Written For Elsanna Week in January 2020. Finally had time to post this. Since I tried to cram a big idea into seven chapters, there is going to be time skips and a lot of plot holes.

Anna remembered the first time she saw her. Being the little troublemaker that she was, she snuck out of the castle during nighttime. As her younger self would always say, 'the sky's awake, so I'm awake.' Though she knew her parents would ground her for life if they ever found out, little six-year-old Anna found the thrill of being caught even more alluring. So, she ventured into the forest after using the super-secret passage she saw when she accidentally fired off a miniature catapult. Anna snuck out plenty of times, but this time she had a gut feeling that something magical would happen.

When Anna arrived in the forest, she noticed what looked like streams of snow flowing and weaving through the trees. Anna felt like being awestruck was an understatement. No words could describe such beauty Anna saw that night. Anna followed the snow deeper into the forest. She felt as if they were leading her towards something. Or someone.

Anna gasped when she saw someone, not much older than her, dance and moved their hands in such a poetic way that Anna wasn't even sure what that meant. Add to that, that the fact that this mysterious child seemed to be in control of the snow. Anna heard of spirits and magic, but to think she would be fortunate enough to witness such acts of beauty.

Anna didn't realize how close she got the magic wielder until, in her usual Anna fashion, blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Wow!"

The magic wielder gasped, and all the snow immediately dissipated. Anna stood dumbstruck as she locked eyes with the magic wielder. Whoa, she's so pretty. Anna took a step forward, only for the girl to turn around in fear and dash further into the forest.

"Wait!" Anna called out as she proceeded to follow the magical girl. Anna sure was glad she ran around all day. Otherwise, Anna might have had a bit of trouble. She's fast. But so am I! Anna picked up her pace. The distance was growing shorter.

"Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!" Anna called out. The girl turned around enough for Anna to see the fear in her eyes.

"But, I might!" The girl brought her hand up, hoping to create some separation between the two without causing any harm. She didn't see the edge of the path, and before she set her feet in her proper footing, she slipped over the edge. "Eeeeek!"

Anna quickly caught up and grabbed onto the girl, only for her to slip as well and send them both over the edge. The girl, out of reflex, created a slide before they crashed into the ground, desperately holding onto Anna. After the initial shock, Anna resisted the urge to fling her arms up and scream in excitement. The magical girl can create ice slides! Anna wanted this girl as her friend.

Before they reached the end of the hill, the girl created a pile of snow. They crashed into it, softening the landing. The girl popped out, a small panic set in when she didn't see Anna. Not long after, Anna popped out shaking her head of snow. The girls stared at each other. The girl stared wide-eyed afraid that Anna was going to scream in panic. Anna did the complete opposite. She busted out laughing.

"That was amazing!" Anna yelled as she continued to giggle. The girl's face turned from panic to confusion. She dissolved the snow.

"Awe! You didn't have to melt it." The girl looked at Anna with curiosity.

"You're not afraid."

"Of course not. Why would I be?" The girl looked taken aback.

"Usually, everyone would run in fear every time they saw me."

"Good thing I'm not everyone," Anna beamed at the girl, her hand stretched out to greet. "Hi, I'm Anna." The girl looked at Anna. With each moment, the girl got lost in her thoughts, the smile on Anna's face never wavered. The girl looked at Anna's hand. With some hesitance, she lifted her hand and carefully took Anna's in her own.

"I'm Elsa."

Anna went back to the forest almost every night to visit her newfound friend Elsa for the next several months. During every holiday and Anna's birthday, she would bring chocolate treats for Elsa to enjoy. Anna loved that Elsa shared her love of chocolates. Every new detail Anna learned of Elsa brought such joy to her life. Elsa didn't have a family. Anna immediately said she would be Elsa's family after the fact. Anna wasn't going to lie; she thought it'd be hard waiting for Elsa to open up to her considering Anna didn't have much patience. With Elsa, she found herself quite willing to wait. Especially whenever Anna could get a snort giggle out of Elsa.

As the anniversary of their first meeting approached, Anna noticed Elsa grew a bit more distance. And her powers grew a bit more hectic. When Anna visited on the anniversary of their first meeting, she could tell something was wrong. Snow covered the entire forest. When this happens, Elsa tells Anna that they can't play today. Not wanting to upset her friend, Elsa would always listen and promises to back the next day. Anna wasn't willing to leave this time.

Anna trudged through the snow as it got thicker the closer she got to Elsa. When Anna finally reached Elsa, she was sitting in a snowless circle hunched over. As if sensing her, Elsa called out, "Not today Anna." Anna's face fell.

"But it's been a year since we met. Mama says that these are always important dates to remember."

"I'm sorry Anna. My powers are acting up. Please leave. I don't want to hurt you." Anna took a step closer.

"You're not going to hurt me Els-"

"I said leave!" Elsa threw her hand back and unintentionally sent an ice blast towards Anna. Anna stepped back in time the ice blast hitting where she stood. She landed on her bottom with an 'oof.'

"Oh, no! Anna!"

"I'm okay!" Anna stood up and headed towards Elsa. Elsa cowered into herself.

"Anna please." Anna was never this close to Elsa when her powers were acting up. Anna didn't understand the calmness that washed over her as she slowly crept to Elsa. She felt like she would be saying tons of 'don't worries' and 'everything will be okays.' Something in the back of her mind told her not to say any of those. So, she continued slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. By the time Anna reached Elsa, Elsa didn't realize until Anna spoke.

"I'm here." Anna gently placed a hand on top of Elsa's. Elsa closed her eyes in fear. Yet, nothing happened. She slowly opened her eyes. Anna was okay and breathing. She didn't freeze.

"Can I say something crazy?" The question shocked Elsa.

"What?" Anna got down to one knee. She looked up at Elsa with such determination in her eyes. Elsa couldn't help but blush a little. "What are you doing? Why are you kneeling?"

"My papa said that when he made a special promise to my mama, he was kneeling." Anna grabbed Elsa's left hand and she wrapped her pinky's with Anna's left. "And nothing is as powerful as a pinkie promise." Elsa was at a loss for words. Anna placed her free hand over her heart.

"Elsa of the Forest, I, Princess Anna of Arendelle, first of her name, promise that no matter what, through any change, any pain, any sadness, any happiness, any place that you decide to go," Anna spoke with such passion for someone for the age of 6, almost 7. "That I will follow, with all my heart." Anna grips Elsa's pinky tighter. Elsa teared up through her whole speech. Through all the loneliness she had to endure and began to accept, she never thought she'd meet someone like Anna so young. She began to think she would be by herself forever. The tears flowed down her cheeks. Anna thought she made Elsa upset until Elsa knocked them to the floor in a crushing hug.

"Thank you," Elsa repeated in-between sobs. Anna hugged her back. She was happy to have followed the snow that led her to Elsa.

-10 years later—

Elsa could hardly believe it has been ten years since the day she met Anna. Since Anna's promise, Anna has yet to miss a visit. Though it took time, Elsa eventually opened up to Anna. During Anna's visits, they would sit in the forest and talk. Elsa finally told Anna who she was.

"The Fifth Spirit? What exactly does that mean?" Anna always inquired about Elsa's powers. From the simplest questions to the most thought-provoking ones. She even asked embarrassing ones.

"I'm the link between the spirits and humans. A bridge of sorts."

"Okay. So, what exactly do you do?" Elsa sighed. She honestly didn't fully understand her purpose as well.

"Well, there are four types of spirits. Wind, water, earth, and fire. Certain aspects aid humans in their everyday life."

"Does that mean the earth we're sitting on is a spirit? What about the water we drink?"

"In a sense, yes. The spirits are nature as you call it."

"If you have a physical form, do the other spirits have on too?" Elsa looked solemnly to the side. Her right in a grip above her heart.

"There are, but I haven't been able to find them. I get the sense that the spirits are trapped somewhere."

"Do you know where to find them?" Anna asked as Elsa looked northward.

"Only Ahtohallan knows."

"Ahta-hota-what now?" Elsa let out a small laugh and Anna's attempt at pronunciation.

"Ahtohallan. A river full of memories. There's a legend that Ahtohallan holds the answers to many questions."

"That's it! All we have to do is go this Ahta-river thing, right? Come on. We can look through the library." Anna said as she stood up and pulled Elsa up to her.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"It's not like it's the first time I snuck you into the castle."

"Anna, I was only ten at the time." Elsa tried to halt their movements, but Anna was persistent.

"And now we are older and wiser. Come on. It'll be easy. I bet we can find tons of information. Plus, my parents get to see you again. They've been bugging me forever about it." Elsa gave up and allowed Anna to lead her to the castle. What they found was keeping a secret had its consequences.

The funeral weighed heavily on Anna. Elsa did her best to help her through it. It was difficult when Anna insisted that Elsa kept hidden. Elsa always stayed near in case Anna needed her at a moment's notice.

Anna always tried to have Elsa see that her parent's assassination wasn't her fault. How could Elsa not, though? When Anna's parents attempted to keep Elsa a secret from their enemies. The King and Queen were targeted because of Elsa. She was the reason they died. Through Elsa's grief, Anna always stayed by her side despite Anna's own. Elsa felt selfish for taking Anna comfort when in fact, she should be the one comforting Anna.

On the eve of Anna's coronation, Elsa snuck into the castle late at night. She found Anna standing in front of her parents' picture, staring with sadness in her eyes.

"Anna," Elsa whispered. Anna didn't run around when she spoke.

"This doesn't change my promise to you, Elsa. Though I may be Queen, this doesn't lessen anything. We'll find the answers-"

"Anna."

"-find the spirits-"

"Anna."

"-I swear to you that we will find the truth. Your truth." Anna gripped the table. Her head lowered as she tried to suppress her tears.

"Anna!" Elsa spoke with a determined voice. It caused Anna to flinch. Elsa walked up to Anna and grabbed her right hand. She wrapped her pinky with Elsa's right. Anna slowly turned around to find Elsa kneeled before her. The same look of determination in Elsa's eyes that Anna had all those years ago.

"Queen Anna of Arendelle, I, Elsa of the Forest, first of her name, promise that no matter what, through any hardship, any pain, any sorrow, any happiness, any place that you decide to go," Elsa placed her left hand over her heart. "That I will follow, with all my heart." Elsa gripped their pinkies tighter. In the years that followed, Anna never imagined she'd meet someone like Elsa. Her complete opposite. Someone who saw Anna for who she was and not the queen she was meant to be.

Anna was a sobbing mess by the time Elsa finished. Anna knocked Elsa down in a crushing hug, mirroring Elsa's 'thank you' as Elsa mirrored her happiness. Elsa was overjoyed that Anna followed her snow, to Elsa.