Elsa frowned as she touched the thick wall of ice in front of her. Just two days ago this cavern had been completely open and now it seemed to be completely full of ice. Like someone had plugged it all up. But who could do that other than her? It was just another one of the strange things that had started a few weeks ago. Caverns were blocked. Walls were cracked. Strange storms would push her one way or another. She had even seen inches of water, presumably from melting walls. Was Ahtohallan broken?

"Disperse," She commanded.

Nothing.

"Let me through." She said again, this time pushing with her hand. She imagined her magic going through and forcing the ice to crack. Still nothing. If anything it felt like the temperature dropped.

"Open up!" She shouted, banging her fist on the ice. Pain immediately shot through her hand (after all it was solid ice). She cradled it to her chest, confirming she hadn't broken anything.

What was going on?

She'd been to Ahtohallan many times since discovering their connection. It never needed this much coaxing to let her into its many caverns and passages. Sure there was always a challenge, but usually it was just within her reach. She'd even felt that this place was trying to teach her something, to become stronger. Not once had she been frozen since she discovered the truth of what her Grandfather had done to the North Uldra.

"What do I have to do?" She demanded, taking a step back. She didn't know exactly who she was talking to. It was clear this place was powerful, sentient even. She had thought it was for her, but if that was true why was it acting so strange now?

"Open up!" She shouted again, this time stamping her foot on the ground. Rather than budge the ice blocking her way, the entire Cavern began to rattle like an earthquake. Elsa may not know the extent of her power, but she knew this wasn't coming from her. It was coming from Ahtohallan itself. A gust of wind began to blow into her side, pushing her back the way she'd come in.

"No, I—" She tried to keep her feet firmly on the ground but the wind was too strong. "I don't want to go home!"

Another gale burst through, this one stronger, pushing her through the entrance. Had she…upset Ahtohallan? She felt herself getting angrier and pushed her own magic against the wind. The result was a large wall of ice shielding her from the wind. "Are you serious?!" She shouted, realizing she was arguing with a cave.

After a moment she sighed. If Ahtohallan didn't want her, she didn't want to be here. "Fine!" She shouted again, turning on her heel. "You win." She wasn't used to defeat.

For once it had seemed like everything was going right. She and Anna were both thriving, Yelena had given her more responsibilities with the tribe, the forest welcomed her every time she stepped into it as a queen. She was finally where she was supposed to be. But then the place that was supposed to be most sacred to her, her fortress of ice and snow, was pushing her out. Why?

She found the Nok at the entrance, it's crystalline mane glittering in the afternoon sun. Normally Elsa would take a moment to watch the sunset over the North Sea, cherishing the fact that only she got this view. Today she just mounted her steed and they began to cross the water.

Why was it that even after all this time she felt like she wasn't good enough? After everything that had happened last year, she thought stepping into her power would mean gaining power. She didn't even know where to start to find a solution, No one had actually seen Ahtohallan for centuries before she reopened it. Even now she was the only one who could withstand its temperatures.

The Nok stopped at the edge of the water. Elsa frowned, "Come on, let's go back to camp." She said, patting its side like she would any horse. It shook its mane, and the snow turned back into water. Elsa slipped off its back to look in its face only to see what was once ice was now completely liquid as warm as the small waves at her feet. "Really? You're going to make me walk all the way back?"

The Nok snorted.

"What do you have an important meeting?" She demanded.

The Nok snorted again.

Normally Elsa wouldn't have minded letting her companion take a break. Did elemental horses get tired? She wasn't sure but she didn't mind giving one a break if needed. But today the idea of that walk in the woods alone seemed terrible. All that time to wallow in yet another failure to find out whatever was wrong with Ahtohallan.

"Well. I guess I better get started."

She began to make her way back to camp, it was only about an hour away for her. How was it that she used to spend all her time completely alone but now an hour without companion was daunting? Anna had been the one to make all the difference.

As if on cue the small globe on her hip began to glow and made a small chirping sound. It had taken some doing, but the snow globes, as she liked to call them, could be used to communicate with each other. You had only to speak the name of the person you wanted to call. With her living in the enchanted forest and Anna in Arendelle it was a good way to keep in contact.

"I was just thinking about you." Elsa smiled as the image of her sister appeared in front of her.

Anna smiled, "You were, huh?" She was in ballroom. Elsa could see the ugly curtains they'd tried to set on fire when they were children. "Were you also thinking about the colors for my wedding?"

Elsa chuckled, "I think we should go for…blue and white." She made a few snowflakes with her hand, "Makes decorating easier."

Anna laughed, "I think some…chartreuse."

"Eww, yellow and snow?" Elsa teased.

The image swiveled a little and Elsa saw Olaf talking to someone in a stiff uniform very excitedly. His large mouth was open and moving rapidly. "At least someone is in their element."

"Do you want me to come over early?" Elsa asked, though she wasn't sure how she'd get there without her usual ride.

"No, Saturday is fine, I guess." Anna sighed. "We've got a few guests here already."

"But the wedding isn't for another month!" Elsa said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, it's only a few guests, the ones from the farther kingdoms. I kind of like having the castle busy, it was never like this when we were kids." She said, sighing.

"Yeah…sorry about that." Elsa looked away. She didn't want to see the disappointment in Anna's eyes.

"Stop it," Anna said, firmly, "It's not your fault."

"Isn't it?" Elsa bit her bottom lip.

"Come on, Elsa," Anna crossed her arms, clearly her own snow globe set somewhere on the table. "What's really going on? Are you still struggling with Ahtohallan?"

It should stop surprising her how easily Anna could read her mind. "Well…"

"Uh huh!" Anna nodded her head, "That's what I thought."

"I just don't understand why this had to start now." Elsa frowned. "Why, after everything I've been through, why is Ahtohallan shutting me out?" She could feel her eyebrows coming together.

"Maybe what you need is space." Anna suggested. "You said Ahtohallan is like a person, right? Maybe it's annoyed about or scared of something and is pushing you away?"

"That's definitely a possibility. But it's a glacier, what could it be afraid of?" Elsa asked.

"Global warming?" Anna chuckled.

"I know that in a way I am Ahtohallan, the guardian of the forest." Elsa mused, "But there were stories before I was born…so there must have been someone before me."

Anna nodded; this was a common conversation between them. She had said aptly that Elsa was Ahtohallan, but the truth was, the stories had to come from something. "If there was someone before you, no one knows who they were." She replied, "Haven't you asked Yelena like a million times about this?"

"I've asked everyone. I love the North Uldra but sometimes I wish they had libraries and archives like we do in Arendelle." She knew she was being obtuse, but it was often impossible to know the origin of a story or song. History was passed from parent to child, not in giant tomes. There was something so pure about the stories Elsa had learned in the last few years. The heroes, the villains, the truths that lived in the forest. Unfortunately they also tended to be pretty low on the details.

"Well we can check the Library together when you visit on Saturday," Anna promised, only to turn her head. Someone clearly needed her that Elsa couldn't see. "Er—now's not really—"

"It's okay," Elsa waved her off, "Go! I'll see you soon."

"Alright well," Anna sighed, looking like she'd rather be talking to Elsa. "See you soon. I love you."

"Love you too." Elsa replied.

Back in the ballroom, Anna sighed as her sister's image shimmered and faded away. She turned her attention back to Matthias who had become her chief advisor after their return to Arendelle. "Sorry your Majesty." He said gently.

"No, it's okay. I just worry about her, you know." He did know. Everyone knew. It wasn't like Anna had a lot of time to be worrying about Elsa, being Queen was not as effortless as Elsa made it look. Especially when Anna had never been taught to be Queen. Elsa could make a decision about commerce or allies easily because she'd studied so extensively even when they were kids. Anna was pretty good at history, but math…not so much.

"I wouldn't interrupt you if it weren't important." He said, not cutting her off, but clearly not having the time for her to have another long conversation about Elsa. "You have more visitors for the Wedding."

Anna tilted her head, "Oh? Are they important?" She had had to greet the Princess of Corona personally given how important Corona was as a military and trading ally.

"They're….from the Southern Isles." Matthias had not been there when Hans tried to take over Arendelle, but in his words she could hear all of her own mistrust and fear.

"Not…" She couldn't name the person she had no desire to see. Why was she trembling? Anna had done more amazing things than defeat Hans. And yet the idea of seeing him made her want to crawl back under her covers.

"No, Prince Hans has not come. But his older brothers Johannes, August, Johannes's wife Edith, and Princess Camilla, the youngest in the family, are here." Matthias looked torn, "They say Edith is your cousin and they've come with her invitation."

Anna frowned, she'd met Edith once or twice before the gates were closed. Elsa might remember her better, but Anna only vaguely recalled a stuffy function and a dress she'd tried very hard to get out of much to her parents' chagrin. She looked back up at Matthias, "I'm guessing there's a reason we can't just turn them away?"

"You did send your cousin an invitation. And you did encourage people to bring as many guests as they wanted." He paused, "I know everything that happened, Your majesty. It makes me furious too, but part of being queen is…"

"Putting my personal feelings aside." He'd said it often enough when she was making decisions. Anna knew that the Southern Isles were growing in power, mostly because of a series of strategic marriages. King Otto also had one of the most advanced militaries in the world. Arendelle was not insignificant, but why make an enemy when she could make an ally. Anna took a deep breath, steadying herself. Hans wasn't here, "Alright," She said, "Is Lord Kristoff in the castle?"

"I've already sent for him, your Majesty, he's on his way." Matthias said, which meant he was probably in the stables and Matthias had already arranged for a bath and suit to be forced on him.

"We will greet them in the throne room. Together." She had met most of her other guests in the more intimate drawing room, wanting to make them feel completely welcomed. But now she wanted to look like an imposing Queen. Elsa would have done this well.

On her way to the throne room she checked her hair, tucking a few locks back into place. Her dress was wrinkled, and she had an ink stain on her sleeve. It certainly wasn't her most impressive dress either. Why had she agreed to cut down on her wardrobe spending? Oh right, the school. A worthy cause, although right now she wished she had a dress covered in diamonds.

"Anna!" She turned to see a tall blonde man in a well-tailored suit. She was a little embarrassed by the fact that she almost didn't recognize her own fiancé.

"Kristoff!" His name was already a salve to the situation. "You look…I mean…"

He smiled, "Normally I'd hate the monkey suit, but I figured it would help if I didn't look like a stable hand today." He rubbed the back of his neck. She knew it shouldn't make her happy, but the fact that he was as nervous as her was a relief.

"Hey," She cupped his cheek, "You could never embarrass me, okay? And you look good no matter what you wear." She stood on the balls of her feet to kiss him. He lowered his head to meet her and for a moment her heart seemed to burst with how much she loved him.

"I really hate that guy." He said, but he was smiling. Sometimes she knew exactly what he was thinking, and at this moment she knew what he really meant was he loved her.

"Me too." She smiled, "But this isn't him. It's his family, and we can't judge people based on their family."

"I mean…can't you?" Kristoff raised his eyebrow.

"Making friends not enemies." She reminded him. "After everything that happened last year, we got this." She slipped her smaller hand in his.

Anna and Kristoff took their places, her in the throne, Kristoff standing behind her, looking tall and proud. She gave his hand another squeeze before nodding to the guards to let in their guests.

The party from the Southern Isles made her blink. The two men, Johannes and August looked almost identical: slightly burlier versions of Hans. They had the same pointed features, thick eyebrows, and sideburns. It was like looking at a "spot the difference" picture she used to play with when she was a child. One had a pocket watch, the other a medal, but for the most part she felt she was seeing double.

The two women, on the other hand, looked as different as could be. One was tall with an unfortunate nose and thin blonde hair. Cousin Edith, Anna remembered now. She couldn't tell if this cousin was older or younger than her, but she had a very stern expression. Her figure was impossible to discern under layer over layer of ruffles, as if she'd asked a dress maker to pull out all the frills and been taken too literally.

The other girl was spritely, her eyes and hair were dark, but she had full lips and bold features. Her skin was a warm honeyed color, as if she had spent her days in the sun, and she wore an unembellished purple dress that faded into white at the hem. There were slits in the side revealing she had puffy trousers underneath and riding boots that would easily help her navigate any terrain. On her hips rested a belt with several bags and pouches and a small dagger. She was the only one who didn't have her nose in the air, instead she was looking around the throne room inquisitively.

"Your Majesty, Queen Anna of Arendelle." One of the brothers announced as the men bowed and the women curtsied. "I am Prince August of the Southern Isle. This is my brother Prince Johannes and his wife Princess Edith, and my sister Camilla."

Anna nodded, and at the last minute remembered to use the royal we, "We are pleased to see our cousin and her relatives from the Southern Isles." She glanced at Kristoff who, despite himself was glaring daggers at Prince August.

"I was so happy to receive the invitation to your wedding, cousin." Edith spoke, her voice seemed unpracticed as though she rarely used it. "My husband and I were so sorry to hear of your sister's abdication, is she quite well?"

It was the first time anyone had brought up Elsa's stepping away from the throne. In Arendelle it was the right move, Anna was well known and well loved by her people. Elsa's abilities were also celebrated and when they had revealed the truth of their mother's people to the public, most everyone agreed Elsa should explore those abilities. Anna had never thought about how it looked to the outside world. Abdicating the throne to run off into the woods and explore her magic. The way Edith spoke, she wondered if she wasn't being challenged.

"Our sister is very well," Anna mentally cursed that she had sent invitations out to absolutely everyone still alive in her family tree. "She will always have a place in Arendelle."

"How generous." Johannes—well she thought it Johannes it was hard remember which brother was which—said, his voice was so similar to Hans, Anna had to force herself not to look around the room for him.

"We of course would like to make amends for what happened following your sister's coronation." Camilla spoke up, her voice deeper than expected and kinder. Her three companions all shot looks at her, as though angry she'd brought it up. "It's good to see that Arendelle is thriving under its new Queen."

Anna frowned, Camilla sounded almost sincere, but that could easily be a trick. Was she also trying to challenge Anna's place. "We accept your apology." She said, jutting her chin out, trying to sound indifferent to these challenges. Kristoff's hand squeezed the top of her Throne.

There was a moment of silence as her guests had nothing to say and Anna wasn't sure if she should just dismiss them. Finally Camilla spoke again. "Is your sister here?"

"What?" Anna asked before she could stop herself getting defensive. "What could you possibly want with Elsa?"

Camilla held up both hands, "Uh—no, it's just," She twirled a finger and dark energy circled around her head before bursting into small rainbow sparks that dissipated before they hit the ground. "I thought we could swap notes, one magic user to another."

Anna was proud that her jaw didn't drop. She had never once thought that a princess of the Southern Isles would have magical abilities. Panic began to se in. Was Camilla their weapon against Elsa? Had they brought her in order to take Arendelle by force? "Our sister," She said, keeping her voice steady, "Is currently with the North Uldra but she will return to Arendelle shortly."

"I would love to meet her," Camilla smiled, Anna was sure she was just a bit too sincere.

Anna stood, "Please enjoy your time in Arendelle, we will be happy to see you again at dinner." It felt like a lame dismissal as she turned towards Kristoff and exited through the side door and her guests left through the main entrance.

The moment they were in the alcove, away from any prying eyes, Anna slumped against the wall. Kristoff was right behind her, his arms wrapping around her shoulders. "Oof." He said.

"Yeah," She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You okay?" He asked, "I wish I could do something, I just felt so helpless up there and you were…wow." Anna turned to see his cheeks were red. "I mean…"

"Lord Kristoff of Arendelle!" Anna stifled a giggle, "Do you like it when I'm all—Queenly?"

Kristoff looked away, "I mean…well…I just, you know—admire your strength as a leader."

Anna did laugh this time. She and Kristoff had never gone beyond kissing, but they both wanted to. However Anna was a Queen, her "virtue" was now a matter of national importance. Much as they might want to, she and Kristoff had to wait for their wedding night for any real intimacy.

Still, it was nice to know Kristoff was as frustrated as she was sometimes. "Well we will have to keep that in mind." She said, trying to put on the same air as before. Kristoff rolled his eyes.

"Not as cool when you're a pipsqueak." He teased putting a large hand on her head. In a moment his playful expression turned back to concern, "I don't trust them, Anna. I know they're not…" He everything he felt for Hans hang in the air, "but they don't seem like good people."

Anna looked out the window towards Arendelle. She could see the roofs of some houses, people walking around, talking, smiling, laughing, children playing. She loved her people. She wanted to give them everything, and who else understood could? "I know. And the princess!" She shook her head. "What could they possibly want with Elsa?"

Kristoff raised an eyebrow, "She was the only one I liked. She wasn't as snooty as the others."

Anna frowned, "Why bring her if not to challenge Elsa?"

"Did you see their faces?" Kristoff countered, "They were furious that she was using magic."

"Or they were furious that she showed her cards too soon." Anna suggested. Though she had to admit she hadn't noticed what the others were doing during Camilla's display.

Kristoff shrugged, "Maybe, but she seemed like she really wanted to make up for the past." He put an arm around Anna's shoulders. "Even if you're right, what will some sparks do, Elsa is Ahtohallan, remember?"

Anna nodded, "I know Elsa could take on anything, but…I'd just feel better if we were all together."

"Why don't you call her? I'm sure if she knew what was going on, she'd be here in a flash."

"You're right," Anna pulled out her snow globe and said her sister's name.

Elsa's face shimmered into being in front of the two of them. She glanced at Kristoff and covered a smile with her hand, "Anna, Kristoff…uh, what's going on?"

Anna looked at her sister and the need to protect her arose in her chest. Now was a time for the family to stay strong.

"Elsa. We need you to come home."