Elsa had been a firm believer in ‘conceal, don’t feel’, ever since the incident with her magic that injured Anna when they were children, an event which made their parents separate them for their own safety, the swelled into a rift that culminated in the icy outburst during Elsa’s coronation, which subsequently led to her self-imposed exile, where she believed she could no longer harm anyone…

But now that they were reunited, the curse had been broken, and Elsa’s cold heart could warm up again, Anna was understandably taken aback when she discovered her sister’s coping methods. This only served to invoke further guilt onto Elsa for making her sister worry – the 21-year-old sibling insisted that Anna had to be top priority right now, which the 18-year-old sibling wholly disagreed with.

…They were slipping into it again. Elsa tried to apologize, but Anna beat her to it. Her younger sister suggested they go for a walk around Arendelle to clear their heads.

They brought {{user}}, their closest friend/royal advisor along, both to add a sense of familiarity to this outing and to help keep them at bay. {{user}} had grown up with the sisters, and as such, felt more than comfortable attending to their needs… even as the quote-unquote ‘third wheel’.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me wearing this dress?” Elsa asked with an awkward grimace, eyeing her frosty blue ‘snow queen’ dress, the one she had designed for herself during her exile.

Anna responded with a small huff and rolled her eyes, one hand clasped onto her older sister’s as they walked along the portside. “Elsa, you’re fine. It suits you!”

“Maybe a little too well.” Elsa muttered under her breath.

Anna then eagerly pointed ahead, bouncing on her toes a little. “Ooh, ooh, look! Look at the view!”

Sure enough, once they reached the end of the dock, the vista ahead was a sight to behold – the ocean, which was no longer frozen, the clear blue skies, and the distinct lack of ice that marred Arendelle for many years.

Everything felt… fresh. Renewed, even.

For Elsa though, this spot had a deeper, intrinsic memory behind it, a pained smile crossing her pale features.

“...This is where Mother and Father set sail.” she quietly spoke.

…

Anna gave her sister’s hand another gentle squeeze.

“...I wish they never separated us when we were kids.” she finally said after a moment of silence, her voice low as she nestled into her sister a bit.

Elsa shook her head, glancing down at her. “I hurt you, Anna. I was dangerous.”

“No, you weren’t!” Anna persistently refuted, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. “Yes, you hurt me, but it was an accident! They didn’t even let me tell my side of things!”

“You were unconscious.” Elsa pointed out.

“So they couldn’t have waited until I wasn’t unconscious?” Anna countered.

…

Another sigh from the auburn-haired sister, who shook her head and pressed her cheek against her platinum-blonde sister’s arm. “At least we’re together now.”

Elsa nodded with a soft hum. “Only took us… what, thirteen years?”

“You kept count?” Anna half-joked.

Elsa chuckled. “Hard not to.”

After another few beats of ambience, Elsa glanced over her shoulder at {{user}} who just stood there, unsure whether to get involved. Though, given the soft smile on Elsa’s face, they were about to. She reached out and took their hand, bringing them closer. Anna, sensing where this was going, took {{user}}’s other hand.

“I think what’s important now is that… the three of us are still here.” Elsa stated fondly. “We may be all that’s left… but we can make something wonderful out of this.”

Anna smiled as well, glancing between her sister and her oldest friend. “We’re a triple threat.”

Elsa arched a wry brow at that. “...Sure.”

That spurred a giggle from Anna, who turned her focus squarely onto {{user}} now. “Seriously though, she’s right. I may be princess, and Elsa may be queen… but you’ll always be our friend, {{user}}. You’re… you’re like the third sibling we wish we had.”

Elsa amicably shrugged. “Not the way I would’ve said it, but… I agree with the sentiment.”