Anna ambled gracelessly back into her room after Gerda. Her heart was so full, but it ached at the same time. She wasn't completely sure if she wanted to sing and dance with joy or cry out in pain and smash things in rage.

When she woke yesterday, she never would have guessed that it was going to be the best day in her young life. She originally woke up slightly sour. She was hopeful that she would get to see Elsa since it was her birthday, but a larger part of her was resigned that she wasn't going to. It wasn't like she ever did on any of Elsa's other birthdays. All she got was that oppressively silent door. Each year she'd knock and try to get Elsa to come out and celebrate with her, but the door never moved— now Anna knew why. Anna had gotten quiet creative on what she could manage to squeeze under the door as a gift to her sister. Even if Elsa was giving her the silent treatment, she still deserved to get something on her birthday. Everyone deserved that at least, so Anna made small gifts that she could slide under the door. At first it was nothing but simple cards that a younger Anna could make on her own, but as she got older and learned more craft making skills from following Gerda around all day her gifts got more and more complex over the years. This year she had made Elsa her gift, but in the shock of all that transpired Anna forgot to bring it with her when she saw Elsa. Anna remembered about her gift when she saw it still laying on her desk in her room. She resolved to wrap it this year in a nice box and give it to Elsa herself when she saw her later that night.

She spun around to Gerda and a tidal wave of words gushed out of the young princess' face.

"Gerda! I have to thank you for all of what you have done and for gifting me my sister back! Can you please give me a map of the secret passages if you have one or just a basic list of directions on how to get to Elsa's room from mine? Oh! And if it is not trouble, I need a nice box so I can wrap Elsa's gift so she can open my gift to her that I forgot to bring with me yesterday? I have a feeling she hasn't gotten to open a real present in a long time, so I want to make this special for her even if the gift is small… I could probably get her something else… No not enough time for that plus that might draw too much attention forget that plan."

Gerda smiled at the exuberant young princess before her. It never ceased to amaze her how fast the girls mind went to be able to rap off everything she was thinking so quickly. Though she was slightly terrified at the thought that the girl's mouth wasn't quite fast enough to keep up with ALL of her thoughts in her word vomit. No, she would not think of that. The girl was already more than capable of ambushing a person with her rapid-fire word vomit as it was.

"No problem Princess. Here is a copy of the map of the secret passages that we found", Gerda passed the map to the princess, "And I will get you a nice box for your gift. Odin know that your sister would love the surprise."

Anna was startled when she gazed at the map and then to Gerda when she processed what she heard.

"Wait who is we?"

Gerda grinned, "There are a few of us that have disagreed with your parents' decision to separate the two of you. Anyone who has been around the two of you from the beginning know that the two of you are better together. Princess Elsa cools your normal fiery self down and makes you more rational, while you illuminate her quiet passion and courage."

Anna stared at Gerda with wide eyes.

Gerda continued, "Princess Elsa has always been such a soft and beautiful soul, so reserved and quiet all of us couldn't help but love her, but we always worried that her gentle light would be extinguished with the way your parents wrote her off after they discovered her gift. We have tried to look after her the best we could, but something just shifted when you were born. Your existence shifted something in her. We stopped worrying about her being crushed with you around, but then after the accident… It has come too close for any of our comforts. It has almost completely crushed your sister."

Gerda teared up before continuing.

"It was like a darkness fell over her and was crushing the girl. Nothing we did seemed to help. Her control was getting worse over her powers sending her into a further spiral down. You were getting out of control and endangering yourself more and more with your stunts worrying all of us that you were going to do something to where we all lost you dear. The three of us agreed that if you went too far and word got back to Princess Elsa there would be no consoling her. The only thing keeping her going was you. Anytime we would try to talk to her and correct the lies poisoning her about herself she would just repeat 'It doesn't matter, Anna is safe and that is all that does matter… Anna is okay… I can make sure that she is okay by staying here.' So, Kai looked for the plans of the castle to see if there was a way to sneak you into your sister's room unnoticed, while Dr. Nilsen and I ensured that no one knew what we were doing and that you both were in one piece until we figured out how to accomplish our task. Then we discovered an old forgotten secret that was the secret passages."

Anna rushed forward and bear hugged the older woman.

"Thank you so much! I'm sorry we worried you so much. I'll take care of Elsie now. She'll be okay, I'll make sure of it and I'll try and not do as many things that might be umm… well not the safest of my ideas."

Gerda nodded and gave a quick squeeze back to her young charge. She loved those girls as if they were her own. She was glad that she was able to help correct a wrong she knew was killing the two of them slowly.

After the quick revelations and disclosure of the quiet revolt against the current occupiers of the crown to reunite the sisters, Gerda made sure Anna made it to breakfast without fail. No one was the wiser what was happening against the kings wishes.

Anna sat at the table and masked the contempt that she had for her parents. She sat there eating breakfast in silence making glances throughout breakfast trying to wrap her brain around how her parents could do this to her sister. It didn't make sense at all. It took all of her will power not to lose her temper at them for all the lies, secrets, and the separation that they inflicted on the sisters. The only thing that kept Anna's rage and impulse to have it out with her parents was the thought of Elsa. She just knew that nothing would be solved or changed if she confronted her parents about any of this. All that she would accomplish would to bring down the wrath of her father on everyone. Gerda, Kai, and Dr. Nilsen would possibly get caught if Anna reveled too much, and she just knew that Elsa would receive the brunt of the punishment that would come slamming down. She refused to let this situation get any worse for her sister. So, Anna sat there and acted like everything was normal. The only evidence of Anna's true feelings was the slight bend that was occurring to the silverware that was being clenched in her hands.

The rest of the castle went about its day normally as if the world wasn't suddenly brighter. Elsa puttered around her room listening to all the normal sounds that occurred everyday in the castle as it came to life that day. It slightly bewildered her that the world was not at all different, but everything had changed. Elsa had gotten the best birthday gift she could remember. She got her sister back. She was over the moon happy. She couldn't remember the last time she was this elated in her life. The only problem she was facing now was that she was just so restless. She couldn't find it in herself to just sit still and concentrate on anything for very long. Part of her felt overly caged in and trapped with all of this energy. How was she supposed to make it all day until she saw Anna again. She just felt like singing at the top of her lungs while dancing around her room completely unrestrained. While she was trying to repress the impulse, she paused at the knock on her door.

Gerda entered the room with the princess' breakfast tray. She was slightly startled to see Elsa pacing around like her sister right before she did something impulsive. She almost laughed at the sight. It seemed that just one evening together and the girls were already rubbing off on one another. Anna was quieter and seemingly was demonstrating more cooled restraint while Elsa seemed to have a new fire burning bright within her that she seemed quiet unfamiliar with. It was almost comical to the older woman to see this role reversal. Seeing this just confirmed to the housekeeper was that the girls really did need each other, and what she and the others were doing to ensure they girls were together again even in secret was the right thing to do. If she let herself think about it she would burst into tears seeing Elsa so animated and seeming to hold herself taller with a new purpose burning in her. For too long, Elsa seemed to be dimming before all of their eyes. Recently the girl just seemed so small and almost lacking the will to fight for herself at all anymore, so seeing her like this was almost awe inspiring. What powers did Anna possess to cause this much change?

"Your highness I brought your breakfast."

Elsa stopped her pacing and a small smile graced her face in thanks as she followed Gerda (at a distance- seemed she was still wary of getting too close to others- again another miracle that only Anna can seemingly manage to accomplish) to the her desk where Gerda placed her breakfast tray. Gerda then turned and looked Elsa straight in the eyes giving her the most stern motherly look she could manage.

"Now do I have to stay here and make sure you'll eat this or will you actually eat your breakfast this morning?"

She stared at Elsa until she was given a a proper response.

"I will eat my breakfast, well as much as I can anyways. You know that especially with breakfast that I'm just not that hungry, but I will eat something I promise."

Gerda nodded and left the princess after promising her she would be back later to bring her lunch.

Elsa was left alone in her room once again and was left staring at her food. It smelled wonderful as always, but Elsa just couldn't stomach the thought of eating anything. She just didn't see the appeal, but she had promised Gerda she was going to eat a bit. Elsa picked at the fruit that was on the tray. She nibbled on a few pieces before she could've find the will power to eat anymore. She stared at her tray and felt guilty that she just couldn't stomach anymore food. She didn't want to worry Gerda anymore than she already did and she hated to do this again because it felt like lying to her, but she couldn't think of another solution that was any better. She walked over to her window and unlatched it. She swung it open and went outfoxed her window onto the roof of the castle to see if she could find the cat that could usually be found lounging around. She had discovered this cat little while back on on of her secret excursions onto the roof. It was the one place she had access to from her room. She knew she technically wasn't supposed to do this, but it was the only taste of freedom she had whenever her room started to feel like it was closing in on her. One day while she was wandering around on the roof she ran across this cat. They both seemed to stare at each other in shock for a moment seeing another out on the roof and they observed each other cautiously. The cat made the first move creeping closer to Elsa, but she scattered back in fear of her powers hurting the little creature. The cat from then on seemed to give Elsa space, but if it was out on the roof when she was it always seemed to find and follow her around. Elsa had taken to sharing her food with the cat whenever she could. It didn't feel as wasteful, she didn't worry Gerda as much with some food missing from her trays, and she got to feed her little friend. The only problem was that the cat's presence was not a constant thing she could count on for that purpose. Like for the past week the small ball of fur had been MIA. She wasn't worried since it there has been a period of time that passed, about a month, of not seeing the cat before it showed up again. She wasn't completely sure that the cat was going to be out there this morning, but Elsa took some food from the tray out there with her, just incase. She wandered around a bit looking before she gave up and just went back to the ledge by her window and just sat down and enjoyed the outdoors. She made sure she was out of view of anyone who would glance up. So far no one had noticed her small escapes out onto the roof, so she figured that her spot worked.

While she was reclined back with her eyes closed just enjoying the slight breeze grace across her skin, and the new sensation of the warmth of the sun on her skin she heard a small meow. She opened her eyes, sat up, and turned her head to see her little friend sitting a little ways away staring at her. A gentle grin slipped on her face at the sight of her feline friend.

"Hello, I wasn't sure I was going to see you today. It has been a while since I late saw you. I hope you have been doing well. I have some food for you!"

Elsa quickly grabbed the napkin she had wrapped some of the food for the cat and slid it half way over to the cat. She watched as it patted the napkin open after she retreated back to her original spot and began to eat the food she gave it. As she was watching the cat she noticed that the way the sun was shining off of it's orange coat that the coat was almost the same color as Anna's hair. The thought brought Elsa some joy, and she felt the need to share the new revelation that happened to her little friend.

"My birthday was yesterday, and it was the best one I can remember in about 9 years I think. I finally got to see my sister, Anna, you'd like her. She's a bit excitable and much more animated than I am, but you could cuddle her. Her hugs are magic. I would know… That was her gift to me, and I think it has fixed me. I'm not 100% there yet, but she has made a huge difference."

She glanced over and saw that the cat had finished eating and was just laying there bathing in the sun and almost seemed to be intently listening to what she had to say. She used to feel a little insane talking to a cat the way she was, but now it doesn't feel so weird. It almost felt like the cat really was listening to everything she had to say. So she sat there for a while retelling all that had transpired the previous evening. Once she was done she noticed that her pale skin was starting to get a pinkish hue, and realized she had let herself stay out in the sun for too long.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go back in now… I'll see you again soon!"

Elsa sprung up and scrambled into her room and closed her window just as a knock echoed into her room. Was she out there that long? Elsa was slightly panicked. Would her sunburn be that noticeable or could she pass it off. She let out an audible "Come in" while she twitched as she backed into a corner of her room, and tried to hide as much of her visible skin.

Gerda entered Elsa's room and to her dismay noticed that the princess had wedged herself into a corner of her room once again. She was hopeful that today would be different after Anna's visit that Elsa wouldn't try to shrink into the corner when she came into the room. She mentally sided knowing that Elsa wasn't going to magically reform her old habits over night just from one interaction with her sister, but she had hoped naively after witnessing the leaps forward that Elsa made when Anna was around.

"Thank you Gerda. I ate some of my breakfast… I'm sorry it wasn't more, but I did try. Please just leave the lunch over there."

Gerda wanted to cry seeing that Elsa seemed so agitated and seemed to be having trouble in the corner. She was doing so well this morning, what had happened in the few hours since then?

"Princess are you alright?"

"I'm fine Gerda I promise… Thank you for lunch."

Elsa felt her magic flaring as she started panicking about how noticeable her sunburn was. Now she had a whole different worry. She could feel her grasp over her powers slipping. She knew the more she panicked the more she was going to lose her control over her powers, but she just couldn't find a way to calm herself back down. She was just so worried that Gerda was too close in this locked room and might get hurt because of her. After all Gerda has done for her… She just couldn't pay her back by injuring her with her stupid powers.

"Princess excuse me from speaking out of turn, but I don't believe you when you say you are fine. I can see you are not. What can I do to help you?"

Elsa wanted to cry and felt her knees shake as emotions washed over her. Here Gerda was trying to help a monster like her. She didn't seem to understand that she was in danger. The monster that Elsa really is was about to escape and break freefrom the cage she tries to keep it locked in.

"Gerda you have to leave… please… I-I—I… I can't hold it in much longer… Please!"

Gerda saw the panic in the young girls eyes and the stress of her body trying to keep the last bit of control it had over her powers. She seemed to almost be shaking from the effort and was holding her self like if she squeezed hard enough she could keep it together and hold it in. Elsa curled in on herself more and slammed her eyes shut as a few tears escaped from her. She was so scared that she was going to explode and hurt Gerda.

"PLEASE!"

Elsa almost grunted the word past her teeth. Her knees slammed into the floor as she heard her door open and close behind Gerda. She almost didn't register Gerda telling her she would be back later, she was too busy trying to keep her control over her powers. She crumpled down and folded in on herself even more resting her head on her knees. She was a ball in the corner of her room shaking and gritting her teeth together just trying to regain control back over this stupid curse. Why wasn't she strong enough. She wanted to cry. Why was she such a failure? One last whimpered grunt slipped past her lips before her body convulsed and shockwave after shockwave exploded from her body. Ice and snow covered her room encrusting it. Elsa laid there convulsing gritting her teeth with tears freezing on her face as shockwaves tore from her body adding more ice and snow to her room. She started to lose consciousness and accepted it with open arms to escape.

I've failed…

Elsa's body tense body kept convulsing with shockwaves even with her passed out. Ice and snow piled up and covered every last inch of her room. Furniture was splintered and destroyed all throughout her room. The closer to Elsa the worse the damage. No one took witness to the tattered soul that was the young princess as her body continued to convulse out of her control.