(A/N: So, what did happen to Elsa when she was apart from Anna? Whatever happened, it changed her for the better, but Anna is going to find out what.)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: IS IT REALLY YOU?
I can't stay here, Anna. I don't belong here. I'm sorry.
Goodbye, Anna.
Three months have passed since Elsa last spoke to Anna and in that time, much has happened in Arendelle. First, the kingdom's infrastructure was rebuilt from the ground up. This was the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities; such as buildings, roads, and other things needed for the operation of society in their kingdom. Anna was crowned Queen and with the help of those in the palace who knew her parents, she slowly brought Arendelle as all knew it back and reestablished trade partnerships.
Queen Anna looked up at the North Mountain at the Ice Palace. She remembered how her people panicked once they discovered Elsa had taken residence on the North Mountain. She was able to calm them, but that didn't change the cloud of fear that hung over the kingdom. Anna knew Elsa was a good person, but the terrifying display of power as she destroyed the Duke's forces and executed the tyrant in front of everyone. Prince Hans was the sole survivor and locked away in the dungeons below Elsa? Can you hear me? Anna tried reaching out with her thoughts, hoping Elsa would hear and respond, but all was silent. She was tempted to send a couple of guards to see if Elsa was still there, but who among her men would be brave enough to climb the North Mountain and confirm Elsa's presence? According to everyone else except Anna, 'One does not simply enter the domain of Elsa.'
Lord Peterssen entered and noticed her looking out the window again. It was a strong habit since THAT day. "Is everything okay, Queen Anna?" His caring paternal voice pulled her out of her line of thought and made her smile when she looked to her left at him.
"Yes, I'm okay," Anna replied returning to her desk, slowly, but she still looked like she was carrying something heavy on her shoulders.
She had something on her mind that was making her worry. That much was clear to Lord Peterssen. Being the closest advisor to her parents, she saw that same look in King Agnarr's eyes far too often. "I don't believe you are," he prodded as he entered and stood in front of her desk. "You're worried about Elsa, aren't you?"
Anna was about to deny it with words but just closed her mouth and nodded. Lord Peterssen gave her a nod to silently encourage her to unburden herself and share her worries with him.
He sat down in a nearby chair as she began to speak, "I think I'm going crazy. The woman who saved us and liberated our kingdom was Elsa…but, NOT Elsa."
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Can you elaborate on that, Your Majesty?" Lord Peterssen requested.
"Something happened to her when we got separated for that first three months. I feel different around her now. She's…different from the woman who raised me since I was little and stranded on Ahtohallan," Anna tried to explain, but greatly struggled to find the best words to describe what she was feeling.
"I understand," Lord Peterssen confessed.
"No, I don't think you do-" Anna laughed, yet had a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"Queen Anna, I DO UNDERSTAND," Lord Peterssen pressed. She could tell by his gentle eyes that he did and just looked at him as he explained, "I'll never forget the first day she boldly came before the throne, humiliated the soldiers and the king before declaring war on our kingdom. She was cold, regal, and furious. I was absolutely terrified."
He looked up at his Queen and knew she remembered that day as well. "When I died in that noose, I found myself in a dark place. My soul was about to move on to the light, but I heard her speak to me. Do you know what she said?" Anna shook her head. "'No, Lord Peterssen. Arendelle is not finished with you yet. Don't be afraid. Take my hand.' I wasn't afraid. All I felt from her was love and peace. You were right about her. She did change. I now believe that she is good."
"I need to see her," Anna then said. "I don't know what to say to her, but-"
"It's already very late. Perhaps, you should wait until morning. A good night's sleep might be what you need to think on this clearly," Lord Peterssen advised.
Queen Anna shook her head. "No, I can't wait that long. Tell me. Are my two personal guards still here or did they already head home for the night?"
"Guards?!" Lord Peterssen called and they entered from her outer office.
"You summoned us, Your Majesty?" one of the young guards asked, Bjorn. The guard beside him was his older brother Bearyn.
Queen Anna smiled and approached, "I have a very important mission for you."
They instant bent the knee and their heads. "You can count on us, Queen Anna!"
Anna glanced at Lord Peterssen who was chuckling at their extreme loyalty. It was one of the many reasons Lord Peterssen got them the positions as Queen Anna's personal guards. Anna looked back down at her two guards who were looking up at her. "I need you to investigate the ice palace on North Mountain and see if Elsa is still there."
What steel-like resolve the guards once had immediately crumbled. Their queen was asking them to confront Elsa. Anna saw the fear in their eyes and immediately assured them, "Don't be afraid. Elsa is a good friend of mine. She's like family to me." That still didn't convince them so Anna finished, "I'll prove it to you by going with you."
Lord Peterssen was about to object but Anna flashed him a regal look that only a Queen could give. He sighed, "With all due respect. It's quite late. You can visit her tomorrow. Boys, you are dismissed but with report to the stables tomorrow after breakfast. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," they both said before leaving.
Anna was about to object, maybe invoke her authority as Queen, but Lord Peterssen quickly said, "Ever Queen needs her rest. Even you. Elsa will still be there tomorrow."
"Okay," Anna replied hesitantly. She didn't want to wait to see her but knew he was right. Perhaps a good night's sleep will allow her mind to become clear and the questions she needed to ask Elsa will come to her. She rose and slowly passed him, "Goodnight, Lord Peterssen."
He turned in his chair with a smile, "Aw, what happened to 'Uncle Peterssen'? Don't tell me you don't love me anymore."
Anna giggled as she gave him a loving hug around his neck and planted a warm peck on his wrinkled cheek. "Goodnight, UNCLE Peterssen."
"Sleep well, my little Princess," he smiled as she left the office for her room. It was time for him to return home as well.
Anna walked to the Royal Chambers, but didn't enter. Everyone else kept encouraging her to move in to her parents' bedroom, but she couldn't. She began walking away to her old bedroom where she had been sleeping since her return to the palace, but a strange feeling came to her. It was as if something was trying to tug on her heart and guide her to the Royal Chambers. She tried to ignore it, but the feeling was growing drastically to the point she couldn't ignore it anymore. She timidly wrapped herself with her arms, a habit she picked up from Elsa, and approached the door before opening it.
She suddenly had a crazy idea. She didn't want to wait for tomorrow to see Elsa. She could shimmy down to the courtyard from her balcony, get her horse and investigate the ice palace herself.
She opened her balcony and began tying dresses together. "It's a little late to be sneaking out for a stroll, isn't it?" Elsa's voice asked and Anna turned to find her sitting on the edge of her bed. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw Elsa sitting on her parents' bed, illuminated by the moonlight that shined through the balcony windows. Elsa was very beautiful with her hair let down. Her platinum blonde hair and white dress glowed with such breathe taking beauty as Elsa smiled and stood up.
Anna began to break down in tears, "Elsa? Is it really you?"
"Anna," Elsa smiled and opened her arms wide. Anna ran into her arms and knocked her on the bed with a bear hug, surprising the goddess.
"It's really you," Anna cried, hugging Elsa firmly.
"Last time I checked," Elsa replied with a joking tone. "And could THIS really be my little Anna. Look at you. All dressed up like a Queen."
Anna pulled away, "I have so many questions, Elsa. I know something happened to you. I can feel it. What happened to you after you left me on North Mountain?!"
Elsa's smile faded, "I didn't mean to leave you on North Mountain. I-" She stopped herself, silently wondering if she should reveal information that may frighten Anna.
"Elsa, please! I need to know it's YOU and not just all my head!" Anna begged.
Elsa laughed at this and stroked the hair around Anna's ear. She spoke softly, "It's me, Anna, but the Elsa you knew before is gone and she's not coming back."
This alarmed Anna and made her quickly rise to her feet. "WHO ARE YOU?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ELSA?!"
Elsa laughed, taking Anna's furious face in her hands, "For the LAST time, I AM ELSA. This is who I'm meant to be, who I was before-" She caught herself and pulled away from Anna, wondering if she should tell her.
"Before what?" Anna asked, scooching closer to Elsa on the bed.
Elsa looked at her, "I have so much to tell you, about why I was so cold with you before. I never told you about this and I'm afraid to. I don't want to alarm you."
Anna took her hand, "Please…tell me everything. Why did you leave me?"
"I never left you-" Elsa replied, but Anna pulled away.
"What happened? You claim you were always there? Then why couldn't I feel you or see you? Why couldn't you help us against the Duke? What was so big that it kept you from coming to me?! After your final words to me on the mountain, I thought…I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD, ELSA!" Anna vented.
Elsa began to tear up as Anna continued, "Do you have any idea how that made me feel?! After so many years together and to think I lost you-! I couldn't stand it!" Her head was down and her eyes shut to hold back the overflowing tears, but she could hear Elsa scooch closer to her before embracing her.
"I'm sorry, Anna. I never meant to make you feel abandoned. I promise, I'll NEVER leave you again," Elsa promised Anna as she held her in a motherly embrace.
Anna finally pulled away and wiped her tears, "You better or else it's off with your head."
Elsa smirked, making Anna smile too. Elsa began to speak again, "I was afraid. You were so upset with me not helping you. I wish I could've done more, but I couldn't. You don't understand what I went through to get back to you. Every moment was a struggle for control. The things I had to do to keep YOU safe. I COULDN'T let HIM win. Not again."
"Talk to me. Help me understand," Anna begged, "Whose HIM? What are you talking about?"
"You really want to know?" Elsa asked Anna. Anna nodded eagerly. Elsa sighed, hesitant to say anything. She took Anna's hands, "Okay. I'll tell you EVERYTHING, but I need you to remember that it finally all over. HE can't hurt you. You are safe."
Anna didn't understand. HE who?
Elsa closed her eyes and placed her forehead against Anna, showing her everything. Her birth. Meeting Jack. Being deceived by her brother, Pitch. Her and Jack having their baby, Olaf. Humanity's betrayal due to the deception of Pitch. How she fell to the darkness when she lost everything. Then Anna was taken to their arrival on North Mountain, where they were separated.
(FLASHBACK, ELSA AND ANNA FIRST ARRIVING ON NORTH MOUNTAIN)
"I'm not going with you, Anna," Elsa said and Anna spun back towards her.
"What?"
"You asked me to bring you home and I did, but I CANNOT get involved with humans again. Gale, take me back to Ahtohallan," Elsa turned away. Anna quickly ran over and grabbed her wrists. "Anna, let go!"
"You can't leave! I need you, Elsa!" Anna begged.
"You HUMANS," Elsa thought out loud as if annoyed, "Elsa, this! Elsa, that! You want to be here instead of with me on Ahtohallan, take back the throne yourself!" She ripped her hand out of Anna's grasp and began walking away.
Anna couldn't believe Elsa was abandoning her after all the years they've been together. It filled her heart with such anger that she commanded, "STOP!"
Elsa's eyes widened when she felt a strange force compel her to obey Anna. There it is again! Just like when Anna commanded me to leave the throne room years ago when I confronted them!
Elsa could hear Anna crying now, "Please…don't leave me. Don't leave me, Elsa." Her plea was heartbreaking for Elsa to hear but she forced herself to harden her heart. My life was ruined by getting involved with humans, then THIS happens because I dared to confront King Agnarr and taunt them.
Anna walked towards her, her voice filled with frustration, "If it wasn't for you, Arendelle wouldn't be like this! This is all your fault! You did this to Arendelle! You!" She grabbed Elsa and ripped her around so the goddess's eyes were looking into her tear-filled teal eyes. "It's your responsibility! NOW FIX IT!"
Elsa was triggered and used her divine strength to push her several feet away and into the snow. "HOW DARE YOU ASSUME YOU CAN COMMAND ME! I AM THE GODDESS OF AHTOHALLAN! YOU?! YOU'RE JUST A LOWLY HUMAN AND A USELESS PRINCESS THAT CAN'T RECLAIM HER KINGDOM WITHOUT ME TO HOLD YOUR HAND EVERY STEP OF THE WAY! SO PATHETIC AND WEAK!"
Anna began to cry again, hurt by Elsa's words. Elsa turned away. Anna spoke up, "At least I'm not a coward! All that power to change the world for the better and you chose to HIDE on Ahtohallan! If my REAL mother were here instead of you, Arendelle would be better off!"
That struck Elsa very deep and caused a searing pain in her heart.
"Ouch! I totally felt that one," Pitch laughed as he secretly stood beside Elsa, taunting her. He got closer and gestured with his eyes at Anna and whispered, "Look, Sister. Look at the pain you brought to your little pet."
She met Anna's eyes with very hurt eyes filled with tears, "You're right. I have no place in this world. I never did. I should've died the same day my Jack and Olaf did."
"That's right, dear sister," Pitch smiled evilly and whispered with satisfaction, immensely pleasured by her pain. "However, that's not up to you. You're vulnerable, Elsa. I'm going to show your pet mercy by putting her out of her misery. No. On second thought, I'm going to take over your body and make YOU do it instead."
Elsa became alarmed. NO! GALE! Just as Elsa felt Pitch start to take her over in her pain, the wind spirit quickly took her away to protect Anna.
Elsa's body jerked around painfully as she resisted Pitch from taking over her. "I won't- I won't let you hurt her!"
Pitch hissed back, "Who's going to stop me?! You?! You aren't strong enough, sister! You're nothing compared to me!"
"Why haven't you claimed your victory yet if I'm so weak?!" Elsa yelled back as Gale struggled to carry the two intertwined divine beings away. Pitch was silent. Elsa smiled, "I think it's because it's YOU who's weak!"
Pitch's anger burned greater than ever before, causing Elsa to scream loudly in pain as he tortured her from within. "WEAK! I'LL SHOW YOU WEAK!"
Gale dropped Elsa from the sudden burst of anger, causing Elsa to land in the snow. She continued to scream painfully as her body jerked in unnatural ways until Pitch separated himself from her. "Finally!" Pitch exclaimed with evil glee before sneering down at Elsa who was shocked to see him.
"You're just a ghost. You aren't real! I killed you!" Elsa yelled on the snowy ground.
"Wrong! I secretly planted a small piece of myself in you that day, corrupting all the works of your hands. Your paradise. Your ice. Your creation, causing them to feel nothing but HATE for you and leave you to suffer. As a result, your creation turned against humanity, which inspired the myths all humans know." He reveled in her shock as she listened to him. "I waited patiently, feeding on the hate…the fear…the pain that you and your creation wrought on this world. As I grew within you, I healed myself and now I'm free. Once I deal with you, there will be nothing to stand in my way as I feast on this world's fear again and plunge it back into darkness!"
Elsa buried her fear and slowly rose with a cold, regal scowl. "I won't let you."
Pitch just smiled smugly at her. "Unfortunately…you don't have a choice, Sister."
Her scowl narrowed even more as a righteous fury filled her, "YES. I. DO." She immediately unleashed her ice powers, but Pitch managed to deflect with shadows. Elsa went on the offensive, unleashing fatal attacks to destroy him with extreme prejudice.
However, her ferocity was all in vain. Pitch merely laughed, "That's right, sister! Keep trying!" Her attacks weren't getting close enough. He was too fast and too strong. Elsa was at the end of her rope and Pitch smiled down his nose at her. "It's over, sister. I won. There is no preventing the darkness that will fall upon humanity."
"You're wrong!" Elsa hissed back before reaching out her hand and gripping him through her ice magic.
Pitch's eyes widened upon realizing that she managed to distract him so Gale could get a hold of him. "RELEASE ME, STUPID WIND SPIRIT!"
With Pitch held still in the grasp of the angry wind spirit, Elsa used her ice magic to reabsorb him into herself. Pitch yelled, "What are you doing?!"
"If I can't beat you, I'll contain you. I'll never let you escape so you can hurt Anna!" Elsa yelled defiantly. Her body jerked in different ways as Pitch want ever passing second. Elsa's body became a twisted version of herself, a chaotic mixture of black and white as Pitch fought her for control and it took everything Elsa had to keep him at bay. There had to be a way to get rid of him for good. The Trolls! Of course!
Pitch, knowing her thoughts, yelled, "They hate you. In the state we are now, you are vulnerable. They will kill you!"
"And what will happen to you if you are stuck in my body?" Elsa smiled.
A terrified silence came over Pitch. Elsa could feel his fear so she walked in the direction of the Valley of Living Rock.
Pitch tried to fight to get free, "NO!" Elsa fought back to keep him buried. "Let me go or we'll both die!"
Another smile came across her face, "Whatever it takes! As long as Anna and the rest of humanity are safe, nothing else matters. As surely as my father lives, you will DIE this day!"
"No!"
Elsa struggled to look at Gale, "Gale, hold us tight and take me to the Valley of Living Rock. Pitch cannot be allowed to escape! No matter what pain I am in! Do you understand?!"
Gale whimpered.
"Gale! Do you understand?!" Elsa yelled.
Gale whimpered sadly. Elsa was asking to be delivered to her death. Elsa was prepared to die to save the world from Pitch, but how could the wind spirit be a part of Elsa's suicide.
"For humanity. For Anna. For Olaf. For Jack," Elsa encouraged softly.
Mentioning Jack, the wind spirit's closest friend, gave Gale the fortitude to do as Elsa asked and grab her in a fierce grip so neither her or Pitch could escape. It flew her away, trying it's best to ignore Elsa's painful cries as Pitch attacked her from within.
For humans, it was difficult to find the Valley of Living Rock. It was already a secret haven for the rock trolls, but if humans attempted to discover it, they would never find it due to the magic that concealed it. However, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna were the exception long ago and since Elsa discovered the location through the mark she placed on Anna, no magic concealed it. This made it easier to find it from the air. Elsa spotted it from above as Gale carried her away and pointed, guiding the clueless wind spirit.
Gale lowered Elsa to the Valley's small clearing. The fierce grip of the wind spirit wavered slightly as it looked down at Elsa who slightly writhed in pain. Jack and Olaf were dead. Elsa was all the wind spirit had left. It secretly harbored an overwhelming urge to fly Elsa away. It's resolve was quickly crumbling as the spheres surrounding them stood up at looked at Elsa with hate and evil malice.
"YOU!" Bulda yelled.
Elsa looked up as Bulda stepped forward from the crowd of angry trolls.
"How dare you return here!" Bulda yelled and the others grumbled with her. Bulda pointed at Grand Pabbie's frozen statue, "Look at what you've done!"
Elsa's saddened eyes looked at Grand Pabbie who stood where he opposed her.
"First you call us abominations. Then you drive us from Paradise, our home, into a cruel world where humanity hate and hunt our kind! Then you desecrate our only haven and-!" Bulda was so torn and furious she couldn't finish.
Elsa's eyes fell onto the small puddle in front of her and looked at her reflection. It was herself, but she was half mishappen by the evil presence of Pitch. Two bodies were not meant to share the same space. He was back, no longer the tormenting evil specter sealed in her body.
She looked up at the full moon. Her father was right. None of this would've happened if only she listened. She allowed herself to be deceived by her brother, Pitch. She gave up her divinity in order to become mortal and have a baby. In the process, she became corrupted by humanities fallen nature which made her vulnerable and powerless against Pitch. She grew weaker and colder because of Pitch within her. A tear exited her uncorrupted blue eye. Father…please…forgive me.
A rough stone struck her head above her blue eye and drew blood, alarming Gale, but the wind spirit was halted by Elsa's hand. Bulda's voice yelled, "Everything that has happened to us…is because of YOU! Get out! Now!"
She closed her eyes and lowered her head again. There was only one way to make this right. She gestured to the wind spirit and Gale released her, allowing her to struggle to her feet.
"Don't intervene, Gale. You should leave," Elsa whispered to Gale behind her. This made Gale question Elsa's decision. When Elsa stepped forward, another rock was thrown at her and more and more. Each rock and insult were hurled at Elsa from one of the rock trolls, each leaving a bloody mark on her body and soul.
Elsa walked over to where the frozen statue of Grand Pabbie stood, her feet wavering from the sudden flares of pain from the rocks being hurled at her head and body. Tears ran down her face as her own creation rejected her, but she had to keep reminding herself that Pitch's darkness was making them turn this way. If she died, Pitch would die with her and her only hope was that Pitch's corruption in them would be purged as well and set them free. When she finally reached him, she fell to her knees and her arms instinctly hugged him. "I don't know if you can hear me, Grand Pabbie. I'm so sorry. All the suffering you endured in man's cruel world after that day. It's all my fault. I was blind and couldn't see. Please," a tear fell from her face on the frozen statue, "forgive me."
Elsa looked up at the full moon on last time, closing her eyes as she ignored, as best as she could, the searing pain of the rocks pelting her without mercy. Father. I am ready. I'm coming home.
No. Elsa's eyes widened with surprise, hearing her father's voice. This is not the end for you, my daughter. I bid you to stand…and fight! Fight not for me, but for your creation…for humanity…for Anna.
Elsa had already accepted death, but the mere mention of Anna's name flooded her with the loving and warm memories she created with Anna on Ahtohallan. Her smiles. Her hugs. The times Anna planted a loving peck on her face. The times Anna got her to play with her. Elsa was suddenly refilled with a new purpose to live. Anna. I- I love Anna! I can't die! I can't-! I won't-! I won't abandon her to face this cruel world alone!
Elsa's stood and faced the trolls, her eyes glowing with power as she reached out her hand. With a resonating voice, she commanded the darkness in the trolls, "Forsaken them and return to me!"
Being one with Pitch gave her authority over the darkness he infected the trolls with. It had no choice but to obey her, leaving each of the trolls and going into her. Doing this freed the trolls, but it made Elsa suffer even more, making Pitch even stronger. As Elsa writhed on the valley ground, the Moon shined a light on the frozen statue of Grand Pabbie and the repentant tear Elsa shed. The ice was removed and Grand Pabbie fell to his hands and knees. His eye's widened when he saw Elsa, their creator suffering. He casted a spell to subdue both Elsa and Pitch and cause Elsa to enter a shielded deep sleep. The trolls all gathered around her, slowly learning the truth and began to weep as they looked upon Elsa's injured body.
Bulda, most of all, teared up and covered her mouth, "Elsa! What have we done?!"
"What are we going to do?!"
"We have to help Mother!"
Grand Pabbie drew close to Elsa. Everything became clear. "The Dark One has done great harm to you, but I swear I WON'T ALLOW IT ONE SECOND MORE."
His spell shattered when a stronger Pitch broke free, leaving Pabbie's hold and Elsa's body. He laughed as he flew off for Anna. Elsa slowly wakened and her eyes widened, realizing Pitch was gone and Anna was in danger. "Anna!" Elsa struggled to her feet, severely depowered by her exposure to Pitch.
"No, Elsa. You mustn't! You are far too weak to face him," Grand Pabbie warned with fear.
"Yes, you must rest," Bulda agreed, taking Elsa's hand.
"I can't. He'll kill Anna! GALE!" Elsa yelled and the wind spirit took her to get to Anna before Pitch could. However, Gale's grip on Elsa wavered when a sudden gust of Elsa's cursed winter struck them. Elsa stood in the blizzard, using her divine sight to find Anna and gasped when she found Anna laying unconscious by a tree. Anna! Someone is with her. She saw that it was Pitch. He was whispering something to her and Anna was slowly reaching for his hand. He was smiling. No!
A man ran past Elsa for Anna. Elsa couldn't quiet see who the man was, but he was tall and possessed a large build. Whoever it was, Elsa could sense his intentions were pure and that she could trust Anna with him as he carried her away. She stepped forward to follow but quickly looked for Pitch. He was gone. Who is this man? Pitch won't go near Anna when he is with her. I have to know!
Gale stopped her and urged her to return to the Valley of Living Rock so she could recover, for Anna's sake. Elsa was very hesitant. She didn't want to leave Anna alone with Pitch still out there, but she knew she could trust the man who saved Anna. She nodded and Gale took her away.
Grand Pabbie and the others guided her into a secret cave where there was a healing hot spring. Grand Pabbie explained her condition. "Because of your exposure to Pitch for so long, your powers suffered. In order to fully restore your divinity, you must sleep for a time to recover."
"How long?"
Grand Pabbie looked at Bulda with hesitation before looking back at Elsa who laid in the healing spring. "A few months."
Elsa stood up, "Absolutely not! Pitch is targeting Anna to hurt me! I WON'T leave her defenseless!"
Grand Pabbie understood Elsa's worry but had to raise his voice. "Think, Elsa! What good are you to Anna in your state! You are too weak to fight your brother! You CAN'T beat him, Elsa!"
Elsa was surprised by his loud tone. None of her creation have ever spoken in such a way before to her. At least not until Pitch infected them through her. Grand Pabbie realized he just yelled and he quickly bowed and lowered his head in shame. "Forgive me. Please. I just-"
Elsa took his little rocky hand.
"If you are that worried about Anna, you can use your sight to watch her while you sleep," Bulda suggested with an encouraging smile and that settled Elsa's nerves a bit.
Elsa nodded and allowed Grand Pabbie to put her in a deep sleep. Elsa never needed sleep, being a divine being, but would sometimes close her eyes to rest. The slumber Elsa found herself in was deeper than she ever experienced. She needed to see Anna again and used her divine sight to see her.
She was helpless as she saw everything. Anna in a barn with the man who saved her, Kristoff. Kristoff saving her from being raped by the Duke's soldiers. Kristoff taking her to a lodge. The way the two acted around each other made Elsa laugh inside. Anna's selfless act to help provide for Arendelle and Kristoff getting the necklace back. Before her eyes, Elsa watched a roman slowly blossom between the two. Anna rallying the group to fight back against the Duke and liberate Arendelle like a fierce Queen. Elsa was by Kristoff as she watched this. She knew Kristoff couldn't hear her, but secretly hoped he could, "Protect her, Kristoff."
I will. Elsa became shocked by Kristoff's thoughts responding to her. He- He heard me?! Elsa knew she would need to keep a closer eye on him to learn how that was even remotely possible.
Over the next three months, Elsa secretly watched over Anna as she and the other's fought against the enemy forces. There were so many times that Elsa tried to intervene to protect Anna, but was only reminded time and time again that she was only an observer and couldn't help. It broke Elsa to see the suffering Anna endured during this. I'm sorry, Anna. I should've helped you. I could've ended everything instantly and spared you your suffering, but I didn't because I was a coward. I was weak. You were right to be upset with me.
She spent time around Kristoff, reading his mind to learn his heart and how he could hear her. She tested him, whispering to him to see if he would reply back. There were no good enough results to confirm her belief, that he was like Anna somehow, sensitive to her divine presence. Elsa didn't understand. Perhaps he's not as sensitive to me as Anna? No. I must've just been out of it that day. Thinking he actually responded to me.
Elsa was honored by Anna's new hairdo, a braid that resembled her's. Elsa noticed Kristoff was by the harvesters and they were taking glances at Anna, obviously talking to Kristoff about the two of them. She then saw Kristoff work up the courage to come over to Anna. He's going to confess!
Kristoff came to Anna, Henrik and Ella, "Joan, may I speak with you alone?"
"I can't right now, Kristoff. We have to-" Anna tried to excuse herself.
"It can wait. What I have to say is more important and can't wait any longer," Kristoff spoke up confidently, which shocked Ella and Anna but made Henrik smile proudly.
"Why don't you two go talk, Joan? Ella and I will take inventory of our weapons," Henrik said, nudging her towards Kristoff gently but Anna blushed when she accidently got too close to Kristoff by accident.
"Okay," Anna said going to the spot next to the harvesters. It was another sitting area where another large pot was simmering some meade over a flame. She looked at Kristoff shyly, still processing his bold demand to speak with her and wondering why he needed to talk to her so badly. She recalled their earlier argument. Feeling guilty again, "Kristoff, if this is about what happened earlier, I owe you an apology for yelling at you. I was upset at Lars more than anything and took it out on you. I'm- I'm sorry."
Kristoff took her hand gently, "You don't have to apologize. I should have supported you better earlier. You were right, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh? What is it?" There was surprise on her face, perhaps a bit of relief, then curiosity.
Kristoff took a deep breath, already feeling his courage failing him, but managed to say, "Ever since the day we first met, I-" Kristoff was about to confess his love for her, but the harvesters' discussion of Elsa behind them seized Anna's attention.
Elsa felt a dark presence nearby and looked frantically until her eyes locked onto Pitch who whispered the words into the harvester's ear, the same words he spoke to the other harvesters. "Did you guys notice? The cursed winter is slowly lifting."
"Yeah, I noticed too. It's going to make it harder for our attacks on the Duke's forces, not having the heavy snowfall to cover our escape. What does this mean?"
"Could Elsa have second thoughts and is sparing our kingdom by lifting her curse?"
"No way. Elsa is a cold, merciless witch. There's no way she would go back on her curse."
"What if…the reason why the curse is slowly lifting is because…Elsa is dead?"
Elsa looked over at Anna who heard everything. Her eyes wide with emotion and her hands shaking with fear.
"Well good riddance to the damn witch. The world is better off without her in it. The children of Arendelle can sleep without fearing a witch's wrath."
No! I'm not dead! Anna, don't listen to Pitch's words! Elsa pleaded but Anna ran out. Elsa looked over at Pitch who was smiling at her evilly. Pitch followed. He was going to strike Anna in her despair. No! She couldn't intervene to stop Pitch from harming her, but she remembered how Kristoff being near to Anna kept Pitch from getting to her. Kristoff! Go after her! Please!
Kristoff ran after Anna. Elsa shifted her sight to Anna. Just as Pitch was about to strike her with a large scythe, Kristoff instantly got in the way to comfort her, oblivious to the invisible herald of death that secretly stalked her.. This made Pitch hiss, being thwarted again. "How is this possible?!" Pitch demanded and was forced to leave since Kristoff was there with Anna. Elsa was so relieved that she got closer with her sight and was heartbroken when she listen to Anna cry in Kristoff's chest as he held her.
"PLEASE! DON'T LET IT BE TRUE! NOT HER! I'M SORRY, ELSA! PLEASE, DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! COME BACK! PLEASE, COME BACK TO ME! I NEED YOU, ELSA! I LOVE YOU!"
This shocked Elsa deeply and drew her to tears. After everything I've done? After how coldly I treated you as a child…you love me? Elsa hardened her heart. No! You can't love me, Anna. I have done such terrible things! I cannot be loved. You- You don't know what you are saying! Hearing Anna's painful cries struck her deeply, because she saw how Anna really felt about her. Anna didn't really hate her. She loved her and was in pain because she thought she was dead. This moved Elsa's heart deeply. I'm coming back to you! I'm coming back! Wake up, Elsa! Anna needs you! Wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!
Elsa woke up and violently rose to her feet, startling the trolls. Before any of them could say anything she, with Gale's help, flew back to Anna faster than she ever had. Nothing was going to get in her way. She landed near Kristoff and Anna, cloaked, and wanted to reveal herself right then but felt it would be better to do it gently, unsure how her sudden presence would cause everyone to act. She instead rushed past them and inside, eagerly waiting for Anna to return. What should I say to her? Elsa's heart was racing as she saw Kristoff guide Anna back in.
"She won't see you or know it's you," Pitch said by her side. Elsa was furious and hissed through her teeth, "You! Get away from her! What did you do to her?!"
Pitch smiled, "I already infected her. When you pushed her away on the mountain. If I can't have her life, I'll do an even worse thing to hurt you."
"What are you talking about?!" Elsa demanded with tearful eyes, recalling yelling at Anna when she begged her for her help.
"You LOVE Anna's company so much," Pitch chuckled sinisterly, "but how would you feel if you decided to reveal yourself but Anna didn't know it was you in her state. So clouded with despair and grief over YOUR death. So vulnerable and helpless to my dark powers. I'll leave so you can suffer knowing I kept you two apart."
This triggered Elsa and she stabbed him in the heart with an icicle knife she formed in her hand. Instantly stabbing him in the heart. She looked at Pitch with surprise. Her attack was FATAL! As Pitch faded in her arms, he uttered with his breath, "You can't save Anna. I've already won. Weep as your precious one dies before your eyes." He began to laugh until he was no more.
No one in the building around her was even aware of what just happened.
Elsa sat near Anna, terribly concerned. She then uncloaked her presence from Anna and looked in a nearby mirror that she had the appearance of an old woman. Relax, Elsa. It's just Pitch's trick. She may not know it's me, but I'll still be able to comfort her. He said 'in her state'. Maybe if I can get her riled enough, she'll be able to see through Pitch's infection. "Are you okay?"
Anna looked up and appeared startled, but shook her head no.
"You want to talk about it?" Elsa asked with a warm maternal voice, hoping to comforted her.
Anna looked up and studied her face. Elsa's heart quicken, thinking Anna was recognizing her, but she didn't. "There's nothing I can say to make this right," more tears threatened to escape Anna's eyes. "I'm such a terrible person."
Elsa laughed lightly to herself, "Oh, drama. My favorite form of entertainment."
Anna looked at her as if offended by her insensitive comment. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, grow up," Elsa scoffed. BINGO! I love pushing her buttons. So easy to get her riled, Elsa thought with amusement.
"I don't appreciate your attitude right now, you wrinkly old hag!" Anna exclaimed.
Elsa smiled with pride and amusement. "There that's better."
Anna looked at her confused so Elsa spoke on, "I hear you are leading these people against the Duke. Never show emotion. It'll make you look weak." Elsa had to give her advice if Anna was going to be leading these people. Otherwise, they might not respect her since she's just a young random woman.
"Emotions don't make you look weak. It lets other know you are happy, sad, angry. It lets others know you care. They give us life and energy. They give us direction when we are lost. They remind us how we truly feel. They make life worth living," Anna explained and Elsa's face softened.
"I never thought it that way," Elsa thought out loud. Being human was strange to her.
"But that's only the good side of emotions. If not kept in check, it can cause a lot of damage. One of the people I love most in the world is gone and it's all my fault! What I said to her after all these years of being together? Why did I hurt her like that?" Anna looked up at Elsa. "I loved Elsa so much and she's dead because of me!"
Elsa was shocked by hearing Anna say she loved her again. After being feared and hated for so long, being loved by a human was strange to Elsa. She didn't know how to respond to that. She teared up from the feeling in her heart before moving closer to Anna. She cupped her face in her bony hands gently and held her forehead against her's and looking into her eyes. "Do you really believe this…Elsa…is dead?"
"She's the one who cursed my home. How could it be lifting if she's not dead? What other reason could there be?" Anna asked in tears.
"I don't know why. There is much of this world I don't even understand," Elsa replied. She suddenly pulled away, feeling a bit uncomfortable with initiating closeness with Anna after what transpired on the mountain. "I don't know why the winter is lifting, but I doubt it's the reason you convinced yourself of."
"Convinced myself of? Something's happened to her. I can't feel her anymore. I call out to her, but she doesn't answer," Anna went on. I know, Anna. Be patient. I'll find a way to fix what Pitch did to you. I promise. We'll be together again.
Elsa took Anna's warm hand with her cold, bony one and smiled lightly as she found it comforting. "Don't give up on this Elsa, dear. Something tells me she closer than you think."
The two looked at the commotion. The harvesters were gathered around the entrance and were acting riled. "I wonder what's going on," Anna said.
"You should go," Elsa said, pulling her hand away from Anna's and then vanishing. If anyone knows how to help Anna, it's Grand Pabbie. I'll come back once I found a solution.
Elsa and Gale returned to the Valley of Living Rock, instantly greeted by the trolls. "He did something to her. She doesn't know it's me."
Grand Pabbie thought on this, "When darkness blinds us, we say and do things we wouldn't normally. We all can testify to that, Elsa." All the trolls layed down their heads.
"It's all my fault. I don't hold it against you. If I didn't- If I just buried my desire to have a baby like a normal mother-"
"Olaf would never have been born," Bulda interrupted. "Olaf has made Ahtohallan joyful. Never apologize for having him. He was never a mistake, Elsa." The other trolls all nodded.
"From what you described, Elsa. Anna is infected with Pitch as we were, but Pitch is controlling how it affects her," Grand Pabbie thought out loud.
"Can't you absorb the darkness from her again like you did for us?" a young troll asked.
Elsa smiled and knelt by the small troll. "I wish I could. Believe me. I would do it in a heartbeat, but that was only possible since I forced Pitch to merge with me. It gave me access to his powers briefly."
"There may be another way. A soul spell that will allow you to enter Anna's spirit and purge the infection from within, but-" Grand Pabbie explained, but immediately regretted it.
"But what?" Elsa asked urgently. "I'll do anything for Anna!"
"You'll be powerless without Anna's help. It's your spirit that's entering her, not your body," the old troll, "The risk of Pitch killing you is too great. I'll find another way. I prom-"
"NO. If it was me, Anna wouldn't hesitate to risk it to save me. I'm doing it," Elsa said firmly.
Everyone was silent. Finally, Pabbie gestured with his hand to the ground in front of him. Elsa understood and laid down in front of him. "Are you sure about this? You won't be able to leave until you have purged Pitch from within her. Without her help, you can't win."
Elsa gave him a look and he knew her answer.
"To open a door for your spirit to enter…focus on something that happened or a special gift she gave you. The greater the impact, the stronger you'll be inside."
In that moment, Elsa remembered all the moments she shared with Anna since she was five. The times they played. The times she heard Anna laugh, felt her warm hug and loving pecks on her face. The warm memories caused tears to leak out of Elsa's closed eyes and a smile appear on her face. "Anna. The greatest gift you EVER gave me…was you."
Elsa then felt her spirit being pulled from her body and fly straight for Anna. Elsa became confused when she wasn't to the lair from earlier, but the lodge. Kristoff was carrying her inside and Anna looked sick, dripping with sweat. It had to be the doing of Pitch's infection. Elsa's spirit flew straight into her body where she laid on a bed and was tended to by Ella and Kristoff.
Elsa stood in a dark void. "This isn't what I imagined a human spirit to look like. It's so…dark…and cold." Elsa hugged herself. The spiritual environment around her was thick with Pitch. She stood up straight and forced her fearful face into a regal scowl. "BROTHER! FACE ME!"
"You're a fool to follow me here, sister," Pitch's voice spoke. It was loud and sounded like it was coming from all sides.
"YOU are the fool for challenging me to begin with! I'll eradicate you from this world and you will haunt humanity no longer!" Elsa yelled back.
Pitch laughed at Elsa, clearly mocking her. "You talk so highly of yourself like you are some savior! May I remind you that it was YOU who slaughtered so many on Ahtohallan. If it wasn't for the deep snow on Ahtohallan, your little pet would have seen the countless bodies that littered your land! I wonder how she would see you if you she had."
Elsa turned, following the voice, and saw Pitch standing there with his hand gripping Anna's red hair as she sat on her knees at his feet. Her body was so weak and sick that Pitch's hold on her hair was the only thing keeping her from falling.
"LET HER GO!" Elsa commanded, raising her hands to create large sharp ice javelins midair and all aiming for Pitch's face.
"Nah ah," Pitch smiled, raising Anna by her hair to use as a shield.
"Let her go and face me yourself!" Elsa hissed. How dare he use Anna like a shield!
"No, I think I will face you in a way where the odds are a little more…in MY FAVOR," Pitch waved a hand and several armored soldiers wielding swords and javelins. There were many and they all surrounded.
Elsa locked eyes with Pitch's and her cold, blue eyes narrowed in a scowl. "SO, BE IT." She unleased her ice, mowing down each guard. However, each one she killed, ten more took its place. This made her fight more quickly and with more ferocity, but it was all pointless. Elsa screamed in pain and blade struck her back. I'm vulnerable?
"It doesn't matter what spell your troll pets used, sister. I'm still stronger. Even with your recovered powers, you're still not strong enough to stop me and save this worthless human."
"She's more than that. Take it back-!" Elsa threatened, but clenched her teeth tightly when another blade struck her body. Again. Again. Again. Pitch could only smile as he watched his dark soldiers slash and stab at Elsa while other's beat her to her knees.
When Elsa woke, something was pulled off her head and she was on her knees before Anna on a throne just like her parents'. Pitch stood by Anna's side, concealed in the shadows. Her hands were shackled and pulled to the sides tightly. She somehow couldn't use her powers. Without her help, you can't win.
"Elsa?" Anna asked, surprised to see her.
Elsa looked up weakly, her eyes filled with painful tears. "Anna. Please…help me."
Elsa was angered as Pitch grabbed Anna by the chin dared desecrate her neck with his breath. "Those eyes…those pink, soft lips. Now I understand why you favor her so much, sister."
Elsa surged forward slightly with fierce anger, "LEAVE HER ALONE!" The guards pulled back hard on her chains. One of the guards struck Elsa with the heavy shaft of his javelin, making one of her fresh wounds bleed worse onto the floor.
"Please…stop," Anna begged.
Pitch needed Anna's help to end Elsa's life. He was too weak now, but he could hurt Elsa. If he could get Anna to pass judgement on Elsa by ordering her death in this realm, he would finally have total victory. Elsa knew this and figured the words he was whispering in Anna's ear.
"She's not like that anymore. It wasn't even her fault," Anna defended Elsa. "I forgave her!"
Pitch said more and Elsa met Anna's eyes. Elsa became frightened as the guards raised their javelins behind her to execute her. Anna teared up more before running for her. In that moment, Elsa felt all her power flood her body. It was what Elsa needed. For Anna to remember her again and the bond they shared.
Just as the javelins came into contact with her skin, Elsa tapped into her divine powers and moved so fast that no human could comprehend it. She saw Anna weeping on the floor holding her torn icy dress as Pitch went for Anna, but Elsa was too fast and did what she should've done many years ago. As soon as the deed was done, Elsa woke up at Living Rock. The trolls all embraced her, joyful to see she had returned. Pitch was finally dead. It felt so strange when she felt it in her heart. She stood, "The Dark One…is dead!"
The trolls all cheered and hugged one another. Now that Anna was okay and no longer in danger from Pitch, Elsa desperately wanted to be reunited with Anna again, but was hesitant. Was the worst finally over? Was a peaceful life actually within her grasp? Did she truly escape Hell and about to enter paradise?
"Go to Anna, but remember this. She still needs to recover so she still might not feel your presence or hear your voice. The full might of your divine powers will also take time to be restored due to your exposure to Pitch in your fallen state for so long. Tread carefully, my Queen," Grand Pabbie warned.
Elsa smiled before quickly kneeling and firmly embracing the old troll. "Thank you."
Grand Pabbie smiled, embracing Elsa back and enjoying the embrace of his creator and mother. "I may have played a very small roll, but Anna's role was greater. She is your savior, not I. Go."
(END OF FLASHBACK)
Suddenly Anna was back in her bed. She looked at Elsa and teared up before lunging into Elsa's arms, "Thank you, Elsa. WAIT!" She pulled away, "What about when Hans was among us?"
Elsa developed a scowl on her face and rose from Anna's bed, "You should've let me kill him. I still don't understand why you spared HIM of all your enemies."
"I have my reasons," Anna replied.
Elsa quickly turned back with shock, "You don't secretly still love him, do you?!"
Disgust appeared on Anna's face, "What?! No! I just…need him to see Arendelle rise from the ashes without him. That I can be a good queen without a king like him at my side. I need him to remind me never to make that mistake again. What was I thinking? To think I came so close to giving my heart to him."
"You were young, stupid and impulsive," Elsa commented with a smile, sitting back down with Anna, "You were SO infatuated with him. Since you were still recovering from Pitch's attack on your life, you couldn't hear me desperately warn you that he was secretly working with the Duke. I was also incredibly weak from my exhausting battle with my brother that I couldn't intervene. I never felt so helpless, watching Hans almost win by physically seducing you at the warehouse. Luckily, I had someone who could warn you for me."
"Really? Who?" Anna asked.
Elsa smiled, "Kristoff."
The mere mention of Kristoff made Anna remember how badly she missed him. He had been distant with her ever since learning she was royalty. "I wish I listened better to him."
"I finally realized your secret by studying Kristoff. You are pure in heart," Elsa revealed, "That's why you are sensitive to me. It took work to increase my bond with him so he would act on my warnings better. I even nurtured your feelings for one another after saving you from almost drowning."
"I KNEW IT! IT WAS YOU!" Anna exclaimed, making Elsa laugh.
Anna's happiness faded as she dwelt on Kristoff.
"Do you want me to talk to him?" Elsa asked, reading her thoughts.
"No, I'll handle this issue with Kristoff. You should focus on strengthening your relations with the people. They need to see you like I do. Otherwise, they'll never stop fearing you."
"Anna, I don't know. I kept my distance these past few months because I scared them. Why would they accept me now after what I did to the enemy forces?" Elsa asked.
"Please, Elsa. Just try?" Anna requested.
Elsa smiled, "I think you should go to sleep." Before Anna could object, Elsa made her pass out with a wave of her hand, causing her to fall into her arms. She positioned her onto the bed and covered her with the soft, warm blanket. She sat beside her on the bed and just watched her sleep in peace. A loving smile came on her face before she planted a maternal kiss on her forehead.
Please, Elsa. Just try?
I'll…try. I'll try for you, Anna.