Frosted Scales - When Worlds Collide: A HTTYD X Frozen Tale

The Price of Arendelle

Elsa leaned heavily against the thick oak door, her hands trembling as they clutched at the cold, unyielding wood. Hours had passed since she first took up her vigil outside, unable to summon the courage to reenter the room. Her heart, shattered into a thousand pieces, lay on the other side, and the thought of facing it again was too much to bear. Tear tracks marred her pale cheeks, and a single tear slowly traced its path down her face.

The corridor around her was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows that danced along the stone walls. The cold seeped into her bones, but she barely felt it, lost in the depths of her despair. The silence was oppressive, the weight of it pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"Elsa?" a familiar voice called softly, breaking through the fog of her grief. She looked up, startled, to find Anna standing before her, concern etched into her delicate features. Her sister's green eyes searched Elsa's, and only then did Elsa notice the comforting hand Anna had placed on her shoulder. "You haven’t eaten. Will you come with me?"

Food. The idea seemed distant, almost absurd in the face of her sorrow. How could she think of eating when he was just lying there? "I'm not really hungry," she muttered, though the hollow ache in her stomach betrayed her words.

A gurgling noise escaped her stomach, the traitorous sound echoing in the quiet corridor. Anna’s lips twitched in a small, understanding smile.

"Come on," Anna urged gently, taking Elsa’s hand in her own and leading her away from the door. Elsa did not resist, her movements mechanical as she followed her sister through the winding corridors of the castle. The stone walls, once comforting in their familiarity, now felt like the walls of a prison, closing in on her with each step.

They reached the study—what had once been their father's sanctuary was now Anna's. The room was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness Elsa felt inside. The wooden desk had been cleaned and repaired, and upon it sat a simple meal: two sandwiches, a pitcher of water, and a few apples. The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air, but Elsa barely noticed.

Despite the ruse she had pulled on Hans, her renouncement of the throne had stuck. The people of Arendelle, desperate for stability, had rejoiced at the news, welcoming Anna as their new Queen. Elsa did not mind too much—she could better serve her people by advising Anna rather than ruling herself. Yet, the knowledge that she had started the Eternal Winter, that she was still seen as the villain despite saving countless lives, weighed heavily on her heart.

Anna guided Elsa to a chair and sat her down. The study was a room steeped in memories, the walls lined with shelves of old books and trinkets their father had collected over the years. The large windows, now thrown open to let in the sunlight, overlooked the sprawling gardens below. A warm breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of blooming flowers, and freshly cut grass. It was a perfect summer day, yet the warmth could not touch the cold that gripped Elsa’s soul.

Elsa ate mechanically, barely tasting the food as her mind replayed the events of the past few days—no, the past month. Her thoughts spiraled, sinking deeper into the darkness, until she felt a soft hand on hers. She looked up into Anna’s eyes once more, finding only love and acceptance in her sister’s gaze. There was no judgment, no disapproval—just an open invitation to confide, or simply the offer of a friendly presence.

This was why Anna should have been Queen from the start, Elsa thought. She knew how to handle people, how to connect with them in ways that Elsa never could.

Anna rose from her chair and walked over to the windows, pulling the heavy curtains aside and throwing the panes wide open. Sunlight flooded the study, casting the room in a golden glow. The light fell on Elsa’s face, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she felt a glimmer of hope stir within her.