[TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains instances of depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-harm, and graphic portrayals of death and blood. I don't want anyone here to be triggered because of me. I shall label which chapter have what triggers as they come.]

[DISCLAIMER: I don't own Frozen or its characters; they belong to Disney. I also don't own the songs and music referenced or used in this fanfiction; they belong to their designated owners. If I write lyrics to the tune of an existing song, the original song and its owner will be stated at the beginning of the chapter. I do own any and all Original Characters, and ownership of them will be stated as they appear.]

Thank you for reading.

BOOK THE FIRST: REFLECTIONS AND SHADOWS

Chapter One: Together Again

Theme Song: His Theme by Toby Fox (acoustic guitar cover by Lq shinoda on YouTube)

It was a beautiful afternoon. The courtyard had been iced over and made into an ice rink that the citizens of Arendelle were currently skating on. Snow fell all around them like many tiny, glittering diamonds even though it was the middle of summer.

Princess Anna looked over at her older sister where she was standing between the frozen fountains. Much had changed in the past few days, and it could be argued that most of the change was for the better. If Anna had been told a few days ago that her estranged older sister had magical powers over ice and snow, she probably would have not believed it at first—though something in her heart would have probably held the distant memory of magical nights spent frolicking in ice cold powder—but after recalling how cold it would always be in front of Elsa's door, it would start to sound more believable.

It could not be denied that the party after Elsa's coronation could have gone much more smoothly, but if things hadn't happened the way they had, the two sisters might not be starting to mend their relationship with each other. It also couldn't be denied that, as people say, "Stress shows character," and if all that stress and havoc hadn't been there, then the true motives of Prince Hans and the Duke of Weselton probably wouldn't have been revealed when they were, and thus, they would have had a better chance of causing serious harm.

Half walking, half staggering on the ice, Anna made her way over to her sister. Seeing her approach, Elsa quickly stretched out her arms and caught her beloved little sister before she could slip and fall at her feet. "I like the open gate," the princess commented with a smile.

"We are never closing them again," the queen reassured, causing Anna's smile to grow wider.

Needless to say, after being kept apart for thirteen years, the two sisters were now inseparable, and they did not leave each other's company for the rest of the day. When the day was drawing to a close and the people of Arendelle had departed for their homes after bidding goodnight to the royal sisters, the queen and princess entered the castle. Linked arm-in-arm, the two made their way down the halls until they came to Anna's room—once the room of both the sisters. Entering, the two sat on the princess's bed and proceeded to talk and catch up as the evening turned into night.

With the light of the nearly set sun streaming through the window of the room, the feathers of the colossal phoenix which was the sun gently brushed against the calm waves of the recently thawed fjord, and each sparkling droplet of liquid sapphire and gold could be seen through the warm glare of feather prints on the window panes. Streaming from the window, the resonating light shown on Anna's strawberry blonde hair, making her locks look like twin braided flames, and upon her green eyes, making them shine like jewels. The rays touched Elsa's single long braid as well, making it look like a cross of gold and ice, and on her blue eyes, making them practically glow as she commented with a smile, "I'd say that this day couldn't have ended more perfectly, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Anna agreed from where she sat on her bed with her knees tucked under her chin, "the rest of the day had some parts that weren't so perfect, sure, but like Mama and Papa always said, 'All's well that ends well,' right?" Elsa had told Anna about why they had been separated for all those years, and the younger sister had been very understanding… rather miffed at their parents, but as understanding as she could be.

Elsa's smile grew a fraction as she replied from her seat on the edge of the bed, "Quite right." Carefully taking her sister's hand in hers, she sighed, "I've missed you so much… my Sunshine."

"I've missed you, too…" the princess replied with a smile and a squeeze of her sister's hand before adding, "Snow Queen."

"Oh, please," the older sister quickly began with a wave of her free hand, "you of all people shouldn't have to address me by my title."

"But I think it sounds so cool, no pun intended," Anna argued as she swayed a bit from side to side in excitement. Elsa just giggled as her little sister continued, "The Snow Queen! It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Elsa the Snow Queen of Arendelle!" Said queen openly laughed as Anna stated her full title with a deep dramatic voice.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Anna," she warmly chuckled while giving her hand another squeeze, trying to familiarize herself with physical contact again.

The young princess chuckled as well before nervously tucking her hair behind her ear with her free hand. "About that… I was… kinda wondering if you will… I dunno… move back into our old room with me like when we were kids… please?... I really miss you." At this point, Anna's face was nearly hidden by her knees. She's going to say no. I know it, she thought to herself. She's going to say no… but I just miss her so much and-

"Of course I will."

The red headed princess did a double take as she raised her head up a bit higher. "Wait, what?"

"Of course I will move back into our old room again with you, Anna," the platinum blonde queen repeated with a smile. "When would you like me to move back in with you?" Though outwardly she was smiling, inwardly, Elsa was nervous, scared even. What if she accidentally hurt her sister again with her ice powers? What if Anna was killed permanently if she did? What if she was then accused of regicide by her people and dethroned? "What if?" after "What if?" ran through her head, but she was determined to fight thirteen years' worth of old bad habits to be with her sister again.

"As soon as possible, if that's okay with you," Anna replied with a beaming grin.

"Then I shall arrange for the servants to bring my bed and things back in here tomorrow," she stated while glancing at the clock, "it is quite late and I don't want to keep them up. Besides, it's time we both started getting ready to go to sleep." At that, the queen rose from her seat on the edge of the bed and released her sister's hand.

"What time is it?" Anna asked, watching her sister get up.

"Four in the morning."

"What?!"

Elsa laughed. "No, I'm only joking, it's ten forty-five."

"Wow," Anna softly exclaimed as she rose from her place as well and walked with her sister to the door. "The sun seems to be setting later and later, doesn't it?"

"Well, it is summer," Elsa explained, "with the hotter sun comes longer days."

Upon reaching the door to the princess's room, the two sisters faced each other. Before Elsa could even open her mouth to bid her sister good night, Anna had already enveloped her in a hug. The older sister was still getting used to physical contact again and felt rather awkward at first, but after a moment, she returned her little sister's embrace.

"I love you, Elsa."

Upon hearing this statement, Elsa fought back the tears and softly replied to her sister, "I love you, too, Anna." Even though they were starting over, the ice queen still felt deep pain and regret. She tried to keep her sister safe but only ended up hurting her. She froze Anna's heart for goodness sake! Yet here she was… saying that she loved her anyway. Elsa felt that she didn't deserve it. No. She knew that she didn't deserve it. "Please, promise me something," the queen began while trying to disguise her voice so she wouldn't reveal her inner conflict.

"Okay," Anna replied, oblivious to her sister's inner turmoil.

"Promise me that you will be careful around me and my powers, alright? I'm doing all that I can to keep you safe, but it is only so much, I need you to be careful as well. Will you do that for me?"

"I'll try," Anna agreed.

"No, you won't try," Elsa corrected. "You will be careful. Okay?"

"Okay, Elsa," the princess agreed again. "Anything for you." She began to realize that her sister was very serious. Was something wrong? Should she ask? Before she could decide, she felt a pair of cold lips press against the red hair on the side of her head and her sister's arms tightening around her shoulders.

"I love you very, very much, Anna. Don't you ever forget that," Elsa murmured into her sister's red hair while her brow furrowed with seriousness... and pain.

"I won't ever forget, Elsa. I love you, too."

After giving her little sister one last squeeze, Elsa pulled away and quickly donned a convincingly real smile—though it was only a mask. "I should go and let you get to sleep, I know that you aren't a morning person," she stated with a playful wink.

"I am a morning person!" Anna retorted, forgetting about the previous seriousness of their conversation. "Well, sort of a morning person. Morning person enough to get up on time."

"We'll see in the morning," the queen chuckled while opening the door and stepping through. "Goodnight, Anna," Elsa stated while looking back at her sister one more time with a loving smile.

"Night-night, Elsa," the princess replied with a smile of her own before closing the door again. Leaning her back against the door, she let out a deep sigh. Elsa was acting strangely serious.

Anna would have to talk to her about it tomorrow.