Chapter 9: Together Again Soon

Joan came skipping and laughing over the crest of the hill, her blonde hair flying behind her as she ran along the windswept plain. Behind her came her Uncle Viljar and Aunt Elsa hand-in-hand, the former of whom was carrying a picnic basket. Elsa had a year-old Annabelle perched on her hip. Kristoff brought up the rear, perched on Sven's back, and Olaf was seated between the reindeer's antlers.

Coming upon the headstones of the royal family, Joan spread out their picnic blanket.

"Hello, Mommy," Joan greeted the grave bearing her mother's name. "We thought we would bring our lunch to you today." The wind softly whistled across the plains, and Joan took that to be an answer from Anna.

"Auntie Elsa has a new baby: Annabelle, after you. She's nice. And Daddy's taking me out on more and more ice harvesting trips. Last week, I carved out a whole block of ice by myself! It was bigger than me!"

By now, the rest of the family had joined her, as Joan's voice became more quiet, introspective. "I miss you, Mommy. I wish you hadn't left me, but I love you anyway. I don't blame you for dying. I know you love me, because you left me in great hands. Daddy and Auntie Elsa love me very much. Uncle Viljar does, too - he saved my life once. You'd really like him."

The young girl felt a soft hand on her shoulder as Elsa knelt beside her and pressed a kiss to the headstone. "And you would also be proud of the beautiful young woman that your daughter is becoming," Elsa murmured softly and with love. "All is well here. Rest in peace, little sister. We miss you and we love you every day."

Coming up behind the women, Kristoff laid a bouquet of fresh flowers down beside Anna's grave. Salty tears clung to his cheeks. "Miss you forever, Feisty Pants. I love you, honey."

And holding out his burly arms, Kristoff pulled Elsa and Joan into an embrace. They were quickly joined by Viljar, Annabelle, Olaf and Sven. Their family would always be incomplete, without Anna. However, they had more than enough love to bind that hole, if not totally fill it. It really took a village - or, rather, a castle - to raise a child, but Elsa and Kristoff had done it - together. They would always be family. That would never change.