Kumandra's Royal visit

Chapter 13: I missed You too (part 2)

Erica looked out towards the sea again as Viggo left to sort the crew out, ready for when they got to Kumandra, she didn't want to leave but it was obvious to everyone that she needed a break from being a princess and just be a regular girl for a bit, the cool sea breeze blew her braid behind her, her blue streak twisted in the braid, she heard Ryker stand next to her and glanced at him silently, hearing him speak

"your home will be alright, if anything gets in their way or even past Isabel....they'll get frozen trying"

Erica smiled softly at Ryker's attempt to reassure her. She appreciated his confidence in her sister's abilities, but deep down, she couldn't shake off the worry that lingered within her. As the waves crashed against the shore, Erica couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this journey than just a much-needed break.

"since when did you two become friends...I mean it's not a bad thing it's just....weird I guess..?" She asked softly "I thought you hated us after every time we beat you" Ryker chuckled, his eyes focused on the horizon. "Well, Erica, people change and so do circumstances. After all those battles, I realized that there was more to life than just winning or losing. And as for Isabel, she showed me a side of herself that I hadn't seen before - her determination and strength. We may have been rivals in the past, but now we understand and respect each other."

"let's just say that changed when she brought Ruby back here to us"

"That was because you guys helped defeat Pitch when he first came here...before I found my mother who had been watching over me while in Arendelle anyway but still..."

Erica sighed at the memory of when she found out

"They didn't need a ruler for almost 16 years plus they had Shuriki ruling over them for that long so I guess it didn't matter, but if I never met Isa it would still be under Shuriki's reign"

they both leaned against the ship edge, this being their first proper conversation between the two of them since Erica was 15

"you've come a long way...since you were five" Ryker began, sadness in his voice

"I'm not as strong as you think I am, not since I found out I was a princess of that place, it's been hard... they haven't needed a ruler for so long, I find a sceptre that glows and then whoosh I'm in a tiara! Apparently, that means I have to automatically take over the role my dad once had..." Erica sighed, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I never asked for any of this. Sometimes, I wish I could just go back to being a regular teenager."

Erica explained shakily before pushing her braid back, yet again holding tears back sighing and looking away

"I'm not as strong as you thought I was..."

"My brother might've told you the same thing, but when you left...you did become stronger in your own way"

"yea and because of the stuff you guys showed me while growing up, that's pretty much how i always ended up beating you" she laughed feeling Ryker nudge her

"works every time" her smile began to fade thinking

"you really didn't take it well when i left...did you?"

Erica looked at Ryker sadly hearing him sigh at this question "no...I didn't show it but I took it harder than my brother did....we were close remember"

"yea...I know....closer than anyone else here"

Erica thought for a moment

"I know everyone took it hard... Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I stayed..."

"Your village would still be under Shuriki's rule...you wouldn't have met Isabel and you wouldn't have your sceptre, that way you wouldn't have defeated that queen..you need to stop doubting yourself kid"