Articuno's Queen - Epilogue

Elsa:

 Elsa stood before the doors to the courtyard, trying to remember how to breathe. The first few days after their return had been busy beyond all belief. Sentencing Hans hadn’t taken too long – they’d sent him home in chains – but placating the Sophian Duke had proved near impossible. Eventually he’d gone home with new trade documents offering him a bigger first pick of the Airneth exports.

 She plucked at her sleeves, making sure they lay right. Now it was time – finally – for the presentation to the people. It was supposed to happen the day after the coronation, but after the news about Hans, they’d understood. At least, she hoped they had.

 Sigurd, waiting by the doors, flicked a glance her way and growled in a purring sort of way.

 Waiting for Anna now. It would be fine.

 “Sorry I’m late!” And there she was, sliding down the banisters in her new finery, with her budew clutched to her chest.

 Thera, Elsa remembered. The budew was called Thera.

 “You’re just in time.” She smiled.

 “Oh, good.” Anna grinned, letting go of Thera and smoothing down her new dress.

 “Open the doors, Sigurd.” Elsa nodded to him.

 The lucario pushed down on the handles.

 Anna took Elsa’s hand and squeezed it. “It will be fine.”

 It would be. She could believe her sister.

 The doors swung open, showing the courtyard filled with people in the brilliant summer sun.

 Anna smiled and let go of her sister’s hand, and Elsa stepped forward onto the steps of the palace.

 “Announcing her majesty, Queen Elsa of Airneth!” Kai announced, after the heralding trumpets. “And Her Royal Highness, Princess Anna of Airneth!”

 Anna waved eagerly, spotting Kristoff in the crowd, near the front.

 Elsa smiled as the people cheered, looking out over them all. They were happy. They were cheering her. “People of Airneth!”

 Her voice was lost in their noise. She smiled and raised a hand for silence, and was amazed when it was heeded in seconds.

 “People of Airneth,” she continued, at a projected volume so they could all hear. “I know many of you were here the night of my coronation. You saw my… you saw what I could do.” As an example, she reached out with one hand and froze the nearest fountain into fantastic shapes. “And no doubt you heard some things, from the Duke of Sophian and Prince Hans.”

 Dark murmurs in the crowd then.

 “I want to say that… that I am sorry. I never meant to desert you. I never meant to leave you in the hands of people like them.” She lowered her hands, clasping them in front of her. “I was scared of my power for the longest time. Scared I would hurt those closest to me.” She felt Anna stepping closer. “But being scared cannot be an excuse any longer.” She lifted her head, staring beyond the crowd to the open gates, out towards the town. “I am your queen, and if I have these powers, I have them for a reason. You are my people,” Elsa said, spreading her hands out to them, “And I will never do anything to harm you again.”

 Silence, after she had finished talking. Silence so quiet she imagined she could almost hear the river.

 “For Queen Elsa!” Someone yelled out.

 And the crowd cheered.

 Elsa’s jaw almost dropped, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

 “I told you,” Anna murmured. “You’re their queen.”

 “Thank you,” Elsa whispered back. “For – for everything. For not giving up on me.”

 Anna laughed. “I had, you know. Before the party. Before you spoke to me.”

 “I am sorry. For all those closed doors.”

 “I forgive you.” Anna wrapped her arms around Elsa from behind, leaning her chin on her shoulder. “You’re here now.”

 “And I’m not going away.” Elsa twisted to get an arm around Anna in return. “No more closed doors. I promise.”

 “Even those ones?” Anna nodded towards the gate.

 “Especially those ones.”

 “Yes!”

 Elsa laughed.

 “Oh – Kristoff!” Anna disentangled herself and skittered down the steps, Thera in her wake.

 Elsa stepped back and found Sigurd beside her. “And you?” she asked the lucario. “Do you forgive me?”

 Sigurd gave her a long measuring look. Then he bowed his head and knelt before her, like a knight giving his liege his service.

 Elsa pressed a hand into his furry head, between his ears. “Thank you.”

 There was music winding its way into the air. Somewhere a band was starting, an impromptu dance party clearing the centre of the courtyard. Her sister was kissing Kristoff.

 The sun was warm in the sky, the gates were open – and Elsa was not afraid.