Closure [Denmark]

[Elyse]

It had only been around a year since Elyse had left, but it felt like it had been so much longer. Still, the streets of Helsingør were completely familiar to her. She had walked these streets since she had been a little girl. Back then, she had often held the hand of her father and mother. She had always felt safe here. Even now, after all of it, she still felt safe. She had debated whether or not to even make the trip to her hometown, but deep down, she knew she had to do it. She needed a final page to close this chapter of her life, and the end of the year seemed an appropriate time to do it.

Elyse had asked Rachel if she wanted to come with. It hadn't surprised or upset Elyse when Rachel had said she wanted to, but didn't think she could handle it. Rachel was doing so much better now that she had been only a short time ago, but she still struggled. Elyse thought she would see this trip as sort of an extended date. Rachel wasn't ready for that, and truth be told, Elyse wasn't either. They both needed to heal more even if they both liked each other. Elyse gave a brief smile as she crossed a street. Thinking of Rachel usually did. She was glad that they both liked each other well enough that Rachel felt comfortable speaking the truth with her and Elyse felt comfortable accepting it.

Elyse wasn't alone though. Anna had accepted her invitation to come. It had been Rachel's suggestion to Elyse to invite Anna. Elyse was glad for that. She didn't want to be here alone. The pair had flew into Copenhagen the night before and this morning had traveled into Helsingør. Elyse was showing Anna around.

"That's Kronborg Castle," she said, pointing at the large building that could be seen over the houses. "Where Hamlet takes place."

Anna gave her a smile. "Can we see it while we're here?"

"Of course! They have tours. Let's do that tomorrow." Elyse said, directing Anna down a side street. 

The pair followed the street for several more blocks.  The houses were getting farther apart as they got into a more affluent neighborhood. There was a park nearby, and Elyse led them into it. She wiped the snow off of a bench and sat down. Anna sat next to her as Elyse looked across the street. A house sat there, well maintained with a "For Sale" sign in the front. Elyse didn't say anything. Anna knew why she was here, and she knew the importance of the house that kept Elyse's gaze.

Seeing her childhood home with a sign out front hurt. It also brought back memories - most of them happy, but now tainted with the pain of her father's betrayal.  Elyse had made the decision to sell the house. Sage had assisted in making that happen and taking care of the rest of her estate. Elyse already had some liquid assets from that. The house was all that was left that (technically) still belonged to her. 

Elyse wasn't aware that she had started to cry until she felt Anna's warmth wrap itself around her. Elyse leaned into her, resting her head on her best friend's shoulder. Anna was as perceptive as always said nothing. She was just present in the moment and that was what Elyse needed.  The sting of betrayal hurt, but Elyse was glad she had come. There was a peace she was beginning to feel that had been a long time coming. Elyse wiped at tears, stinging in the cold. She would endure for now.

[Anna]

Anna had been surprised that Elyse had asked her to go. It wasn’t their friendship or anything, but she expected Rachel to go. Anna had made sure that Rachel had been okay were her going. Her response had been I’m not ready to go, it’s not like Elyse and I are together, and even if we were, I trust you. Even if unexpected, Anna was glad to go and honored to be asked by Elyse to accompany her. Anna knew why Elyse was going. She needed some closure after everything. Anna understood why her friend hadn’t desired solitude.

Denmark was a beautiful country. They had landed in Copenhagen and stayed the night in the city. The drive to Helsingør hadn’t been a long one, but they had passed through some beautiful farmland on the way. Being a city girl, it wasn’t something she saw a whole lot. It was peaceful. Elyse and her chatted amicably as they headed through the country.

Elyse had smiled upon arrival to her hometown. She wasn’t surprised. It had been a long time since either of them had been home, but it seemed to mean more to Elyse than it would have to Anna. Of course, Elyse had a good relationship with her family until a couple of weeks ago. Anna had been estranged from hers for years.

They got to the hotel, but despite the cold, they decided to walk. Anna didn’t even complain. Usually she would, but she was here for Elyse. Anna smiled as Elyse pointed out things like where she used to buy groceries or where she used to hang out with friends in school. She pointed out Kronborg Castle and she was glad they decided to go.

When they got to the park, and sat down on the bench, Anna didn’t have to ask Elyse about the house. She knew. When Elyse stared to cry, Anna pulled her close and just allowed Elyse to process. When Elyse sat up and then wiped her eyes, Anna spoke.

”You okay?”

Elyse nodded. ”used to play soccer in this park.”

It seemed an odd thing to say, but people processed differently. Anna went with it. ”You played soccer?”

Elyse nodded and smiled. ”As a little girl, yes. I wasn’t very good though.”

Elyse went silent after that. Anna looked around, taking the scene in. ”So many good memories, now sullied.”

Anna pulled her close. ”Im sorry, Elyse. Is there anything I can do?”

Elyse smiled lightly. ”You’re here. That’s all I need.”

Anna squeezed. ”We’ll stay as long as you want. they went silent as the wind began to blow lightly through the park.

[Elyse]

Elyse sat there, Anna’s arm around her shoulder as she looked at the house she grew up in and the park she played in as a child. There was pain there, but it was becoming the dull pain of a healing wound. She knew in that moment that coming here had been a good idea. This trip had been necessary.

Anna had gone quiet, allowing Elyse to do things on her own terms. It was what Elyse needed in that moment. The sun was beginning to get low when Elyse decided to stand, and offered a hand to Anna. ”Come on,” Elyse said, a small smile starting to form on her face.

Elyse led Anna back through the town, feeling incredibly light now. She didn’t head back to their hotel or hail a cab. She led Anna instead to the piers over looking Øresund. The smell of saltwater permeated the air here and Elyse took a deep breath of the cold air. A city on the water, it played host to many fishermen, both Danish and Swedish who fished in the waters.

Elyse led her to a pub, a favorite of the fishermen and locals alike. Elyse could think of no other place to take Anna before they headed back to the hotel for the rest of the night. They shook out their coats as they entered. The bartender gave them a quick smile and then returned his attention to the group of fishermen ordering drinks. They had to be some fishing crew, and besides Elyse and Anna, were the only patrons in the pub. When they spoke, Elyse smiled.

”They speaking Danish?” Anna asked as they took a seat in a booth.

”Swedish, actually,” she said. ”Im not really fluent, but Danish and Swedish are close enough that I can make out most of it.”

Anna leaned forward with a grin. ”Well! Translate! What are they saying that is making you smile?”

Elyse returned her grin. ”You’ll find out soon enough,” Elyse said as the bartender approached their table with two glasses of beer.

”The Captain is buying a round for the bar. For Christmas,” he said, placing the glasses in front of them.

”Tak,” Elyse said, using the Danish word for thank you. Anna and Elyse looked over at the sailors and raised their glasses in thanks. It was returned by the fishermen and they all took a drink.

Elyse placed her glass on the table. ”Thank you for coming with me, Anna,” Elyse said, her voice quiet.

”You’re very welcome, Elyse. I’m…” her voice trailed off as one of the men began to sing.

” Stilla natt, heliga natt!
Allt är frid. Stjärnan blid”

They didn’t need to know Swedish to understand the words being sung. The melody of the timeless carol Silent Night was enough to give it away. The rest of the crew began to join in. With a smile, Elyse joined in a little later, singing in her native Danish. Anna joined in last, in English. A few of the fishermen looked to them as they began to sing with smiles. Not all of the patrons in the bar were skilled or even passable singers, but that didn’t matter. It was a beautiful moment. For Elyse, it was perfect.

When the song ended, they all took another drink of their beers, loud shouts of “Merry Christmas” was heard in multiple languages. Elyse sighed and looked up at Anna, feeling incredibly happy in that moment. ”Merry Christmas, Anna.”

”Merry Christmas, Elyse,” Anna said. They clinked their glasses together and raised their glasses once more to the fishermen before taking a deep drink. This was the closure Elyse had needed.