A/N: This was originally the first chapter of the sequel, but I decided to make it the epilogue, since something better came to mind. I wrote this to give a little insight into what little events might take place in the next story, though I don't think I did a good job. It feels a little like a lazy foreshadowing on my part, but I guess I'm going to have to deal with it.

"Love is Strength" is being planned to be published towards the end of the month, possibly the beginning of March. It takes place a year and two months following "Christmas in Arendelle." This sequel will focus solely on Elsa and Henrik's evolving relationship, along with dabbling into another element I was planning on introducing in the previous story, but the plot didn't work out for me. I will try to keep it as K+ as possible (kissing scenes aside) but of course the darker elements of the tale will creep in slowly. I swear to everything that this will not be OC-centric as the last few chapters of this story have been. It will simply shift from Elsa to Henrik's POV from time to time. I'm trying to give you guys some information without spoiling the whole thing.

Once again (for the final time), I'm truly grateful to have readers like all of you who add to what this story is as a whole. It wouldn't be the way it is without your suggestive reviews and helpful hands. I love all of you, and I hope to see you again a few weeks from now.

Disclaimer: Frozen is the property of Disney.

Chapter 30: Epilogue

14 Months Later

The spring climate wasn't an awful as Elsa dreaded. Sitting in it didn't make her feel like she was on the verge of melting under the heat, as foolish as the idea sounded. The breeze passing by made it bearable, sending a mirthful chill against her skin. Besides the pleasant breeze, golden sunlight covered the open parts of the palace gardens, enriching the colors of the flora blooming sufficiently. The thick smell of grass mixed with pollen was so strong; Elsa was surprised she hadn't sneezed as hard as she knew she would in weather like this.

Sitting opposite of her, in the sunlight, was Anna, looking uninterested in their current chess game, fiddling with her black bishop.

"You know, you're purposely giving me the chance to win," Elsa pointed out, leaning forward.

Anna shrugged. "I don't even know how to play the game."

"At least try."

"I am trying."

Elsa narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you." Anna scowled at this, crossing her arms. The breeze ran through her strawberry hair, flipping some strands from the right side of her head to the left, since her hair wasn't bound in her braids today. "How come I never noticed that ring before?"

Her younger sister looked down at the simple silver band around her left middle finger. "Kristoff got it for me a few months back. He called it a 'pre-engagement ring.'" Elsa's eyebrow arched up. "I usually put it under my pillow when I sleep, but I decided to wear it today."

"So this doesn't mean you're getting married?"

Anna shook her head. "Not yet anyway. It would feel weird to get married before my big sister."

"Thank you?" Elsa said, unsure.

"You're welcome," said Anna, taking it seriously.

"Your Majesty?" Elsa turned her head, seeing a bowing guard at her side. He lifted his head. She made him out to be Anton, a young, newly recruited guard who was terribly shy around her. He presented her with a letter. She took it politely, thanking him. "From the Northern Isles, I'm told."

As much as Elsa tried not to show it, her heart fluttered when she heard that. She opened the envelope carefully, worried about what it might contain. She unfolded the parchment, recognizing the script to be Henrik's. A smile crept up on her.

"Read it aloud!" Anna begged, expressing Elsa's excitement.

"Dearest Elsa," she said, scanning the words. "Fourteen months of exchanging letters is a pain." She didn't say the words that came after that. "It was an awful disappointment that Finn didn't deliver your invitation to Yvonne's eighteenth birthday gala on time. It would have been a pleasure to see you again after such a long absence. I would have hated the night, if it wasn't for Yvonne herself, the ever eccentric ambassador of Halden, and a couple of glasses of champagne. And yes, Elsa, my old habits are hard to get rid of. Speaking of Yvonne, she said 'tell her I said hello' as I wrote this letter. So, hello from Yvonne.

"The Court and I have managed to replace almost every empty spot in the staff and guard. These people have been checked and confronted, and none of them pose a threat to the country or me, so I suppose that's good news. I think that the young handmaidens are possible close friends for Yvonne. Carina, the new maiden who helps me prepare for the morning, has a noticeable way of flirting with me, but don't worry. I let her know that I have a wonderful, beautiful woman waiting for me in Arendelle, and I may have told her that woman can freeze her alive without hesitation. I think that kept her quiet."

Anna chuckled.

"Everything seems to be working out. The anarchy in the kingdom has died down and I have more time for drawing lately. Spring meadows are not as beautiful as winter landscapes in my opinion. Flowers are here for about three seasons. Snowflakes come rarely, unless you're up in the mountains. I don't mind flowers for now, though. I have my full collection of brushes and paints here, so now I can paint to my heart's content and be as detailed as I want. But much to my dismay, there's a dark cloud plaguing my thoughts lately, so my artistic skills have fallen out of touch. I think it's because I haven't seen you in such a long time."

"He's so sweet," Anna crooned.

"I'm trying my best to arrange another trip to Arendelle, and I intend to spend the summer with you, at your side. The ministers of the Council have been spending abundant amounts of time with Yvonne, running through traditions and customs with her, and have suggested to me that giving her a chance to own the throne as a 'training exercise' would be good for her. I'm skeptical about the idea, but I agreed to it, seeing how she has matured nicely in the past year. I'm looking forward to spending time with you, along with your wonderful company."

"All my love, Henrik," Anna finished, peering over Elsa's shoulder.

"If he's trying to butter me up, he's failing," Elsa scoffed, a lazy smile still on her lips. "The flowers from last month were enough."

"He's trying his best to maintain a healthy, long-distance relationship with you. The two of you have been seeing each other for a year. I think there's a strong chance that when he arrives in the summer, he's going to bring you a ring."

Elsa looked over her right shoulder, meeting with her sister's sapphire eyes. "Are you suggesting that Henrik might propose to me?"

"I'm not suggesting it. I'm saying it."

Elsa folded the letter back neatly. "And if it isn't so?"

"Trust me. He's going to do it. I'll see to it that he does."

"Anna, intervening won't solve anything."

Anna flashed her sister a skeptical look. "Intervening helped you get over your fear of your powers," she said. "And if it's intervening that will help you find happiness with the man you love, then my intervening powers are in overdrive."

Elsa laughed at Anna's theory. Yes, if there was a proposal to take place this summer and a wedding after, then she wouldn't mind. She could shrug off the idea of the contract. She knew she loved Henrik without it. If a few problems were solved in between, so be it. However, if Henrik was to propose to her, Elsa wanted it to come naturally, not by force.

"Anton," she called. The guard came back to her. "Can you fetch me a parchment and quill? I'd like to return a letter to the King of the Northern Isles."

Kisses! ~TwistedTelepath