Late at night.
Lioro walked through the corridors with his usual steady pace, his thoughts focused on what he needed to discuss. He had told Elsa they would be traveling, but there was something important he had yet to mention.
Stopping in front of Elsa's room, he knocked.
A moment later, a soft voice answered. "Come in."
Lioro pushed the door open, stepping inside. Elsa was seated by the window, gazing out at the moonlit landscape. A gentle breeze flowed in, causing the sheer curtains to sway slightly. Dressed in a simple nightgown, she looked serene, yet thoughtful.
"I wasn't expecting you this late," Elsa said, turning to face him. "Is something wrong?"
Lioro shook his head and leaned against the wall. "Not wrong. Just something I need to tell you."
Elsa's curiosity piqued. "Go on."
He folded his arms. "You know we're leaving Arendelle, but what I didn't mention is that we won't just be traveling across this world."
Elsa blinked. "What do you mean?"
"We're going to another world entirely."
Silence filled the room. Elsa's expression remained composed, but he could see the gears turning in her mind.
"Another… world?" she repeated slowly.
Lioro nodded. "Not just a different country or continent. A completely different world, separate from this one. It operates under different rules, and the flow of time is one of them."
Elsa took a deep breath. "How different?"
"There's a time difference. For every one day that passes in that world, ten days pass here in Arendelle."
Elsa's fingers tightened slightly around the windowsill. "That's… a lot."
"It is," Lioro admitted. "You'll experience less time passing than everyone here. When we return, weeks or even months could have passed for Anna and the others while it's only been a few days for us."
Elsa's eyes lowered slightly as she absorbed the information. "So if I leave… when I come back, everything here will have moved on much faster than it felt for me."
Lioro nodded.
For a long moment, Elsa said nothing. Her gaze drifted back to the window, to the peaceful land she had sworn to protect. This was her home, her kingdom, and yet…
She wasn't afraid.
A long time ago, she would have been terrified of the unknown. But now, standing at the edge of a path she had never walked before, she felt anticipation rather than fear.
She turned back to Lioro, her expression resolute. "I understand. It won't be easy, but I still want to go."
She was different from them, especially after they saved the forest, Elsa knew she could no longer fit well with the normal foke.
Lioro met her gaze, then gave a small nod. "Good."
Elsa smiled softly, then gestured to the chair across from her. "Since you're already here, why don't you stay for a while?"
Lioro considered for a moment before taking the seat.
And so, in the quiet of the night, they sat together, discussing the journey ahead, the mysteries of other worlds, and the possibilities that lay beyond the stars.
----
Days passed.
The preparations for departure were underway. Though Elsa had already made up her mind to leave, there was still much to do before she could embark on her journey with Lioro. Supplies needed to be gathered, routes needed to be planned, and of course, proper goodbyes had to be given.
The castle staff bustled about, ensuring everything was in order, while Kristoff oversaw provisions for the road, making sure Elsa would have everything she might need. Olaf, ever the enthusiastic helper, mostly got in the way, but his excitement kept everyone's spirits high.
As the castle hummed with activity, Elsa found a moment of quiet in her chambers. She stood by the window, looking out at the city below, watching as the people of Arendelle went about their day. This had been her home for so long.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Elsa? It's me," Anna's voice came softly from the other side.
"Come in," Elsa called, turning to greet her sister.
Anna stepped inside, closing the door behind her. There was a small, hesitant smile on her face, but Elsa could see the emotion in her eyes. They had spoken about this before, but now that the day was almost here, it felt more real than ever.
Anna walked over and stood beside Elsa at the window. "So… this is really happening, huh?"
Elsa nodded. "It is. But it's not like I'm leaving forever, Anna. I'll come back."
Anna let out a soft sigh. "I know. It's just… for so long, we finally got to be together again, and now you're going off on an adventure across the world." She gave a small, wistful laugh. "I guess I just thought we'd have more time."
Seeing her sad expression, Elsa clenched her fists then said.
"Actually Anna..... you already know that I'll be leaving with Lioro. But what I haven't told you is where we're going."
Anna sat up straighter. "Go on."
"We're not just traveling across this world, Anna," Elsa said gently. "We're going to another world entirely."
Anna's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out at first. She blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Okay, wow, that's… not what I was expecting."
"I know it's a lot to take in," Elsa continued. "But there's something else you need to know. Time flows differently between our worlds. For every one day I spend there, ten days will pass here in Arendelle."
The room fell silent.
Anna stared at Elsa, her blue eyes searching for any sign that she was joking. When she found none, she swallowed hard. "So… when you come back, it'll have been way longer for me than for you?"
Elsa nodded.
Anna's lips pressed together as she tried to process the information. "That means I'll be waiting for weeks, months… while for you, it'll only feel like a few days."
Elsa reached out, taking Anna's hands in hers. "I know it sounds unfair, and I wish it wasn't like this. But even with that difference, I'll come back. I promise."
Anna looked down, squeezing Elsa's hands tightly. "It's just… I finally got you back. After everything, I thought we'd finally have time together."
Elsa's heart ached at those words. "I thought so too." She gave Anna's hands a reassuring squeeze. "But this is something I need to do. I don't know what's waiting for me out there, but I need to see it for myself."
Anna took a deep breath, then exhaled. "I get it, I really do." She looked up, giving Elsa a small, bittersweet smile. "I guess I just have to get used to the idea of my sister being a world traveler now."
Elsa smiled back. "I'll make sure to bring you stories from everywhere I go."
Anna chuckled softly. "You better." Then, after a pause, she added, "Just… don't forget about me, okay?"
Elsa pulled her into a tight hug. "Never."
Anna hugged her back just as fiercely. "Good."
For a moment, they simply held onto each other, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Then, Anna pulled back slightly, putting on a teasing smirk. "But seriously, you're going to owe me so many presents when you get back."
Elsa laughed, shaking her head. "I'll bring you something amazing. I promise."
Anna grinned. "Then I guess I can let you go… for now."
Elsa smiled warmly. "Thank you, Anna."
And just like that, though the road ahead was uncertain, Elsa knew that no matter how much time passed, her sister would always be waiting for her.
That evening, the castle was alive with music and laughter. The grand hall had been decorated with banners and flowers, and tables were filled with all sorts of delicious food. The people of Arendelle had gathered, from noble officials to townsfolk, all coming to give their good wishes to their beloved queen.
Kristoff was already deep into the feast, eagerly devouring his third plate of food. Olaf danced between the guests, attempting (and failing) to perform magic tricks. Lioro, standing off to the side, simply observed the festivities, drinking from his goblet.
Elsa and Anna moved through the crowd, greeting everyone, sharing laughter and memories.
As the celebration carried on, Lioro casually observed the lively crowd. Nobles, townsfolk, and soldiers alike laughed and mingled, raising their glasses in cheer. But then, amidst the sea of people, a particular figure caught his eye.
A young woman with chestnut-brown hair, cut neatly at her shoulders, stood among the guests, chatting animatedly with Anna. There was an undeniable warmth in her expression, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. Beside her stood a man with an easygoing smirk, his arm casually wrapped around her waist, exuding the confidence of someone who had seen his fair share of adventures.
Lioro's gaze lingered. Rapunzel.
Sensing his gaze, Rapunzel turned slightly, her eyes locking onto his. For a brief moment, she seemed surprised, tilting her head in curiosity. Then, instead of looking wary, she simply smiled and gave him a small wave.
Lioro raised an eyebrow but nodded in acknowledgment.
Beside her, Eugene, formerly Flynn Rider, caught on to the silent exchange. With a smirk, he leaned toward Rapunzel and whispered something, causing her to giggle. Then, with an exaggerated flourish, he shot Lioro a playful salute before returning his attention to the conversation.
Lioro exhaled through his nose, turning back to his drink. Another pair of chaotic royals. Wonderful.
At one point, Elsa found herself standing with Lioro near one of the tall windows. "I don't think I've ever seen Arendelle this lively," she admitted with a smile.
Lioro took a sip of his drink. "It's a proper farewell for a queen. Your people love you."
Elsa looked out at the gathered crowd, seeing the smiles, the warmth. She would miss this. But she also knew this wasn't goodbye forever.
As the night continued, Anna eventually climbed onto one of the tables, raising her glass. "Alright, everyone! A toast!"
The room quieted as all eyes turned to her.
Anna beamed. "To my amazing sister, Elsa! A queen, a protector, and the most wonderful person I know! May your journey be filled with excitement and adventure, and may you always find your way home!"
The hall erupted in cheers, glasses clinking together in celebration.
Elsa felt her heart swell as she looked at her sister, her friends, her people. This was her home. And no matter how far she traveled, she knew she would always have a place to return to.
With a grateful smile, she lifted her own glass. "To Arendelle. And to family."
The crowd cheered once more, and the celebration carried on long into the night.
Lioro silently looked at Elsa's face filled with excitment and sadness.
Tomorrow, the journey would begin. But tonight, they would cherish this moment.