Italics are the thoughts of characters.

Elsa and Anna sat down, the hour shaded. The lounge was empty and most of the candles extinguished save for the ones near their seats. From this point, they had a view of the sea that encompassed three sides of the castle.

Despite muffled sounds through walls and Anna eating chocolate, no sound was made.

Feeling slightly tensed, Elsa forced the words forward. "You shouldn't eat that this late, you know"

"This is when I get peckish"

Elsa could see it, the perceptible gleam in Anna's eyes as her sister spoke.

Don't embarrass yourself. Play it calm.

Anna shifted in her chair, the silence bothering her. Elsa did not notice. But she was bothered by it too. She was so used to it, but now it suddenly felt wrong to be so.

Second by second. Daydream merging into daydream. Then Elsa suddenly became aware of herself and felt guilty for saying nothing. The guilt grew then morphed and she was off on another daydream.

She never meant it. She just never assumed it was a problem before. Maybe it was her tiredness. Maybe it was what she had just professed to her parents graves.

"Elsa, look, maybe tonight's not the best time"

Elsa's focus stunted then the guilt returned. This thing, whatever it was, had never left her.

"No I just...I'm not good with words...as if...what to say is just..."

Anna reached over and grabbed Elsa's gloved hand. The very slightly perceptible flinch in Elsa's arm only tightened Anna's grip.

"Elsa, what is it that's bothering you?"

"I just...don't know. Sometimes I just feel amazing and like I can accomplish heaven and earth and then...I can't...I'm sorry I don't know"

Elsa was nearly choking. Anna's hand released hers.

I know how I feel. It's been like this for so long but...I can't...say it. Why can't I say it?"

It was as if her voice was stolen from her. Every thought towards words was lost in the pink blob behind her now wet eyes. And it was crucifying to see Anna so lost as to what to do.

She just wants to help.

"Elsa"

The queen's mind arrived back in the room.

I did it again. Stop it!

Anna tentatively spoke: "How about I start and then you say something when you feel ready?"

Elsa could only nod, both pained and grateful she didn't need to speak.

"Well after you left to do...stuff I had a meeting with the castles staff ministry people. They weren't too pleased I didn't know their names after I said something to Gerda so I think one of them doesn't like me now. But it's not as if I see them all the time."

Elsa intently listened as best she could. Work was admittedly the last thought that had come to her. It now had her attention.

"They wanted to know what would be done to appeal to the people after you're..." Anna packed her words so carefully..."snowstorm".

Well, she tried.

"And then they went on and on about stuff like profits and business but I wanted to know if anyone had sent in mail. Y'know like, just regular folks?" Her tone reached inquisition.

Elsa acknowledged her last point.

"So they said yeah and I thought; What if we replied to them? It makes sense. The people down there get some answers and we can undo some of the damage?"

Anna suddenly picked out a forgotten point.

"I actually sort of had to run that by you?" Anna fingers curled, uncertain what she feared more, her sister's response or her possible silence.

Elsa raised her head, her royal posture suddenly showing. She felt a subconscious math of responses circle her lips. She was thinking deeply. Keeping free thoughts away.

"That's fine." But she could sense Anna's heaving mentally over what she'd done outside Elsa's presence.

"Really Anna, I like it. Did they say how many letters there are addressed to us?"

Anna smiled; glad to have her speaking, even if it was about something boring.

"A thousand and something. Most of them are just addressed to Hans or the castle staff" Anna said.

Elsa took breathe.

"I think we should focus on the ones that show concern for families and children. And any of the sick. It's no use going through every one. They'll be another winter by then"

But Anna was more taken by how Elsa spoke.

She could see the machine behind Elsa at work. The even tone. The way her eyes and words walked through her speech like she was a quill without a hand.

Why do they care so much about formality? Who really cares? Anna thought.

"Anything else I should know?" Elsa queried.

"Not that I can remember."

Elsa felt calmer, but she wasn't sure why. The surrealness of their situation was beginning to unnerve her.

Anna began to yawn organically. She would soon be sleepy.

Of course right as I get through to her. Through letters but still.

"Tired?"

"He he, just a little" Anna tittered.

Elsa seemed to look around the room for a brief second.

She forced their eyes to meet, instantly terrified. No warning occurred to either.

"I'm going to go to bed now" And with that the Queen sheepishly stood up and walked towards the far door, still in Anna's sightline. Anna could almost hear the strain in Elsa's body. She was keeping so much at bay.

"Elsa, promise me you won't work into the night" Anna took her turn to keep the concern off her face, a skill she had never developed.

Elsa's eyes flickered and shifted, as if under great light, yet the doorway was mostly dark. Her heart was unnaturally fast.

This is so stressful, Elsa mused.

"I can't promise that" She crackled. Anna noted her voice was unusually monotone.

Before Anna could speak, Elsa turned and closed the door behind her. The spare looked for a long time at the space where her elder had been.

"Oh Elsa, what is it you are keeping in that head? I won't quit on you."

She never seemed much of talker. This wasn't a great idea

"Whatever it takes we'll do it. We are sisters." She announced to the closed door.

But it looks like we need some time.

Anna thought of herself for a moment. Could she deal with this? She could feel herself getting tired at the thought. Thinking of herself wasn't a habit. Thinking deeply wasn't an everyday habit. Her lack of most habits was her one consistent habit.

But she had been brash before, thinking of herself. Opened her mouth when she shouldn't have. The coronation. Thinking of the trouble that could have been avoided had Anna held herself back made the young heir droop physically with guilt.

She hugged herself.

Help her and then help yourself. You have Kristoff. She only has you. We've both been alone too long to go back to how it was.

Behind her, the clock struck the eleventh hour and began to strike.

Anna doused the candles and headed for the door.

It will be ok.

Authors Notes:

Aha! A sequel? Yes, it seems so. I should make apparent that I think this tale exists quite well regardless of 'The Door', my other story. But this can function as a sequel if someone has read The Door beforehand.

This takes place the day after the films events. My one-shot 'The Truth' takes place just an hour before this chapter begins.

I hope to take a different approach this time. Having a computer now helps too. New chapters ahead!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Review if you wish.