Elsa entered the hut she and Anna had been sharing to a surprisingly stirring little sister. This initial fact both surprised and impressed Elsa, a passing notion of Anna's apparent maturity developing making the older sister proud. However, not another second passed before Elsa noticed the lack of a usually comforting sight alongside Anna's awakening process. Her hair was stuck close to her head and seemingly wet, Anna's breaths coming out in gasps of agony.

'Anna…!' Elsa rushed to her sister's side, touching her arm and realizing her sister was soaked with sweat, her forced grunts escalating.

Elsa pulled the blankets away, placing her hand over her sister's chest before creating something of a light dress over her damp form, the article both acting as a method to conceal Anna's nudity and cool her off, ideally.

However, even Elsa's magic began to crumble under the extreme heat that was emanating off the second born princess, holes forming in various spots where perfectly crafted snow and ice acted as clothing.

'What on earth…!?' Elsa flinched back, her heart beginning to hammer against her chest at a rapid pace. She observed Anna's face more closely now, and understood that her sister wasn't even fully conscious yet. She was practically sleepwalking, by the looks of things. Was it safe to awaken her in such a state?

The siren's call that had beckoned Elsa to this point pierced the queen's ears in that moment, its tone a touch off, for some reason, only adding to the anxiety the older sister felt.

Anna collapsed back into the heap of comforters and pillows, her voice beginning to leak through the exhaustive huffs her lungs forced out. She gripped at her body like a child incapable of coping with unfamiliar pain.

'Queen Elsa?' Mattias called from outside the hut, the shuffling of feet signifying others with him causing Elsa more panic than she needed in this moment. 'I heard you call out, and it sounds as though someone is in pain. Is it your sister?'

Elsa turned to the entrance, realized the lieutenant was about to enter, and hastily called him off.

'Anna is in a compromising state at the moment!' And the man stopped his progress immediately, thankfully. 'Please. Leave me with her. She is unwell.'

'What…?' Mattias sounded nervous.

'What's happening to Anna?' Kristoff now. Elsa didn't have time for him. Anna was outright wheezing for air. She was overheating. Even Elsa's magic wasn't cooling her down. Not at the level the queen was willing to output upon her sister. She couldn't risk hurting her ever, ever again but…!

'Just…give me a second, Kristoff!' Elsa snapped. 'I need to focus!'

The urgency in Elsa's voice was rarely heard, and thus, silence followed. This allowed the young woman to place both her hands over Anna's trembling, sweating form and carefully send waves of winter all over her body, applying a gentle, excessively precise amount of relief, the queen prayed.

However, Elsa was forced back, her hands tingling with heat so intense even the queen of ice panicked for a moment. Nothing had ever challenged her might in such a way. Nothing had so easily shunned her attempts to subdue a challenge when her power was involved. Certainly, Elsa wasn't using the utmost of her talent, but for someone like Anna to cause her to flinch back with but a touch? It was unprecedented!

Bruni seemed to wake up finally, scuttering out from the pile of blankets beside Anna's heaving form. He made a gurgling sound with his mouth, and then seemed to observe Anna with intrigue, his googly eyes comical if not for the intensely stressful scenario.

'Anna…! Anna…!' Elsa touched her sister's face, begging her to at least wake up.

That's it. There was no other choice. If Anna's temperature was this high, there was nothing for it. Any longer and Anna would surely lose consciousness and then…t-then…!

Elsa waved her hands over her sister and contained her in a small dome of ice. With another thought, Elsa encapsulated the princess of Arendelle with a quick burst of ice-cold air before evaporating the shell and evaluating the situation. With a touch of Anna's forehead, Elsa could tell that she had cooled some, and even her breaths had calmed to a degree.

'Elsa…?' Kristoff asked again, likely seconds from bursting in himself. Murmuring began anew outside the hut, even more voices intermingled with the gathering crowd.

Finally, amidst it all, Anna groaned in a familiar way, and her eyes squeezed tighter for a second before she stretched them open, her gorgeously blue irises darting about in confusion, the wet sensation all over her body clearly felt the moment she was conscious enough to recognize her senses.

'Gross…' Anna muttered, turning over and seeing Elsa. 'Oh! Hey, there!'

'Thank goodness.' Mattias could be heard outside, and the moment he said those two words clearly, Anna pulled the blankets close to cover her naked body in embarrassment.

'Wah…! Is there a party outside my room or something? What's going on?'

Some nervous laughter and indistinct words were exchanged beyond the hut's entrance, and Elsa simply sighed in utter relief, her mind buzzing with the harsh reality of what she needed to do next.

'Anna.' Elsa began, suddenly feeling a little close to her father and mother with how often they needed to have difficult conversations with her for the years they were in Elsa's life. 'I think we should talk.'

Once Anna was dressed in her black dress and purple jacket, Elsa took her to the same secluded space Yelana had occupied earlier that morning. The commotion caused by her little sister brought even more attention to the girls, but thankfully, Yelana and Mattias were able to provide the royal siblings with a chance to chat – just the two of them. Kristoff, to his credit, had put together a breakfast for Anna, the younger sister thanking him enthusiastically and Bruni ever on her shoulder as she took a seat upon a tiny chair Elsa created for her comfort.

Elsa then paced a bit before her sister, Anna happily digging into her food and feeding Bruni. She looked around at the isolated body of water and the trees that contained it, likely curious as to where the stream eventually led.

'So…you don't remember anything?' Elsa started, pushing her hands through her hair.

'I remember a rush of cold air that shocked me awake. Is that what you mean?' Anna asked with her mouth half full. It was…adorable.

'No. No, that's not what I meant.' Elsa began hesitating. However, if Anna was in any kind of pain, or if something inside her was manifesting because of the forest and all the spirits within it, she needed to know.

'Oh. Then what's up?'

Elsa bit at her lip, wondering why she struggled to say anything. She should be happy, right? If Anna could use powers, like her, wouldn't that be wonderful? The loneliness Elsa still felt at times would finally be dissipated. But at the same time, the confusion and fear might envelop poor, sweet Anna as well. And last, but not least, maybe a very small, hopelessly selfish part of Elsa didn't adore the concept of losing what made her…unique?

I'm so horrible sometimes…

'I…' Elsa closed her eyes, shook her head, and maintained her dignity, organizing her priorities appropriately. Anna's safety was at the forefront of her mind, and if her little sister had no idea what she was possibly capable of, how could she ever hope to fight back against such terrifying fits?

'Anna. I suspected it before, but now I am more certain than ever.'

'You're…sort of weirding me out, Elsa.' Anna laughed nervously, her consumption of the food before her slowing.

Elsa took one final breath, and as her heart leapt into her throat, she explained her concerns at last, after years of denial since their final confrontation with Devil.

'I think you have magic, Anna.'

A beat, with the natural sounds of the Enchanted Forest ranging from birds to wind brushing against leaves filling the void. Even the far-off humming of the Norhtuldra hard at work could almost be heard.

Anna stopped midbite, her eyes widening for but a moment before she started giggling, her face construing in Elsa's direction.

'That's a weird joke to make suddenly – '

'Bruni's natural body temperature is so hot he can minorly burn someone if they're not careful.' Elsa pressed on. 'When you hugged him, you…you shouldn't have survived.'

'B-but my clothes were fine, right?' Anna lifted her arms up slightly.

'Perhaps. But before you awakened today, you were overheating to the point of possibly even passing out, Anna. That flash of cold air was me attempting to snap you out of some sort of…heatstroke or worse!'

'…It could've been Bruni.' Anna tried again, but Elsa could tell she was beginning to get through. One final push.

'When I was dueling Devil, and he almost defeated me, you stepped in. At the time, it was difficult to process alongside everything else that was happening, and because you were so certain nothing actually occurred, I let it be. But you interfered at that moment, potentially saving my life. I felt an intense wave of heat when you tackled Devil. You used magic, Anna. There's something inside of you, and…and I think it's beginning to awaken.'

Anna hastily shoved the rest of the food in her mouth, and Elsa allowed her a moment. This had to be a lot to take in. Elsa had the benefit of harnessing her magic from a young age, when she was much more impressionable and lacked the constraints of an adult's logical reasoning. Yet, Anna didn't have that same liberty. She had lived her whole life in Elsa's shadow as the one without powers. All things considered, she seemed to have adapted well, and found her place in life. For that stability to be turned on its head so suddenly? Elsa could only imagine what her sister was going through.

Anna placed her breakfast's bowl and utensils upon the ground, sitting up straight in the chair made of ice Elsa had constructed elegantly. She looked at her hands, and Bruni licked the side of her face, gurgling cutely in her ear.

'…Don't tease me, Elsa.' She whimpered suddenly, water filling her eyes. 'Because other than you and I finally figuring out our feelings for one another, that would be my second biggest wish ever fulfilled, and I don't think my heart could take it.'

Elsa smiled at the reaction, chastising herself for having even the briefest of such self-centred thinking.

'I'm not teasing you, Anna.' Elsa stepped closer to her sister, taking her hands and lifting her to her feet so the girls were inches apart, their bodies grazing one another's. 'It's not completely outside the realm of possibility, is it? You're my sister. Our mother is Northuldra; people of the earth. She represents a love without boundaries, and perhaps Athohallan saw it fit to bless both children with gifts.'

'But I don't feel anything, Elsa.' Anna admitted, sorrow taking up space in her tone. 'You can sense your power, right? I've tried so many times it's embarrassing. There's nothing. Not on command anyway. So, why now?'

'I wouldn't be shocked if "love" has something to do with it.' Elsa winked, nuzzling her nose against Anna's and tempted to kiss her.

'True…'

'But more than likely, considering you've always loved me more than anything, it could be the movement in nature now as we know it.'

'Not to humble brag or anything, huh?' Anna nudged her older sister.

'You've said so yourself, have you not?'

'Well, yeah, but it doesn't sound great when you just come out and say it like that, silly.'

'O-oh.' Elsa blushed, truly not meaning anything by the comment.

Thankfully, Anna laughed, and moved in even closer to Elsa, holding her hips now.

'So, this whole Ahtohallan calling you and us challenging the four spirits is awakening my super strength, huh? And it's…fire magic?'

'Presumably.' Elsa glanced briefly to Bruni, then gave her sister a kiss on the forehead before parting from her, not needing a wandering Northuldra to see them or – heaven forbid – Kristoff again.

'Heh. That's amazing…' Anna looked to her hands again. 'I wish I could control it now. It's pretty much impossible to believe completely, but this glimmer of hope is like being a kid again when I believed I might still have a chance.'

'Just…keep me informed of any changes you feel in your body. You were sweating uncontrollably until I cooled you off, but I had to use more of my magic than I'd prefer, and if your fits worsen before you manage to understand your strength, I might not be capable of managing your pain without causing another…accident.'

Both girls became silent at the thought, Anna's frozen heart scare always a fresh nightmare that had almost separated the sisters again. It was easily one of Elsa's largest regrets of her life, and the shadow that crept over her own soul at the mere thought of it all was still so fresh and raw after all these years.

'Promise.' Anna nodded. 'Oh, man. I have goosebumps. Can you imagine? You and I? Fire and ice? How cool would that be?'

Elsa found herself smiling.

'That would be pretty cool, wouldn't it?'

'Too much power! Too much power!' Anna did a strange voice that sounded like an attempt to be an elderly man or something.

'What on earth was that?'

'You know? In stories and stuff when the heroes have fancy abilities and some people think it's dangerous and whatever?'

'…What have you been reading lately?' Elsa raised a brow.

'Anyway, how long have you been up? What have you been doing? I missed you. I love you. You're the best. Let's get back to adventuring.'

Elsa thought it was irresistibly loveable how excited her little sister clearly was. And who could blame her, Elsa supposed?

'I spent my morning speaking with Yelana and Lieutenant Mattias. Both conversations were…enlightening.'

'Oh? What makes you say that?'

Elsa breathed out softly, her whole body relaxing as she took in the sight of her sister now that the previous anxiety surrounding her potential powers was put on hold for the moment. She really did love this girl. Compared to any other interaction the queen engaged in, be it Honeymaren, Yelana, Mattias, Kristoff, or even Gerda, none could come close to the level of comfort and joy Elsa felt in Anna's presence.

'Yelana has a history with the spirits, one I feel has left some form of longing attachment that puts her in agony over the current situation. I helped her communicate with the Water Spirit, and they seemed…close.'

'Well, she's Northuldra, right? That's their thing?'

'Yes. I suppose you're correct.' That was true, but Elsa had a feeling there was a little more to it than that as far as Yelana was involved. 'Either way, she believes I am capable of saving them and calming the spirits. Considering her somewhat prickly personality, I am grateful I seem to have won her respect.'

'Like anyone, she just needed a second to get to know you.'

'That's nice of you to say.' Elsa still questioned her ability to connect with others at times, but thanks to Anna, she had certainly improved her ability to navigate demanding social situations.

'Well, it's true.' Anna shrugged, not thinking much of the comment. She had such faith in Elsa. 'What about Mattias? I like him lots so far.'

'He's…an observant man, to say the least.'

'Right!?' Anna jumped close to Elsa, her hands near her face in small fists. 'You think he's on to us?'

'No. Not quite. But he's well aware of an oddity of some descript. The relationship we have is outside the realm of possibility for most. The thought would barely even cause the man to pause on it for more than a second.'

'Yeah. Guess so.' Anna thought about the comment, and as she did so, Elsa finally allowed the chair she had created to crumble into a small pile of snow. 'Speaking of which, why do you think the spirits – or whoever – aren't messing with our heads anymore?'

A good question. One Elsa had thought of a few times since the last mental attack endured.

'I can only speculate…'

'Then speculate.' Anna winked.

'I wonder if it has something to do with our current engagement with the spirits. Already, we have earned the respect and cooperation of both the Wind and Fire Spirit.' Elsa nodded to Bruni. 'Right?'

The little salamander warbled.

'To that end, I believe a widespread influence, like manipulating someone's memories, would require a great deal of synchronization between the four prominent elements and perhaps even Ahtohallan herself.'

'Ah! Gotcha! So, they can't really pull that trick anymore?'

'It's just a guess…' Elsa hoped she was right. She hated the omniscient thoughts she had begun to find slipping into her mind. It wasn't her. She didn't think so highly of herself…

'Well, it's a pretty good one, I think. As long as they stop that nonsense then I'm happy. Forgetting about my Elsa? No way! Not happening!'

Elsa laughed.

'Me, too. It was a valiant attempt, one might say.'

'You mean annoying?'

'We will need to deal with the repercussions of where they did succeed, however.'

'Yeah…But we still have one another! That isn't changing!' Anna embraced Elsa again, and the older sister didn't even resist it, because she couldn't tire of feeling the other girl's arms around her. She held her back, pressing her face near Anna's with affection.

When the sister's parted once more, Elsa continued with the immediate proceedings after the aside conversation regarding memories and such.

'So, the goal today is to travel to where the Earth Spirit typically resides and tame him.'

'Oh! You mean them?' Anna waved her finger.

'Exactly. Hopefully a simple conversation will do the trick, but I honestly believe I'm being more than a little optimistic by saying that.'

'Hm.' Anna shrugged the shoulder Bruni was perched on. 'Think you can have a chat with your rock brothers and sisters there, little guy?'

Bruni smacked his lips and tipped his head in seeming confusion. The Fire Spirit, for all its power, seemed rather simple, really. Even the Wind Spirit had a certain innocent mischievousness about it; like that of a child. Was the Water Spirit the only one who acted so human and mature? Why was that?

'More wishful thinking.' Elsa sighed.

'It's all good!' Anna rotated her free arm as if preparing for a fight. 'We got this! I'll just hug them all if I have to!'

'That might not work this time, Anna.'

'You sure?'

'…No.' Elsa chuckled. 'The good news is that Honeymaren, Ryder, and Mattias will be guiding us, so, our use of the day should be sufficient enough.'

'Oh, nice!' Anna clapped her hands. 'I wouldn't mind kinda exploring the Enchanted Forest a little more, if I'm being honest, but I guess there'll be a chance for that after we take care of everything, right?'

Elsa's heart skipped a beat. Spending more time in the forest and with the Northuldra? Yes. She didn't mind the thought of that whatsoever.

'A camping trip it is, then.' The queen committed herself to the idea.

'Just the two of us.' Anna beamed.

'What about Olaf?'

'Just the two of us.' Anna repeated a little more dangerously, but in a humorous, almost suggestive way, which Elsa then understood the rhetoric behind.

'Ah. Yes. Please. I…I wouldn't mind that at all.'

'After all this, we're gonna need a vacation. Leonard and Daryun will be fine. It'll give them a chance to get to know Mattias as well.'

'…Perhaps.' Elsa turned her eyes away from Anna, her hints leaving the queen suddenly somewhat antsy. 'So, do you have any other questions? About your magic, or…?'

'My magic…' Anna hummed, visibly shivering for a moment at the reintroduction of the subject. She then huffed to herself in concentration and stepped toward the small body of water. Elsa watched as Anna flicked her hands to the side and increased the volume of her voice.

'Hiya…!' Anna snapped both hands forward, not unlike Elsa when she was using a bigger spell, and…nothing happened.

'Good try.' Elsa grinned.

'Darn it.' Anna sulked overdramatically. 'Maybe next time. Any tips?'

'Hm.' Elsa had to think about it. She used her magic like any other part of her body. Subconsciously, she could wield it with sometimes alarming ease unless she was doing something particularly demanding. She honed in on such occasions, and relayed what she thought might help her little sister. 'A clear image in your mind helps. Creating what you want to see in reality mentally allows your body to more easily translate the intangible into something physical.'

'Oh. Easy enough.' Anna groaned. 'You know I'm not good at that kinda thing. Art is way more your field.'

Elsa realized that, but then she quickly latched on to something that might help her sister better.

'Then consider your process for baking. You have to visualize what you want the end result to be, right? Anticipate the final product from all the ingredients you spread out before even beginning to mold dough or decorate a cake.'

'Oh…! Now you're speaking my language!'

'We're both good at art in our own ways, Anna. The deliciously extravagant desserts and breads you make are just as impressive as anything I draw or sculpt.'

'Now you're just trying to butter me up.' A beat. 'See what I did there?'

'…Yes, Anna.' Elsa couldn't help but smile.

The younger sister laughed, scooting in close to Elsa and hooking her arm with the older sister's.

'Anyway, I'll try here and there while we make our way to the Earth Spirit, how about it? Probably shouldn't delay that trip much longer, right?'

'Yes.' Elsa's heart skipped, the thought of proceeding closer to Ahtohallan and answers about her own powers far too appealing not to become anxious for. 'Please support me as you always have, Anna.'

Anna gave her sister's arm a tight squeeze, kissing her cheek sweetly.

'Now that I can do.'

'Thank-you.'

'Oh, and Elsa?' Anna tugged at the older girl as Elsa inched forward to start returning to the Northuldra camp.

'Yes?'

'I love you.'

Elsa bit at her lip, the abruptness of the earnest words catching her off guard somehow and making her emotions flutter with endearment. Red-faced, the queen of Arendelle held her sister close and affirmed what truly mattered above and beyond everything else…including the unknowns ahead.

'I love you, too, Anna.'