Slowly, a life-sized version of Anna emerged from the ground up.

She was completely made out of ice.

Her hair was intricately braided and arranged into a bun like her late mother's, Iduna. The colors of her dress weren't present, but you could still make out the intricate patterns and elaborate cape. The image was complete with a frozen image of her crown.

"Ahhhh!" Elsa yelled.

She reached out and hurled her powers straight at the ice statue.

Elsa panted, feeling somewhat spent even as the statue exploded into a dozen pieces. Following her unexpected argument with Anna, Elsa retreated to Ahtohallan. She left for Anna's safety more than anything else. A scowl marred Elsa's normally placid features.

EVERYTHING she did was for Anna's safety.

No matter what her so-called sister said or thought of the matter.

Elsa had to leave. For the first time in three years, she could feel herself losing control as her anger was beginning to get the better of her. She could feel her powers responding to her anger. So, she stormed out before she took her anger out on her sister. Before she could strike at Anna with her restless, increasingly temperamental powers.

Elsa ignored Kristoff and Olaf as they called after her.

She needed to be alone.

"THAT'S IT, RUN! RUN AWAY! RUN LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO! RUN LIKE THE EMOTIONALLY STUNTED COWARD YOU ARE!"

Elsa heard her sister's parting words as she rode away on the Nokk.

Tears welled up in Elsa's eyes as she rode back to Ahtohallan as fast as she could.

She was NOT emotionally stunted. Elsa had feelings just like everyone else and she couldn't believe Anna said those horrible things. It was like a tempest of blasting winds and swirling ice and snow were flying around Elsa during her entire journey.

She knew her powers were reacting to what happened.

Her growing hurt and anger threatened to choke her.

Not wanting her powers to get out of control, Elsa urged the Nokk to go faster. Despite what Anna thought, Elsa wasn't naturally composed and distant because she felt nothing. Learning control was essential as she grew up.

From an early age, she knew that her powers responded to her emotions.

"Conceal, don't feel" became her unofficial motto as a result.

Maintaining her regal poise became a habit more than anything else. Being isolated in her chambers didn't help in regards to her social life or developing any social skills, for that matter. It was why Elsa was so shy and uncertain around other people. It took her awhile to get comfortable and relax.

Thankfully, Elsa reached Ahtohallan before her powers got the better of her.

But she was too furious to think clearly.

Knowing she needed to calm down, Elsa quickly created those ice statues of her sister so that she could blow them apart. It wasn't exactly healthy, but for her current mood, it was therapeutic as far as she was concerned. How could Anna say those horrid things?

How could she think that Elsa didn't love her?

That she didn't care?

Ever since Elsa accidentally struck Anna in the head, she was so deathly afraid of hurting her even more. It was why she kept her distance. It was why she sent Anna and Olaf away so they wouldn't try and accompany her to Ahtohallan.

The part about their parents not loving Anna was sheer nonsense.

It had to be.

Elsa remembered how horrified Agnarr and Iduna were when they discovered Anna's unconscious form in her arms following the accident. Iduna was in genuine fear for Anna's life, noting that she was ice cold. Agnarr raced quickly to his study to get the map that would lead him to the rock trolls. Her parents raced as fast as they could on their horses.

Every second counted as they rushed to save Anna before it was too late.

So how could Anna say their parents didn't love her?

Feeling drained more than anything else, Elsa created an icy chair and sat down. Everything Anna said came out of left field. It was so unlike her. Usually, Anna was cheerful, happy-go-lucky and forgiving. What made her so uncharacteristically angry all of a sudden? It didn't make any sense. Elsa rubbed her forehead to offset her coming headache.

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah..."

"Mother?" Elsa sat up straight in her chair.

She hasn't heard her mother's haunting, lilting voice in weeks.

Elsa looked around. But there was no sign of Iduna.

Was she imagining things?

Had her argument with Anna thrown everything off-kilter?

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah..."

Elsa rose to her feet and looked around. There was still no sign of her mother. Before she could lose her temper, she could see a small light in the distance. The small ball of light grew brighter and brighter. Elsa was forced to use her arms to shield her vision.

Finally, the light died down.

Her eyes widened after her vision cleared.

The see-through image of her mother could be seen across the icy chamber. She was just as Elsa remembered her: brown hair intricately braided and held together in a bun, large blue eyes. She was still clad in her purple dress and her Northuldran shawl.

"Mother?"

Iduna didn't answer.

Instead, she simply gave Elsa a sad smile and beckoned her to follow as she turned to leave. "Mother, wait!" Elsa called. She ran desperately after her. She wanted Iduna's help in regards to her sister. She had to know the reason behind Anna's uncharacteristic behavior.

Elsa kept calling for her mother, but she never answered. She kept walking.

When Elsa emerged into another chamber, Iduna was nowhere to be seen.

But Elsa could see more snowy and icy images of the past.

"I want to show you something." Honeymaren whispered.

Elsa leaned forward, intrigued.

"May I?" Honeymaren asked, gesturing towards Mother's shawl.

Elsa nodded.

"You know Earth, Air, Fire and Earth." Honeymaren gestured towards the woven representations of the natural elements on Mother's shawl.

"Yes." Elsa said slowly.

"But, look." Honeymaren pointed to the center of the square. "There's a Fifth Spirit. Said to be a bridge between us and the magic of nature."

"A Fifth Spirit?" Elsa repeated.

"Some say, they heard it call out the day the Forest fell." Honeymaren said.

"My father heard it." Elsa realized. "Do you think that's who's calling me?"

"Maybe." Honeymaren said. "Alas, only Ahtohallan knows."

Why was Mother showing her this scene? Honeymaren started her on her journey towards discovering her destiny. Eventually, Elsa would learn that SHE was the Fifth Spirit, the bridge between humanity and magic. It was the primary reason she now lived in the forest.

"Is it really you?"

"Anna."

"I thought I'd lost you!"

"Lost me? You saved me. Again."

"I did?"

"And Anna. Arendelle did NOT fall."

"It didn't?"

"The spirits all agree. Arendelle deserves to stand...with you."

"Me?"

"You did what was right...for everyone."

"Did you find the Fifth Spirit?"

...

"You are the Fifth Spirit! You're the bridge!"

"Well actually, a bridge has two sides. And Mother had two daughters. We did this together. We'll continue to do this together."

"Together."

Elsa paused.

She did remember stating that a bridge had two sides.

An uncomfortable knot began to form in her chest. Anna was indeed crying, clearly overwhelmed by her emotions as she was happily reunited with her sister. But Elsa didn't acknowledge her feelings. She wasn't even crying after or during their reunion.

She just gave her usual smile.

A smile she perfected to conceal her true feelings her entire life.

"I had to risk my life to lure the earth giants to the dam." Anna hissed. "If it wasn't for Kristoff, Matthias and the Arendellian guards, I would be dead. I had no idea that you would be alive in time to save Arendelle. I thought I would return to see our home in ruins. When you turned out to be alive, I was so happy. All I could do was sob. But you didn't show any sort of emotion, Elsa. It was like you were indifferent to my feelings. And you never apologized for pushing me away on that canoe and sending me into danger."

Elsa continued to watch the snowy version of her.

Looking for any hint of emotion, of giddiness of being with her sister again.

There was nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Except her usual expression and empty smile.

"Elsa, you put the both of us in a canoe." Anna said. "As if that wasn't bad enough, you sent us on an icy path on a speedy trajectory into unknown territory. The Enchanted Forest isn't Arendelle. We were in unfamiliar surroundings. We could have been killed if we crashed into some tree or fell off some cliff."

Soon, more images appeared before Elsa.

This time, she could see Anna pawing frantically at the ground, trying to find purchase to stop the speeding canoe as it was hurled down an icy path. Elsa winced, watching as the canoe swerved back and forth and continued to increase in speed.

"No, no, no!" Anna moaned. "Hold on."

"Whoa!" Olaf exclaimed in fear.

"Olaf, how do we stop!" Anna yelled frantically, panic in her eyes. "Give me a hand!"

Olaf cheerfully gave her one of his stick arms.

"Huh." Anna gasped, seeing a tree branch up ahead. "Hang on!" She cried as she held up the stick to grab at the branch. Instead of helping them come to a stop, the motion carried them down a steep hill after they made a sharp right. "Wait, no, no, no!"

"Come on!" Anna held out her arms in frustration after the canoe sloped downwards to a nearby river.

"Anna, this might sound crazy, but I'm sensing some rising anger." Olaf cried.

"Argh!" Anna yelled in exasperation. "Well, I am angry, Olaf. She promised me we do this together!"

"Yeah, uh-huh." Olaf said. "But what I mean is, I'm sensing rising anger in me."

"Wait, you're angry?" Anna asked in disbelief.

"Um, I-I think so." Olaf stammered, tapping his head in confusion. "Elsa pushed me away too...and didn't even say goodbye."

"And you have every right to be very, VERY mad at her." Anna said.

Elsa felt sick to her stomach.

She was starting to realize what Anna meant.

"Exactly." Anna said. "Elsa, one of your biggest flaws is that you let your fear guide your decisions. Let me give you some examples. When your powers were discovered, you ran away. When you struck me in the heart, you set Marshmallow upon me rather than try to help me cure my frozen heart. Finally, you were clearly afraid for me after what happened with Bruni and you felt the journey to Ahtohallan was too dangerous."

As if in response to her thoughts, Elsa re-witnessed what happened after she accidentally froze Anna's heart.

"I can't!" Elsa sang, sending out a large blast of ice magic.

Anna groaned, clutching at her heart after she was struck in the chest.

She fell to the ground. Elsa heard her groans of pain and turned around. Her expression became horrified as she realized that she'd hurt her sister with her powers...again. "Anna!" An unfamiliar male voice yelled. Some blond man with shaggy hair raced to her sister's side. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Anna said as he helped her to her feet. "I'm fine."

"Who's this?" Elsa asked. "Wait, it doesn't matter. You just...you have to go."

"No, I know we can figure this out together!" Anna said stubbornly.

"How?" Elsa demanded. "What power do you have to stop this winter. To stop me?"

"Anna, I think we should go." The man urged.

"No, I'm not leaving without you, Elsa!" Anna exclaimed.

"Yes, you are!" Elsa said with grim finality.

Elsa grimaced, watching as her past self foolishly created a giant snow monster to chase Anna and the others out of her palace. Anna was right, she was starting to realize.

She didn't even bother trying to help Anna with her frozen heart.

Instead, she chased her away out of fear.

Another image started to form in front of her. With a start, Elsa realized this was the cave that Anna mentioned, the one that she and Olaf had to seek refuge in. Anna just discovered the truth about their cold and murderous grandfather, Runeard.

"That's my grandfather, attacking the Northuldra leader, who wields no weapon."

"The dam wasn't a gift of peace." Anna looked sick. "It was a trick."

"But that goes everything against Arendelle stands for." Olaf said sadly.

"It does, doesn't it?" Anna agreed. She fell to her knees and lifted the torch to illuminate her grandfather's hateful features. "I know how to free the Forest. I know what we have to do...to set things right." She added grimly.

"Why do you say that so sadly?" Olaf asked.

"We have to break the dam." Anna said tearfully.

"But Arendelle will be flooded." Olaf protested.

"That's why everyone was forced out." Anna realized. "To protect them, from what has to be done."

"Oh." Olaf muttered. "Oh!" He added as the meaning of what she said sank in. He walked up to her and gave her a comforting hug as he looked up at her in concern. "Are you okay?"

"I could really use a bright side, Olaf." Anna said tearfully.

"Bright side?" Olaf asked. "Um, turtles can breathe through their butts?"

"Huh?" Anna asked blankly.

"And." Olaf pointed. "I see a way out." He gestured towards a way out of the cave.

"I knew I could count on you." Anna rose to her feet.

Olaf groaned as he pressed a hand to his head.

"Come on, Olaf." Anna urged. "Elsa's probably on her way back right now. We can meet her and..." Anna's voice trailed off, noticing particles of snow beginning to form in the air around her. "Olaf?" There was a hint of dread in her voice as she turned to the walking snowman.

"What's this?" Olaf asked, batting at the snowflakes with his hands.

"Are you okay?" Anna said.

"I'm flurrying?" Olaf asked in wonder. "Wait no, that's...that's not it. I'm flurrying away." He said, his toothy smile fading as horrified realization sets in.

"The magic in me is...fading."

"What?" Anna gasped in horror as she set down the torch and rushed up to Olaf. She fell to her knees, hoping against hope that she was wrong. That nothing was happening to him.

"I don't think Elsa is okay." Olaf admitted. "I think...she may have gone too far."

"No...no!" Anna whispered in denial, closing her eyes in grief and horror.

"Anna, I'm sorry." Olaf said, giving her a sad smile. "You're going to have to do this next part on your own...okay?" He added, continuing to grace her with that same smile.

Trying to give her strength and courage.

"Wait, come here!" Anna gathered him into her arms. "I've got you."

"Ah, that's good." Olaf whispered weakly. "Hey Anna, I've just thought of one thing that's permanent."

"What's that?" Anna asked.

"Love." Olaf said.

"Warm hugs?" Anna asked with tearful laughter in her voice even as it hitched.

"I like warm hugs." Olaf said, even as a tearful Anna hugged him close to her.

"I love you." Anna said, even as Olaf continued to disintegrate in her embrace.

Olaf continued to dissolve into nothing. Anna's sobs echoed eerily throughout the cave as she desperately clung to what was left. The particles of snow drifted out of the cave and into the sky. Gale rushed by and carried what remained of Olaf to another location.

Bruni the fire lizard watched on sadly.

He mournfully turned around before laying down, gazing at the ground in sadness.

Gale carried Olaf's remains to a place behind a waterfall. She let out her own mourning sound as she gently lay the snow particles on the ground in a depressing swirl of leaves.

Elsa took two steps backwards in shock.

What had she done?

She thought back to the moments after she became the Fifth Spirit. Once her powers settled, she saw various images of the past. She saw both her and her sister as children. The moment when Anna met the vile, deceitful Hans. Despite her shock, Elsa couldn't help smirking. Destroying the past image of Hans was definitely one of her proudest moments.

She couldn't help cringing as she went past the image of her singing "Let it Go".

Then she discovered her grandfather talking to an advisor.

"We bring Arendelle's full guard."

"But they have given us no reason not to trust them." The advisor protested.

"The Northuldra follow magic." Runeard all but spat out the word "magic" like it was a vile disease. "Which means we can never trust them."

"Grandfather?" Elsa whispered in shock and horror.

"Magic makes people feel too powerful." Runeard said. "Too entitled. It makes them think they can defy the will of a king." Runeard puffed himself up arrogantly and unconsciously straightened his shoulders as he glared into the distance.

"That is not what magic does." Elsa glared angrily at the snowy version of her grandfather. "It's just your fear. Fear is what can't be trusted." She watched as Runeard and his advisor kept on walking. Their past images disappeared into a nearby icy wall.

Determinedly, Elsa created an entrance into the wall and followed them.

"You see, the dam will weaken their lands." Runeard said with a note of pride and smug arrogance in his voice. "So they will have to turn to me."

All around her, Elsa could also hear the past echoes of her mother's lullaby.

"In her waters, deep and true

Lie the answers and a path for you

Dive down deep into her sound

But not too far or you'll be drowned..."

There was a chilling note of finality to the last set of words even as Elsa continued walking. She stopped in shock, realizing she was at the edge of a cliff and she stood at its very precipice.

Elsa watched as more images of the past emerged.

She saw the Northuldra and the Arendellian soldiers arriving, walking towards the dam.

"They will come in celebration." Runeard continued. "And then, we will know their size and strength." Elsa looked behind her, towards the entrance she created.

"As you have welcomed us, we welcome you." Runeard, for all his faults, definitely knew how to perform before a crowd and play someone false. "Our neighbors, our friends."

Elsa looked back towards the entrance she created.

Then, she steeled herself and jumped off the cliff. Eventually, she landed in an icy version of the Enchanted Forest. Then she felt a foreign sensation. She gradually realized that she felt cold as she instinctively clutched her arms together to conserve some warmth.

The cold never bothered her, thanks to her ice powers.

Now, it was like she had no power here. Elsa felt...helpless.

She found she didn't like the feeling. She gazed at her hands, watching in shock and horror as they started to freeze. Elsa was also horrified because this wasn't her doing.

Then, Elsa could see the Northuldra leader talking to her grandfather.

"King Runeard, the dam isn't strengthening our waters. It's hurting the forest. It's cutting off the North-"

"Let's not discuss this here." Runeard held up a protesting hand. "Let's meet on the fjord. Have tea. Find a solution." Elsa watched as the leader and Runeard walked away.

She continued to shiver, looking around helplessly.

The past version of the leader sat down by the river, clutching a bowl as he lifted it to his lips. Elsa watched on, feeling nauseous as Runeard walked grimly towards the Northuldra leader with a sick expression of anticipation on his face. He withdrew his sword.

"No!" Elsa instinctively called out, holding out a hand as she made to stop him.

But she couldn't move. Elsa glanced down.

She was starting to freeze. Before she froze completely, Elsa weakly reached out with one arm in the air and sent out a last burst of power. "Anna!" She cried.

Her sister had to know the truth.

Then everything went black as the ice covered her completely.

"No. NO! We do this together. Remember the song? Go too far and you'll be drowned. Who will stop you from going too far?" Anna's protesting voice echoed throughout her mind.

Elsa instinctively wrapped her arms around her stomach.

It was a nervous habit she was never able to shake.

It was a tell whenever she felt emotional turmoil. Elsa remembered arguing with Anna before she swept her sister and Olaf away in that canoe. Anna had warned her that something might happen to her if she ventured too far into Ahtohallan.

But she didn't listen.

"You couldn't even properly explain why you had to go to Ahtohallan alone. It's also clear that you don't respect me."

"What gave you that idea?"

"I clearly remember warning you that if you go too far into Ahtohallan, you'll be drowned." Anna pointed out. "You became a frozen statue before the Earth giants were tamed."

Then, more images of the past emerged.

This time, she could see an ivy version of Anna on some cavern floor.

She was resting against a rocky wall, clutching Mother's shawl tightly around her, her knees to her chest. Her expression looked so lost as her mind was obviously clouded by grief and uncertainty.

Elsa felt the knot in her chest continue to grow.

Not only did she forget that her magic was tied to Olaf, she didn't think about the effect of what it would do to Anna if something happened to him. True, it wasn't like she expected to freeze to death at Ahtohallan.

But many people did warn her about the consequences of delving too deep.

Especially before she was ready.

"I sent you those clues about Grandfather."

"Yes, in a dark cave where I lost the last link to my childhood. To you."

"What?"

"After we found ourselves in a nearby river, Olaf and I had to travel to a nearby cave to avoid the earth giants. Thank you for the added danger, by the way." She couldn't help adding snidely even as Elsa winced at the sharp remark. "Anyway, after you sent the images about Grandfather, I was about to consider our next move when Olaf admitted he didn't feel right. The magic holding him together was fading. He told me that something was wrong with you. I held him in my arms. I could only watch as he slowly dissolved into nothing. I was cold and alone in that cave. Kristoff and Sven were who knows where, Olaf was gone and you were most likely dead. Then, I knew what I had to do to make things right. I had to somehow destroy the dam. But I knew that Arendelle would be washed away as a result."

Elsa continued to watch the past version of Anna.

"Olaf." She whispered. "Elsa. What do I do now?"

Then she started to sing.

"I've seen dark before, but not like this

This is cold, this is empty, this is numb

The life I knew is over, the lights are out

Hello, darkness, I'm ready to succumb

"I follow you around, I always have

But you've gone to a place I cannot find

This grief has a gravity, it pulls me down

But a tiny voice whispers in my mind

"You are lost, hope is gone But you must go on

And do the next right thing"

Drawing on a strength that Elsa didn't know she had, Anna slowly straightened her legs and began to kneel on the ground. Trying to find the strength to stand and move on.

"Can there be a day beyond this night?
I don't know anymore what is true

I can't find my direction, I'm all alone

The only star that guided me was you

"How to rise from the floor?" Elsa watched as Anna slowly rose to her feet, grabbing at a nearby rock to steady herself. She stumbled and had to use the rock to catch herself and regain her balance before she fell.

"But it's not you I'm rising for

Just do the next right thing

Take a step, step again"

Anna took one step and then another.

"It is all that I can to do The next right thing"

She kept walking slowly yet determinedly towards the cliff in front of her. Elsa felt her heart in her throat as Anna started climbing towards the top, even as tears and sadness and sorrow clung to her voice.

Despite not having powers of her own, Anna had a wellspring of courage and raw determination that very few could match.

"I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take..."

Anna reached the top even as there was a shudder, a catch in her voice. Despite her grief and weariness, Anna rose to her full height. Elsa couldn't help admiring the sight.

"But break it down to this next breath,

this next step This next choice is one

that I can make"

Elsa watched with a mixture of pride, horror and fear as Anna determinedly eyed the next cliff despite the distance between them. She ran towards the edge of the cliff and made a giant leap, instinctively flailing her arms.

Elsa froze in fear and worry for her sister.

She all but collapsed in relief when Anna made it.

"So I'll walk through this night

Stumbling blindly toward the light

And do the next right thing"

Anna reached the exit of the cave and headed out. She instinctively raised her hand to shield her vision from the sun's rays.

"And, with it done, what comes then?
When it's clear that everything will never

be the same again Then I'll make the choice

to hear that voice

And do the next right thing"

Then she gazed off into the distance at the dam with grim determination.

Clearly, she knew she had to destroy it.

"I had to risk my life to lure the earth giants to the dam." Anna hissed once more in Elsa's mind. "If it wasn't for Kristoff, Matthias and the Arendellian guards, I would be dead. I had no idea that you would be alive in time to save Arendelle. I thought I would return to see our home in ruins..."

Elsa watched as the past version of Anna headed towards the sleeping earth giants.

She could only watch helplessly as her precious sister woke them up and lured them to the dam.

"Wake up!" Anna shouted.

To her annoyance, the earth giant kept sleeping.

"Wake up!" Anna increased the volume.

Anna watched in horror as the earth giant lumbered to its full, intimidating height. Then it stumbled and crashed into another equally rocky giant. Annoyed, the impacted giant pushed the other away.

Then the first giant rose its feet and glared at Anna.

"That's it." Anna said. "Come and get me!" Then she turned around and ran away.

"Come on!" She continued.

Soon, the earth giants were joined by their brethren. They easily towered over the tall trees of the Enchanted Forest. The one in the middle let out a giant roar.

"Over here!" Anna shouted, even as the roar scattered various leaves, parted many trees and sent her tumbling to the ground. She glanced over her shoulder and rose to her feet. "That's right, keep coming!"

"Keep coming!" Anna kept yelling even as the giants tried to crush her.

She barely stopped in time to prevent herself from being crushed by a rock that one of the giants threw at her. Anna glanced at the damage, a kernel of an idea forming in her head.

"That'll work." She said and then glanced at the giants. "This way, guys!" She waved her arms over her head and resumed running.

Kristoff and Sven emerged into view.

They watched in horror as the earth giants lumbered through the forest, chasing something.

On an overhead cliff, the remaining Arendellian guards were equally horrified.

"What? No, no, no!" Matthias exclaimed. "She's leading them to the dam." Then he ran to the dam with his fellow soldiers in tow.

Down below, Anna was barely keeping ahead of the earth giants.

One of them kept on trying to crush her with its foot.

Every so often, she would trip and stumble. She would exclaim in fright, but she kept going. One step sent her to the forest floor. Elsa watched, her heart in her throat again as the earth giant made to crush her sister. Anna crawled desperately on the ground, trying to find the necessary purchase to stand.

The shadow of the earth's giant foot threatened to cover her completely.

A frightening metaphor if there ever was one.

Fortunately, before the earth giant could kill her, Kristoff whisked her away on Sven.

"Kristoff!" Anna exclaimed in relief.

"I'm here." Kristoff said. "What do you need?"

"To get to the dam." Anna said.

"You got it." Kristoff said.

"Thank you." Anna whispered weakly.

The earth giants continued to chase them. Only this time, they were throwing uprooted trees as well as rocks. Sven nimbly leapt around the obstacles in his way, but it was still a near thing. Anna couldn't help shrieking each time a thrown object nearly killed them.

Eventually, Sven lost the earth giants.

They reached the bottom of a cliff that led to the dam.

"Help me up!" Anna shouted. Kristoff gave her a boost.

"We'll meet you around!" Kristoff shouted back. It took some time, effort and determination, but Anna reached the top. She was met with Matthias and the guards.

"Lieutenant Matthias." Anna greeted.

"Your Highness." Matthias panted. "What are you doing?"

"The dam must fall." Anna said. "It's the only way to break the mist and free the forest."

"But we've sworn to protect Arendelle at all costs." Matthias protested.

"Arendelle has no future until we make this right." Anna said. "King Runeard betrayed everyone."

"How do you know that?" Matthias asked.

"My sister gave her life for the truth." Anna said. "Please...before we lose anyone else."

Matthias visibly steeled himself.

Then he raised his shield and started tapping it with his sword. The other guards followed suit. The earth giants heard the noise and began throwing rocks even as Anna ran to the dam.

"Look out!" Matthias shouted. He dropped his shield and sword to tackle another guard. He was just in time, as the guard would have been killed. The other guards scattered to avoid the giant boulders.

He watched in horror as Anna ran to the middle of the dam.

"Destroy the dam!" She shouted. "Come on, throw your boulders!"

Anna watched as the thrown boulders started damaging the very edifice she was standing on.

"That's it!" Anna urged, running away.

Unfortunately, one of the boulders got in her way and destroyed the portion of the dam right in front of her. Grimly, Anna ran the other way. She kept on running even as the dam began to collapse right from underneath her. It was like the jaws of death were nipping at the heels of her boots. Elsa watched with frightened expectation.

Elsa felt ready to throw up as the dam began to collapse in front of Anna.

Anna made one last giant, desperate leap in a bid to save her life.

Fortunately, before she could fall, Matthias grabbed her hand.

"Got her!" Matthias exclaimed in relief. Kristoff finally arrived and helped Matthias bring Anna to safety.

"Anna!" Kristoff exclaimed, grabbing her other hand.

"Hang on!" Matthias urged.

They pulled her to safety and Anna clung to Kristoff in relief.

Elsa wanted to vomit.

While she knew from the spirits that Anna tamed the Earth giants, seeing her in action was another thing entirely. It was a near thing. Those giants could have killed her and Elsa would not only have lost her, she herself would remain a frozen statue.

Elsa remembered trying to follow and tame the earth giants earlier.

But Anna intervened.

At first, Elsa was annoyed by what she perceived to be Anna's constant interferences. Slowly, gradually, she realized it was a good thing that Anna stopped her. At that point, they didn't know the truth about the dam and their murderous grandfather.

Anna had saved her.

Again.

More images appeared in front of her. Elsa watched as the mists surrounding the Enchanted Forest and the stone pillars representing the four elements slowly and gradually started to fade. The Northuldra and the Arendellian guards emerged from the fog.

Anna and Kristoff and were with them.

They all watched as the fog finally cleared, revealing a beautiful blue sky.

"I'm sorry I left you behind." Anna told Kristoff. "I was just so desperate to protect her."

"I know, I know. It's okay." Kristoff hugged her. "My love is not fragile."

It was almost like those words were a kick to the teeth or a punch to the gut.

Elsa didn't realize the depths of Anna's love for her. True, she knew how far Anna would go to protect her. But she didn't realize how deeply Anna cared for her.

The guilt was starting to overwhelm her.

Hearing Kristoff's words were also painful.

While his love for Anna was by no means fragile, Elsa couldn't say the same. Their bond was damaged and there were times that Elsa didn't trust herself. Or she didn't trust in Anna to be able to handle herself. She also doubted the sisterly love she had for Anna.

Her fear and uncertainty would get in the way.

Fear.

With a gasp, Elsa made a chilling realization. Runeard was driven mad by his arrogance and his fear of magic. Like most humans, he feared what he couldn't understand and tried to destroy it. While Elsa wasn't about to go on a mad rampage, she did inherit a portion of her grandfather's fear.

Granted, Elsa grew confident in herself and her powers.

But she never realized how much fear and doubt she still carried...until now.

Anna had warned her that Elsa tended to let fear guide her actions. Elsa was too angry at the time to truly let her sister's words sink in. She was starting to realize that Anna had a point. Elsa hid in her room to avoid hurting her sister further following the accident. She had Marshmallow chase her away after freezing her heart. She sent Anna and Olaf on a speeding canoe following what happened with Bruni.

Her fear and anger over Anna's recklessness clouded her thoughts.

Elsa didn't think it through when she sent Anna away.

There was another annoying tendency of hers. Elsa sometimes made decisions for others without even thinking about their opinions on the matter.

"Ahtohallan is beautiful." Elsa told Yelena and Honeymaren. She shrieked in delight as Bruni leapt into her hands. "Oh, hello." She giggled as she gently petted him.

"You know, you belong up here." Honeymaren said.

"I took an oath to always do what's best for Arendelle." Elsa said. "Luckily, I know just what that is." Elsa said as she glanced in the direction of her sister.

But was it really?

Elsa was realizing something.

She was caught up in the euphoria of discovering her purpose in the world. She finally felt like she had a true home, something to call her very own.

She felt like the Northuldra, with their connection to magic, could understand her.

She could play around with the elemental spirits and her magic.

For someone who always felt like they were on the outside looking in, it was heaven. So much so that Elsa didn't think twice about abdicating the throne and moving to the Enchanted Forest.

"Anna, I didn't leave Arendelle to hurt you. This is my destiny."

"No, you did this to satisfy your selfish desires."

"Selfish?" Elsa was getting angry. "Anna, I'm the Fifth Spirit!"

"No Elsa, you made a decision that completely upended my life." Anna said.

"What?" Elsa didn't understand.

"Elsa, you never stopped to consider my feelings, what I wanted." Anna said. "I know you never wanted the crown, especially since it came at Father's...expense. But without considering my own thoughts on the matter, you decided that you would live in the Enchanted Forest and give me the crown. A crown that I'm not even sure that I want."

Anna was right.

Elsa never asked her if she wanted the crown to begin with.

She also never considered that she might hurt her sister if she moved away from Arendelle. Elsa was too caught up in her newfound happiness to realize it.

She couldn't help wondering what else she was wrong about.

As if in answer, more images formed in front of her.

"Agnarr, I'm pregnant again." Iduna whispered in horror.

"What?" Agnarr demanded.

"The doctors confirmed it." Iduna instinctively clutched at her stomach.

"I thought you just had a stomach bug!" Agnarr cried.

"You think I'm any happier about this?" Iduna asked.

"Iduna, we don't have time for another child." Agnarr started pacing. "We're swamped as it is, what with helping Elsa with her powers and ruling Arendelle. What if you-"

"I am NOT miscarrying or aborting this child!" Iduna snapped.

"But." Agnarr tried.

"Look, Agnarr." Iduna said. "We may not have wanted another child, but he or she will be here in a matter of months. Besides, this is our son or daughter. We can't kill it."

Elsa wanted to regurgitate again.

Anna could have been killed before she was even born!?

More images formed.

"Okay, bye." Little Anna sang sadly as Elsa pushed her away. She wiped at her eyes and tried to put on a happy face as she ran around the palace for someone to play with.

Her eyes lit up when she spotted Inga, one of the maids.

"Inga!" Anna said, rushing up to the maid before she could get away. "Want to go outside and build a snowman with me?" There was a hopeful expression on her face.

"I'm afraid I can't, Your Highness." Inga said, giving her a fake, condescending smile. "I have too many chores to do. Maybe some other time."

She scurried away, not noticing or caring as Anna's face fell.

Another image formed. This time, Anna appeared to be a year or so older.

After trying-and failing-to entice Elsa out of her room, Anna raced to her parents' quarters. She looked so bored and seemed desperate for companionship, for someone to spend time with her. Quickly, Anna knocked on her parents' bedroom door.

The door opened and Iduna appeared.

A brief fissure of annoyance and exasperation marred her lovely features before she pasted a smile on her face. "Yes, Anna?" She asked, a hint of impatience in her voice.

Anna was too young to hear it.

"Mama, want to go outside and build a snowman with me?" Anna asked hopefully.

"I can't, Anna." Iduna said. "I'm busy."

"What about Papa?" Anna asked quickly before Iduna could close the door.

"He's busy, too." Iduna said sharply. Anna's smile faded. "Now, run along and play." Before Anna could protest, Iduna shut the door. Anna's shoulders slumped over, her braids hanging limply as she slowly walked towards the shadows of the corridor.

Another image appeared.

Anna was a little older.

There was a sad expression on her face as she entered what Elsa recognized was the portrait room back at the palace. She sat down underneath a portrait of Joan the knight.

Once again, Anna's voice rang in Elsa's memory.

"Try imagining it from my perspective. I no longer had memories of your powers. I grew up with doors being shut in my face. The few servants we had left wouldn't answer my questions. They were too busy with their duties to spend any time with me. My only sister kept on pushing me away without rhyme or reason. Mother and Father were too busy ruling Arendelle to spend any time with me. I was so bored, my only friends were the portraits."

Little Anna raised her head and glanced at the portrait.

"Hi, Joan. It's me again." A forced laugh escaped her lips. "I don't know what to do, Joan." Her voice hitched. "Elsa keeps on telling me to go away. The servants have no time for me. No one will tell me why the palace is so locked up. Even Mama and Papa won't do anything with me." She hiccupped, choking on a sob as she rubbed her eyes. "What did I do wrong, Joan? Elsa and I were best friends. Why does she keep pushing me away? Why do the servants ignore me? Why do Mama and Papa shut me out?"

"Oh, Anna." Elsa whispered in horror. "What have I done?"

Instinctively, she moved towards the past image of her sister, trying to comfort her. But the images of the past faded away. How could so be so wrong about everything?

How could she be so blind?

"Elsa." Elsa whirled around. It was Mother's ghost.

"Mother, how could you do this to her!" Elsa demanded angrily.

"Don't get us wrong, Elsa." Iduna said. "We do love Anna. But we had no time or patience for her. Helping you with your powers and ruling Arendelle took up the bulk of our time."

"It's not her fault." Elsa said. "She didn't ask to be born!"

"I know that." Iduna said. "We made several mistakes in regards to Anna."

"And so have I." Elsa admitted.

"She was right, you know." Iduna said.

"What?" Elsa blinked.

"When we died on that ship." Iduna said. "Anna didn't even enter our minds. We were so determined to find the source of your powers. But we pushed too far and too deep. We lost our lives as a result. It is only in the afterlife that we realize the full extent of the damage we have done to the both of you. Agnarr even told me he never should have locked the gates and separated you from your sister."

"And when you brought me to Ahtohallan." Elsa said. "Did you think of Anna at all?"

"No." Iduna said. She looked down guiltily. "I was more focused on helping you achieve your destiny as the Fifth Spirit."

"Mother, why are you here now?" Elsa asked. "I achieved my destiny."

"I want to help make things right with Anna." Iduna said.

"Is that why you brought me to this room?" Elsa asked.

"Yes. So you could finally understand things from Anna's perspective." Iduna said.

"I never meant to hurt her." Elsa said.

"I know." Iduna said. "I also showed you those images to help you learn something else."

"What?" Elsa asked.

"You've seen what your grandfather has done, due to his fear of magic." Iduna said as Elsa nodded. "You've also witnessed what you have done, due to your fear of hurting Anna even further. You even realized you still keep up an emotional wall between you and the rest of the world, due to your lingering fear and trauma."

"I know." Elsa said.

"Honeymaren called you the bridge between humanity and magic." Iduna said.

"I don't understand." Elsa frowned. "Mother, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying, there is no reason you can't be both." Iduna said.

"Mother?" Elsa said.

"Elsa, I am proud of you for performing your duties so diligently." Iduna said. "But your fear of hurting others is only holding you back. You are still a human being, despite your powers. You are not just a being of magic, you are human. I don't want you to forget that even as you strive to fulfill your duties as the Fifth Spirit."

Elsa blinked.

It was so simple.

Her mother was right, she realized. Elsa was still hiding behind an emotional shield out of habit. This was definitely due to the trauma of hurting her sister and striving to control her powers her entire life. Spending the bulk of her childhood in isolation didn't help matters either. Even after the gates were open and Elsa was able to control her powers, she still kept a somewhat emotional distance from everyone. Even from her own sister.

This wall created an...emotional blindness.

It was why she was so unaware of Anna's feelings during their argument.

"You're right." Elsa said. She was trying so hard to be the Fifth Spirit, she almost forgot that she was human as well. She could be a being of magic and nature, yet still find a way to reconnect with humanity. To feel once again. To experience empathy once again.

To be the bridge between humanity and magic that Honeymaren proclaimed her to be.

"I have to make things right." Elsa said, determined.

Iduna smiled proudly.