"Ari!" Erian burst into the main room of the ice castle, but all he was saw was a few startled snowgies.

"Arisol," His mother pushed past him, taking the steps two at a time. She vanished into the upper floors. He could hear her calling again and again for Ari.

"I don't think she's here," Erian said, looking at his aunt, who'd come in with Anna.

"She'd know this is the first place we'd look," Elsa said.

Erian turned to the door, watching the snow come down, "If this keeps up, Arendelle will have another big freeze,"

"It's only getting worse,"

"Can't you do anything?"

"I'm trying my best. But I can only keep it at bay. This is Ari's magic. It won't end until unless she ends it,"

"She's not here," Anna said, coming up next to them out of breath. A gust blew in through the open door, sweeping their cloaks up. Erian gasped, drawing it back around his shoulders.

"Erian, you should back home," Anna said.

"What?" He turned to his mother, "No. I'm going to help look for Ari,"

"Sweetheart, the temperature is going to keep dropping. Soon it isn't going to be safe for you,"

"Bullcrap, it isn't safe for you either,"

"Young man, watch you're tone,"

"I'm not going to stop looking for Ari,"

"What if something happens to you out here? We can't worry about you and Ari," Elsa said, placing herself between Anna and Erian. She rested her hand on his shoulders, "Think about this reasonably,"

"No. You're treating me like a child. I'm not a child anymore,"

"No, you're not. You're a fine young man who our people need to see now as a reassurance," Elsa said firmly.

"But Ari…"

"Is our deepest concern now. But she cannot be our only concern. We're not going to let history repeat itself. Our people need a strong voice now. Go back and act in our stead while we look for your sister,"

Erian girtted his teeth, still not looking convinced.

"Erian, don't forget, you have another sister who's probably feeling as lost as Ari right now," Anna said, her voice softening. "And Halle is still at the castle. You should check on her,"

He sighed, "You promise you'll find her,"

"We won't rest until we do,"

Erian nodded, "If she isn't found in a few hours I'm re-joining the search,"

Anna and Elsa exchanged a look, but Anna nodded. She pulled Erian into a hug, kissing his forehead.

"Tell I love her when you find her," He whispers.

"Of course,"

"Be safe Snowdrop," Elsa said, taking his hand, "And keep the people's hopes up,"

"I… I will," He returned to his horse, turning to the path that would take him back the city.

Anna looked at him until he was out of sight, "Elsa, this is my fault,"

"What?" Elsa looking at her, her brows shooting up, "What? No,"

"But it is. I spent so much time making sure Ari wouldn't have to grow up like you did, I neglected Kari. And she grew up like it did,"

"Anna," Elsa said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, "This is not your fault. If anything it's mine. My training failed,"

"Ari's always had masterful control before this,"

"It's sadly poetic that it was Kari's emotions that ended up setting Ari off,"

"Kari called herself the spare. I should have known better. I used to feel like that. I should have been there for her more,"

"You felt like the spare,"

Anna shook her head, "You were the heir. I was the girl who would always just the princess. Just the younger daughter,"

"You were never that to me. You're my heart Anna. And you're a good a mother. We'll find Ari. And then we'll talk to Kari one everyone home safe,"

"How do we even find her?"

"I have a thought about that," Ela turned back to the interior of the castle and whistled. The snowgies and Marshmallow came out, funnelling into the room. Elsa went to her knees, picking up a few of the closest ones to her. Their faces were filled with joy as they usually were when graced with visitors.

"Listen, everyone, I need help to find Arisol. She ran off somewhere. Her trail somewhere around the cloven path. I need you all to spread out to find her."

There were scores of little heads nodding at her.

"Please, hurry. But be careful, she's scared and may unintentionally try to hurt you,"

They flooded out the doors, hurrying down the steps. Marshmallow lumbered forwards, bowing next to Elsa. She reached up, resting a hand on his knee.

"I know, you're worried. But have faith,"

His head nodded once and he lumbered out, following after the others. Elsa moved to the stairwell, steepelling her fingers together in front of her chest. Frost swirled in the space between her palms. Lifting her hands to the sky there were bursts from the frost, birds, falcons and eagles pulled themselves into the air, circling Elsa.

"Go find her," She said and the scattered in the different directions.

"You're making new constructs?" Anna asked, awestruck. She knew Elsa's powers to create life were the aspects of her powers she used the least. She'd intentionally created a construct all of two times after she created Marshmallow.

"Desperate times," Elsa said.

"Thank you,"

"We'll find her,"

Back at the Castle, Karianna was pacing around the room.

"Kari, relax, half the guard is searching for her as is your whole family," Halle said from her spot by the fireplace. Her foot was in a bucket of warm water.

"What did I do?"

"Kari," Halle said again, "This is not your fault,"

"Why would she get so mad? Everything I said was true. I didn't even say it to anger her,"

"Karianna," Halle said again, firmly. The younger girl finally stopped, "Come here,"

She reluctantly walked forward, "Is your foot feeling better?"

"It was just a case of frost nip. Nothing that haven't had before. I get it worst when I'm out in my armour during the winter,"

"I'm sorry. That should have been me,"

"Hey, no," Halle took her hand, "No. Kari that was accident. Ari didn't mean it. And she certainly didn't want to hit you or anyone,"

"But I was the one she was angry with,"

"Do you want to talk about that? What started the row between the two of you?"

"I just said sometimes I wish was born powers too,"

"Oh, Kari,"

"And she got upset. I thought it was because she didn't want to share the powers,"

"I'm sure that's not it,"

"What if she gets hurt? What if something gets hurt because of the snow and ice? That will be my fault,"

"Hey, what did I say before?"

Kari sighed, looking at the floor. Halle tilted her head up, "Hey, what did I say? I want to hear you say it,"

"This isn't my fault,"

"It isn't," Halle insisted, "You got that kid?"

"It feels like it is,"

"It's no one's fault,"

"I feel horrible,"

"I know, kid," She held open her arms and Kari sunk into the hug, letting Halle put her into her lap.

"I know you don't have a choice, I'm glad you're here,"

Halle shook her head, "Hey now, of course I'd still be here, even if my foot wasn't in this bucket,"

"Wouldn't you be out helping to look for Ari?"

"Only if I was sure you were okay,"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're my favourite royal," Halle smiled, nudging her side.

Kari laughed, "Even more than Erian?"

"Are you kidding? You see how much Erian and I fight. We can't stand each other,"

Kari laughed, even as she started to cry.

"Kari?"

"What if something happens to her before I apologise?"

"Hey, hey," Halle shushed her softly, "Don't think like that. You have to remain positive,"

The door to the room open and Gerda stepped in carrying a steaming jug. "If you'd excuse me, your highness, Miss Halle," She said, bowing, "I didn't mean to interup. I can return,"

"No, Gerda," Kari wiped her face, "No, come in,"

"I just need to reheat the water for Miss Halle," She poured the water into the bucket slowly, "How's your leg feeling? Are you sure you don't want us to send for the doctor?"

"I'm fine, I swear,"

"She likes to put on a brave face, but you shouldn't believe it," Erian said, walking into the room just then.

"Era!" Kari ran to him, "Did you find her?"

Erian shook his head, taking her by the shoulders, "No. She wasn't the palace, but mom, dad and aunty are still looking,"

"What are you doing back?" Halle asked, sitting up.

"Someone has to make you're really okay," He grinned, "And Aunt Elsa wants someone to be here to keep the peace with the people,"

"Erik and Beni are in town now, making sure everyone is equipped for the weather," Gerda said.

"I'll go join them soon," Erian moved next to Halle, "Are you ready okay?"

"Give me ten minutes and I'll back on my feet ready to head out with you,"

Erian kneeled down next to her chair, "I didn't thank you before. For pushing Kari and me out of the way,"

"Knights are meant to protect the royal family, aren't we?"

Erian chuckled, "This said by the Knight who likes to kick me in the back of the knees all the time,"

"Only when you deserve it," She said rolling her eyes. She stood, slowly putting weight on her feet. She bent her knees her a few times.

"Okay?" Gerda asked.

"Yeah. Feels fine," She stepped out and Gerda got a towel for her, "Don't leave me without," Halle said to Erian, "I'm going to put on my things,"

Erian nodded. As she left the room he turned to his sister, bending down so he was level with her face.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" He asked.

"I'm worried about Ari,"

"Yeah," He leaned forward, so their foreheads were touching, "Me too. But I know in my heart she's safe and we'll find her,"

"Can I come with you? Into town?"

"Of course,"

"Do you think she hates me?"

"Ari could never hate you. You're each other's best friend,"

"But I made her so angry with me,"

"Guess what best friends fight all the time,"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Look how much Halle and I bicker with each other,"

Kari smiled, "Yeah. Halle said she likes me best,"

"Well, if I had to pick between me and you, I'd pick you too,"

This made Kari giggle. Erian kissed her forehead, "I love you,"

"Love you too, Erian," She hugged him, tucking her head into his neck. He picked her up, spinning her around once.

"Oie, your royal highness, what's taking you so long?" Halle called from the doorway.

Erian chuckled, "See what I told you about best friends," He said as he placed her down, "Come on, we have a job to do,"

Nardragon~ until the next page.