~Chapter 16~

Anna

Elsa and Niklas were back and that was reason enough to be overjoyed, but the joy was overshadowed by fear and uncertainty. Something had corrupted my sister during the trip back. Niklas assured me that Elsa didn't act any differently until she returned through the portal of time. They came through last night and with her changed behavior I was afraid I would be forced to fight my sister. The clash of fire and ice would have been devastating for Arendelle. Elsa made a quick return on her promise on freezing over Arendelle. Niklas made an immediate appearance in the courtyard as king reassuring everyone things were under control. We supplied our citizens with thick winter clothes, hats, and gloves. I made personal visits starting fireplaces in homes that struggled to get warm because of the dropping temperatures. Even Bruni came along to help. It wasn't even a day later and the cold was even getting to me. I had barely seen Niklas since their return. Between meetings and appearances around the village, we hadn't had a chance to speak much. Nobody could see Elsa, not even me. My sister had to be imprisoned until we knew what was going on with her and her strange behavior. Niklas didn't know about Aria yet and I wasn't sure how to tell him, but I knew the sooner the better the first chance that presented itself. Kristoff and Olaf kept me sane, but my angst only grew every hour. I wanted to see Elsa because maybe I could help her somehow.

Snow had been accumulating the past day and the depths of the snow already was requiring snow shoes if people didn't have sleighs, which many didn't. Kristoff was diligent in taking me to and from the palace keeping houses warm. Though this was constant because the dropping temperatures would snuff out the fires I built. We made our rounds getting to the elderly first making them a priority and then going from there. Kristoff and I made our way back to the sleigh as I patted Sven's head.

"The demand is rough and this is only day one,"

"How are you feeling?" Kristoff asked.

"I'm tired," I said holding back a yawn, glancing back at the homes in the main village square, "I don't have the strength to keep this up."

"Well don't overdo it, there are multiple ways to get a fire going."

"True, but my power is quicker and easier."

"I know," He nodded.

"Elsa stopped her winter before and she will do it again. She has to."

"Hopefully she will see reason soon and come back to us. It's strange that her own husband had to have her imprisoned."

He offered me his hand as I climbed into the sleigh.

"I would have done the same if it was for her own safety and that of Arendelle. She gave us no choice." I nodded.

"Maybe Elris can get through to her?"

"She's shut up in her room refusing to see anyone still."

"Do you ever wonder if she is the reason that our Elsa is acting up?"

"I hadn't considered that, but it doesn't make sense." I shrugged.

"Well, neither does Elsa's change in behavior," Kristoff added.

He snapped the reins as Sven took off back toward the palace. Though I knew there were more homes on the hill to make house calls to.

"Wait, those other homes," I said grabbing the reins, "I haven't been to them yet,"

"They're vacant, Anna. I checked them." Kristoff answered.

"More people fleeing from Arendelle?" I questioned.

"Do you blame them?" He asked, raising a brow.

"No," I said leaning against his shoulder, "I just wish I could promise their safety. Arendelle used to be a safe place."

"It will be again, we'll figure it out. We always do." He murmured kissing my forehead.

I wanted to believe that and somewhere deep down inside I felt fear. An unfamiliar fear that I would have to confront my sister and I don't think that was something I was capable of dealing with.

Kristoff got us back to the palace by midday and I was so tired, that I was dragging my feet with every step. Hans met us in the palace foyer warming his hands by the fireplace. The palace was quiet aside from Kai, Brigitta, and Gerda running around with wood for fire. It seemed so surreal being here with my sister in the basement prison beneath these halls.

"Keeping warm?" I asked Hans.

"Barely," He shrugged, "I think we all underestimated Elsa's power with this new storm."

"Is Niklas here?" I asked, looking around.

"He's in another meeting in the throne room with some foreign dignitaries who got stuck in our harbor when the storm hit."

"It's bad for all of us, Niklas will figure out the best course of action," Kristoff added.

Hans cleared his throat with a stoic expression.

"People want to see what Niklas is going to do about Elsa. They're afraid of her."

"Anna and I did discover some vacant homes." Kristoff nodded.

"Whatever is wrong with her, she is dangerous and must be seen as a threat," Hans said.

"My sister isn't herself, clearly." I interjected, "But you turn your back on her so easily, Hans? Even after forgiving you of your past crimes and giving you a place in Arendelle so freely?"

"Look around us, Anna!" He said, getting in my face, "People have and will continue to freeze to death unless Niklas can make the hard decisions. Elsa is a menace and the same goes with anyone with magic power."

Kristoff stepped between us crossing his arms glaring at Hans.

"Back off, Hans." Kristoff said, calmly.

Hans took a step back stretching his arms out toward the fireplace.

"Aria is lying upstairs asleep and possibly dying because of the frost."

"You know that wasn't Elsa's doing," I interjected.

"Still feel that way?" Hans growled gesturing to the growing icicles inside the palace.

I rolled my eyes knowing I probably couldn't change his mind. Hans was grieving and I knew that so I tried to be understanding, but it was hard to listen to him say such things against Elsa. I know he was just scared, but hearing such things put me in a difficult place.

"I'm going to see Aria." He said as he stomped off in a gruff.

I watched Hans walk away as Kristoff grabbed my shoulder.

"Just ignore him, Anna. He doesn't know what he's talking about."

Before slamming the door behind him, Hans grabbed the knob to the nearest door.

"Oh and don't tell Niklas anything about our family. I deserve to share that with my brother." Hans said, slamming the door behind him. The slam reverberated the icicles growing on the ceiling making them shake a bit.

"That could have gone better," I muttered, crossing my arms.

"He's just worried, fear brings out the worst in people, as we already know," Kristoff said putting his arm around me.

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," I mumbled.

Kristoff and I sat in the great hall and ate some lunch before Niklas burst into the room with two Arendelle guards behind him. The three of them were covered in thick fur cloaks and if it weren't for the kings' insignia on the cloak. I wouldn't have been able to tell it was Niklas.

"Hey, you're back. You hungry?" I asked him.

My brother-in-law hugged me briefly before promptly shaking his head.

"Not even the slightest. I'm going to go try and reason with my wife downstairs. Don't wait up."

"Good luck," I nodded.

As quick as he came, he was gone with two guards watching his back. Security had been raised since Elsa started the storm. I wanted to go with him, but he insisted it wouldn't be safe. It was hard being left behind again, but my brother-in-law would see it my way. King or not. Nobody knew my sister better than me. First I had to talk with Elris, demand that she talk to me about what was happening with my sister. I went upstairs and first checked on my aunt, cousins, and Pabbie who were still frozen in sleep inside the guest room upstairs. I stared at them from the partially frozen doorway that was getting harder to open each time. They all seemed so peaceful, but I knew that was the furthest thing from the truth. Aria was in a separate room downstairs being the most recent victim and Hans constantly checked on her even after I would. By the time I reached Elris's room, I was an emotional mess though it was all contained internally. I didn't dare show it on my face. Arendelle was my home and supposed to be safe and now for the first time in its history, people are fleeing. Guards were still posted outside her door and they saluted me as I walked by. I knocked on the door before going inside slowly opening it.

"Elris?" I said, poking my head in.

"Anna," She nodded, barely acknowledging me as she stared out the window.

I got fully inside the room closing the door behind me for our privacy.

"How are things out there?" She asked.

It was still strange talking to her sometimes knowing she was Elsa, but a different version of her and older.

"The storm only grows," I said, crossing my arms, "I think the only reason I can withstand it easier is because of my firepower."

"I see,"

"Did these same circumstances happen to you?"

Elris didn't look away from the window and solemnly shook her head.

"I told you what happened to me." She said.

"Not really," I snapped.

Finally, she looked away from the window with a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry what happened to her. I warned her not to get married. I warned her not to get involved. Now it's too late."

"Too late for what? Are you telling me Elsa's changed behavior is permanent?"

"She messed with time. This is her punishment."

"We don't even know what happened."

"Yes I do" She replied, "because I made the same mistake and it cost me the life of the man I love."

Maybe it was a falsehood. Someone made her believe that she killed him and in actuality did nothing wrong, but who could do such a thing?

"I'm sorry, Elris."

"It's in the past. I came here to warn my past self and even after that effort, it still backfired. So now I'm stuck here."

"What do you mean stuck?"

"I mean I had a one-way trip to warn my past self to avoid my future. I didn't want her to have to go through that. It nearly killed me."

Elris had more information than she originally let on. I grabbed her by the shoulders.

"But how did you break the behavior change?"

"I wish I knew, but when I came out of it, Niklas's lifeless body was lying in front of me." She paused, as her eyes welled with tears. "It's all my fault."

Elris was sobbing by now cupping her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry," I said putting my hand on her back as she jerked away.

"Get out," She whispered.

"Elris-"

"Get out!" She yelled pushing me toward the door.

I obeyed her wishes closing the door behind me. Something in her story wasn't adding up in my mind. Of course, she concluded that she probably did something to Niklas during her behavior shift. Though if I know my brother-in-law, he didn't give up on finding a way to break her free. I think that way might have cost him his life. It was a heartwrenching thought to consider, but it told me there was a way to snap Elsa out of her vile behavior. First things first, I had to see her. I went downstairs, but Niklas caught me at the bottom of the stairs.

"Anna, I was just looking for you."

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear trying to act casual.

"Well, you found me. I was just looking for Kristoff to take me into the village to keep fires burning."

"Yes of course, but I need to speak with you first about Elsa." He said.

On our way to talk somewhere more private, Hans crossed our path.

"Niklas, there's something urgent we need to discuss."

"Come with us, Anna and I were about to talk."

"Really?" Hans said, narrowing his gaze to me.

His incriminating gaze said he thought I was going to share the news about their family.

"Yes, something about Elsa." I nodded to Hans.

Hans' face softened as he realized that he was quite wrong.

"Right, well where to?" Hans urged.

The three of us went into the council room closing the door behind us.

"How's Elsa?" I asked.

Niklas began pacing as he kept his hands nestled behind his back. I could read him like a book, he was struggling with the situation.

"She's the same. Cruel and apathetic. I'm lucky Bruni found me and melted the door so I could escape to stop her."

"Her punishment is fair if you only gave her a concussion," Hans grumbled.

Niklas glanced at me ignoring his brother's comment.

"It was all I could think of to do, as a king," He paused, "As a husband-" His voice trailed off, "I regret it."

"She gave you no choice," Hans added, his tone harsh.

I walked over to Niklas placing my hands on his shoulders as he looked at me with a solemn face.

"We'll figure this out and get Elsa back. We know this isn't her, but someone controlling her maybe." I said, trying to come up with reasonable answers.

"Who, Anna?" Hans snapped, "What motive would anyone have in forcing Elsa to make these fatal decisions?"

I glared at him now getting on my last nerve clearly restraining himself from verbally attacking my sister's character.

"I can think of a few motives considering she's Queen of Arendelle, someone with power and authority."

"If someone wants to hurt me, they found the perfect way," Niklas added.

"I wish Pabbie could maybe reach into her mind and see what's going on," I muttered.

Niklas cleared his throat as he stopped pacing.

"With Elsa being in our custody. Our first priority is making sure people are staying warm. Anna, no more trips to individual homes."

"Niklas, I'm the least vulnerable." I interrupted, "With my power,"

"Yes Anna, I know," He said, cutting me off, "Which is why I'm opening up the palace to our people. It'll take the stress off your shoulders and conserve your energy."

Niklas glanced at Hans.

"With Elsa and I being gone, I don't know how everyone at home is getting on. Did Aria enjoy her trip across the fjord?"

I looked at Hans pursing my lips as Niklas looked at us curiously.

"What's wrong?" Niklas asked.

Hans stepped toward his brother grabbing his shoulders.

"There's something you should know, Niklas."

I watched as his face fell and even grew pale as Hans explained everything from the shipwreck, Aria, and the deaths of their siblings and father. Niklas froze as he was doing his best to process the information. He suddenly got wobbly and I snatched a chair for him to sit down before he could even think about collapsing from the shock. Niklas stared blankly at a single spot on the wall as I followed his gaze. Maybe now wasn't the best time, but I know he needed to know, so as not to be blindsided later.

"All of them?" Niklas muttered emphasizing every syllable.

"I'm so sorry, Niklas," I said, kneeling beside him.

"We are the last two sons of the Southern Isles line," Hans added.

Niklas looked up at Hans. His face looked as if he was barely holding it together with the news. I wish Elsa were here and herself to help him process and grieve in this moment.

"Wait, the Isles need a leader and-"

Hans held up his hand.

"Aria has been named the heir." Hans nodded.

"Oh good, but she's-" Niklas muttered.

"Chief magistrate Myles Nilsen from the Southern Isles came here to name me, but I refused." Hans said, "So I suggested Aria. They expect her at the Isles, but we've been feigning poor traveling conditions due to the storms on the fjord. It's even worse now."

"Aria is a little girl, she can't-" Niklas muttered.

"She is strong and capable," I added.

"And underage," Hans interrupted, "Likely a steward will manage the Isles until she is of age. Naming her heir is merely a formality now."

"I see," Niklas nodded.

Silence fell between the three of us. I was worried for Niklas. Trying to manage my sister and his own losses was quite a bit to deal with for anyone. He stood up from the chair and turned toward the window with his back toward Hans and me. His shoulders fell into a slump.

"Please leave," Niklas whispered, "I need some time,"

Hans headed for the door opening it for me gesturing for me to walk through. I turned toward Niklas putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Leave Anna," He snapped, "Please."

I headed for the door before stopping one last time.

"We're here if you need anything," I said before leaving closing the door behind me.

Hans and I walked down the hall in brief silence before we stopped.

"That could have gone worse."

"I'm sorry, were you in that room?" I snapped, "Your brother is crushed."

"As am I, Anna. We both lost our family or did you forget? The only difference is I've had time to process, Niklas hasn't."

"You're right, I'm sorry," I said pinching the bridge of my nose.

"We should get started on the king's wishes of moving people into the palace." Hans nodded.

"Take Sven with our largest sleigh to get to people's homes. He is the fastest." I said.

"Aren't you coming with?"

"I'm going to find Kristoff first and we'll be along."

I knew Kristoff was already out with Bruni lighting fires in homes as was usual for this time of day, but I needed to tell Hans something so I would be left alone. He left me in the hallway as I snuck to the east chamber corridor. A long hallway with a door at its end and beyond that door was a spiral stone staircase that led below ground to the Arendelle prison where my sister was being held.

A metal door was padlocked at the bottom of the stairs. There were no guards posted down here for their safety in case she were to try something to free herself. Niklas had the only key to the door to get into the cell, but all I had to do was melt the lock. It took a few minutes, but as the molten metal began to get loose and break free, I pushed the door open. A loud creak echoed giving away my presence. Walking down the hallway, there I found my sister bound in chains against the wall. Each hand was covered in a sort of metal gauntlet. This cell, the way the gauntlets fit over her hands, was like this prison was made for my sister or even me with my own power. Were our parents that afraid of us? I couldn't believe such a thing. Elsa's head was bowed as if she had all but given up until she looked up and saw me.

"A-Anna?" She muttered.

I heard the chains rattle as she started to move, but there wasn't much slack. She could move maybe an inch off the wall in any direction.

"You have to get me out of here!" She said looking up at me, "Niklas has lost his mind."

I stopped a few feet short of her. The chill in the air of the room that she was giving off sent a shudder down my spine. Her voice sounded normal until I got close enough to see her eyes. Her eyes told me that she still wasn't herself.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I came to talk," I finally answered, crossing my arms.

"You're relentless and stubborn as ever." She rolled her eyes.

"Abandon the storm." I said, calmly, "You've lost and if you comply, your time in here might be condensed."

I couldn't offer her much especially since I didn't think Niklas would allow her any sort of freedom for her in this current state of mind.

"The storm grows by the hour and death will shortly follow after."

She said it so matter of fact. I know this wasn't my sister who has always been so terrified of hurting people, but this callous attitude was hard to hear and witness. I wasn't going to get through to her.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, searching her eyes hoping to find a glimmer of my sister looking back at me.

Elsa exhaled sharply as she laughed.

"I want to bury Arendelle. Nothing and no one can contain me. Father showed great weakness in how he built this kingdom, it's pathetic."

"Stop it!" I growled.

"Why? Does it bother you?" She mocked.

"No," I lied quickly.

Elsa laughed.

"You're pathetic, Anna. I'm your sister and I can read you like a book."

"This isn't you, Elsa. Please, snap out of whatever is controlling you."

"Anna, this is me. The Snow Queen the world has talked about my whole life. Concealing myself for years has brought us here and now you, Niklas, and all of Arendelle was reap the consequences."

The mist coming off my breath was growing as I stood here just listening to my sister's biting remarks. I wanted to leave and yet I was afraid to leave her alone. Something in me wondered if I could reach her given enough time.

"I sometimes wonder something-"

"What's that?"

"Is ice more dangerous than fire?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Considering your predicament, I think that answer is obvious."

"Niklas hit me over the head, it was a cheap shot. That's something someone who's desperate does. Fear played a part for him," She paused, "And you."

"You can think whatever you want, it's not the truth."

"But you know what is truth?"

I didn't give her the satisfaction of answering. She was merely trying to bait me.

"Mark my words, you'll end Kristoff's life before you make it to the altar."

Those words were poison to my ears as I balled my hands into tight fists.

"You're wrong!" I growled, "You know nothing about us."

"Sure I do, you're my sister."

"You're not my sister," I snapped, "My sister would never say such things."

My firepower was growing out of anger as I felt my palms grow sweaty. I was one comment away from a double fireball explosion. I glanced back at Elsa.

"Coming here was a mistake,"

"You're full of those, aren't you?"

Before I could turn around to argue, I heard someone calling me from the distance as I turned toward the stairs behind me. A sickening snap was heard like something broken. Elsa froze the metal to such temps that made the metal brittle. Before I could react, she lunged at me wrapping the end of the chain around my neck yanking tight as I gasped for air.

"You are too easy." She whispered in my ear as I pulled against the chain trying to breathe, "I guess we know ice beats fire."

A familiar voice entered my head as I was trying to fight her off, but she had me in a fierce grip.

"Anna," The voice beckoned, "Become my Siren and I can help your sister."

I choose Elsa every time. She needs to return. The voice gave me a single word. Though I had to speak it verbally, which was impossible right now. I was beginning to see spots as I threw up my hand igniting it on fire smacking Elsa right in the cheek. She screeched as she quickly released me stepping back holding her face. I fell to my knees coughing trying to take a breath. I glanced up at my sister who was moaning in pain a few steps away from me.

"Get her head between your hands, say the word, and leave the rest to me." The voice said.

"Just take care of her,"

Without any hesitation, I marched toward my sister and did exactly as he asked cupping my sister's head between my hands.

"Neuralio," I shouted.

Something released from within me. A strange sensation of power before Elsa fell over and I quickly followed.