Gerda

At the end of the meal, when I am happily stuffed to the point of bursting, Sonja asks Ida and Al to leave the room.

"I need to speak to Gerda alone," she says. Ida sighs dramatically, but she and Al leave. Sonja moves from her spot at the head of the table. She sits down in the cushioned chair next to me and folds her hands in her lap.

"That was nice of you, offering to talk to the flowers," says Sonja. "I think Ida wishes she were a mage." She sighs, like her thoughts are elsewhere. "She and Johanna were always fascinated by mages. They used to watch them work together. Sometimes I wish Ida had been the Ice Mage instead of Johanna, but … " She dismisses the thought with a wave. " … who's to say it would have turned out any better?"

"Ida knew the Snow Queen?" I say.

"We all did. We were friends once, though she was a different person back then. I'm never sure whether she doesn't remember or just doesn't care. You really plan to face her?"

"I have to. Kai is trapped on the mountain. Who is going to save him if I don't?"

Sonja looks down at the black glove on her hand. "You're right. Of course you're right. But you need to see something." With her free hand, she pulls off the black glove. I try not to gasp. Her left hand is blue and translucent. It's solid ice.

"What happened?"

"Johanna."

"She did that to you?"

"She did. The hand was an accident as far as I can tell. She didn't hit me in the head or the heart, and that's why I'm still alive." She traces the scar on her cheek. "This one wasn't an accident. I angered her, and she nearly killed me." She slips the black glove back on. "I showed you that so you would see how powerful she can be without trying. You can't attempt to fight her. She'd kill you in a heartbeat."

I shiver. "I don't want to fight her. I just want to save Kai. If I die trying, well …" I swallow nervously. I hadn't really thought that far ahead.

"I don't think you'll die though," she says. "I think you'll succeed."

I fidget in my chair. I'm not sure I'll succeed.

"Johanna's power depends on magic, but magic depends on intent. And your intent is far purer than hers is. For that reason, I think you'll have more luck than anyone. You and Kai have a good chance of returning alive."

She stands up. I take that as my cue to stand up too.

"I want to help you," she says.

"You do?" I say. "Why?" I didn't think Sonja trusted me. Permission to leave the palace was as much as I hoped for. I didn't expect help.

"Because I'd save my best friend too if I could." Sonja looks over at the window, at the tendrils of frost that creep across the panes. Then she looks back at me. "What do you need?"

"Boots would be nice," I admit. Sonja looks down at my bare feet and laughs for the first time since I've met her. She is pretty when she laughs.

"You'll have the finest boots in all of Arendelle," she promises. "Let me also give you a carriage to take you up the mountain to Lapland. Ask for Ida's parents, Prince Kristoff and Princess Anna, who live near the top of the mountain. They go up there to fetch ice this time of year and will gladly let you stay with them."

"That's more than I can accept—"

"Accept it," says Sonja. "That's an order."

That afternoon I am gifted with a beautiful gilded gold carriage, complete with a driver and a footman to travel with me. It makes me feel better to have someone to travel with. Sonja hands me a pair of golden boots lined with warm fur, and Ida gives me a soft muff to wrap my hands in. Sonja, Ida, and Al (accompanied by several guards) walk me to the courtyard to see me off, where Swiftwing and Onyx are waiting to say goodbye. Ida impulsively throws her arms around me in a hug.

"Come back and visit any time," she says.

I say I will. Assuming I make it back alive.

The carriage rolls out through the city streets. When I arrived, I had nothing but a muddy sundress and an empty belly. What luck I've had, to be leaving the city in such a grand fashion!

Onyx flies behind the carriage for several miles before the wind gets to be too strong and he stops, settling in the branches of an evergreen. He lifts a black feathery wing in a wave goodbye. I wave back. The carriage climbs on until Onyx's tree disappears from site, blending into the background. I turn my face forward, to where the tip of the North Mountain draws ever closer.

Hold on, Kai, I promise silently. I'm almost there!

I'm halfway up the mountain when the carriage abruptly stops.

A/N - Thanks for reading/reviewing! Love you guys!