With the sled safely tucked away, they walked the short distance to the troll's home. Kristoff led the way, hurrying into the clearing. "Hey guys! I'm home." Sven and Olaf ran after him, dancing around the rocks.

Anna stood at the edge of the clearing, bouncing on the balls of her feet, as she often did when excited.

As she drew closer Elsa felt as though each step was dragging her down. Her chest tightened, it became harder to breathe. Darkness settled in and she found herself standing in the clearing with moonlight casting shadows about. Fear began to wrap its fingers around her in an unyielding grasp.

The ground rumbled beneath her feet, just as she remembered it in her nightmares. They were surrounded by rocks, rocks that formed into trolls. Their stone faces turned upward to her and her family. She could feel her father's hand on her head, pulling her closer as she clung to his leg.

"Elsa? Are you all right?"

The familiar voice pulled her from the nightmare. Sunlight filled the clearing, driving away the shadows of her memories. She shuttered, squeezing her eyes closed. Her arms wrapped tight around her. "I can't." She whispered.

"Elsa." Anna moved toward her, reaching out a hand. "Hey, it's okay."

"No, don't touch me." She drew back a step.

"Elsa…" Ignoring the plea Anna moved closer.

"Anna, it would not be wise to push her."

"Grand Pabbie!" Anna whipped around, relieved to see the ancient troll.

"You." Elsa's voice was barely a whisper, her pale cheeks growing lighter.

"Queen Elsa." The old troll bowed his head in greeting. "It has been a long time." He took a step toward her.

"Stay back." The command carried a threat upon it.

"I mean you no harm."

"You mean me no harm?" Thirteen years of pent up emotions came crashing down upon her.

Slender hands clenched into fists, coming to her sides as she stepped toward him. "You have given me a lifetime of harm."

Silence fell over the clearing as all eyes turned to the pair.

"Elsa?" Anna reached out, easing a step closer to her sister.

"No, Anna." Grand Pabbie held up a hand to stop her. "Let her speak. She needs to heal."

"Heal?" The word left her lips with a hiss. "How can I ever hope to heal from the damage you have caused?"

"Elsa, please." Anna eased forward another step. A cold breeze whipped through the trees, causing her cloak to swirl around her.

"Stay back, Anna." Elsa snapped, not taking her eyes from the troll. Ice formed at her feet, crackling as it spread in a small circle around her.

Anna drew back a step to avoid the creeping frost.

"Do you know the pain I…we" She raised a hand to point at Anna, only to pull it back. "have suffered because of you?"

"I know of your pain, and I understand your anger."

"You know nothing about me." She turned her back on him, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I know you, and your sister, have suffered through years of heartache." The troll lowered his head, pausing a moment before raising his eyes to her. "I also know your anger needs a target. It is easy to blame one you call a stranger. But, if you look deeper, you may find the source of your anger is closer to home."

"No more riddles, troll." She slowly turned, there was a deadly calm to her tone. "Speak plainly."

He didn't flinch under the threat. "If you look beyond your guilt, is it not your father, who you blame for what came to be?"

Blue magic flared on her hands. "You tread on dangerous ground, troll."

"I merely speak of what my visions have shown me."

"I'm well aware of your damn visions." Her jaw tightened as her fists clenched. She took two quick steps toward him.

"Wait!" Kristoff started across the clearing toward them.

"Elsa, stop." Anna stepped between them, shielding Grand Pabbie. She raised a hand toward her sister, the other covering her heart.

The gesture was not lost on Elsa. She pulled up short. "Stand aside, Anna."

"No."

Tears began to gather in Elsa's eyes, her body shook with barely contained rage. "Anna, get out of the way."

"Why? What are you going to do? Strike him down? This isn't you." Anna eased a step closer. "Please, calm down."

Elsa stepped back. "You don't understand!"

"I want to understand. That's why we're here."

"He could have stopped this." Her hand came up only to drop to her side as Anna was directly in front of her.

Anna took another step forward, Elsa retreated a step. Fear crept up on Anna at the familiar cat and mouse game, before it always ended with her sister fleeing to the safety of her room. With the castle so far off, Anna wondered if she would bolt into the surrounding forest. "We all made mistakes that night, Elsa. And you've paid the highest price for it. I know you're hurting, but you need this." She patted her chest with the hand resting over her heart. "We need this."

The wind in the clearing swirled mirroring Elsa's emotions. She tied to rein them in, chanting don't feel over and over again to herself. But they would not be contained, anger, fear, pain, fear, sorrow, fear, always fear, the one emotion she knew best. With one last effort she managed to gain some control over the storm.

It took everything Anna had not to rush her sister as she watched her struggle against whatever demons were haunting her. As much as she wanted to lock her in a bear hug and never let go, she was starting to understand it not what was best for Elsa.

With a defeated sigh, Elsa's head bowed. The wind vanished as the blue glow encircling her hands faded. "Alright." The word was so soft Anna had almost missed it.

Anna eased toward her, fighting the urge to rush, least Elsa retreat from her again. She stopped and reached out. Elsa did not raise her head. Taking that as a good sign Anna wrapped her arms around her sister. She held her tight, ignoring the cold radiating through her clothes.

"It's okay, you're safe." She stroked Elsa's hair and back, peppering her cheek and hair with light kisses between words. Anything to ease the young woman's stiff and unyielding posture. "I won't let anyone hurt you. It's okay, Elsa. You're safe now. We're together and no one is going to separate us again. I promise."

Cold arms wrapped around her. She shivered as a cool breath whispered against her ear. "Anna...don't make promises, you can't keep." She slumped against her, burying her face in Anna's shoulder.

Tears stung Anna's eyes as she tightened her grip. She wanted to protest, to demand her sister believe her. But deep down, she knew that fate often made liars of them all.

"Queen Elsa," Grand Pabbie said. "It was never my intent to harm you or your sister."

Elsa drew a deep breath, releasing her sister. Anna reluctantly let her go, latching onto Elsa's arm with both hands.

She straightened, wiping tears from her eyes, her face an emotionless mask. "Your intent is irrelevant, when weighed against your actions."

"Now wait a minute." Kristoff stepped toward them, leveling a finger at Elsa. "Your parents came to the trolls for help. They were trying to save Anna."

"This does not concern you, Kristoff." Elsa snapped.

He didn't back down from the hard glare she fixed him with. His arm swept over the trolls. "They are my family. That makes it my concern."

"I tried to warn your father that his actions would have dire consequences." Grand Pabbie drew her attention from the mountain man.

Anna turned to him. "You told Papa not to separate us?"

"I tried to, but he refused to listen. He was convinced his plan would work." Grand Pabbie lowered his head. "Later, I tried to warn him of the dangers of keeping you apart. But he would not speak with me."

"It's true," Kristoff said. "I delivered several messages to the castle, but they were never answered."

"My father was a good man." Elsa's voice quivered with each word. "His intentions were always noble."

"Yes," Grand Pabbie agreed. "but sometimes the best of intentions are the most dangerous."

"Watch your tongue, troll." Elsa hissed through clenched teeth.

Ignoring the cold, Anna stroked Elsa's arm, in an effort to calm her.

Grand Pabbie bowed his head. "I mean no offense, Queen Elsa."

"Yet you have given it." She snapped.

"Elsa, they are our friends." Anna said.

Elsa did not take her eyes from the troll leader. "No, they're not. It was a mistake to come here." She turned to walk away.

"Wait." Anna held to the slender arm, pulling her back.

With a hard shrug, Elsa threw her off. Panic bubbled up in Anna as she ran to block Elsa's path. "Elsa, please." She held out her hands, fighting the urge to grab the older woman.

"Get out of my way, Anna. I'm leaving."

"No." She caught Elsa by her upper arms. "Please, we need their help."

"I know the price of their help." She felt a twinge of guilt at her sister's flinch.

"Please. I need this." Tears glistened in the teal eyes, begging her to stay.

"Anna…you don't know what you're asking."

"Yes, I do. Please, Elsa, for me."

Her eyes closed and Elsa bowed her head in surrender. "For you."

An emotional gasp left Anna as she hugged her. "Thank you."

She felt Elsa's arms wrap around her and she buried her face in Anna's shoulder.

After a moment Anna pulled back and cupped her cheek. "Come on." Elsa didn't respond as Anna took her hand and pulled her toward the center of the clearing.

She held Elsa's hand while grasping her arm with her other hand. "Grand Pabbie, I want my memories back."

The old troll stared up at her. "Anna, your memories are not lost. They were simply altered. All hints of magic was removed from them."

"Can't you add the original memories back?"

"I am sorry, but what you ask is not possible. Even if I could, it would not be wise to do so."

"Why not?" She felt Elsa's hand tighten in hers.

"You have made new memories and to tamper with them now could change who you are."

"Can you at least show them to me?"

"Were it within my power I would. But those memories are gone."

"I'm sorry, Anna." Elsa squeezed her arm.

Anna drew a sharp breath forcing back the tears stringing her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me about saving me when I was here before?"

"You were hurt, and time was brief. It would not have helped and you needed time to seek a cure."

"Did you know Hans was using me?"

"No. I did not know of his plans to harm you or your sister."

Anna nodded taking in his words.

"My parents have been gone three years, why didn't you tell me what you tried to tell my father?" Elsa asked.

"You would not have believed me." He replied.

Elsa started to argue, then looked away. "Can you show Anna my memories, like you did the night of the accident?"

"That would not be wise, Queen Elsa. Those are powerful, painful memories. It would not do for you to relive them."

"I've relived them every day for the last thirteen years. Once more will not matter."

"No, Elsa." Anna shook her head. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"If you truly wish to know what happened that night, it's the only way. You and I were the only one's there." She cupped Anna's cheek.

Anna caught the hand, holding her sister's gaze. "You've told me what happened, that's enough. I love you for the offer. But I won't cause you more pain."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She nodded. "It's okay."

"As you wish." Elsa pulled her forward, placing a kiss on her forehead. She turned to the ancient troll. "Grand Pabbie, please forgive my outburst. You saved my sister's life, and for that I will forever be in your debt."

"You owe us nothing, Queen Elsa." He lowered his head to her. "All we wish is for you to live in peace."

"Thank you." She tried and failed to manage a smile.

Released from the embrace Anna turned to the troll. "Grand Pabbie, Elsa has been suffering…nightmares." She stole a sideways glance at her sister. "Is there anything you can do to help her rest easier?"

His attention shifted to Elsa. "There are some herbs for a tea that will calm you when you need it. But only time can heal your wounds." She lowered her head.

"It's been thirteen years, how much more time will it take?" Anna asked.

"Anna, she has not been healing during those years. She has simply been surviving. Now that you are together her heart is complete, it can begin to mend. It will not be easy, but you must be strong." He looked once more to Elsa. "You both must. You will need each other to heal. It will not be an easy path, but you must travel it together."

Anna squeezed Elsa's arm, meeting her gaze.

Elsa offered her a small smile.

"Please, come and join us." He gestured to the clearing.

Hand in hand the sisters joined Kristoff on the steps. Elsa felt the tension ease in Anna's grip as she became distracted by the younger trolls antics.

In the back of her mind, Grand Pappie's words rolled around. Is it not your father, who you blame for what came to be? Did she, did she blame father for what happened?

What have you done, Elsa? the words still cut deep, even after so many years. During those years he had assured her many times she was not to blame for what happened. Yet, it had been his first thought, the slightest hint he held her responsible.

"Elsa? Are you okay?"

She found her sister watching her closely, concern shown in her bright eyes. Squashing her dark thoughts she managed a smile. "Am okay."

Anna didn't seem convinced but she accepted the lie. "Okay." She leaned into Elsa as she watched the younger trolls dance with Olaf.

Elsa rested her head against the one on her shoulder. From the back of her mind a little voice warned of the danger of being so close. She closed her eyes, allowing the sound of her sister's laughter to quiet the voice.