~Five weeks later~

"This is insane." Brit gushes, wiggling in her seat. "I'm glad they made it a smaller wedding, so we didn't have to wait too long."

"It's just a wedding." Maira says. "I don't get why you're so excited."

"On the Isle, we never had weddings." Endora says. "We haven't been there long enough for anyone to decide to do something like that, and even if we did, I'm not sure anyone would care."

"Besides, this isn't even a big wedding." I say. "Mom and Dad didn't want something that could draw attention, so it's literally just her, Dad, me, and you guys attending."

"Well, our friend group is pretty big by themselves." Sera snickers, gesturing around. The only exception to the only-close-friends-and-family rule is that FG was allowed  to attend so she could bless it with magic. Endora offered, but Mom decided that FG's magic would be more binding since she was already an official in Auradon. Mom and Dad don't want any doubt about them anymore. 

Right now the small church room is packed with basically all of my friends. My Aunt Anna, Uncle Kristoff, and cousins are here as well. Merida and her family was also invited, but only Merida accepted since all her male family members were busy with some tournament at another kingdom. 

Ben, Mal, Evie, Sera, Carlos, Jay, Lonnie, Jane, Brit, Gil, Endora, Dizzy, Maira, Kalia, and Mahina make up most of the first two rows. Everyone's dressed their best, even Arson in a suit and Sera in a non-ripped pair of jeans. I'm currently in a knee-length light blue dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves. My hair is pinned up in a bun with the white bang-things hanging out. 

Mom, however, blows everything out of the water. 

She didn't even try that much, using a dress I helped her make with both our powers. I can't really call it a ball gown, because it isn't nearly poofy enough for that category. It just bounces out, fluttering behind her. The top glitters like her original dress from when she ran away, with sleeves that trail behind her like mist, but in reality stop at her elbows. The waist is a little higher than her actual waist, and the skirt blossoms out in white-blue waves like water. The whole dress shines like the ice we both have, but at the same time seems to flicker like candlelight. 

It probably doesn't help that my mom is naturally gorgeous. As far as I know, she didn't even put on any makeup except lipstick, but you can't even tell. Dizzy helped beyond belief, spending an hour on my mom's hair. Mom mentioned once she'd always liked braids, so Dizzy did just that. After spending the first half of the hour braiding little sections everywhere, Dizzy curled the rest of my mom's white-blond hair so that it fell down her back in ringlets that rival Maira's. 

I have to say, it's the first time I think my mom should be the one with the fire side of my powers, because she's burning more brightly than fire ever could. 

She walks down the aisle quickly, with Kristoff holding her free hand. Aunt Anna beams at her sister proudly, wiping away a few tears that I'm sure have nothing to do with the fact that Krissy and Andy are pinching her repeatedly to make sure she's okay and not injured. 

Dad glances once at me, smiling swiftly. His dark brown hair is combed nicely enough, but you can tell he got a little annoyed with Evie's style, because his suit has been tugged out of place in a few spots. His electric blue eyes swoop back to my mom don't leave her until she reaches him and he takes her hand gently. Kristoff lets her go, and takes his seat next to Eloise, who has a few tears leaking out as well. 

Fairy Godmother watches my parents joyfully, her own smiling shining. "I know this has been waiting for a long time, so I'll hurry it along." She says. A laugh goes through the room, along with a whistle of approval from Sera that causes Endora to elbow her in the gut. 

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite Queen Elsa, of the North Mountain, and Hades, Lord of the Underworld." FG glances at them to make sure it was okay. Dad just nods and grins. 

As Fairy Godmother continues, Brit (who is on my left) taps my shoulder. "I hope one day somebody will look at me like your dad is looking at your mom." She whispers, an almost dream-like quality in her voice. I risk glancing at her and I'm surprised to find that Brit isn't really smiling. It's one of those smiles that reaches your eyes, and not your lips. The kind that doesn't hurt your face, but just shows all over your expression. 

I turn back to my parents, who are facing one another as FG recites the normal "Do you" question. 

"Don't worry, Brit." I murmur back. "You will."

I risk a glance behind me a bit, and find Carlos a few rows back, sitting with Mal, Evie, and Jay. He notices me watching, and waves a bit. I smile and turn back to my parents, but something in my mind nags at me. I've been dating Carlos for nearly two years now. More like a year and a half, I think, but whatever. I'm around the same age my Aunt Anna was when she met Kristoff. And anyone can tell they absolutely adore one another, just like with my parents. 

I snap myself out of it. This is my parent's moment, not mine. 

I pay closer attention now, knowing that coming close is the time when my parents will say vows. I know not every wedding does that sort of thing, but my dad spent at least half of the months leading up to this trying to find the perfect words. He actually confided in me a few times, asking if this sounded dumb or that sounded too weird. I thought all of it sounded perfect, but it depends on mom's opinion, not mine. 

Mom came to me as well, but she wasn't stressed over it. She actually told me that the perfect words, in her opinion, come most when the author isn't thinking too hard. Our brains sometimes drown out our hearts, and our hearts are who we are, not our minds, Mom told me. Our hearts are what hold our emotions, and crazy dreams, and hopes. Our minds is where it sometimes kills the dreams with harsh reality. 

Although, right now I'm watching the Snow Queen and the god of the dead getting married. Reality, shmeality. 

FG smiles at my dad, gesturing him to go first. I half-expected him to take out a piece of paper, but he just faces my mom with a broad grin. 

"Elsa, when I met you, I won't deny that my first thought was getting off of the Isle. Had it been anyone but you, that's probably all that would have happened. But because it was you, everything changed. You made me want to be good, want to do the most  insane things, like saying thank you, or please."

Mom kind of chuckles, and Dad seems to brighten with that.

"I know that when I first asked you out, nobody approved. I was thrilled when you didn't care nobody liked it, and I think I really started loving you after watching you laugh so hard at me when I tried sugar for the first time."

Mom's eyes sparkle, probably flashing back to whatever memory Dad is referencing. 

"But even when I thought it wasn't possible to love someone even more, we had our daughter." Both he and Mom glance over to me, and I grin. "I hated all the years away from both of you, but I'm promising right now, Elsa, that whatever forces try to come between us, if it ever happens again, nothing will separate me from the one woman I'll always love with all my heart."

Mom's smile seems to glow, her eyes wet with tears. She chokes a little, smiling wider when Dad laughs  a little at her. "I should've gone first." She finally says. "I can't compete with that."

"I'm sure you can." Dad promises. 

Mom takes his hand, holding it gently. "Well, like you said... when I went to the Isle all those years ago, I only planned on taking someone I could trust. I knew you might try to run, might try to betray me, but something in my gut told me to trust you. So I did, and I've never once regretted that choice. I told myself multiple times I shouldn't even befriend you, but I couldn't stop myself, and when I fell for you at that donut shop on our first date, I knew I'd never be able to stop. I know you had to leave, but when you came back... it was like nothing ever changed. I love you, Hade, and I can double your promise with mine: I'll never leave you. No matter what anybody says, or does.

Mom smiles a bit mischievously. "Besides, who could ever get between a bonfire and a snowstorm?"

Dad actually laughs hard, and a small chuckle goes through the room. FG, beaming like her life depended on it, raises her wand. 

"The rings?" She asks, and Andy sits bolt upright in his seat. He grabs the rings from the cushion next to him, dashing up the aisle to everyone's laughter. Quickly, he puts the rings in Dad's hand, and then hugs both him and Mom tight, then tears back down to his seat. 

Dad shakes his head in amusement, sliding Mom's gorgeous ring onto her finger. Mom does the same for him, and FG waves her wand over their hands. 

"I now pronounce you---for real this time---husband and wife." Their hands glow, randomly reminding me of the Unbreakable Vow. "You may kiss the bride."

Sera hoots loudly. This time, it's both Endora and I that stomp on her foot.

_____________________________________

"So, you sick of us yet?" Dad asks, joining me by the table in the back of the room during the after-party. He and mom have become inseparable tonight, and both have matching grins. 

I laugh. "Not at all. Just thirsty." I show them my punch.

Dad chuckles. "Your friends certainly seem to be enjoying themselves." He gestures out to the middle of the room, where Carlos and Sera are currently having what looks to be a contest on who can wave their arms around the most. 

Dad laughs outright at Sera's flailing appendages. "You should be out there with them, Lissa. Not over here. That's for the boring grown-ups."

"Technically, I'm an adult." I remind them. 

"Technically, your age still has the word 'teen' on the end." Dad takes my cup from me and sets it on the table. "Go. Have fun."

"Wow, you're actually giving me permission to hang out with Carlos?" I ask, laughing when he scowls. "You must be in a really good mood!"

"Humph. I was." Dad grumbles, and Mom pats his arm consolingly. 

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you, Mom." I say. Her face kind of jolts in surprise. I mean, sure, I'd forgiven her for everything that had happened... but I'd never really asked her for anything in particular. Definitely not one-on-one time with her. 

"Sure." She finally says, still sounding confused. Dad smirks a bit, his eyes focusing on Carlos. 

"While you two are doing that, I think I'll go torment---"

"Hades." Mom warns. 

"---talk to That Boy over there." Dad quickly says. He kisses the top of my mom's head then heads straight for my boyfriend, who has stopped dancing now and given Sera the spotlight. The moment he sees my dad coming, though, he looks like he'd rather still be out there looking like an octopus.

"So... was there something you wanted in specific?" Mom asks, brushing one of her braids behind her ear. 

"Mom. You can relax." I assure her. "It's not anything bad, or weird, or have anything to do with my powers or a villain. Um, I mean, it kind of does have something to do with a villain... but not like a real villain. On the Isle. Right now. Um."

Mom's smile curves in a sneaky way. "Are you talking about Carlos?"

"Am I that obvious?" I laugh, shaking my head at myself. "Yes, I'm talking about Carlos."

"Well, what about him? Because whatever your father thinks, honey, I like that boy." She smiles. "He's been there for you in what I can truthfully admit are the craziest adventures."

"Yeah, he has." I watch my dad talking to Carlos, who looks immensely relieved about something. "It's just... Mom, could you tell when you met Dad that you liked him?"

Mom sends me a curious glance. "He's not thinking abou----"

"NO!" I shout, then laugh awkwardly. "No. I promise, no. I've just been dating him for so long, and it kind of feels like we never really... do anything about it. We go on dates, I know everyone has that awful ship name for us---"

"Carlie is actually sweet." Mom interrupts. "And, Ellie, seriously. You're stressing over this too much. You're just dating. It's how every kid figures out what they like and don't like."

"Yeah, but he's my first boyfriend."

"So? Hades was my first boyfriend." Mom says. "And I didn't start dating him until I was well into my twenties. You started dating at sixteen."

I laugh. "True."

"But, Ellie, I can't tell you what you'll feel or how you'll feel it. Some people just... know. And from what I've seen with you and Carlos, you two are sweet." Mom smiles and puts her hand on my shoulder gently. "That boy is what kind of calms down your tendency to explode. Both physically and mentally."

I smile at her. "True, again. Thanks, Mom."

"Anytime."

"You two done talkin'?" Sera's voice says, and she appears behind us, throwing an arm over both our shoulders. "Because, I gotta question that. Why're ya talkin' when there's food to be eaten?" She gestures to the snack table. "Ar!"

Arson looks up with what appears to be three cupcakes stuffed in his mouth. "Mm?"

Sera rolls her eyes. "What've I told you, Ar? No more'n two cupcakes at a time! It's rude to stuff!"

"This coming from the girl who thinks it's polite to punch someone in the nose after meeting them." I say. 

She shrugs and lets go of me. "Eh. That's polite when it comes to Plaid Chad an' Nerdwin. Polite with you guys is hugs that just happen to crush a few ribs."

"Only you, Sera." My mom says, eyeing Sera's arm warily. 

"Aw, not you, Mrs. Newly-Wed." Sera says, letting go of me with one arm and embracing my mom. "You're too nice to crush."

"Thank you?"

"Anyways, Icy, I came to tell you---Ben's making an announcement here. He decided that since this is kinda the inner circle of friends and family, he'll tell everyone his proclamation now, before he announces it to the kingdom. If that's okay with you." She eyes my mom.

"I have no objections. I'm honored he's okay with telling us." Mom says. 

"See, that's why I like her." Sera hugs her again, then grabs my wrist and pulls me towards where FG blessed my parents. "Wait here. I've gotta go up there with him, Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Brit, Gil, and Dori."

"See you, Sera." I wave, and she gets in line between Jay and Endora. Everyone that Sera named is up there, and Arson is as well, except for Carlos. I look around and find him still talking to my Dad. 

"Carlos!" Endora calls, and he turns, says something to my dad, then makes his way to the stage. Once he's up there, Ben clears his throat and the buzz in the room dies down. Maira appears beside me, tapping my wrist to let me know she's there. 

"Okay, so, this isn't going to sound official just yet, as I haven't had a chance to figure out how to word it in a kingly way." Ben starts, and a small laugh goes through the room. "But here's the gist---we've already brought six people other than Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos from the Isle."

Ha. I was right. He's bringing more kids over. I wonder who? 

"But it will be different this time. Instead of hand-picking who they want specifically without consideration of everyone else, kids from the Isle are being sent applications."

I snap out of my daze. Applications? For what?

"We're having something called 'VK Day'." Evie jumps in. "Every kid on the Isle has a chance, as long as they fill out the application, picking one of us to represent them, and we pick from our own piles. All the VK's already here get to pick one kid, unless they choose not to."

"For instance, Ar isn't." Sera says, elbowing her brother. "Since we decided to agree on one together."

"But everyone up on stage gets to pick one kid, so long as that kid put their name as their favorite VK here." Dizzy explains. 

"When will it happen?" Mom calls out. 

"Soon. We don't have a set date yet, but we have already started sending out the applications. We've had... a surprising amount of volunteers." Ben says. "That's all."

Everyone exits the stage, and I make a beeline straight for Sera, Arson, and Dori. Maira is hot on my heels. 

"You guys have already gotten kids applying for you as their favorites?" Maira asks incredulously. 

Dori tosses her hair behind her shoulder. "Why does that surprise you?"

"Because you're a selfish, vain, magic-crazy fairy."

"My best qualities!"

"So you and Arson have some, too?" I ask Sera as Dori and Maira start to bicker. 

Sera practically beams at me. "You have no idea, Icy. Papers with Ar's and my's names on 'em are pouring in. More Arson, actually, but it doesn't really matter since we're both deciding."

"Have you guys looked through them at all?"

Arson nods enthusiastically. "Three girls, two boys!"

"Our top choices." Sera explains. "So far we like the daughters of Shan-Yu, Yzma, and Morgana."

"Wait---Morgana, as in, sister of Ursula?"

"Yep."

"Okay, and the guys?"

Sera laughs. "Son of Hecate, and son of Gothel."

I shudder. "Gothel? You mean the one who just kidnapped me?"

"Gabe currently lives with our other guy choice, Hector." Sera explains. "He made it abundantly clear he hates his mom, and I remember that from our time there."

"Wait---son of Hecate's name is Hector?" I demand, shuddering again. 

"Don't worry, he's not like your old stalker." Carlos assures me, coming up behind me and putting a hand on my shoulder. "Hector's nice, and he's a few years younger than us. Isn't he currently thirteen?"

"Fourteen now, actually." Sera corrects him. "His birthday was last week."

Carlos nods. "Right."

"Have you gotten anyone?" I ask. "Anyone worth noting?"

"Well, I've gotten quite a few applications, and I haven't really had a chance to look through them." Carlos admits, scratching the back of his neck.

I swat his arm. "You were busy playing tag with us and helping put together a wedding?"

"Hey, that sounded fun at the time." Carlos protests. "Plus, I got to spend time with you."

"Awwwww, does Cawie need a moment awone?" Sera coos, and Arson makes a weird sound between a laugh and a screech. 

"Shut up, Sera." I laugh. "So... kids are really coming from the Isle?"

"Yep."

"And we're willing to take the chance that they might turn on us and overthrow Auradon again?"

"Yep."

"Fine by me." I say, smiling at my friends. They all laugh, and we slowly fade into a more relaxed conversation, but the VK day announcement is tugging at my brain. 

More VK kids coming here... and there's a possibility---well, a very high chance---one of them will try and take over Auradon, like I tried to when Mal and the gang came. 

My friends are kind of talking amongst themselves now, and as long as I answer every so often, I'm fine. While they're not paying attention, I raise my hand ever so much and summon my powers. Slowly, my hand crystallizes over with ice, almost like I'm wearing the gloves I used to hate so much. 

But then my fire joins, sparkling on top of my frost. Like crystal in the sunlight, blue light flares off my hand, dancing across the room. Fire and Ice combined, like my parents, is more beautiful than them alone. 

After all...

Ice burns brighter than fire. 

____________________________

THE END OF ELLIE'S FLAME!!!! AAAH!!!

I know the wedding part might sound a bit weird---I've never been to a wedding, and movie ones are all different, so I have no idea what a real wedding might look like. I just went with what felt right for my characters. 

BTW, guys----"Ellie's Flame" and "Elicia's Ice" has now been entered into the Wattys2019 competition!! Ah!! I'm so happy---even though I doubt I'll win anything. I just loved filling out the application.

Also----who has seen the new trailer for "Frozen 2"???? AAAH!!! I AM LITERALLY FREAKING OUT FROZEN WAS MY CHILDHOOOODDDDDDDD AAAAGHAAGHAGAHGAH AHPAIFBALAKJCBAHS CAPIWHDIW{IQWQHIB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caaaalm. Calm.

*breathes*

Okay. Ellie's Flame is done, but D3 will still be posted in this book. The titles will just start over at "1" now instead of continuing with "24" and so on. 

For those of you who still haven't connected the dots with the titles, try looking at a sentence that stands all by itself in this chapter. ALL BY ITSELF. That isn't dialogue. 

I will be posting "Wicked World" Ellie in EMUFF---a small, not-easily-noticed book with a light blue cover. It will have all the "Wicked World" episodes I choose to put Ellie into, so I don't go Ellie-less while waiting for D3.

ONE MORE THING-----Sister demands I credit her for stuff she helped with. 

Thank you Loaf of Bread for helping me move the story along, for coming up with the annoying crab character, and for helping me come up with the idea of putting Hades and Elsa together in this chapter. Thank you for your crazy ideas that I... ah... tweaked.