A/N: Thanks to everyone who's followed/favorited and/or is reading but not reviewing:)
Thanks to bananas-rule-2015 for beta-ing!:)
raven678-Glad you liked it!:) I'm updating as often as I can-I have a lot of schoolwork, and...yeah.:/ I'm sorry. I'm glad I'm mostly editing and not actually trying to write the story out now.:) (I'm close to the end where I'm actually writing in my Word document:))
Dragonheart35-I just thought Anna probably would ping off the walls like that, so...yeah.:P That happened. Also, I think while Anna doesn't appear to have any emotional marks on her from the past, she does probably have slight insecurities. Like Elsa pointed out, angry Anna says a lot of nonsense when she's mad that have a bit of truth to them.:P Maybe because Anna and Elsa practically NEVER fight, even though they're sisters. I just found it unrealistic that the two of them would never, ever have a fight.:P
Mandy-They're sisters. I don't care what kind of inseparable bond they have together; they will fight sometimes. Elsa and Anna are, after all, still human. And they're teenage girls (well, okay, Elsa's twenty-one, but whatever:)). Yes, Anna thinking Elsa betrayed her with Kristoff is totally ridiculous, but it was the first conclusion Anna jumped to. And I think Anna is definitely someone who jumps to conclusions.:) I'm sorry the updates are taking longer.:/
On to the story!:)
The night before Anna's birthday, Elsa stayed awake late into the night…again…setting up things for her sister's birthday the next day. "Kai, the portrait's crooked," Elsa whispered for the third time, pointing up at the family portrait she had had commissioned especially for Anna's birthday hanging on the wall.
Kai sighed and adjusted the picture ever so slightly. "Better, Miss Elsa?"
"Now it's tilted the other way." Elsa frowned up at the picture, which was quite honestly just about perfectly straight. Perhaps crooked no more than a millimeter. "I want everything to be absolutely perfect. Please fix it?"
"Queen Elsa, your sister is just going to take it down the second she sees it and take it up to her room anyway," Kai pointed out, but he adjusted the picture again.
Elsa bit her lip and stared at the picture. "I think that's okay…Kai, where's Anna's birthday dress? Did Gerda finish it? Maybe I need to help finish it, and…and what if it's not done? I have to give it to Anna, and I can't make her an ice-dress because she'll freeze, but I'm going to-" She broke off when Kai clambered down from the ladder and put both hands on her shoulders. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, Miss Elsa, but calm down. Everything will be fine. You've gotten barely any sleep the last few days. Maybe you should go to bed before you make yourself sick. It's already past one in the morning, and you'll be wanting to spend all day with the princess tomorrow," Kai told her.
"I don't want 'fine'; I want perfect…I don't want to…to ruin Anna's birthday again…" Elsa's voice trailed off. I don't get sick. Not unless I do way too much with my powers, and I haven't done that. Elsa put her hand to her throat and frowned. Now that she thought about it, her throat did feel rather scratchy. But that was just because she was too tired or something, right? She shrugged it off and focused on the string in her hands. I just have to finish winding the string and then I can go to sleep. I've already done most of it…I just have to do the last little bit leading to Anna's room. Elsa stifled a yawn and limped off with the string.
"Queen Elsa. Now what are you doing?"
"The string…almost done," Elsa said tiredly.
Kai quickly took the string away from her. Queen or not, the girl needed her sleep. "Miss Elsa, go to bed. I'll finish the string. This isn't something only you can do, like signing documents or something. I promise I'll do it exactly like you said you wanted it," he assured her.
Elsa really was exhausted, so she didn't put up a fuss. I can't be half-asleep all day tomorrow when it's Anna's birthday…maybe I'd better go to bed… "Good night…please make sure it doesn't get all tangled…"
Elsa awoke early the next morning sniffling slightly, her throat still feeling scratchy. Elsa, you are not sick. You can't get sick. No, no, no…allergies…except I don't think most allergies would pop up randomly in the winter. Elsa ignored the telltale sign that she was most likely sick and quickly got dressed and re-braided her hair. "I just have to make sure everything downstairs is perfect, and then wake Anna up," she told her reflection.
Elsa limped out into the hall as fast as she could go, which really wasn't very fast; and quickly decided she did not have time for this. Instantly she went sliding down the hall and down the staircase on a path of ice. That was easy. I didn't have to use all the energy 'flying' does, either. She nearly ran into Kiara, who was scowling; Elsa assumed she must have just taken her brother his breakfast down in the dungeon.
"Hi, Snow Queen Elsa. You know what my cuckoo-headed brother just told me? He said I should have 'kept my powers even though they were from an accident that was mostly his fault'! All those times he told me to get lost and calling me names and whatever else, and now he says that! Drip. Big, fat, idiotic drip!" Kiara ranted. Then in a calmer voice, "I'm not sorry I got rid of 'em, but what do you think, Elsa?"
That must be Hans's idea of an apology! It's the beginnings of one, anyways. "I think that Hans was trying to apologize without actually outright saying 'I'm sorry'," Elsa said. "And I think that it was your own decision about the electricity powers. I'm not sure what I would have done if I was in your place, to be honest."
Kiara scoffed at that. "Hans never apologizes for anything. Ever. Elsa, me and him don't have a super close relationship like you and Anna do. None of my siblings do. You're trying to get us to reconnect and actually be a brother and sister to each other, and I don't think it's going to work." She paused before adding, "I'm gonna stay away from you 'til the party later…I'll watch Olaf and Rania like you said to do. And I'll help Kristoff with that painted birthday banner in the ballroom if he'll let me…by the way, you didn't have to come down here to check on stuff. Everything's all set. It should be after all that fuss you've been making, staying up half the night and whatever else."
Elsa smiled as she headed back upstairs. "Thank you, Kiara." I'm going to go talk to Hans in the dungeon tomorrow and see what's what. Even a half apology is better than none. I think the whole Westergaard family needs help. If I can help Kiara and Hans, then they can help the rest of their family.
Back upstairs in her room, Elsa quickly created her summery ice-dress idea that she had come up with awhile ago. I should have done this earlier. What an idiot…have to get ready twice just because I forgot I wanted to do this. It had the same general design as her original ice-dress, but it was a shimmering emerald green that had leaf shaped ice crystals on the bodice and pink icy flowers based off snowflake patterns; and it was sleeveless rather than long sleeves. I love it! I look summery and wintery at the same time. Perfect. Elsa smiled at her reflection and created a large pink and purple icy snowflake-flower in her hand; then clipped it in her hair. And then she exchanged her usual snowflakes scattered through her braid for tiny purple ice-flowers. I'm ready for Anna's birthday now.
"Anna?" Elsa gently shook her sleeping sister's shoulder a few minutes later. "Wake up, wake up, wake up! Happy birthday!" she said softly.
"To you…" Anna continued the birthday song in her sleep.
"No, no, silly! It's your birthday!" Elsa wrinkled her nose, trying to hold back a sneeze. You are not sick, Elsa. You are not going to be sick. You can't get sick.
"To me…" Anna started singing again; then abruptly sat up, wide awake. "It's my birthday?!" Yeah, it is! I forgot all about it! My first birthday I get to actually spend with Elsa! She hopped out of bed and hugged her big sister close. "Why'd you come in here though, Elsa? Today's not really a super big deal…I just want to be with you, that's all."
Elsa gave Anna a lopsided smile. It is too a big deal. I'm going to make sure this day is perfect. Absolutely perfect. "You've never had a real birthday before, Anna…except of course the ones you spent outside my locked door," she said softly. "I'm sorry I ignored you and told you to go away so much…" I want to fix that. I don't know if I can, but I'm going to try. "So I'm here way too late to help you celebrate, and… Why on earth am I rhyming everything?! I must sound ridiculous!" Elsa started giggling and couldn't hold back a sneeze. "Achoo!"
Anna frowned at her sister's sneeze. She just went and sneezed snowflakes. Gerda said Elsa did that when she got sick when she was little… "Elsa, I'm thinking you might have a cold…and you sneeze like a cat," she teased, although it was true. Elsa's dainty sneeze sounded exactly like the kitten she and Kiara had found a few days before did when they sneezed. (Anna and Kiara were keeping it hidden in an empty room upstairs in the castle. So far, nobody had found it.)
"I don't get colds," Elsa announced. "Besides…a cold never bothered me anyway," she quipped.
"Elsa, you're immune to cold temperature-wise, yes; but I don't think you're immune to cold sick-wise," Anna told her. I know she's not. If she was, she wouldn't have gotten sick as a child, then. What if Elsa really is sick? She probably hasn't really gotten sick since she was little…that means she doesn't have natural immunity to much of anything, doesn't it?
Elsa ignored this and showed Anna her birthday dress hanging on the door to her wardrobe. "See, Anna, here's your first birthday present," she said happily, handing the dress to her sister. "Do you like it?"
"I love it! But it's freezing cold outside, sis. I can't run around in a summery dress like you can," Anna said. "Well, I don't care; I'm gonna wear it anyways. I'll just put a heavy coat on or a cloak or something if we go outside later." Anna ran into her bathroom with the dress, saying she would be right back.
Elsa went and looked out Anna's window and smiled when she both saw and felt that it was flurrying outside. Perfect weather for us to go outside for a little while and then come back inside and feel all warm and cozy indoors with some hot chocolate. Well, warm chocolate for me…I hate drinking hot things.
"So, Elsa, what d'you think?" Anna asked a few minutes later. "I love this dress! It's so pretty, and it kinda matches yours without being too matchy-matchy."
"You look like a sunflower," Elsa announced. "Achoo!" Two tiny snow creatures appeared on the floor when Elsa sneezed, but neither girl noticed as Elsa pulled her sister out the door. "I have surprises for today, Anna! Just follow the string!"
Anna giggled at seeing her big sister's excitement. I think Elsa is as excited as I am. I just hope she's not really getting sick. "Elsa, how'd you set all this up overnight?!" Anna exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the string wound all over the hallway and disappearing down the stairs.
"I had help. And I've been working on things for your birthday for awhile," Elsa replied, her blue eyes twinkling with excitement. So far, so good! Perfect birthday for Anna is what today is going to be. I'll make sure of it.
Anna figuratively froze. "You mean…you've been working on birthday things all this time? That's why you weren't spending as much time with me?" Elsa nodded, and Anna immediately hugged her tightly. I got all mad at her, and she was just working on things for MY birthday! I probably hurt her feelings worse than she was letting on… "I'm sorry, Elsa! So sorry…"
Elsa shrugged and gave her little sister a smile. "It's okay…just a misunderstanding. No big deal. Let's not talk about that. I want today to be perfect for you," she told Anna. I'd have been mad at me too if I had been in Anna's place. No big deal.
Anna dashed off down the hall following the string, yanking Elsa behind her. "C'mon!"
Elsa tried to keep up with Anna, only to trip because of her brace and land hard on the floor, which caused Anna to fall too. Elsa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Elsa, you knew you couldn't run like Anna was doing. Why did you even try? "I'm sorry, Anna," she apologized.
To Elsa's utter surprise, Anna was just giggling. "Totally fine, Elsa! I shouldn't have randomly started running like that…it was like 'C'mon!' and then we both went splat!" Anna paused, wondering if it was even ok to think this was funny since it had happened because of Elsa's leg, but Elsa was giggling herself now. Well, Elsa's happy and neither of us are hurt, so…it doesn't matter.
"I think I have a better plan," Elsa said now, trying to stifle her laughter. Now that Anna pointed it out, I suppose that was pretty funny. "I was just going to do this later outside, but I'm going to slow us down if I keep trying to just walk on my own. Climb in!" A small ice sled…car…vehicle…thing appeared in front of the two girls that was just big enough for them to sit in. This is more like it!
Anna beamed and climbed in the little ice creation with her sister. "I get to steer?!" she asked when Elsa put a circular thing in her hands.
"Yes, you do. I power it, and you steer it. So don't drive us into a wall or something," Elsa teased. "Ready…set…go! Just follow the string!"
Soon Anna had a pile of presents in her lap, and she followed the string right outside into the courtyard. "Elsa, it's too cold outside for me!" she squealed at the sensation of the freezing air outside. Just then, a heavy and soft something fell right on her head, and she heard Elsa giggling madly beside her.
Elsa let their ice-sled come to a stop and quickly wrapped the heavy cloak from Oaken's around her sister's shoulders. "Are you still too cold?" Elsa asked, smiling. "Achoo!" More tiny snow creatures appeared behind her and ran off, but neither girl noticed. Elsa sniffled, trying to hold back another sneeze, and caught Anna's worried glance.
"I think you're getting sick," Anna said hesitantly. "You sneezed several times while we were following the string around the castle, and now you're sniffling. And it's way, way too cold for it to just be allergies or something. I think it's time you go back inside and get some rest."
"We are not stopping because the next one is the be…eh…eh-" As if to prove Anna's point, Elsa broke off and had to sneeze again. "Achoo!" This time, Elsa both sneezed snowflakes and several tiny snow creatures appeared. "Achoo! Achoo!" Elsa sniffled again and put one hand against her forehead. She had a nasty headache, and she was feeling both oddly way too hot and way too cold all of a sudden. Elsa knew that had absolutely nothing to do with the cold temperature outside. "I'm fine," she insisted when she saw Anna frowning at her in concern. Elsa, you are not either fine. I am too! I have to be! Today has to be perfect for Anna. I will not ruin her birthday again. "Really, I'm fine."
"Elsa, you gotta go lie down," Anna told her firmly. "You're sniffling, sneezing, and I'm pretty sure you've got a headache…" If Elsa keeps pushing herself the rest of the day, she's gonna make herself seriously ill. She's so concerned about everything being perfect today she isn't paying attention to her body telling her it's had enough.
Elsa ignored this and carried all of Anna's presents back inside the castle; then plopped back down in the ice-sled and dissolved the steering device she had handed Anna. For this, she would have to steer it herself. "Anna, are you ready for the ride of your life?" she asked, giving her sister a smile. Without waiting for a reply, Elsa launched their sled up an ice ramp that formed as she needed it. Just as Elsa had predicted, Anna squealed in excitement beside her. I knew Anna would love this! I just knew it.
"THIS IS AWESOME!" Anna yelled out. "Where are we going?!"
"Where do you want to go?" Elsa asked. "The Snow Queen's private vehicle is at your disposal!"
"The ice palace, maybe?"
"Let's go!"
Elsa began making them go faster and faster, much to Anna's combined terror and delight. It was unnerving to go flying along at who knew how fast when the path quite honestly was forming as they needed it. The cold air nipped at Anna's cheeks, and she hunkered down tighter inside her heavy cloak, but she was smiling from ear to ear. I didn't realize Elsa was such a daredevil! Then again, this probably isn't really dangerous at all, or Elsa wouldn't have taken me on such a wild sled ride with her.
The sled slowed down as Elsa sneezed three times more, and Anna frowned. Elsa's face was flushed, her cheeks bright red against the paleness of the rest of her skin. Anna knew Elsa did not get cold, so it couldn't be because of that. She has a fever. That's what it is. Elsa must have a fever. "Elsa, this is too much. You need to rest!"
Elsa sped up the sled again as she shouted, "No way! We have to get to our birthday chills…I mean thrills!" she quickly corrected herself. Elsa felt very dizzy and her head was pounding, but she was determined to get Anna to the ice palace. That was what she was supposed to be doing, wasn't it? Elsa, you have a fever, a bit of logic informed her. Elsa shivered as she made them go even faster. "You are my very best friend…everything must be perfect…!"
"Elsa…?"
"What? I'm fi-ine…" Elsa singsonged back. "We're gonna climb! We're gonna sing! Happy happy happy merry merry merry hot cold hot birthdaaayyy…"
Anna screamed, scared out of her wits, as Elsa completely lost control and literally fell out of their sled. Hoping beyond hope that she would actually catch her sister, Anna grabbed for Elsa's hand, fell out of the sled herself, and then found both herself and Elsa sprawled safely on the ice-ribbon thing over fifty feet in the air.
Anna heard a sickening splintering sound below them as the sled crashed to the ground and squeezed her sister tightly. If I hadn't caught her…if I hadn't fallen out of that sled…oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness… "We're safe," Anna whispered, half to Elsa and half to herself. She frowned when she realized something else.
Her big sister was burning up. She was almost hot to the touch. Elsa felt too warm even for someone without ice powers. For the Snow Queen, she probably had a dangerously high fever. That's why she was acting so crazy. She's probably more than a little out of it right now. "Elsa, look at you. You're burning up," Anna said softly.
"I can't get sick," Elsa said stubbornly, although she felt terrible. My head hurts; my throat is sore; and I feel all congested. And I think I'm…cold. Even her own ice didn't feel right. What was usually a pleasant cool feeling inside actually hurt. She could still feel the pure cold running through her whole body, but it was making her shiver and ache all over.
"Physically can't get sick or can't get sick because you're trying to make today perfect?" Anna asked gently. She laid one hand against Elsa's forehead and immediately frowned. Elsa feels so hot to the touch, but she's…shivering. I have to get her home and put her to bed. And fast.
I ruined everything. Again. I just wanted to give Anna one perfect birthday… Tears began trickling down Elsa's flushed cheeks, and she scooted away from her sister and tried to stand up using her air currents, but immediately collapsed in a trembling heap on the ice-ribbon holding her aching hand to her chest. What's going on? Why is it actually painful to use my powers?! What's wrong with me? Can't leave Anna out here…she'll freeze, even with that cloak…we're a long ways from home…have to fix this…
Keep Anna away from you, Elsa. You don't want her to get sick too, do you? Elsa determinedly held out her hand again and willed a new ice-sled into existence, despite the fact that making ice made her shake painfully all the more. I haven't really gotten sick since I was little…I hate this… "An…Anna…p-please get in," she whispered shakily; then just slumped on her side only half-conscious.
Anna wasn't sure what to do, but she knew Elsa didn't just have a slight case of the sniffles or something. Elsa had gone from acting like she was mostly all right, if a bit silly, to lying on the ice half-conscious and shaking all over in less than a minute. Elsa's seriously sick. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she shouldn't be so hot and shivering like she is. She quickly knelt by her sister's side and gently pulled her close. Maybe Anna's own body heat would help Elsa stop shivering so much. She's wearing a dress made of ice besides. That doesn't help… "Elsa, you push yourself too hard," she scolded quietly.
"I'm sorry, Anna. I just wanted to give you one perfect birthday…and I ruined it. Again," Elsa said softly, tears running down her cheeks once more. And we're out in the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold. I ruined everything. Again.
"You didn't ruin anything. Let's just try and get you home," Anna told her. She could feel Elsa's trembling body growing more and more limp in her arms by the second, and she didn't know what to do to help. Wait! There is one thing I can do… Anna quickly took off her own big heavy cloak Elsa had given her, climbed into the ice-sled, and wrapped the thick cloak around both of them, making sure to keep her feverish sister nestled inside. I'm not immune to cold like Elsa is ordinarily, but she's the one who's sick. She needs something warm too.
Elsa had spotted Wandering Oaken's Trading Post (and sauna) a short ways away below them, and bit her lip before forcing out a ramp of ice directly to the small building below them before immediately passing out.
"ELSA!" Anna screamed. She's still breathing fine, but she's shaking so much and she looks like she's in pain…oh, Elsa, why did you do this to yourself? Just for my birthday? Anna pressed one hand to Elsa's forehead to check her temperature again, but Elsa just felt even hotter, if there was even any change at all. She quickly wrapped her sister up in the cloak and laid her down in the sled; then ran behind the sled and pushed off and hopped back into the sled beside Elsa. Anna could feel goosebumps forming all over her own arms and legs now without the cloak, but they would be safe indoors at Oaken's in less than a minute. I'll be fine. A minute outdoors isn't going to hurt me. I have to help Elsa.
The second the sled came to a stop directly in front of Oaken's, Anna scooped Elsa up and stumbled inside. Elsa stirred in her arms and blinked dazedly at her. "Safe now?" Elsa asked hopefully.
"Yes, safe now," Anna said, giving her sister a reassuring smile.
"Hoo hoo! Welcome! And to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Oaken's accented and pleasant voice greeted them. Elsa sneezed, and Oaken immediately offered, "Are you sick? How about a cold remedy of my own invention?"
"No thanks," said Elsa.
"We'll take it," said Anna. Then she added, "Oaken, she hasn't just got a cold, though…we need two sets of winter clothes, please."
Oaken's pleasant grin abruptly disappeared. "Certainly, your highness. I have just the thing right here," he said quickly. "You may use the empty storage room to change if you wish," he added, opening the door for the two girls.
Anna gently laid her sister down and handed her one set of clothes. "I know you'll want to change yourself, so I'll just turn my back, 'kay?"
"Thank you…Anna," Elsa managed to say. She felt too sick to even make sure Anna kept her back turned; so she just trusted Anna to keep her word. Elsa slipped off her emerald green ice-dress, which was probably just accentuating the fact that she felt cold; and quickly pulled on the winter outfit instead. It looks like that one Anna has, except it has a magenta skirt and a blue cloak instead of the other way around. I like it. Elsa couldn't bring herself to pull on the mittens though, despite the fact that her hands were shaking uncontrollably. It felt too much like wearing gloves to her. "I'm finished now," Elsa said almost inaudibly as she reached for her brace; then immediately shuddered when the ice touched her leg, even though she was wearing thick tights now. I didn't even bring the other one. I can't wear this. And this means not only can I not get us back home via the ice-sled; I can't walk back, either. On impulse, Elsa stuck out one hand and made her brace made of ice disappear entirely; then buried her face in her hands, not knowing what to do.
Anna bit her lip as she turned around just as Elsa had dissolved it, and quickly knelt next to her sister and helped her lie down. "Elsa, just lay still for now," she said quietly. "Let me change, and then we'll figure out what to do. You couldn't put that brace back on your leg right now anyway, so don't feel bad for getting rid of it. You can just make a new one when you get better." She's already asleep, Anna realized. She quickly changed her own clothes and folded up their other dresses; then gently shook Elsa's shoulder. "Come on, sis. Let's go home."
"How? I c-can't…walk back…" Elsa's quivery voice trailed off, and her blue eyes drifted shut again.
"I'm going to carry you," Anna said firmly. "Actually, no. You're going to lie down in the ice-sled, and I'll pull you. That way you can rest, and it should be easier for me, too. Come on." She scooped Elsa up, despite her weak protests, and carried her out of the storage room. And Elsa needs to put her mittens on. I know exactly why she didn't, though… "Thank you, Oaken," Anna told the burly man thankfully.
"Queen Elsa appears ill. May I volunteer to take the both of you home in my own sled?" Oaken offered.
"What about your shop? But…but that would be helpful," Anna said sheepishly. It'll be faster, and Elsa won't have to lie on the ice in the ice-sled. She's probably miserable enough right now with her own ice inside her. And no one can help her with that…she'll just feel better when she recovers.
"Anything for our beloved queen and princess," Oaken assured her. "Wait here. I will be right back."
Soon Anna was sitting in the back of Oaken's sled as Oaken took them back to the castle as fast as possible. Anna cradled Elsa securely in her arms and held her still-trembling body close. She had wrapped her thick birthday present cloak around Elsa tightly on top of the blue cloak Elsa was already wearing; but her sister was still shaking all over. "You're gonna be fine, Elsa," Anna whispered, as much for her own benefit as Elsa's. Elsa has to be fine. She just has to. It's just…I've never, ever seen her like this before…
"Anna…it…it hurts," Elsa whimpered, trying to press herself closer to Anna, despite all the thick layers of clothing she was wearing. Anna could put twenty layers of clothing on me, and I don't think it would help. It's my own ice inside me that's hurting. Her whole body ached badly; the usual ice flowing through her hurt terribly because of her fever. Putting Elsa's usually cool self under the effects of a fever made the general symptoms of a high fever on an ordinary person much worse. If Anna had had a high fever, she would probably be achy and feel generally terrible too; but for Elsa, it hurt. It hurt a lot.
Anna's mind immediately flew to the only times she had heard Elsa say 'It hurts' in that whimpering voice. Elsa hasn't had a full-on panic attack in ages! I thought she was ok as far as that goes now. "Elsa…are you feeling like you're about to have a panic attack?" she asked hesitantly.
"N-no…my body hurts…all over…so cold, Anna…so cold…not good cold. Achy. Hurts…" Elsa's expression suddenly changed to a childish pout as she pulled one hand out from inside her cocoon of cloaks and such, and held it in front of her face. "My snowflake. I want my snowflake!" she complained. "Snow Queen Elsa…my snowflake…I'm s'posed to be immune to cold!" Elsa smiled contentedly when an ice snowflake appeared in her hand, despite the fact that making the little snowflake had hurt quite a bit. "Mine," she informed Anna. Elsa's eyes fluttered shut as she clutched her snowflake tightly.
Anna frowned, confused at her sister's odd behavior. Well, whatever makes her happy. But she can't hold that all the way home. She gently slipped mittens on Elsa's shaking hands, hoping she was doing the right thing. Then she gave the little ice snowflake back to her sister.
Elsa didn't react at first, then abruptly announced, "Conceal, don't feel is stupid," in a very clear voice, although her eyes remained closed.
What is going on? Why is Elsa acting so strange? Is her fever that high that she's not completely clear-headed? Probably… Anna wasn't sure whether to be worried or relieved that Elsa was sleeping peacefully now. "Well, we'll get you better ASAP the second we get home," she whispered in her sister's ear.
The second they arrived back home at the castle, Anna thanked Oaken and climbed out of the sled, still holding Elsa in her arms.
Elsa stirred and blinked up at Anna in confusion. "An…Anna…where are we?" She looked up at the castle and then back at Anna. "Why are we visiting the castle?"
"We…we live here," Anna told her, puzzled as to why Elsa would say such a thing. Elsa needs help, and fast. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she's acting really strange.
"Why does my neck hurt and feel all stiff?" was Elsa's next question. Wait a second…what's wrong with me? Anna is right. I live here!
Anna frowned. "I don't know, sis, but you're sick. We have to get you into bed and get you better," she said softly.
Elsa suddenly remembered something. Today was supposed to be Anna's perfect birthday. There was a party waiting for her little sister in the ballroom. And I ruined it. I can't go to the party like this. I'd probably just collapse or something. Well, Anna can enjoy it by herself…I suppose. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY TOGETHER! "Anna…dump me in my room and go back downstairs," Elsa said as firmly as her shaky voice would let her.
"No. You need help." Anna quickly climbed upstairs and carried her sister down the hall to her room. "Elsa, you need to rest and I am not leaving you alone. Whatever other birthday things you planned can wait 'til you're better."
Elsa's face fell. "I ruined everything," she whispered. "Anna, please go downstairs. Please. You have to." I just wanted Anna to have one perfect birthday, and I ruined it. Again. "As queen, I order you to go downstairs to the ballroom," Elsa announced after a moment; although her order wasn't very authoritative, considering she was lying on her bed, her cheeks were flushed, and her voice was shaky. "And I hate gloves!" she exclaimed, and the childish Elsa was back. In a second, Elsa's mittens were tossed on the floor, and she weakly turned over, clutching her little ice snowflake close.
Anna wasn't sure what to do; she knew Elsa would probably be doubly upset if Anna didn't at least go downstairs for a few minutes. And yet she really, really did not want to leave Elsa alone in her condition. "What if I bring Gerda back up here, peek in the ballroom for a minute, and come right back?" Anna offered.
"No! Anna has t-to go to the p-party!" Elsa demanded. "It's your birthday…I wanna come d-downstairs too…" She started to sit up and try to climb off her bed, but Anna was there in a second gently pushing her back against the pillows.
"Elsa, you can't come downstairs. Stay here in your room and rest," Anna said firmly. "You're sick."
Elsa's blue eyes immediately started welling with tears. Why did Anna want her to stay in her room? Maybe she had done something wrong. You did do something wrong. You messed up Anna's birthday, just like all those years since you were eight, Elsa's feverish thoughts accused her. "I…I'm…sorry…Anna…"
Anna's heart twisted at hearing her sister's pained, weak voice apologize like that. Elsa didn't do anything wrong. Well, except for pushing herself way too hard… "It's all right, Elsa. You can't help being sick," Anna said softly. "And the only reason I want you to stay here is so you can rest. That's all." She stroked Elsa's hair lightly, knowing that usually calmed Elsa down and made her feel better. "You know, I think today is perfect…well, except for you being sick. But, I mean, birthday-wise? Absolutely perfect. All I really wanted was to get to spend the day with you. And I'm doing that. I'd really rather stay here with you than go downstairs."
"But…but I'm icky and gross and I can't do anything with you…and the guests…" Elsa looked absolutely miserable-she was still shivering uncontrollably all over, although not quite as badly as she had outside. And Elsa's face was very flushed; and she had a terrible headache, which showed in her pained gaze.
Anna pressed one of Elsa's too-warm hands against her cheek, wishing she could get Elsa to stop shivering. "You can let me take care of you 'til you're better," she told her sister with a smile. "And how's this? I'll go downstairs and say you're ill and the celebrations are off, but will be rescheduled at a later time. Is that all right?"
Elsa started to nod, but then winced and clutched her stomach. "My tummy hurts," she whispered. "Th-that's…fine…I think…" Anna should stay away from me. I don't want her to get sick too…
Just then, Gerda walked by and saw the two girls since Elsa's room's door was open. "Miss Elsa, what is going on? The guests are waiting for you two downs-" Gerda took one closer look at Elsa and immediately knew the girl was ill. "Princess Anna, wash your hands and leave this room immediately. Change your clothes and run downstairs and tell the guests the party will have to be postponed." Gerda sat by Elsa's side and gently pressed one hand to her forehead. Elsa has a fever that's dangerously high for her. It probably would be a low fever for anyone else, but for Elsa, this is not good.
Anna bit her lip, told Elsa good-bye, and ran off to do what Gerda had told her to do. Elsa better be ok. Gerda looked really concerned…
Elsa's eyes drifted shut again. She felt so, so tired and her body hurt all over. She could feel her own ice begging to be let out and yet it also felt like it just wanted to rest but couldn't. Maybe my powers just hate being in contact with my fever? I don't know…
"Miss Elsa, where does it hurt?" Gerda asked quietly. "Please tell the truth."
"All…over. My ice hurts," Elsa replied miserably. "'Specially my head and my tummy. And my neck…"
I don't think Elsa just has a cold… Gerda began speaking briskly, knowing Elsa probably hated not only being sick, but people fussing over her as well. "All right, Miss Elsa, let's get you into bed properly and get rid of these winter clothes. It's not good for you to have so many layers on. Not to mention, I think your powers are making you feel cold from the inside, not the outside air."
Elsa didn't resist as Gerda stripped her down to her lightweight chemise; then just picked her up and tucked her under the covers. Gerda was right…I feel exactly the same without all those heavy things on me, if not ever so slightly better. She still felt awful, but at least she didn't have the icky feeling of all that heavy winter clothing on her anymore. "Thank…y-y-y-" Elsa struggled, her voice refusing to cooperate, probably because her throat was sore, too.
"Don't try to talk, Miss Elsa. And you're quite welcome. I'll be right back." Gerda went into Elsa's bathroom for a minute and came back with a bowl of cold water and several washcloths.
Elsa flinched when she felt a cool wet something on her forehead. Usually Elsa liked something cool or cold against her skin, but right now it made her shudder. She had enough cold inside her already. Elsa weakly lifted her hand and tried to push the cloth away.
"Miss Elsa, it's to help with the fever. I know it's probably uncomfortable, but please leave it alone," Gerda said gently. "We have to get your temperature down."
A single tear trickled down Elsa's drawn face, and she curled into a ball on her side as she broke down in sobs. "I r-ruined…Anna's…birthday," she whispered. "Again!" It wasn't even because I lost control. It's just…me. Stupid, trouble-causing me.
Gerda wrung out a new cloth and gently pushed Elsa onto her back before laying it across Elsa's forehead. "You didn't ruin anything, Miss Elsa. All your sister wanted was to spend her birthday with you, and you gave her that and more. Now we just have to get you better, that's all." If Elsa doesn't feel any better by tomorrow morning, I will send for the doctor myself. It worries me that she hasn't been sick since she was tiny, and now the one time she's ill, it's abrupt and appears rather serious…
"Achoo!" Elsa's blue eyes went wide when she saw several little snow creatures scamper off her bed. "Gerda…? What are those?!" she asked. Have I been doing that all day every time I sneezed?! So I am out of control…
"Ah, yes, there's a whole multitude of those little things downstairs," Gerda said nonchalantly, giving Elsa a smile. "Now we know where they came from. No big deal, Miss Elsa. They're quite friendly, just a bit mischievous." Gerda had known quite well already that the little snow creatures had been coming from none other than Elsa, so she wasn't surprised. "Your little snowman Olaf thinks they're his little brothers."
Elsa felt mortified. I sneeze little snow creatures?! And all those guests saw them?! They'll think I'm out of control again! Dad will think I'm out of control again! She covered her face with her hands, utterly embarrassed.
Anna came trotting in with a wide smile. "Hey, guess what? I just saw all those little snow creatures-everyone's calling them snowgies, which I think is kinda cute-and they're hilarious, Elsa! They-" Anna noticed Elsa scowling and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Snowgies?" Elsa asked in disgust.
"Well, you make them when you sneeze…you know…snow boogers? Snowgies?" Anna was suddenly very certain Elsa would be very embarrassed and would not think that was the least bit funny.
Sure enough, Elsa scowled and went an even deeper red than her flushed cheeks had been before. Really?! That is disgusting! And embarrassing. And…ew. Ew, ew, ew. At least the little snow creatures are cute and harmless enough…I suppose.
"Oh, oh yeah, and you remember Netta? That nice lady with the baby you talked to after your speech back in the summer? Well, she said we should give you feverfew if you had a headache, and I know quite well you do," Anna said now. "I don't know what you're supposed to do with it, though…make tea, eat it plain, sniff it? I have no idea…"
Elsa cracked a tiny smile at that. "You…make tea…with it," she managed to say. Anna is funny. And Netta was actually concerned enough for me to offer her idea to Anna? That was really nice of her…
Gerda stood up and pulled Anna out into the hall for a moment. "Miss Anna, I'll go make your sister some feverfew tea. Make sure she keeps a cold cloth on her forehead to help with her fever, please…she's probably going to try to take it off."
Anna nodded instantly. "I'm gonna take care of Elsa as much as possible 'til she's better," she said firmly. Anna fiddled with the beads on the bracelet Elsa had given her for her birthday. Don't worry, Elsa. You gave me a perfect birthday already. Now I get to help take care of you instead.
Sure enough, the second Anna sat down next to Elsa, she noticed Elsa had taken the wet cloth off her forehead and curled up on her side instead. "Oh, Elsa, what are we going to do with you?" she asked softly.
Elsa's flushed face puckered up in annoyance when she felt that uncomfortable, almost painful coolness on her forehead again. "Don't like it, Anna…" she whispered.
"Gerda said I was supposed to make sure you kept one on your forehead," Anna told her, gently holding the cloth against her sister's too-warm forehead. "It's to help with that icky fever, 'kay? You can stay curled up on your side, though. I'll just hold it in place for you. Do you want anything, sis?"
Elsa just blinked tiredly at her sister. Why is Anna taking care of me? I'm supposed to be taking care of her. It's Anna's birthday… She suddenly scrunched her eyes shut against the light coming in from the window. "Too bright…" What is wrong with me?
"You want to cover the window, maybe?" Anna asked.
Elsa tried to nod, but failed. She impulsively reached for her sister's arm and just held on tightly. I'm scared. I don't know what's wrong with me and I know this combination of symptoms is something specific and I can't remember what it is. Elsa abruptly rolled onto her back and just said, "I can't think! I'm confused, and…and…Anna, I have pyrexia."
Anna frowned in confusion. "What's pyrexia?"
"P, y, r, e, x, i, a," Elsa spelled. "Pyrexia…"
"I'm sorry, Elsa, but I don't understand," Anna said quietly. She noticed her sister's blue eyes had fluttered shut again and just gave Elsa's hand a gentle squeeze. I'm worried about Elsa. She's not…acting right.
Anna heard a knock on the door and said "Come in," but she just stayed next to Elsa and didn't move. "Oh, hi Mom, hi Dad," she added. "But be quiet, 'cause Elsa's sleeping at the moment."
"Anna, you shouldn't stay so close to your sister. She might make you sick, too," Agdar said quietly.
"Dad, I'm not leaving Elsa. I can't! She's acting really weird when she's awake…I mean, she starts acting like really childish, or she's all upset, and she switches from one to the other, like, instantly. And just before you came in, she abruptly says 'Anna, I have pyrexia' and then when I asked her 'What's pyrexia?', she just spelled it!" Anna frowned worriedly down at her sister.
Idun gently held her hand against Elsa's forehead. "Anna, honey, pyrexia just means 'fever'. It's probably making her act funny, that's all. She's far too warm for her…" Wait a minute…Elsa feels warm enough that she would be too hot for a normal person. She's in danger! She abruptly stood up and said, "Someone go get the doctor immediately! Now!"
The second Anna took off running from the room, Idun carefully scooped her oldest daughter up and held her trembling body close. "Oh, Elsa…please get better," she whispered. "I can't lose you again…I just can't…" If we could just get Elsa's fever to break, she would be fine. She can't stay so hot for any length of time; it'll kill her. I don't even know what Elsa's ordinary body temperature usually is, but she's supposed to be significantly cooler than someone sans her special abilities.
"Idun, calm down. Elsa will be fine," Agdar said firmly. "Everyone gets sick sometimes."
"Agdar, just touch her forehead! She's far too warm. Elsa feels like she has a normal person's low fever. That's way too much for her! And she's supposed to be immune to cold, and she's…shaking," Idun said softly. "Look at her."
Agdar hesitantly touched Elsa's forehead and instantly pulled away. It was hard to believe this girl was the same one with the unnervingly strong ice powers. "She's ill and most likely contagious," he said flatly, and abruptly turned and strode out of the room. Elsa needs help. And fast.
A/N: So...yeah. Elsa's sick. I always figured Elsa's natural body temperature is lower because of her powers...so when Anna says Elsa's burning up in Frozen Fever, Elsa must have a really high fever, at least for her. That's why Elsa is so sick. That and I don't think her immune system would be very strong after all that time isolated from people.:/
Next chapter coming soon!:)