CHAPTER 2

Anna walked down the long corridor toward her sister's room, which was formerly her departed parents' room and where the kings and queens from many past generations had gotten their royal sleep. She tried her best to hide the waddle that had become her normal walk because of the thing that had been taking over her body. The less weak she looked, the better when it came to convincing Elsa.

She knocked on the door. Usually in castles there is someone to introduce the visitor to the queen, but not in this one. It was a more relaxed environment. Elsa and Anna liked being available to each other at all times with no middle man. Some may say to make up for lost time, but Elsa and Anna saw it as more than that. They never really wanted to be apart in the first place and, whether Anna realized it or not, Elsa loved her sister unconditionally even when she wasn't allowed to tell Anna why she had become reclusive.

"Come on in, Anna," said the queen.

Anna wanted to be assertive, but as soon as she saw Elsa standing there finishing her hair for the day, she caved in to her nerves.

"How are you this morning?" Elsa asked.

"Kristoff wants me to go with him to get ice today! Okay it wasn't his idea; it was mine, but it's the first nice day in like a month!"

Elsa let out a tiny laugh and a weak smile trying to hide her fear, but it didn't work.

Anna walked closer to her sister, put her hands on Elsa's shoulder, and looked right into Elsa's eyes. "I need this, Elsa."

Elsa looked down and shook her head. "Anna, please."

"I don't even know why I am asking permission," Anna said after having the realization she can make her own decisions. "I guess I just want you to be fine with it. It's just for today. I need to get out of the castle. Just for a bit! The sun is setting earlier so we won't be gone forever. If I get too cold or uncomfortable, you know Kristoff will come right back. Please just don't think about it too much. Have fun doing your queenly duties and know I will be just fine. Really. I'll be fine. Have I said 'fine' enough?"

"Okay, just be careful and bring extra gloves."

Anna showed her the two pairs of gloves in one hand and two hats in the other. "I'm on it, boss."

Elsa and Anna started walking towards the door. Anna was clearly elated that she would be leaving the castle, but Elsa still wanted Anna to stick close to the grounds.

"What's the chance of you just staying here? We'll walk around the grounds later. We'll get the whole gang together and stroll."

"Nope. You have too much to do running the kingdom and I need to get away for a day."

"Fine." Elsa gave her sister a wink. "Just let me know when you have returned."

The two sisters embraced. It had become an odd-looking hug as the months passed and the little one was growing bigger. The awkwardness, though, would never be able to stop them. The love they had for each other didn't need to be proven. It was clear just looking at how they acted around one another, but they still hugged and said "I love you" every time they parted.

Anna started to release her embrace, but Elsa still held on so Anna reciprocated and waited for Elsa's cue to let go. It was the least she could do for bringing this stress into Elsa's life, but it was worth it to get out for a few hours.