Anna still couldn't believe how quickly Kristoff had agreed to take her to the Enchanted Forest and, in turn, the Dark Sea where she had seen Elsa last. It was almost as if the young man had been waiting for her to make such a request. He had been eating at Oaken's restaurant when Anna found him, and a short conversation later, only an hour had passed before they were on their way.

Granted, Kristoff hadn't said much other than, "Yeah. Figured it was coming to this eventually." Beyond that, there had been more silence between him and Anna than she could remember. Even when they had first met, Anna was able to make the socially awkward man talk more than this. Then again, she was a different person now.

Thankfully, as per Leonard's request, Daryun was also along for the ride, and he served as a nice buffer between Anna and Kristoff regardless of whether or not he was the most talkative type. Sure, he was no Olaf, but he was a point of comfort Anna couldn't deny.

The group was traveling for about an hour or two with only the smallest of conversations occurring. Anna sat in the front of Kristoff's cart with him while Daryun rode on his favourite black stallion nearby. The journey was bumpy and muddy, spring's typical tendencies doing little to help speed up the process since the mucky paths made for a trying time for poor Sven. Daryun scouted ahead frequently, swooping back to check on everyone before venturing forth with diligence. He really was reliable to have around.

'Sorry.' Kristoff said suddenly, and Anna blinked, wondering why on earth he would have any need to apologize whatsoever when she was absolutely the guilty party no matter how one looked at their situation relationally.

'What? Why? Sorry for being the kindest guy ever and helping me with a trip that is probably a major waste of your time? Yeah. No. Pretty sure I'm the one who should be saying that.'

Kristoff smiled wryly, something distant passing over his gaze as he urged Sven with little clicks of his tongue.

'Nah. I'm being weird. Not sure how to…you know?'

'Yep. I know. I'm being weird, too.'

How could Anna be anything but weird? She had, once again, tugged Kristoff along and attempted to drown her sorrows in his broad chest and vaster heart. She even attempted to be with him intimately, which most guys would have been more than happy with regardless of Anna's compromised mental state. She was cruel on so many levels. And if what Devil said was true? Anna shivered just thinking about handling that crazy scene.

Kristoff looked to the sky for a moment, a slightly overcast day allowing glimpses of the sun here and there.

'But I'm glad you're finally doing something. It was really tough to watch you struggle and feeling like I couldn't help no matter how much I wanted to.'

'Nobody could help, if that…uh…helps.' Anna shrugged.

'Well, there is one person that could've with ease.'

Anna grimaced. That was true.

'I think it's a good idea.' Kristoff went on, following the beat. 'I've had sort of a kit prepared in the back of the cart just in case you ever needed to do something like this.'

'You serious?' Anna giggled, relieved the pain was brief, if still brutal.

'I didn't know what else to do. Figured I should be ready the second you made some kind of call to go on a soul-searching journey. My family thought it was a pretty good idea.'

'So…?' Anna glanced into the back of the cart. She thought Kristoff usually took a little more time to plan for a trip like this.

'Snacks. Blankets. Maps. A tent. Pillows. Some small games, like cards, in case we get bored. Tools and all that. The works. Had to refresh some things here and there, but I had the stuff good to go for a couple of months now.'

Anna nudged Kristoff with her shoulder, guilt overwhelming her suddenly as she teased him.

'Got me all figured out now, huh?'

'Nah. I just needed to feel like I was doing something. Seeing you sad? Yeah. It's the worst.'

'…I'm the worst.' Anna admitted quietly, but resolved to say it.

'You're not.' Kristoff sighed, almost in understanding, it seemed.

'I totally am…' Anna's voice cracked a touch. 'You're so perfect…and I…any girl would be so lucky to have you. I don't know what's wrong with me…'

'You don't?' Kristoff huffed with a grin. 'Really?'

'You got an inside scoop or something?' Anna pried.

'I only know what you've told me, and if anyone went through what you did, it's only to be expected that you'd have some problems. I mean, I was raised by trolls, and I still consider myself luckier than what you had to endure, Anna.'

Anna flinched back, making a face of confusion. Noting this, Kristoff continued.

'You lost your parents young. But what happened between you and Elsa…that was almost worse. She was still alive, but she refused to see you, right? You kept hoping she would change her mind, but she didn't. It took an eternal winter to bring you two back together. Years gone because of a misunderstanding. I can't imagine. Elsa was your lifeline, you know? As much as she and I weren't exactly the best of friends, and I really didn't get her most of the time, even I could tell how much she loved you. And you loved her just as much. It was actually a little intimidating. Maybe that's part of why you can't quite give up on her and be with me. It'd be like some strange betrayal to your feelings for her.'

'I-I don't love her like that.' Anna had to quickly deny.

'Well, yeah. Obviously. That'd would be a whole other level of insane.' Kristoff chuckled, Sven honking in agreement. 'But what I'm saying is you need to say "goodbye" to Elsa before you can even think about going forward. So, don't say sorry to me. If I'm being honest, this trip is a little selfish, on my part.' The ice harvester seemed to catch himself, scratching the back of his neck briefly before taking hold of the harnesses again. 'I-I mean, of course, there's no pressure. I'm your friend no matter what. But…well, a guy can dream, I guess.'

Sven moaned, and Anna almost did the same in discouragement.

'You could be right.' She decided to say. Because, realistically, she wanted him to be. Loving Elsa? Being in love with her sister? It was scary how Anna's mind didn't immediately reject the idea no matter how swiftly she turned it down verbally. Being with Kristoff. Creating a family with him. Heck, ruling Arendelle with him. These weren't terrible concepts. Anna could see herself being happy with the man. Easily. Yet, what held her back? Why couldn't she take that next step? Was it because it felt incorrect?

Her spiraling thoughts were cyclical at best. All Anna could do was find her future by coming to peace with her present. Thus, her current journey. Hopefully her final adventure, because another trip without Elsa just felt…so wrong.

'A storm is coming.' Daryun reported suddenly, trotting beside Sven and the wagon a little while later.

The last few hours had been much more agreeable communally, with Anna and Kristoff capable of pleasant small talk. He went on about his work and how it was beginning to pick up thanks to summer approaching, while Anna enjoyed listening to him speak, the need for her to answer not exactly necessary. It was nice to function without constant expectations, for once. Poor Elsa. She was already anxious, yet all of Arendelle presumed her to be the epitome of social competence.

'True enough.' Kristoff squinted into the distance. 'Still about a day or two away. Might hit us by the time we reach the Dark Sea, or we might get lucky and it could blow over. Too far away to tell.'

Daryun nodded with approval.

'Very good. I knew you were a man of nature, but your confident evaluation of the conditions to which we travel in is impressive.'

'Eh. Ryder's been teaching me a thing or two about reading the signs of "Mother", as he calls it.'

A chill ran Anna's spine. Mother. Why didn't she feel too strongly for the name in relation to nature?

'Honeymaren's asked about you, too, Anna.' Kristoff expressed with a touch of excitement in his voice. 'She doesn't want to overstep, but she always talks to me about how much she liked you and Elsa. Might be worth inviting her over next time she's in the area. Maybe she'd be into a good night of games or something.'

'That would be fun!' Anna tried to sound enthused, and she felt she had pulled it off well enough.

The rest of the day of travel proceeded without much issue. There was a cool spring wind in the air, and the overcast of clouds had only gotten worse as the group advanced closer to the Enchanted Forest. Unlike the first trip, however, it was nice to see a multitude of reindeers frolicking through various fields. Anna could only assume a few Northuldra were managing them, the distant scene making the young woman smile.

'Most of them are traveling around the land still.' Kristoff explained as evening time began closing in. 'They're all overjoyed at the chance to live again. Some are even exploring as far as they can go. It's like they're making up for lost time, you know? Ryder says he wants to see the world. Invited me to go.'

'Oh, yeah?' Anna thought that would be incredible. She had been to many kingdoms with Elsa, her older sister generally more than happy to bring her along as emotional support. Without Elsa, however, would Anna be so willing to sail across the expansive waters that separated Arendelle from some of its neighbours? She had lost her whole family to the sea, in a sense. At least with Elsa by her side, Anna felt she was at much less of a risk.

'We'll see what happens. It's not the worst idea I've heard.'

'That's true.' Anna had to agree, but a wave of discomfort filtered through her at the implications. Kristoff would choose her over such an opportunity. It wasn't fair for Anna to hold him back if she knew in her heart how she felt. But what if something did change once she let Elsa go? The young princess of Arendelle promised herself she would at least make a decision by the end of this journey. She owed Kristoff that much.

'Hm. Expanding one's horizon is always a valuable experience. Invaluable perspective can be gained when traveling to other countries.' Daryun claimed.

Once sunlight all but ran out (no thanks to the building layers of clouds), Anna's group set up camp and had a humble supper. Daryun and Kristoff were more than willing to take care of most of the work, but Anna didn't love the idea of just sitting around either. She helped with the fire, and had fun cooking the meat Kristoff had packed over the flames. Overall, considering they were eating on the road, Anna had no complaints regarding the quality of her meal and general comfort. Kristoff had even packed a small tent for her to sleep in privacy while he and Daryun could share the larger version, if necessary.

However, Daryun revealed that he wouldn't sleep well knowing there wasn't a watch for potential threats, and therefore, volunteered himself to the task. Kristoff happily negotiated that they could do shifts, and while reluctant, Daryun eventually agreed, although Anna had a feeling the incredible man would still somehow sleep with one eye open.

Considering the full day of emotional and physical taxation, Anna found she fell asleep hard, and for once in what felt like forever, she had not one nightmare about Elsa. Perhaps because she was mentally sound knowing she was doing something to calm the depression she had been sinking in since her sister's disappearance from her life.

The morning came after what could only be described as a blinking rest for Anna. She stumbled out of her tent after haphazardly dressing herself and running her fingers through her hair, worried she might be keeping both men waiting. Fortunately, she was somewhat relieved to find only Daryun standing with his back to the campsite, arms crossed and stance powerful as he gazed in the direction of the sunrise. Golden rays dared to peek through the clouds allowing as much in the horizon, casting a majestic glow over the rolling land that was a precursor to the Enchanted Forest.

Pulling her mother's shawl tight around her small body, Anna stepped in close to the warrior, seeing her breath evaporate before her eyes as she exhaled.

'Good morning, Princess.' Daryun nodded to her kindly. 'You're up early.'

'Good morning.' Anna returned the greeting with warmth. Her mood was exceptionally better than the day prior. 'I guess I'm just rearing to go, you know?'

'As am I.' Daryun conceded. 'Is it wrong that a small part of me prays we are permitted to witness Elsa's return?'

Anna's heart skipped a beat. The way Daryun said that…there was no doubt about it. They weren't so different, perhaps.

'We both are hopeless romantics, huh?'

'Er…romantic? I…uh…'

'Oh, come on. As if it's not obvious to anybody and everybody.'

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Sure, you don't.' Anna giggled. Daryun was clearly more than a little smitten with Elsa, even after all these months. Loyal to a fault, some might say. It's not as if Daryun wasn't popular with the girls of Arendelle. Captain of the Guard? Handsome? A touch of a foreign accent? Muscular? Kind and a bit brazen? The works. Rumour had it the guy received a letter or two declaring admiration and interest on a rather regular basis. If he wasn't going to win Elsa over, Anna was pretty sure nobody would.

Anna tugged at the shawl over her shoulders.

And that fact brought her more relief than she could explain logically. Devil's accusations rang in her ears again, and Anna found herself desperate for clarification lest she lose her mind.

'Daryun, do you remember why Elsa didn't select anyone to marry?'

The red that crept over Daryun's cheeks at the inquisition was hilariously sweet.

'She…er…did not find a suitable partner, I suppose. Yes. She…huh. Odd.' Daryun shook his head, squinting into the gorgeous horizon. 'That…doesn't feel right. But it's the truth. The selection ended in no man winning her hand. Yet…my heart stumbles over this reasoning now that I say it aloud.'

Anna breathed out slowly, nervous but willing to take a necessary leap since Kristoff was still sleeping.

'What if she picked me?'

'…You?' Daryun laughed anxiously. 'As close as the two of you are, isn't that virtually an impossibility in every way?'

'Yep.' Anna also giggled, but her stomach filled with butterflies, and she felt a chill run over her spine. 'Just a bad joke.'

Daryun grunted.

'Yet, somehow not completely outrageous to me. Perhaps your bond with Elsa transcended even logic. A small wonder you struggled until this point.'

'Right?' Anna nudged Daryun playfully, shivering even with her mother's shawl over her shoulder.

In an unexpected turn of events, Daryun shuffled just a bit closer to Anna, placing an encompassing arm over her shoulders and nuzzling her tight, the warmth he exuded immediately a salve upon the chill in the air. It was a moment of virtuous familial affection, like that of an older brother, and the purity of Daryun's intent gave way to any level of defense Anna had built around her fragile emotional state.

'N-not fair…' Anna whimpered, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.

'I hope I'm not intruding.' Daryun spoke low, obviously embarrassed but inherently understanding the benefits of acting in the kindly way.

'Definitely not.' Anna leaned into the safe space. 'Warm hugs are always welcome.'

Daryun sighed in relief, his sincere kindness showing before he began speaking again.

'I was in love with her.' He stated with enough conviction to move Anna. 'Initially, the chance to be part of the suitor selection process was a farce for me; a means to appease my family's wishes. I had no intention of dancing like some sort of monkey for a queen arrogant enough to believe she was worth such antics by a multitude of men. The thought sickened me, to be frank.'

'I can sort of get that.' Anna wouldn't argue. It was a lens she hadn't thought to look through.

'But the moment I saw her – your sister – I began to doubt my prejudice. A warrior can understand more about his or her opponent simply by the way they move than by anything they might say.'

'And what did Elsa's first appearance tell you?'

'I won't claim to have understood her completely, but I certainly took time to re-evaluate. This was a woman who had endured many a trial. This was an individual destined for greatness if she opened her heart to it. This was a queen with a burden I didn't understand…nor perhaps ever would. Although…I feel as though she trusted me with said complication in her life. How strange.'

Anna wasn't sure how to answer that. Was she just reading into it too much?

'Nonetheless, my first interview with Elsa solidified some of my conjectures. She was graceful, mature, kind, considerate, ambitious, brave, and…breathtakingly beautiful in all ways because of all aspects mentioned prior.'

'That's for sure.' Anna couldn't agree quick enough.

'The more I got to know her, the more acquainted I became with an emotion I once thought nothing but a weakness to any and all. Even when she, ultimately, did not select me as her future king, I wanted to be with her in any capacity. As a friend. As her sword. As an admirer from afar. It didn't matter. I wanted to lift her to the heavens and see her content with her life. Once I learned precisely of what she had been through in greater detail than the tales woven by the ignorant, my dedication only became increased in severity.'

'Whoa. You got it bad.' Anna joked.

Daryun scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.

'Truly. As I said, I had never before experienced such an emotion. It was overwhelming. All encompassing.'

'Right…' Anna wondered about herself. Were her thoughts toward Elsa any different from this lovestruck man? She veiled the intensity of her interest with the familial relationship she and Elsa shared, but was that all there was to it?

'In any case, I look forward to obtaining some form of closure as well.' Daryun interrupted Anna's bewildering thoughts, his powerful voice finally shaking as he went on. 'Although, I doubt I will ever stop looking to the entrance to the training grounds in the morning, praying your sister has arrived for a lesson, the morning sun reflecting off her porcelain skin radiantly.'

A surge of jealousy reached up from Anna's stomach and into her throat. Her heart was having difficulty lying even if her brain insisted on the manipulation of truth. It was terrifying but comfortable all at once. Too many emotions to name filtered through the princess of Arendelle, and she bit at her bottom lip, attempting to stifle the notions until she made it to the Dark Sea.

'Princess?' Daryun surely noted whatever bizarre face Anna had managed to make in that moment.

'Oh. Sorry. I was…uh…just thinking about her as well. You painted a nifty picture. Got me all sad and stuff.' Anna laughed in an effort to wave off the deluge of thoughts thwarting her ability to function like a regular human being.

'My apologies. I found the utterance of my deepest thoughts liberating, but it is also inconsiderate of me in your presence.'

'No. No, it's fine. It helps me, too, believe it or not.'

Helps me understand what Elsa might have been to me before our heads got potentially messed up.

'Ah. Well, that's good.'

Anna had to focus on regaining her psychological footing from there, Kristoff soon waking up and the second half of the journey on its way in less than an hour.

The last day of the journey brought Anna and her small group back into the Enchanted Forest. She certainly had her apprehensions where the main entrance was concerned, but without the mist encapsulating the region, the space was much more welcoming.

"These stones represent the four elements, then?" Daryun had commented before the group made their way inside, in earnest.

"Yeah. This place is special. It's filled with magic; especially now that Elsa freed it."

"Fascinating."

What was more interesting to Anna was how different the forest looked now that it was spring. For some reason, in her mind, she assumed it always had to maintain the autumn aesthetic, perhaps because that was her first and only exposure to the mysterious sector of the world.

"One can certainly feel something different in the air here." Daryun had observed, seeming much more on guard than usual.

"Now that you mention it, that's sort of true, isn't it?"

Again, during Anna's first visit, she hadn't really made such an observation. She was too focussed on ensuring she was properly supporting Elsa in every way possible. Even when mystical spirits were confronting her head on, she only desired to help Elsa complete her journey.

The group travelled without any issue save for some rain beginning to pitter patter on the budding trees of spring. Thanks to the overabundance of foliage, getting wet was hardly an issue, but when thunder began to rumble overhead, Anna flinched with a terrible sense of déjà vu, her emotions erratic in response.

'You okay?' Kristoff asked kindly. 'I think we're getting pretty close, according to the map.'

'We are. I can smell the sea.' Daryun confirmed.

Anna swallowed, her throat tight again. Already? Maybe it was because she wasn't sure how she would react mentally once she said her "goodbyes". Would everything suddenly be better for her? Doubtful. But it was a step forward, regardless, right?

Another rolling clap of thunder, lightning flickering rapidly as if attempting to dissuade Anna from pressing onward. Wind suddenly picked up, and Sven grunted in irritation, the shift in weather unsettling.

'Elsa tamed the spirits, did she not?' Daryun questioned, adjusting his horse as it grunted in near terror.

'Y-yeah.' Anna was thinking the same thing. This sudden change in the elements felt outright antagonistic, the wind forcibly pushing back at the group as they exited the forest and began scaling the winding path that had revealed the vessel Anna and Elsa's parents had lost their lives in.

'An Arendellian ship?' Daryun mentioned as if reading Anna's thoughts.

'Yeah. Mom and Dad's. It's how Elsa and I found out about the Dark Sea and Ahtohallan being their objective.' Anna thought about hiding the fact, but how else was she supposed to explain her eyes glistening and turning red? The wind? Maybe.

'Oh.' Kristoff was clearly speechless.

'I'm sorry, Princess.'

'It's all good. Elsa and I had a nice cry over it.' Anna shrugged, and felt Kristoff touch her hands upon her lap briefly before he was forced to take hold of Sven's reins again, another snap of bad weather shoving them about.

'Whoa…!' Daryun leapt from his horse and stabilized the cart, noting its chances of slipping down the incline the small path was traversing upon.

'Thanks, Daryun.' Kristoff gasped in relief.

'I'll support you from here on out. Go back to the forest, my friend.' Daryun clicked his tongue, his horse wasting no time doing as it was told. Small wonder Daryun had tamed the animal perfectly. What creature wouldn't respect him enough to trust their life in his hands?

More thunder and lightning, Anna, Kristoff and Daryun all squinting through the rain as they pushed through the final stretch.

At last, the moment they made it close to the overhangs of earth that opened up toward the Dark Sea, the storm stopped. Eerily so. No wind. No rain. Nothing. Only pitch-black skies and rolling, brutal waves of matching darkness.

Elsa…had travelled across this on her own?

'The Dark Sea…' Daryun gasped, pushing some loose strands of wet hair out of his eyes.

'Whoa. You're kidding.' Kristoff uttered.

Sven snorted, shaking his head as the group made it to the edge of the beach. Anna and Kristoff stepped out of the wagon, and Anna clutched her mother's shawl close to her body, flashes of her form laying within the mud and dirt reminding her of just how much agony this place had brought to her life. This was where both Elsa and Anna had lost pieces of themselves. In a way, Anna still almost would have preferred she and Elsa went together, if at all.

Dark, dark thoughts. Anna had to stop it.

'I have only heard tales of its fury. No body of water should act as such so consistently, yet here it is. A force unparalleled warning any who dare to challenge it that there is no hope for success.'

Anna looked to Daryun as he spoke, a mixture of pride and pain filling her stomach.

'Even Elsa struggled.' She managed to say without breaking down completely.

'But she did it.' Daryun grinned.

'I can only assume, at this point.' Anna blinked rapidly.

'Weird how that storm came and went so fast.' Kristoff scanned the immediate area. 'I mean, I guess sometimes that can happen, but the timing was too perfect.'

Anna exhaled slowly, staring at the edge of the beach before the furthest point the tide dared to claw at. Come back, Elsa. Please. Just come back. Appear like the goddess you are.

'Do you…need a moment?' Daryun offered, apparently no stranger to such occasions.

'Oh. Yeah. Do you?' Kristoff recovered.

Anna closed her eyes and then nodded slowly.

'Yes.' She answered.

With a meaningful pause, Anna thought about what this tiny reprisal of her final adventure with Elsa truly meant. Days of travel for what? To say farewell once and for all? To acknowledge Elsa's extraction from Anna's life?

Only time would tell.

Anna took one step. Then another. And another. Another.

She could never know that those very steps were the prelude to her own trial years in the making.