A/N: Sorry this chapter is a bit short, I don't want to rush into this fic. I'm really excited about how this is going to turn out.
Thank you so much for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! I can't believe this fic got so much love so fast!
"You can do this Anna just…just…" with a shaky breath she stared at the large door shaped pane of ice that was the entrance to the ice palace.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Kristoff asked from behind her at the top of the ice staircase. He had taken his time walking up and now seemed distracted by the intricacy and detail of the ice monuments. He was enamored with it. Ice was kind of his thing.
The younger looked down at the words etched into the thin piece of ice she held that was like some sort of frozen letter. Written on it was a formal request of her presence at the Ice Palace on the North Mountain. By Queen Elsa of Arendalle. Although request could be used loosely, considering it was more a threat than anything else. It was come see the queen or have a harsher winter than any other before.
It was all so surreal. Only yesterday she had been an only child. After coming home her parents had explained the existence of a woman named Elsa, her older sister who had been cursed with ice powers and named herself the queen over her element. For nearly twenty-one years her parents had kept the secret of their elder daughter who's existence had caused the frozen state of their land.
Anna had been too shocked to feel angry over the information her parents had kept from her, saying that they had separated their daughters for Anna's safety when Elsa's powers began to grow out of control. Anna had only been four years old at the time.
After fourteen years, the Ice Queen had required her parents come to stay with her at the castle and leave their home indefinitely. They had prepared for departure; a sled was packed with food, clothes, blankets, and whatever else they might need. Explaining that they would leave the land in Anna's name along with all of their money and whatever else they could spare to make her life as comfortable as possible before leaving. Dreading a forceful removal by the queen, they simply agreed to her demands.
All this was disclosed to her the night before, and she had fought mightily with her parents over the issue. She didn't see it fair that they should be commanded to leave their lives because of a selfish monster that was once their daughter.
Her parents had looked at her sadly and tried to say that it wasn't just as parents to let Elsa be alone her whole life. They had taken care of Anna for fourteen years. Given their younger daughter the care and love meant for two.
Anna let them think they had won the argument at the time, and receded, forlorn to her room.
But early the next morning, she had risen before either of her parents or the sun, packed all her own supplies, and ran to Kristoff's, pulling him out of bed and having him saddle Sven to his sled, begging him to take her up to the North Mountain.
The blond was dubious, as he didn't get an answer as to why it was crucial to leave so early and so quickly, but the look of desperation on Anna's face told him it was no joking matter and so followed through with her scheme. They departed before the first light of dawn. Anna leaving a note for her parents explaining that she would go in their place to be with the mysterious queen.
As they approached the mountain, Anna had relayed all this information back to a quieter than usual Kristoff. After her recollection of the events, which led them on a snowy uphill path, he had tried to convince her to forgo the plan, eventually convincing her to have the Ice Queen at least reconsider her demand.
Facing Kristoff now, Anna slapped on the most confident look in her arsenal. In truth she was scared to death of what lay before her, but she was never one to be overcome by fear. She had more of a leap before you look attitude.
"I'll be fine! Besides, whoever this Elsa is, she is my sister. So…so she can't be that bad if she's related to me!"
Her little speech didn't erase the worry on Kristoff's face, but it did ease some of it. With a sigh the blond dropped his tensed up shoulders and placed his hands against either side of Anna's arms. "Anna…I-"
If she didn't take action, one of them would break into tears, which would result in everyone crying, so Anna dove into a hug, cutting her friend off from saying anything too sappy.
He wrapped his arms around the younger girl, "You better write, you hear?"
Anna stepped back nodding, "You take care of my parents."
He gave a nod of affirmation.
"You take care of Kristoff for me Sven! Don't let him get fat on carrots!" Anna yelled down to the reindeer who remained at the bottom of the ice staircase. Sven bobbed his head up and down vigorously.
With one last look at each other, Kristoff ruffled the girl's hair, gaining a giggle from her, and then made his way down the staircase. Anna watched the two slowly make their way down the mountain until the whiteness swallowed their forms. She tried to not think about how her chest hurt or how her eyes pricked with tears.
With a sniff due to the cold, Anna took a deep breath and turned back to the palace door, raising her hand to knock.
But just as she brought up her mitten-covered fist, the door opened.
"Helloooooo! I'm Olaf and I love warm hugs!"
A scream erupted from Anna.