Hello again! This fic is the start of a new series that hopefully I can keep going all the way through to the end. Dreaming of the Impossible is a prequel to this. I just had to write more about these two, and I hope you will enjoy reading it. Chapter 2 should follow tomorrow. Rated T violence and fairly blatant royal lesbian incest. And if you can't see it, then it's coming.
"I get it. Dreaming of the impossible..." She turned to leave.
It had been several years since Anna cried her heart out in front of a painting, but this wasn't the first time the events had returned to plague her in her dreams. What was new this time was the smiling figure that appeared before her, wearing a dress of ice.
"Elsa?" she smiled hopefully. The figure raised one of its hands and pointed at her. Jagged ice crystals began to form around it. Anna's smile faded. "Els-AAAAAAGH!" The crystals shot towards her, each of them piercing her chest above her heart. A bitter chill spread through her body as she collapsed to the ground. "Why…?"
The scream was heard several rooms away. "Anna?" Elsa was sat bolt upright in bed. "Anna!"
I almost lost you once. Never again.
Elsa leapt out of bed and began running almost before her feet had hit the floor. "Your majesty!" Elsa had thrust the door open, nearly colliding with a passing servant. She however ignored this and sped up the passageway as fast she could.
I'm coming, Anna. It's okay. I'll protect you.
Elsa realised that she was running too fast to stop outside Anna's door and was going to overshoot, just as Anna used to outside her own. She grabbed for the handle and clung on, pulling a muscle as she felt the impact of her abrupt stop.
"Anna?" She knocked frantically on the door, without reply. "Anna!" Elsa turned the handle; and finding that the door was thankfully unlocked; flew inside.
"No! No!" Anna gasped fearfully and tried to scramble backwards away from her sister. Her breathing was fast and erratic, her face pallid, and she was drenched in cold sweat.
"Anna, what's wrong? You're scaring me!" Elsa's concern was visible in her eyes as she cautiously approached her sister.
"No...no...no…" Anna moaned as Elsa drew closer to the bed and sat down. "No…" she trailed off, as Elsa placed her hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. Slowly Anna's breathing returned to normal and her body relaxed. "You're freezing." Elsa murmured as she felt Anna's forehead. "Hold on a moment." She stood up and walked over to the fireplace. After a few moments, once she'd got a roaring fire going, Elsa went back to her sister's side.
Anna was silent for a long time, taking comfort in the warmth of the fire and her sister's hand. Eventually she spoke. "Elsa?"
"Yes, Anna?"
"You're...not going to hurt me again, are you?"
The words burned Elsa's heart like fire. "...Of course not. Why would you ask that?"
"I had...a nightmare. I was talking to the painting of Joan of Arc, like I used to, before…" The awkward silence told Elsa all she needed to know about when it took place.
"...And...then you appeared behind me and...pierced my heart with ice."
Elsa's face went white, her eyes misting over. "Oh, Anna!" Elsa hugged her sister tightly and held on as though she was the most precious thing in the world. "I will never hurt you again, I swear."
The tension in Anna's body seemed to to dissipate. "I'm sorry, Elsa. It's not your fault." she sobbed into her sister's shoulder.
Of course it's my fault. You shouldn't have to go through this, Anna. Out loud, Elsa only said "It's fine." She kissed Anna on the forehead.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Olaf entered the room. "Ooh, are we doing hugs? Can I get one?"
Elsa and Anna broke apart and smiled at Olaf. "Of course." Elsa sniffed, drying her eyes. Olaf tottered over to them, and each of them put their arms around him.
"Ahhhh, I love warm hugs." Olaf smiled, looking from one to the other. "Is something the matter?" he asked.
Anna looked awkward.
"I'll tell you later." Elsa whispered in his ear.
Elsa paced up and down the throne room, thinking hard. Why did this have to happen? I thought things would be okay now. I have to do something.
Coming to a decision, she strode over to the door and opened it, looking around. Kai was walking along the corridor. "Kai, can I see you for a moment, please?" She asked.
"Of course, your majesty." The servant replied, entering the throne room.
Elsa gave a deep breath. "I need to see the Official Ice Deliverer. Immediately. Have him brought to me."
"Your Majesty." Kai bowed low and retreated.
"Thank you, Kai. I'm...I'm very grateful." Elsa called after the servant. Almost as soon as she heard the door shut behind him, she resumed her frantic pacing of the room.
I can't live with myself if I've caused her permanent damage. This isn't fair. Not after what she's already been through because of me.
After about half an hour of pacing, there was a knock on the door. "Enter." Elsa answered.
Kai entered, Kristoff following him into the throne room. "I have brought the Ice Deliverer as you requested, your Majesty."
"Thank you Kai. Please leave us." Kai bowed and left the room.
"...You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?" Kristoff asked awkwardly.
"Elsa will do fine, Kristoff."
Kristoff was taken aback. "Okay...Elsa? What did you want me to see you about?"
Elsa began to explain about Anna's nightmare, Kristoff's brow furrowed. "...I was wondering if you would take me to see the trolls." she finished. "As soon as possible. It's not fair that Anna should have to live like this. If there's anything that I can possibly do to help her, I want to. I have to. It's only right that after everything that I put her through. I would do anything for her."
"Fair enough. I'm beginning to understand why Anna never gave up on you. You're...not at all like I first thought. I'll go and get Sven saddled up."
"Anna's a kind person. She's not the sort to give up on anyone." Elsa frowned.
I really do not deserve her kindness.
"Or maybe...you were just worth melting for." Kristoff smiled. "I should be ready in half an hour, okay?"
"Okay." Elsa smiled slightly in spite of herself.
"You're going to see the trolls? Can I come?" Olaf asked excitedly, popping up from behind the throne.
"Wha-how long have you been there, exactly?" Elsa's face was a perfect look of surprise.
"Quite a while! I was going to say something before, but I didn't want to distract you from your pacing. Anyway, can I come? I want to help Anna too!"
Elsa laughed fondly. "I'd really rather you didn't, Olaf. I don't want Anna to be left on her own right now. Could you stay and look after her for me, please?"
"I could do that." he offered.
Elsa knelt down and kissed him on the nose. "Thank you."
"You're going somewhere?" Anna asked.
"I'll be back soon." Elsa reassured her.
"Why can't I come with you?"
"Because you need to rest."
"Why? It was only a dream." Anna protested.
"It might have only been a dream, but your reaction to it took a lot out of you. I don't think you going where we're going is a good idea, after that."
"...Okay." Anna sighed.
"Don't look at me like that, Anna...I'm doing this for you." Elsa looked pained. "I'm leaving Olaf with you while I'm gone. He'll look after you."
Anna's expression softened. "Thank you...for being so concerned over me. I don't deserve it, really."
"Don't be silly." Elsa hugged her sister and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, Anna."
There is nothing in this world that you do not deserve.
"Are you ready, Elsa?" Kristoff approached, Sven pulling the sled behind him.
"Mmhm. I'll be back as soon as I can." Elsa let go of Anna and got into the sled. "Olaf, you take care of her, okay?"
"I'll do my best!"
"Right, here we go...hiyah!" Kristoff flicked the reins, and the reindeer sped away.
Anna's face fell as she watched them disappear over the horizon. Olaf noticed this and drew closer.
"Don't be sad, Anna!" he said. "You've got me! Hug?"
Anna accepted the offer gratefully, hugging Olaf tightly.
"Your sister loves you very much, you know." He told her.
"I know." She stared in the direction they'd gone.
The truth is, I don't even know why I'm sad.