A/N: Thanks to everyone who's followed/favorited and/or is reading but not reviewing!:)

Thanks to bananas-rule-2015 for beta-ing:)

princessdianaofparadiseisland-Wait and see what happens, sis.:) Don't forget, I promised a happy ending.:)

raven678-Thank you!:) Yeah, Idun is actually taking care of Elsa now...I think it's about time.:P

jr74-As this is not a spoiler, I will say that neither one of them took the power crystals.:) From the info I found online, ice baths aren't good for breaking a fever because it can make you shiver all the more which actually raises the core body temperature. I think the ice bath just drops the surface body temperature from what I understand. However...I'd already written a scene involving that idea, so...read on.:)

Elsa Tomago-Yep, that's exactly why Kiara didn't get her powers back. That was her decision and now she has to deal with it. (Besides, we'd have no more story, AND it's illogical, like you pointed out.:P)

Mandy-Exactly. And it seems kinda cliché to me. Magical powers don't have the solution to everything...there have to be limits.:P Yes, I promised a happy ending.:) I feel kinda bad for making Elsa go through all this, but...I don't know. Somehow I think it's nice to make your favorite character go through a bunch of awful things and make sure she's still there to tell the story afterwards.:) Does that sound stupid? I don't know... I can promise Elsa will never ever try attempting suicide again, even if she's upset and negative thoughts get in her head. She promised Anna she wouldn't.:) I love making online friends.:) I'm so glad you like my stories!:) Hmm...stupid question...who's your favorite Frozen character and why?:)

On to the story!:) [Warning for plenty of angst ahead...but just remember there IS a happy ending!:)]

THE NEXT MORNING IN ARENDELLE CASTLE…

"Mom, can't the doctor do anything to help Elsa?" Anna whispered so she wouldn't wake Elsa up.

"Honey, he can't. I asked him to come check on her shortly before you and Kiara came back because I noticed a weird rash on one of her arms," Idun said softly as she showed Anna the blotchy marks on Elsa's arm. "Anna…I think…I think she's dying. The doctor said Elsa's body just isn't strong enough to fight whatever illness she has…he thinks she has meningitis, and he said she has a weakened immune system. That rash is blood poisoning. I…I feel like this is the payback for abusing that poor girl for all those years. I'm just starting to get to know Elsa for who she really is, and…and now I'm losing her. I…" Idun suddenly stopped talking when she saw Anna's angry expression.

All that horrid technical stuff just means Elsa's dying because of what Mom and Dad did to her for all those years. Maybe she wouldn't have a weakened immune system in the first place if she hadn't been kept isolated in her room… Anna was seething as she slowly and gently scooped Elsa up, blankets and all; and went to sit in the comfy chair in the corner. Then she just hugged Elsa tightly and cried. Elsa, please don't die. Please. I love you so much. I can't lose you again. And…and you never, ever did anything wrong. You just endured in silence for all that time…and you were just a little girl. You were EIGHT! She felt Elsa stirring weakly in her arms and looked down at her sister's drawn face. And Elsa actually looks happy, even though I know she's hurting…on the outside. That's why she's still happy enough.

Elsa blinked a few times, trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. She had been stuck in a vivid and realistic dream, but this one was a happy one. She had still hit Anna when they were little, but she'd just hit her in the arm and so five-year-old Anna just needed her arm bandaged, not her memories changed. Then Elsa's own younger self had simply been extra, extra careful playing with Anna, and they did not jump from dangerously high snow piles anymore. They were just two happy but very careful little girls. "Anna…why is big Anna crying?" she asked. "Sisters…invincible together…"

"Yeah, together," Anna whispered under her breath, not realizing that Elsa was plenty clearheaded enough at the moment to both hear and understand her.

Elsa winced as she moved one hand over her own heart and the other over Anna's. "There. Together there," she said softly. "Elsa dies…she's still with Anna in her heart." Elsa blinked again, jerking completely back to reality. "Anna, you don't need me. When I die, you won't have to take care of an emotionally damaged girl anymore," she quipped, giving Anna a lopsided smile. "Really…it will be all right. You'll be perfectly fine." I need to write Anna a letter…

Why is Elsa telling me everything will be all right?! And I do need her. I need her so much. I lost my big sister once already; I can't lose her again. Anna cradled Elsa close, trying her best not to cry so she wouldn't make Elsa upset. "Elsa, I don't care what emotional issues you might still have, you're my sister and I love you. I don't mind taking care of you. Please try to hang on, sis. That nasty fever can't last forever. You just have to outlast it, that's all."

Elsa's blue eyes had drifted shut again, but she clung to Anna, and a tiny smile was on her face. I'm okay. I have my baby sister back and I can control my powers. That was all I ever wanted in my life.


Anna was still mad at her mother, but an idea popped into her head. "Mom…what if we put Elsa in a bath full of ice-cold water?" she asked softly. "Would that break her fever? Or at least make it drop to a non-dangerous level for her?"

"It's worth a try," Idun replied quickly. "That should definitely help." Maybe, just maybe… "Anna, just hold her for now. Get those blankets off her, too. I'll fix the bath water up."

I hope this works, Anna thought, feeling much happier than she had since her sister had fallen sick. She took the blankets off and carefully sat back down, still holding Elsa in her arms.

Elsa's slender body still felt far too hot for her, and she was still shaking slightly. That light chemise she was wearing did little to nothing to attempt to keep her warm, and Anna was a bit afraid that sticking Elsa in that ice bath was going to, at the very least, make Elsa upset, not to mention potentially hurt her. But if it'll make Elsa get better…then I guess it's okay. I think.

"You can bring Elsa in here now, Anna," Idun called from the bathroom.

"Bring me where?" Elsa asked sleepily.

"A bath, sis," Anna said carefully.

"Don't want a bath," Elsa mumbled. "You may not see me with nothing on. So there."

Anna shook her head. "You can keep your chemise on, you stinker. Mom and I are hoping it'll bring your fever down," she explained.

"Oh." Elsa shifted a bit in her sister's arms and promptly fell back asleep, satisfied that whatever was going on was not going to harm her.

"We need to wake Elsa up. We don't want her waking up scared that something is hurting her. Ice-cold water is not going to feel pleasant to her right now, powers or no," Idun said quietly. She gently took Elsa from Anna's arms and shook her just a bit. "Elsa? Elsa, sweetie, we're going to try something that probably isn't going to feel very nice; but I promise we're just trying to help you. Please don't get scared. You're safe."

Elsa's big blue eyes flickered open and gazed at her mother in confusion. I've heard 'we're just trying to help you' before…what's going on? And I feel awful…

When Elsa didn't reply and just stared warily at her mother, Idun sighed as she carefully and slowly lowered Elsa into the ice water.

After a split second of shocked silence, Elsa registered the awful, awful feeling all over her. She wanted out. Now. It hurt and burned all over and was just plain horrible. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. "Anna, help…please help," she whispered. It hurts! Why did Mama put me in here? I want out! She knows ice and cold things hurt me right now…why?! "I want out!" she exclaimed, pained tears trickling down her cheeks. Elsa finally realized exactly what was going on-she was in the bathtub, but it was ice-cold water and it was torturing her. Why was Anna just standing next to her, looking sorry and guilty but not helping her? She wanted to go back to bed. "Anna…why? C'n…can't I go back t-to bed? It hurts!" We're just trying to help you…'Elsa, we're just trying to help you. Keep your gloves on at all times and maybe you won't make such a mess in your room.' Elsa felt like her little self shortly after the accident when she hadn't gotten used to being unable to touch things with her bare fingers. She remembered her parents insisting that she wear gloves constantly, saying that would keep her from losing control. And for eight-year-old Elsa, they did. And they also took most of her sense of touch away.

Why did Anna let me be put in here? I want out! Before Anna could reply, Elsa scrunched her eyes shut against the pain from her own ice forcing its way out of her. Elsa was so afraid she would end up trapping herself in ice in the tub that she weakly scrambled out of that horrible water on her own and immediately slipped and fell. Not only was the floor slippery, Elsa's body wasn't nearly strong enough to support her. Anna managed to block the edge of the tub to keep Elsa from hitting her head, but neither she nor Idun moved fast enough to actually catch Elsa.

Elsa yelped in pain as she felt herself land on her wrist awkwardly. That's the same arm I broke a few months ago… She scrunched her eyes shut and held her wrist protectively against her chest when she sensed someone bending over her. Please don't hurt me. I don't know what's going on, but please don't hurt me. Please don't put me in that cold water again…

Anna grabbed a thick, fluffy towel and quickly dried Elsa off. "She's just shaking and shivering even worse than before, Mom," she whispered. "Elsa's trembling all over really really bad…not only did that scare her, it hurt her and it didn't help her at all…" She scooped Elsa up and frowned when she felt Elsa flinching and trying to get away. What have I done?! Elsa doesn't have the strength to afford to be getting worse like this. She's so…fragile. Literally. I can't let her be hurt anymore. "Elsa, it's ok. It's all right. We're not putting you back in the water. We thought it was gonna get your temperature down, but I think it just hurt you instead," she told her sister. It's not all right…

Not like those awful gloves? Elsa thought hopefully to herself. No, Anna wouldn't do that to me. I know she wouldn't. Elsa looked weakly up at her little sister. "Will you fix my wrist? I think I got a booboo," she announced, using her childhood word for something that physically hurt her.

"Of course we'll fix it, you little stinker," Anna assured her. "Come on, I'll put you back to bed and then we can take care of your wrist. You must have fallen on it." Poor Elsa…she's not even that concerned about her wrist; she just wants someone to take care of her. I can tell.

"Okay." Elsa snuggled contentedly against Anna and let herself drift off to sleep once again.


Elsa jerked awake when she felt something hurting her wrist. "Anna…Anna?" she asked.

"Right here, sis. We're just getting your wrist taken care of, that's all. You sprained it when you fell," Anna explained. "It'll be all better in a week or two."

"What's he going to do to me?" Elsa asked, watching the doctor suspiciously. "Please don't hurt me…"

The doctor looked his patient straight in the eyes. "Queen Elsa, it might hurt some, but I promise I am not harming you in any way," he said firmly, knowing Elsa probably felt both vulnerable and very confused. "I am just going to bandage that wrist tightly so it has support until it can heal. All right?"

Elsa frowned, but just said, "Okay," and didn't make a fuss as the doctor picked up her wrist as gently as possible. Elsa's blue eyes fluttered shut when she felt Anna give her other hand a comforting squeeze. Anna would take care of her, so it didn't matter if her wrist was sore. Thank you, Anna.

"She'll be fine as far as her wrist goes," the doctor said a few minutes later. "That is nothing but a simple sprain. However…I honestly doubt she will recover from this illness," he said quietly. "Queen Elsa has no immune system to help her recover; her body is very weak right now. All those years she spent with no human contact ruined her natural ability to withstand at least some germs like you or me can. Princess Anna, you spent those years around few people, but it was still enough to let you grow properly…it just didn't work that way for your sister. There is nothing any of us can do for her besides keeping her as comfortable as possible. Do not give her any more ice baths."

"Of course not," Anna promised. She gave Elsa a sad smile, feeling slightly happier since at least Elsa didn't look so upset anymore. Elsa just lay fast asleep with her injured wrist held close against her chest. Elsa's actually smiling now. At least she's not all scared and hurt anymore. "I'll just love and take care of her." I love you, Elsa. Maybe the doctor's wrong. I want you to get better…


Determined not to lose hope for Elsa, afraid that doing so would somehow seal her fate; Anna asked her parents, Gerda, Kai, and Kiara to help decorate the castle for Christmas that evening. They could celebrate when Elsa got better. Gerda opted out of that and sent Anna to do that while she herself sat with Elsa.

"Gerda, I'd like some paper and a pen, please," Elsa announced the second Anna was gone. "I need to write some things."

Gerda frowned but did as Elsa asked, and even brought her the small wooden lap desk from the library. "If you start nodding off, I will take that away," she warned.

"I'm the queen 'til I'm dead," was Elsa's only response, and she determinedly began writing. For Anna. Elsa yawned several times, and her arm and hand grew tired and achy and pained her almost with the first word; but she kept going, despite the bandage wrapped around her hand and wrist, which was making it both painful and awkwardly difficult to write. Elsa spent a long time on her letter; these would be her last words to her precious baby sister who had always loved and cared for her despite anything and everything. I can finish this. It's for Anna. I have to. It's the least I can do for her.

"Miss Elsa, I think that's quite enough," Gerda said gently awhile later. "I'm practically watching you grow weaker and weaker as I sit here. Go to sleep for a while. Not to mention you're going to hurt your wrist."

Elsa's blue eyes shone with unshed tears as she pressed the letter into Gerda's hand. "Don't let her…read it…'til after I'm…gone," she whispered. "Please?" You aren't going to make it to Christmas, Elsa. You know it inside. Wait…isn't it Christmas already? I don't even know…

I know, but…I don't want to leave. I want to be here with Anna! The tears finally overflowed and streamed down Elsa's cheeks. She wasn't even scared of dying, really…she just wanted to stay with her baby sister. Elsa knew Anna could easily remember her if she wanted to, but what would happen if Elsa wanted to think about Anna herself? Would she turn into an angel after she died? Maybe she could be Anna's guardian angel. That would be nice. People don't turn into angels, you silly girl, and certainly not you. Do they? Elsa grabbed Gerda's hand as tightly as she could. "Gerda, I…I don't want to die," she said almost inaudibly. Elsa, that's a good thing! That means your mind isn't all messed up inside anymore. A sudden thought struck her, and she asked, "Is…is this my punishment…'cause I tried t-to commit…suicide three years ago?"

"Absolutely not, Queen Elsa of Arendelle. This is not your fault," Gerda replied firmly as she picked Elsa up and just held her without saying anything else, knowing there was nothing else she could really say to Elsa to make her feel better. Gerda had known Elsa since she was a tiny baby, and she would stay with her now that she was so sick, too.

Elsa hid her face in Gerda's shoulder and just cried. She cried because she would never get to find out if her father would ever love her like her mother did. She cried because she wouldn't be able to spend any more time with Anna. She cried because she would miss the one adult, Gerda, that had always cared for her, even though she didn't have to. And Anna is going to be really upset, even though I don't quite understand why…and what if someone tries to invade my country again? My own powers were Arendelle's only weapon of defense… Elsa felt gentle hands wrapping a heavy blanket around her and then herself being picked up.

"Just lay still, Miss Elsa," Gerda said quietly as she carried the distraught girl over to the window and opened it, letting the cold air in. "Look outside. This country is safe because of you. You've done far more than the call of duty for a girl your age in your position. It's all right. Well, not all right, but you cannot blame yourself for anything. I know your sister will most certainly not be okay if you aren't here anymore, but she will understand. It is not your fault. Everything will be fine here, Miss Elsa. There will be a gaping hole here with no Elsa, but it won't hurt quite so much after a while. You of all people know that."

Elsa kept her throbbing head resting on Gerda's shoulder, but she shifted her gaze outdoors into the winter night. The cold somehow didn't feel so painful all of a sudden; it was just there. It calmed her down, and she suddenly felt perfectly content. Maybe she would turn into a wintery 'star and sky angel creature', like Anna had teased her once. Maybe her weak left leg would work properly again without her having to wear a brace. Maybe she wouldn't hurt inside anymore, even a little bit, and the past would truly be in the past. Elsa gave a shuddering sigh as she made an ice snowflake in one hand and held it close. Everything'll be okay. Anna will be fine. She doesn't need me…I know I'm dying…I don't even know how I know, but…it's true… "Th…thank you," she whispered.

Gerda felt Elsa go limp in her arms and immediately thought the worst had happened, but Elsa had just fallen asleep, although her breathing seemed both shallow and too fast. Gerda sighed in relief and tucked Elsa back into bed. Elsa isn't getting any better, though…she's getting worse. At least she isn't all upset anymore. That's the only good thing. She looked up when she heard footsteps coming into the room. "I think you may want to bring Anna here," Gerda said quietly to Idun. "Miss Elsa…isn't doing well."

"Would you get her, please? Anna is in the library," Idun said. "I…I'd like to sit with Elsa right now, in case she…in case she…" Idun pressed Elsa's hand to her cheek and just looked at her with watery eyes. Why Elsa? She's just an innocent young girl. I want my sweet little girl whole and healthy again! Elsa, maybe you don't belong here. Because someone like you shouldn't be somewhere where people hurt you. You're dying because of what your own parents did to you. Maybe you would have been able to get better if your immune system was stronger and you hadn't been kept locked in your room. "I do love you, Elsa," she whispered. "Not that it will help you now, but…"

Elsa smiled a bit as she registered her mother's voice, but she didn't even try to open her eyes. She felt too weak to move now, but her weary body wasn't hurting so much anymore. She felt…calm. Elsa's own ice flowing through her without her prompting it to do so was quickly draining whatever tiny bit of strength she had left, but she actually felt at home in her own skin again. Gone was that painful and uncomfortable sensation of cold. The usual pleasant coolness running through her was back. I need to talk to Anna. Now. "Mama…please…get…Anna," she managed to whisper.

"Gerda is getting her right now, sweetie," Idun said softly.

Anna came running in just then and nearly flung herself on the bed next to her sister. "I ran all the way down the hall, Elsa! You gotta keep fighting, Elsa…please? I want my big sister here with me 'til we're old ladies…Elsa?" Elsa isn't even answering. And I know she heard me.

Elsa struggled to move her arm, trying her best to hug her baby sister just one more time. Tears dripped down her cheeks when all she managed to do was lift her arm a few inches before it just flopped limply back on the bed. "Virtual…hug," Elsa finally said almost inaudibly. I just want to give Anna one more hug. Just one…and I can't. And I feel like I can't breathe. Elsa's labored breath caught in her sore throat and she coughed violently, which left her shuddering all over and unable to move otherwise. What's happening to me? I just wanted to hug Anna…I can't breathe…

"It's all right, Elsa. Not your fault one bit," Anna said softly, trying to make sure her poor sister stayed calm. She just wanted to give me a hug… "Elsa, listen. It's all right. I'm not leaving you. You can have a hug, too."

Elsa's eyes remained closed, but she tried again to move her arm, only to be disappointed when she could barely move it at all. "Anna…I…I'm s-sorry…" she whispered. "I…I just…why, Anna? Why?" All I wanted was to give Anna one last hug. And I can't…I can't! "Please…please fix m-me…just l-long en-"

"Elsa, stop trying to talk," Anna interrupted. I can't let Elsa stay hurting like that. She just wants to give me a hug…she's trying so hard. I can give Elsa that. She glanced at her mother for help, and then just slid one arm under her sister's shoulders to help her sit up, although she knew Elsa wouldn't be able to hold herself upright at all. Elsa was limp as a rag doll now. Anna supported Elsa's head with her other hand since Elsa just drooped forward without anyone helping her. "I'm going to s-stay…with y-you," Anna stammered, trying to hold back her own tears. Elsa can't even hold her head up, she's so weak. Elsa, please don't die. I won't even care if you never completely recover-I'll take care of you. You're my sweet big sister…

Elsa felt her mother gently lifting her limp arm and placing it around Anna's neck. Mama and Anna are actually…helping me give Anna a hug. That was the only thing I wanted, and…I'm actually being allowed to have it? I'm hugging my baby sister. "Anna…take care…of Arendelle…for me…it's yours…now. Help Mama and…Dad. Anna…I love…y-" Elsa felt herself beginning to drift towards unconsciousness; and she managed to open her eyes halfway so she could see Anna as she felt herself being settled back under the covers, although Anna still held her hand tightly. "I love you, Anna," Elsa said clearly. Then her blue eyes fluttered shut again, and this time she went completely unconscious.

"Elsa?" Anna asked frantically. "Elsa? Elsa! Elsa?! Gerda, fix Elsa! She won't answer! Is she…is she…"

Gerda glanced at Elsa's now placid expression on her too pale even for her face; then realized Elsa was still breathing. "No, princess, but she's close to it. She isn't breathing right," she said quietly.

"Elsa's gone unconscious," Anna said flatly. Were those Elsa's last words? Just that she loves me? "Oh, Elsa, I love you so much…I wish I could help you get better," she whispered.

Anna stayed right where she was, clutching Elsa's hand as tightly as she could all the rest of the night. The minutes ticked by slowly, and she knew her sister's breathing was steadily growing shallower and more irregular. Anna heard her mother leave and come back with Agdar, and Anna just stayed sitting by Elsa's side holding her hand. She didn't move nor did she look up at her parents. All that mattered to her was Elsa. Anna began just talking reassuringly to her sister, hoping Elsa could somehow hear her, even if she wasn't able to respond. "I love you, Elsa. I wish I could help you, but I can't…just like before when you were stuck in your room. I couldn't help you then, either. The only thing different is that at least you're happy now. And you're not alone anymore…That's good…Elsa, if you…if y-you have to go…it…it's okay. I understand…I just wish I could have had you with me for much longer than six months…but…but please d-don't try to stay anymore just 'cause of me if you c-can't... I…I'll try to be all right…"

Anna's tears streamed down her cheeks when she felt a barely perceptible squeeze from Elsa on her hand and saw Elsa's smiling face. She looks absolutely peaceful…like nothing's going to bother her ever again. Anna turned her head to look out the window just as morning broke. The snow on the ground outside sparkled and glistened brightly, too bright to be natural. Anna's eyes grew big as she instantly jerked her gaze back to Elsa. Wait a second…she's gone. I know she is. I don't know how I know, but I just do.

Elsa, what am I going to do without you? She buried her face in Elsa's comforter and just cried, still clutching her sister's hand tightly.


Elsa found herself somehow floating somewhere. She could not see anything for a moment, but somehow she didn't feel scared. This is not a hallucination. I know it isn't. I think I heard Anna telling me not to try to stay anymore if I couldn't…I tried to squeeze her hand… Elsa felt weightless, as if she were floating. She was a tiny bird, a fairy, a blue sparkly wisp. She didn't really know. Elsa saw Anna sobbing over her own body and temporarily felt confused before reaching a hand out to touch Anna. She could feel Anna's shoulder, but she knew Anna could neither see nor feel nor understand she was there. A snowflake for you, Anna…please don't forget me. Elsa left a tiny ice snowflake pendant around her little sister's neck. My way to tell you I'm okay.

A gentle breeze sent her floating outdoors, and she wondered if she had turned into a snowflake of sorts. Elsa glanced at her own arms and realized the blotchy rash from when she'd been sick was gone, and her sprained wrist was completely healed. I am not a snowflake. I'm still me. And I don't have wings, but I'm floating… Struck by a sudden thought, Elsa started to look at her left wrist where the faint scar left a telltale sign that she had tried to commit suicide three years before. Maybe that was gone too. Elsa felt an overwhelming sense of peace as she looked at her flawless skin. The scar was gone as well.

Elsa realized she was no longer wearing her chemise or her nightgown; she was wearing a dress eerily similar to the cobalt blue ice-dress she had made, but this one was the same color as her original ice-dress. A strong wind whisked her up to the North Mountain and dropped her near the balcony, still floating.

Well done, my good and faithful servant, a deep but comforting voice said.

Who are you? Elsa asked. Who am I?

You already know Me, Elsa.

A bright light surrounded her, and then Elsa knew. God really loved her? Elsa had no idea how she knew; she just did. Who am I, then? I didn't fit in with normal human beings, Elsa replied in a whisper.

You are indeed abnormal and did not fit in, but only to certain other people. Did your sister think that? No, she did not. You have a very special gift, Elsa. You used it well once you were allowed to.

If my powers were a gift, why did I hurt so much inside for so long? Elsa could no longer feel her inner pain, but she knew how she had felt in the past. Elsa saw no one, but she somehow felt someone holding her and giving her a hug. She blinked, and suddenly she was floating in a tunnel, a bright, clear light at the end beckoning her.

Something carried her straight to the end of the tunnel in seconds. A glowing gate greeted her, but there was no one in sight. Elsa tried to turn back, but found she couldn't.

You asked who you are, Elsa, that same voice said. You know who you are, little girl. Who are you?

Snow Queen Elsa of Arendelle? Elsa asked.

No, Elsa. I shall tell you. You are a young girl whose name is Elsa. Just plain Elsa. Only Elsa. Nothing more. Those other names describe you. They are not truly you. You have a gift, Elsa. You are not finished yet.

Elsa felt confused now. Why am I here if I am not finished yet? I thought I died! Elsa found herself standing solidly on her own two feet right in front of the gate. She beamed, her big blue eyes lighting up. I can stand up by myself. My left leg isn't messed up anymore!

Elsa, you may choose to stay here, but there is a country that is in dire need of your help. You have been given a special gift. I am not finished with you yet. There is a job waiting for you back in Arendelle. Someone…three someones, in fact, are willing to sacrifice something for you.

Elsa replied without hesitation. This place was wonderful; all the marks, both physical and emotional, of her past could not hurt or bother her here, but if Arendelle needed help, she had to go back. She had to take care of Anna, especially. Then I must go back.

You must take time to recover from that illness, Elsa. Do you still wish to go back?

I wouldn't be any help to Anna or Arendelle if I'm just trying to recover from being deathly ill, Elsa said, looking longingly at that mesmerizingly beautiful gate. Can't Anna just come here?

No, Elsa. Not yet.


What's this? Elsa, is this from you? Anna finally registered that there was a delicate, sparkling little snowflake necklace made of ice hanging around her neck. Even the chain was constructed of tiny links of ice-Elsa's ice. That didn't come from nowhere. It doesn't even feel cold against my skin…it's just cool. Like Elsa herself. Wait…this means Elsa's okay! She's not here anymore, but she's okay. She's okay. My big sister is all right. "Thank you so much, Elsa," she whispered. "Thanks for telling me you're all right." Anna suddenly stood up straight from where she had been sobbing over her sister's body and began shouting at the top of her lungs. "Elsa's gone, permanently gone, because YOU two kept her isolated from people for so long! It's not fair! I want my sister back! She didn't deserve to die! I want Elsa! And now you two have taken her away from me again! She was the nicest, gentlest, best, and most awesome person ever, and you never even told her so! You just hurt her instead! You hurt her both inside and outside. Elsa still didn't understand why her own sister cared about her. I want my big sister! I want my sweet big sister back…" Anna scooped Elsa's body up and shook her hard, as if that might somehow bring Elsa back. "Elsa, please…I love you so much…please…please…I want you to come back! Elsa…" I want Elsa back. She's my big sister and I already miss her so much…but I do know she's okay. Elsa's all right. She's probably actually better off not being here…nothing can hurt her anymore. But I still want my big sister back!

Gerda gently steered Anna away and handed her the letter Elsa had written. "Miss Anna, your sister wrote this and said I wasn't to give it to you until after she…died. Sit down and read." She pushed Anna into the comfy chair in the corner and handed her Elsa's letter.

Anna's eyes were swimming with tears as she started reading. 'Dear Anna, If you're reading this, then I've probably just died and Gerda gave this to you. I know you're probably upset, but please don't cry. I love you just as much as ever. I'm so, so sorry I had to leave and abandon you again…but I don't think I even belong here-there?-I don't know. You made me feel at home and like I belong in Arendelle, but let's face it: someone like me just doesn't fit. You'll be better off without me, even though I already miss you so much. I don't know exactly how what happens after you die works, but I know I will be able to see you. I don't know how I know; I just do. So please remember that I'm watching you and if I ever see you in trouble and I can still use my powers somehow to help you-maybe a snowstorm that appears to be natural, I don't know?-I will do so. Can I send you my signature snowflake, maybe?

"You did, Elsa," Anna whispered, clasping her tiny snowflake pendant in her fist. "You already did."

'I just hope you don't forget me, even if I was a useless little girl you had to take care of a lot of the time. Well, not useless. I just…feel useless sometimes.

"I'll never, never, ever forget you, you stinker. Why would you even be worried about that…?"

'I mean…I cry a lot. My past still hurts me so much sometimes. I miss being little when I hadn't hurt you. I'm damaged both physically and emotionally. I can't walk properly without that brace. Is it selfish to say I honestly both love and hate that thing? Love because it lets me walk at all and hate because it's hard to walk without being able to bend your knee. I'm rambling here…I think you're taking over my brain.:) And I still ache inside when I think about things that happened in the past. My heart hurts sometimes…at least I don't get panic attacks anymore or stutter all the time when I try to talk. I just…I don't know. I should quit thinking about it. Guess I should follow my own words and let it go, shouldn't I? Never mind…

"Well, you're not going to hurt anymore now," Anna said softly. "Never again." Elsa's words actually made Anna smile. Her sweet big sister was permanently free from whatever pain that still lingered in her heart. Elsa was fine. That snowflake necklace Elsa had left her proved that.

'I just want to tell you thank you for always being willing to accept me for…me, even when I was all messed up inside three years ago. You never made me feel bad or guilty or anything else for trying to commit suicide. You just…took care of me. You somehow let me know what I did was wrong without picking on me. Do you remember I ended up promising you I wouldn't try that again? That promise was the only thing that kept me from doing it again after you left the ice palace back in the summer. I just…couldn't break yet another promise I'd made to you. I remember you asked me if my wrist still hurt afterwards and I said it was fine…well, it was 'fine', but it really hurt. I just couldn't bring myself to care then…I thought I deserved it.

Anna…you saved my life over and over. I know if you hadn't kept talking to me, I probably would have made another attempt until I actually succeeded. I think I just hurt inside too much for too long… My mind and heart just felt so…worn out. Like when Dad left me in the dungeon right before that "two-week trip"? I was angry, but mostly I just felt depressed and miserable. Then you found me and let me out. I remember you actually gave me a hug before you freed my hands. You held me. You held me and made me feel a tiny bit better. You didn't even know what was wrong with me then. You just loved and accepted me just like I was. Thank you so much for that.

Anna, I love you so much. Please forgive me for whatever pain I've ever caused you. I didn't mean it, whatever those things might be. Please take care of Arendelle for me and help Mama and Dad take care of Weselton. You must form a military force since I won't be there to defend Arendelle with my powers. Please don't rush to get married, but you and Kristoff do have my blessing.

Tell Mama I said thank you for taking care of me while I was so ill and that I love her and Dad. Tell Dad I said thank you for not hating me, even if he still doesn't like me very much. It's all right. Tell Dad I'm sorry I was never the perfect daughter he was hoping I'd be, but that I did try my best. Tell him I love him, too. Give both Mama and Dad a hug for me, please. I know Dad will let you hug him.

I'm thinking it's probably Christmas or very close to it, isn't it? So merry Christmas from me, Anna. I'm so sorry we didn't even get to spend one Christmas together…something else I ruined… Please go celebrate anyway…I know you were decorating, hoping I'd get better. I don't want you mourning over me. It's wrong and not good for you. Remember? Let it go? Sadness and pain are good things to let go of.:)

I love you, Anna.

Your sister,

Elsa'

"She knew she was dying before anyone else did," Anna whispered. "She even knew it was close to Christmas…" Anna clutched Elsa's letter to her heart. She could tell Elsa hadn't been a hundred percent clearheaded when she had written it-Elsa's signature dignified and fancy wording was missing, and some of the handwriting looked a bit shaky-but the emotions Elsa had managed to get on paper were there clear as day. "Oh, Elsa…thank you so much," she said softly.

Anna carefully unclasped her necklace and looked at it closely. Tiny, nearly unreadable words were engraved in the ice.

No fear. Love = freedom.

A/N: Don't kill me for this!:P Just wait and see what happens. Please?:)

Next chapter coming soon!:)

P.S. There will be a sequel to this story, by the way.:)