Content warning: depression, disassociation. Happens about a week after the events of Frozen 2.


Believe

"I didn't know what else to do, she just keeps getting worse. I can't help her, Elsa. She needs you. She just keeps saying...she can't go on. I just want to bring her back."

A strong hug around Kristoff's waist knocks the wind out of him. He winds his arms around Elsa with the same strength.

"We'll get her back."

The pair walk to Anna's bedroom, currently shut. They can't hear any sound from behind the door. Elsa looks to Kristoff.

"Do you mind waiting outside for a bit?"

"I'll wait as long as I have to," Kristoff affirms.

Elsa nods, opening the door.

"Anna?"

A bundle of blankets jerks upright at the call. After the queen identifies the intruder, she turns her back to her sister once more.

"Go away," Anna mumbles. "You're not real."

Elsa's knees buckle, and her stomach roils.

"What makes you say that? I'm right here," Elsa sits down on the bed beside Anna.

"You're not real," the redhead repeats, angrier this time. "You died. You died and left me alone."

Ever since the cursed dam had fallen, the queen's spark seemed to be struggling to stay alight in a sea of sorrow. Elsa didn't realize it was drowning. She gently tugs on Anna's shoulder, begging her to face her.

"I did leave you for a while, and I can't tell you how sorry I am for that. But, I'm here now."

Anna shakes her head.

"Why are you doing this to me? Haven't I gone through enough? Olaf's gone, too."

Bile burns in the back of Elsa's throat. She shakes her head.

"Anna, Olaf is here. He's been here. Do you want me to get him?"

Anna shrugs her shoulders. Elsa gets up from the queen's side and cracks the bedroom door open.

"Kristoff, I need you to get Olaf as fast as you can, please."

"Olaf's already here!" chimes a familiar, cheerful voice. "You guys aren't starting family game night early, are you?"

Kristoff and Elsa exchange cringes. She beckons the ice harvester to follow. Before either of them can say anything, the snowman toddles over to Anna's bedside.

"Anna? You okay?" Olaf lifts himself onto the mattress and nestles beside the queen. "Hey, what's with the stormy face?"

Slowly, Anna drags herself to an upright position.

"Olaf?"

"Yeah, it's me," he nods with a bucktoothed grin.

"You flurried away."

Elsa puts a hand to her mouth, rushing back to her sister's side. Kristoff's warm hand is running up and down Anna's shoulder. Olaf appears to think for a few moments.

"I did, didn't I? I remember that. You know, even if some things change, there's one thing we can always count on. Do you remember what that was?"

"Love?" Anna whispers.

"Yeah, love," Olaf nods. "Even if me and Elsa died and Kristoff left you all alone-"

"Olaf-" Elsa and Kristoff warn at the same time. Anna seems unaffected by the snowman's candor.

"-the love would still be there. But, we're here now!" the snowman raises his stick arms gleefully skyward.

The fog of despair hasn't quite left Anna's eyes, but there's a flicker of hope. It's enough for her to reach out and touch Olaf.

"If you're real, then-"

"Elsa's real too," Olaf nods. He holds out his arms. "I wouldn't be here without her."

The snowman's face falls when Anna doesn't take his invitation for a hug.

"Elsa?" the queen's tone is lost, her face hopeful.

"Anna," Elsa holds out her arms. "Come here, sweetheart."

The queen enters her sister's arms, but it's not the usual Anna tackle-hug. It's far too sedate, too loose, but it's the most the queen can muster at the moment. She sighs when cool fingers brush through her hair.

"I want to believe this."

"Why can't you?" Elsa asks.

"It hurts," Anna's voice is dull and flat. It's not the answer the elder sister wants, but it's a start.

"Then I'll help you believe it," Elsa props Anna's chin on her fingertips. "You won't have to hurt anymore."

Elsa looks to Kristoff with pleading eyes. He doesn't really need to be prompted as he wraps his arms around his girls and Olaf. The ice harvester mutters a soft 'hey'.

"Kristoff?" Anna turns to her fiance. "You're really here?"

He smiles.

"We're all here, feisty pants."

"Anna, you've spent your entire life looking out for everyone else," Elsa brushes her hand along Anna's cheek. "Let us return the favor. Please?"

The queen shuts her eyes, jaw clenched.

"I don't understand anything anymore."

"You will, Anna. We're here for you," Elsa affirms. "And we always will be."

"You weren't."

Anna frees herself from her sister's arms and gets out of bed. She stands at her window, eyeing the sights below with a lifeless expression. Neither Elsa nor Kristoff know what to do. Olaf is equally lost.

"I can't take any more broken promises," Anna hugs herself around the stomach. "You said we'd do this together, and you died. You're back now, but for how long?"

"As long as you need me," Elsa rejoins her sister's side. "You have my word."

Anna shakes her head.

"I need some time alone."

Elsa nods, then ushers Olaf and Kristoff towards the door. Before Elsa leaves the room, she turns around.

"Whatever we can do, you'll let us know, right?"

Anna gives a stiff nod.

"Just...give me some space for now. We'll talk later."

A reluctant Elsa leaves her sister behind. The snowman, the ice harvester, and the spirit look to each other for some kind of guidance out in the hall.

"What are we gonna do?" Olaf's tone borders on helpless.

"Be there for her," Elsa replies simply, and from the look on Kristoff's face, it's exactly what he was thinking. "It's all we can do."

"Are you going back to the forest?" Kristoff chimes in.

Elsa shakes her head.

"Not now. I'll send a message to Yelena. My sister needs me more than the forest does right now."

Kristoff sends a grateful smile Elsa's way. She tries to return it as best she can.


Closing notes: I had the idea that Anna might end up believing that her sister, her fiance, and her childhood snowman friend really did leave her after the dam, and that them being there was a hopeful dream and nothing more. Whether or not she truly believes that's they're here is up for interpretation. I am not an expert on disassociation, so this might be totally inaccurate.

This will not have a follow up. It's more of a what-if scenario.