Elsa was laying in her window seat staring out and gazing at the stars. It was the perfect night for it. It was nice and clear and no moon to be seen. Nothing but stars lighting up the night sky. It was beautiful and lonely. Elsa wished for a moment that she was a star. That she could just disappear among the millions and be free from these four walls. To be that beautiful. She wanted to go out onto the roof to get a better view, but a nagging feeling in her stomach told her it was smarter to stay in her room tonight. She couldn't put her finger on why, but she just knew that no matter how much she wanted to leave her room she shouldn't. Not tonight anyways. Maybe I am just being hopeful that Anna will come and visit me tonight. Yes that's it I'm just anticipating Anna's visit. A heavy gait and the sharp jangle of keys reveled to Elsa it was what she feared. With all of the activity in the castle, she feared that she was going to get a visit today. She was right. Elsa sat up and quickly scrambled over to the corner and hid her hands behind her back. She pressed as far into the wall as she could as she heard the lock click open. The door swung and in swept the King and Queen.

"Mother, Father. Good Evening. I hope all is well."

She just got a cold stare back from King Agnarr while the Queen kept her gaze anywhere, but at Elsa. Elsa held as still as cut ice. She let nothing show. Conceal don't feel. Don't let them in, Don't let them see… Conceal don't feel.

"Elsa." She didn't allow herself to wince as her name came out in a piercing snear like her name was something that was distasteful to say. "There will be three occasions you will have to attend. You are to leave this room, but if you step a single toe out of line I will have you thrown into the dungeon so fast your head will spin. Due to your mother the King and Queen from Corona will be visiting. Unfortunately they are "family" and we have an image to keep. You will be there to greet them with the rest of us, attend one "family" dinner, and be there to say goodbye to them when they leave. You will not talk to anyone unless given permission otherwise. You will not go near anyone, touch anyone, look anyone in the eye, or spend anytime with your sister. If a single hint of that wretched curse of yours makes any sort of an appearance I will be forced to punish you appropriately. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?'

The kings booming voice rattled in Elsa's room and hurt her ears, but she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he is seeing an improvement and letting me test it out. Maybe I am going to be allowed out of here full time if I successfully adhere to all of his rules during Aunt Primrose and Uncle Fredrick's visit.

"Yes sir I understand. If… If this visit goes well can we revisit the terms of my confinement in my room? Could I be allowed out more often?"

The King's eyes darkened. He stalked forward and threw his fist and hit the wall near her head. Elsa did not flinch. Nothing about her showed how terrified she really was.

"Now listen here you ungrateful witch. I make the rules here. I decide if and when you earn any privileges. You have no right to ask. You have earned nothing. The only reason you are going to be allowed out is to keep up the pretense to keep those pesky Coronians from sticking their noses any further in my business. Never ask me for anything that ridiculous ever again."

Elsa swallowed hard past the lump that was forming in her throat. She would not cry. Conceal don't feel.

"Yes sir, sorry sir."

The King jerked back and grabbed the Queen by her arm and the two of them left the room slamming it shut behind them. Elsa held still, frozen in the corner until she heard the lock click back into place. Tears started to slip down her face. Should have known better. What was I thinking? I should be thankful he just yelled this time. Elsa slid down the wall and curled up. Her head was tucked into her lap, her hands slid up and clutched her ears. She was rocking a bit, and frost slowly crept out around her. A whimper slipped past Elsa's lips as she heard the crackle of ice forming around her. She eventually froze in place not wanting to hear the frost crackle under her anymore. Just like her cursed powers make everything around her frozen, she too was now frozen in place.

Gerda was making her nightly rounds as she carried the tray of the Princess' dinner up to her for the evening. Dread filled her, acid filled her mouth, and her stomach felt like it was pumped full of lead. She kept her eyes down and briskly walked past the King and Queen with a quick polite nod trying not to break out into a run to the short distance to Elsa's room. Please tell me she is okay… please tell me that conversation hasn't happened yet. Gerda finally reached Elsa's door and knocked. She stood there for a moment hoping for an answer, but she never got one. She didn't hear a single peep.

"Princess, I'm coming in."

Gerda entered the room and her heart shattered. She closed the door over behind her, placed the tray down on Elsa's desk before she hurried over and kneeled before the young girl.

"Princess… Elsa… Sweet girl, can you hear me?"

She started holding her breath refusing to blink hoping to hear or see any sort of reaction from Elsa showing that she could hear her. To no avail thought. All she could catch was Elsa's erratic breathing. Every few moments her breath would catch and Gerda feared that she wouldn't start breathing again. Just when she would start to panic Elsa would gasp for a breath and start the cycle all over again. She reached her hands forward ignoring the chill emitting from the girl to see if she could try and force Elsa to make eye contact, but two things occured. Gerda ended up almost immediately pulling her hands back from the biting cold that was the poor girl's skin, and the low whine that passed through Elsa's lips. This was not going to work. She couldn't comfort the girl, break her out of this episode, or even touch her. Gerda felt helpless. What can I do? Then it hit her, Anna. She needed to get Anna.

"Princess I will be right back okay? I am going to get your sister. You are going to be okay I promise."

With that Gerda tore herself away from her spot on the floor in front of Elsa and quickly left the room. She scurried down the hallway and hoped that Anna was in her room. She would search every corner of the castle if she had too, but she wanted this to be as quick of a search as possible. She didn't want Elsa to be stuck in this episode longer than she had to be. The sooner she could get Anna to Elsa the sooner she knew she would be comforted. She made it down the castle to Anna's room and quickly knocked on the door. The relief she felt at the crash she heard from within the room overshadowed the usual concern that typically accompanied those crashes for Anna's wellbeing. The door swung open and the sheepish smile that was plastered on Anna's face was quickly wiped. A small squeal escaped the poor girl when Gerda quickly slid into Anna's room and closed the door, locking it behind her.

"Gerda…"

"To the passageway now, I'll explain on the way."

Anna's face turned stony. Anna quickly turned and raced over to pry open the entrance to the passage way. Anna did not need any more explanation, Elsa needed her. After sealing the passage once again behind them, the two women briskly made their way over to Elsa's room. In between huffed breaths Gerda relayed what she knew to Anna.

"I hate to drag you into this, you are the child here and I should be able to take care and shield you from horrors like this, but I think you are what your sister needs right now. I went to get the princess food, on my way back from the kitchen I saw that I had failed. In the short time I was gone the King and Queen, I mean your parents went and saw your sister. I saw them leaving when I was in the hall to your sisters room. I went in as quickly as I could to check on her. To make sure she was okay, but she was already curled up and unresponsive in the corner. I don't know what happened, but when I went to see if I could get her to leave her position on the floor there she winced back and whined. She doesn't seem to hear me as I speak to her… I think she might react and listen to you. I hate to do this to you dear, but I really don't know what else to do."

Anna nodded grimly. She really didn't mind helping, she was glad to finally be in the loop when it came to her sister. It choked her up when she thought about all of the times that Elsa was like this and she didn't know.

"Gerda, I don't blame you at all. You had to make sure Elsie ate. It isn't on you. You have other duties to do. You cannot hover around her room all of the time. I am just glad you tried and were near enough to know what kinda happened. Also I don't care if I am the child here, that is my sister. If she needs help I want to be included. When it comes to Elsie you know I will do anything."

Gerda gave a pained smile to this sweet young girl. She shouldn't have to worry about things like this. Neither one of these girls deserve this. If I could hide them from all of the evils in this place I would. Maybe their relatives can do what I cannot.

"I know dear… Come on."

They quickly made it to Elsa's room, and Gerda thought Anna was about to rip open the passage exit to her sister's room when it was slowly sliding open. Gerda hung back and watched as Anna scurried over and slammed down on her knees and slid over the last few feet over in front of her sister. She stopped a little ways in front of Elsa. Anna hovered and seemed to almost be touching the air around Elsa with soft caution as if not to disturb it without permission.

"Elsie? Can you hear me? I'm right here. You are okay, you are safe and oh so loved. No one else can hurt you now. I am here. Elsie?"

Anna slid a hand forward and brushed her fingertips against the top of Elsa's barefoot that was sticking out from under the hem of her skirt. Elsa's body jolted, but nothing else happened. Anna's eyes were locked on her looking, waiting for any other movement. Deciding that this was not going to work, that touch was not what Elsa needed right now, Anna slid around and pressed her back against the wall settling in next to Elsa. She left enough of a gap that they were not touching and that hopefully her presence wouldn't bother her. Anna then just leaned back against the wall and gazed at Elsa. She just started talking about anything and nothing. She talked just so that her voice was constant and tried to keep it at a soothing tone and volume. Elsa would come out on her own time. There was not anything that Anna could think of to snap her out of it sooner, but on the off chance Elsa was still aware of her surroundings she didn't want her to think she was abandoned or all alone. Anna wanted Elsa to know she was right there with her and willing to wait there with her for as long as it took. Anna wrapped her arms around her own legs to keep herself from reaching out and giving Elsa a hug. Her chest ached with an almost borderline need to wrap her arms around her sister in a bone breaking hug, but that was not what Elsa needed right now.

Gerda made a small tap to get Anna's attention. Anna's attention snapped over to Gerda, but her voice never wavered or lost momentum. Gerda quickly signed to Anna

*Do you want tea? Do you think it would help your sister? I know you like it and find the smell soothing*

Anna quickly nodded and watched as Gerda slipped out of the room. She was thankful that years ago Kai had thought to teach her sign language. It was not in her studies, but one day early during the separation she was hanging around Kai when Gerda came in and looked dejected. After a bit of prodding, Gerda finally admitted what was bothering her. With only a quick glance at Anna and then Kai's encouragement that it was more than fine that Anna was there she told them.

"Elsa is having one of her quiet days. She is refusing to speak at all. It is worse today. She won't even sign back. She will only nod yes or no back if I prod hard enough."

Kai sighed and tipped his head back as his eyes slid closed. Anna was so confused.

"Sign? Why isn't Elsie talking? Is she sad?"

Gerda nodded, "Yes dear your sister is sad today. Sometimes when she is like this she won't talk. Kai had the idea years ago to teach her sign to talk to us. She used to refuse to speak often before you came along. You got her talking, she hasn't really had issues with it until now."

"Well if Elsie is sad she should come out and play! I can cheer her up!"

Kai shook his head, "Princess your sister can't come out and play, you know that."

Anna was crushed and looked to be seconds away from tears.

"You know what, I have an idea. What if I taught you how to use sign language as well? That way when you get to see your sister again you can surprise her and show her. It will almost be a secret language between the two of you."

"A secret language?" Anna's young eyes widened at the thought.

Kai gave her a small smile, "Yes a secret language. Right now only Gerda, Myself, and your sister are the only ones in the castle who know how to use it. I learned it a long time ago because my father could not hear. It was how I used to talk to him. When I met Gerda many years later I taught her. Then sometime after that I taught your sister when she had trouble speaking. Now I am going to teach you."

Anna nodded her head excitedly with the thought of joining her three favorite people on acquiring knowledge of something only they would know.

Anna was pulled from the memory when she heard a small shift besides her. Her eyes focused on Elsa and saw that her fingers were flexing.

"Elsie?"

She waited and finally saw solid movement. Elsa's hand untangled itself from its death grip to the hair over her ears and hesitated a moment in the air before it drifted out seeking Anna. Anna's own hand shot out, but she quickly slowed it down, she didn't want to startle her sister. She left her hand out just a little ways from Elsa's. She left it there for Elsa to grab if she wanted it, she wouldn't push the contact, it had to be Elsa's choice. It started with just a brush of Elsa's fingertips brushing hers, then gently like a feather Elsa's hand drifted up Anna's before she twined them together finally. Elsa gave Anna's hand a death grip like it was the only thing anchoring her. Anna gave Elsa's hand a slight squeeze before she rubbed her thumb in soothing circles on the back of her hand. They sat there for a while before a soft voice rasped out.

"Anna…"

"Humm?"

A soft sigh escaped from Elsa and it seemed to Anna that with that sigh her whole body seemed to sag with relief.

"Do you want me to keep talking or do you just want to sit in silence?"

Anna waited for an answer, but soon realized that Elsa was not able to verbally answer her yet. She almost face palmed at her stupidity. Of course Elsa is not going to talk yet. Stupid.

"Right sorry you're not in a place to actually talk yet… you can sign it to me or you can squeeze my hand yes or no."

Elsa immediately tilted her head and glanced at Anna. Anna just sat there and held eye contact with her sister waiting to see what she wanted. After a moment Anna felt a squeeze on her hand. She nodded and immediately rolled with what Elsa was communicating.

"Okay, I got it. Squeeze my hand if you want me to just keep talking like I was before do nothing if you want to just sit in silence here."

Elsa immediately squeezed Anna's hand.

With a nod of her head, Anna voiced her last question, "okay last question before I just ramble here, Squeeze my hand if you want to keep holding my hand or just pull it away if this is too much. I don't mind either way, I promise. No hurt feelings, I just want to help."

Elsa's grip on Anna's hand tightened and if Anna was honest it slightly hurt. She could feel Elsa's nails starting to dig into her skin, but she didn't care. If it helped her sister what did it matter if she herself was in a little pain. Elsa was obviously suffering right now, so if she could take and carry some of the burden with her right now then she would. There was no question about it to her right now. Anna made sure to keep talking about anything and everything for Elsa. Slowly over time Elsa's grip loosened and her body seemed to uncoil until she was relaxed and slumped as she leaned back against the wall besides Anna.

Anna studied Elsa's face and saw how exhausted her sister looked. These episodes take more out of her than I bet she is willing to admit. We need to find a way to help her so they don't happen as often or at all anymore.

Just then she felt Elsa straighten up and tense a little bit and as she went to ask her what was wrong she turned her head because she heard the door click as it unlocked. Without a thought Anna quickly slid herself forward and placed herself between the door and her sister. No one was hurting Elsa while she was here.

Elsa was shocked at how quickly Anna moved to block her body from the door. She knew it was fine. By the sounds of it, it was just Gerda, so she leaned forward a bit and tried to grab Anna to tell her it was okay and to relax. She placed her hand on her shoulder and gave some slight pressure to pull her back, but Anna just placed one hand over it and gave a simple squeeze before dropping it back behind her. Elsa almost rolled her eyes. Anna had not gotten the message. At that exact moment the fumbling at the door finally stopped at the door swung open as Gerda stepped in balancing a steaming kettle and some cups. Elsa saw as Anna's body relaxed before she slid back to rest against the wall next to her. Once Anna had herself situated again she left her hand out between them to let Elsa know she could hold her hand again if she wanted. An exhausted sad smile graced her lips at the offering. It was so like Anna to give Elsa the choice, never to push either way. To just let Elsa know the option was there and it was all completely up to her. Elsa reached out and grabbed Anna's hand and pulled it gently onto her lap as she started to play with and trace Anna's fingers.

To Elsa this was still a novelty. She still was so unused to positive touch and any control of her own powers to do something like this. The fact that she knew that she was in complete control, that her powers were going to more than cooperate and not hurt Anna was amazing. She still felt that uncomfortable pressure in her chest when she suppressed her powers and squashed them down to ensure zero power slips while she was interacting with Anna, but the feeling was not as bad as it was the first time she did it. She wasn't sure if it was because her powers knew that she wasn't denying them as a whole all of the time now or if it was because she was using her powers more, so there was less to suppress as much all at once anymore. She didn't know and honestly she didn't really care as long as this end result allowed her to do things like this. She liked how warm Anna's hand was in hers. It was a comfort. Her hand was interesting to her. It was rougher and covered in callous. It brought a soft smile to Elsa's face as she realized that in order for that to happen Anna was not listening to protocols like she was probably told she had to. She still ran around and acted as she wanted. She still seeked to have fun no matter what. She was glad to see evidence of Anna's exuberance.

Gerda slipped over to Elsa's desk and set down the two cups she brought and poured in the tea. She turned to the two girls and let a smile grace her face. She was so relieved to see that she had done the right thing. Bringing Anna was the thing to do. Elsa seemed much better than she was just a little while earlier. She saw the gentle and controlled way Anna was acting. If anyone had asked her a month ago if Anna could act like this she would have laughed and said no. She would have given the same answer if anyone had asked her a month ago if she thought Elsa could ever be this comfortable around another person. It made her heart feel full to see her girls like this.

"Girls, is there anything you would like in your tea?"

Anna nodded and quickly replied, "Two sugars please."

Elsa nodded her head. Gerda waited to see what Elsa wanted. She knew that she probably wanted a splash of milk in her tea, but she wanted to see if Elsa was going to communicate that or not right now.

Elsa knew that Gerda was waiting for her to tell her, but her tongue felt like lead and her mouth was as dry as sand. She knew she would not be able to speak, so she did the next best thing. Unfortunately she had to remove her hand from Anna's for a moment to do this, but she knew she could hold it again if she asked Anna. She place Anna's hand down and quickly signed to Gerda.

*Milk please*

Gerda gave Elsa a smile and quickly poured in a splash of milk into Elsa's tea. As she was walking over she saw Anna nudge Elsa and signed to her, *Proud of you* with a giant grin on her face. She almost busted out in full laughter at Elsa's surprised face. As she gave the girls their cups she whispered to Elsa, "Your sister is fluent in sign as well. Kai taught her how as well a while ago. Though between you and me I think it was for a brief rest for his poor ears."

"HEY! I'm not that bad…"

Both Gerda and Elsa grinned and one gave a hearty chuckle.

"Oh you know I'm just teasing you dear."

And with all of the grace that Anna possessed she scrunched up her nose while she stuck her tongue out at Gerda.

Elsa smiled as she enjoyed the banter between 2 of her favorite people. She found it was just what she needed. Elsa took a sip of her tea and sat there with her hands cradling the cup as she watched and listened to Anna and Gerda mock and tease each other as they debated on Kai's real reason for teaching Anna sign language.

Anna noticed Elsa's completely relaxed state as she watched Gerda and her in their friendly debate. There was a sparkle, a small mirth that shone in her eyes as she observed the ridiculousness before her. If all it took was for her to act like an idiot for Elsa to be relaxed like this, then she will act the biggest fool to see her sister like this more often. Both Gerda and Anna's debate completely halted with just a small giggle cutting through the room. Elsa sat there with a cheeky grin as she took another sip of her tea.

"Sunshine, you know I love you but Gerda does make a solid point. While I don't mind it I can see where others' ears might…. Just might get a little tired from your constant ramblings. Now Gerda did it ever occur to you that maybe Kai had an anterior motive to teach Anna sign. Maybe he is a bigger gossip than you knew. I can easily see those two chatting away leaving no one else the wiser."

Anna and Gerda stared at the young teen with their mouths dropped. Anna was shocked at the deviousness that her sister just exhibited, while Gerda was shocked at how quickly Elsa seemed to rebound back. Typically she is still silent and Gerda is lucky if she can get any sort of response back from Elsa. Now here she is smiling and teasing them. Anna seems to weave some sort of magic that pulls the best out of Elsa. The same can be said in reverse. Anna is never this calm and collected. Her typical exuberance helps to hide the truth though. Anna was actually quite a sad and lonely girl. No one would say that looking or briefly talking to her though. It was a quiet sadness that hid in her eyes. It was completely gone now in the presence of her sister. It was amazing to see how in this short amount of time being back in one another lives how much of a difference there was in them. It was all for the better as well. Gerda couldn't be happier. For the first time in forever, Gerda felt like she had finally done something right. Reuniting these girls was definitely the right thing.

Never one to beat around the bush, Anna just had to know.

"Elsie… May I ask what caused you to shut down like that?"

Elsa sat there and stared at her now almost empty cup. She let out a small huff of air. She knew that she should tell Anna and Gerda. It was kind of good news. Maybe I should just focus on that… Yes, tell the good. Anna will be happy. Still staring at her cup Elsa started to explain.

"Well I saw Mother and Father today. They came to visit. After an interesting and I would call intense conversation a decision has been reached. Am I correct to assume that you know our Aunt and Uncle are coming to visit?"

Elsa glanced and waited to receive the nods from both Anna and Gerda before she continued. Both were intrigued on what that had to do with anything.

"It has been decided that while they are visiting I am to be present for a few occasions while they are here. I will be allowed to exit my room for sometime during their stay."

To say that Gerda and Anna were shocked would be an understatement.

"You get to come out of your room?"

"Yes… under some strict conditions and guidelines… Anna, I'm sorry. I know you are probably thinking up a whole list of things we could do together, but that won't happen."

Anna straightened up as she heard and watched as Elsa was starting to shrink before her. It was like what she was having to say was slowly killing her.

"Elsie, what do you mean by conditions?"

Elsa sighed as she prepared to reveal to them the conditions of her brief freedom from her room.

"I am allowed out for three occasions during our Aunt and Uncle's visit; to greet them when they arrive, for one full family meal, and to tell them goodbye when they leave. I am not supposed to speak unless spoken to, even then I have to wait for permission from father. I am not allowed to look, touch, or spend any time with you. I am there purely for decoration, so that our Aunt and Uncle will see a 'normal happy family'. And of course my curse is not to be seen, felt, basically no appearance of it. If I do not follow these rules to the letter I will be handled."

Anna looked horrified and Gerda looked defeated.

"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

"Princess Anna… just focus on the positive. Your sister gets to leave her room."

Anna turned and looked at Gerda, horror still painted on her face.

"It's bull and you know it. These rules are mean, uncalled for, degrading, and straight disrespectful! I'm gonna give.."

"No!"

Both Gerda and Anna froze at Elsa's strong commanding voice.

"Neither one of you will say or do anything. We will all abide by these rules. There is a chance if we do this that maybe the current rules that keep me locked in here will loosen and allow me out more often. Do you both understand?"

"Elsie, do you really believe that? THat you will be allowed out more if you follow his rules to the letter?"

Elsa here looked defeated.

"No I do not, but I never saw this coming either. This is the only choice that we have that will be without unnecessary conflict. I will not allow disrest occur on my behalf."

"Okay… I will listen to you this time. I just… I hope you know that this is not right. While I am glad that you are getting a little bit of freedom, no matter how small it is, the fact that… I just… Ugh!"

Elsa gave a pained wistful smile full of understanding to her sister. It was not often that Anna was obviously at a loss of words or had trouble expressing herself. It was more than apparent that this situation was bothering her more than she could verbalize. Elsa understood that personal state of purgatory and she hated to see her sister stuck there. She set down her cup and cupped Anna's face while she brushed her bands back from her face.

"Sunshine, We are going to take this as a win okay? We are going to make this a good thing and we are going to enjoy it while it last. Stay positive, I need you to stay positive for me, okay? I'm going to quietly need your help and reassurance. I know I am. I have not left this room and interacted with other people in such a capacity as I am about to in a very long time. I know I am going to panic and want to run. I am going to need to look at you and know that everything is going to be okay. It is a lot to ask of you, possibly too much, but I am going to need your help. Can you do that for me?"

Anna launched herself forward and wrapped herself up in Elsa's lap. Anna almost tipped out of Elsa's lap from her sister not expecting the sudden weight to be slammed into her like that, or maybe she did… Arms immediately darted out and caught Anna and pulled her close. Anna sighed and burrowed her face into Elsa's neck. How could anyone think Elsa was dangerous? She is just soft and warm and safe. Elsa is safe.

Gerda caught Elsa's eye and gave a swift nod. And pointed that she was going to leave. Elsa gave her a small smile and watched as Gerda collected the now empty tea cups. As she passed by the tray, she raised and gave a pointed look at Elsa. Elsa knew what it meant. She gave a quick nod to acknowledge that she still had to eat her dinner at some point. With that settled Gerda slipped out of the room to leave the girls alone.

And that's where the girls stayed. Locked around and clutching one another like a raft in a storm. Together they didn't feel as scared. For now that was enough.