A/N Thankyou to those who have taken an interest in my story. It is very angsty and will continue to be throughout.

Thank you to the guest reviewers for your positive comments, I'm glad you are enjoying.

I will continue to try and keep the characters in character as much as possible. There will be times though when I have to imagine what they would say or do due to the situation. It's not like something like this would ever happen in the movies.

Warning: Discussion of minor violence.


Chapter Three.

Outside Anna's bedchambers, Elsa paced furiously, backwards, forwards across the carpeted floor, leaving a thin layer of ice trailing behind her with every step. Her blue eyes were downcast, focused on the ground. Her expression sad...lost. She began massaging her head with both hands. Get it together. Anna is going to be fine. She's going to be just fine.

She couldn't be sure how much time had passed. Everything had become a blur once her sister's body had been pried from her arms. However, as she passed by the large window she noticed it was becoming visibly dusky across the kingdom, so it must have been a good few hours at least.

"Elsa, you know if you're not careful you're going to wear a hole in that carpet, especially in those heels," Kristoff warned her, whilst attempting to keep a hint of humor in his voice.

She whipped her head up. "Kristoff, whatever makes you think I care about the carpet at a time like this?!" She hadn't meant to snap, but a mixture of worry, concern and anguish was bubbling away inside of her. "Ugh! What could be taking so long?"

Gerda slowly approached the queen, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders before guiding her towards a chair. "Come, dear, sit. The doctor shouldn't be too much longer. Perhaps I could go make you some chamomile tea. Would you like that?"

"No thankyou."

It was a further agonizing fifteen minutes before Dr Hambly emerged from Anna's room. He was a tall, slender man with gray hair and glasses. According to their father he was one of the top physicians in Norway and had loyally served the royal family for over forty years. He had even helped deliver the queen and princess themselves. Usually, he was a jolly and cheerful fellow, but not today. On this day his face was pale and sombre.

Elsa rose sharply to meet him, composing herself, whilst Kristoff, Gerda and Kai remained at her side. She smiled faintlyhopeful. "How is she, Dr Hambly?"

There was a momentary silence as the doctor mustered up the courage to address the young queen. "Perhaps it would be best if we talked alone, Your Majesty," he suggested.

Elsa shook her head. "No! Whatever you have to say, you can say to all of us. We're all family here."

"Very well," he agreed. "After carrying out a full examination on the princess, it would appear to the very best of my knowledge that she has been poisoned."

It took Elsa a moment to register what he had just said and even then she could hardly believe what she was hearing. "Wait, what? I'm sorry, I'm confused. Did you say Anna has been poisoned?"

Kristoff too looked completely dumbfounded as he slumped back down into his chair. Kai, meanwhile gasped in shock and Gerda choked back a small sob.

The physician nodded in affirmation. "As I stated, to the best of my knowledge, yes."

"How is that even possible?" Kristoff questioned further, his throat constricting, voice wavering.

"It was likely something she recently ingested, inhaled or somehow absorbed through the skin," Dr Hambly explained. "Unfortunately there is no definitive way to prove how it was administered. Either way though it would have the same desired effect."

Elsa glared up at the physician, a feeling of both shock and fear welling up inside of her. "She is going to be okay though? I mean there is a cure...or some sort of antidote?"

"I'm afraid not," he replied gravely.

No. Elsa tried to shake that notion from her head. "NO!" A chill suddenly filled the air as she staggered backwards. Kai reached out to steady her before Gerda stepped in to comfort the distraught queen.

"WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN THERE IS NO CURE?!" Kristoff growled as he slowly ran his fingers through his blond hair. It was the first time anyone had ever heard the ice master raise his voice in anger.

Dr Hambly proceeded to apologize. "I'm sorry, but this is no common poison. As a matter of fact it is unlike anything I've ever seen before. It appears to be a rare, powerful toxin which attacks the organs, but in particular the lungs, eventually causing major respiratory failure."

"What does that even mean?!" Kristoff retorted, realizing that his medical knowledge was extremely limited.

"It means Anna is going to die, doesn't it?" Elsa whispered in a hushed tone, stifling the tremble that came with that thought.

Dr Hambly sighed regretfully, knowing there was no way he could possibly deny it. He gave her a curt nod. "Perhaps if I knew more about what kind of poison we were dealing with, then maybe there would be something more I could do."

Kristoff was still seething with rage. "Of course you can do more! You're supposed to be a doctor. You're suppose to help people, not let them die!"

"Master Bjorgman, I have remedies that can treat several ailments, I can repair broken bones, stitch a wound even, but this...this is beyond even my capabilities."

The ice master's chestnut brown orbs hardened. "Well we'll just need to find someone who is capable then."

"Kristoff!" Elsa scolded, angrily wiping away a few stray tears running down her cheek.

"Sorry!" Kristoff offered a half-hearted apology as he bit back the anger and frustration swelling up inside of him. He wasn't a violent man, but if he ever found the person responsible for hurting Anna. He knew he wouldn't be responsible for his actions.

"Is...is she in pain?" Elsa asked shakily, worry etched into her face.

He gave her a slow shake of his head. "I have given her a herbal remedy which will help relieve some of the discomfort. I could also prescribe some opium, it's a mild sedative. It will help her to sleep."

Elsa questioned him again. "Does she know?"

The older man instantly tensed as he picked up his medical bag. "I thought it best that came from you."

How can I possibly tell my little sister that she's dying. "Can I see her?"

"Yes of course. As as a matter of fact it's you she's been asking for you." Before making his departure he reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'll be back to check on her in a little while."

Once the doctor has disappeared from view, Elsa inched forward and placed a hand on Anna's door. She looked over her shoulder at Kristoff, Gerda and Kai. A quick fleeting glance to make sure they were okay with her going inside alone. Thankfully, Gerda eased her concern. "Go ahead, Your Majesty. Take as much time as you need. We'll wait right here."

When Elsa entered Anna's dimly lit bedchambers, it was eerily quiet. She crept over to the edge of the bed where she stood, gazing down at her sister's fragile form, noticing immediately how very pale she was against the bedsheets which loosely covered her. After slipping into a chair positioned next to the bed, she reached across taking her sister's clammy hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. She remained silent. Guilt and grief tangled like knots on the tip of her tongue.

Anna stirred, her eyelids fluttered and opened. She blinked a few times to clear the blurriness, finally able to focus on her sister's beautiful face. She smiled brightly. "Hi, Elsa."

Elsa was abruptly jolted from her thoughts. "Hi, Anna," she replied, fighting back a wave of emotions that rolled through her. She brought up her free hand and stroked her sister's damp, sweaty hair.

Already, Anna could sense something was wrong. "Are you okay?"

"I've been better," Elsa admitted, tearfully.

"Where's Kristoff, is he okay?" The redhead attempted to sit up, wincing as her body protested at the sudden movement, the pain stealing her breath.

Elsa gently lowered her back down. "Yes, he's okay. As a matter of fact he's waiting right outside."

"What about Gerda and Kai? What about the townspeople? Oh those poor children. They must have been so scared."

"Shhh, relax, everyone is just fine," Elsa reassured her. "Now try to stop worrying about everyone else."

"I can't help it. It's just what I do. Actually I've decided that when I'm all better I'm going to help out more around the castle. No more lazing in bed, no more neglecting my duties. I want to make you proud of me, Elsa."

Elsa's whole body started trembling, her heart racing. Tiny snow flurries were swirling, flittering around, tears escaped her eyes and she couldn't do anything to stop it. She couldn't breathe anymore. The edges of her vision were blurry and her chest hurt. It was too much, too much.

"Elsa, what's wrong? I know I'm really sick right now, but don't worry. I'll soon be on my feet and back to being your annoying little sister in no time."

That was her sister, always so positive and optimistic. She didn't have the heart to tell her the truthhow could she? "Anna, do you remember anything from the party? What did you have to to eat or drink?"

"Um, the party?" There was a pregnant pause as she cast her mind back. "Well I really wanted a piece of cake and some of that yummy chocolate fondue, but then the townspeople started giving me their gifts and they wouldn't stop talking and then that Balimor guy showed up. What was his problem anyway?"

Upon hearing his name, Elsa had an epiphany. "Balimor, that's it!"

Anna furrowed her brow. "Elsa?"

Elsa released a ragged breath. "I have to go. I want you to try and get some rest, okay?" She caressed her cheek and gingerly placed a kiss on her sister's forehead. "I'll be back really soon though, I promise."

Once outside Anna's chambers, Elsa stood resolute, determined. "Where is Balimor?" she demanded to know.

"You mean the crazy guy from the party?" Kristoff queried.

"He was arrested, Your Majesty." Kai suddenly announced, his voice echoing off the surrounding walls. "I wasn't sure what you wanted to do with him so I had the guards lock him in the dungeon."

Kristoff instantly stiffened. "Do you think he was the one who did this to Anna?"

"Maybe, yes," she replied, already making haste down the hall.

"Wait! I'm coming too," Kristoff insisted.

She skidded to a halt. "No! I want you stay here with Anna. She needs you. I'll be fine."


As Elsa tentatively entered the castle dungeons, a series of memories rose from the depths of her mind. The Duke of Weselton's men invading her ice castle. Having to defend herself after one of them attempted to shoot her with an arrow. Prince Hans rushing in and telling her she wasn't a monster, and finally being knocked unconscious by her chandelier. The most painful memory she recalled however, was after she had awoken only to discover she had been chained up like some feral animal.

The queen did her utmost to blank out the memory that plagued her. Instead she hurried past the row of empty cells, eyes darting back and forth, seeking out the prisoner. It was only after she peered around the corner that she found Balimor huddled in the corner of his cramped cell. She didn't even need to say anything. The click clacking of her heels had already alerted him to her presence.

As soon as she came into view, Balimor glared up at the queen. Her platinum blonde hair was in disarray, her striking blue eyes now pale...lifeless and dry tears streaked her porcelain skin. She was a far cry from the positively radiant sovereign she had been only a few hours ago. "Your Majesty," he rasped. "Drowning your sorrows or suppressing your guilt?"

She stepped forward, hands balling into fists. "Neither!" she spat, the lie rolling off her tongue. There was absolutely no way she was about to bear her soul to a heartless criminal. "Besides, I didn't come here to engage in idol chit-chat. I came here to tell you that I know what you did to Anna. I know it was you who poisoned her."

He struggled to his feet, and staggered towards her. After grabbing the bars with his calloused hands, he met her eyes. "Well who's a clever girl! I knew you'd figure it out sooner or later. Tell me? How is the princess faring? Not too well I suspect."

She could feel a pressure rising in her chestit hurt. Even though she had already had her suspicions she was still stunned by his admission. "You'll be punished for this, to the full extent of Arendelle law."

Ignoring her threat, Balimor grinned wickedly. "You have to admit though, disguising the poison in the present box was a pretty ingenious idea, wasn't it?"

"The present?" She shook her head. "I-It doesn't matter, that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I want the antidote."

He half-smiled, half-snorted in response. "What makes you think I have one?"

"Because...because I know you have it. Now hand it over and I may decide to grant you leniency."

Something dark and intense flashed in his eyes. "You silly, naive girl! There is no antidote, because it was never my intention for the princess to survive. I'm sorry, but what is done cannot be undone. The concoction she has been exposed to is as lethal as the ice that runs though your veins. In as little as three days time the princess will succumb to the effects of the poison and die and there is nothing you or anyone can do to stop it."

Blackness rushed in so unexpectedly she could not prepare for it. Her knees buckled and she found herself sinking to the cold, hard floor, letting out a strangled half-sob.

"It feels like torture, doesn't it?" he breathed.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Her mind whirled with images of what she could do to him, what she wanted to do to him.

"Simple really. I want you to suffer. My own version of poetic justice if you will."

She still didn't understand. "Justice for what?"

His eyes were ablaze with fury. "Justice for what you did to me...to the kingdom when you chose to have your little temper tantrum, along with that unnecessary display of theatrics."

Shivers ran through her. Despite her magic, her body was cold. In fact she felt frozen inside, frozen in place and she couldn't stop screaming. "Why Anna?! Why not punish me instead?! My sister was innocent!"

He kept his voice low in contempt. "Innocence is very subjective though isn't it, witch!"

"Don't call me that!" she snarled, eyes flashing, her resolve rapidly ebbing away. The air was growing colder, ice beginning to form on the walls and floors.

He tried to hide a shiver. "Would you prefer I call you something else then? A monster...an abomination. A mistake perhaps?!"

"No," she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut, desperate to control her emotions.

"What was that, I can't hear you."

"I said NO," she repeated. With a low cry, her eyes snapped open. She flung her hand out, ready to unleash her power, until that was an image of Anna suddenly popped into her mind and she relented.

Balimor kept his eyes fixed on the queen. "Dangerous things emotions, aren't they? This is the very reason why a witch with unrefined, undisciplined and ungoverned magical powers shouldn't be in charge of running a kingdom. I mean just look at you!"

Her nails dug into her palm, drawing blood. She could have done it. She could have frozen him solid, plunged an icicle into his black heart. But no. She had once made a promise to Anna to never use her powers in anger. She had to choose to be the better person.

"Soon, you'll feel just how I feel. Cold, empty, numb," he hissed, a satisfied little smile curving his lips.

Despite her best efforts to contain them, crystallised tears steamed down her cheeks as the helpless feeling of defeat overwhelmed her. "Please, there must be something I can do to save her," she pleaded. "I'll do anything."

Now he was curious. "Hmm, anything you say?" he drawled.

"That's what I said, anything."

"Okay, I'll make you a deal with you. If you let me go, I'll offer you the chance to save your sister's life."

The realization of what he was asking...and offering at the same time landed in her chest, and stole her breath. Had she really heard him correctly? Yes, yes she had. So why didn't she feel any better? Perhaps it was because she knew it was a very bad idea. He could be lying. How could she trust anything he said after what he had done? No, it was far too risky.

He tapped his foot impatiently. "So, what will it be, Your Majesty?"

The queen wrapped her arms around herself, hugging herself tightly. She needed to get of there. "I have to go. I need some time to think."

Balimor smirked arrogantly. "So I have something you want and you have to think about it? Your sister's life hangs in the balance and you have to think about it? Well don't think about it too long, Your Majesty. After all, the clock is ticking."


A/N More to come.