Cold winds ripped through the streets of Arendelle, picking up flurries of the thin layer of snow that had started to build upon the ground. Ari had been missing for half a day at this point. Earlier Erian and Karianna had been going around, insuring people at enough food and provisions. Halle had gone with the knights to help farmers get their crops covered with makeshift tents and their livestock was taken inside.

When the sunset Erian sent Kari back to the castle with Gerda and Beni. She'd insisted on wanting to stay, but with the temperature continuing to drop Erian wasn't having it. He knew she really wanted to keep busy because it helped keep her mind off Ari. So, as a compromise, he asked Gerda to keep her occupied in the kitchens until she decided to rest.

Currently, Erian was helping stock on the town's supply of firewood. He was on the back of a cart, passing down the chunks of lumber down to knights and townspeople were out helping. They'd then chop the pieces down and toss them into the growing pile. There were three large bonfires roaring the square around them. Erian could feel the heat from them, but their warmth quickly dissipated beyond the circle of light they were creating.

Three horses came galloping into the square, one of them carrying Halle. She spotted Erian and rode over.

"Kari isn't still out here is she?" Halle asked, pulling herself up onto the cart with Erian. She nodded at one of the bigger logs in the back and whistled over the side. Two of the knights she'd returned with stepped closer. She and Erian each grabbed a side of the log.

"God, no," Erian shook his head, "I sent her back hours ago. On 3, one, two..." He and Halle lifted the log together, passing it off to the waiting knights.

"The temperature dropped sharply once it got dark," one of the knights said, voice slightly strained under the weight of the wood. They placed it on the chopping blocking.

Lady Skadi appeared then on her own horse, several cloaks draped over the back. She passed them around. "Marks, I have gloves in my saddle bags. See that everyone outside right now as a pair," The knight saluted, rushing to the bags.

Erian and Halle finished pass off the last of the wood from the cart and jumped down together. Lady Skadi came over, a cloak held on in each hand. Erian already had on his best winter clothes, but he took the cloak regardless, "Thank, Skadi,"

"Someone else can better use for than I can. I'm fine with the cloak I have already," Halle said, shaking her head, "But thank you, my lady," She turned around already searching for next thing that needed to be done. Erian was moving towards her, ready to reprimand until she took the cloak. But Skadi beat him to it. The captain stepped up behind her, wrapping the cloak around her shoulders from behind. When Halle spun around to protest Skadi secured the cloak with a clasp.

"My lady," She started.

"I can't have my best knight succumbing to the cold," Lady Skadi interrupted with a gentle voice. She turned back to Marks and he tossed a pair of the winter gloves for her. She took off Halle's worn leather ones and replaced them.

"I could have done that myself," Halle pouted and blushed, obviously embarrassed by the coddling.

Erian smirked and turned away, jogging to the rest of the men getting the last bits firewood into piles. Halle and Lady Skadi fell out of earshot for him. When Halle joined him again he knew her cheeks weren't pink from the cold. He bumped their shoulders. She huffed, kicking him in the back of the knee, but softly.

"Shut up, your Highness. There's still work to be done,"

When the sun started to come up Skadi sent them both to get some sleep. Despite protests from them both she insisted. Only went the captain threated to have guards escort them did they go. Halle headed home, promising to report to the castle the moment she woke up. The first thing Erian did when he got home was check on his sister. She was sound asleep in bed. Beni told him she'd been up until a couple hours prior.

Suddenly Erian was all too aware he'd been awake for more than twenty fours at this point. The lack of sleep hit him all at once. He asked Beni to only let him sleep for a few hours.

"Don't let me sleep past ten," He said as he sat on the edge of Kari's bed, pulling off his boots.

"That's not many hours to sleep,"

"It's enough," He answered.

She held back a little sigh and nodded.

"Thank you, Beni," He nodded once before crawling into bed, next to Kari. She remained sound asleep but curled closer when he wrapped an arm around her.

They weren't the only royals were collecting some much-needed rest. In the ice palace, Elsa was asleep on a bed of snow. Anna was sitting in the room, looking out the window, nervously picking at her fingers. They'd remained at the palace in case Ari did come here at one point. But Anna's anxiety at not searching was eating away at her. When Elsa stirred away she turned over, eyes landing on her sister.

"Did you get any sleep?" Elsa asked.

Anna shook her head, eyes never turning away from the window.

"Anna, I know you're worried, but you'll do no good if you don't rest,"

"I'm getting rest now,"

With a sigh, Elsa stood, crossing the room to her. She leaned down, pressing a kiss to Anna's forehead, "We both know you're too worried to rest,"

"My baby girl is out there Elsa, how can sleep right now?"

"You sleep because you know you'll need your energy," Elsa squeezed her shoulder. She took a seat next to her, gently tugging her closer so her head rested against Elsa's shoulder, "Just close your eyes," She whispered and she started to hum Vi har ei tulle softly.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing," Anna muttered.

Elsa smiled, "Is it working?"

"Maybe," She answered tiredly. She fell sleep against Elsa. She got a couple hours sleep before something happened. A snow flacon Elsa had made earlier flew in, landing on Elsa's other shoulder.

"Did you find her?"

It nodded once.

"Anna," Elsa shook her awake at once.

She snapped awake instantly, snorting, "What? What?"

"One of the birds found her," Elsa was already on her feet, following the falcon as it took the air. Anna was only a step behind. They got to their horses, following after the bird as it led the way through the forest. The trees clustered tightly around each other and it's here the falcon landed in one of the branches. Anna and Elsa exchanged a look, dismounting.

"Ari," Anna called, pushing through the trees. There, in the cluster of trees was a small cabin made of snow and ice. Anna looked to Elsa, "Like aunt like niece,"

"Let's hope she's still here," Elsa said, opening the door. Inside they spotted Ari right away, curled in the corner, shivering.

"Arisol," Anna rushed to her side. Ari flinched back.

"Mom, Aunt Elsa, I'm sorry," she rushed out, "The snow, I've been trying. I'm trying! But it doesn't stop. It doesn't…" She gasps, her hands clutching at the edges of her cloak.

"My love," Anna kneeled next to her, pulling her into a hug, "Oh my love, shh," She combed her fingers into her hair. "It's alright. We're here now. And you're okay. That's all that matters,"

"But, the snow. I-I never lost control!"

Elsa sank down next to her, resting a hand on her head, "It's okay, Ari. We'll figure it out, together. That's what family is for,"

"I didn't mean to hurt Halle. Or Erian or Kari. Kari, she hates me. She's going to hate me,"

"No, my love," Anna pulled in her closer, "Kari could never hate you,"

"You don't know that!"

Anna smiled, kissing Ari's forehead, "No, you're right. But I know what it's like having a sister. I know, no matter what happens, Elsa is someone I can always trust. Someone who'll love me unconditionally. And I know she'll always love me the same. You and Kari have been together even before you took your first breaths. She loves you, Ari. I know you know that. Look at me, and honestly, say you don't feel your sister's love for you,"

Ari gulped down a sob, tucking her head under her mother's. Anna held her in her arms, "I have you, my love,"

Elsa waited until she calmed down before she took Ari's hands in her own, "Tell me, what do you feel?"

"I… I feel your hands. I can feel the cold. But I also feel mama's and your warmth,"

"Good," Elsa whispered, "Focus on that. What do you know?"

"I know these powers are mine. I control them. They don't control me,"

Elsa nodded with a soft smile, brushing a hand against Ari's cheek, "And our love…"

"And the love of those we hold close help us," Ari finished, exhaling.

"That's my girl," She lifted their hands together and the snow slowly started to dissipate.

"I'm sorry Aunt Elsa," Ari said in a small voice.

"I know you didn't intend this snowflake," She stood, pulling Ari to her feet with her. Anna hugged her from behind, kissing the top of her head.

"Let's go home, I think we could all use a cup of hot chocolate,"

"What if everyone is upset with me?"

"That's not to happen, my love," Anna said as she helped Ari into the saddle of her horse.

"Where's the horse you made Snowflake?"

"I set it running in a different direction. I saw scared you'd find my trail. I was scared I'd be in trouble if you found me before I could make the snow stop,"

Elsa and Anna were impressed at her foresight, even her reasoning broke their hearts.

"Let's go home," Elsa said.

But the time they got to the castle, all the snow and ice had melted. Some citizens had come out. They cheered at their return. From the castle gates they could see two figures running towards them. The first, it quickly became clear was Kristoff. Just a few steps behind was Erian. Kristoff lifted Ari out of the saddle, hugging her tightly.

"I was so worried about you baby girl,"

Erian tackle hugged them, sandwiching Ari between him and their father. Anna and Elsa dismounted, both smiling. Halle walked up, gently bringing Kari with her.

"Dad, Era," Ari grunted out, "Not so tight,"

"Oh," Erian gasped, jumping back instantly.

"Sorry dear," Kristoff put her down.

When they stepped back, Halle tapped Ari's shoulder to get her attention. "Hey, kid, you gave us all a scare. Next time you run away, at least take me with you," She said, earning a soft laugh from the girl.

"Halle," Erian muttered.

Kari was hanging back, looking out from behind Halle. Halle turned to her, reaching out. With Kari took her hand she brought her closer.

"Kari… I'm sorry,"

She was cut off by Kari hugging her. Ari sucked in a breath and then melted into the hug, holding back tears.

"Shall we go inside, and get everyone something warm to eat and drink," Anna said, as she wrapped an arm around Kristoff and Erian.

"Is a pillow going to come with that?" Erian asked, earning some laughs and a light punch from Halle.

Nardragon~ until the next page.