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

On to the story!

"Your cousins aren't what I expected," Eugene teased very quietly as he walked out into the city with Rapunzel.

"Shush," Rapunzel scolded in a whisper, but she thought the streets were plenty loud enough that no one would hear.

"Blondie, nobody can hear me but you. You can probably barely hear me."

"...True." Rapunzel skipped a bit and kept walking.

"Anna is not princess-y at all except that she's bossy. She reminds me of you. And Elsa, well. I dunno about her, she's a bit confusing. She carries herself like a royal but then when you look closer she's...I don't know." Eugene frowned. "Actually I know exactly what else she reminds me of. When I've seen you cry because you said you didn't feel like a princess and don't know everything the crown princess should. Particularly the times you cry about that horrible b-"

"Eugene! Don't you dare finish that!" Rapunzel squeaked. "Yeah I know you hate Mother Gothel, and I know she...wasn't nice, but she still raised me all those years since she stole me. I wish she didn't have to die so I could...escape, that's all." I wish she had just asked instead of stealing me. I wouldn't have minded using my magic for her. She didn't have to do all the things she did.

Eugene was not at all sorry the creepy old woman was dead and thought she'd fully deserved it, so he didn't say anything else about it. "Let's just go paint the mural inside the library some more this afternoon. I know you wanna go back home since your cousins are here, but we're supposed to do normal stuff, right?"

"Yeah. So nobody gets suspicious." Rapunzel bounced excitedly from one foot to the other, waving at people that waved to her as she walked. "I hope Dad lets us share my room soon. Like once Anna and Elsa are able to go home. Not that I want them to go of course because I definitely don't!"

"Hey I'm just happy he gave me a chance." Eugene grinned and put his arm around her shoulders. "Married in name only isn't so bad. I think Thomas just wanted to stop all those proposals you were probably getting, the gorgeous Lost Princess suddenly appearing all grown up out of nowhere." Privately he also knew from Primrose that the decision had more to do with letting Rapunzel get used to being the princess and healing inside without immediately throwing her into being a grownup married woman. She was only eighteen, just like Elsa, after all. And I bet they just want their daughter to be their kid for a bit since they didn't get to watch her grow up.

Rapunzel rested her head on his chest as they kept walking. "Do you think I still have magic?" she asked abruptly.

"What makes you ask that again now all of a sudden?" No, I think you used the last of it to save me.

"Elsa. She said she...felt magic. From me," Rapunzel whispered so softly Eugene could barely hear her. "I felt so bad I couldn't do anything. She wasn't upset, but...still."

"Maybe she's just in pain and not thinking straight," Eugene said carefully, not wanting to get Rapunzel's hopes up for nothing. "I mean...I got the impression she doesn't really know a whole lot about her own magic. Why would Elsa know about yours?"

Rapunzel shook her head hard. "Not knowing much is why she didn't notice it immediately. She even said as much. And she's definitely not, not thinking straight, because she was playing chess before she fell asleep earlier and kicking my butt at it. And I think I'm good at chess," she said.

Eugene walked with her up the steps into the public library. "Let's talk some more about that when we get back since it'll be too quiet in here to talk without being overheard. All right?"

"'Kay."


Inside their safe hideout in the Corona castle, Elsa slept peacefully most of the afternoon. Anna slept awhile and then just sat next to Elsa reading one of Rapunzel's books. Usually Anna thought she would prefer going outside part of the day, but right now it was nice just staying resting with Elsa. Besides, it wasn't safe for her to venture out from the princess suite anyways. Though, I bet I could try blending in fine if I was by myself, Anna thought. But I shan't leave Elsa behind, and I know she can't go out anywhere here right now, even if she wasn't hurt. It's not safe.

Now Anna noticed a few telltale snowflakes floating around Elsa, and she frowned, gently tugging at Elsa's arm. "Elsa, it's okay. Wake up. It's just a dream, whatever it is. Please don't cry! I mean, never mind, if you have to that's okay but I don't want you to be sad."

Elsa abruptly jerked awake and tried to get up, her blue eyes still frightened. Anna. Anna is right there. Is she okay? She was hurt and I couldn't help her. What-

"Elsa. Quit struggling, it's just me. You're going to hurt yourself more. Uncle Thomas told me to make you stay still, remember?" Anna's worried voice cut into Elsa's thoughts, and she just stared. Anna was not hurt. She was hurt instead. Not Anna. This was the way it was supposed to be. No, Anna had a bruise on her forehead. Where had that come from? Elsa reached for Anna and touched cold fingers to her forehead, trying to make Anna feel better. Then she closed her eyes, as if their surroundings had startled her. "Elsa, it's fine. Don't worry about that, of all things," Anna assured her. "Do you want to talk about whatever the dream was?"

Elsa shook her head, but she wiped her eyes and tried to sit up again. "I...I'm okay. I think I just felt a bit...disoriented. Anna, quit holding me still. I can sit by myself fine." We're in Corona, in Rapunzel's princess suite. Anna and I are by ourselves because our relatives have to do the everyday things they always do. Okay.

"Uncle Thomas seemed to think you'd heal better if you stayed still. So, you are staying still. Too bad if you don't like it. I'll bring you books or whatever else you want. I'll stay with you and talk to you and give you hugs if you want them. But you're staying put." Anna didn't want to annoy Elsa, but if there was even a tiny chance staying still would help Elsa's legs heal, she would take it. No way was she going to put all her hopes in Rapunzel getting her healing magic back. Besides, after seeing Elsa's magic react to the troll magic and violently kick it out entirely, Rapunzel might not be able to help Elsa anyway, even if she could use her healing magic again. "I'll help you instead. Don't try to do anything by yourself." Anna helped Elsa sit up and then fluffed the pillows around her.

"Bossy," Elsa grumbled a bit, but she didn't protest further, and she held Anna's hand tightly. "Thank you for taking care of me, Anna. I...I know you know I have trouble...letting anyone do that, but you still...stay." She hesitated, thinking of their relatives that had been nothing but kind to her from the moment she and Anna had arrived. I don't know what Anna did or told them to make them care, but... "I don't understand why they are all so nice," she whispered finally. "It feels like I have landed in another world. It feels nice and comforting but all wrong."

"Elsa, they are treating you the way Mom and Dad should have," Anna said gently. She must know that. She has to. She looked at Elsa; she seemed happy but genuinely confused. That makes me so mad. Elsa shouldn't be confused because family members are just treating her like she's supposed to be treated! "You...do know that, right?"

"No. They don't owe me anything. You don't owe me anything. I'm surrounded by Annas. People are not angry I can't...be normal. No one saying, Elsa, you know what you need to do. Stay there. Stay away from everything and everyone, especially Anna. Be a good girl, Elsa, you can handle it. No one seeing me and tensing, scared I might hurt them because I'll make a mistake." Elsa bit her lip, struggling to figure out how to express what she was thinking. I can talk to Anna. She never thinks my feelings are stupid or tells me to get it together. "Anna, practically the first thing Rapunzel did was just...ask what I needed. Then, Aunt Primrose came in and she asked if I minded a hug. Not even, do I want one, or doing it without asking. She asked if I minded."

Anna didn't say anything; she just held Elsa's hand and brushed a bit of hair out of her face. I can listen to you, Elsa. I don't really understand, but I can listen.

"I felt helpless and so embarrassed when you three tried to take care of my back, but all three of you were so gentle with me. No one told me I was being uncomfortable for nothing. And Aunt Primrose didn't just...leave me alone in here after, either. She could have gone into Rapunzel's room to talk with just you. Instead she included me." Elsa had tears in her eyes again, but Anna could tell she wasn't upset. "She included me," she said again. "Then I saw Uncle Thomas and he...he talked to me exactly the same as he did to you and Rapunzel." And I think he knew I was stupidly scared of him, but he didn't act offended or mad, either. I don't know how I can thank all of them for everything. Elsa put her hands over her face, clearly trying to hide her tears. "I'm sorry, I d-don't know why I'm crying, I'm not upset."

"Oh, Elsa," Anna said quietly. She gently gave Elsa a hug, hiding her face in Elsa's shoulder. Anna felt her own eyes welling with tears as she clutched Elsa tightly. I wish I could make her understand that none of them think they're going way out of their way to be nice to her. They're just treating her...properly. Not hurting her and unintentionally making her feel like dirt. Anna wondered what their parents would do right now with Elsa. She couldn't be left alone, obviously; she was seriously injured and would need help with things. Probably just leave her in bed alone, Anna thought bitterly. Or think she was faking it, because Dad wouldn't want to believe there was anything wrong.

"Please don't cry, Anna. I'm really not upset, I mean it. I don't understand why I cried, but I do know I'm not upset," Elsa told her worried little sister. "I'm actually very happy right now."

"I know. It makes me upset knowing you find family members just treating you...like normal is so surprising to you. It's-"

"Anna, I'm not normal. Why should I expect that? All of you are so...understanding."

Elsa tried to pull away, but Anna held on and didn't let go. Not for the first time Elsa thought she would be in absolute heaven if she wasn't physically hurting. Even now she was content just the way she was, just confused as to why everyone was being so nice.

"You are, Elsa. You don't think so, but you are. You're just a normal human girl that happens to have magic. Uncle Thomas and Aunt Primrose and Punzie see that." Anna wasn't sure what else to say. "What'll make you understand that you are worth it, that you're not just some burdensome thing no one wants? I love you, Elsa. They love you too. It doesn't have anything to do with what you can or can't do, magic or otherwise."

Nothing. I'm happy all of you care, so happy, but I'll never understand. "I just feel lucky to be here. I don't have to understand," Elsa said finally. "It's just all a bit...overwhelming." I'm grateful for everything, and I would understand if it all went away.

Anna thought she would like to make a big fuss about that; Elsa should not be thinking her own family members treating her like they should was so different and unfamiliar to her. Both girls stared at the door into the hallway suddenly. Some sort of paper was sliding under the door. Anna tiptoed over to the door and picked up the paper. "Oh! It's just from Uncle Thomas, saying Gerda is here safely but hidden in Aunt Primrose's adjoining servants' quarters since this room is too small for us AND Gerda to be comfortable. And the trunk will come in when Punzie and Eugene get back. I guess he just can't come in and talk to us right now without it looking weird since Punzie isn't here. Cool."

Elsa smiled and then laughed a bit and shook her head. "I am in an alternate universe where I still have to stay locked in a room and get messages under the door, but I'm not lonely or sad because you are here with me," she said happily. "If you told me a year ago that this would be happening today, I'd have thought you were crazy." Also. It's so close to Anna's birthday. I need to try doing something for her. I don't know what I can do now-I can't leave our safe room to get or make her anything.

"Your 'alternate universe' would be better if you weren't injured," Anna said a bit grumpily, but she just squeezed Elsa's hand and sat next to her again. "We don't even know if you'll get better." Elsa really is happy though. I don't think she's pretending. I shouldn't mess that up for her. So I should be quiet.

"But I have you with me, and I feel safe and happy. I...I would rather be like this than feel like I did before. My magic does not hurt anymore, and I just feel...all warm and cozy inside." Elsa gave her little sister a shy smile. I mean, I do really hope I'll get better and not hurt as much soon, but I just can't care much with everything else being so good right now. "That probably sounds strange...?"

Anna immediately shook her head. "No way. You felt awful, like, emotionally for so long. And I know your magic was physically hurting you before too because you were forcing it to stay in too much. So now you're still physically hurting, just differently, but...the inside-Elsa feels better. I don't think that's strange one bit," she said firmly. "But I still wish you weren't hurt! I hate it."

Elsa looked a bit amused now. "One would think you were the one who was shot instead of me," she teased. "Anna, I will be all right. I don't mind this kind of hurt. It's not making me...shut down. And it's...normal pain. Not my magic doing it to me." Elsa, you did it to yourself and you know it. It's not the magic's fault.

"

Can I get you anything? And are you bored?" Well, at least she's not scared. I think I'd be really scared if I was Elsa right now. Anna was still concerned, but she was glad Elsa didn't seem to be hiding how she felt.

"No to both. I don't know why, but I'm still a bit tired." Elsa thought she would probably just fall asleep again soon. There was no need for her to stay awake; she had no responsibilities to take care of like at home, and she could not do anything to plan for Anna's birthday right now. Anna was there and would snoop anyhow, and she couldn't get up to do anything, either.

"Do you want more pain medicine? I still have that in my pocket," Anna offered, still concerned, just not quite as much as before.

I don't want that, but I know it would help. It's okay if I'm not completely awake. Anna is here, and I think I'm happy enough that my ice won't...make mistakes right now. Elsa looked down at her hands. The special bracelet from Anna was still clasped safely around her wrist. It had not broken even with all the commotion. "I think, just...half. Please. I don't want to be addicted to it and I still don't like not having control of myself."

"Taking prescribed medicine doesn't make you an addict, you stinker. But okay." Anna gave the half dose to Elsa and scrunched herself closer to Elsa, who reached for the book Anna had been reading. "Want me to read it out loud? Then you can go to sleep enjoying the story."

"I would love that." Elsa handed the book back to Anna, and she closed her eyes. I'm so glad we're here, safe, and I can do things like just listening to Anna read a book out loud.


When Rapunzel got back in the evening, she immediately ran to see her cousins. "I'm sorry I wasn't here all afternoon to entertain you guys. Eugene has your trunk. He's right behind me. And I bought a bunch of snacks and stuff today. It's all for you since you can't go down to the dining hall. Want me to put the things on the wall shelves? Oh, sorry. I didn't realize Anna was asleep." She immediately dropped her voice and spoke much more quietly.

Elsa shook her head. "It's fine. Anna sleeps like a log. She was reading to me earlier and I fell asleep. And I guess she went to sleep after, because I woke up a few minutes ago and she was sleeping." She watched Rapunzel unpack the things she had brought and sighed. "I'm sorry I can't...help put the things away," Elsa added after a moment.

"Elsa, it's fine. Really. Don't apologize just 'cause you can't do something. Having you and Anna here all of a sudden is actually an awesome surprise for me. I've wanted to meet you, like, since I knew you existed. I mean you're just my age and Anna is close and we'll be great friends," Rapunzel told her. "I wish you'd gotten to come for a more pleasant reason, but I'm super glad you're here. And you have magic just like me. Or did. I don't know. I didn't think anybody else had magic."

Elsa's cheeks turned pink, but she was smiling now. She likes my magic, because she used to have magic too. I'm not the only girl with magic, and knowing there's someone else makes Rapunzel happy too. "I'm glad to be here. I...thank you for being so kind. I was not expecting the lovely welcome your family gave us," she said quietly.

"Why 'your'? We're your family too. Of course my parents welcomed you. Did you...did you think Dad and Mom would turn you and Anna away?" Rapunzel looked extremely puzzled now, and she held the door open so Eugene could come in with the trunk.

"No, but I didn't expect...this. Not like...like it was a treat for all of you to have us here. You don't...you aren't..." Elsa trailed off, embarrassed and unsure how to explain that despite receiving those letters that said she and Anna were welcome anytime, she had still been convinced their relatives would not really want her there. I sound ridiculous. I should just be quiet. Anna understands me, but I don't know how to explain to anyone else, and I don't think I want to. I'll end up making them dislike me or something even if they don't now.

Rapunzel frowned. Elsa's nervous expression appeared to have abruptly vanished, but there was no way she could have just been instantly not uncomfortable all of a sudden. I don't know how to read her. Anna does, but I don't. "Elsa, if you're hiding how you really feel, you know you haven't got to do that, right? We're not trying to have some business meeting or something like that. Dad says it's good to be mad or upset or scared if you're not trying to conduct business. He told me so. I didn't get to have princess lessons when I was little and when I got here that was like one of the first things he said. That you put on game face for business and don't do it otherwise because it'll hurt you and your family. You look like you have your game face on now. And you don't have to." I hope I explained it right. I like talking to people and stuff though. I don't think Elsa does.

Eugene put the trunk in a corner. "She just doesn't trust us yet, Blondie. Give us a few days, Princess Elsa. Then you'll be more comfortable," he said smoothly.

Elsa blinked in surprise. What Uncle Thomas told Rapunzel is what I should have been told. I'm sure of it.

"Can I...ask you something, Elsa? Please?" Rapunzel asked shyly.

Why is she asking me that? I don't understand that either. But I can try. "...Of course. I'll do my best to answer it," Elsa said quickly.

"Could you help me figure out how to get my magic back? You told me you could feel it and I wanna believe that means I can still use it," Rapunzel said all in a rush. "Eugene doesn't want me to get my hopes up but I want to try. I miss my magic and I want to heal you too."

Elsa glanced at Anna sleeping beside her. She should ask Anna for help, not me. I don't know much about mine. How can I help Rapunzel figure hers out? "I don't mind trying, but I...I think you should ask Anna. I barely know how to use my own, so...I'm not sure I'd be any help to you at all," she said quietly.

"But we won't know if we don't try. Even if you can't help it will be fun to hang out with you."

"I can't do anything!"

Eugene decided to let the girls talk in peace; he just hugged Rapunzel and then waved at Elsa before leaving. Rapunzel dragged a chair in from her own room and plopped into it. "But you don't have to do anything. I just wanted to talk to you about it. If you don't feel good I'll leave you be though obviously. So's you can sleep some more."

Elsa smiled a little and shook her head. "I feel like I've done nothing but sleep. I'm fine. The only thing I can think of is that you must have a different...channel by which you can direct whatever magic you have," she said slowly. Elsa lifted her hand to use her own magic and then immediately hid it under the blankets again. What am I thinking? Ice magic is not the same as healing magic. What if Rapunzel doesn't want to see it? She won't want to be my friend anymore. I don't want to scare her.

Elsa, just ask. You can control it now, so if she says she doesn't want to see it then don't do anything. If she says yes then you can show her. "Is using my magic all right with you?"

"...yes? I really want to see it, actually! Why wouldn't it be okay?" Rapunzel actually sounded confused. "Are you worried somebody's going to want you just for it?"

"Try the opposite," Elsa muttered, but she relaxed. For whatever reason, her cousin seemed to believe that people would want her for her powers, and not not want her because of it. That was strange, but she supposed it made sense since Rapunzel had been kidnapped because someone wanted her magic for themselves. She held out her signature snowflake in her hand and then dissolved it again. "If yours functions anything like mine, then I'd think you could still use it, just not with your hair. But I definitely can't use mine with my hair, so that theory might be useless," Elsa said. "I just know even though I'm...like this, my magic is still the same. I wouldn't be able to ice skate or something obviously, but the magic is still inside. Can you...feel your magic inside still?"

Rapunzel frowned and shook her head but then nodded. Then she bit her lip and threw her hands in the air. "I don't know. It's just, I used to sing and my hair would glow and you know...heal. Or in Mother Gothel's case, make her look younger. I didn't really feel like I was channeling it. It just happened."

Elsa fidgeted with her bracelet uncomfortably. I don't know how to help. Rapunzel's isn't exactly...a simple elemental base like mine. "Did it ever...react automatically if you were under intense emotions of some kind?" she asked hesitantly.

"No. Never."

"What if you sing now and think about where you...want the magic to go?" Elsa continued fiddling with the beads on her bracelet nervously. This is not my area of expertise. She needs Anna's help, not mine. Anna helped me; she can probably help Rapunzel too...

Rapunzel began quietly singing, starting with the flower, gleam and glow... line, but she didn't feel anything different. Just like the other times she had tried, nothing happened. "I feel silly. Can you feel anything from me differently than you felt before?"

"...A little bit." Elsa closed her eyes and then opened them again. The song activates the magic for her. "I think your singing...sets your magic off. I don't know how to describe it, because it's definitely not working like mine does. But..." She put her hand over her bracelet from Anna on her wrist and looked away. Stop looking at it. I don't want anyone else to know what I did those months ago.

"Your bracelet is pretty, Elsa," Rapunzel ventured, wondering what had made Elsa go silent all of a sudden.

Elsa looked startled. I'm not sure what to say. I don't want to talk about it. "Anna m-made it for me."

That's why she keeps messing with it. Maybe it helps Elsa be happy. "It must be really special to you then," Rapunzel said now. "Could I see it?"

Elsa did not want to take that bracelet off; she hadn't taken it off once since Anna had given it to her. She shook her head hard and then blurted, "I'm sorry-I just don't-"

"Gosh, it's fine. I'm not gonna snitch it and I'm not mad," Rapunzel interrupted. "It's okay. Really!" Great. Mom told me to be extra careful not to scare Elsa somehow even if it was over something that seemed tiny. Now I've done just that. And not make a big todo about it either. "Elsa, are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Elsa hesitated, debating whether to say anything else or not. I don't think Rapunzel would hurt me, but I don't think I can...explain, either. But I could say something, I think. "I have never taken it off since she gave it to me. Anna's present helps me...r-remember the good thing about a day I don't want to think about otherwise." There. That's the truth and I didn't have to explain everything either.

"That makes sense. I won't ask any more. But it is really pretty!" Rapunzel smiled and added, "I wish I had a sister too."

Elsa stifled a giggle. "Anna has enough love for everyone. I know she does. She'll be like a little sister to you too."


The next morning, Rapunzel ate her breakfast with her cousins in her room. She hopped up to answer the door when she heard her father's voice in the hall. "Hi Dad! We're finishing up breakfast."

"Shh, no 'we'." Thomas shook his head and quickly came in, shutting the door behind him. "Don't mention Anna and Elsa at all outside this room, okay? At all. Elsa, I'd like to discuss some things with just you today. Do you think you're up to that?" Thomas asked. "Punzie, you go have your lessons with your mom, and Anna, if Elsa is willing, will you please wait in the other room? It will just be a few minutes."

Rapunzel nodded and hopped up to go find her mother.

Elsa's blue eyes darted nervously from Thomas to Anna and back again. I don't want Anna to go! I can't ask for her to stay, either. I just can't. Uncle Thomas will think I can't discuss anything on my own. "Does she have to go?" she blurted after a moment.

"No. She does need to promise not to interrupt what I say, and be quiet until I'm finished if she stays, though." Thomas looked straight at Elsa and added, "You know I have no right to take your sister away from you, even if I wanted to, which I don't. You've more power than you think."

Elsa blinked in surprise. Whatever she had expected her uncle to say, it wasn't that. That's...true. Uncle Thomas doesn't have any right to take her away from me. I guess I just didn't realize that... "I can talk by myself," she said finally, "but I...I'd like her to stay." Anna beamed at her and did a zip the lips motion to show yes, she would be quiet.

Thomas smiled and nodded; then grew serious again. "Then Anna stays. Elsa, firstly, do you wish to rescue your parents at all? Because if not, you may always claim ignorance and let sleeping dogs lie."

"I do." Elsa's reply was instant. I won't just abandon them. I don't care what was done to me, I won't do that.

"Then we need a plan. I want to help you and Anna with this, and I want you both to know you're always welcome here. Always." Thomas looked straight at Elsa and added, "You write here if we succeed but then things go back the way they were. Understand?"

Elsa looked down at her hands. "I don't want to...cause a fuss. It is not worth it," she said softly. Anna is going to be mad at me for saying that. Or at least frustrated.

Anna huffed and crossed her arms. She looked ready to make a stink, but she stayed quiet. She would let Uncle Thomas explain why that was not what they were going to do. Sure enough, he immediately said, "I said nothing about causing a fuss. I said write a letter. Elsa, you're a good writer. I think you know that. You can do that easily, even if you didn't feel comfortable 'causing a fuss' in person."

"I do not want you and Aunt Primrose causing a fuss on my behalf. It's not worth it."

Thomas glanced at Anna; her expression clearly said she'd had a similar conversation with Elsa before. "Would you think it wasn't worth it if the person in trouble was Anna and not you?"

"No, that is different," Elsa replied instantly. I'd do anything to protect Anna.

"It is not, other than the fact that I'm sure Anna would most definitely cause a fuss to help herself, and you are telling me you won't. If anything, that means you would need more help than she would." Thomas hoped some simple logic would get through to Elsa. She has all that power and she refuses to do anything for herself with it.

Elsa didn't answer for a minute. Logically that makes sense, but...it's just me. It's not Anna. What about Arendelle? It's bad enough that I revealed myself like I did in public. "I don't know," she said finally. Knowing that people would speak up for her if she was in trouble was nice, but she still didn't want to make things difficult for their parents either. Speaking up for herself or letting others do so for her would cause her father all kinds of trouble.

"Please think about it. I can't force you to do anything, but we want to protect you. What happened to you when you were little was not fair, and I don't want anything like it happening again. Let Anna and the rest of us help you. As for rescuing your parents, you need to learn to use your magic as a weapon, Elsa," Thomas told her. "We will help you, of course, but the easiest and safest thing to do is you being the main weapon system with ordinary people as backup. I did not say you were a weapon, but you have more power yourself than Arendelle's military combined. Use it. You need to learn how anyway, after what happened that caused you and Anna to have to flee here in the first place."

Elsa only stared at him incredulously. She looked down at her hands and her own body that hurt and wouldn't function right anymore. Uncle Thomas was virtually telling her she was supposed to lead some kind of invasion, and his words sounded an awful lot like Anna's. "I...can't. Uncle Thomas, look at me," she whispered. The vague memory Anna had seen, the one where she had tried to write a speech that included her magic being a defense for her country and gotten herself into trouble, flitted through her head. I don't understand. Why is he telling me the exact opposite of what Dad did? Why is he so matter of fact about the idea of fighting with magic? He acts like it's a perfectly normal thing to do!

Next to her Anna was grinning like a Cheshire cat. She was incredibly pleased. About time another grownup would tell Elsa that! Anna kept her word and said nothing, but she was delighted.

"I am looking at you. If you don't completely heal, that will make fighting more difficult, yes, but it doesn't mean you can't. You must know that, Elsa. Anna told me you moved a storm on the way here. Certainly you can use your magic against some ordinary humans to rescue your parents." Thomas paused before adding, "Also, if your explanation for why you can't is because you are scared, that's not a good reason, either. You can be scared and still do something. Do you think ordinary soldiers aren't scared if they go into a battle?"

Elsa shook her head slowly. No. I'd think anyone was delusional if they claimed not to be. "But I couldn't stop Damian. That is one person and...four accomplices. That I know of, at least. This would be...much bigger than that," she said hesitantly.

Thomas only smiled at her. "That's five armed men then. You're a young girl that has no experience fighting at all and, let's see...you neutralized all but one without really knowing what you were doing? That's not something to sneeze at. Then there is the fact you probably did part of that after you were injured. Right?"

Elsa slowly nodded again, not sure what she should say. I'm so confused. I feel like I am dreaming.

"Elsa. You reacted well. Maybe slower than a trained person would have, but you did fine. You didn't just shut down and panic. It also means you can use your powers just fine even if you don't completely heal. Does that make sense?" Thomas asked. "How did you stop those criminals from attacking others or hurting you further? Knowing that might help come up with better strategies in the future."

Elsa looked at Anna, wanting her to explain. This conversation was way too weird to her. I don't know how to explain. The whole incident felt strange. It was like I couldn't focus properly but then I remembered what I was doing and was able to focus as long as I did one thing at a time.

Anna started, "All the creeps except Damian were up on roofs and she disarmed them with ice and-"

Uncle Thomas shook his head and Anna went quiet again. "Anna, please let her explain," he said firmly. "We have all day. Elsa, it's okay. Take as long as you need to figure out what to say."

Elsa blinked and looked at Anna again. Anna nodded and squeezed Elsa's hand, but she did not say another word. She seemed to understand that she was supposed to let Elsa explain herself, even if it took longer. "Why are you willing to...wait? I don't understand." I don't get it. I have to explain myself but it's okay that I can't do it easily? You aren't going to tell me to hurry up and say what I wanted to say?

Thomas ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath, clearly frustrated. He had not been able to see his daughter for eighteen years, and he had wanted her back...and then here was Elsa, whose father had certainly not taken care of her properly at all. He didn't deserve to have her or Anna. If Elsa were mine, I wouldn't have made her...like this. She acts like she thinks whatever she does must be troublesome or wrong. "Why should I not wait? Elsa, I want to hear what you have to say, and you seem to need time to figure out how to explain. Therefore I shall wait." Thomas hesitated before adding quickly, because Elsa was starting to look more worried than confused, "You are not the one I am frustrated with, just so you know."

"But I can't...I can't do it right. I just showed up here unexpectedly and I'm...like this so I can't do anything, I can't talk right s-sometimes, and..." Elsa's blue eyes darted to Anna and then down at their clasped hands. "I'm not like Anna. Why is it okay? Why...why isn't Papa like you?" she asked, her voice cracking. The snowflakes floating around her made her cringe. Now I'm making mistakes. Stop it, Elsa. Stop it right now. He might get annoyed and it'll all be just the same as at home.

"Because he's an idiot," Thomas spat, and gently touched Elsa's cold hand. Elsa flinched and jerked her hand away. "Look, I can't know all of whatever has happened to you, but it's not happening here. You're getting the same damn treatment Anna or Rapunzel would get if they were hurt too, pardon the language. Elsa, it's all right. Nobody expects you to just 'be okay' with any of those things you mentioned. If you don't want to explain today, that's fine, we'll try again tomorrow, but I know you can do it."

"It's not that I don't want to."

"Then, I will wait."

Elsa smiled a little, still feeling strange at this reaction, but the fact that she knew he would wait for her to figure how to explain made it easier to do so. "The four men were on roofs. I honestly...don't really remember everything properly, I don't think. But, I can...shoot ice easily at a target consistently. I disarmed them that way and made cages of ice to...contain them?" Elsa hesitated before adding, "I was a bit off one of the times and hit the man in the arm by accident instead of just knocking the weapon out of his hand. I hope he isn't hurt." Uncle Thomas looks impressed. What on earth?

Thomas actually laughed. "Good grief, Elsa, so you're a crack shot. A sharpshooter wouldn't do better. I don't want you to do it now, because you need as much rest as possible, but once you're feeling better, practice right here. Please."

"It doesn't take much energy to do. I...I could show you...?" Elsa sounded less hesitant now, but she still seemed wary she might say or do the wrong thing. Anna is here. She won't let anything happen to me. I can do that. I don't think Uncle Thomas would get angry with me anyways.

Thomas wasn't sure whether to say yes or no. If I tell her to do it, Elsa might hurt herself; but if I tell her not to, I'll hurt her feelings. "Anna, will doing what Elsa described with her magic injure her further?" he asked finally. "Elsa, I'm sorry, but I don't trust you not to push yourself too much."

"No way. Elsa could do that in her sleep," Anna answered instantly. "Go on, Elsa. I wanna see you do it too!"

In seconds, Elsa had iced over a small knot in the opposite wall she had noticed, and she carefully hit her small makeshift target right in the middle several times. Icicles split the previous shots down the middle each time. Then she created an empty cage in the corner, just for reference purposes. Elsa gave Thomas a questioning look. Is that what you wanted?

"...And you aren't at all tired out by doing any of that?" Thomas asked, clearly impressed. Elsa doesn't look tired. She almost seems more awake after using her power, like it made her feel better, not worse. He stood up and went to touch the latticed cage of ice in the corner. "This is very impressive. And...detailed, even though you did in seconds. Do you know how strong it is?"

"No, but I do know Kai and Anna can't break it with their bare hands. I can, but with...non-magical things, both of them are physically stronger." Elsa still spoke quietly, but she no longer sounded nervous. She knew that was true, and saying it out loud oddly made her feel better. Hearing herself say it aloud also made it seem less strange too. I have something I'm weaker for and something I'm stronger for. That's...normal. Not weird. It's my own magic. Why wouldn't I be able to break it?

Thomas considered this for a moment. Elsa could use that ability both offensively and defensively if she had to. "A bigger one. Could you create one large enough to hold, say...all three of us?"

Elsa nodded. I could make one around the entire castle if I knew more about its layout. She held onto Anna's hand tightly and didn't say anything. Anna looked at Elsa and then spoke up herself. "I know I'm not supposed to talk for Elsa, but she's really understating what she can do, Uncle Thomas. She can flood the whole ballroom at home with snow in seconds. And she can make dresses, and her ice can stop a crossbow shot. That incident in the marketplace? There's a little girl that Elsa likes talking to, Daisy. One of those creeps aimed at her, and Elsa threw up an ice wall to protect Daisy. She's able to sense when a storm is nearby, and she can make really detailed things in seconds. Way more detailed than that cage. I bet she could make a whole ship if she really wanted to."

"What about a ship?" Thomas asked curiously.

Now Elsa felt embarrassed. She clasped her hands in her lap and bit her lip. I know Anna is right, but...still. Elsa thought for a moment and then carefully created a small model ship of ice about twice as big as her own hand. Then she held it out to Uncle Thomas cautiously. "It won't melt and it shouldn't break..." I thought maybe it can be a decoration somewhere? It looks just like glass...why am I even thinking that? I don't think anyone would want that except Anna.

It doesn't matter, Elsa. It's okay.

Thomas took it carefully and stared from it to Elsa and back again. "It's not even very cold! Such details. This could probably pass for glass, Elsa. I can't put it up now just in case someone realizes it is not glass, but if you make another later, I'd love to have one. For now, may I have a simple rod of ice? We can test how strong it is. In the meantime, you and Anna could brainstorm a plan. But don't try too hard; I want both of you to rest."

Elsa morphed the little ship to the simple ice rod and smiled. "We can do that."

"And finally, think about what you two might like to do or have for Christmas."


ARENDELLE

"Perhaps we should write to our princesses now that Damian has been caught?" Erik suggested to Kai. "There's starting to be a lot of suspicion that they aren't here already because Princess Anna hasn't been seen at all, and Gerda is gone. Yesterday I had one of my men asking if Princess Elsa died. He didn't believe she would let you take care of everything for her, even if she was injured. I told him she was resting, but then he said she was not in her room he had been guarding, which is the truth."

"That Damian hasn't told you or anyone else who his mole is, Erik. We can't have them come back yet. It's not safe," Kai pointed out. "What are we supposed to do? He's had nothing but water for days and he says nothing. I wouldn't care a whit what happened to him, but Elsa's not going to be happy if she comes back and he's been...interrogated further. She trusted us enough to leave. We can't lose that."

Erik considered simply telling Damian he would sic Princess Anna on him, but that would not do any good because Anna was not there, and also he had a feeling that nothing they did to Damian was going to force him to talk. They needed a way to trick him into revealing everything rather than trying to make him do so. "I wonder if he'd talk to Pieter."

"What about the girl? Jade?"

"She claimed to not know who Damian's contact inside the castle is, but I got the sense she was lying. That young woman isn't trustworthy." Erik thought for a moment before asking, "Okay with you if I ask Espen, the little brother? He could be helpful; I'm sure he has overheard his sister talking to Damian while he was hiding at their place."

Kai immediately nodded. "Do it. Bring him to that parlor downstairs though. I don't want him seeing the layout of the castle upstairs just in case, but we don't need to scare him off, either. He's just a kid."

When Erik brought Espen to the parlor a few minutes later, the boy immediately spoke up before Erik could say anything at all. "I'll tell you everything I overheard if you tell Jade somebody else told you. I just don't want her to be mad at me," Espen said. "Sir, I mean. Sorry. I don't want the princesses to get hurt some more. They seem nice from what I hear in the market."

"Espen, do you really believe she's not going to know you're the one who spilled the beans? I took you here to talk and she will hear when whoever the culprit is, is brought to the dungeon," Erik pointed out.

"Well...I guess not..."

"I'd really appreciate hearing what you know. You said you don't want the princesses hurt. If you tell me what you saw or heard, we can help protect them better." Erik spoke firmly and gestured for Espen to sit. The boy sat stiffly and stared at Erik; Erik sat in a chair across from him.

"...Could I meet them? Please?" Espen asked hopefully.

"Let's hear your information first, young man. That's something for them to decide. You may not meet them anytime soon, at least."

Espen hesitated again, and then jumped up. Then he sat back down. "His name is Anders or Andre. Something like that. Damian mentioned somebody named that a lot. And he's one of the guys that works guarding the gate. Like from the castle wall watchtowers. Does that help?"

"It does. That narrows it down a lot, actually. Did he ever mention what this man looked like?" Erik asked.

Espen shook his head. "No, but Damian said if something happened to him and he was caught, his contact would 'make sure the job was done' himself. That was before whatever happened in the marketplace and Princess Elsa got hurt, though."

"So he was hanging around your home a long time. What did he say when he arrived back the day of the incident then?" Erik was frowning now. There's more to this. Espen might not know, but there's more. A lot more.

"He thought Princess Elsa was dead. Damian said he'd shot her, and Jade was all like 'That doesn't mean she's dead, people survive being shot all the time'. I told him he should leave her alone and hope he missed, and he hit me and laughed." Espen was scowling now. "He said I didn't know what I was talking about and he said really horrible things about the princesses. And I didn't wanna hear it so I went outside."

Erik stood up and began pacing. "You hear anything else? Anything you thought strange, or something about plans beyond the assassination attempt?"

"...Like magic stuff?"

"Maybe."

Espen gulped. "Jade said she wanted whatever magic the princess had for herself. Damian didn't know that, though. He just wanted to kill her because of it and was using Jade. I think...I think maybe Jade felt threatened after Damian tried to kill the princess. She hates you for protecting the royal family, but she didn't want Damian back at our home, either."

"But you said she brought him back that day. Of the incident, I mean."

"Yeah, sir. Yes. But she treated him differently after that. Like she didn't trust him. I think he told her something that made her hide him after that. I don't know what," Espen said cautiously. "You...believe me, right?"

"I believe that you are telling me what you believe to be so, but that doesn't tell me whether it's actually true or not." Erik looked the boy right in the eyes. "Do you know where the men that helped in the assassination attempt were from?"

Espen nodded emphatically and looked relieved. "They were all from Weselton except one. The other guy was from here in Arendelle. He was an iceman. He said the princess's magic would ruin his job."

"And the ones from Weselton? Were they individually approached for this or did the duke authorize their actions? Ever hear anything like that?" Erik asked sharply. Two told me they were mercenaries. Could they have been lying?

"I dunno. I'm sorry."

Erik nodded. "You have been most helpful. I may ask you more later. Thank you for your information."


CORONA

The next afternoon, Elsa woke up from napping to hear loud talking, almost shouting, from Rapunzel's room. She lay still and just listened. What is going on? A loud knock on the door linking Anna's and her small room with Rapunzel's made her flinch.

"Are you two awake? I'm sorry to bother you," Thomas said. He sounded frustrated and worried.

Anna looked at Elsa; she had been reading and letting Elsa sleep. The more Elsa slept, the better. "Yeah, we are," Anna called back. She helped Elsa sit leaning against the pillows again and then answered the door. "What happened?"

"Rapunzel, get in here. Immediately," Thomas ordered.

Rapunzel skittered in and didn't say anything. She looked close to tears, and Elsa suddenly felt sick. What is going on? Why is Uncle Thomas so mad? Did he make Rapunzel cry? Elsa was glad when Anna came back and sat next to her.

"What's going on?" Anna asked, more curious than anything.

"I did something stupid," Rapunzel mumbled.

Thomas nodded. "I have the ambassador to Weselton here right now. He is convinced I am concealing Arendelle's royal sisters in this room. Rapunzel told me she talked about you two to Eugene while she was out. Quietly, of course. After promising not to mention her cousins outside this room."

"I'm sorry. I promised after I did it the once," Rapunzel said quietly.

Thomas sighed deeply. "I know. I'm sorry I scolded you so much, but this is extremely important. Your mistake could potentially cause a lot of trouble for both Corona and Arendelle. I'm more upset with Eugene than you. He should have known better, with his experience hiding and pretending things! Someone must have overheard you. Between that and the fact that your new servants have not been seen once since the day they arrived, it's enough to make anyone think Anna and Elsa are here. You two can't hide in the safe room for any length of time comfortably, so that won't work."

"So, let them see the room," Elsa spoke up softly. Anna can pass. I can't. I can hide in the safe room long enough for this nosy ambassador to see that we 'aren't here', and the trouble will be gone.

Anna took one look at Elsa and knew exactly what she was thinking. "Elsa's right. The closed off servants' room is the problem. Elsa can hide in Rapunzel's room, or the teeny safe room if she has to. I can be, like, sweeping the floor or something and then all the suspicion will be gone."

Thomas looked at the girls and abruptly nodded. "I don't like it, but it should work. Are you all right with doing that?"

Elsa smiled a little. Definitely. "We'll be fine. I am sorry for causing you trouble, but I'm very glad there's a simple solution."

A/N: and that's a wrap! Next chapter coming soon! (In which the solution shall take place and probably Christmas...)