The Rift

Chapter 21

**This chapter contains mentions of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. **

Marie's mouth fell open, but she quickly shut it. Her blue eyes scanned the aforementioned man before she turned her focus back to Elsa. Marie felt her chest swell with heaviness when she noticed the expression on Elsa's face. Her expression was familiar to Marie. Elsa's eyes were forcefully dulled, her jaw was tense, her eyebrows furrowed. Elsa stared at the man with a certain air of dissociation and apathy. The royal moved closer to Marie and began speaking in a hushed tone.

"After the incident with Anna when we were young, my mother and father hired private tutors for us." Elsa rolled her shoulders and closed her eyes for a moment. Marie touched her shoulder with her own to comfort her. Elsa continued, "Mister Rutfield was my English teacher. He was always trying to get close to me, trying to touch me." She paused, her gaze fixated on the floor. "One day...he tried to assault me. When I tried to fight back, I struck him with my magic." Marie's eyes grew wide. Elsa said, "I was terrified. I didn't mean to. It was much worse than when I had accidentally struck Anna. He nearly died. My mother and father brought him to the rock trolls in hopes of keeping him alive, but the damage was too great." Her gaze was once again fixated on her former teacher. "They had to erase all of his memories in order for him to survive. Even though he doesn't remember what he has done, my parents ordered that he remain in this facility for the rest of his life. He is not allowed to be with any woman or child alone, even if they are staff. He may not remember what he has done, but that does not mean he is innocent."

Marie exhaled, suddenly aware that she had held in her breath. "That wasn't in the movies," she muttered to herself.

"Neither was the incident with your father in the books," Elsa retorted, her tone more playful than scornful. She turned towards Marie. "I used to think I was a monster for almost killing him, but then I remember that people like him don't just attack one person. Although his memories are gone, he is away from other children, unable to hurt them. My mother and father believed me without hesitation, and even though I had nearly killed him, they didn't blame me or shame me." Her hand slipped into Marie's, squeezing it tenderly. "Marie, you will be safe here. I'm truly sorry for everything that you have gone through. I want you to know that it won't happen as long as you are here." Elsa moved closer, her blue eyes locked on their entwined hands. "Even if things are hard, I want you to know that I will always be here for you. You will be safe in Arendelle." Her face turned a deep red as she paused. "You will be safe with me."

It felt as though Marie had broken through the surface of a deep, cold water and gasped for air. Elsa looked into her eyes with such tenderness that Marie had never known before. Her vision blurred as tears formed behind her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She was breathing. She was no longer underwater, held by her own pain. Words itched on the tip of her tongue, the very three words that she had been holding back for a while now. Say it, she thought to herself. Marie squeezed Elsa's hand. Just say it already!

"You should do that outside," came the disdainful voice of an elderly lady who was sitting not too far from the two women.

Marie broke away from Elsa. "Right. Sorry," she apologized, immediately heading out of the door. The afternoon sun hit her face as she stepped outside. She fidgeted as she heard Elsa quietly follow her and come to her side. They stood silently for a few moments.

"There's some wedding preparations that I have to take care of," Elsa said gently. Her hand slipped into Marie's again and gave it a soft squeeze. "I'll see you soon." She broke away and began to head down the street. Marie bit her lip, the words hovering on her tongue. Acting as though she could sense them, Elsa turned and casted a glance at Marie.