Frozen: Return to Me

Description: Elsa of Arendelle didn't just lose her parents during that fateful voyage at sea. One that she learned to open up with, depend on, and even love was lost to her that day. After that, it seemed like there was no hope left in the world. However, not all hope was lost.

Chapter 1- Wedding

Elsa stared at her reflection in the mirror. She stood draped in layer upon layer of creamy, white silk and lace. She shifted her weight to her left leg, feeling the heavy dress move with her. It was the latest style from the mainland, but she couldn't help but think she looked like a cake.

"There," Gerda, the Governess of the castle, said excitedly after smoothing out the bottom of the dress one last time. "Everything is just perfect!" She stood up from the floor and took Elsa's hands into hers. "Oooh," She pulled back at bit at first contact with the Queen's skin. "Colder than usual, your Majesty," She chuckled warmly.

Elsa smiled politely, yet bashfully. "I'm sorry, Gerda."

"Don't be, child." Gerda soothed the Queen with a smile. "All brides have cold feet on their wedding day. For you," Gerda patted Elsa's hand reassuringly, "it's just cold hands." Another warm chuckle erupted from the Governess.

"Yes, I suppose so," Elsa said, unconvincingly. She took another glance at herself in the mirror.

"Oh, Elsa," Gerda noticed a strand of platinum hair to her dissatisfaction. "You're going to have a beautiful life with Prince Gerard. Think of all the wonderful things that have happened in the past three months! The Trade Wars are coming to an end, Arendelle has a new ally in the House of Condé, and your Majesty is getting married to one of the finest Princes in all of Europe."

Events from the last couple of months replayed in Elsa's head over an instant. After leaving Arendelle in disgrace, Duke Maximillian of Weselton stormed back to his home and rose a fleet of privateering ships to intercept Arendelle's trade vessels. In response, Elsa was forced to commission a fleet of her own warships in defense. After months of sunk ships, stolen cargo, and lost lives, enough was enough for the young Queen. Arendelle reached out to other kingdoms and countries for allies, and that brought her standing before the mirror today in a wedding dress. She agreed to ally with the House of Condé in France through marriage to one of their Princes- Louis Gerard Benoit de Bourbon. The alliance would bring stability to the conflict, new trade opportunities, and as everyone liked to remind her, strength to Arendelle's throne with an heir.

The clock struck eleven. The maids scattered all around the castle library burst into a frenzied rush of action and gossip. Gerda put her hands over her mouth. "Oh my, we've only got an hour until the ceremony starts!" She took one last opportunity to smooth out layers on the Queen's dress before running out of the room. Elsa was soon circled by the other servants fussing and fawning over her dress.

Elsa looked at the grandfather clock against the library wall. Life was going to be very different in an hour. She sighed deeply as started to pull white, silk gloves over her cold hands.

Kristoff tugged at the tight collar pressing against his throat while leaning against the pillars of the castle. "Anna, I think you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that."

"I just can't believe that she'd do something like this," Anna continued to pace, paying no attention to Kristoff's words. "I mean she's the one who always said, 'you can't marry a man you just met!'"

"She's only said that like one time."

Anna still paid no attention as she vented. "She's only known him for three months! How's she supposed to know if he's her one true love?"

Kristoff tried to cross his arms over his chest, but the formal jacket he had on for the occasion started to tug at the shoulders. He sighed watching Anna continuing to pace back and forth angrily. "Anna, we've talked about this before. People in Elsa's situation—they don't always have the same luxury of choice that we have."

"Well, she should!" She finally acknowledged Kristoff's presence by turning and yelling at him.

"I know that!" He hissed, yet compassionately sweeping her up into his embrace.

"Kristoff," She began to tear up. "It just seems so unfair."

"I know," He ran his hand up and down her back to soothe her. "But maybe it's not so bad. The engagement has brought a lot of good things to Arendelle. Soon, there won't be any more fighting with Weselton, and it's really helped the economy bounce back after…" He trailed off.

"I know," Anna said into his chest. "The Great Thaw." She didn't want to dig deeper into that discussion, at least for the moment.

"Besides," Kristoff rested his chin atop of her fiery, red hair. "Prince Gerard seems like an alright guy. Perhaps a bit stiff at times, but he's always been polite. He seems to respect Elsa. I'm sure they can work together, and maybe even care for each other one day."

"I hope so, I really hope so."

Kristoff put his hands over Anna's arms and stepped back to look into her teary, turquoise-blue eyes. "Elsa's going to be alright. She's a smart woman. She knows what she's doing. And besides, she can always count us to be there for her."

Anna nodded, still a bit unconvinced.

Kristoff reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a golden pocket-watch to look at the time. "We've got to go, Feisty Pants. It's time."

Arendelle was dressed to her finest. Flowers trimmed every geometric line of the city, and banners with the Queen and new Prince's face fluttered in the gentle breeze. Not only were their faces on banners, but also ceramic dinnerware plates, specialty cakes, artistic paintings, and goro crackers. The entire country was abuzz with wedding fever.

The country played host to many guests and foreign dignities for the event as well. Many allies and friends who came for the coronation also made an appearance, along with many new faces from her new set of alliances. As the time grew closer to high noon, the wedding guests streamed into the chapel at Arendelle castle as the choir in the balcony serenaded them in the ancient tongue.

At the altar waited the Prince of Condé dressed in his navy blue, military uniform. He was a tall man with short, wavy dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard and moustache. He was regal, carried himself with a commanding presence, and was smartly dressed and groomed for the occasion. In every sense of the word, he was a prince.

It was time for the bride's wedding party to move to the chapel. Anna had barely seen her sister all day, save for a quick peek into the library about mid-morning. Anna cocked her head to the side a bit as Elsa made her appearance at the top of the stairs in her heavily layered wedding dress. Anna thought about the very frilly and decorative periwinkle blue dress she was asked to wear for the occasion as well. It was apparently the fashion in the Prince's home kingdom. After discovering that her sister had ice powers and an impeccable sense for fashion design, she always imagined Elsa making her own wedding dress with her powers. Still, Anna thought, her sister looked beautiful as always.

Elsa carefully descended the stairs and approached close to Anna near the doorway to the castle grounds. She gave a small, tight-lipped smile to her sister. "Hi,"

Anna took a deep breath. "Ready?"

"As much as I'll ever be,"

The doors of the castle were opened wide. Sunlight poured in quickly to reveal the fact that it was a beautiful day for a wedding. The Queen's wedding precession stepped out into the light, leading the Queen to the chapel for her wedding ceremony.

Anna walked quietly at the Queen's side with her hands folded perfectly in front of her. Suddenly, she felt Elsa's right-hand brush against hers. Their fingers intertwined. Anna gave her sister a reassuring look then resumed the march forward.

The doors of the chapel opened as the bride stood before them. The guests inside immediately turned their heads and rose out of their seats to greet the new bride. A collective gasp at how lovely the Queen appeared, radiant as an angel in the afternoon light. As rehearsed, the Queen was escorted down the chapel aisle to the altar where the Prince awaited her by her sister.

"Steady," Anna whispered, catching Elsa from a slight trip over her wedding dress. "I've got you."

Elsa scanned back and forth, noticing all the eyes following her.

In near perfect timing, the choir above in the rafters finished their aria just as the Queen arrived at the altar. Anna gently squeezed Elsa's hand before releasing.

The Prince was reaching out for the hand of his new bride. Elsa's gaze lingered on Anna for a moment longer before turning her attention to the Prince and placing her hand in his.

The chapel Priest cleared his throat. He started speaking in the ancient language of Arendelle, only known to the well-educated. He seemed to talk forever in the strange tongue. Elsa's gaze peered over to the prince hold her hand. He seemed to be staring off into space, but that made sense since he didn't know the language.

Finally, the Priest turned his attention to the Prince. "Louis Gerard Benoit de Bourbon, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her comfort her honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all other keep the only unto her so long as we both shall live?"

The Prince nodded curtly, "I will"

Then the Priest turned his gaze to the Queen. "Elsa Sigrun Herja Adgarsdoitter, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him comfort him honor and keep in sickness and in health and forsaking all other keep the only unto him so long as you both shall live?"

"I…" Elsa felt the prickle of coldness tingling through her fingers. "…w-"

Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass filled the room. Screams and cries filled the air as the guests quickly covered themselves from the glass fragments flying. More shattering sounds erupted which only elicited more cries of terror from the guests. Elsa spun around from the altar. Men dressed in black descended from long ropes clearly after swinging through the windows and breaking them.

"Weselton!" She gasped. It had to be. She could hardly move after the shock of it all.

Panicked, the guests started running for the nearest exits away from the danger. They pushed and clamored frantically, nearly trampling one another. Prince Gerard drew his ceremonial saber from his belt and charged into the fray, leaving Elsa at the altar alone.

Anna ran forward with her hands held up high. "Everyone, listen to me! Don't panic!" She was quickly knocked to the ground by escaping guests.

"Anna!" Elsa snapped out of her daze and tried to go to her sister's aid on the floor. She was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled back. A cloth bag was thrown over her head, and her hands were quickly bound behind her back. Her heart pounded a mile a minute, and a surge of fear swirled inside of her like a winter storm. She had to suppress the desire to release it. She could hurt someone if she wasn't careful.

The arms that held her captive started pulling her swiftly away. Even through the bag over her head, she could feel the hot breath of her captor speaking against her ear. "You would do well to cooperate with us." She could tell that her captors were leading her out of the chapel through the back way back outside.

"Where are you taking me?" She said.

"You'll know when you need to know. Now, move!"