A/N: SORRYY, sorry folks! I know it's been a minute, but I didn't forget about the story. I had a bit of writer's block, plus my current schedule and some other stuff meant no updates for a while. I do have a longer chapter here to make up for it, and hopefully the drama and angst will more than make up for my absence.

I'll try and keep up with updates, but the next chapter is proving a handful to write. Will do my best to make it work. In the meantime, please enjoy.

As a reminder, when we last left off, Anna had just realized there was a traitor among them.

"Who could have known about the mandrake flowers? Alvar just told us they were part of the cure like…5 minutes ago."

Anna looked up at Kristoff, her red, puffy eyes swirling with confusion. "I don't know…but whoever it is, they knew what they were doing. They must have realized we were trying to cure her and gotten rid of the one thing we do need."

She turned to the sorcerer, "Isn't there anything else you can try?"

Alvar hung his head, "No, princess. This spell is the only one that would work on your sister, and without the mandrake flower, the potion is useless."

Anna dropped her head into her hands, struggling to keep her tears at bay. She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, Gerda's, but the gesture fared poorly against the silence that suffocated the room and any optimism she had once held.

All hope is lost.

"Or not."

Heads turned to the ice harvester, who blanched at the sudden attention. "What about the field? It isn't so far up the North Mountain that we couldn't go there and come back in time."

A spark of hope reignited at his words, "You think we can do it?"

Kristoff nodded, "Probably better to take some horses though. I don't know that Sven has the energy to make that trip, not after what we put him through earlier."

Anna nodded knowingly, her heart soaring at the second chance. A chance to fix things. A chance to save Elsa. It was with this new fiery determination that she turned to Gerda. "Please keep watch over Elsa. We'll get the flowers and be back well before sunset."

The handmaiden released a fond, exasperated, worried sigh. "As much as I wish you'd stay where it is safe, especially with a traitor on the loose, I also know I can do nothing to hold you back, especially not now." She pulled the princess into a hug, "Take care, my dear. You are just as important as your sister."

Anna nodded against the old woman before drawing back. "Alvar, could you have the potion ready by the time we come back?"

The man nodded, "I'll have it all set."

Anna and Kristoff exchanged a knowing nod before heading out the door, but they couldn't have gone more than twenty feet when Kai came hurrying up to them. "Princess!"

Anna didn't slow down, "I'm sorry, Kai, but I need to go and get one more ingredient for Elsa's cure. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

The chamberlain blocked her path, something akin to regret morphing his features. "Your Highness, I'm afraid you have other pressing matters to tend to. It appears the council has learned about the queen's condition and they are furious."

"What?!" Anna burst out, "How did they even find out?"

Kai shook his head, "I wish I knew, Your Highness. But it doesn't matter how they found out. The members are in the council chambers right now, demanding you give them some answers about the situation."

Anna could feel a dull headache against the back of her eyelids. "Later, Kai. I'll deal with the council after Elsa is cured."

The chamberlain didn't miss the tense set of her shoulders or the curled fist that kept her legendary anger at bay. Nor was he unaware of the circumstances that hovered over the castle like a dark cloud. But even in Arendelle's darkest hour, he could not ignore his duty, nor could he let the princess avoid hers.

He shook his head, "I'm afraid the matter is entirely out of your hands, princess. You must meet with them now. They are demanding it."

Her dull headache became more acute. Council meetings on their own were an insufferable nightmare, but now…

Anna let out a frustrated huff. "Kai, I can't do this right now. Not while Elsa's life is at stake…." Her words were pleading, desperate. "You know I need to go."

And she did. The princess had never been the type of person to sit around and let life happen around her, and when it came to protecting those she loved, she was usually at the front of the charge, working tirelessly to ensure everyone's happiness and security. It was perhaps her most admirable trait…

But, right now, it was also perhaps her biggest detriment.

He let out a soft sigh. "Anna, if I may, I did not object to your leaving the kingdom to travel to the Black Mountains for two days, nor do I object to you leaving now. But in your sister's absence, you are the leader of this kingdom and the other half of our government is demanding an explanation. You must do your job."

Helplessness morphed the princess' features. She turned away, biting her lower lip as she struggled with what to do next.

Sympathy graced his features, "I know you wish to help your sister and that you can't sit by and wait for things to happen around you. But even so, your obligation to the kingdom comes first." When Anna opened her mouth to object, he added gently, hesitantly, "You know your sister would agree with me."

It was these words that broke through her stubborn resolve, because, as always, Kai was right. Anna swallowed painfully. The thought of delaying their trip any longer churned her stomach, but she did have a job to do.

A warm, strong hand came to rest on her tense shoulder, "If you want, I can take some guards and head up to the fields."

"I'll talk to the council. But it'll have to be quick, cause, after that, I'm heading up to the North Mountain to look for that cure myself." She turned to her boyfriend, "Come on. Let's go see what they want from us."

As soon as Anna entered the council chambers, twelve angry faces burst out in utter indignation, all talking over themselves in an unbearable cacophony.

It wasn't until the princess smacked her hand on the table that they stopped, but the sweet silence was brief.

"Your Highness, just what is going on? We had to learn from the mouths of castle servants that the queen is on her deathbed. Did no one think it prudent to inform the council of such a grave and consequential development?"

Anna clenched her fists at Minister Aleksander's characterization of the situation. "We understand your concerns, but we've been a little busy finding a cure for my sister. And she is not on her deathbed, just a little under the weather."

Minister Mikkael adjusted his glasses, "Is it not true that if a cure is not found for the queen by today's sunset, then there is no hope for her?"

She had no idea how the council had gotten wind of such specifics, but she grimaced and agreed with a tense nod, "Yes. But we're getting-"

"And rather than hear this from your own mouth, we had to rely on the paltry gossip of SERVANTS to gather information about one of the most pressing developments in our government's function. Does this not strike you as a dereliction of your duties, princess?"

Kristoff stepped forward, his ire growing, "As she said, she's been a little busy."

"Ah yes…finding a cure for the queen." Mikkael mused airily. "And did it occur to you, Your Highness, that there are guards that are trained for such tasks as heading into the Black Mountains to find some doddery old man?"

Anna grit her teeth, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface with the fury of an active volcano. It was with the greatest of efforts that she managed to keep from lashing out at the man.

"I needed to talk to the man myself. I was trying to do what was necessary…"

"No, princess. You weren't doing what was necessary. you were just trying to play hero, that's all. You gallivanting through the mountains while the future of Arendelle hangs in the balance doesn't bode well for the state of this nation." He turned to his council. "Is this the kind of behavior we can expect when the throne passes to you?"

WHEN?!

Hell had no equal like an irate Anna on the verge of explosion, but perhaps the others sensed this because Kai stepped in for her with a sharp remark of his own.

"If I didn't know any better, Minister Mikkael, I'd say that was a treasonous statement you just uttered." His booming voice serving as a reminder to all council members, lest they be foolish enough to repeat the man's mistakes.

The man shrunk a little at the unexpected outburst from the normally passive chamberlain, but that hardly dissipated the tense silence in the room.

"Princess," Minister Tennfjord interjected. "Can you at least tell us how the situation came to be? What is wrong with Her Majesty? Who is behind this? And have they been caught yet?"

Anna hung her head. Unfortunately, all of those were questions she could not answer. "I-I don't have the information you're looking for, Minister, not yet, at least." But she swallowed the lump in her throat and added somewhat abruptly, "But we'll find answers. We'll conduct an investigation and punish whoever was responsible."

"I have no doubt the answers will be found, princess," The man replied grimly, "But of course, you must see the predicament we are under. It's been three days since the ruler of our land fell gravely ill, but you still cannot tell us why or how this came to pass. This is why we have concerns about your leadership capabilities, Your Highness. A government cannot be run without attention to such simple and crucial details, not when the future and security of this nation hang in the balance."

Tears threatened to make a most unseemly appearance as Anna felt herself withering under the criticism. She clenched her fists under the table, nails biting into her palm to draw blood.

They're right. It was my responsibility to take care of the kingdom in Elsa's absence…but I've failed.

"Princess…" The bishop began in a much gentler tone, "We understand you are doing what you can to help the queen, but in her absence, you must fulfill your role as princess regent…and leaving the kingdom for extended trips, no matter what their purpose, will not inspire confidence in your public."

"But-" She dropped off, not sure what to say. She knew what the council wanted her to do, but Elsa needed her.

More like I need her right now.

It was with a hint of regret that Anna wished she'd paid more attention to her sister during her royal training. Matters of the council had always been the least interesting part of her obligations, but Anna was beginning to understand just why Elsa had sought to prepare her.

For moments just like this…when the council decides to pounce like a pack of rabid wolves on a helpless lamb.

As she watched the group descend into another round of self-initiated, self-righteous debate over her purported faults, Anna struggled to remember all her sister had taught.

((()))

It had been a particularly difficult day for Elsa, what with the council smacking down every one of her proposals without so much as a glance at her hard work.

In a moment of confusion, Anna had asked her sister how she, an ordinary second in command, could ever hope to overcome them if they had rejected Elsa's work and all of its accompanying regal queenliness.

To her surprise, Elsa returned a small smile. "Confidence, Anna. It's all about confidence. They are your advisors, but you owe them nothing more than a chance to plead their case and an unbiased, receptive ear for their pleas to fall on. You are the monarch, every decision, every step…it all falls to you."

Anna sighed, "But they didn't even offer you the same courtesy. And you can't pass these laws without them."

Elsa agreed. "On paper, that is true. They will try to manipulate you. They will try to make you feel worthless without them, as if you cannot accomplish even the most basic of tasks without their explicit consent. It is not so."

A wicked gleam emerged in Anna's eyes. "Are you saying you can overrule them?"

Elsa laughed. "No, Anna. I'm not advocating tyranny. All I'm saying is that you will always have the power to press your point, and one day, like it or not, they will accept it. If for no other reason than moving on."

"So your big lesson is that we just need to keep trying? Even if they won't offer us any respect?" Anna huffed. "Sounds like a raw deal. I thought we were the rulers here."

"Respect doesn't always come with the job, Anna. It must be earned. And the more confident you are, the easier it will be for them to respect you. If they find a hint of uncertainty, a twinge of self-doubt, they will latch onto it, and it will suffice as a reason to ruin your plans."

She gestured to the pile of proposals on her desk. "I doubted myself today. I wondered if I was moving too fast…being too progressive with my proposals in a kingdom that isn't ready for such changes yet."

"And they sensed it?"

"Like sharks drawn to a drop of blood."

Anna giggled. "Don't let them catch you saying that."

"Hmm, the sharks would be rather offended by the comparison, wouldn't they?"

The sisters descended into silly laughter at the joke, the moment of levity undercutting the disappointing developments.

But Anna had one more question. "I second-guess myself all the time. And seeing those council members…how can you be so brave when you know just how nasty they'll be in return?"

Elsa's look turned unbelievably soft. "It's funny you should ask that. Because I gather my courage by thinking of you."

Anna blinked. "Me?"

"I think about what you would do, and how, come hell or high water, you would fight for the laws you want to see and the lives you want to improve, and I try to emulate you as best I can." She returned a shy smile, "You inspire me to be braver, Anna. You always have."

The princess was at a loss for words. "But why me? I haven't even done anything."

"That's not true." Came the gentle admonishment as a delicate hand clasped her freckled cheek. You have proven your capability and your dedication to this land a hundred times over, love. And I trust your judgement more than anyone else's on that stupid council."

"Really?" Anna whispered in awe before a pout took over. "Then why do you always over-prepare me for every council meeting?"

Elsa let out a light laugh. "I had no idea over-preparation was a bad thing. But the truth is, my worry has never been about you. Rather, I fear they will try their hardest to break you because they've never met anyone so self-assured and independent. But that is what makes you special, and damn them to hell if a day should ever come where they convince you that you are not capable of handling your responsibilities."

Anna ducked her head. Elsa's faith in her made little sense, but she knew by now not to question it. Elsa did have faith in her. And yet –

"But what if they're right and I can't handle my responsibilities?" Shame coursed through her at the notion. "What if I'm not enough?"

Elsa squeezed her hand in understanding, the warm smile on her face wrapping around her like a fleece blanket. "You always will be, Anna . But if they ever do try to convince you otherwise, know that I will always trust you to do the right thing."

"Because Arendelle's future and security lay in caring, capable hands."

((()))

Elsa trusts me. She trusts me to make the right choice, even if the council would dare to differ.

And Anna knew deep down what that choice needed to be.

She took a deep breath to stabilize her whirlwind of emotions before answering. "I know that I haven't upheld my traditional duties as princess regent, and for that... I'm sorry." She looked up to meet their gaze in an apologetic gesture before adding, "But what I have done over the past three days, I did to protect the kingdom."

She straightened her spine and added with a touch more courage, "Elsa is the queen of this land. Protecting her is our first and foremost concern, and being the crown princess, that responsibility lands more on my shoulders than on any others. It is a responsibility I take most seriously, and there is nothing I wouldn't do to get her back on her feet."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she focused on Mikkael. "Perhaps some of you do not believe there is hope for the queen. But I do. And I consider saving her life more of a priority than anything else that may be a concern right now…because this kingdom needs Elsa, and I know you are aware of this fact, just as I am."

Their patient silence inspired more confidence in Anna. She had their attention now.

Hopefully someday, she'd have their respect as well.

She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. "Now I intend to head up to the North Mountain to find an ingredient for the potion that will save her. I know there are duties to tend to here at home and questions to answer, and I will handle them… after Elsa is out of danger, not before."

"Any more questions?" She did her best to project one of Elsa's deadliest glares at the members, daring them to protest.

None did.

Satisfied with their response for the time being, the princess swiveled around and strode out of the room, Kai and Kristoff close on her heels.

"Kai, get our horses ready. We've got a flower to find."

Anna had just put her traveling cloak around her shoulders when she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

To her surprise, Alvar entered the room, sending a sharp chill down her spine.

"Elsa, is she ok?"

Alvar nodded, "She is stable for the moment, princess…but I had something I wished to tell you."

Anna picked up her purse and slung it across her body. "I should be going, Alvar. Time is running out and if it weren't for that blasted council meeting, we'd be halfway there already."

The man nodded solemnly, his hands clasped behind his back. "I know, princess, and I don't mean to take much time. What I have to say is crucial to the situation, and something I should have told you long ago."

Anna studied the old man before her, confused by his seemingly contrite look. "Alvar, I'm sure whatever it is, it's okay…now I really need to get going and-"

"I've seen the medallion before."

"Huh?"

He took a deep breath and looked up into teal eyes. "I've seen the medallion before…"

"In fact, I'm the one who created it."

Anna blinked in rapid succession, but the shock quickly became bubbling anger. "WHAT?!"

He held his hands up in defense, "Please, princess, hear me out."

"I don't think I need to, you just told me you created the thing that nearly killed my sister!"

"I did," he admitted, "But I didn't know it was intended for Elsa." The man shook his head emphatically, "Please, princess, I had no idea who they intended it for, all I knew was that the medallion needed to sap the strength of someone wielding powers of ice and snow."

"But you still made it." Anna replied, her caustic tone eliciting a wince from the old sorcerer. "If you knew it would harm someone, anyone, why would you make it?'

Alvar heaved a shaky sigh before confessing, "I did it for the money. I didn't care to find out who or why they needed it…it was a transaction, nothing more."

"But when you came to find me, when you reminded me of who I used to be and told me your sister needed help, I began to suspect that perhaps my actions had come back to haunt me. I couldn't be sure, but once I laid eyes on your sister and saw her suffering, my guilt only grew."

The princess slowly processed the details, clarity sinking in. "So the spell you used on her…"

"A simple healing spell. Not the kind of magic that normally solves such complicated cases, but I needed to pretend to find out what was wrong with your sister…truth be told, I knew the medallion was behind her pain the moment I saw her."

"Then you knew where it was hidden too, didn't you?"

"No…" He shook his head, "That I did not know. I made the talisman, but I'm not the one who put it there."

"But you know who did…" Anna turned on him as she put the pieces together. "You know who the assassin is, don't you?"

Alvar sighed once more, "At the time, I didn't care to ask questions. The person who purchased it kept their face hidden the whole time. I'm afraid I'm not much help in that department, princess."

"Then why tell me all of this now?"

He hung his head, "I tell you this because you deserve the truth. You put your faith in me, you've trusted me to help you save your sister…but you should know that I'm the reason she is suffering to begin with. And for that, I am deeply, truly sorry."

Anna crossed her arms, a bitter expression evident in her swirling teal eyes. "Oh, you're sorry? Well then, that solves everything, doesn't it?"

The retort only added more shame to the man's conscience. "If I had known your sister would suffer because of my actions, I would never have imbued that medallion with dark magic to begin with…but the past cannot be undone." His eyes glistened in the fading light, his wrinkled face gaunter and more pronounced.

"The only way I can atone for my sin, princess, is by saving your sister. And I intend to save her, with all the power I have left."

Sorenson's words from earlier (had it only happened a few hours ago?) rattled in her brain.

My fault, I placed my faith in the wrong person…it's my fault.

"This cure?" She spat bitterly, "Is it even as genuine as you claim it will be, or is this just another lie?"

She felt no satisfaction when he bowed his head. "You have every right to question me, princess, but it is the only way to heal her, I assure you."

Anna turned away, her eyes blazing with anger, turmoil warring in her heart.

Faith misplaced, a traitor roaming around freely, a kingdom searching for a leader I cannot be…every step I take is wrong, everything I do backfires.

She clenched a fist and said nothing.

But Alvar did. "I know I've done nothing to redeem myself in your eyes, princess, but I implore you to give me another chance. I intend to save your sister, and this is the way to do it." He stepped forward. "Please, princess, give me an opportunity to help."

She wanted to throw him out of the kingdom, punish him, scream at him…anything to atone for her mistake in trusting him.

But how could she? For all of his involvement in her sister's condition, he was also the only one who knew how to heal her. Grand Pabbie had said as much, and whether she could trust him or not, there was no time to search for another option.

Elsa…if for no other reason, then do this for Elsa. He isn't trustworthy, but he seems repentant, doesn't he?

That he did. His weary old eyes downcast and glistening with tears, the sorcerer did seem apologetic for his actions. And wasn't Anna the one who believed in second chances?

She sighed and looked over at him, resignation clear in her stormy teal eyes. "I don't have a choice, Alvar. I have to turn to you for help because no one else understands Elsa's condition. But that doesn't mean I've forgiven you, not does it mean that I trust you."

She adjusted the strap on her purse before standing up. "I have a flower to find. And once Elsa is cured, we're going to discuss all of this."

Something akin to relief passed through his features. "I understand, princess. And I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you… and your sister."

She could tell the response was genuine. It went some ways to soothing her anger.

"So am I." She replied in an almost sympathetic whisper before she brushed past him and headed for the door. What with the distractions, she had only a few hours to reach the mountains. Kristoff was already waiting at the stables for her, but if they hurried, they could be back in -

"Princess?"

She turned back to look at Alvar, who now returned a strange expression with widening eyes, "I just realized something."

Something about his expression made her regret asking, "What?"

He gestured to the window. "The flowers. You said they were gone, like someone had just uprooted them recently…I forgot earlier but when I sold the medallion, I told them how the counter-potion was created." His dilated gray eyes met her confused teal ones, "The person who bought the medallion must be the person who removed the flowers…and now that they know where the rest of the flowers are located-"

Anna felt her heart stop. "They might get rid of the only chance Elsa has at a cure."