Cold.
It was cold. Not the kind of cold which made her shiver and pull her coat around her, but the kind which made her body numb, and her face covered in snow. She cursed herself for making such a rash decision. She cursed the gods who decided to make it snow today. She cursed her dress which didn't provide any protection at all.
She looked around. She had stumbled through the darkness for an hour before finally finding shelter under an abandoned lean-to. Snow had seeped through her dress and boots. She had no idea where she was. She had no idea where she even planned to go.
She sighed. Was this how she was to die? When she was little, she would dream of living until a ripe old age, reminiscing about old times with her sister. Now, it seemed as if her life would be cut short before it even begun. She could already feel her energy slipping away.
She wished she had done things differently. She didn't want the last conversation with her sister to be an argument. She hoped Elsa had heard her through the door.
She quietly laid down. Freezing to death is better than dying at war, or sickness. Maybe, death isn't so bad after all.
"Anna?"
Maybe she would get to see Elsa again someday.
"Anna!"
She struggled to stay conscious. She peered at the blonde-haired figure rushing towards her. Was that Elsa? Was she already dead?
"Anna? Please say something."
"E-Elsa?" she rasped out.
"Oh Anna!" Elsa threw her arms around her and sobbed. "Please don't go away Anna! I can't live without you. I shouldn't have said that."
"Elsa…"
"You are so cold…" she murmured. Elsa took off her cloak and wrapped it around her.
"Elsa what about you?"
"Sshh. It's alright. Don't worry about me."
Anna tried to protest. She wouldn't let Elsa suffer in the cold because her little sister was an idiot. But she was too weak to say anything. She felt strong arms slip underneath her and pick her up. She snuggled closer to her sister. She wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not, but she didn't want to wake up. Ever.
"Stay awake for me Anna. Please. We'll get you back in no time." Elsa looked at her with worry.
Anna seriously doubted she could make the long trip home, but she didn't care. Elsa was here now. She would protect her just like she protected her from nightmares when they were little. At least, if she died, she would die in the arms of her sister. Her sister who cared about her enough to come looking for her in the middle of a snowstorm. Her sister who gave her her cloak while she herself braved the cold.
Anna was able to walk the last stretch to the castle with Elsa's support. Gerda was waiting at the door, but Anna collapsed before they could reach it.
"Anna! Help me carry her!"
A few servants rushed out and picked her up. They carried her upstairs and into her room.
"Get the royal physician!" she felt Elsa grab her hand. "Don't be afraid Anna, you will recover in no time."
The physician came in and checked her. She felt her vision getting darker.
"Your Majesty, I am afraid she may not survive the night."
"What do you mean?!"
"The cold took a heavy toll on her body. Her chances are even. All we can do is wait."
"Thank you, doctor" Elsa replied shakily.
The physician bowed and left the room. As soon as he was gone, Elsa burst out sobbing. Anna reached out in an attempt to comfort her.
"Elsa?" she whimpered.
"Oh Anna! This is all my fault. I should have told you everything. I am so sorry Anna."
"Do you hate me?"
Elsa looked at her through her tears and smiled. "No Anna, I have always loved you." Elsa gently kissed the top of her forehead. "I know I have been a terrible sister. I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Please just get better. It's all I will ever ask from you."
Anna closed her eyes. This was all she needed to hear. Elsa didn't hate her. She succumbed to the darkness.
"Anna?"
After 13 years, she finally had her sister back.
