A/N - Notes at the bottom!

Enjoy!

For the first time, everything went according to plan. It was a birthday that would be remembered for a life-time. They celebrated publicly, and privately. They found the perfect middle ground of doing everything they wanted to do, whilst also respecting what she wanted to do. The party lasted all day. The people couldn't wait to celebrate their princess. They absolutely adored her.

She tired out around sunset. She wanted to spend the rest of the night with her two-favourite people. They sat comfortably by the fire in the library, taking turns appreciating her existence. Although their comments made her gush and blush, she didn't feel the urge to stop it. They recalled their favourite memories with her; some involving all three of them, some more personal.

They'd both mutually recalled her saving of the kingdom. It was a bit of a tragic tale, but the happy ending made it easy to talk about. They raved about it. Her bravery, her strength, her perseverance—they admired her. Truly.

But there were lighter topics; memories that made them laugh. Awkward things she said or did, games they'd played, times they'd spent adventuring or learning together. This could go on forever. Their love for her was endless.

They'd laughed together. Ended up cuddling together; the three of them, comfortably. It led to a very brief pillow fight, a tickle fight, then a group hug that lasted a long while. Their smiles faded and their energy calmed as they rested together; Anna falling asleep with her head on her lover's chest; Elsa resting on hers. Three years. The best three years of their lives. Everything was perfect. That word was weak. It was beyond perfect. Better than they could've ever asked for.

And that was another year ago. Things weren't like that anymore. That peace was gone. That love was tainted. The love in her eyes had turned to betrayal and pain. Elsa had never seen it before. She didn't know what to say. She'd had her words prepared; she knew exactly what she wanted and needed to say. And then that look. That look so powerful, she felt it burning a hole in her head; in her heart. This damage could not be fixed with a conversation. This damage may not be fixable. Oh gods.

"Tell me another lie," Anna spat. "Tell me how sorry you are."

Kristoff held her a little tighter. A part of him wanted to give Elsa the benefit of the doubt, but most of him felt a similar way to his fiancée. The pain that she'd caused them had to be faced. She had to know. He wanted her to know.

She knew. She knew without knowing. Without having any details. She had no idea what had happened in the time she'd been gone. She didn't know what trials Anna and Kristoff had been through together; if her death affected their relationship. She had no words; no way to express how agonised she was. How sick she felt. She couldn't describe it; she couldn't understand it. "Anna…"

"You promised," she seethed. She leaned closer, but her lover held her back. "You PROMISED, Elsa!" If she'd had anything to throw at the other woman, she would've launched it right at her head. "YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME!"

Elsa had never heard her yell that loudly; that passionately. Her tone was full of betrayal; full of devastation.

"You left me." Her voice broke. She stared at the other woman; eyes narrow; body trembling. Her voice was barely a whisper; "do you have any idea what you did to me?"

Elsa's hand slowly crawled to her heart, clutching at the fabric of her shirt. Her eyes were burning with tears. "I didn't want you to get hurt." Her voice barely made it past her lips, but the others knew exactly what she said.

Anna had a crazed look in her eyes as they widened; her eyebrows raising. "You didn't want me to get hurt?! You shoved me down a hill! You used your power against me!"

"I wanted to protect you!" Elsa exclaimed desperately. "And my dying only proved to me that we wouldn't have made it together! I cannot lose you, Anna! Please understand that!"

She screamed an aggressive "no" as she launched herself at the blonde. Kristoff couldn't grab her in time. Elsa's eyes widened as she fell backwards, quickly trying to scramble away. But Anna and her feelings were faster. The queen struck her sister in the back of her head, knocking her down. She climbed on top of her and forced her to roll onto her back so they were face-to-face. It happened in a blur; too fast for Elsa to process what had happened. She was on her back; her hands were pinned by her head, and Anna was saddling her torso, not holding back any weight. She screamed in her face; "I said the same goddamn thing, but it didn't matter then, did it?! It didn't matter when I was the one desperate to protect you! It didn't matter when I was afraid! Only what you felt! Only what you wanted!"

"Anna!"

"You were so desperate to change yourself again that you were willing to throw away everything we'd built together- everything you built for yourself!" Her words came so quickly and so emotionally that Elsa struggled to follow in her own panic. Anna grabbed her upper arms and shook her violently, still desperate for the attention that she wasn't aware she was receiving. "You ruined everything! We were happy! We had everything we could've ever wanted! And you threw it away! For what?! For death?! For lies?! Was none of it good enough?!"

She was sobbing. Elsa's face was damp from the tears falling onto her. Her own tears had run into her hairline. Anna collapsed, releasing her grip in defeat. She lowered her head into the crease of Elsa's neck for a moment; the older woman gently put her hands on her sisters' back. A beat past before Anna was able to lift her head and look back down; all anger turned into pain. Her voice was quiet. "Was I not good enough?"

Elsa stared at her. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts. She was speechless.

"I needed you," Anna stressed; tone full of sorrow. "I needed you so bad. And you pushed me away. Again."

"I was scared," she whispered. She made an effort to keep her volume down, knowing her voice would break. She didn't want to reveal her own suffering; how badly she wanted to hug this woman, and sob. "Watching them die scared me, Anna. I feared watching you die too. And I… I- I felt better knowing you were alive to feel whatever pain I was going to cause you. But I didn't realise it would be…" she trailed, words failing her.

Anna's expression looked like that of a young child who'd just watched her home burn to the ground. Confusion, pain, innocence- it was overwhelming for her.

"I know I came across as entitled and careless," Elsa found the courage to speak clearly. "And I know I brushed you off a lot, I just- I… I thought I knew. I felt like I had to know. And I wish I'd been clear in the beginning; I wish I'd told you the truth right from the very start. I wish I'd had more faith in you."

"You never had any level of faith in me." There was a bit of bitterness to her tone, but it was drowned out by the quiet volume. "You never believed in me. You never gave me a chance."

"I'd already watched you die once before-"

"That was nothing like the death I faced in that cave."

The words confused her. Anna could see it in her eyes, and it made her sigh. "I had nothing. You left me with nothing. You were so selfish."

It was difficult for her. She felt like she wasn't built for these kinds of conversations. Not because she didn't want to communicate, or that she didn't value other people's feelings; she simply wasn't a social person. Words didn't cut it for her. It was yet another thing that made her and Anna opposites. Anna needed words. But what could she possibly say? This went beyond words, and surely the youngster wouldn't accept actions by this point. She felt, once again, entirely defeated. "Anna-"

"Why did you come back?" she interrupted, sitting up a bit more. "Why couldn't you have stayed dead? We were finally figuring things out."

"Anna!" Kristoff's voice cut the tension a bit, and reminded them that they weren't alone. He grabbed his fiancée's arm and pulled her off the other woman, turning her to face him, "take a breath. Think before you speak."

She stared at him with dead eyes. She had nothing left in her. That was it. Her effort was done. She was done. She couldn't take any more.

Elsa slowly sat up, pulling her knees to her chest. Her gaze was stuck to the ground, eyes full of tears. She couldn't process the words. Why couldn't you have stayed dead? It stung. Badly. How could this happen? This was all wrong.

"There is almost no time left."

The voice caught the attention of Elsa and Kristoff. Eira had stepped a bit closer to them. She looked concerned. "I'm afraid we may be too late. The light has faded beyond repair."

"You said she was human," Kristoff replied quickly. "She can't be linked to this."

"It doesn't add up," Astrid said quietly, stumbling over to Elsa. She looked at her, and within a moment, the woman looked down at the child. "Do you love?"

Elsa stared silently. Did she feel? Not really. Not right now, at least. She was too overwhelmed. It made her numb. "I don't care anymore."

"This is what the spirits wanted," Eira warned. "For the two of you to be apart."

"Then they got exactly what they wanted," Anna muttered. She grabbed Kristoff, and the two helped each other to their feet. "Take me home, please."

He held her close, and looked down at Elsa. She didn't acknowledge him. He rested his chin on Anna's head. "We can't leave things like this."

"I feel like I'm gonna die," she whispered. "I can't breathe. I don't want to breathe."

He gave her a squeeze, then started walking off with her still in his arms. It pained him to leave Elsa behind, but he had to take care of his person first and foremost. Tomorrow is going to suck.

A/N - I'm not really into the "female protagonists cannot get along and have to hate each other" trope so it's not a spoiler to reveal that they will be fine in time.
Anna especially has things she needs to say, and Elsa needs to explain a few things. Communication is needed. Either way, they will figure it out!

Thank you for the overwhelming amount of support! Feedback is so greatly appreciated. I hope you're all satisfied with everything so far. And I hope you're all well!

Take care xx

Review replies:

elenasmcanonico - Not cruel at all! Anger is the first stage; fights are necessary sometimes. There will be proper conversations in the [near] future. Hope this chapter satisfied you! Thanks, and take care!

Wolf heart 22 -Things will hopefully get easier within the next few chapters! Kind of in the "climax" right now. But human relationships are always complicated, so we'll see how things end up! Thanks for your continued support!

Susan - I'm a sucker for timelines and brain-games haha I'm glad you're liking what I'm writing! And, I'm starting to like Elsa- my version of her, at least. All will be well! Thank you for your support!

Guest - EA stands for Elsa & Anna, like KA stands for Kristoff & Anna. Thought this was common knowledge, otherwise would've specified! My apologies!

Guest - Not quite "revenge" but definitely justice. Elsa needs to know her actions have consequences, and Anna needs to understand that not everybody is out to get her! Lots of learning from both sides. Thanks for reading!

LexysamaFics - Apologies that it was difficult for you! I watch a lot of tv like Game of Thrones & Westworld that both have timelines and jumps, which is my kind of vibe. I like things that don't hold the viewers hand, so I suppose I write like that, too! I thought I made it clear enough, but if not, I do apologise! Hopefully it didn't poorly affect your reading experience. The intention is for it to fade and be disorienting for the character and the reader, and I totally understand if that isn't your style! Hopefully it isn't too bothersome. Thank you for reading!

PS - I got a ridiculous amount of anti-Anna guest reviews last chapter and y'all... I'm not feeling it. Don't waste your time. Please. This isn't the place.