A/N: rough draft complete with fairly long chapters. Should be about 27 chapters including a lead in to Refrozen Redemption. Just need to add a few details (fluff) and enter into my electronics to post. Hope to keep a similar schedules to my recent postings. Got this one ready quicker than expected and couldn't wait any longer to post. On with our story.

...

"You bring asleep is our fault, as we needed to talk to you. You are in no danger tonight. Go meet Trish, your latest reason to live," answered Della as everything turned grey.

Anna was barely able to get out a "Thank you" followed by a whispered "but I don't want you to go," before everything faded to nothing. She was getting more and more comfortable around Della, and she wasn't sure that should be a good thing.

...

Anna woke with a start, drool hanging from the corner of her mouth. The frequent dreams with Hazel and Della were actually very comforting, but Anna wasn't sure if they were real. Was it just her way of Trying to stay sane in an insane place? On some level, she couldn't shake the feeling they were real. She actually prayed for it, although she couldn't see how it could happen. The proof may be in the coming though. Both her dream companions had called the new girl by name, Trish. The girl hadn't been awake yet to give a name, so she really had no way to know in advance... unless she was actually meeting with her dead companions. But it couldn't be real, could it?

Movement from the girl's direction drew Anna's attention. It wasn't quite the same as her unconscious movements, and was becoming more frequent. So we're her moans of pain. Remembering how painful and disoriented she felt after waking up here, Anna waited about ten minutes before breaking her silence.

"You're awake, good. Try not to move, sit up, or stand right away. The goo they use to keep you knocked out will make you wish they killed you if you try too soon. I don't know what you've been through before now, but your as safe as you can be while I'm with you. Remember, no fast movements or your head Will feel like somebody hit it with a battle axe. I still remember how that feels."

"Who-who are you?"

"My name is Anna. I was brought here and dumped in this place while I was unconscious. I've lost track of time, but I think that was over a month ago. Two others were also brought after I arrived. I've taken on trying to keep us all alive long enough to get out of here. Patty and Lucette are their names, and I believe you are all about the same age."

"I-I hurt. Did you hurt me?"

"No, not directly. You may have been hurt because of me though, so I do feel responsible for your injury. Somebody who doesn't like me was trying to send me a cruel message, and they used your body to do it. I bandaged your wounds while you were unconscious, but I don't have the ability to do more. The reason you were chosen to deliver this message is because you look like me."

"You-your princess Anna?"

"Yes."

"A girl told me her matter was coming to rip your heart out and to let you know. He wants to break you to pieces, whatever that means."

"He's been trying. You look like me, Lucette looks like queen Elsa. Our captor has forced me into the roll of protector, as I have the most ability and strength. He seems to know me well, and knows I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try. I will be extending that protection to you and he know it. As far as I can tell, I'm the only reason any of you were brought into this, so I need to try to do something about it. In order to hurt you again, he'll have to go through me first. I am very sorry you've been brought here, and I'll do what I can to help. Try to rest. We'll talk more when they give us light again."

"Princess Anna, I'm scared."

"Please, just call me Anna. Titles man nothing here, and I'm not sure I really deserve that title after the things I've had to do down here. I'm scared too, but I'll still do all I can to help you.

Anna leaned back against the wall before she remembered something. "One last thing before you close your eyes. You know who I am, but I don't know you. What should I call you?"

"My mum was a freed slave from a land south of here. I don't know where, but I was named after my grandmum. I can't even pronounce it so we just shorten it to Trish."

Anna blinked and jerked her head back in surprise. The unfortunate feeling you get when the back of your head impacts a hard stone wall suddenly presented itself to Anna. 'How did they know? I couldn't have guessed her name in a million years. If it was just a dream, there would have been almost NO way I could guess that name. Was it really real? Oh Hazel...'

Sitting in silence, Anna could hear Trish quietly sobbing. Silent tears flowed down her face as she sat there listening. She wasn't sure what made her cry more, the fact that another innocent was unjustly brought into this mess, or that it might be possible Hazel was really contacting her.

Anna was still awake hours later when the lights came back on. Her girls woke up on their own soon after. For the first while, Trish just stood in the background while the other girls babbled at each other, sometimes even giggling. After a minute or two, Anna walked over.

"Good morning Trish."

"Good morning, milady."

"Titles mean nothing here. Until we get out, I'm just Anna and we are all equals here. With what I've had to do down here, I don't think anybody would call me a princess. Not anymore. Anyway, if it's alright with you, may I check your wounds now that we have better light?"

At Trish's nod, Anna turned to Patty. "Could you and Lucette head down to the baths for a little while? I'd like to give Trish some privacy while I check her wounds."

"Of course, Anna. Lucette, let's hit the baths. We won't be too long. That water is too cold to be in a long time."

As the girls wall out, Anna noticed Trish looking around at the few things in the room. Her eyes often returned to the small collection of daggers she collected from her would-be assassins.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

Sighing, Anna continued talking. "Well, let's get this over with before they get back. I need to know if your wounds are getting infected. We don't have much down here for clean bandages."

Anna carefully helped Trish open her top to expose her bandage. Great care was taken removing the wrap so the cuts wouldn't be reopened. As she exposed the wound, Anna once again felt flushed with guilt.

"Those aren't normal bandages, are they?"

"What... Oh, no. The only thing we had to make bandages from was a dress I got for being 'good'. It was all we had to work with, and we needed them.

"You shouldn't be using your clothes as bandages. You're the princess."

"The clothes were ruined already, and the only other option was using the blankets. We need those at night."

"But I'm nobody important. Your..."

"Trish, in here you are just as important as I am. Nobody is less than anybody else. We'd all be dead by now if I tried to think like that."

"You should never have been brought into this. You don't know how sorry I am that you have to be here," comments Anna as she gently examined the wound with her fingertips. As her fingers worked, Ana noted a warm feeling in her hand. 'Great, even my hand is getting embarrassed having to touch so close to... What the hell?'

Anna's eyes widen in amazement as she literally watches the cuts close, skin reconnect and turn red, and finally fade from red to a faint white scar. Looking up to Trish's face, her eyes are closed. She looked contented and was slightly smiling.

"A-are you okay, Trish? ...Trish?"

"Huh, oh yeah. I'm fine. You have a nice touch. Please, you can keep doing whatever you need to do. You're not hurting me at all."

"Ummm, I don't... I don't know what I did. Your cuts just shrunk to faint scars. Your wound is gone."

"Oh. Well, whatever you did, I feel wonderful now."

"Oh-kay, I guess. Let's just... Let's get rid of this bandage. You don't seem to need it anymore. If you feel any pain or anything off there, let me know as soon as you can."

Trish nodded as Anna kept removing the bandage completely. Anna was almost done when she spoke again. "A-are you really the princess?"

"Yes, but if you want to trade places, I'd consider the offer."

"I - that's not what I meant. What I mean is that there is a powerful man after you and the queen."

"I know," answered Anna quietly. "He put us all down here. Him being after my family is the only reason you got dropped in this snake pit with us."

"SNAKES! WHERE!?" screeched Trish, lifting her feet.

"Don't worry, there are no real snakes down her. That's just what this man remind me of, and this place is his pit. Did you ever see him? Nobody else has." Trish's response caused Anna to look up intently as she removed the last of the bandage.

"Once, but I don't think I was supposed to. He was a short, skinny man with no hair on top of his head. What bit of hair he still had was completely white. The girl I talked to said to do anything he says immediately and avoid him if I could. She said he was always angry. He talks down to everybody, and keeps complaining about those 'monstrous girls' who ruined him. I think he meant you and the queen."

"I'm sure he did, but I don't think we ruined anybody with that description. The closest I can think of is Hans from a couple years back. He was a prince and we all but sent him home in chains. He had a full head of bright red hair though. Anyway, you better get your shirt done back up. I think I hear the others coming."

"Anna?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for healing me. I guess magic must run in your family."

"You're welcome. As for magic, it can be beautiful, but it sometimes feels like a curse. I don't really think I have any magic." Trish just smiled weakly.

When everybody was back, Anna called them all together for a meeting. "I think everybody knows each other's names, but that's not why I called everybody together. Yes, I know my ramblings are almost as legendary as my messy bedroom, but I don't think we have time for that now. In any event, the reason you are all here is my fault. You are being used as a way to control me, and it has been very effective. Things are changing, and it may not be in a good way. Attacks were spread out, but are now coming quickly. Thanks to a certain chessboard, I think our group is now complete. Everything that has happened here is aimed at hurting me, testing me, and to a certain degree brainwashing me, including the added strain of trying to protect innocent people. That's you. They seem to know how I'll react before they send in another person to be protected or to try and kill me. This means they also know I'll try to protect you, even if it means I might not survive. I couldn't live with myself if I just let you guys fire. Not gonna happen. Two of you were taken based solely on your resemblance to me and the queen, and your inability to protect yourselves. Patty, I would guess you were one of the first ones taken, before they found Lucette and Trish, and that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"No matter why we are here, we are all in this together and it appears I am the only person capable of a reasonable defence. I-I'm not a fighter, though it might seem otherwise. Up to now, everyone I fought off has had even less fighting ability or a disadvantage. They seem to be pushing me to do something, but I don't know what."

"Is that why you're in an assassin's outfit?" asked Patty.

"I'm... what?"

"Your clothes are used by assassin's in areas that never get cold enough for snow. They're useless for winter weather here. I-I heard of them a few years back and was told to avoid anyone dressed like you are right now."

"I.. got these from our captors when my first dress got soaked in blood. The second dress was closer to this than I was used to, and my first dress disappeared soon after. Later they gave me this one and we managed to keep my second dress for bandages. I had no idea.."

"Well, how you're dressed is not important to me. I'm just glad you're here now," piped up Lucette.

"Yes, well... My point is anything that happens here is aimed at hurting me or controlling me somehow. Most of it has been aimed at breaking my spirit, or pushing me to be ready for some unknown task. I'm not sure the final reason for this madman sending you in. It may be a way to keep me from trying to escape without you, or something more sinister."

"If I'm right and our group is now complete, then things will change. It will become even more dangerous. There are certain things you all need to do if, or when, we are attacked next. Always stay low and out of the way. I will throw daggers higher so I won't hit any of you. Don't draw their attention. Let them focus on me as the biggest threat for them. If it's dark, hide in the corners, and only move if they get too close. If it's lit, hide as best you can and stay still. If in doubt, follow Patty's lead. She's been here longest of you three, and has shown good instincts. You won't be able to talk to me until the battle is over. Let me focus on fighting, and only call me if you're cornered or someone is about to get killed."

"We'll follow your lead," indicated Patty confidently.

"Thank you Patty. I need to see how they are trying to brainwash me today, so I can figure out how I can stop them. I'm going to the library room to see if they added any more books. I need to figure out what they want, to have any chance to stop them. Thanks to Patty's information on my outfit, I now have a new way to look at their actions."

Anna looked over at Patty and gave her one of her rare smiles from her waking hours. Patty, on receiving her praise, just smiled, looked down, felt embarrassed. Upon hearing Anna start to chuckle, she could just make out Patty mumbling not to laugh at her. "Patty, I give credit where credit is due. You may have hit on something by recognising the type of clothes I'm wearing. Thank you. Anyway, I'll be back shortly."

As Anna headed for the doorway, she felt like she finally had a reason to smile. She was proud of Patty. A single thought summed up her feelings: 'Thank Odin for Patty. I'd be lost without her.'

Anna passed through the sitting room, flashing through the side doorways out of nervous habit. When nothing caught her eye, she continued into the library. With the lounge chairs in the central room, she used to think of it as a reading room. After Patty arrived and Anna sat on her lap all night, sitting room just felt more right. Sitting on Patty had been an odd feeling, but she was definitely a comfy cushion. Anna had fallen asleep on her lap while guarding her that first night. She could have killed Anna. Instead she let Anna drool on her shoulder until Anna woke up, and then just smiled at Anna woke up.

In the library, and was surprised to find two new books out. Usually it was only one at a time, and not even every day. As a matter of fact, most days she got nothing.

The first book was called 'Enchanters End Game'. It was the story of a ruthless sorcerer who underestimated the strength of a weaker brother. For the good of all, the brother betrayed, challenged, and defeated his evil older brother. For the life of her, she couldn't see how this applied to her imprisonment, except in the title only. This was a warning that trouble was coming. Unlike previous books, no moral was written in at the back of the book.

When Anna looked at the second book, she was even more confused. 'A Beginner's Guide To Chess' stared back at her. Again there was no moral in the book. 'I know the rules to chess, Elsa and I played all the time after her coronation. These must be some kind of warning from my mysterious letter writer. Are they telling me the rules have changed? Time to look at this differently. The rooms here are built like the squares on a chess board, at least the ones I can get to. Would that make us the pieces? That makes no sense... unless.'

Anna turned and raced from the library, through the sitting room and into the 'chess' room. Without even looking around, Anna races up tho the chess board. What she saw made her want to scream in fear and frustration. As usual, each of Anna's pieces are in jeopardy and she can't take any enemy pieces. Her eyes were focused on the only real change on the board. An enemy bishop had taken a piece on the board. Lucette's piece was laying on its side on the board with the bishop in her place.