A/N: Here comes another one! And we'll also start to gear shift a little into a higher gear, culminating in a time jump somewhere in the next few chapters. And I'm not talking about a few days or a few months, I mean a big one. So prepare yourselves. Here we check back in a few weeks later…

Chapter Fourteen

Fear Will Be Your Enemy

"Excuse me, but Princess Anna, the council is asking for a response on the proposal of higher taxes on ice this winter, and there's the issue of Wesleton's inquiries to respond to, and the committee of flora has asked that you choose the arrangements for the castle- princess?" Kai rapped on her door with his knuckles. "Might I suggest we begin with the arrangements, move to the council and court, leaving Wesleton for last?"

"Sounds great, but… I… um… can we just maybe do it tomorrow? Olaf is gone and nobody seems to know where he is. I thought he was doing the whole, you know, 'hide and seek but just hide and if no one seeks you, it means you win' but he's not in here," Anna's muffled voice came back.

Kai opened the door to her room slightly only to find her halfway under the bed. "Princess…" he began, dropping the formality, "Anna." He watched as she emerged halfway covered in a blanket spilling over her head, the same excitable, messy, ball of sunshine she had always been. "Elsa is not here… the kingdom looks to you for decisions. Though I'm also fond of Olaf, we need your advice, and we cannot delay another day." He bent and slid the blanket off, taking two ends and folding it back neatly over the bed.

"I know…" Anna was clearly deflated by the idea of diplomacy, but she had never shirked responsibility to others when it came to their welfare. "I just… I thought she'd be back by now. I don't know if I'm much good at this Queening thing."

He reached into his coat pocket and produced some parchment, sealed with an anchor. "Ah, did I forget to mention? She did send a letter. I wouldn't be surprised if it were news of her return to-" Before he could finish, Anna jumped and snapped the letter from his hand, tearing it open with the ferocity of a wild animal, which only made him smile. She started to read out loud.

"Dearest Anna,

I'm writing this to tell you how much I miss you and everyone in Arendelle. Tragedy has…" She stopped, reading ahead before continuing in a slower voice, "Tragedy has befallen the Southern Isles as Helena, the wife of Heins, has passed away in childbirth. She has left behind a baby girl who I am growing very fond of, Julia. I trust you are keeping the kingdom well in hand with help from the council. We are…" she stopped reading, her expression crestfallen.

"What is it, princess? Is your sister alright?" Kai was rightfully concerned, as Anna rarely looked so disappointed.

"They're staying longer," Anna murmured, clearing her throat to go on, "considering staying another few weeks as our time here is very restorative for my grief. I plan to reveal these thoughts to Hans today. I ask you please continue to manage our people without me until our return. All my love to you, Kristoff, and the staff. Your sister, Elsa, Queen of Arendelle."

"That is regrettable," Kai murmured, a little disappointed himself. Pushing Anna to make diplomatic decisions was like pulling teeth from a mule, and left neither party happy. "But we shall have to press onward and keep a stiff upper lip."

"Uuuugh," Anna groaned, flopping back onto her bed as if she had no more strength, flicking the letter away with one hand. "It's not enough she kept me locked out for years growing up, now she's taking a vacation across the sea. What, do I smell or something?" She sniffed her armpit and let loose a little grimace. "Oookay maybe I do smell a little, but do you know how hard it is to get a reindeer to bathe?"

"Princess…"

She rolled over onto her belly and let her legs dangle over the side. "I mean, Sven is like three times my size! And I don't blame him for smelling a little, but likewise should I be blamed if I absorb a little bit of reindeer odor from riding around on him all day and then having to jump in the tub to get him scrubbed?"

"No?" Kai answered, watching the one-woman show in amusement.

"No! Of course not! And don't mind the fact that the reindeer doesn't have to show up in front of the council or make decisions that might affect somebody's life drastically or… oh, shoot, I did it again, didn't I? I went off on a tangent."

"Perhaps, your highness, if you would permit it, I could make the decisions on the flowers for the castle and your council might debate on the proposal for ice pricing," Kai suggested, sympathizing with the princess and despairing at the thought of capturing a free spirit against her will. "This would free your afternoon for a cleansing walk with your friend the harvester and perhaps some public idea on the ice pricing as well would come into play as you speak with him."

"That's a great idea!" Anna exploded into joy, grabbing a satchel and disappearing behind her dressing screen to shed her dress.

"Shall I have the cook prepare a quick lunch for you?" Kai asked, making attempts to catch her clothing as it flew over the dressing screen.

"No, I'll pick something up at Kristoff's!" Anna replied, her cheer restored.

"Alright, your majesty…" Kai replied, hardly able to say goodbye before Anna was whirling out the door, boots in hand. "As you wish." Written correspondence by post took at least two weeks to arrive between the Southern Isles and Arendelle, and that was with constant fair weather. More likely one could expect three-four weeks. The queen was likely on her way home, and all would be well when she returned. Why then, Kai asked himself as he picked up the scattered bits of clothing on the floor, did he feel such an air of foreboding?

#

Heins finished his stitching along the hem of the fabric with his usual swiftness and efficient flare, tying off the knot and slipping the scissors around the extra thread to remove it. He stood, backing up and taking another look at the dress in the stage of sunlight coming through the open window. It was his third dress in a week. The fever to work raged within him, consuming him, but though he could not say why, every gown was only a reflection of disappointment. So it had been with the past week's dresses, and those before, and before that. His nose turned in dislike as he scanned it, trying to figure out where he'd gone wrong.

"I don't understand…" he grumbled, his hand fumbling to the nearby bureau and grasping the neck of a glass bottle. "It should be a perfect combination… what am I missing? What's missing?" He tilted the bottle and let the liquid inside swirl into the glass, lifting it to his lips, swishing the wine in his mouth and swallowing. The taste was pleasant, but it left him feeling empty. "Something is definitely missing."

"Hello, my love," Allowyn greeted her son as she politely knocked and opened the door slightly. "Slaving away on another dress, are you?"

"Oh, hello, moder," Heins replied, a small smile gracing his features. He welcomed her in with a wave of his arm. It lifted Allowyn's spirits to see him smiling again. "Yes, I've only just finished, but…"

"But?" Allowyn continued, though she knew what he was likely to say.

"Something is wrong." He scrutinized it again, his eyebrows furrowed. "What is it? The color, the thread count, the placement of the gems along the bodice, what?" He took a step away, close to his mother, cocking his head, then his body, his ponytail hanging comically behind him. "I just can't see it." He straightened and looked to his parental figure expectantly. "You've arrived at the most opportune time. You always had a keen eye for detail, mother, tell me, what's wrong with it?"

Allowyn looked at the gown before her with honest scrutiny. It was beautiful, a work of art, as all her son's gown had always been. She walked over and circled it, let her fingers dance over the materials, and after some scrutiny, the queen looked back at Heins. "My dear, this is a lovely gown. Just like the previous, and the one before that, and so on. I see no flaws. What is it you see?"

The answer seemed only to fluster Heins, and he roughly scratched the back of his head. "I don't know… it feels like something's missing, like there's a shade that's too dark or a measurement off somewhere. I've felt the same with all the dresses I've designed over the past few weeks."

"Lily hasn't complained," Allowyn soothed, smiling. The girl had been treated to an entire new wardrobe fit for a princess in only a few weeks, as she'd quickly volunteered to be Heins' model, eager to help him return to a semblance of a normal life.

"I know… she's very sweet," Heins admitted, with a little more of a sheepish smile. "But mother… she is visually impaired. I doubt she'd complain about it." He took a few paces to circle the mannequin, critical eyes scanning the details, processing the production. "No, something is wrong… just as it was with the others…" He grabbed a white sheet and tossed it over the finished gown. "I can't even look at it; it's making me sick to see it!"

"I think if you just give it a little time and come back to it, you'll see it really is lovely…" Allowyn tried again. Convincing someone to consider beauty after a time of only seeing sorrow was difficult.

"It's not fair!" her son exclaimed, lashing out with a push and knocking the mannequin over to the ground. The sheet spilled into a pool and the dress lay disheveled atop the crumpled dummy. Heins bent to a knee and swiftly scooped it up, carefully rearranging the dress, his eyebrows furrowed, eyes sad. "I didn't mean that, I'm sorry."

Allowyn moved to his side and helped smooth the fabric back into place, putting her hand over his and meeting his gaze. "I know, my askling. It's not fair she's gone."

"No, it's not that… I mean, yes, it is unfair, so very, very unfair, but…" Heins trailed off, as if figuring out how to explain.

"But?" she gently pressed, giving his hand a squeeze.

His hand slipped out of her grip and he stood, regarding his work. "But I've never had any trouble designing dresses before… why now? It's not fair that I'm trying to move on, trying to live without her… but it seems no matter how I try… without her… something is missing… something in me."

"Forgive me your majesty," interrupted a voice from the doorway. "May I enter?"

"Ah!" Allowyn quickly moved to the doorway and held out her arms. "Good morning, my sunshine! Come to your Grandmother! What a beautiful dress you have on today!" Julia gurgled a greeting and babbled as Allowyn took the baby from the nurse. "Look who is here, Julia, it's your Daddy!" She nodded to the servant. "Thank you, Carla."

"Hello, my little button…" Heins willingly took his daughter in his arms and bounced her lightly up and down as her tiny green eyes rolled to one side and another. Her black hair was wispy, faint, but he was sure it would grow into curls just like her mother. The pain it had once caused just to see his daughter's visage seemed fainter than he remembered, but he was determined to do his best to care for her, even if her mother had parted this world. At least, he felt more confident than normal. He chuckled at her fingers trying to grasp his vest as he supported her in his lap and took a seat nearby. "She's eating well?" he asked, drawn to his work once again as he surveyed the dress.

"They tell me the wetnurse can hardly keep up at times," Allowyn mused with a little smile of appreciation. She noted his eyes and gently reprimanded him. "Focus on your baby, my love, not your work."

"I'm sorry," he apologized, but his attention still seemed split as he stood and tried to walk away from the messy workstation. "Will you please have the servants bring me something of a snack before supper? I haven't taken the time to attend dinner… what are we having tonight?"

Hearing him ask gave Allowyn hope that he would join the family again and they could begin to heal him further. He had made decent progress in that he would talk to them, but had not joined them for dinner once since Helena's death. Unconsciously she rubbed the fabric of her dress between her fingers, her hands draped graciously along her sides. "Will you be joining us? I could speak to Ariel regarding dinner. She could make you stuffed crab, if you like… I know you like her seafood. She cooked the most tender flounder the other night that I've ever tasted."

Heins mulled over this for a moment. Seafood did sound appetizing, and that would pair so well with a nice white wine… yes, it was a good idea. He nodded, feeling more confident, unconsciously bouncing his daughter in his arms. "Yes, I think that would do quite splendidly." It was at this moment Julia's previous meal came back with a vengeance.

Allowyn did her best to stifle her laughter at her son's disgruntled expression and held out her arms. "Here, let me take her. Babies tend to do that, my dear. You'll have to get used to carrying some spare scraps of clothing on your shoulder after she's been fed."

Heins sighed and gave a short, good-natured laugh. "Yes, well, at least it gives me an opportunity to look for a new shirt. I do love the smell of freshly laundered clothing." He disappeared behind one of the few changing screens in the room and spoke as he slipped out of the dirty clothes. "I'm still missing a few supplies from my old room, will you tell the servants to look for my measuring tape and my favorite pincushion, the one in the shape of the apple?"

"I suppose they could take another look, but you know how your work tends to overwhelm your room," Allowyn replied, letting Julia play with her finger. "I don't see why you can't move back into it now, after you've taken some time."

"I like the view better from this room," Heins lied as he tugged the fabric down over his head.

Allowyn caught the lie the moment it left his lips. First of all, he'd never been very good at it, and secondly, the current view did not look out on the lush part of the land, rather, the back of the castle, where only rocky crags and salty ocean waves could be seen. "Now I know that's not true," she debated with him, watching him emerge from the screen and avoid eye contact. "You're not one of my sons who lies as often as he tells the truth, don't go starting now."

Heins gave a good-natured sigh as he tilted his head and admitted defeat. "You're right, of course. But the simple truth is I don't want to go back to my old room. There are too many memories there. In time perhaps, when I decide. But until then, I'll stay here. I'm feeling better, really. In fact I'm feeling up for a walk around the castle. Maybe that will take my mind off my work." He approached the table where he'd left the bottle of wine from earlier and picked it up, the smell sweetly wafting to his nose where it greeted him as an old forgotten friend.

Supporting Julia on her arm, the queen nodded to signal her satisfaction. She would not push him further today. It was then she noticed the bottle as he took it in hand and poured himself another glass. "Wine?" she questioned. She'd known of Heins swearing off after he'd married Helena, and had been proud of his determination, but had not seen him partake since.

"Yes, what of it?" Heins asked, shrugging the question off.

"I thought you'd sworn off," Allowyn replied, simply stunned, but not admonishing.

Heins' hand had paused halfway to his mouth, and he stared into the crimson liquid, almost as if he were searching. "I did. For Helena. But Heinrik came home recently and I found myself sharing some he possessed and… it's nothing to worry over, is it, mother? Surely you wouldn't begrudge me a small sampling, not now that I'm free to enjoy again?"

Free. Allowyn ruminated on the word as she watched her son's face, a deep instinctual motherly urge raging within her to do whatever she could to comfort him, to see him light up reminding her of his old self. What could be the harm in letting him enjoy something he used to love? Especially when he was having such difficulty designing clothes lately. Perhaps it would give him some sense of fulfillment, if only temporarily. "Of course not. Why don't Julia and I join you on your walk? I'm sure she'd love to spend some time with her father." She bade him continue and he threw the glass back, taking the contents in one series of swallows. Her son set the empty bottle down and held out his arm to escort his mother. She took his arm gratefully, relishing, for the briefest of moments, the feeling that things would go back to the way they used to be.

#

Anna did her level best to process what Kristoff was saying as they climbed higher, breathing deeply of the crisp, cold air in the mountains. They were high now, high enough to see snow remnants. Her boots crunched into the powder as she made her way up.

"Are you sure he'll be there?" Kristoff asked as Sven boldly galloped ahead of them, rolling around in the snow piles like a dog in the grass.

"Pretty sure," huffed Anna, still not used the elevation and having to take shorter breaths. "I looked everywhere else in our castle." She grunted as she climbed a little slope leading upwards. "And when you explain something to Olaf, like hide-and-seek, you forget the little details, like 'you aren't allowed to hide on top of a mountain,'" she managed, stopping to rest and sit on a nearby rock. "Elsa's castle is the only other place he could be." She toyed with some of the drooping branches of trees, speckled in frozen drops of dew.

Kristoff gave his reindeer a big boost to follow Anna and flexed his shoulders for a second, studying the path ahead of them. "I'm going to scout ahead a ways real quick, just to make sure it's safe. The harvesters don't usually come up this far."

"It's not much further to the staircase, and the castle should be right after that," Anna replied, wanting the rest. "I'll just stay here and make sure Sven is safe!"

Kristoff chuckled as he waved to her and began the climb up one of the last slopes, scouting before him and testing the ground, checking the snow for thickness. He could see the staircase glistening before him in the distance, admiring it for a moment. Ice was his life. The way Elsa crafted things out of nothing, but yet so finely detailed, was masterful. He turned his attention upwards, to see her castle, which dwarfed the staircase in comparison, when suddenly he was struck by a realization that made him turn cold even under his layers of fur.

It was gone.

He stood, grounded to the spot, before it finally occurred to him to try another vantage point. Of course it couldn't be gone. He just couldn't see it. A strange feeling of helplessness in his own element surrounded him, and he retreated to check on Anna. The thin air must have affected him. "Anna?"

"Yeah?" She got to her feet, feeling rested, and started past him. "The path's safe, I guess, right?"

"Yeah, it's safe," Kristoff confirmed with the same tone, unable to keep the foreboding from his voice.

"Then what's the problem…" She stopped as she looked upwards, her gaze subtly giving way to a tiny tremor of crumpling, confused facial features. She knew.

"We could be at an awkward angle," Kristoff tried to supply an explanation for the impossible.

"But that's not possible," Anna began, passing him and moving at an increasingly quick pace through the ankle-deep snow. "It's always there."

"The temperature," he tried again, easily catching up to her and keeping pace, "it could have melted under the summer temperatures."

"Yeah, right. You remember when Elsa celebrated my birthday earlier this year, how hot it was? Nothing she makes melts unless she wants it to melt." She was climbing the staircase now, holding the handrails as she took the steps two at a time, following in her sister's footprints during her flight from Arendelle not so long ago.

"I don't know what happened," Kristoff finally admitted between pants, "but you've got to slow down and breathe in this elevation or you're going to end up fain-ting…" he finished, coming to a clumsy stop behind a stiff Anna.

Someone stood in a dry point at the summit, his back turned to them. He was not dressed for the hike up the mountain in the snow and ice, but rather as if he'd chosen to take a stroll through the summer woodlands, his arms bare, no hood or cap, not even mittens. An inky colored cape lightly toyed in the breeze behind him, only just brushed by smooth, shiny hair which seemed to shift colors from coppery red to brilliant ginger.

"Hey!" Anna shouted, taking a step towards him, courageous as ever. Her foot sloshed into a puddle of slush which was once snow. She recoiled, shaking her boot, soaked with icy cold water. "Aw, man," she groaned.

The stranger turned, observing the two people and their reindeer with something like curiosity flickering behind his eyes. "Well, this is interesting. I didn't expect company. At least, not your company," his words flowed over her like honey, masked by a slight accent she didn't place.

"Who are you and what are you doing up here?" Anna demanded, immediately showing force by trying again to march up to him, with not much success, her feet sluggish as they collapsed again into slushy snow.

"Oh, waiting for someone," the man replied nonchalantly, watching Anna with no more than a passing amusement.

"What happened to the ice palace?" she barked, letting Kristoff help her up as he glowered at the man in response to his indifference.

"Ice palace?" he repeated, irritating Anna further.

Why can't he just answer my questions instead of asking a question of his own? Darn it, now he's got me doing it! "My sister's ice palace! It was right here; don't tell me you didn't see it! What happened?" Anna volleyed, her breath coming in little pants. She paused to catch it and pace herself.

Finally he showed a brief expression of surprise, but it melted away with a smile. "Your sister."

"Yeah, my sister. Queen Elsa? Ruler of Arendelle, master in all things related to the art of snow and ice?" Anna rattled off, feeling confident in her wordsmithing skills. "And you're standing right where her castle used to be. So you better start talking turkey, buddy, or prepare to face me, Princess Anna, Temporary ruler of Arendelle, master in…" she wracked her brain for something eloquent, "… getting answers from creepy guys who stand on top of mountains!"

He chuckled. It was somehow both warm and alluring, but at the same time cruel and smug. "So you're the princess Anna. We never met." He tilted his head and sort of swooped into a half-bow, unnaturally smoothly, as if he were defying gravity, straightening again. "I'm Magnus."

Kristoff had been watching the encounter carefully, working possibilities into his head. Looking at this man filled him with a sense of prickling down his back, as if he were facing a foe far more powerful than he let on. He considered his options. Sven had a pack on his back which held a hunting knife and some sharp ice tools for climbing steep areas, maybe he could get to it, just in case something happened. He started shuffling towards the reindeer, counting on Anna to continue her distraction.

"I don't care who you are, you can stop with the pleasantries and tell me what happened to my sister's ice palace," she growled, taking heart and marching forward until she was poised in front of him, glowering into his hazel eyes without fear, "now."

Magnus did not betray any emotion on his face, but his hand flew. Before Anna could react she found herself sprawled in the snow, her vision reeling from the sting of the man's slap. Her hand instantly went to her cheek as tears sprung to her eyes, hot and angry. She heard a hiss from the man and looked up to see him hold his arm aloft, where blood trickled down it from a grazed wound. Kristoff knelt beside her and helped her to her feet, tenderly examining her jaw before shielding him behind her. An ice pick lay on the ground not far from Magnus.

"Don't you ever touch her again," Kristoff ground between his teeth, pointing his pickaxe at the man, "or I'll kill you."

The man dropped his arm to his side and though he seemed to stay resigned, Kristoff could see his forehead crinkle, betraying some kind of irritation. "I didn't want to mark any casualties so soon…" his voice spoke low and quiet, "but I suppose exceptions can be made." With inhuman speed, he jumped forward.

There was a whoosh, a cry of effort, and a wall of spiked icicles shot from the ground, blocking him from continuing to move. Elsa rushed to Anna's side, followed closely by Hans, who drew his sword and took an aggressive stance. "Attempting to attack a member of the royal family is cause for treason! You stand on the edge of death! Make your next choice of words carefully, for they may be your last!" he shouted, breath spouting before him in clouds of vapor as Elsa let her powers fill her body, sparks of magic floating through the air around her hands.

Magnus only seemed to be pleased, and a warm smile spread over his face as he stared straight past Hans at Elsa, entranced by her imposing figure. "Hello, Cousin."

#

Everyone was silent as the unexpected words hung in thin air. Elsa, as the words had been directed at her, was the first to react. Hands still glowing with sparkles of magic, she regarded the man with suspicion and anger. "You are not my cousin. I don't know you. Then you try to attack my sister… you won't get away with that." She glanced over at Anna. "Are you okay? What were you doing up here?"

Anna relayed her story quickly, the previous pain subsiding a little in the cold air. "I went to find Olaf. I couldn't find him at the palace, and I thought if he wasn't there, he must be here. I couldn't find him, but this guy was here, where your ice palace used to be, and he wouldn't answer my questions except with his own questions, and then… he hit me." The last part came off as vulnerable, small, and helpless. Anna had hardly met people who were unkind to her in her life, much less someone who caused her physical harm. Though the wound no longer hurt as much, the realization stung her anew and she rubbed her cheek as if hoping to scrub away the emotional impact.

Hans burned with a growing anger, but it was nothing compared to the fury of Elsa. She surged her arms forward, a blast of wind and ice summoning from the magic pulsing through her veins, rushing towards the enemy across from her. Just as it seemed the winter would engulf him, there was a hissing noise, and clouds of vapor spilled around them, settling as dust would in a battlefield. Magnus held one hand outstretched, and swirling around it was a stream of flame, silent, flickering red and orange.

Elsa's guard fell; the entire party standing transfixed to see another being with magic. Magnus clenched his fist and the fire disappeared, leaving no trace it had ever existed. He reached to his shoulder and dusted a few specks of snow from his arm, then spoke, clearly and factually. "Your ice palace, as your sister calls it, is gone, cousin. And assuming Olaf is the snowman I encountered here, he's gone, too."

My… my palace… the one I built when I felt free… and Olaf? No… it can't be! "Why? Who are you? What do you want?" Elsa replied, suddenly realizing how much she'd lost before she even had a chance to say goodbye.

He stared at her, the smile fiercely present, his gaze sharp as knives, the look on his face tremulous with anticipation. "I am Magnus, and though you don't know me yet, you will. You and your kingdom will fall; your people will be my servants. Those too old or too young to serve a purpose will die." He looked at Hans and the smile spread. "I will cut the crown from your head and have it melted down to make my royal cup, and I will have wine served to me by you," he purred, his gaze lingering on Anna. "I like a little fire."

Elsa had no response; she dredged the bottom of her well of bravery for something to say. No one had ever spoken to her like this before. She'd been in danger, yes, even of her life, but no one had outright threatened to kill those she loved in front of her and she believed them so earnestly. "We've overcome many things before, all of us," she replied, straightening and holding her fists at her side, feeling her magic tingle at her fingertips at the ready. "We've all faced death somehow, and… and I'm not afraid of it… just like I'm not afraid of you."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong, cousin," Magnus murmured, nonplussed by her reaction. "Fear will be your enemy…" he trailed off, watching how the words affected her, made her stance fall, her body posture slacken. "Well, where fear became your enemy… fear became my strength. Even as we speak, my colleagues infiltrate your home, your sanctuary, and soon, everything you knew will turn to ash." He watched her reactions and turned to look at her castle in the distance. "Now I take my leave of you… but I won't forget this." His finger pointed to Kristoff and Hans, a drop of blood falling to the slush below. "I won't forget you." As they all watched, his visage disappeared, crumbling away into smoke and bits of debris which floated away on a breeze.

All of them watched, stunned into silence from what they'd just encountered and trying to process, when a joyful voice interrupted. "Hey, so, who was that guy? Oh, and surprise! I found you! Hey, I'm pretty good at this game, we should play it again," Olaf wandered into their midst.

"Olaf!" Anna exclaimed, hurrying to his side. "I thought he… but the palace… and he said something about a snowman and…"

"Hello!" Olaf greeted, before turning around and tapping his chin with a stick arm. "Hey, you're right, the palace does look different. Did we move it or something? It is a lot more spacious!"

"Olaf, the palace is gone…" Elsa murmured, relieved to see him, but putting the pieces together. "Marshmallow… is gone."

"Oh… .I guess we have to find him next!" Olaf exclaimed, oblivious.

"I can bring him back, but…" Elsa trailed off, staring at the spot where Magnus had been. "But what he said… Anna, he could have killed you… he said…"

"I know what he said," Anna replied, going to her sister's side, "but Elsa… I'm okay. I'm safe." She paused, putting a hand on her shoulder and bringing her sister in for a tight hug. "I'm sorry about your castle. It was beautiful, and I know it meant a lot to you."

"I can rebuild it," Elsa whispered, giving her sister one squeeze before letting go. "I can bring Marshmallow back. But what he said… I don't know how he… he was like me."

"We'll find out," Hans boldly stated, stepping forward. "We all will. And when he's ready to try to fight, we'll be ready for him. Right?" He put his hand on Elsa's shoulder, tenderly drawing her closer.

She gazed at him, willing herself to believe him. There was doubt within her, cold and fierce, but it was balanced with love. "I… I believe you. Let's all go home for now… and tomorrow… we'll start seeing what we can figure out."

I know this is really really late compared to most of my updates, but I'm going to say the next one will come much sooner and we'll get a more in-depth look at who exactly Magnus is!