Later that evening Gerda knocked on Elsa's door to alert her that she was there with her dinner, but there was no response. Gerda feared that Elsa was too out of it still from earlier. She was worried about the girl because the door was almost frozen to the touch. She tried to Open the door to find it frozen shut. It was sealed and nothing she tried could get the door to budge. A tear escaped from Gerda as she turned and left. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to enter Elsa's room for some time. The last time this happened two days had passed before she could get the door to open again. She would try again tomorrow, but what almost killed her more was the fact that she was going to have to tell Anna she wouldn't be able to visit her sister that night.
Anna had managed to get through her entire day with no one the wiser to her brand new secret. She was going to keep this one no matter what until she figured out a way to help Elsa from her room without getting her into trouble. Anna was now on her way to her room to "retire" for the evening. When she entered her room she did not expect to see Gerda there nervously wringing her hands together. Something was wrong. Anna could feel it in the pit of her stomach like a ball of lead. ELSIE!
Anna didn't even pause to talk to Gerda to hear what she had to say. She just knew something was wrong with Elsa, and nothing was going to stop her from getting to her sister. She quickly slammed her door and locked it before she rushed over and began to pry open the secret passage entrance in her room.
"Princess! Stop you can't go see your sister-"
"I don't care Gerda! Whatever it is just proves she needs someone! I'm going."
Anna didn't wait to hash it out with the older woman. She knew she meant well and really had the best interest for both girls at heart, but she would just never understand. No one would really. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to get to her sister, and she was not going to ignore it now. Too many years had gone by of her ignoring her gut feeling relating to Elsa and listening to everyone else. She knew better now. Elsa needed her, so she was going.
She sort of remembered sliding the passage entrance closed behind her on her sprint to her sister's room. Her brain wasn't registering anything past her need to get to Elsa now. Anna's where brought into focus as her body broke out into goose bumps and shuddered at the cold temperature. Her stomach dropped even more. Something definitely wasn't right. Elsa needed her.
Anna tried to open the passage entrance to her sister's room, but it was sealed. Anna wasn't deterred. She slammed herself against the passage entrance trying to force it open. She slammed her eyes shut and let out a small battle cry as she slammed her shoulder against the entrance with all of her might as she released her burning rage at the unfairness of all of this. Elsa deserved more. The passage entrance swung open allowing Anna to stumble in and then she came to a halt. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Elsa's room. Everything was encased in ice and snow. There was layers of it EVERYWHERE. It looked like a frozen waste land, like a blizzard had come through and destroyed everything in its path. Then Anna's eyes caught sight of Elsa curled up on the floor and a pained gasp ripped out from Anna as she rushed over to her sister's side. Elsa was covered in a dusting of snow and looked like an ethereal snow fairy. Anna couldn't breath from fear. Elsa was so still. Was she dead? She quickly placed her ear down on her sister's back trying to see if she could hear anything from her sister. She let out a breath of relief and she felt Elsa's steady breathing and her heartbeat. Tears poured down her face, but Anna wasn't going to let her grief over the situation take over yet. First she had to take care of Elsa. She wanted to wrap her sister in a blanket, but she couldn't see anything in the room that was not encased in ice, so that idea was out. Anna just gathered Elsa's overly tense body into her arms and slowly stood up and walked over to the secrecy passage. She slowly made her way back over to her room with all the gentle care she could manage. She was carrying precious cargo in her arms. She was not going to allow anything to happen to Elsa while she was in her arms. She felt Elsa shudder in her arms, so she just held her tighter in her arms and murmured loving and soothing words into her sister's ear. When she got back to the passage entrance to her own room she just hoped that Gerda was still in her room otherwise she had no idea how she was going to open the entrance while holding Elsa.
"Gerda? Are you Still there?"
In no time at all the passage entrance opened to reveal Gerda on the other side. Shock covered her face, but she quickly recovered and guided Anna in and over to her bed. Anna was too busy fussing over Elsa to notice Gerda staring and looking her over.
"Princess… How did you even get to your sister? More importantly how are you not frozen? Your sister is still like ice to touch and you are touching her like you don't even feel it!"
Anna looked at Gerda confused. Yes, Elsa felt cool but she wasn't cold at all. Anna didn't feel cold at all, but maybe because she had something more important to worry about than her own comfort. Her sister was obviously not alright, so what did it matter if her body was chill. Honestly her mind wasn't picking it up at all. She slightly shook her head and shrugged at Gerda while she went back to tucking Elsa into her bed.
"I just slammed everything I have into the passage entrance to her room. I just knew I had to get to her. I don't even feel cold. Even Elsa doesn't feel cold to me… maybe just a bit cool, but not at all cold. Maybe I'm just too worried about her to notice it. I don't know and honestly Gerda right now I don't care. Elsa needs help. Can you please get Dr. Nilsen in here without anyone knowing?"
Gerda just nodded knowing that Anna was telling the truth, and had a valid point about needing to get the doctor for Elsa. Maybe he will have some answers about how Anna is perfectly fine and not frostbitten right now. She left the room and locked to door behind her and told Anna not to open the door for anyone but her. They did not need to make this situation worse by someone else seeing Elsa outside of her room. Anna just nodded while all her focus and attention was purely on her sister.
Anna pushed back wisps of hair from Elsa's face. Her hair was completely in disarray from her typical bun. Anna face was stuck in a frown as she took in the grimace and tense expression on Elsa's face. After being placed in the bed Elsa immediately curled back in on herself. Anna wanted to cry when she realized it looked like her sister was trying to hold herself together. Elsa was completely still except for the random jolt that would spring from her body. Anna hated this. She never wanted to see Elsa like this ever again if she could help it. Tears streamed down her face when she remembered how her sister was this morning and how she was now. She scrambled onto the bed behind Elsa and pulled her close to her chest. She shoved her face into Elsa's hair as she rocked Elsa back and forth in her arms.
"Please be okay… Please Elsie… I just got you back. I need you as much maybe even more than you need me. Just be okay. You have to be okay. Please be okay. I love you…"
Gerda rushed as quickly as she could without calling too much attention to herself. When she arrived outside of Dr. Nilsen's surgery she was just slightly out of breath. Without knocking she slipped into the room looking for the good old doctor. He glanced up shocked to see Gerda there in his surgery at this time of night, an a wave of dread washed over him.
"What has happened? Which one of the princesses?"
He asked as he bolted up to his feet from behind his desk. Gerda gave him a stricken look.
"It might be both. I know for sure Elsa needs to be looked over, but I worried about Anna as well."
Dr. Nilsen looked horrified as he rushed to grab his bag and throwing any other things in it he figured he might need. Before allowing Gerda to lead him from the room. He was slightly puzzled when she grabbed him and dragged him in the wrong direction into the abandoned ballroom until he saw what her open up a section of the wall to reveal a secret passage. He followed her in without question and let her lead him through the maze to wherever the two girls were.
"I didn't want to draw too much attention, and this is the easiest way to do that. I apologize for dragging you instead of just explaining first. I'm just concerned about the girls. I've never actually seen Elsa like this, and I have no idea if Anna is hurt or not. All of her focus is reasonably on her sister, but I am worried that she is hurt and isn't saying anything or it just haven't registered to that girl yet."
Just then Gerda skid to a stop and gapped at heat she saw. Dr. Nilsen almost tripped over her, not quiet able to stop in time for her sudden halt. He almost cursed, but all words left him as he too saw what caused Gerda to stop dead in her tracks. The passage entrance to Elsa's room was still wide open and revealed to these onlookers to the state of Elsa's room. The entire room looked like a blizzard hit it. The entire room was encased in think layers of ice and snow. There was an snowy outline of where Elsa's body was before, and any furniture that was closest to it was completely demolished. Dr. Nilsen's head swung to look at Gerda when he heard a chocked sound.
"That poor girl. No wonder why she looked so panicked earlier. She could feel this coming. No wonder she shouted at me to leave… How did Anna manage to get in here?"
"Anna got in?"
He saw Gerda nodded slowly as her eyes were still glued to the sight of Elsa's room.
"Yes, I came to drop off Elsa's dinner, but when she didn't answer and I couldn't open the door I knew she had lost some of her control and there was no way for me to get in. As you know, this has happened a few times and maybe two days later the door opens again and Elsa is okay. Anna was planing to visit Elsa this evening using the secret passages and I had to tell her that she couldn't today. Anna didn't hesitate to then immediately dart over to Elsa's room next thing I know she comes stumbling into her own room holding an unconscious Elsa in her arms. I'm worried about Anna because Elsa was like below freezing in her arms. There was nothing between the two of them except the sleeves of Anna's dress to protect her from the cold. She should have at the very least frostbite."
Dr. Nilsen stared at the evidence of Elsa's powers slipping out of control, when he noticed something about the entrance of the secret passage to Elsa's room.
"Gerda look at this. Scorch marks… and there is no ice or snow anywhere near theirs entrance."
Gerda finally noticed what he did before she spun around and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Do you think…"
"No Gerda I don't think… I'm almost certain. Sure we have never actually witness it happen, but the coincidences are just too much. We have to keep an eye out to make sure nothing ever happens in front of the King and Queen. These girls are going to age me faster I swear. At least we can say there is never a dull moment with them. Come on Gerda we need to get to the girls and make sure they are okay, though I'm almost positive that if I am right Anna is perfectly fine."
Anna was sitting there holding her sister against her and pulling her closer whenever a jolt ripped through her body. Every time it happened more tears streaked down Anna's face as she clenched her teeth. Where were Gerda and Dr. Nilsen? They had to be close by now. Her thoughts were interrupted but another jolt ripping through Elsa's body causing Anna to hold her tighter in her arms. While this was happening she heard a knock from the wall. She removed her head from its spot in Elsa's hair just in time to see the secret passage into her room open and reveal Gerda and Dr. Nilsen.
"I thought it was better to bring him in this way. No one would see the good doctor if we took the passage ways. Any changes?"
Anna shook her head as she clutched Elsa close.
"No she is still out. She jolts every once and a while, but other than that she just so still. Can you help Dr. Nilsen? I'm so scared… She just has to be okay."
Renewed tears started to stream down her face after she admitted her fear. The thought of something being really wrong and losing Elsa was a thought that almost stopped Anna from breathing.
Dr. Nilsen quickly walked over to the bed and asked Anna to help him to situate Elsa onto her back so he could examine her better after her checked for any damage or signs of distress on her back. After the doctor examined Elsa's back and listen to her heart and breathing from there, Anna gently maneuvered Elsa onto her back. She almost growled when Gerda or the doctor went to move Elsa with her. Both of them glanced at Anna and decided it was not worth upsetting her anymore and let her move Elsa. Once she was moved, Dr. Nilsen got back to work and examined Elsa looking for anything for them to be concerned about. After he finished his examination he looked up to see Anna's eyes burning into him waiting for whatever news he had.
"She seems perfectly fine. Lille rod, she will be fine. Your sister just seems to have over exerted herself."
"And the jolting?"
As Anna asked Elsa's body gave way to another jolt. Both Gerda and Dr. Nilsen watched as Anna clutched Elsa closer seemingly unconsciously when Elsa's body convulsed.
"Nothing to be concerned about lille rod. It's like when you climbed up to the roof the first time and over did it and your limbs kept jumping away from you. It is the same thing. It will stop soon. Her body will be sore and I expect her head is going to hurt as well. I'm going to leave some willow bark here with you for when she wakes. It should help take the edge off of it. She can chew on it or we can make a tea if you think that is best."
"Can we do a little of both and let Elsa decide when she wakes. I don't know if she has a preference when it comes to this stuff."
"Yes we can do that. Gerda would you mind getting a cup of hot water?"
Gerda shook her head and slipped out to quickly get the requested cup. Anna felt better knowing Elsa was going to be fine. Her body felt weary as she slumped back against her headrest with Elsa still in her arms.
Lille rod I have to ask, are you alright? Gerda told me you are the one who pulled Elsa out if her frozen room and carried her here. She is obviously warmer now, but Gerda told me when you carried her in her skin was freezing to the touch and she knew that with that much cold for that long you should be somewhat harmed if not frostbitten. Are you sure you are okay and not just dismissing it out of concern over your sister?"
Anna looked at him puzzled and glanced down at her own arms looking for any of this damage that he and Gerda seemed so worried and convinced she should have. Seeing none she responded, "I don't see any never mind feel like anything is wrong. I really am fine. I promise you Elsa wasn't that cold. Sure she was cool, but Elsa always is."
Dr. Nilsen looked at her and appraised her under a watchful eye.
"How did you get into her room? I heard it was iced shut."
"It wasn't easy and it took a few tries, but I just slammed everything I had into the passage entrance into her room. Eventually I was successful and got it to open."
"How were you feeling then?"
Anna paused and thought back trying to remember.
"I was determined to get to her, but I guess you could say I was ultimately angry. I was angry at the unfairness of all of this for Elsa. She deserves so much better. I know none of this would have happened today if I was allowed to be with her whenever and we didn't have to sneak like this."
Dr. Nilsen nodded, but his line of questioning was called to a halt with Gerda re entering the room with the hot cup of water. This had Dr. Nilsen up to take the cup to make the tea. He left it on the bedside table within easy reach to the princesses.
"Lille rod if you have no other concerns or questions I will take my leave of you and your sister. If either of you need anything do not hesitate to call for me. I will come as quickly as I can."
Anna nodded and watched both Gerda and Dr. Nilsen slip out of her room through the secret passage. She was now left alone with Elsa. She clutched her sister closer for a few moments trying to regrouped herself. She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Elsa's head, and carefully started to resituate them in the bed. She grabbed all to the pillows to help prop herself up, so she could relive some of the pain in her back from leaning against the hard headrest that was at the top of her bed. She placed the last pillow down on top of her stomach and then replaced Elsa back down in her arms. She pulled her blanket up to cover Elsa up to her shoulders. Finally Anna released Elsa's hair from its messy updo. Anna leaned back and observed her sister. A small smile curled on her lips when she saw that Elsa look much more comfortable and relaxed now. It was like Elsa knew everything was okay and she was safe now. Some more tears streamed down Anna's face as she thought about it. Did Elsa ever get that feeling anymore? Did she ever feel loved or safe? Anna curled herself around Elsa like she could become a shield to protect her from anything that wished her harm.
"I promise you Elsie, nothing will hurt you you again if I can prevent it. You are loved and safe. I've got you now."