Elsa was still alive, but only barely. When Anna entered, the doctor informed her that her breathing was worse, and her pulse weaker and as though Anna needed to know this, he feared the wound never closed, causing blood to enter her lungs. She only had at best, a few minutes. He admitted he was surprised she held on as long as she did. He complimented her will to live and how stronger men died within hours from wounds less than that. But that was Elsa. Despite being isolated, lonely and outright miserable, over a year before, she always kept an indomitable spirit to survive.

"Are you going to be okay?" Kristoff asked, greeting Anna at the door and holding her close. It was him who noticed first Elsa had trouble breathing and called for the doctor, but unlike the doctor was sensitive enough not to share the events with Anna. Olaf was there too, his head lowered and even Sven.

"Yeah," she sighed, though she wasn't too sure herself. "Just give us a minute."

Anna resumed her place at Elsa's side, took her sister's hand, clutching it tightly and tried to come up with something to say. Something that would make Elsa laugh, but it never came. So she waited for Elsa to respond the only way she could for the last two days, by giving a small squeeze back. It was weak, but there.

"Well, I guess this is it then," said Anna, trying to be cheerful. "You don't have to be afraid of anything anymore. It was the best year and a half of my life, just so you know. I can't ever forget it. Like that time I found that really big dress in your closet? Honestly, how were you suppose to fit in the door with that thing?" she continued chuckling as she remembered Elsa's face when Anna came romping into her sister's study wearing that. The genuine shock, followed them by the inability to hold in her laughter, finally finished with her dismissing Anna with a snowball to the head. (Elsa did always have amazing aim.) She then sighed. "All the good times we had and now they're over... Just like that..."

Anna's hand was shaking as she held on Elsa's. She just waited, watching until her sister's breathing finally stopped with barely even a gasp. Then her hand went limp.

It took a moment for it to sink in, but she finally gently laid Elsa's hand down, and tried to remind herself that this was expected. The wound was just too deep. She stroked a bit of stray hair from her sisters face before she got up. Anna wrapped her arms around herself, as she made her way for the door to tell the others, only to have the memories flood back to her. The times they spent as children. Their reunion as adults. Then the conversation she and Elsa had while she was still sick in bed.

"Look, I don't want to talk about it Elsa," said Anna.

"Usually, that means you should," said Elsa.

"To who? You? You can't even help yourself. Not after you freaked out in the barn," said Anna.

"Now it's you who's shutting the door," said Elsa sternly, but no hint of impatience or anger. "Yes, I lost control for a moment because I'm afraid and I spoke too soon. I'm willing to admit it. These powers are dangerous, yes, but they don't have to be. But they aren't something you can simply conceal and pretend they're not there, though. They come out in one way or another, and you can only control how they come out. And to do that, you have to be open and honest with yourself with what you're thinking and feeling. No, I'm not perfect with them and I've made a lot of mistakes," Elsa continued. When she saw Anna in tears, she put her arms around her, cradling her letting Anna weep. "But I'll help you however I can. I promise. And your baby will grow up feeling loved. That's the most important part."

"Elsa, no," said Anna running back to Elsa's bedside. She put both her hands on Elsa's cheeks. "Don't do this to me Elsa! I can't say good-bye to you! I can't! Please Elsa. Don't you understand? My baby has your powers and it's my fault and I don't know what to do. I know how our parents just felt it was easier to lock you away because they couldn't deal with you... and... I promised wasn't going to do that..." the next line was the hardest for her to admit, causing her to break down, sink to the floor beside Elsa's bed. "but I don't know if I can deal with it either... I need you. You're the only one who understands. You're the only one who knows what to do..." She lay her head on the bed, sobbing, "I can't do this alone... Don't do this to me again, please. Please, please don't go where I can't follow..."

Anna felt something a moment, but not the pain she was normally accustomed to, but the coldness of the room. Small icicles forming on the mattress.

"Anna?" said a weak voice.

"Elsa?"

"I told you, that dress was a gift from... somewhere... I don't even remember where. One of those big countries," said Elsa. Anna immediately embraced her to which Elsa winced.

"Oh sorry," said Anna. "Are you okay?"

"Apparently not... what happened?"

"It doesn't matter. You're here, that's what matters."

"Do I still have to judge the ice contest?" said Elsa.
"Yes!" said Anna with tears filling. "And don't even try to get out of that one."

Kristoff came in after hearing the commotion, and Sven, who was sleeping in their bedroom sort more slid in, not able to find traction on the marble floors.

"Hey, you're awake. You're okay," said Olaf.

"I think I need a drink or something," said Elsa. Sven trotted up and licked her face. "That I did not need."

"Don't you just love him?" said Olaf giving Sven a hug.

"I don't know about that," said Elsa weakly as she turned over to sleep, this time her breathing strong rather than labored.

Anna stayed with her through the night, and would be there in the morning.


Okay, this is where we put it to a vote. I was thinking about just ending it here, because I really wanted Anna and Elsa's relationship to be the most important thing. But if you want, and I get enough reviews, I will continue the story, which means we'll go really deep into the motives of the assassination and have Elsa trash kicking. Because I like Elsa trash kicking. If no one cares, I'll put on the aftermath and we'll end it there. If you've already reviewed, well write another one with what you want to see happen. Continue the story? Or just wrap it up with the next chapter.