Love Will Thaw

Chapter Thirty-Five

Beautiful

Hours later, Elsa sat in the guest bedroom, running a brush through Maíreweth's hair, helping the young woman prepare for bed.

"Do you think they'll be all right?" Maíreweth asked, the gentle, comforting pace of the brush strokes through her hair soothing her, lulling her to sleep.

"Who?" Elsa asked, pausing as she looked into her daughter's cloudy eyes. "Dernethbain? Élenway?"

"Everyone," Maíreweth murmured. "I mean, I know . . . this probably sounds silly, but they were almost like family. The only family I've ever had since I was brought here. We went through so much together . . ."

The Queen smiled as she resumed brushing the girl's hair. "I'm sure they're perfectly fine. Especially Élenway. She is more than capable of taking care of herself."

Maíreweth reached out, feeling for Elsa's wrist, grasping it tightly as she made contact with it. "That's not what I mean. I . . . I just feel so . . . empty now that they're gone. What if . . . What if . . .?"

Elsa brought her lips to Maíreweth's cheek, tenderly kissing the young woman. I can't believe this is actually happening! she thought to herself. Finally, after all this time, I have someone to care for as my own. Someone who needs me, just like I need her.

"I know you're worried," Elsa said softly. "But this is the way families are meant to be. Even though we may be far apart, as long as we remember each other . . . as long as we love each other, we are never truly alone." She paused, setting the brush on the bedside table. "Does that make sense?"

Maíreweth smiled, her unseeing eyes finding Elsa's silvery presence, her spirit filled with peace as she allowed the gentle warmth of her mother's soul to wash over her. "It does," she whispered. With a start, she gasped as once more images flooded her mind, the darkness around her erupting into crystal-clear sight.

"What is it?" Elsa asked, her heart beating faster as she held the young woman tightly. "What do you see?"

The young woman's worried expression vanished, replaced with a countenance of absolute serenity. "I saw . . . I saw us, Mother. I saw us living here, being with each other, spending the rest of our lives together . . . being happy." She paused, a worried thought suddenly appearing in her mind. "Of course, now that we know our future, we can change it if we so choose. If you . . . If you don't really want me here, that is . . ."

Elsa gently laid Maíreweth down on the bed, placing a soft pillow under the girl's head. "Let me be clear," the Queen murmured. "There is nothing I desire more than to spend the rest of my days with you. Do you understand? Nothing."

As if by instinct, without thinking, Elsa delicately stroked the hair at Maíreweth's temple, her soft touch slowly lulling the young woman to sleep.

"Now, rest, my daughter," Elsa whispered, her lips close to the girl's ear, her hand continuing her ministrations on Maíreweth's hair until she heard the slow, steady sound of the young woman's breathing, her newfound daughter's eyes finally closed as she fell into the warm embrace of long-deserved slumber. "Rest."

Elsa sat in her study, her eyes staring at nothing, pale moonlight streaming across her skin. Taking a sip of the drink in her hand, she silently slid one of the chess pieces across the board, smiling as she did so. "I believe that's checkmate."

The specter of Jansarnen cursed under his breath, hurling his king to the floor. "Well, that's that, then," he said. Rising, he took the glass from Elsa's hand, downing the remaining liquid in a single gulp.

"Do you have to leave?" Elsa asked softly.

Jansarnen took her hand, a sad smile on his face. "Yeh know I do, love. Yeh don't need me anymore. Yeh've finally got everythin' yeh've ever wanted. Yer kingdom's at peace. Yer family's safe. Yeh've got the daughter yeh thought would never come to yeh. I'd jest hold yeh back."

"I . . . I know," Elsa said as she felt Jansarnen's hand slip from her own. "I'm going to miss you. I . . . I really am . . ."

The mercenary moved to the door, quietly opening it, stepping into the corridor. Turning back to Elsa, he looked her in the eyes. "Don't worry, love. I'll always be with yeh. No matter what happens, part of me will always be there for yeh. Goodbye, love. It's been a pleasure . . ."

Spinning about on his heel, Jansarnen moved into the corridor, fading away into nothingness, finally receding to the inaccessible depths of Elsa's consciousness.

Elsa did not know how long she sat in silence, pondering the recent events that had taken place. The room remained shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the soft glow of moonlight pouring through the window and the dull shine from the symbol on the back of her hand.

A quiet knock at the door disrupted the Queen from her thoughts. Anna stood in the doorway, her smiling face instantly warming Elsa's heart. "Hey," the Princess said.

"Hey yourself."

Anna entered the room, quietly taking the seat Jansarnen had occupied moments earlier. "I couldn't sleep," she confessed. "I've been thinking about everything that's happened lately, and no matter how hard I try, my mind keeps racing, not allowing me to rest."

Elsa nodded. "Same here," she murmured. Looking toward the door, she frowned slightly. "How are the twins?"

Anna smiled. "Believe it or not, they are actually sleeping. They didn't put up a fight at all tonight. I think . . . I think they're ready for things to return to normal around here." She laughed despite herself. "Although I'm not sure how normal things are going to be with a giant snow creature wandering the palace. I found him hiding in the kitchen when I went downstairs for a glass of milk. He nearly made me jump out of my skin!"

Elsa could no longer contain the smile that assaulted her lips. "I'm sure that was a sight to see."

"It wasn't one of my better moments," Anna confessed. Her eyes fell upon the glowing symbol on Elsa's hand. Quickly, Anna forced herself to look away, not wanting to cause her sister to feel self-conscious about her newfound powers. Uncertain of what to say, Anna attempted to change the subject. "You . . . You look incredible," she said, inwardly marveling at Elsa's appearance, her sister's blue and silver eyes sparkling with a glow unlike any Anna had ever seen. "I mean, you've always been beautiful, but now . . . Now, you look more amazing than ever. You . . . You look like you belong in one of those paintings downstairs in the art room. You just look so . . . so . . . perfect."

"I'm still a woman, Anna," Elsa said, her eyes focused on the grain of the wooden floor beneath her feet. "I'm not a goddess. I'm not divine. I'm just . . . me."

She sighed as she stood, empty glass in hand. "Although I'm not sure anymore." Her eyes moved to her sister, her attention fully focused upon Anna's face. "What am I, Anna? I don't feel like myself."

The Princess frowned. "What do you mean?"

Elsa paused as she searched for adequate words to describe herself. "I feel . . . I feel as if nothing horrible could ever happen again. That no matter what, I am in complete control of my own destiny. That I finally have a feeling of peace within my soul." Looking Anna in the eye, she frowned at her sister's reaction. "What? What is it?"

"Nothing!" Anna insisted, laughing slightly. "It's just . . . After everything you've been through, I never thought I would actually hear you say you've found peace." Rising, she kissed Elsa on the brow. "I'm glad for you, you know. You're finally happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

Time seemed to stand still for the two sisters as they looked at each other, neither wanting the feeling of closeness that had sprung up between them to dissipate.

Finally, Elsa spoke. "We should probably go to bed. It's late, after all."

"Yes," Anna agreed quietly. "Yes, we should."

Neither sister moved to leave, each enjoying the feeling of calm and serenity that had fallen upon them.

"On the other hand," Anna said, "we could just stay here and watch the sun come up together. It's been years since we've done that."

"Yes," Elsa whispered. "Yes, it has."

Anna cleared her throat, looking about the study. "So . . . Are we staying?"

Elsa responded by wrapping her arms around her sister's waist, pulling Anna close to her own body, turning their bodies toward the window, enjoying the comforting feeling of closeness, of love that flowed from Anna into her. "Just watch," she murmured. "It's a new day for all of us, Anna. Anything can happen. Don't be afraid. Embrace it!"

And as the night passed, as the darkness was finally, at long last, dispelled by the bright rays of sunlight ushering in the morning, Elsa and Anna remained in each other's arms, never wanting to be separated from each other ever again. It's true, Elsa thought. As long as we have our friends, our family . . . each other, nothing—not even V—can tear us apart. And as the golden rays of sunshine watched over them, Elsa closed her eyes, the symbol on her hand shimmering in the warm light, filling her spirit with confidence, with purpose. Exhaling, she threw back her head, her golden hair billowing about her frame as she smiled. For I now know who I am. I am Elsa, Queen of Arendelle, protector of my people . . . my homeland . . . my world. I don't doubt it any longer. This is where I truly belong.

AN: When I first began writing all thoe months ago, I never intended for any of this to happen. I never intended to create an alternate universe such as this. Yet, the more I wrote, the more this world, these characters revealed themselves to me, until I found I simply had to continue. Well, now, the story has come to its conclusion. I am content with where everyone has ended up, especially Elsa. The struggles this woman has endured . . . Her story has been one of darkness, of despair, of sorrow. No matter how much I may have wanted to bring her into the light, she simply would not allow me to do so until I told her entire tale. And now, she is finally happy. Her kingdom is at peace, her family is safe, and she has the daughter she has always dreamed of.

I am not finished writing in this universe; already, ideas are beginning to take shape. But I wanted to be sure that the initial stage of the saga at least had a definitive ending point. What happens from here, I honestly don't know. I would like to go back and create some one-shots that provide some more character moments and development of events that have already taken place. And the seeds of another story set after this one have already been planted in my mind.

But now, of course, the most important thing: the acknowledgements. First, I would like to thank anyone and everyone who has ever posted a review for any of my stories. The numbers are far too great for me to recognize you all, but special thanks must be granted to jade254, fatat18, HueDoge, ElsaTheSnowQueen2, and to the countless others who have provided such excellent feedback. You are all amazing. Thank you. Second, to anyone who has read any of my stories, especially those who have followed me from the beginning: It is for all of you that I write. These stories come from the heart, and I am so touched that so many of you have decided to join me on this journey.

Finally, to Loridhhp: You have been with me through thick and thin, faithfully reviewing, giving me a wall to bounce ideas off of, creating fantastic covers for my profile and my stories. Without your steadfast support, I would not have been inspired to carry on.

So, this is goodbye for now. But keep checking my profile page; I'm sure something new will be added soon, once I find the time to type it out. Until then, this is D saying farewell and, God willing . . . more to come!