Alek was alive!

It didn't seem possible. How could it be possible? Elsa felt the buzz of excitement and she tried to push it down, as if the mere act of hope would make it untrue.

The north exit was open, and as they approached, Kai and Sara tumbled out from the other direction, almost running into them.

"Your Majesty!" Kai said, cheeks flushed red, back bent with urgency. "You have no idea how good it is to see you well!"

"Is Alek alright?"

"I don't know, he's hurt bad. We're getting medical supplies."

"Go then!"

She waving everyone aside to let them pass. The two raced away, Kai's ample figure jostling as they bounded toward the castle.

"Stay here," Kristoff said to Sven.

Sven plopped down on his hind quarters, unhappy with the command. Elsa hated seeing him so disappointed, but she was too preoccupied to dwell on it. Everyone else shuffled through the door and into the hall where the torches were fresh, filling the corridor with a yellow glow. Ahead of them, the iron gate of the corner tower was open and a parade of marching guards spilled out of its mouth. They ground to a halt before their queen in a ruckus of stamping feet, detangling themselves from one another as they divided into two lines, three to the left and four to the right, with their backs against the wall.

Peder gave direction, sending two to reinforce the lookouts so each wall had coverage. Two others he sent to search the castle and grounds, and one was ordered to stand guard at the top of the stairs. The last two he instructed to clean up the stage debris. Elsa was glad for this command. The last thing she wanted was the gruesome sight of Inger's fallen comrades laying in the courtyard.

The guards flung themselves off the wall, streaming past their queen and out the door to fulfill their duties.

With the hallway cleared Peder led them to the stairwell, looking over his shoulder to make sure Elsa and Anna were close behind. Then he shuffled down the steps, descending into the darkness of the twisting tunnel.

Peder was going much slower than Elsa preferred, and she considered shoving past him and running the rest of the way down; but his duty was to protect her and she chose not to interfere. Still, the closer they got to the bottom the harder her heart pounded. Surely they are mistaken, she kept telling herself, it can't be.

They reached the bottom and passed through the open gate into the dungeon. A crowd of servants were gathered across the way, their backs to the entrance.

"Make way for the queen!" Peder said.

The people turned as one, and when they saw Elsa they split, forming two groups with a path between them. Many bowed and others got down on one knee, and there were whispers of "Your Majesty," and "Queen Elsa," in tones varying from surprise to relief. Elsa's eyes, however, were on the darkened cell before her. Peder hung back and only Kristoff and Anna accompanied her as she approached. The shadowy forms of two men were huddled together in a corner of the cell, and as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she saw how bad it was.

Alek was on the floor, propped against the wall, his eyes closed and his face a pasty white. He looked more like a ghost than a man. Another man was bent over him, the young guard with whom he shared the cell. He was bare chested and shivering, the remains of his uniform laying in bloody strips around his feet, most of which had dried and turned a rusty brown. The guard had a hand on Alek's shoulder and another between his back and the wall. Elsa knelt down, taking Alek's hand.

"I thought he was dead," the attending guard said, as Anna draped someone's jacket over his shoulders.

His blonde hair was mottled with sweat and he had streaks of blood down both cheeks. He was the youngest of the new recruits, and one of the youngest who ever served as a guard. Alek had spoken about him, saying he was 'wet behind the ears' and that a little training and discipline would do him good. His name was Anton, if she recalled, and he looked terrified. Terrified and on the verge of tears.

"I should've helped him sooner, but I thought he was dead."

"It's alright, Anton. You did well."

When Alek heard her voice he turned his head, eyelids parting just enough to see her.

"My queen." His voice was hoarse and he coughed, wincing as he did so. "I'm so glad to see you're well."

"Don't talk, you're going to be fine. Help is coming, just hang on for us, okay? Can you do that for us? Can you do that for me?"

Alek gave a slight nod and then rolled his head back against the wall. Elsa felt a fresh prick of sorrow as she watched his labored breathing and touched the clammy, cold skin of his pale hand. It was true, he was alive, but for how long she didn't know.

Anna put a hand on her shoulder, crouching down so they were side by side. It felt so good to have her there again, like finding the most precious possession you thought forever lost. She wished she could give that same comfort to Alek.

Once again the stairs came alive with sound, bringing with it Kai and Sara. Kai was carrying a tray of supplies and Sara a pot of water.

Elsa and Anna stepped aside. Kai set the tray down, taking a wet towel from the pot and handing it to Anton.

"Fresh off the stove. It's quite warm."

Anton wiped the grime off Alek's face and then held it to his bleached forehead, the water dripping down around his temples. Sara helped remove Alek's jacket while Kai spread some ointment on another cloth. They lifted the injured captain forward, just far enough for him to clean the wound and apply the medicine. Kai instructed Anton to hold the cloth in place as he unraveled a bandage to keep it secure. He was readying to apply it when the sound of Grand Pabbie's voice came from the back of the crowd.

"Excuse me," he said, with utmost politeness. "Pardon me, but I should like to get through."

The servants obeyed, but their response was hampered by their curiosity. They weren't sure whether they wanted to step away or stand staring. Their slow separation had the effect of a parting curtain, and when they divided the troll smiled his appreciation. He gave a nod to Kristoff then entered the cell, touching Kai on the arm.

"May I have a look, please?"

Kai was so focused on his task he hadn't seen the rock troll enter. When he felt its hand on his arm he did a double take then shot to his feet, but he was quick to regain his composure.

"Excuse me sir," Kai said, "I wasn't expecting you."

He looked to Elsa for direction and she nodded her approval.

"Thank you," Grand Pabbie said as he exchanged places with Kai. Kai stepped out of the cell and stood next to Kristoff, shrugging when the servants behind him whispered questions in his ear.

Grand Pabbie held Alek's hand as he squeezed up and down his arm. Anton drew away but Grand Pabbie shook his head.

"No, stay."

He put a hand on Alek's chest and held it there for a long time. The dungeon was filled with quiet, not so much as the rustle of a garment or the shuffling of a foot breaking the silence. Elsa held her breath, hoping beyond all hope yet dreading the worst. Grand Pabbie let go of Alek's hand.

"His condition is grave, but I can help him."

Elsa let out a sigh of relief, which was echoed by Anna. Grand Pabbie motioned to Anton who still had his hand on Alek's back.

"Lean him forward, please."

Anton obeyed, grabbing Alek's shoulder and pulling on his arm. Alek grimaced as he was moved. Grand Pabbie placed one hand over the wound and his other on his bicep. A pulsing green glow cast itself up the wall, scoring Alek's shadow across the inside of the cell. As the light grew brighter the servants drew closer, gathering in a tight group behind Kristoff and Kai, and Anna took Elsa's arm, her grip leaving white impressions on her skin.

At first, nothing happened. The green glow pulsed across the wall in small palpitations, rising then falling, expanding then shrinking. Elsa met eyes with Kristoff and he gave her a reassuring smile, a curl of one corner of his lips that seemed to say 'everything's going to be alright,' but Elsa wasn't so convinced. It's not going to work, she thought, we're too late.

She knew she was wrong when Alek opened his eyes.

Color seeped into his face, a rose hue pouring into his neck and spreading up through his temples and into his cheeks. It chased the white pallor from his forehead and flushed his lips and nose with color. He took a deep breath followed by a fit of coughs. Then he lay still.

"He will be okay," Grand Pabbie said to Elsa, "but my powers are limited. He will yet need much rest and time to recover. A bed and something to drink would be a good start, I should think.

The stable boy emerged from the stairs holding a long stretcher at his side with a heavy blanket tucked under his other arm. Kai met him and took the stretcher, returning to the mouth of the cell.

"Your Majesty?"

"Oh," Elsa said, realizing they were blocking the way. "Of course."

Kai snapped his fingers at two servants then pointed at the bloody rags which they removed. Then he set the stretcher on the ground before Alek. Kai and Anton lifted him onto it, Anton taking hold of his ankles and Kai grabbing him under the arms, taking great care not to disturb him more than necessary. Kai waved two other men into the cell, the stable boy and a burly man wearing an apron. He instructed them to carry Alek and they obeyed, carrying him through the crowd and disappearing up the stairs with Kai and Anton close behind. The remaining servants turned to Elsa.

"Take refuge in the castle," she said. "Stay together and don't let anyone stray."

"Yes, Your Majesty," many said in unison.

They filed out, funneling through the open gate and up the stairs. Elsa bent down to meet eyes with Grand Pabbie.

"Thank you. You have no idea the relief and joy you've brought me today. I am forever in your debt."

"It is nothing, Your Majesty. I consider it my great pleasure and honor to serve the queen and her people."

"Alek's going to be okay!" Anna said. "Isn't that wonderful?"

It was wonderful, Elsa thought as she stood up, and far beyond anything she could've hoped for. She felt like an iron band had loosened from her chest, and she could breathe again. Anna grabbed her arm.

"Now we need to get your powers back!"

Anna had been patient, Elsa knew this. It wasn't a quality her sister possessed in large supply and she looked like a balloon ready to burst.

"We have to hurry!" Anna said. "If Inger returns—and Olaf—the winter…" She stumbled over her words in a rush to get them out.

"Hold on," Elsa said. "How exactly do you propose we do this?"

"Tell her, Grand Pabbie."

Grand Pabbie nodded.

"The frost father put a powerful spell on you. It feeds on your fear. That spell can be broken if your fears are allayed."

"So all you have to do is stop being afraid!" Anna said.

"It won't be so simple," Grand Pabbie said. "Emotions are not easily dispelled. Take her to the castle, make her comfortable, and remember…love is the key to overcoming fear."

"Ok," Anna said, plucking a torch from the nearest column. "Let's go."

She grabbed Elsa's hand and raced past Kristoff. Elsa held on for dear life as they ran up the stairs, but strength was flowing back into her legs and her feet felt sure beneath her. Kristoff bounded up the stairs after them, followed by Peder who motioned for the guard at the top to join them. Sven was delighted to see his master when he emerged, but Kristoff was going too fast to pay him attention. Sven didn't mind, he just trotted behind them with his mouth open and his tongue flapping in the wind. Together they followed the girls to the castle.

"Hang on!" Elsa said, stopping just outside the double doors of the porch. She took a moment to catch her breath. "How do you know this will even work?"

"What do you mean? It's got to work."

"And if it doesn't?"

"You'll get your powers back," Anna said, grabbing her hand again. "You have to!"

"Stay out here," Kristoff told Sven. "We'll be back."

Sven stamped his disapproval, but obeyed, sitting at the bottom of the steps and dropping his chin on folded hooves.

Once again, Kristoff and the guards were trying to keep up as they chased Elsa and Anna through the great hall and up the red velvet staircase, catching up to them outside the library. Anna used her torch to light two candles then handed it to Peder.

"Stay out here and guard the room," she said.

She took Elsa inside and Kristoff shut the door behind them, remaining in the hall. She opened it and grabbed him by the arm.

"Not you, silly."

The room was dark, almost too dark to see, but the girls knew it well and Anna took Elsa to the couch, sitting down beside her.

"Let's get a fire going," she said to Kristoff.

He found his way to the fireplace and threw some kindling on the smoldering charcoal. Then he struck a match and held it under the dry wood, blowing on the flame until it spread, and soon a hearty fire glowed in the hearth. He lit another match and went to each candle in the room, igniting them one by one until the room was filled with warm, yellow light.

"Ok," Anna said. "How do we do this?" She turned to Kristoff. "What do you think?"

Kristoff sat down and shrugged.

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Hmmm…" Anna put a hand on her chin as she gave it some thought. "We just have to figure out what you're afraid of. She turned to Elsa. "So…what are you afraid of?"

She looked at Elsa as if the answer should be obvious, but Elsa knew it wouldn't be that simple. She was a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions and couldn't even think straight.

"I…I don't know."

"Well, there's gotta be something. Think."

"I am."

"What are you most afraid of?"

"Well…" She thought about all that happened over the last few days. There were so many things that stoked her fear, but one stood out above the rest. "I'm afraid of losing you."

"But I'm right here. See? You're not going to lose me."

"Ok, then…let me see." She thought for a moment more. "I'm afraid of failing my people."

"The people are going to be fine, Elsa. They're safe in their homes right now."

"They're not safe from this winter. From this drought."

"But you're not the one causing the drought. It was Inger all along. We know that now!"

"Maybe, but it was me who cursed the land with an eternal winter. My people are still dying, Anna, and I can't do anything to save them."

"Oh!" Anna said, with sudden excitement. "Kristoff! Tell her that thing, that thing you figured out on the way up the mountain."

Kristoff sat forward on the edge of the seat.

"We figured out why your ice didn't work, why the water from it made everyone sick."

"Oh?"

"They were poisoning it."

"Poisoning it? What do you mean?"

"Alek discovered some poison in the cellar, barrels and barrels of it—"

"I know, I saw it too. John brought it."

Kristoff shook his head.

"Think about it. If John was the one who brought those barrels how could the poison have been used to contaminate your water?"

Elsa gave him a blank look, her mind too weary to make the connection he was guiding her to.

"Those barrels came from Arendelle. I'm sure it was one of the traitor guards. I don't think John or the Southern Isles had anything to do with it."

Anna put an arm around her.

"Doesn't that make you happy?"

"I guess so, but I suppose we'll never know for sure."

"You have to have faith in John. He'd never do anything like that."

Elsa wanted to believe that, she truly did. But the fact of the matter was, she didn't know what to believe.

"So," Anna said, taking Elsa's hand and rubbing it, "do you feel anything? Is your magic coming back yet?"

"No. I don't feel anything."

Anna stood up, scrubbing her fingers through her hair and pulling on her braids.

"It's not working, Kristoff."

"Maybe she just needs more time."

"Do you have any other ideas?" Anna asked him.

He thought for a while, then shook his head.

"No."

"Come on! We've got to think of something!"

Anna paced in front of the fire and Kristoff sat with elbows on knees, chin in hands.

"I told you this wouldn't work," Elsa said. "We're wasting our time."

"Wait!" Anna said, finding her excitement again. "Grand Pabbie said love is the key."

"Yeah, so?" Kristoff said.

"So we need John! That's the only way you'll get your magic back!"

Elsa frowned.

"No, we're not doing that. John doesn't love me, he never did. He's just a traitor hiding from his king."

Anna sat down, taking her hands.

"That's not true. I know it's not. He loves you."

The sting of betrayal was still fresh in Elsa's heart as she recalled the official document branding John a traitor. Anna was waiting for her to say something, to accept her conclusion, but she had nothing to say.

"Go down to the ship," Anna said to Kristoff, "take a guard with you, just one so you don't scare Martin."

"Who's Martin?"

"He's the man keeping John prisoner. Do try to keep up."

Kristoff shrugged. "Ok."

"Convince him to let John go. Whatever you have to do, whatever you have to say, just make sure you don't come back here without John."

"What if he won't let him go?"

"That's not an option. Bring him back. You have to!"

"Alright," Kristoff said, but his voice lacked conviction. "Stay here, I'll be back."

He walked out the door with an urgency that defied his uncertainty.

"I don't think this is a good idea." Elsa said. "What if you're wrong about all this?"

"What does your heart tell you? Do you really believe he's a traitor?"

"I don't know. I want to believe he's not, but there was a letter from the king. I saw it. Everything was official."

"I don't care what was on that paper. I'm telling you, he's not a traitor."

"Well, you also thought Hans wasn't a traitor."

"That's not fair!"

That really wasn't a fair comparison. Anna had less than a day, one evening really, to get acquainted with Hans before making a judgement about him. John had been in Arendelle for the better part of a week. Still, it was a short period of time upon which to base a conclusion and, despite Anna's insistence, she didn't have the confidence her sister did about John's intentions.

"I'm sorry, I'm just struggling to understand everything. None of it seems real, do you know what I mean?"

Anna nodded.

"Everything has happened so fast," Elsa said. "It's all so overwhelming."

"I know, I'm having a hard time too. But what confuses me the most is Hans. After everything he's done, why'd he save us? What would make him do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe he was as confused as we are. But John said something interesting at your engagement party."

"Really? What?"

"He told me how Hans risked his life to save him when they were kids, after his brothers left him for dead. He said nothing was more important to Hans than family."

Anna wagged her head, struggling to accept the tale.

"If you would've told me that before tonight, I'd never have believed it."

"I know."

"I don't know how to feel about him. I'll never forget the way he looked at me when he left me in this room to die. And then watching him creep up on you with his sword…" She broke off, the memory more intense than she anticipated. "But now, to think he saved us, that he sacrificed himself for us…I can barely make sense of it."

Elsa nodded her understanding and they sat in silence, contemplating the act which defied everything they thought they knew about the youngest prince from the Southern Isles. Anna was the first to speak again.

"What do you think happened to him?"

"I don't know. That was a powerful blast. I wouldn't be surprised if Inger killed him, perhaps the same way she killed her mother."

"The guilt that woman must be living with. She blamed father for her mother's death, but all along I think she knew it was her fault."

"How did you know that?"

"I read father's diary. I found it in your room."

"Oh."

In other circumstances, Elsa might have rolled her eyes at Anna's insatiable curiosity, but this time it only evoked a blank response.

"Then to kill her own son," Anna said, "it was probably too much for her."

"Do you think she really wanted to be queen?"

"Who knows. Anything is possible with that twisted family."

"You mean our twisted family?"

"Ugh. Don't say that. You're going to make me retch."

Anna threw another piece of kindling on the fire, then she walked to the door and back, pacing the room while rubbing her shoulders.

Elsa shifted on the couch, glancing at the door.

"What am I supposed to do when he arrives? What do I say? I don't think we should do this."

"Just relax. Be natural, be yourself. Everything will work out, you'll see."

"I don't know. I wish I had your confidence."

"Love was enough to save me once, and it can save you now, if you let it."

"What makes you think John loves me?"

"Elsa, you're blind if you can't see it. That man would do anything for you."

"I don't know," Elsa said, staring at her hands. John's true motives were a concern, but her fears ran deeper than that.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just that…" Elsa hesitated. It was hard to say what she was thinking. "It's just that, I've hurt everyone I've ever cared about. How could anyone love someone like that?"

"Oh, Elsa." Anna sat down, wrapping her arms around her sister. "Don't you realize how much you're loved? You're the most lovable person in the whole world!"

"I think that may be a bit of an exaggeration."

"Well, if it is, it's only slight. Everyone who knows you loves you, anyway."

"Including the Duke of Weselton?"

Anna snorted and made a face. "You had to go and ruin the moment, didn't you?"

"Were we having a moment?" Elsa said, producing a wry smile.

"Speaking of the Duke of Weaseltown," Anna said. "Did you know he was supplying Inger and Hans with water?"

"What? You're joking."

"Nope. Calling him a weasel doesn't do justice to his level of weaselness. The first thing you should do when you get your powers back is squash him like a bug."

"You know I won't do that."

"I know, but just once I'd like to see that man pay for what he's done."

"There are other ways to make him pay."

"Oh? Did you have anything specific in mind?"

At that moment the door swung open and both girls shot off the couch. John entered the room, alone; Kristoff was nowhere to be found. He stood framed by the black hallway behind him, like he'd entered from an invisible void, some other world. His back was straight, his neck stiff, and his shoulders hunched.

"Hello, Elsa," he said, in a low, cautious tone.

"I'll leave you two alone," Anna said, but Elsa grabbed her arm.

"No, please stay," she whispered.

"You'll be fine. Relax and be natural. Everything will work out."

She pried her arm away and smiled at John as she made her way out the door, which closed with a soft click behind her. John and Elsa stood facing one another from across the room. There was an awkward silence, only the crackle of the fire filling the gaps of their speechlessness. Elsa didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she had anything to say. She only wished Anna hadn't left her alone.

John cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry for how things worked out, for all that happened to you."

Elsa nodded. John took a step forward and she tensed. He stopped.

"You must believe I never meant you harm."

He seemed to be waiting for a response, probably wondering if she believed him. She wasn't trying to hide her reaction. She really didn't know how she felt, and this uncertainty made it difficult to judge whether she could trust him. She studied him for some sign that she could believe him, but she didn't know what she was looking for.

"Kristoff told me about Maren…I mean, Inger, sorry. He told me she's your aunt. I imagine that was a difficult thing to—."

"Is it true?"

John seemed put off by the question.

"Is what true?"

"Are you a traitor?"

He was silent for some time, as if he didn't know what to say. She felt every beat of her heart as she waited for his answer.

"Yes, Elsa, I am. That part is true."

That wasn't the response she expected. Had Anna been wrong about everything? Had he ever cared about her at all?

"How could you—?" she started, but her voice cracked and she pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle the emotions.

"Please, allow me to explain."

"What's there to explain?"

"There's much to explain. Please, just hear me out."

She wasn't interested in anything he had to say, but she didn't stop him either, though she was unable to meet his gaze.

"I first heard about you after your coronation, after Hans was sent back, a criminal who disgraced our family. I was shocked by what he'd done, and what I learned about your kingdom made it even worse. People spoke of a beautiful land, a city nestled in the arms of snow-capped mountains. They spoke of a grand castle full of majesty, and of subjects who loved their queen. And it was this queen they spoke of that captivated me most.

"They said her beauty was unmatched throughout all the lands. They told of platinum blonde hair and dazzling eyes as blue as tropical shores. But mostly they told how she cared for her people, how her great love caused her to sacrifice herself when they were in danger. I was stricken by these words."

He paused, as if struggling with emotion. She looked up at him, and for the first time since she'd known him he seemed nervous, unsure of himself. He swallowed hard.

"I fell in love with you, and I didn't even know you."

He took a step forward, but this time Elsa didn't tense.

"When I heard about the drought destroying your kingdom I was heart-stricken. I wanted to do anything I could to help. I requested permission to lead a relief delegation to Arendelle, to carry supplies that would ease the suffering of you and your people. But my brother, Jens, is a wicked king, and he denied my request. Four times I beseeched him, and every time he refused. Then he threatened to have me charged with treason if I questioned his decision again.

"But my mind was made up. When the king was away on business I gathered my men and loaded three ships with supplies. We sailed here and, well, you know the rest."

She wasn't prepared for the rush of emotions his story brought upon her. Was he willing to be branded with treason to save her and her people, people he didn't even know? It didn't seem real. It didn't seem possible. It was perhaps the kindest act of generosity she'd ever heard of, and it made her want to cry. She tried to hold back the tears, though. She didn't want to cry, not in front of John, but some escaped anyway. She brushed them away.

"Why didn't you just tell me that?"

"Well," John said, the tension slipping from his shoulders, "I didn't think it was my best move to lead with 'Hi, I'm John, and I risked my life because I think I'm in love with you.' I planned to tell you eventually, but, then all this happened, and well, it just got lost in the mess of things."

He stepped forward, watching her as he bridged the gap between them, looking for any sign he wasn't welcome. He received no such signal. He stopped a pace away and took her hands. They stood in front of the fire, listening to the snap of sparks and sharing its warmth. Finally, Elsa spoke.

"You did all this, for me?"

"I'd have done anything for you."

Elsa looked down at their hands. Hers were shaking. She tried to steady herself, but she had such a mix of emotions. How could this be true? Why would a man risk his life to help someone he'd never met?

"This is all so hard to believe."

"What's so hard to believe? The things I heard about you, the things these people told me, Elsa, they aren't half of what the truth is. You are the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman I've ever known. You must believe that."

A stubborn tear rolled down her cheek and John wiped it away.

"You do believe that, don't you?"

Did she believe that? Could she believe that? After all she'd done?

"I…I don't know."

John placed the side of his index finger under her chin and lifted her face.

"Let me see if I can convince you."

He leaned forward until their noses touched, and she felt the heat of his skin and the caress of his breath. It smelled sweet, like peppermint. He paused, probing her eyes with his, looking for resistance and finding none. Then she rolled forward onto her toes, pressing her mouth into his. He put his hands on her cheeks as they kissed, and she felt the smoothness of his lips, the edges of his teeth, the taste of their connection. They lingered there, their faces touching, their eyes closed, and when John drew away he let out an exhale as white as snow. It created a steam-like puff of frost that left ice crystals in the corners of his mouth.

"Whoa," he said.

Elsa felt something flicker in her heart, a small flurry swirling inside her. It grew as it glowed in her chest, spreading through her veins, tingling down her arms and into the tips of her fingers. A shiver passed through her, standing up the hairs of her neck as it ran down her spine, prickling her skin with goosebumps. It pulsed within her, flowed through her, wave upon wave flooding her body with a frenzy of motion. She gasped at its power.

"It's back. I think it's back!"

"What's back?" John asked, wiping the frost from his lips.

"My magic, I think it's back!"

She held out her hand and a little swirl of snow and ice spiraled up then faded. She raised her other hand and did the same thing.

"You did it John!"

The door to the library burst open and Anna tumbled in, clutching the handle as if sucked into the room.

"Did it work?"

John turned around and Elsa gave her a mock scowl.

"Have you been listening out there this whole time?"

"Would you be mad if I said yes?"

"It worked," Elsa said with a smile. "It's back."

"Yesss!" Anna said, hopping up and down and clapping her hands. "I knew it! See, I told you!"

Behind Anna, from the hallway, came an unexpected and strange sound: it was the carpet softened pounding of trotting hooves. It stopped outside the door, just out of view, and was followed by anxious neighing. Kristoff's voice responded.

"What is it boy?"

Then there was a sudden gust of wind outside. It rattled the double paned windows, startling everyone in the room. The candles flickered and the walls creaked, the wind making a high-pitched howl that scraped across the roof like a beast looking for a way in.

Anna and Kristoff joined John and Elsa by the fire, looking for comfort in numbers, but there was no such comfort to be found. The windows broke their latch and banged open, sending a blast of freezing air and snow pouring into the library. Papers flew, snowflakes swirled, candles died in a puff of black smoke. The fire sputtered, the room's last light casting shadows which flickered across the bedarkened walls. They stared at the open window as if expecting a monster to crawl through it.

"ELSAAAA!"

The scream filled the library. It was the bellow of an injured beast, the guttural roar of an angry predator. It pierced the shrieking cry of the wind and sent a shiver through their bones. There was no mistaking the ire that gave power to that voice, nor was there any doubt who it belonged to.

Inger was back.