild a bigger one form scratch. But Elsa, before you go further and talk about construction plans. I wanted to ask you if you are feeling fine."
"What? Of course I'm fine." Elsa responded. "Just some bruises that's all."
"I know that. But that's not what I meant. Well yes, but not everything."
"Anna what is it?"
"It's just that Captain Jorgen told me all that you did last night. Elsa you were amazing." Anna said changing her tone to a more calm one. Elsa smiled gently to her sister. "And you did all that and got inside a building in fire and saved a baby and even jumped form the third floor. All that in one night wearing ball gown and high heels as Derek added "
"Uh, I actually did changed my shoes and my dress." Elsa added.
"Excaclly, you even took the time to conjure new shoes and save everyone in the process. And just got some bruises here and there but nothing to worry about. Doctor Haus said you were very lucky. He even said it was unnecessary to take turns to keep an eye on you in case you needed something at night. He said you only needed rest and …"
"Wait, did you say turns? You took turns to check on me? Is that why you didn't sleep anything? Did Kristoff let you do it?" Elsa was surprised.
"Er, nothing. Nothing." Anna tried to say, but Elsa's stare made her sigh. " Fine. Yes we agreed to take turns to check on you while you rested. You know, in case you woke up in the middle of the night or needed something."
"Did you asign guards to my room?" Elsa was not so sure about that though.
"What? No. Of course not. " Anna simply laughed. "It was just Kristoff, Olaf, Derek, and me."
Elsa sighed. "Anna you all should have gotten some sleep not guard my door like I could die or something. I just fainted."
Anna looked down and pressed her lips. Oh. Elsa knew that look.
"Anna, what's wrong?" Elsa asked. "What is that you are not telling me?"
"Well," the Princess sighed. "First of all I want to tell you how proud I am about all the things you did to save Arendelle. Thanks to you most of the houses and shops were saved. Only the centre buildings, the park and the hospital will need full restoration. And thanks to you that baby girl is back to her parents, which by the way stopped this morning to deliver you some flowers."
Elsa's stare frowned knowingly. "I sense a but coming."
"Yes." Anna nodded. "All that was great. But…" she made a pause. "You risked your life and I know I would do the same, and I know even if you weren't the Queen you would still do it and…and I don't know what I would do if you ...if you ever.. We already lost papa and mama… I couldn't lose you too…I..."
"Anna," Elsa pressed her sister hand. "I'm sorry for making you feel this way. You don't deserve it. I don't know what I would do if something bad ever happpened to you too."
Anna stood up from her chair and gave Elsa a warm a hug while the Queen responded.
"I knew you'd say that. "Anna responded after she got back to her chair. "But there is something else that is actually bugging me out."
"What thing?" Elsa asked.
"The real reason we did turns to guard outside your door was because Marshmallow didn't return to the North Mountain. In fact he is still here. He is guarding the entrance of the castle right now. I think he senses you need protection or something." Anna explained. "And there's also Derek who was the one who came up with the idea to keep guard while you recovered."
"He what?"
"I know, I know. Trust me I was surprised as well. "Anna said. "I know how you feel about guards and all that. But, Derek looked anxious after Marshmallow refused to leave. Like something he knew and wasn't telling. Derek might be difficult to read most of the times but this time he was failing misserably. Something worried him about you and I ended up accepting when Ktistoff supported the idea by suggesting we should do it on turns. Ktistoff for carrots sake. He wouldn't dare to get near your room as a socially awkward man, but he did. "
"And you accepted?"
"Yes. Well no. Uh, I mean not at first, but then Kristoff took me to the kitchen for a quick chat. And guess what he told me?"
Elsa wondered if Ktistoff told Anna that he had found Elsa and Derek arguing. She was not ready to even think about that, less talk about it to someone else. Even if that someone was Anna.
"What?" Elsa dared to ask.
"Kristoff said that you told him that your powers were acting strange last night. I was not sure what to think about told me you didn't want me to worry, so of course I know it must have been more serious that what had happened during the Council meetting. And that would explain why you didn't froze the hospital to escape. Did your powers acted weird again?"
Elsa sighed. She really didn't want to worry about that. But Anna deserved to know.
"Yes." The Queen nodded. "I was planning to tell you about what happened during the fire anyway, so might as well tell you now. It happened again. When I was trapped inside the hospital with the baby." And Elsa told Anna about what happened last night.
… …. ….
After a while, Kai arrived with more tea and take the empty plates.
Anna reached a cup and poured some tea in it.
Elsa took another sip form her tea. Cinnamon.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, Your Majesty, Your Highness?" Kai asked.
"Thanks Kai were are fine. "Elsa responded.
"And tell Jill the roastbeef sandwiches were delicious." Anna added.
"I would Your Highness but Jill is still busy with that task you assigned her early today. So another one is helping out at the kitchen right now. I wouldn't approve it but he insisted and Gerda allowed it."
"Oh right. I almost forgot Jill is helping me out with that. So did Gerda made the lunch?" Anna asked.
"Well," Kai grunted. "Not exactly."
Elsa couldn't help but let out a single laugh as she saw Kai trying to hide his eyes turning. He only made that face when someone was around. And she had already had the suspicion after tasting cinnamon tea and roast beef sandwich. This had written his name everywhere. Wa this a joke from him to her?
Then she remembered a thing he had said last night. When he asked for forgiveness for acting like a fool. He promised Elsa he would help at the kitchen. Was this another way of saying he was still sorry for what happened or was this just his birthday present? Or maybe another way of showing her another of his talents. Because, apparently he could cook now.
"Elsa? What's so funny?" Anna asked.
"What?' the Queen turned to her sister.
"You are smiling now." Anna pointed out. The Princess and Head Butler were staring at her with confusion.
"Really? Err, pardon me. I just remembered an old joke ." Elsa blinked and tried to compose herself to a more regal pose.
"So, uhm." Kai siad clearing his throat. "If you need anything else, you may ring the bell to summon me."
" Thank you Kai." Elsa spoke with more confidence now. "And as Anna said, do thank Prince Defek for the lunch. Although, do tell him I still prefer mint tea."
Kai opened his eyes widely as he turned to the Queen. Probably he was wondering how did she guessed it had been the Prince.
But Kai only nodded and said. "I will tell His Highness the Prince of Rosendelle about your compliments on the food. " then he vowed and keft.
" Wait. Derek. The lazy Derek we know, actually made lunch for us today. And he is actually a good cook too?' she asked as she Anna as bit her sandwich again. "Wow. And how did you know?"
"Just a lucky guess." Elsa siad shortly as she sipped more of her tea. "By the way. Is he alright. I guess he is working in the kitchen now. Did he get hurt?" she asked casually.
"Well," Anna took another bite. "Sort of. He had to get his hand bandaged as he burnt his hand with some metal and he's got bruises similar to yours. And he can't walk and…"
"He what?!" Elsa left go of her tea cup on the table with strength dropping some tea on the little plate.
"Easy, let me finish the sentence before you break the cup. What I meant is that he won't be able to walk for long periods of time. His leg needs rest. But he is fine. So don't worry. I asked the doctor, three times. And he told me it was nothing serious. Apparently Derek got stuck in some debris and injured one leg."
"And let me guess, you sent him to get some rest but as we know he is in the kitchen now he ignored you."
"That seems to be the case." Anna nodded grabbing another sandwich. "He is a rebel royal. Just like a certain reckless Queen I know."
Elsa rolled her eyes.
"I should ask him the recipe later. " Anna added. "The nerve to add chocolate to roast beef sandwich and make it delicious. Only a crazy one could come up with that."
"True." Elsa agreed. She couldn't avoid the small smile. Only Derek would come up with something like this. A crazy pair that could turn out into disaster mixed together, but somehow could also turn out to be not that bad. Even great. Could he be referring their weird relationship to to this same dish? Or was she seeing to much into a sandwich. He knew how much she liked riddles. And she knew,chow much he liked to be a riddle itself. Or maybe, he is just playing with her mind again and he just made a sandwich with the first ingredients he found in the kitchen. Damn that clever cow man.
"Now, where were we?"Anna asked. And then the sisters kept telling each other their own stories form last night event.
And Elsa began telling Anna everything in detail of what happened during her rendezvous at Arendelle. Well almost everything. She did kind of ommitted details about how she was with Kristoff in the first place when the fire started. She was not in the mood yo tell about her fight with Derek and open a Pandora box. And Anna was very imaginative so she acould get some assumptions Elsa was not ready to assume herself or even consider true or possible. So, for now Elsa put those thoughts in an imaginary box, closed it with a imaginary key and kept it in an imaginary corner of her mind.
…. ….. …..
After a while, Anna suggested they both go for a small walk in the gardens. By doctor's orders, Elsa should take some Sun and stretch her legs to heal from the bruises she got from that fall.
As Elsa would speak Anna would comment back with her own point of view. Few by few the sisters learnt about the struggles each of them had to face. Elsa was surprised when Anna explained how she and Derek rode Sven through the narrow streets to go find her.
"You fell to the sea?" Elsa asked surprised by her sister's story.
"Yes, and just in time before the foggy steam reached us. Good thing Sven knew how to swim. I didn't know reindeers could swim. Luckily we found the Theatre Company and they let us some of their costumes to get rid of the wet clothes. I liked wearing pants you should try them."
"Pants would've been helpful yesterday. I agree on that." Elsa nodded. Also I guess I should say I'm sorry. That foggy steam was actually my fault. The moment I dropped that bunch of snow I realized I wasn't thinking that it would react that way until it did. I should have conjured a bigger wall in case someone was near the area. And you were. What if more people were there?"
"There weren't. Captain Jorgen made everyone gather by the castle. And we were the only crazy ones that dared to be there." Anna said. "And don't feel bad. What you did was the next right thing to do. I would have done the same. Of course if I had powers of something like that."
"I think you acted more like a ruler last night than me. Bringing order since the begininng and taking care of everyone and then after I fainted. " Elsa laughed. "You sure you don't want the title of Queen of Arendelle?"
"And to deal another fight for who of the Council members sings better Christmas carols?"Anna snorted. "Yeah, nice try sis. I'd always prefer Queen Elsa."
"Please tell me you are just joking." Elsa said.
"It's all true. We decided to not cancel the Christmas concert for the children's sake. Anad will use the funds we get for the town's reconstruction." Anna explained.
"That's a nice and clever idea." Elsa said proudly.
"I know." Anna nodded. "The meeting was going so well, until those wise people you call your counsilors, decided to have a contest right at that moment of who had the most beautiful voice. And the winner would have the opportunity to sing at the concert. They made me be the judge."
"I can already imagine that."Elsa laughed. "And who won?"
"Surprisingly, there was a tie." Anna admitted. "Both Captain Jorgen and Lady Verden will sing together."
"Now that's new. They actually agreed to share the stage together?" I thought they couldn't stand each other." Elsa said.
"After explaining them there was only one space for one just one number presenting, and that it was for raising funds they both agreed to prepare a number together." Anna explained.
"You convinced that pair?" Elsa asked even more surprised. "Now that is worth of a medal."
They both laughed.
… …. ….
They kept talking for the rest of the morning .Elsa told her about how she entered the burning hospital and found the baby. How she tried but failed to use magic. How her magic conjured only spikes of pointy ice and how it hurt. By that Anna looked worried but Elsa assured her the pain was gone now. Anna told Elsa how Derek jumped inside then and the door collapsed. And Elsa completed the story that no one knew but her and Derek. And she told her sister how they met by accident inside. Both just entered to find the baby and found each other in the process. After that Elsa just kept retelling what they did to escape. And how in the end they managed to jump from the third floor and hope that somehow snow would ease the fall. Until Marshmallow caught them.
"Wow "Anna said."That sounds dramatic and so heroic. But also must have been a nighmare. For me. At least for me it was."
"I did have a nightmare about it. In the dream we jumped to the abyss where spikes made of my magic awaited us. "Elsa said. "But you wouldn't believe me what was the scariest part of it."
"What?"
"That Derek was part cow and was mooing the whole time." Elsa admitted with a sigh. "And I could understand every moo. Every single moo Anna."
Anna began to giggle then fully laughing.
Elsa raised her head confused.
"What?" she asked. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, Elsa." Anna smiled. "You had a dream about almost dying but what really freaks you is be able to understand cows?" Anna laughed again.
"Well, in my defense, his Moos even carried bad jokes. It was so unsettling." Elsa said frankly. Derek had always made her feel unsettling but the cow ensemble and extended Moo vocabulary plus their apologizing, plus the fire, plus the smoke inhaled had all been a bad combination.
"Oh, dear. This is why I love you." Anna cleared a laughing tear. "You are too pure for this world. I am so glad I still have you with me here. So that I can tell you again, Happy Birthday Elsa."
…. ….. ….
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Elsa got really surprised as she and Anna walked through the gardens and finally reached the open yard of the entrance. It was a weird sight. Two tents had been placed in the far corner for the stationary hospital. And third tent was also there used for storage and supplies.
In the entrance, as Anna had mentioned before, Marshmallow guarded the entrance. Which could bring a menacing image to Arendelle, If it weren't for his smiling face and the bunch of flowers the big snowman was carrying now.
In the yard, some tables had been put and last minute birthday decorations had been added here and there. As if Arendelle hadn't face a massive fire the night before.
Many people were there. Some aristocrats, families with their children, some royals who had stayed from the Council like the Queen of Drama from Genovia or Prince Robert from Andalasia; firemen, soldiers, and the castle staff. All had attended her secret birthday party that probably Anna had planned at the last minute.
"And here is the cake!" Kristoff entered with Jill, the cook, behind him. Both were carrying a massive cake of 5 floors. It had snowflakes as decorations and blue and purple frosting. "Congrats on you birthday Elsa."
"Thank you Kristoff." The Queen said feeling still very surprised. "Also, thanks Jill for the cake. It's beautiful."
"Oh thank ya' yer Majesty. Happy birthday." Jill lsaid un her marked accent as she lowered her head and signal of curtsey.
"And it looks so delicious." Anna said to the old cook.
"Chocolate as you asked yer Highness. Although did added some layers of mint icecream and a touch of cinnamon to da mix ." Jill explained.
"Mint icecream and cinnamon?" Elsa asked Jill.
"I know, crazy mix but it turns out both flavors balance each other. I got the idea from the nice lad that helped the kitchens today." Jill explained as she pointed to the young man who was walking behind her.
Elsa finally payed attention to the "nice lad" that was hiding behind the crowd of cooks. Derek took off his apron and walked towards them. Olaf was walking next to him.
"Happy birthday Elsa." Olaf said.
"Thank you Olaf." Elsa said. She was expecting the snowman to run at her by now and give her the warmest of hugs but he stayed by the Prince's side.
It was then that Elsa noticed the reason Olaf was walking by his side. The snowman was helping him walk through the slippery floor. Elsa had forgotten completely that he had gotten an injury in his leg but seeing him supporting himself with a cane and with the help of Olaf made her realize how close they had been to death last night. And he had gotten injured in part because she wasn't able to use her powers when most needed.
Derek was an active person. He was strong and seeing him with a limp made her feel somehow unsettled.
"Oh I forgot to mention Derek will need a cane for a while." Anna whispered at her.
For a while? Elsa repeated herself.
"Hey." He said waving his free hand.
Elsa had been so absorted in the cane that she didn't noticed when Olaf and Derek had arrived in front of her and Anna.
"Hey." She replied also waving a hand. Somehow all this felt kind of silly. She couldn't tell why she felt so out of place.
"Happy birthday, Your Majesty." He said as he removed his messy hair from his fronthead.
"Thank you." She replied. "Your Highness."
"So, were you able to take the ash form your hair?" he joked.
Elsa sighed. That question could imply many things. He was asking in his own Derekable way if she was fine. He must have been worried after she fainted and told him her powers were causing her pain. But this was not the time or place to talk about that. And that's why he decided to go through easy conversation.
She thanked him for that. She was not in the mood either to let everyone hear about her powers.
"To be honest, my whole body feels sore, but I'm fine. And I think I'll never take off the smell of smoke out of my hair." She admitted.
He laughed. "Yeah. I also smell like a walking fireplace."
She laughed this time.
"What about …" She tried to ask but stopped as she stared at his cane.
The Prince lowered his head and realized what she meant.
"It's nothing." He answered shortly. "I must have cut myself with the glass of the window last night."
"Oh," Elsa didn't know what to say.
And once again, the awkward silence between them reigned.
Elsa heard Kristoff clear his throat.
"So, uhm." Kristoff intervened between them. "It's cake time."
"Right. Cake. Come Elsa, let's meet our guests." Anna said happily grabbing Elsa by the arm.
The ice harvester hit Derek's arm in a friendly manner.
"Come on Derek. Help me serve the plates."
The Prince nodded. "Right. The plates."
Derek turned to Elsa one more time. He shrugged and produced an awkward smile.
"Err, cake?" he asked.
"Err, sure." Elsa said quickily letting herself be guided by her sister to the opposite direction. "It's my birthday after all."
'Right, right." Derek facepalmed himself. "Sorry. I'll get you the biggest slice."
"Thanks." Elsa said with a shy smile.
And the Prince left joining Kristoff. Olaf walking next to him as support.
Elsa was grabbed by the arm by her sister and let herself be taken here and there to meet people and enjoy her birthday party. It felt weird. All the commotion from last night still lingering in the air, and yet everyone seemed more at peace. Anna was more than capable to take charge for this matter. And Elsa thought that maybe, just maybe, after all that has happened, a break didn't sound that bad after all.
… …. ….
"So, it's time for presents!" Anna said happily as she called everyone's attention in the living room.
"Anna," Elsa started. "I told you, I don't need any presents."
"Now sis, you may be the Queen but you don't have a vote on this." The Princess insisted.
Elsa rolled her eyes. It was pointless. This whole day she had let Anna take charge of everything. Not even her birthday celebration but also all related to the Kingdom. Doctor's and Princess' orders apparently.
So, it was no surprise that after the party in the courtyard, Anna had prepared a small dinner with friends and family only invited. And, after dinner, which Derek happened to assist also, Anna had asked everyone to go the living room. And here they were.
Elsa, by "Princess' orders" had to sit and rest in the couch. She wouldn't tell, but her body did needed it. Also, patient number two, Derek, was sitting next to her. Also, by force, following Princess' orders and his father's command too.
"Oh dear Elsa" said Derek's father. "Don't you know how birthday works? You get older and wiser but most importantly you get presents."
"Besides," Anna intervened. "We had already agreed we would do the Secret Santa thing today. So, everyone will get a present."
"Oh, Secret Santa is today?" Olaf asked.
"That's right. We would do it on Christmas, but since King Frederik and Derek are returning home tomorrow it had to be today." Anna answered with as she kneeled down so unlady like near the tree. "But first, I need to get something."
"Derek you and your dad are leaving tomorrow?" the snowman asked while Anna kept struggling under the tree.
"Uh,"Derek scratched his neck as he gave a quick glance to Elsa who inadvertedlly had turned to look at the Prince. Their eyes met. She had also forgotten about it. This was their last night in Arendelle.
"Well, yeah." The Prince replied to Olaf but his eyes kept looking at Elsa. He shrugged. "I guess, we'll have to reschedule our next chess game for another time, Your Majesty." He made a sad smile.
"I believe so, Your Highness." She returned the sad smile.
"Aha!" Anna yelled calling everyone's attention once more. "Before we start exchanging Christmas presents, Elsa, this box contains something from all of us for your birthday."
Elsa took the birthday box and smiled tenderly. "Oh wow, I wasn't expecting this. I, uhm… thank you to all of you."
"Open it!" Olaf said.
Elsa put the box on her lap and opened it.
Her hand reached the first gift.
"That's mine." Anna said as Elsa took out the first one. Chocolates. Mint chocolates , their favourites.
"Thank you Anna. Elsa said raising her had to reach her sister's. Anna took her had and squished Elsa's hand.
Then she opened the next gift.
"A new journal and carrots." Elsa said laughing. "Thanks Kristoff and thank you Sven."
"You're welcome." Kristoff mumbled with a weird voice as he stood behind the reindeer. All while the animal shook his antlers in a friendly manner. Then he cleared his voice. "You are welcome Elsa. If, I were you I would hide the chocolates from Anna. She almost ate them twice."
Anna gave her boyfriend an annoying glance. "It was one time. The second time I was just cheking if they had melted."
"Yeah sure. Whatever you say feisty pants." He laughed.
"Really, I still don't get your love for chocolate." Agdy liked sweets but not that much. "Although I think you mother did had a sweet tooth."
Derek laughed. "Leave it father. Their love for chocolate is a mystery of it's own."
Elsa and Anna both have the Prince an annoying look.
It was Derek's father to laugh this time.
"Maybe the inheritance of chocolate love is a mystery, but that fierce face could only come from their mom's side." He laughed.
Elsa and Anna shared a smile. Both feeling connected to their mom by something as simple as sharing the same annoying glance.
Then came King Frederik's gift. A tiny telescope, so that she could see the stars at night. He also gave her a gift from Queen Violet , also known as the Queen of Drama, a romantic novel named Pride and Prejudice. According to Queen Violet's note the new best seller overseas. Elsa was not so fond of romance in novels but she would give it a try. After all, the Queen was a recognized author.
Then came another gift.
"Oh, oh, Elsa that's mine." Olaf got excited as Elsa took another gift from the small box.
"A pillow?" Derek asked confused as he got near Elsa to look better.
"To be more specific. An emergency pillow." The snowman said happily as he looked at Derek too. "You know, in case you have another sleepover. Last time she was sleeping over y…"
"O-OKAY NEXT PRESENT!" Derek said out quickly with a louder tone than normally used. Elsa immediately put a hand over her cheek trying to hide the blush she knew was showing. At least the heat of the fireplace and lim light could work in her favour. Still, if any of the others could put and two together she would give a damn about her injuries and probably run to her room. Or even better her ice palace. Just to scream of embarrarsment.
Elsa didn't even realize when Derek quickly took another present form her box and handed it to her.
"Here's mine." He said to her as he handed her a tiny wodden box.
She shook her head slightly and thanks to years of practice she managed to keep herself together. Calmly she opened Derek's box. She gasped when she opened it.
"I thought I lost it in the fire." She said to him.
"I knew it." Kristoff said. "You did stole Elsa's watch."
"What?" Elsa asked confused.
"Easy mate." The Prince said. "This watch is hers. I just picked it when she fainted and fixed it. After the fall it had stopped functioning."
Elsa took her watch and caressed it with care.
"Thank you Derek." She said with a smile. He winked at her.
"Hey, hold on a second." Kristoff said. "That can't be your birthday present. That would mean you didn't have something to give to her until today."
Derek's father laughed.
"Oh, my cub is like that. Works until the last moment." King Frederik said.
"That's true." Derek admitted. "But,"
"But what?"Kristoff asked.
"I did got Elsa another present." He said smiling mischievously.
"I know that look." Elsa said.
He reached inside the box and took out something else. It was something wrapped in red paper. And it has the shape of a cup. She took it and slowly started to remove the paper. She gave him a questioning look. He winked at her again.
"Please, tell me you didn't." She said as she got a glimpse of the present while a deja vù moment engulfed her. She knew, that look too well.
"You know I had to." He said clearly enjoying her annoyed face.
"I don't get it. What did he got you Elsa?" Anna asked confused.
"Tadaa!" he said as Elsa removed the paper.
"Oh, you have to be kidding me." Elsa face palmed herself. She felt a mixture of wanting to to laugh and cry. So instead she just exhaled as she admired the joke of a gift.
"A cup?" Anna asked.
"I dont get it." Kristoff said. "Is that supposed to be a joke?"
Elsa gave a better look at the cup.
"How did you…?" she asked still surprised.
"I spoke to Oaken and he helped me make it." Derek explained. "Remeber I broke that cup the other day? Well instead of a normal boring cup I thought this could be better and funnier."
It had an inscricarvedand drawing carved. The drawing was an image of the the rock formation of a man scratching his butt. And the inscription just read : "I'm nothing BUTT a BADASS"
"Get it? Get it?" the Prince said with a goofy smile.
Elsa turned to look at him. She arked an eyebrow trying to seem upset but her tone came out tender that she expected. "I can't believe you came up with this idea."
"I just had to be to get to the bottom of it." He replied smirking. It was clear he had been planning this ever since that day and he looked so proud of his doing.
"I don't get it." Olaf said. "Is that the statue of a naked man?"
"Leave it Olaf," Anna said sighing. "I bet this is just another long story of theirs."
"It kind of is." Elsa had to admit. One that she still couldn't figure out if it had reached it's end already before it has started.
Anna just giggled. "I knew that."
Elsa just rolled her eyes. "So, that's all in the box. Thank you all."
"Great!" Olaf said. "Now we can be Santa?"
"That's right buddy." Derek said.
"Can I begin?" the snowman asked excited.
"Sure." Anna said. "Just grab the present and give it to the person you got."
"Okay." Olaf said happily. He ran to the Christmas tree and took one of the presents.
"Merry Christmas Mr. Derek's dad!" He said happily.
Derek's father laughed as he always did. "Thanks little fella." And he opened the present. It was an armónica. "I appreciate it. But I didn't enter the game remember. I organized it."
"Yeah. But it's Christmas, well, almost Christmas and I wanted to give you something. So I asked Derek for help and he told me you lost yours at the sea when you traveled here. So here." the snowman said.
"I did lost it. So my cub help ya huh?" the man gave a fatherly smile to his felt a bit jealous of their interaction. She wished she her parents were also here playing a silly Christmas game. As a family.
"So," King Frederik said as he stood up from the sofa he had been sitting. " Back to the game, who did you got?"
… … …
And so the game continued. Olaf gave a scarf to Kristoff. Kristoff gave a Anna a music box and of course a big box of chocolates. She gave him a bigger hug in return. Then Anna's turn came. And she gave Elsa's former gift (wich they had exchanged) to Sven.
"A pair of reindeer slippers?!" Sven's fake voice of Kristoff yelled. "How did you know?!"
The reindeer at least looked happy. Elsa had told Anna that Kristoff once mentioned Sven always wanted slippers. She didn't know where to get some, after she talked to her new friends from Bologna. The Salvatore brothers didn't even charged her for the request. Weird those two. But at least effective.
And then came Sven's turn, who gave to Olaf a reading book "The adventures of Flynn Rider and the lost Arc." Olaf couldn't read that well yet, but he had been learning. So, getting a new book with illustrations had made him very happy.
"And now it's my said happily. "Wait, why is it my turn again? I'm confused."
"Ah, that's because we closed the loop." King Frederik explained. "This happens all the time, with this game. And normally the ones missing got each other name. Which, I believe is the case here. Right cub?"
"Seems like it." Derek nodded to his father.
Kristoff let out a simple laugh. "Now this is funny." He said.
"What?" Ana asked him.
"The Rebel Prince and the Ice Queen turned out to be each other's Secret Santas." He said. "It's ironic."
Anna faked a laugh. "Oh, yeah right. So funny. Who would have thought. Haha." She gave Elsa a quick look. "Luckily Elsa got the name. Imagine if you or me got Derek's name. I don't know what I would give him."
Derek's father laughed. "Agreed dear Anna. My son is a diva. Although you could try a comb for that wild hair of his."
"Or scissors." Kristoff joked. "I've seen how Kai looks at your hair pal."
Derek laughed.
"I know. I've seen it too." The Prince admitted as he arranged his hair.
"Anyway,"Anna said as she sat next to Kristoff. "What did you get each other. Because you got enough time to get a present for the other. Right?"
Anna asked the second, looking directly at Elsa. It was clear the Princess was worried she had brought trouble to her sister. How could they imagine a fire would come up and bring chaos to Arendelle? Surely Elsa hadn't had the time for buying a present.
"Yes." Elsa answered at her sister. She had said yes, but in reality ever since dinner started she had been thinking what to give to him. She didn't have time so she thought of using her powers. But what would Derek do with a piece of ice.
She even considered a replica in ice, of the rock formation of the man scratching his butt. Apparently Derek's favourite Arendelle attraction. But the man in question had thought something similar and gave her that cup. Now her idea would look like a lame copy.
"You go first." Elsa said still wondering if her second option would be enough for him. After all, Anna had been right. Derek was hard to understand.
"Moi?" he asked. "What about ladies first policy?"
"Divas first then." His father intervened.
Kristoff snorted while Anna giggled.
Derek just ingnored his father.
"Fine." He said. "I promise this time it's not a cup. Or a souvenir. Although it is connected to it in a way." Derek took out something from vest pocket. "Here."
Elsa looked at it. "A map?" she asked.
"Just open it."he insisted.
It wasn't just a map she realized. It as Arendelle's map. But it had been drawn by hand apparently. It had whole route of the region's attractions and notes from all places. She recognized the bridge from the park. It had a note that said "damaged but not lost."
In other places by the docks she found the tavern they had dinner that night. It had a drawing of the cake they shared and a note that said "totally worth it".
The more and more she read the map, the more she filled her chest with a warm sensation. Evey spot, shop, museum, street had a note here and there. It was like a tour she could revive in her mind over and over again. Then she saw the spot of the hospital. Derek had added a note that said "needs construction".
And so she realized, it was not just a map but a plan for Arendelle's rebuilding after the fire.
"Derek, how? When?" she asked him fully surprised.
"I did a promise to you, remember? That I would help you with your plan to make Arendelle a tourist spot. But then after what happened yesterday I thought your plans will have to change. And I told to myself. Why not both? You are already fixing the park and the west side of Arendelle. Why not use this as an opportunity to redesign the area to what suits your ideas for Arendelle.?"
"I can't believe you did this." She said. And again that urge of wanting to laugh or cry came to her. She didn't know what to say.
"Wow. Derek, I didn't know you could draw so well." Anna said.
"As I told you before, I have plenty of unnecessary talents. Cooking, drawing , and good hearing are among them. A great too joker." He laughed.
"Yeah right. " Kristoff rolled his eyes. "And maybe a bit too egocentric."
"Thank you Derek." Elsa said calling his attention again. "I know what this could mean to you, and for that I appreciate it even more." She gave her a tender smile.
"I just thought , it would be the best opportunity for Her Majesty to show her own spark and shine." He added. Making Elsa feel that strange warm again cover her chest and ears and cheeks. She shook the sensation before it took over her.
"My spark." She reported to herself. My spark.
Wait! That's it!
She turned to look at him with that spark he was just describing.
"Now, it's my turn." She said. She knew what to give him. She only hoped it would work and that he would like it.
"Just hold still." She said. Elsa took a deep breath and pictured the image she wanted in her mind. No icy peaks, no damage to him, just what she wanted.
Once she took one or two deep breaths, she made a swirl with her hand and let her magic do the rest.
… …. …..
Flames were everywhere. Elsa couldn't breathe. As she ran, her legs felt heavy and the floor moved like liquid. She had to leave. An evil laugh could be heard from somewhere but there was no one there with her in that room of fire.
Then someone passed next to her. Elsa turned around and saw Derek. He was running.
"Wait!" she called him.
He stopped and turned around.
Why was he dressed like a cow?
And he was holding a big sandwich covered in a blanket. What the actual hell?
"Moo!" he said only and returned running.
"No, don't go. Wait." She callled but he didn't turn back.
Elsa heard that laugh again and she decided to better go where Derek was going.
The floor began to literally melt. She had to jump and run faster but she couldn't reach Derek.
They ran and ran. Debris falling everywhere, one almost hitting her head.
Elsa couldn't remember how she had ended there. But she was sure they had to escape.
"MOO!" Derek called from afar.
"Window? What window?" she asked, still not sure how she had understand his mooing.
Then she looked again and a window was there suddenly. It was big and the glass looked thick.
"Derek wait, please." She said trying to move faster. "Don't do it. You are going to hurt yourself."
But he didn't listen. He ran faster towards the window.
"No wait!" Elsa reached her hand trying to reach him. As she did a blast of ice came out of her hand. The magic took form of a peak that flew like an arrow towards the Prince.
"NO!" She yelled.
Derek fell as the ice hit his leg and his white cow suit began to be tainted in red.
Elsa ran not caring about anything else in her surroundings.
"Derek," she pmsaid panting as she kneeled next to him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
He looked at her and gave her a wink. He didn't seem to mind. Then he gave her the sandwich covered in a blanket.
"Moo" he simply said.
"What? No!" she exclaimed. "I won't leave you. We will escape together."
His face seemed paler. It was then she realized all the blood. She had blood on her dress and in her hands.
"Come on." She tried to pull his costume. He just stared at her. "You are coming with me. Wether you like it or not".
She took all her strength and put him on her shoulders until she was carrying his weight on her side.
"Moo?" he asked.
"That's right. Let's go." She replied.
It was then that she heard a familiar voice. Anna's voice.
She looked around around and saw a door. The door seemed undamaged by the fire. Anna was calling her from the other side. That had to be their exit.
So she held Derek and both began walking as fast as Derek's injury allowed them, towards the door.
"Moo."
"Yes. We are almost there." She said as they reached the door. Elsa opened it. The door handle wasn't hot. A good sign.
The door opened and they crossed.
It was then that Elsa realized they had returned to the same place they had been since the beginning. The window was gone and the door behind them suddenly dissappeared.
"Oh no." She said. "She shot blasts and blasts of ice to the fire but this wouldn't fade a bit. It would only grow stronger.
"The ceiling and floor shook and made Elsa and Derek lose their balance and fell on their feet.
They stood on their knees and Derek held her arms while she held the sandwich in a blanket. Not sure why, but she knew the sandwich needed to be protected at all costs.
The ceiling was about to fall on their heads any moment now. And they knew it. She held to him even stronger.
It was then that a loud shake from beneath made them realize the ceiling wasn't the only thing falling apart.
She felt as he pressed her to his chest as soon as the floor beneath them broke into pieces and they fell abruptly into a black void.
… …. …..
Elsa opened her eyes to complete darkness. She was sitting in her bed panting for air. She blinked until her eyes got used to the moonlight entering through her window.
It had been another nightmare.
And her room showed it. The walls and floor had a thin layer of ice. And her bed too.
Elsa took off the covers and sighed. Maybe a walk would ease her beating heart. She clearly was not in the mood to go back to sleep yet.
… …. …..
Walking through the dark halls Elsa found some time of peace. She swirled her hands and letting some magic free. Her magic seemed perfectly normal now. No pain, no spikes, nothing. That nightmare had only been a nightmare. And last night, she had used a lot of her powers. Maybe all the stress had brought an unbalanced in her.
Her magic kept floating in the air until it came out through a gap in a window.
She followed it. Sometimes her magic seemed to move on its own.
She looked through the window and saw a light near the ocean.
"What is that?" she asked herself.
The light felt familiar somehow. It was too dark to see what was it. But she didn't sense it was dangerous. So, she decided to check it out herself.
…. …. ….
Elsa was surprised the moment she reached the shore and the clouds moved letting the moonlight reveal the source of the mysterious light.
"Derek?" she asked.
By hearing his name the Prince turned around. He was sitting by the corner of the shore. As he turned around Elsa could recognize the gift she had given to him and the mysterious source of the light. It was an ice crystal made of her own magic. Similar to the one she gave to Grand Pabbie. Although Derek's was smaller and had tiny little details of snowflakes as decorations.
"Elsa?" he asked. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in bed?"
Elsa laughed. "I could ask you the same you know."
He laughed as well. And shrugged in return.
"Coudn't sleep either huh?" he asked as he patted the ground next to him. And out aside his cane so she could sit.
Elsa nodded and took a sit next to him.
"So," he said as he looked at the see. "What do you sea?"
She buffed at his bad pun and looked at the horizon.
"I don't know." She said. "To be honest I feel kind of blind now."
"What do you mean? There's clearly, the ocean, the moon and Arendelle right in front of you." He mentioned.
She looked at him. "You know what I mean."
He nodded. "I do. I was just trying to distract you for a while."
"I appreciate that." She said returning her gaze at the waves. She then noticed he was in his blue pijamas. "Aren't you cold?"
"It doesn't bother me." He said as he took a pebble and threw it at the sea making ducks.
"Nice." She said.
"I bet you can't beat me on this." He dared at her.
"I don't know." She admitted. "I never tried it."
"What?" he seemed surprised. "But you live here."
Elsa looked at her reflection in the water. She pictured in her mind another time she saw herself reflected in the water. That time she was crowned and ran away crossing this same path.
"I never left the castle." She started taking a small pebble.
"So I've heard." He said.
"What I mean, is that I couldn't leave." She explained as she threw the rock and it didn't bounce, just dissappeared into the water.
"Elsa," Derek dared to hold her shoulder. "You don't need to tell me if you don't want it. You know that."
She smiled at him. "I know." She said. "But after all that we've been together I feel I can tell you. I want to tell you. Ever since you shared your story about your mother I had decided I wanted to share my past with you."
"I'm all ears then." He said opening her hand and putting a flat stone on her hand. He closed her hand tenderly. "Meanwhile try this one. And turn your hand just like you do when you conjure magic."
She pressed the small stone on her hand and threw it. It jumped on the surface. One, two, three, four, five times.
"N-ice." He said joining her but throwing another one.
"Remember that secret I told you to keep?" she started.
"I still keep it safe you know." He said giving her another rock to throw. "I never read it."
"Never?"
"Never." He said. "It made me feel like a guardian or something. It's silly. I know."
"It's not." She assured him. "To have to carry with that burden. We were just children and I didn't meassure the consequences of telling you."
"Elsa," he said calmly. "We were kids. Just let it go."
She laughed slightly by the chose of his words.
"What? Did I say something funny?" he asked. "I'm pretty sure I didn't plan to joke right now."
"Kind of." She admitted. "So, my secret."
"I have it right here." He said taking his watch out of his pocket.
"What?" she asked confused.
"Just open it." He said.
Elsa opened his watch and saw a tiny piece of parchment stuck in it. It looked yellow and old.
She unfolded the paper and recognized her own handwriting when she was a child.
"I can't believe it." She said. "You had carried it with you, after all this time?"
"You can't blame me." He said turning at her. "I remember quite well you said it was very, very important."
"And you never had the temptation to read it?"
"Of course I did. " he said. "But I knew, if I read it, our promise to see each other again could be jinxed."
"Don't tell me you are supersticious?"
"I'm a marine. One does not cross the seas only with the help of science. I like to believe there's something else that takes care of us. Call it destiny or gods or spirits of the world like the old folk stories. I like to believe good things can happen to good people. Even to royals like us. Which is why, I didn't want to spoil it."
"I see." The Queen said. "Well, spoiler alert. You already know my secret. Everyone knows it by now. I kind of revealed it by accident during my coronation."
"Still," he added throwing another rock. "I'd rather hear it from your own lips."
"Fine. I believe you had earned it." She laughed as she read the text to him out loud.
"I have magic powers. Sorry we can't play today, but my room is full of snow. Please don't tell anyone." Elsa read out loud.
"You have magic powers?" the Prince acted surprised. "Can you fly? Or take a rabbit out of a hat?"
She laughed this time and threw the paper at him.
"Don't be silly."
"What?" he said jokingly as he put the paper inside his watch again . "Do you get gasses that smell like flowers? Or maybe you can enchant people with your singing voice?"
"Stop it." She said smiling. "I was not supposed to tell you."
"And yet, you ended up telling me. Many years later." He said. "Ironic how life takes turns."
"That's true." She said throwing another rock.
"Feel better now?" he dared to ask.
"I still haven't told you anything yet." Elsa sighed. "But, yes. I do feel better now."
"And you sure you want to tell me?" he asked. "If you want, we can just talk about the weather. You must be an expert in that department."
She laughed.
"I'm sure." She said honestly.
"Good thing I brought snacks then." He said showing at her what he had in his pants' pockets.
"Are those,…?" she asked.
"Anna's chocolates?" he said mischievously. "Yes. Don't worry I also stole some of yours."
"And you have the nerve to tell me?" She asked.
"Hey, I was hungry." He said. "But with my leg like this I could never reach the food on the drawers form the kitchen. Your buttler must have guessed I wouldn't reach it from there."
"How long have you been stealing food from the kitchen?" she asked.
He smirked.
"So, you want a chocolate or not?" he said ignoring her completely. "Come on. Before they melt."
Elsa sighed but as she tried to hide her resignation kmin her look. Then she took one chocolate from his hand.
"That's what I thought." He said putting one on his mouth too. "Mhmm mint. This is good."
She bit hers too.
"So,"he asked arking an eyebrow at her. Inviting her to talk whenever she wanted.
"So," she said. "I was born with magic, so for me and for my family that was normal. I played with Anna mostly, but also my parents joined sometimes. We were happy . Anna loved to build snowmen. And it was great."
"And here's when the plot twist comes right?" he said. She nodded.
"it happened some months after me met. Anna and I were playing with my magic one night. And I accidentally hit her head."
"Her head? Really? Like that time you hit her heart?" he asked her.
"How do you know that?" she said surprised.
"Anna told me. But didn't say any more details." He added. "I guess she knew this was yours to tell."
Elsa sighed as she decided to throw another rock.
"Thats's when everything changed in the family and in the castle. We took Anna to the trolls. Kristoff's family. They said my magic had to be removed from her. Including her memories of magic. I was the reason Papa had to close the gates to protect me. And I was the reason Anna's memory had to be erased. And the reason I literally secluded from her and my parents for thriteen years. I could see the pain in my mother's eyes as she tried to touch me and I stood back. My father gave me gloves to cover my hands but I could tell he always wished I didn't wear them. I know now that they would nerver stop my magic. It was a trick my father used to teach my mind I could control it."
"What about Anna?" he dared to ask.
"She was the one that suffered the most. Of course it wasn't her fault she couldn't remember. So for her it must have been a painful surprise that suddenly her sister apparently hated her. I lost the count of how many times she knocked at my door and I refused to open it."
"Elsa that's horrible. How did you manage to stay sane?"
"I had to learn to conceal and don't feel anything." Elsa explained. "I did came out of my room, but would never feel enough or let my emotions free. It was too risky."
"And then?"
"Years passed and Anna became a lonely Princess in the Castle. I became the even weirder Princess that never let herself be seen or heard. My parents wore always that positive smile." She explained. "They would always try to keep us together. And in a way, even apart I knew they loved us. And I like to believe they knew we loved them as well. Father used to say, someday I would be Queen and people would accept me. But …"
"But what?"
"All hope vanished when my parents got into that ship." Elsa said throwing a chocolate to the water distracted and making it sink with a loud clunk sound. "And all the hope was sunk in the ocean. They were our last bond. Anna and I, we lost the only thing that kept us sane and somewhat together. We lost ourselves too that day."
They remained in silence until Elsa took a deep breath.
"After that I stopped coming out to dinner with Anna. She ate alone most of the times. And if I was not in my room I would be hiding in my father's study that, was now mine." Elsa explained.
"She grew alone surrounded by silent halls and paintings that didn't respond back. She had the staff only for friends. And Arendelle became the silent country everyone heard was a mysterious paradise. Full of resources but their people didn't even know their Queen and Princess." Elsa explained.
"Then your Coronation came right?" he guessed. "I am sorry. I should have been there. Not in the East delivering a cargo my brother tasked."
"It's okay." She replied. "Although, it would have been nice if you had been there. I believe you would have punched Hans too."
"And lose the opportunity to compromise your relationship with the Southern Isles?" he joked back. "You know me too well, I guess."
They laughed together.
…. …. …. ….
Elsa ended telling him all that happened during that time. How she ran away to the Northern mountain. Then Anna, Kristoff arrived with Oalf and Sven but she told them to go away. Then argued with Anna and hurt her. She told Derek what happened when Hans captured her and how he tricked Anna and left her to die. But she escaped with Olaf and in a turn of events Elsa met Hans in the frozen Fjord. And he told her Anna had died because of her. Derek already knew part of the story but kept listening to her with the most attention.
"And then Anna punched Hans." Elsa explained.
"She is my hero." Derek said with a mid smile. "Well, after how she handled everything during the fire yesterday she is an ultimate hero."
"She is also my hero." Elsa admitted. "I might be too reckless for my own good. She is the firce one who at the end finds a way to bring balance to me and to Arendelle. She is the bond I thought we had lost."
"Don't be so modest. You also bring balance to Arendelle." He said taking her hand to assure her. "No matter if you are sitting in a desk or facing the flames. You always carry that passion and serenity that is contagious. You balance things out Elsa. And I bet your parents knew that. And Anna knows it too. That bond you have with your parents and Anna, you still have it. And it had only come to grow even stronger now with Kristoff, Olaf and Sven. You said it yourself remember. They became your happy ending. No matter what, that bond is too strong to be broken. That bond is love Elsa."
Only love can melt a frozen heart. Elsa remembered Anna's words that time in the fjord. Had her powers always been part of that bond? Could that explain why they reflected always what she felt?
"Love."she whsipered out loud to herself.
Elsa then felt that weird warm cover her hand he was holding and then grow until it reached her chest. She decided to shut her inner mind for a moment and let her self be there. She didn't remove the hand and this time she welcomed the warmth with a smile she gifted to him. Could that bond be growing even further?
She laughed out her self. She couldn't figure it out. She had no clue. All this talk had left her so overwhelmed. And yet.
And yet She thought.
"Once again," she dared to say. "You know what to say."
Call it the depravation of sleep, or pure imagination but she could have swore her last comment made him blush.
They stayed silent for another minute or so. Just the two of them staring at the ocean waves dance in the darkness. It would be perfect if it weren't for that teeny, tiny, so annoying thought in the back of Elsa's mind.
Derek was leaving tommorow morning or better say in some hours from now. A crazy idea had been running through her mind but she didn't know if she said out loud it could mean the end of the night.
What if he said no?
Or, what if he said yes?
Either way, Elsa didn't want to ruin the moment.
Just do it before you chicken out! Cried out her inner voice for the hundred time.
Elsa bit her lip. It was late. Very late. It was now or never.
"You know." She started calling his eye," Did I ever told you about the view from here is incredible? Even better when the sun rises. When the light reflects on the in the castle, it shines so beautiful that…"
He pressed her hand making her stop.
"Are trying to get me caught into another tourist trap Elsa?" Derek laughed.
She laughed back rolling her eyes. He had got her intentions before she even asked.
"Mmhmm maybe." She said trying to sound calm.
"You live here. And rule this place. That could be definitely a tourist trap. Whis is why," he gave her a daring stare. "I'll be judge to that."
Derek gave her a tender smile after his joking menacing look. Then, as soon as it happened, he returned his gaze to the horizon on the sea.
She would took that as a yes then. And so, she also faced the far end of the sea. The horizon already changing tones to purple to orange. The fjord transforming into a canvas of the colors of nature.
It didn't pass unnadverted that Derek didn't remove his hand from top of hers and also it was evident that she didn't remove it either.
What was new to both, was the next move Elsa in a peak of bravery or crazyness, dared to slowly turn her hand until her palm welcomed his. He didn't flinch nor looked at her either. Which she thanked. And she tried not to jump when his fingers asked for permission to hold her hand completely. Just like that time at the library. But this time, it seemed intentional on both sides.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she opened her hand even further. Elsa kept her eyes closed and hold her breath as her fingers interwined with his. Their hands matching perfectly.
It was then, she heard him let out a deep breath. Could he be as nervous as her?
Wait. She was still holding her breath. Elsa released her breath slowly and breathed back the fresh air of the sea and mountains. The air clearing her mind. The fresh air contrasting the warm of his hand. The calm rythm of the waves contrasting the high beat of her heart.
Now Derek understood why she was the way she was. Why she acted so concealed towards human touch. Maybe, just maybe he could get what in words she wouldn't dare to say. Because she didn't even know how to name them in the first place.
But, after all that they've been through. One thing was for sure and they couldn't ignore it anymore. They might be in unknown territory but their bond was real. And like the bridge in the park. It had been damaged. But that didn't mean it was forever lost. Bonds are stronger than that.
And now that she understood that. This bond was for her. No. For them. It was enough for now.
… … ….
So, what do you think?
Did you watched the movie yet? Tell me your thoughts. I loved it of course. And my headcanon became true. I always knew Elsa was reckless and badass and her powers had more than they showed us on the first movie.