Chapter 1: Forecast

She was completely and utterly drenched. It had reached such a stage that she was pretty sure she was imbued with water. The deluge continued to fall on her as she stepped to the heavy doors of Arendelle's castle walls, holding her snow hood with one hand above her head to prevent it from falling back with the wind. It was useless, she started to realize, and she soon vanished it in a cloud of snowflakes. The storm was so strong that they got swept away in a fraction of second, and she watched her magic go in the horizon as she shielded her eyes from the scratching rain blowing her in all ways. The storm had gone on for nearly a week now. And even herself couldn't do anything to stop it.

She finally made her way to the door, and in the dark of the night, she didn't realize that two guards were standing by the entrance. In fact, they hadn't notice her either until now, lightening lanterns being completely useless with such a weather.

"HALT!" Barked one of them as they aimed at her. His voice was loud to both be menacing and to cover the deafening sound of the wind.

"Identify yourself!"

"I'm Elsa!"

"What?" Winced the guard, wind blowing her answer away.

"Elsa the Snow Queen!"

They stepped forward to better hear her, still taking safe distances in case they needed to attack.

She cleared her throat, about to yell.

"Snow Queen Elsa, Fifth Spirit of Nature and guardian of Ahtohallan!"

As if by magic, the wind had calmed just for the moment she exclaimed her three titles, and the guards widened their eyes before promptly bowing to their former Queen and now equivalent of a goddess.

"Snow Queen Elsa, we didn't recognize you." Apologized the second guard.

"It's okay. This storm is really powerful."

"Please come in."

They pushed the doors to let her enter, and even if the courtyard was a bit more protected now it was inside the walls, she was just as buffeted after they closed the gates behind her as she made her way to the castle.

Once in, she got circled by caring maids, who exclaimed at her state. She was dripping enough water to fill several buckets and catch a pneumonia right away.

"I'm alright, I'm alright." She assured at their worried reactions.

She refused the towels and help they offered. Some servants exchanged a look. Who would be foolish enough to go out in such a storm willingly and not want to sit by a fire once in?

Elsa let out a sigh once she saw Gerda among them. She didn't even have to say anything. Her eyes screamed 'Go get my sister please'.

"I'll wake up the Queen. Wait here." Nodded Gerda.

The servant hurried upstairs, not stopping until she reached Anna's and Kristoff's bedroom. She knocked softly but urgently.

Anna groaned at the too-familiar sound on wood calling her. She hated that it was always the same sound taking her away from her blissful sleep. Would a servant ever wake her up with, for instance, a harp? Gerda insisted her knock, and the redhead groaned louder this time.

"Uhhh... Five more minutes, please." Begged Anna.

"It's urgent, your Majesty." Insisted Gerda.

Anna groaned again, and this time it woke Kristoff up. They both lifted their heads, looking at the time on the clock of the room.

"It's 3 a.m., Gerdaaaa..." Complained Anna, rubbing her forehead.

"It's Elsa, your Majesty."

"M'HERE!"

She jolted from the bed, tossing the sheets away, followed closely by Kristoff whose blood also rushed up at the sudden news. They barely made themselves presentable before rushing to the door. Gerda took a wise step aside before her Queen opened the door fast and wide.

"She's downstairs?"

The maid nodded, but Anna had the answer from her gaze. She hurried down the corridor and stairs and Kristoff gave the woman a thankful sign. As he rushed after his wife, he wondered why the hell had Elsa come to Arendelle at such a time. They weren't even on Friday. Did something bad happen to her?

When Anna and Kristoff finally reached Elsa's level in the Great Hall, she was still dripping with the exact same state. She was standing awkwardly, looking around, using the tapestry as a distraction to not clench her hands.

"ELSA!" Yelled her younger, and the wind got ripped off her lungs when something orange and green jumped to her for a hug.

"Hey..."

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did something happen?"

Elsa blinked, hugging her back but taken aback by the questions. "Uh... Yes, no, and yes."

Anna stepped from the hug, joining Kristoff's side. He looked at her with concern. Half of her white outfit was covered with mud, she had twigs and leaves in her short hair, and one of the shoulder pieces of her light armor was shifted. Anna came to the same observation, but also looked at her general appearance.

"Goodness, you're dripping."

"I'm fine. You know I'm not cold. I came here to—"

"Don't tell me anything until you're dry. I'll ask to make some hot chocolate for you."

"No, Anna, there's no need."

"You just came back from a storm! On foot, apparently! You—"

Elsa cut her. "Anna, it's quite urgent... I have to tell you something, but I don't want to alarm you at the same time."

"That's quite contradictory. Come on, spit it out."

Elsa gulped, raindrops running down her neck. "The reason of this storm... It's not just any storm."

"I knew it!" Muttered Kristoff.

"I think that Nokk and Gale are fighting."

The couple shared widen eyes.

"What? Why?" Asked Anna.

"I have no idea!" Exclaimed Elsa, powerless.

They had saddened expressions now, and Anna stepped forward. "Then you should go to Ahtohallan for answers."

"I planned to, but I can't cross the sea. Without Nokk, there's no way to get there."

"Sure you can. I know you can."

"You don't get it. It's not a polished mirror like you always see, the sea is raging now."

By the way Elsa said it, Anna knew she wasn't exaggerating a bit. And the Queen had seen the way the fjord's waves got accentuated since the storm. She gulped.

"And Nokk isn't there. They're up in the sky, battling against Gale. If they're not there to challenge me, I can't... I can't do it without them. I tried. Many times."

Anna missed a heartbeat. "How many times?"

"A... Lot."

The redhead gulped. Did Elsa sleep since then? Did she sleep at all since the storm started almost a week ago?

"Anyway, I came here with the Giants. They deposited me just above the village. They were too scared to shatter the cobblestones."

Her sentences were short, just like her breath. Anna put her hands on her shoulders, not caring if they were as wet as the rain. "Relax. You're okay now."

"But Nokk and Gale aren't."

Anna bent her head with a meaningful look. Elsa lifted a hand.

"Sorry, it's not that I'm overthinking it, it's just that I can sense it."

"Are you certain they're angry?" Frowned Kristoff.

"A hundred percent. And I caught a glimpse of them between the clouds two days ago. They are the reason of this weather. They were turning around each other with great force. And I can feel right now that they're doing it with all their power."

Anna had a sorry pout, because she felt bad for Elsa to sense that hate in her soul and to not be able to stop her allies.

"That's why it hasn't stopped raining for all that time. And why the storm doesn't calm down." Nodded Kristoff sadly.

"Yeah, one thing that is common to all Spirits is that they're relentless."

"Hey!"

"I didn't mean that in the wrong way only." Teased Anna. "And look, I brought a smile on your face. I won."

The blonde smirked as they exchanged a gaze.

"Let's get to the meeting room. You need to sit down. Especially if you have been standing on a Giant's shoulder the whole time."

Elsa followed her in the big room, and she didn't waste time until she sat down, with the King and Queen looking at her. However, Anna couldn't focus more longer on her face when Elsa was still drenched. She signed the servants standing by the door.

"Bring her a towel, please. She's still wet."

"No, I'm alright."

"Elsa, I know that you can't catch a cold, but I insist: you'll feel better if you're dry."

The Snow Queen gave her a reassuring look. "I can take care of that."

She closed her eyes, focusing, and instantly, all the water drops on her white outfit levitated in the air, delicately flying away from her skin and short hair. Her blonde locks became more yellow and fluffy in a few seconds, and all the drops went up, like rain falling backwards. Each of them slowly dissolved in the air, making it more humid, but dispersed enough in the room to not make the other feel unease.

"Heavens, I'll never get tired of that trick." Muttered Kristoff, eyes wide, and he looked like he was about to faint.

Anna had an expression that was exactly in between a smirk and a dropped jaw.

"You minx. You really got good at this, uh? I've never seen you doing it that quickly and easily."

Elsa pouted to hide her smile. "I use it a lot after washing in the river."

She was now entirely dry, and she passed a hand in her locks to clean it from dirt and twigs and leaves, and have it back in her style.

A servant brought a towel, and she used it to clean her face. Once done, Elsa put her arms on the table, not really knowing how to sit. Anna recognized in her gesture that she felt awkward now. They surrounded her in pajamas, and her gaze indicated that she would have grabbed and hug a cushion against her if there were one nearby. Only, they were in the meeting room, and there obviously was none. The Queen twirled around and opened a closet.

"Hold on."

She took something out, and when she unfolded it, Elsa understood she was about to wrap her in a blanket like a wounded animal. Yet, the "I'm fine, you know" got stuck in her throat. That blanket looked really comfy. She let her do the move.

Something small and fast suddenly barged in the room.

"AUNTIEEEE!"

They all turned around, and Elsa saw her niece come in running, her hair disheveled and bouncing on her shoulders, with her night gown rolled up on one sleeve and down on the other. The simple sight of her being an adorable mess made Elsa's heart soar.

Eydis hurried to Elsa to hug her, and the latter got tackled by the young princess with force, though she didn't mind it at all, and even encouraged it with an embrace just as loving.

Gerda came in with a heavy breathing, holding to the handle and visibly after Eydis. There was no way on Earth she would ever catch up on her. She was getting too old to cope with two generations of fiery princesses.

"Oh... Your Highnesses, I'm so sorry. She asked what all the noise was about, and when I told her that it was you..."

"It's alright, Gerda. Thank you." Laughed Kristoff.

"When did you arrive?" Asked the girl, overexcited, her big eyes staring at Elsa admiratively.

"Well, I just did." Smiled the Snow Queen.

She then realized that her niece almost was on her eye level, even though she was sit.

"Whoa! You've grown since the last time I saw you."

"And your hair has grown too." Noted the girl, frowning as she looked at it. "I preferred it when it was even shorter."

"Eydis!" Exclaimed Anna.

The princess didn't apologize, for it was the truth, and turned to her mother who had her hands on her hips.

"It's okay." Chuckled Elsa to both her sister and her niece. "Truth comes from the mouth of children!"

Eydis bit her lip with a smirk.

"And it's been a while since I last cut it." Smiled Elsa, looking down at her niece still in her arms.

Eydis wrinkled her nose. "You smell like Papa's stew."

"Hey!"

Kristoff and Elsa had said that at the same time, Elsa on a laughing tone at how frank she was, and Kristoff because that was offensive.

Anna laughed quietly behind her hand because of how bad he took the remark. The blonde smiled.

"I came here under the pouring rain, and it took me almost a day, that's why I smell like stew."

Eydis laughed.

Elsa lifted her hand to pat her niece's head. "Look at that! You're almost as tall as me now."

Eydis giggled. "But you're sit."

"Still." She smiled.

The girl knew that she was teasing and not serious, but her cheeks puffed with happiness.

Anna's tongue ticked when she saw that since Elsa hugged her daughter and now lifted her arm, the blanket had fallen to her thighs, and obviously the blonde hadn't noticed. She stepped to her, and put it back on her shoulders in a swift move. Elsa gave her a thankful and sorry look.

"Hey, maybe drink something." Suggested Anna. "Have a glass of water."

Elsa scoffed. "I drank enough rain coming here, thank you."

"Please drink. I know you by heart, I'm sure you haven't eaten and drank anything on your way."

Elsa looked at the lacquer of the table, admitting she was right. Her gaze was distracted by the shimmer of water as Anna poured a glass for her. Luckily, the meeting room always had a jug with fresh water in a cupboard – and a globe filled with bottles of strong alcohol, but it wasn't what Elsa needed at the moment – and Anna held out the drink.

The Snow Queen couldn't help but gulp the entire content almost greedily, and Anna smiled silently as she poured her another glass. Elsa muttered a "Thank you", and Kristoff bent to her to gently squeeze her arm covered with the blanket. Elsa smiled slightly at his affection, and looked down at his hand. Only then she noticed that the blanked was knit in Arendelle's colors, the spruce green and zinzolin warming her shoulders and falling on her legs, the golden crocus spreading on her back. The blonde felt like she was wrapped up in the Arendelle flag, and it made her feel protected in an unsuspected way.

"You know you're welcome here", smiled Kristoff with love. "Rest for the night, and we'll talk about all of this tomorrow."

"Okay. Thanks, Kristoff."

She took two other glasses of water, and stood up, accompanied in her move by Eydis who had been sitting on the table, her feet dangling in the air – despite Kristoff's warnings.

"I don't suppose that you need a night gown, uh?" Smiled Anna as they all walked in the corridor.

"No, I indeed don't." Smiled Elsa.

"I'll ask the maids to prepare a room." Suggested Kristoff, then Eydis tugged on his sleeve.

"Oh, Papa! Can she sleep with me? Please, please, please!"

She was begging, but there was no need. Her brown eyes were irresistible, and the King wasn't able to be authoritarian towards his daughter.

"If you want." He puffed. "Elsa, do you mind?"

"Not at all." Assured the Snow Queen. "It's been a long time since we saw each other."

She wondered if she missed her niece as much as the latter missed her. Judging by the burst of joy that emerged from her little body at the great news, she admitted that the princess was even happier than her.

"Where is Olaf?" Asked Eydis out of the blue as they made their way to the private quarters. Her head darted from side to side, even looking behind her to see if the snowman was pranking her, but he wasn't there.

"He's stuck in Ahtohallan, on the other side of the Dark Sea." Revealed Elsa. "But don't worry", she added when she saw her panic – and all had widened their eyes, actually – "He's fine, I can feel it."

They seemed reassured by her sincerity.

"He's with Marshie and the snowgies, and it's actually better that way. I know nothing will happen to them. And they kind of guard the glacier in my absence."

Anna nodded with relief and smiled at Elsa's attitude towards the situation. She passed a hand on her daughter's head. The girl didn't stay still for long, however, and already ran in her bedroom. Elsa followed, and Kristoff told his wife that he would go to theirs ahead, to which she responded that she'd come soon.

The little princess jumped on the bed, delighted to know she was about to sleep with her idol. Elsa smiled and passed behind the screen to melt her current dress and create a skin-like one, ideal to sleep in. She gave the blanket to Anna who had her arm stretched on the other side and waiting for it. When she stepped out, both the Queen and her daughter admired her sparkling work. Elsa started to melt her ice sandals.

"Where's Auntiemaren?" Asked Eydis.

Elsa stopped in her move, her eyebrows down. "Who?"

She was comically standing with one foot up and the other down, but Eydis didn't notice.

"Auntiemaren!"

"She means Honeymaren." Whispered Anna.

"Oh." Smiled Elsa, then she puffed. "Well, she... Uhm..."

She stretched her smile. "She's very busy, only I could come. We're very active, lately, with... The season of harvest and crops, you know."

Anna and Eydis bent their heads on the side at the same time. The girl then clapped her hands at a memory.

"Oh! That's why you couldn't come for a month to do game nights! Mama showed Yelena's letter to me."

"Yes, that's why." Smiled Elsa, with a sigh.

Anna frowned a bit, but was too tired to take note of Elsa's attitude.

"Okay, time for bed, you two."

Elsa climbed in as Eydis wiggled under the sheets, and Anna booped both of their noses. They all smiled, and the redhead picked up the candle she had brought, before leaving the room, slowly closing the door behind her.

Several minutes passed, and while Elsa easily found sleep, Eydis didn't stop tossing and turning, waking up every time the wind would whistle loudly outside or rain poured violently on the window.

"Auntie?"

"Hmm?" Murmured Elsa back, noticing well that the girl was waking up every time the weather got loud.

"I can't sleep."

Elsa turned to her niece.

"Are you scared of the storm? Is that why you asked for me to sleep with you?"

Eydis looked offended by her insinuation.

"No!" She assured. "That was to be with you", she added, hugging her above the sheets.

Elsa chuckled, hugging her back. After a while, she looked at her in the dark. Eydis noticed, and frowned her small eyebrows.

"I'm a big girl now. I don't wake Mama and Papa up when I have nightmares anymore."

Elsa smiled tenderly. "8 years old isn't that much. There's no shame in doing so."

The princess was stubborn however. "I don't need it!" She insisted.

"Alright, alright..." Grinned Elsa.

A moment of silence passed, suddenly interrupted by a powerful gust of wind, and the window even trembled from it. Eydis gasped and clasped her hands on Elsa's arm.

"I see." Smiled the Snow Queen. "It's the noise."

Eydis had a tiny nod.

Elsa lifted her available arm and waved her wrist in the air. A blue glow emerged from it, and with a dance of snowflakes, a large and delicate chime formed in the air, hanging from one of the joists. Floating above them with magic, the chime turned slowly, jangling with soft notes.

The little girl let out an appreciative hum, and her squeeze on Elsa's arm relaxed.

"Here. Better?"

Eydis watched how the different shapes and parts hung with thin ice strings and tapped each other as they turned, shining in the moon light. She blinked a few times tiredly, and it became blur. It was like watching stars.

"Be... Better..." She murmured before falling to sleep, her head tilting on her pillow.

Elsa smiled and placed her arm back, tucking her correctly in the bed.

She closed her eyes in turn, and let the chime lull her too.

Outside, the storm however didn't reduce, and got even stronger than before.

Author's Note:

What did you think of this 1st chapter? It kind of works as an intro, but establish a lot of things. Yes, Elsa hasn't revealed everything. Yes, Anna noticed. Yes, Eydis is adorable (her name comes from other drabbles and a poll on Tumblr!) Yes, this is the beginning of a GREAT story. Stay tuned for more!

In the meantime, you can check "Untangling the Frozen Knots" on Google, it's my post-Frozen 1 fanfic available in printed version :D