Arendelle was preparing for war. And it was all Elsa's fault.

Just when things were finally looking up again, her powers had to ruin things. Hans had convinced all the neighboring kingdoms to wage war, and they all now viewed Elsa's powers as a threat to their sovereignty. Thanks to Hans, they viewed her as a power hungry monster who possessed the necessary tools to achieve world domination. In truth, Elsa couldn't care less about forming the icy empire that struck fear into neighboring kings' hearts. All she wanted was to spend quality time with her sister. The secret that had divided them for so long no longer existed. Elsa could finally become the sister that Anna deserved. Sadly, Hans' lies foiled this dream before Elsa even had a chance to make it a reality.

The Snow Queen nervously paced back and forth in her throne room. There had to be a way to peacefully negotiate with the other kingdoms to avoid war. Every potential solution was rendered invalid due to an icy roadblock. Anna, Kristoff, and even Olaf had tried to offer solutions to the problem.

"You could build a huge wall of ice around the outskirts of Arendelle!" Kristoff exclaimed. "Not only would it keep us safe from danger, but it would be so awesome!"

"Good idea, Kristoff" Elsa replied. "But I fear if I do that then the kingdoms may think we have something to hide, accelerating the impending war and seemingly prove Hans right."

"I know!" Olaf squealed excitedly waving his tiny wooden arms in the air. "Pick me, pick me!"

"Olaf, you don't have to raise your hand every time you want to say something," Anna reminded him gently.

"Oh, right." Olaf bumbled his way to Elsa. "Well I think that if Queen Elsa visited the other kings and gave them warm hugs, then all our problems will be solved! They wouldn't want to fight after a warm hug. Everyone loves warm hugs!"

Elsa shook her head, "I'm afraid this is a mess that a simple hug won't fix."

"What a minute, Elsa," Anna exclaimed. "Maybe Olaf does have a point."

"Yay me!" shouted Olaf.

"You think she should go and hug the men who want to destroy Arendelle?" Kristoff asked, completely dumbstruck.

"No, not that part." Anna explained, "Maybe Elsa should visit the other kings. Tell them the truth. They will listen - they probably want to avoid war as much as we do. Besides, I'm sure we aren't the only royal family members that have been lied to by Hans."

"If I thought that would work I would have tried that already." Elsa sighed. "These kings won't listen to reason as long as they view my powers as a threat." The others went quiet, deep in thought.

Elsa muttered to herself, barely a above whisper, "If only I were born normal without these powers. I wish I could be rid of them."

"Maybe there's another way." Kristoff spoke up. "If you really want to get rid of your powers, maybe the trolls could help. They seem to be an expert where your powers are concerned."

Anna looked at him, shocked that Kristoff would suggest such a thing.

Elsa's eyes lit up, "Where can I find them?"

"I can take you to them." Kristoff replied.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Anna yelled. "Elsa, you can't get rid of your powers. They are gift. You shouldn't be ashamed of them. If you lose your powers then you will lose a part of yourself. As your sister I can't let you do this!"

"I'm sorry Anna, but I must." Elsa sighed. "If I need to sacrifice my powers for the good of Arendelle, then so be it." Elsa turned to Kristoff. "How soon can you take me to the trolls?"

"Right away." Kristoff bowed.

"If you are going to do this, please, at least take me with you." Anna begged.

"No," Elsa said without hesitation. "Arendelle needs you here in case something happens."

"You make it sound like I will never see you again."

"I'll be back before you know it." Elsa promised.

Anna grabbed the hem of Elsa's dress in protest, but hesitated. She quietly let go. "Just... promise me you'll be careful. Both of you."

Elsa and Kristoff nodded in unison. Anna bid them a quick farewell. She was determined not to cry in front of them.

Without wasting any time, Kristoff and Elsa got Sven from the stables and set off for the trolls' home. They rode most of the way in an awkward silence. They had never been alone before and they had nothing in common with the exception of Anna. Finally, Kristoff broke the silence.

"I think you're doing the right thing."

"What?" Elsa asked.

"I think you are doing the right thing by going to the trolls" he responded. "If anyone can help you, they can."

Elsa nodded grateful for the support. "You will look after Anna, won't you?"

"Of course. I imagine that I'll spend the rest of my life looking after her."

Elsa laughed. "Yes, she is a sweet girl, but she can be a bit naive."

"Maybe that's what makes her so endearing." Kristoff suggested.

"I think that her ability to always see the best in others is what draws people to her." Elsa said thoughtfully. "That being said, if you hurt her I will make you wish you hadn't - with or without ice powers."

Kristoff laughed, "I wouldn't dream of hurting her." He glanced at the path ahead. Elsa watched as the trail broke into a wide clearing with nothing but mist and small, moss-laden boulders.

"We're here."

They got off Sven and Kristoff rewarded him with a carrot.

"All I see is a bunch of rocks." Elsa said completely baffled.

"Just wait a second." Kristoff instructed.

All of a sudden a squealing voice echoed across the valley: "Kristoff's home! And he's brought another girl!"

The rocks sprang to life, reveling the trolls living underneath. A few began to run towards Kristoff, but paused when they recognized Elsa, gawking at the Snow Queen.

One of the youngest trolls began singing. "So she's a bit of a fixer upp-"

An older troll nudged him. "Shut up! That's the Queen."

The eldest troll came out of the crowd and kneeled at Elsa's feet. All of the other trolls followed suit.

Elsa cleared her throat. "I have come because I need your help. As I'm sure you are perfectly aware, Arendelle is on the brink of war because of my powers. As Queen, I humbly ask that you remove the magic from me so that Arendelle can live on in peace."

The trolls were in an uproar. Most of them discouraging Elsa from stripping herself of her powers.

"I have already made up my mind." Elsa explained. "Will you help me or not?"

The eldest troll began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Queen Elsa, your powers are a rare and mysterious phenomenon. We trolls know very little about the nature of your abilities, much less how to take them away from you."

"So you can't help me?"

The eldest troll shook his head. "We cannot."

"But we know of someone who can." One of the female trolls spoke up. "They say he is the most powerful magician in all the realms. If anyone can do as you ask, then it is he."

"Who is this magician? Where can I find him?"

The trolls were all avoiding Elsa's icy gaze. It was the eldest troll who broke the tension. "They say he lives in another land called the Enchanted Forest. The stories refer to him as The Dark One."

"Very well, then I shall go and meet with this Dark One."

"No." The eldest troll disagreed. "Queen Elsa, I would strongly advise against this. The Dark One is a trickster. He may give you what you seek, but he always demands something in return. And usually the price is steep."

"Thank you for your concern," Elsa addressed the crowd, "but I am Queen and I can handle myself. Besides, I'm running out of options. This 'Dark One' may hold the key to Arendelle's peace and happiness." She paused, waiting for any further challenges. The trolls were silent.

"Now, how do I get to this other realm?"

The eldest troll reluctantly took something small out of his pocket and handed it to Queen Elsa. "Here. This magic bean will take you there. Simply think of where you want to go and it will take you. And remember to beware The Dark One - he is not to be trusted."

Elsa nodded and then turned to Kristoff. A look of understanding passed between them. He would keep Anna safe. Elsa threw the bean to the ground and within a blink of an eye she was transported to the Enchanted Forest.

Rather then land in the middles of trees and foliage as she expected, elaborate stone walls towered over her. She was standing in the middle of an empty castle.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" a singsong voice called.

Elsa whipped around and came face a man with reptilian-like skin.

Adrenaline was coursing through her veins, but she kept her composure. "I'm Queen Elsa of Arendelle," she proclaimed.

"That's nice dearie, but didn't anyone ever tell you it was rude to drop in uninvited? Do you know what I do to people who dare to waltz into my castle so carelessly?" He let out a ghoulish laugh.

"Are you the wizard known as The Dark One?"

"Yes. But you, dearie, can call me Rumplestitskin."