I walk off towards the back door and patiently wait for Jack to close his eyes or something distracting. About 5 minutes later he finally notices that I’m gone and stand up, leaving his staff unattended. I take that as my go and walk towards the staff leaning on my chair. I quickly grab it and dash away hiding behind one of the big poles scattered across the ballroom. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, when I open them I see Jack with a smug look on his face leaning against the wall.
“Is that my staff?” He asks walking over to me.
“No. It’s my back scratcher.” I say in the most obvious voice I could muster.
“Mhmm?” He stands directly in front of me and raises an eyebrow.
“Yup but I can’t use it with you around.” I say poking him with it.
“Is that so?” He reaches around me and takes hold of the staff, wrapping his cold pale fingers around it before pulling it in front of us.
“Well if it is a ‘back scratcher’ why does it look exactly like marshmallow? And why is it made of the wood I have back in Burgess? Since I could remember you’ve never left this castle.” He motions around us and looks at the highly decorated room.
“Well since I could remember you’re a boy and I’m a girl so...” I raise an eyebrow and smirk at him.
“Guess I was right.” I shrug and take the staff before dashing away from him. I look back and see him standing there with a shocked look on his face causing me to burst out laughing and continue towards my destination.
As I’m running, I see my sister smiling at me and a few commoners staring at me like I’m nuts. I can practically hear them judging me in their heads right now ‘What is wrong with the Queen? Is this the person that is going to lead the kingdom? Someone get me a inflatable bed, I think I might faint.’
I stop running and feel a body collide against my back sending me flying forward. My cold body makes contact with the floor and everything gets silent. I look up and see as everyones eyes go wide. Anna is the first to rush over to me.
“Oh my god Elsa are you okay?” She pulls me by the arm and helps me stand.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you.” I smooth over my dress and look up at her, seeing tall man standing next to her.
“Who’s this?” I ask, completely forgetting about the staff laying on the ground.
“May I present Prince Hans of the Southern Isles.” She says proudly, looking over at him with a smile on her face.
“Your Majesty.” He smiles and bows, winking at me on the way down. This prick. I curtsey at him for the sake of my sister. Anna looks at me and speaks,
“We would like-” She gets interrupted by Hans.
“Your blessing-” He gets cut off by Anna.
“For-” They look at each other and smile widely.
“Our marriage!” They say in unison. I look at them with a straight face.
“Marriage?”
“Yes!” Anna says excitingly.
“I’m sorry. I’m confused.” I shake my head and look at them.
“Well, we haven’t worked out all the details ourselves. We’ll need a few days to plan the ceremony. Of course we’ll have soup, roast, and ice cream and then--Wait. Would we live here?” Anna rushes out waving her hands around. I open my mouth to speak but Hans speaks.
“Absolutely!” He says equally excited.
“Anna.” I say trying to get her attention.
“Oh, we can invite all twelve of your brothers to stay with us--” This gets my attention instead.
“What? No, no, no, no, no.” She once again ignores my protests and keeps speaking.
“Of course we have the room. I don’t know. Some of them must--” I interrupt her making her listen this time.
“Wait. Slow down. No one’s brothers are staying here. No one is getting married.” I breathe out.
“Wait, what?” She looks at me confused and looks at Hans.
“May I talk to you, please. Alone.” I look around for Jack and see him standing behind me, nodding encouragingly.
“No,” She steps back and hooks arms with Hans.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say to the both of us.” I look at her and sigh shaking my head.
“Fine. You can’t marry a man you just met.” I say simply.
“You can if it’s true love.” She recalls from the story of Cinderella mother would tell us as children.
“Anna, what do you know about true love?” I question, curious as to what she is about to say.
“More than you. All you know is how to shut people out.” She says, glaring at me intently. I suck in a breath and stare at her. Why would she say something like that? “Because she doesn’t remember.” Jacks voice rings in my ears.
“You asked for my blessing, but my answer is no. Now, excuse me.” I say and start to walk away.
“Your Majesty, if I may ease your--” Hans tries to speak but I cut him off, turning around sharply.
“No, you may not. And I-I think you should go.” I turn back around and walk past the Royal Handler.
“The party is over. Close the gates.” I tell him, loud enough for everybody to hear.
“What? Elsa, no. No, wait!” Anna rushes over to me and grabs my hand, my glove slipping off as she does.
“Give me my glove!” I tell her trying to stay calm. I look at Jack, trying to see if he can guide me through this. I go to grab my glove back but Anna pulls it away.
“Elsa, please. Please. I can’t live like this anymore.” She begs. Right now I can’t think straight. I fight back tears as I weakly say my next words.
“...Then leave.” I see Anna face mold from a hopeful one to a pained one. I gasp loudly and turn away, holding my hand against my chest and rush away.
“...What did I ever do to you?!” Anna questions but I don’t turn around.
“Enough Anna.” I reply and try to get away. I feel all my power surging together, about to explode. She doesn’t listen to me and starts yelling angrily at me,
“No. Why? Why do you shut me out?! Why do you shut the world out?! What are you so afraid of?!”
“I said. Enough!” I turn quickly and feel ice shoot out from my uncovered hand. Everyone backs away from me and stares in awe. I start panicking and see Jack get in a protective stance infront of me.
“Elsa...?” Anna reaches out for me but I shake my head and rush out of the room.
What have I done?
