When did this blinding white overtake her? When did she stop feeling?

Anna thought she could do it. Announce Elsa's passing to everyone. Simple. As the next queen, this would be her first test. Ruling Arendelle wouldn't be easy. Elsa had tried to tell Anna that, but somehow, the younger sister always managed to downplay just how honest the late queen of Arendelle was trying to be.

Elsa loved being queen. It was so obvious. She was good at it. Everyone adored her. Sure, she could be awkward at times, but when it came right down to it, Anna couldn't imagine anyone else doing the job better; certainly not she herself, that was for certain.

Yet, Anna waited inside the entrance to the front courtyard of the castle, her palms sweating and her breath catching in her throat. Daryun had already exited into the population of Arendelle, facilitating his men, as he said he would, to ensure there were no complications. Leonard had relayed that almost the entirety of Arendelle was present and in anticipation of what Anna would say.

That helped her anxiety lots. Thanks, Leonard.

Kristoff also remained by Anna's side, thankfully. His presence was both strange and comforting. On one hand, Anna felt herself relying on his existence more and more. He was her foundation for a semblance of normalcy, considering he had personally helped Anna bring Elsa back into her life finally after so many years apart.

However, in the same breath, Anna couldn't shake a vague image of disconnect, as though she were falling into a role she didn't recognize anymore. Kristoff's girlfriend? His lover? Should such a notion frighten her the way it did? That couldn't be right. Yet, the fact Anna struggled to vividly recall exactly why they took a break scared her. It was a similar element of terror that accompanied her strange gaps in memory when she began thinking about Elsa too much…which was frequent.

What could it all mean? Was Anna just depressed? Possibly. The mind did weird things when it was brutally compromised. But did that explain everything? Anna was beginning to think she couldn't wait much longer to have a serious talk with a professional.

'Princess Anna?' Leonard touched her shoulder gently, the contact not completely throwing her off in the same way Kristoff's similar actions did.

'Whoa! Yeah? Uh-huh. I'm here. Anna speaking.' She had been caught thinking way too deeply about things she shouldn't be just before addressing Arendelle for the first time as "Queen Anna". Well, not officially "queen" yet, but close enough.

'I believe it's time. Do not worry about speaking at length. Your people will understand.'

'Right…' Anna slapped her cheeks, feeling little from the action.

'We got your back, Princess.' Lieutenant Mattias assured her, soft hums of affirmation coming from Gerda, Kai, and Jarvo.

'Thanks.' Anna took one last breath in and out, closing her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. She could do this. For Elsa, she could totally do this.

'Ready?' Kristoff asked kindly.

'Ready, Freddie.' Anna muttered, stepping out onto the new stage of her life.

The murmuring that had hummed even into Arendelle Castle almost stopped instantaneously, and following the deafening silence, multiple gasps greeted Anna as she took to the spotlight. With baited breath, all of Arendelle waited for Anna to speak, no doubt the smallest glimmers of hope managing to suspend any form of disbelief for moments longer.

Anna cleared her throat, her eyes unable to take in the sea of faces that depended on her to shift their fate in any given direction. With but a word, Anna could and would change everything. She had that kind of power – the power of a queen.

The pressure bore down on her all over again. The weight of her kingdom teetered on the next words spoken. Again, Elsa had dealt with such expectation every day of her life. The needs of the many always outdoing her own. In Elsa's life, what she wanted wasn't a factor to be considered. Not until…

'Ouch…' Anna touched her temple briefly, a wave of nausea hitting her harder and sooner than anticipated.

'Anna?' Kristoff asked, his presence, alongside Leonard, Jarvo, and Mattias almost like pillars protecting her from harm.

'It's nothing.' Anna shook her head, blinking her eyes and staring over Arendelle's pause.

This was it. This would make it reality beyond redemption. Anna didn't want to say it. She couldn't. Elsa had been her everything. Would always be her everything. Nothing could fill the void in her heart now, yet she was supposed to lead these people forward? How arrogant of her. She could barely stand. Eat. Sleep. Speak.

Ridiculous.

'Hi, everyone.' Anna began, aware her casual tone was not the most "royal" greeting, but thankful she wasn't breaking apart immediately either. 'Been a while, huh? Good to be home, isn't it?'

Tentative shouts of agreement managed to reach Anna, and she could finally begin seeing individuals in the crowd she recognized on a more intimate level. Good. Her vision was clearing. She was breathing. She was alive.

Elsa was not.

'Hah…' Anna exhaled sharply, taking another moment to herself before continuing. 'Elsa and I went on a journey to the Enchanted Forest almost a week ago now. We did it to save Arendelle from what seemed to be the rage of the four elemental spirits.'

Anna's voice practically echoed in the fjord, every syllable retained and dispersed with intention.

'Turns out my grandfather wasn't the nicest guy in the world. Elsa and I met with the Northuldra – a clan of people who live off the land and nature. King Runeard had also met them before, but he was scared of their harmony with the four spirits. Scared of what seemed like magic to him…'

Anna could see the guilt flicker across some individuals' faces. The rhetoric wasn't lost on many. More people Anna knew filtered into her gaze as she found a bit of comfort, understanding her role now that Elsa was gone. Fritz the innkeeper was barely moving. Just staring. Norvald was wearing an enormous hat, maybe to hide any tears. Niels and his family had even made it.

'He built a dam that basically throttled the four elements, weakening the balance between nature and the rest of the world. The Enchanted Forest is a sacred place, I've learned. The wind, water, earth, and fire spirits dwell there. But not only that…' Anna held her breath. More people caught her attention.

The waffle brothers, Bjorn and Bjarne. They had taught Anna a lot about running a bakery, even if they pretended she was their direct competition. Mr. Aldring, the clocksmith who had so willingly provided Mari a place to work. Mari herself, eyes wide and mouth agape with worry. What would happen to the relations with Vesterland? Would Anna be able to maintain all the connections and trust Elsa had built?

'Not only that…but the Enchanted Forest also leads to the Dark Sea, where Ahtohallan waited for Elsa.'

Confusion stirred Arendelle, more friends and acquaintances catching Anna's eye.

Lise, Thea, and Sigrid. Anna's friends. Together as always. They grouped into a clump, holding one another in fear of where Anna was taking the announcement. Brigida, the blacksmith. Even she seemed concerned, and she generally held her emotions close to her person. Florian, Anna's co-worker and partner.

'The fifth spirit – the bridge between nature and humanity – became so weak that She needed someone to take over for Her. Because of my grandfather, the spirits were losing their strength, and knowing what needed to be done, they evacuated Arendelle, placing all their remaining hope in Elsa once they had been awakened anew; her powers enough, at last, to understand their plight and become something more than just our queen…'

"No…"

"Where's Queen Elsa?"

"Princess Anna! Where is your sister?"

Anna bit down on her lip, eyes threatening to fill with water.

'The dam needed to be destroyed, and because of Elsa, the Water Spirit must have stopped our home from being wrecked. She proved her worth to Ahtohallan, but in order for all of us to be safe, happy, and comfortable…' Anna took in a shaky breath, hearing the whimpers of her people already as she continued with a wispy oration. 'S-she had to go somewhere far, far away. My sister became the fifth spirit. She was blessed with magic since birth for this reason alone, and Elsa, as always, rose to the challenge, and overcame every obstacle that stood in her way.'

A long, torturous break. Arendelle was stunned. Everyone who had heard Anna surely struggled to believe her. After all, it had taken Anna days to come to terms with the concept of Elsa no longer being in her life.

Was this when it started? The haze? The inability to properly connect with…anything anymore?

'It's been…approximately a week since your sister's passing?'

'Yes…' Now that Anna was in the meeting, she felt despairingly naked, covering her body with her hands and legs mentally as her councillor spoke. He was older, with an impressive beard, enormous glasses, and a somewhat distracting combover. He had come to the castle personally, speaking to Anna in her room. The perks of being queen, she guessed.

'How are you getting on?' The man had a quill and leatherbound journal resting over his thigh, his sitting position practised and comfortable, it would seem. He tapped his writing tool upon his chin thoughtfully, his tone a little off-putting, but that could've been Anna's own insecurities.

'Uh…Not bad?' This was harder than she thought. Really hard. Preparing to take over Arendelle and run her kingdom had been exhausting, but distracting enough for Anna to only really have a chance to shed tears at night. She had gotten used to the nightly isolation having its way with her. This, however…this was too difficult. Facing her worst reality should have gotten easier, but perhaps it was like a scab, the current revisiting of her pain only guaranteeing a deeper scar.

'…I see.' The councillor jotted a few more notes. What was his name again? Wow. Anna couldn't even remember that. She made a conscious effort to catalogue anyone in her mind appropriately. She knew how special it made others feel.

'Um…' Anna grabbed at her dress, a simple green design that was too nice for how she felt.

'These sessions only have value if you are willing to be honest, Princess Anna.'

Anna pulled at the neckline of her outfit, the room's temperature rising suddenly. Sweat formed on her back, making the chair she sat on sticky.

'Honest…Right.'

'The statue of Elsa you have commissioned is nearing completion. For a project that was predicted to take nearly three months, one month is not a terribly long time to wait.' Leonard sat across from Anna in her office, a heavy crown on her head. Would she ever get used to the weight?

'…Great. Sounds good. Awesome.'

Leonard rubbed his head, sighing deeply.

'I understand the desire to delay, but the people wish for a funeral to pay their respects to your late sister. Mentally, I decided to give you a month before prying further.'

'O-oh. Right.' Anna gasped, her heart speeding up in her chest.

'Your coronation should follow soon thereafter. Neighbouring kingdoms will only wait so long for official documents to be returned and signed. I'm afraid it is time to put the future into motion.'

He was right, of course. Leonard was shouldering more of Anna's burden than he should ever be required to. A month. It had already been a month since Elsa was lost to her. Impossible.

'I know…' Anna nodded, fingering some papers at her desk that still needed her approval for things such as trade and various new political proposals.

'Anna…' Leonard spoke softly. 'It's time. The sooner you move forward, the better.'

'I know…' Anna whimpered.

'So, you also lost your life…twice now?' Dr. Sorenson. That was his name. Anna had made sure to look into that since his last visit. Biweekly chats. That's all Anna could handle at this point.

'Well, kinda sorta. I mean, I came back, right?'

'Indeed. A brush with death is sometimes compromising enough for a mind, but to experience death two times only to return on both occasions is…troubling.'

'What?' Anna flinched back, her room rising in heat anew.

'Mortality…especially the kind encompassing those close to you, has lost some of its meaning.' Dr. Sorenson stroked his beard in such a typical way Anna almost wanted to laugh. Almost.

'Um…'

'Can I ask you a question, Princess Anna?'

'Sure.'

The therapist paused, waiting until Anna's evasive gaze found his.

'Do you believe your sister is coming back still? Even after more than a month?'

'Very well. With a date selected I do believe that will appease Arendelle…no matter how long it has taken.' Leonard swallowed, lowering his voice into a soft, fatherly tone. 'Are you okay, Princess? You look pale.'

Anna wasn't okay. The statue of Elsa was erected successfully, and it was terrible. Elsa didn't belong in stone. She belonged beside Anna. This wasn't supposed to get harder. It was supposed to get easier. Sometimes Anna forgot to breathe. Sometimes she caught herself staring at nothing. She hid in the castle. Hid in her office. Buried herself in work. She couldn't bear to see her people. It hurt too much. Seeing anyone smile brought an anger she didn't know herself capable of.

'So…Elsa's funeral, huh?'

'Yes. We will just be heading into spring by then.'

'Elsa's…funeral…'

'Anna?'

'Do you have an emotional outlet?'

'…Not really.'

'You relied on your sister for your own happiness, then?'

'Well, no.' Anna squirmed. 'I-I mean, we were super close growing up, and then she shut me out for so many years when I needed her.'

'Why did you need her?' Dr. Sorenson pried, tapping his notebook.

'I just…she was my best friend.'

'A best friend. A sister. What else?'

'What else?'

'Based on everything you have told me; you and Queen Elsa were close. Abnormally so.'

'Pardon?' Anna flinched back.

'The Kristoff lad you have mentioned. Why did you distance yourself from him?'

'It…wasn't working out.'

'Why?'

Anna squinted one eye shut as a sharp pain pierced through her temple.

'I-I'm not sure.'

'Perhaps it might be beneficial to at least seek his consolation in all of this. He's still a close friend, correct?'

'Yeah…' But he was also tied to so many recent memories surrounding Elsa. Seeing Kristoff meant reflecting on the adventure they had been on together to bring Elsa back. When Anna was near the ice harvester, she kept wanting to ask him to take her to the Dark Sea so they could, once again, "save" Elsa. The desire to do so literally tore at Anna's soul, and therefore, she lacked sanity around the man.

Dr. Sorenson grunted dryly.

'Sometimes the best way to mend a healing heart is to seek fulfillment somewhere else. Pining for satisfaction from an empty source will only result in further agony. Your lack of improvement since your sister's passing is proof of this.'

It made sense. But Anna didn't want to believe it.

'I'm being so silly, but…' Anna sobbed. 'Without Elsa…'

'You are still Anna. You still have a life to live, Princess. Your people need you. Arendelle needs you. You need you.'

Anna played with the sun bracelet upon her wrist. She wore it everyday. Elsa's matching moon bracelet would never be seen again. An eclipse was completely impossible.

'Hey, Anna.' Kristoff was dressed up a little for their date. He was taking her out to dinner. Sven was at his side, of course, as Anna exited her castle and met him just outside the gates.

'Have her back by nine. No later.' Daryun tapped his spear upon the ground, having escorted his soon-to-be-queen to the young man.

Kristoff laughed nervously. It was difficult to tell when the somewhat intimidating warrior was joking. Anna tapped Daryun on the chest.

'Listen here, Mister. I'm a grown woman, you know. I can take care of myself.' Anna shrugged, lifting her hands dramatically. 'Besides, Kristoff is with me. He's built pretty solid.'

'Nevertheless, I worry.'

'Only because I've been a hermit lately. This is good for me.' Anna lifted her arm into a mock flex. 'See these pipes? I got a mean right hook, believe it or not.'

'That's true!' Kristoff laughed more heartily this time, Sven snorting excitedly.

'Hmph. Take care of her.' Daryun nodded to Kristoff one last time, and Anna waved him away, moving in next to her friend. She herself was wearing a fairly casual, light brown dress that hopefully wouldn't draw too much attention. Anna tied her hair up into a loose ponytail, and brought her mother's shawl – the same one Elsa had worn when they journeyed into the Enchanted Forest.

Kristoff brought Anna to Oaken's restaurant, the large man greeting the couple happily, some grey beginning to show in his ginger curls.

'Yoo-hoo! Welcome! Welcome! Dinner for two?' He lifted a hand up with his middle and index finger raised.

'Yeah. Reservation for Bjorgman.' Kristoff took charge, which was sort of nice considering most decisions were up to Anna to have the final say at the castle.

'Ah! Yeah! Yeah! The v.i.p. table in the back! Very good!'

'Cost an arm and a leg, but figured you'd like the privacy.'

Anna nodded, blushing a little at Kristoff's explanation. She and the ice harvester were escorted past the crowd of customers in the main dining area, Anna attempting to face away from everyone to avoid potentially difficult conversations. How times had changed…

Thankfully, Kristoff and Anna were seated with little trouble, menus presented to them and cold water provided quickly thereafter.

'I'll be back in a jiffy, yeah?' Oaken stepped away from the table, a candle lit in the middle and even some flowers placed as a centrepiece.

'This is super premium, huh?' Anna giggled. The flowers were very nice, a mixture of white and yellow colours in the display.

'Well,' Kristoff grinned sheepishly. 'I know you've been going through a lot, and I wanted you to have a nice night. It's the "Make the Date Great" package. A little goofy sounding, but…you know.'

'I was nervous you thought I was avoiding you…' Anna admitted, not able to read the descriptions of the food in front of her.

'No way.' Kristoff furrowed his brow. 'I mean, it's not like that didn't cross my mind, but I just wanted to give you space until you were ready to hang out again.'

'Heh. This is nice.' Anna knew in her heart Kristoff was an incredibly caring, considerate, and kind man. She had always known this. It's why she had been with him to begin with. But then something changed. She still couldn't say what, exactly, but it was enough for her to create distance between herself and the man.

'You look…uh…nice, by the way.' Kristoff complimented, catching Anna off guard.

'Thank-you.' Anna smiled. 'Since when did you get so charming?'

'Had some time on my hands. Asked around.' Kristoff scratched the side of his cheek meekly.

'Really?'

'Well, my family, as you know, isn't exactly the best for that kind of thing, so, I asked a bunch of the married guys in town.'

'You did?' Anna raised an eyebrow curiously.

'Ryder and I have been going out here and there as well, when he's in the area. He's got an interesting take on things even if he claims to have no experience with girls.'

'You trying to court me here, Mr. Bjorgman?' Anna teased.

'Oh, yeah. Definitely.' Kristoff replied almost instinctively. His eyes widened in realization of what he said, and then he crumbled outwardly slightly. 'I-I mean, I just want to take it all a bit more seriously this time. You were the best thing that's ever happened to me, and then we…kind of grew apart somewhere along the way. Maybe it was me. I'm not good at the whole "love" thing. So, I told myself a while back, if I ever got the chance to do it again, I'd go all in and prove to you that I care.'

'It wasn't you.' Anna also heard herself say suddenly.

'Then…?' Kristoff looked hopeful.

'I…I'm not sure what happened.' Anna wasn't, but somewhere deep inside, she felt an itch she couldn't scratch. Being with Kristoff was the closest thing she had to a relationship that even dared to approach the feelings she had for Elsa. Was this what she needed now? Was this what her therapist was trying to tell her?

'Same.' Kristoff poked at his glass of water, taking a deep swig. 'Anyway, no pressure or anything. Let's just have fun and take things slow.'

'Right…' Anna smiled weakly.

She thought she wanted a prince. A family. When had that vision of her future changed so drastically? Why did it feel like settling in the strangest way possible?

'Your sister's funeral is nearly a week away. I requested a session the day before to check in on your mental state. Is that sufficient, Princess Anna?'

'Sure, Doc.' Anna saluted tiredly.

Months as acting queen and Anna was in a perpetual state of fatigue both emotionally and physically. The looming notion of officially saying goodbye to Elsa was throttling her. Taking Elsa's place as queen felt so wrong. None of this lined up properly no matter how much time passed.

'You seem to be improving somewhat, although the rate is still troublesome, considering how many talks we have had.'

'I'm seeing Kristoff more.'

'Yes. That is good. You are "together" again?'

'Sort of?'

'You prefer not to place a label on it.'

'I guess.'

'And your vague responses indicate further reservation.'

'It's just…'

'You're not betraying Elsa by finding love, Princess Anna. What you felt for your sister and what you can feel for Kristoff are two different forms of infatuation, are they not?'

'No.' Anna almost bit her tongue before the word could get out.

A long beat, with even the typically stoic Dr. Sorenson freezing, his quill hovering over his leg as if about to tap it but frozen in time. Anna's room was dark, an overcast, early spring day hinting at a storm. Floundering, Anna spoke up first.

'I-I mean, what?' She blinked.

'…Perhaps I have made incorrect assumptions from the beginning. No. The fault is not mine. None would suspect it.'

Anna's face heated up, her heart bleeding and her body prickled with fear.

'Um…'

'Were you…in love with your sister, Princess Anna?' Dr. Sorenson's gaze was fixated on Anna, and the moment the question was posed, Anna bit down hard, a blinding pain shooting through her head and circulating into her body like a disease.

'W-what!? She's my sister!'

'Indeed.'

'How dare you…!' Anna's back went up, her tone shifting uncontrollably. 'Do you have any idea what you're suggesting!?'

Dr. Sorenson blinked rapidly, the elation from his expression gone as he wrote in his notes rapidly, brow furrowing inquisitively.

'Hm. Yes. I may have overstepped. Not all forms of admiration to this extent leak into romantic designs of infatuation. However, you instinctively denied the concept of a love for Kristoff and a love for Elsa being two separate concepts. Why?'

Anna exhaled shakily. Breathe. Breathe. Love Elsa? In love with Elsa? That wasn't a thing. It couldn't be. They were sisters. And yet…! Yet…!

'Please go.' Anna uttered almost dangerously.

'Certainly.' Dr. Sorenson gathered his notes and various books he had brought for Anna to possibly read through about grief and accepting the loss of a loved one. 'Then…er…next week?'

'No. We're done.' Anna whispered, staring at her bedsheets.

'Princess…'

'Go.'

The door shut meekly, and Anna was left alone. Her only company was the throbbing agony pulsating between her ears so prominently she had to stay in bed for the rest of the day, alone with thoughts that were and weren't her own.

Perhaps this was where the disconnect consumed her entirely. Perhaps not. Perhaps she welcomed it.

'Are…are you sure, Anna?' Kristoff breathed; his deep voice raspy as he tried to keep it down.

'Of course, I am, silly.' Anna held his neck, bringing the man closer so she could kiss him. His lips were rough. A little awkward. Not completely unfamiliar.

It was a few days before Elsa's funeral, and Anna was finding herself in a dark place perpetually. Kristoff was her only source of connection to the life she once knew that seemed to help in any way. Her only chance at seeing a glimmer of light.

'I don't mind or anything, but…'

Kristoff and Anna had been seeing one another quite a bit since their first "date". A walk in the mountains here. A picnic there. A boat ride on occasion. It was all nice. Simple. Safe. Secure. Any girl would be over the moon to find a guy as handsome, considerate, hardworking, and kind as Kristoff. Why did Anna hesitate? Dr. Sorenson's accusation had thrown the princess of Arendelle off balance, like an infectious blight upon her soul that insisted on occupying every waking thought she had.

Being with Kristoff helped. It was the only aspect in Anna's life that dulled her confusion and longing. With that in mind, and Dr. Sorenson's words to spur her forward even more, Anna unfastened the strings holding her dress tight to her body in the front, loosening the collar so her skin beneath could breathe.

'Oh, man…' Kristoff sighed.

They were in Anna's room. She had told the guards stationed outside her quarters they were having a game night. Considering who was relaying the message, Anna's men hadn't questioned the excuse. The princess had never given them a reason to do otherwise.

Yet, here she was, sitting before Kristoff and barely allowing her dress to cover her undergarments in a plight to push the complex notions that haunted her from reality.

'I like you, Kristoff. A lot.' Anna tried, pressing her body against the man's broad chest upon her bed. 'I want to. I need to…feel something again, you know?'

'W-well, yeah. I get it. But…we should wait until we're married, right? It's why we didn't do anything last time. I think? Maybe?'

'What…?' Anna recoiled slightly. 'What do you mean?'

Kristoff, at once, looked both irritated with himself and relieved.

'You don't remember our camping trip shortly before…we sort of broke things off?'

Anna blinked, her memories whirring with fragmented pieces. Now that Kristoff mentioned it, this did feel uncomfortably familiar. The same knot in her throat. The same anxiety in her heart. The same fears and dread of what pushing through with such an act meant.

But why? What was wrong with her? Why would Anna hold back when she obviously had feelings for Kristoff? True, her love for Elsa was stronger, in a sense, but it was a different sort of obsession. It's not like Anna wanted to do anything like this with…with…!

No. No. No. No. Definitely not. Elsa was her sister. Why did Dr. Sorenson have to say something so completely and totally insane?

Anna touched Kristoff's leg, stroking upward until she found his hip and tugged at the belt holding his pants fastened.

'All I know is this is what I need right now. More than anything. Please, Kristoff.'

Kristoff expression was difficult to read in the dim lighting of only a couple of candles. Conflict? Excitement? Terror? Pain? Joy? Anna couldn't be sure. However, his eyes seemed to dart about, skirting over Anna's form before he held her bare shoulders, moving her dress to her waist, and swallowing audibly.

'You really are…the prettiest girl I've ever seen.' He said it so sincerely Anna couldn't laugh at the near-corny exclamation.

In another moment, Kristoff's grip on Anna tightened, and he kissed her. Deeply. It was like she was drowning, images of Elsa in the Dark Sea begging to interrupt. In denial of her hammering soul, Anna held Kristoff back, pulling at his shirt in suggestion. He took the hint, and tore it off, his bristly chest immediately itchy on Anna's skin. Nonetheless, something had awakened in the ice harvester, and the usually meek and almost timid individual during nearly any social situation was practically ravenous, stripping Anna's undershirt over her head and tugging her dress off her feet.

Anna breathed in sharply, covering her body as she fell back onto her bed, Kristoff placing two large hands on either side of her face and leaning in for another kiss, their lovemaking in its early, intense stages.

This was fine. This was good. Anything but more thoughts of Elsa. Of the person who had been lost indefinitely. Gouge her heart and fill it with anything. The void was too much. The emptiness would only break her if she let it go on any longer. Elsa wasn't coming back. She was gone forever. There was no point in waiting for…for…!

'Anna…' Kristoff stopped suddenly, and Anna realized her eyes were closed. She opened them, but she couldn't see her dear friend. It was too blurry. Too hazy. Too white.

'W-what?' Anna's voice cracked.

The bed sunk and shifted, Kristoff handing Anna her clothes and already getting himself dressed.

'It's too soon.' He spoke quietly, as if he didn't want to make the call, but would regret it later if he refused to. 'I'm sorry. I knew it was. We shouldn't. Not until you're okay again.'

A long pause, Anna placing an arm over her face, her wrist immediately soaked with tears.

'…But what if that never happens?' Anna sobbed.

She meant it. Months after Elsa's passing, and the darkness surrounding the princess of Arendelle was only becoming more potent and lethal by the day.

The night Kristoff had proven himself the most earnest of human beings, Anna ventured out into Arendelle. She refused any form of escort, but assumed Daryun had given orders to ensure that wouldn't happen as long as he was employed. Still, if Anna was being followed, she couldn't tell, so, it was just as well.

Arendelle at night always made her think of Elsa. Then again, at this point, what didn't? Anna clutched her mother's shawl tight around her body like a hood, reflecting on the countless sleepovers and late-night adventures she and her sister had enjoyed. A few stand out occasions involved a "Hairy Hooligan", pillow fights, Olaf being mistaken for a ghost, and starlit picnics that had chocolate of every type on the menu.

As Anna passed through downtown Arendelle, she couldn't help but recall the celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Iversen's sixtieth wedding anniversary. That was a particularly precious memory to Anna, the town alive with lights, music, laughter, and joy. But above all that, it was the night…

Anna felt a wave of panic fill her stomach, rising into her throat and making her cough briefly. Her vision blurred, and she stumbled a touch. Pressing forward, Anna scanned the area, being careful to stay out of the streetlights and treading hastily as she picked up the pace upon the cobblestone pathways.

What was that? The frequency of such "attacks" always fell in line with her thoughts lingering too close to Elsa. As if some force was actively pushing against her ability to recall history accurately. It happened too often to be a coincidence anymore. Anna suspected it was her depression, perhaps, her body instinctively preventing her from sinking too far lest she psychologically break completely. But now Anna wasn't so sure.

What had happened that night? Why was it so precious? Another gap. Always involving Elsa. Always. Her memories were perfect otherwise. Why?

Anna proceeded to the perimeter of Arendelle, the guards stationed there questioning her only briefly as she made her exit. Whoever was told to look after her should she wander too far, apparently he or she was competent enough to give the personnel watching over one of Arendelle's gates confidence.

Anna made it to the forest leading into the mountains of her kingdom. The world around her almost blurred as she did so, and this only made the princess press forward more. This forest…meant more to her than she had any reason to believe. Another gap. Except this missing piece was too large, and too important to simply ignore. Anna couldn't swallow. She could barely see through the white in her eyes. She was wandering through a blizzard, words slipping into her mind and just as quickly stolen away from her.

"But…This can't be real…"

Elsa. Undoubtedly Elsa. Anna tripped on a root of a tree, landing hard into the ground as the distraction overtook her.

"Trust me, I've given it a lot of thought…a-and I know it's totally crazy, but I can't deny these feelings anymore."

Anna now. But Anna didn't recall saying such things. Not even a little bit. The exchange sounded too significant to forget. So, why? It didn't make sense.

"I thought…this was impossible."

What was impossible, Elsa? What!? Why couldn't Anna remember? It was driving her mad. Anna couldn't help but feel this was it. This was what she needed to move on. To proceed beyond Elsa's shadow. To live life without her sister.

"What changed your mind?"

Changed Anna's mind? Elsa asked the question with such weight. Such intensity. As if the answer meant everything to her.

"Because we're sisters?"

Anna was missing her answer. But Elsa's words made her hands shake as she leaned against a tree, suddenly finding herself deep in the forest. Something about the spot she lingered upon stirred her soul. It was nothing more than a small clearing, but Anna could tell, this very location had shifted her entire world…

…and she couldn't remember why!

The voices stopped, their presence weak to begin with. Anna's eyes stretched open as she stared at the ground, lip quivering and tears leaking out. She fell to her knees, feeling the dirt and grass beneath her. She wasn't sure how long she stayed there in that place. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. Nothing. Nothing whatsoever. She was beginning to wonder who she even was without Elsa.

Eventually, she felt herself lifted up, barely conscious as Daryun's calm and soothing voice spoke to her.

'Princess Anna…' He said her name with such gentility and care. 'I don't know what to do for you. I'm so sorry.'

'Tomorrow is Elsa's funeral.' Dr. Sorenson wasn't tapping his quill pen on his notebook. In fact, he didn't have any of his usual gear with him. His outfit was a little strange, too. Dark. Maybe in preparation for…

'Yeah…' Anna barely slept. The last few nights she resisted sleep adamantly. She somehow managed to perform her queenly duties, but they felt light, as though Leonard and the others were carrying more weight than they should ever need to.

After the funeral. Yes. After the funeral Anna would be able to function again. The funeral. Elsa's funeral.

'You look terrible.' Dr. Sorenson huffed in disapproval.

Anna, as the future queen, had every right to kick him out right then and there. Indeed, the doctor was clearly at his limit, supposedly, although even then, he hadn't seemed like the type to be so crass.

'Yeah. Well, I feel pretty terrible.'

Dr. Sorenson sniffed in annoyance. He was really giving it to her today. A new tactic? Might as well try. Anna was willing. Anything to help. Anything to get out of bed for longer than the absolute minimum amount of time.

'Hm. You're trying to be with Kristoff.' Dr. Sorenson went in another direction.

'Yep. It's peachy.'

'Doubtful. Otherwise, you would have improved. If anything, you've gotten worse.'

Anna bit at the inside of her mouth, attempting not to think about her experience with Kristoff or the traumatic "adventure" she had decided to go on that night only to have Daryun save her pathetic butt.

'Failing left and right, you know? It's how I do.' Anna shrugged, dishevelled bedhead dangling about her face. She had woken up seconds before Dr. Sorenson had entered her room, literally moments following a knock on her door. She wasn't of the right mind to turn him away outright despite what she had said during their last session.

'Not when Elsa was alive.'

'Uh-huh. But she dead.' Anna wanted to make light of the fact, but it was the one truth that would never stop burying her ability to function. Immediate tears filled her bottom eyelids, and she sniffed, wiping them away with the back of her hand.

A heavy pause followed her embarrassing attempt at holding herself up, and then Dr. Sorenson hummed impatiently.

'Pitiful.' He spat, and Anna held her breath, slowly looking up at the man. His arms were crossed, his fancy suit wrinkling over his chest as he fidgeted with his foot, tapping the ground.

'Excuse me?' Even Anna had her limit in her state. She'd give him a chance to apologize. It was the least she could do for being so –

'I said pitiful. I don't recall stuttering or stating the obvious quietly, "Princess Anna".'

Anna took a moment to process the remark. There was no rhetoric to dissect. This man…was out of line.

'You may go.' Anna thought herself merciful and even graceful for reacting as such. Elsa would be proud.

'Unfortunately, I no longer derive as much joy from watching you or your sister squirm amidst unparalleled trials testing what you claim to feel for one another. So, no. I don't believe I'm done here.'

Anna was speechless. The room's lighting shifted in that instant, shadows lengthening and even the sun outside seeming to dim as she glanced about, noting Dr. Sorenson's mouth stretching into a wide smile that practically hung between his ears.

'W-what...!?' Anna shrieked. 'What are you…!?'

'How quickly you forget.' Dr. Sorenson(?) was engulfed in a mass of darkness before re-emerging as the entity once known as Grimoire during Elsa's search for a suitor. He was covered from head to toe in dark robes, his raven hair long and entangled about his sharp, somewhat handsome features despite the permanent bags under his thin eyes.

Everything finally clicked into place, and Anna gasped so abruptly her throat scratched with discomfort.

'Devil…!?' She whispered.

'Yes. Me.' Devil cracked his head, as if the transformation drew discomfort. He then swung one leg over the other and placed both hands atop its knee, leaning back in his chair with clear dominance. 'Now, you and I need to have a chat, young lady.'

The blinding white was snuffed by pure darkness. Yet, Anna felt as though she hadn't seen so clearly since Elsa was lost to her…