Coward And The Beast

by UnholySquid

Elsa's a farmhand working as a soldier to keep her family fed during an early winter. It was her last choice for a job and one she'd have never taken if she knew what awaited her on her first outing... as for Anna? Anna's just a beast blinded by beauty.

16. Chapter 16

A/N: Hey! Getting this out a day early. It's been done for a little while and I just kind of kept it to make sure its what I wanted. Anyway, I'm definitely feeling a bit burned out... I've been trying to write everyday, even resorting to one shots to keep the juices flowing... but damn I've not been having too much luck. I will try to get the next chapter out next week... but it could be two weeks from now, I'm not sure. Anyway... enough of that, just wanted to keep you all updated on whats going on behind the scenes. Onto the reviews!

Lance58: Yes! Finally communication! Definitely fun to be able to write interactions now.

TitanColossus: Well howdy friend, always nice to see a new face. Really glad you're enjoying. I'm so sorry that its a slowburn Dx ... but maybe things will speed up with their relationship!

Scarterror The Fallen: Bad day? Oh man I understand that. I'm really happy to know this made it better for you, I never imagined someone could feel better after reading my story. Entertained? Sure. But to cheer you up? Now that's amazing! Also, like I always say, Nice to see a new face. Hope you keep reading, friend!

DreamWalker: Yes I hope so too... oh wait i already know when it ends. damn it. Sometimes being the author isn't fun, i'm not surprised by the story!

StillEvolving: Oh hey there! Glad you offered the advice before! It's been really helpful and I always make sure that something gets done everyday. Glad you're still enjoying the story!

Nara375: Hey! Always speculating, I love it! Hmm... what can I say that isn't spoiler... I feel like if I answer some of your questions that it will ruin the story for you. For example I know about Rapunzel and Flynn and it wouldn't be spoiler to let you know some things about them.. but since you like to guess about them, i feel like I shouldn't say anything. I will give you some sort of hint tho... someone may just be a an... admirer of Elsa or Anna. I won't say who and I won't say which one they like, but just know that someone has their eyes on one of them... perhaps.

Darratato: Everytime i write your name I put Darratoto for some reason. Elsa sure does seem to holding onto those feelings. When will it finally burst? Oh I don't know... well I may have an idea... but that's for the author to know and the reader to find out! Ah I love being able to watch people be tortured by waiting for an event. bwahahaha... that's my evil laugh. Thanks for the review as always.

jennifersmith2198: Hello there, another new face! Glad you're enjoying! It's funny you mention all of those things about the story... strange as it may be, I never really think about it. I just kind of write things down and hope it turns out good, I never wonder how well I'm showing the emotion and if the characters are developing properly... I just kinda go with it. What i'm saying is, is that its nice that you noticed these things and let me know I'm doing okay, it really makes me happy. It makes me feel like I'm writing a story and not just some string of events that are leading to an ending... if that makes sense. Anyway! I'm just glad you said all those nice things. Thanks for the review!

That should be all of the reviewers this time around. Thanks for all of the lovely reviews! If I start getting more reviews than this then I'm going to have to start replaying with PM's instead as I feel like I'm using up a lot of space. Anyway, that's a worry for another time. On with the story!

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Elsa readied her blade, eyes filled with determination as she stared down the beast. Her feet spread apart, knowing she'd have to strike first. The beast eyed her, serpentine eyes locked on her own. Elsa gathered her resolve and struck first. With a battle cry, she went forward. She hoped her intimidating cry would shake the beast. She struck out, sword slashing downwards. The beast moved with agility that no human could mock. Elsa could only watch as the beast's claws came forward. She winced, feeling the hand wrap around her throat. She tried to swing her blade out, to cut away at the beast in the hopes to make it drop her, but found her hand being held in a clawed grip. The beast snarled, blue-green eyes scrunching up as a roar filled the outside air. Elsa, realizing her sword arm was useless, tried to swing out with her left. The beast lifted her with one hand and put her to the ground, the beast's body moving over hers to hold her down. Unable to move her arms and with the beast's talons at her throat, there was only one thing she could do as the beast moved closer and closer with his opened maw filled with sharp teeth.

"I yield!" Elsa called out.

The beast, no, Anna, let her up after that. The girl's entire persona shifting as Elsa called out her surrender. Anna helped Elsa to her feet, looking a bit worried.

Hurt Elsa? Pain? Anna asked, looking like she'd done something wrong.

Elsa offered a smile and a shrug. "Just scratched my shoulder when you put me down. You were careful, don't worry." Elsa told her, remembering that Anna could easily slam a body to the ground if she so wished. She had been quite gentle in putting Elsa to the ground in comparison.

Anna smiled back. Is good? More? She asked.

Currently, Elsa and Anna were at the training grounds. Elsa, knowing she had to fight a beast that would use only its body as a weapon, decided that Anna may be a good opponent to practice on. It worked for both of them. Anna was growing bored, itching for anything to do, and Elsa could use the practice. The two had been dueling for around twelve minutes. Elsa had somehow acquired eight losses in that time span.

Anna was victorious with no defeats.

Elsa had to admit it was a little frustrating. She suspected she could have taken at least one round off of Anna by now. The girl was used to fighting in hand to hand combat, or beast to beast. She shouldn't have been prepared for fighting Elsa who used a tool, a sword. Well, it was a wooden sword, but the concept still applied. The more she loss, the more curious she grew, until she finally decided to ask.

"Anna?" She asked, Anna was already getting ready for another bout. "Why do you feel… comfortable fighting someone with a weapon. Shouldn't you be used to… I don't know… teeth and claws." She asked, feeling like she was asking something offensive for some reason.

Anna gave a tilt of her head.

Have fought before. A simple answer.

Elsa looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Others come into old home, fight with same claws. Elsa could tell that 'claws' referred to weapons. We take when win, use against each other for training. Anna admitted easily.

Elsa had to think about that for a moment. While Elsa thought, Anna decided to help her out by sending picture images through the link. This was a feature they had discovered together. It had been two days since the link was created. The two had discovered that with enough concentration and focusing of one thing, they could show it to another. What Elsa got from Anna was an image of her villagers and Anna herself taking weapons from dead humans and bringing them back to the village. It went into the storehouse area, the one that Elsa once tried to steal from in order to escape. Another set of images showed Anna fighting someone who used one of the pilfered swords, another Half-Beast like herself. A few more images showed that Anna herself had tried using one, curious as to how it worked. At the time the ignorant girl had assumed it to be a long and detachable claw.

Elsa's head began to ache and she held up a hand. "Enough, Anna." She told her.

Anna ceased the images.

Good to know enemy. Good to train. Strong for fight. Anna told her.

Elsa made sure that her own emotions were closed off to Anna as she did her best not to think of Anna in a negative light. Anna had killed far more people than Elsa had first assumed. Sure, Elsa knew about Anna killing part of her old company, but she was unaware that Anna had killed various humans who wandered into the forest. Whether Anna meant to or not, she had shown a few images of several different times where she had acquired the weapons. One of those times involved a young girl, probably eight or so, who laid torn apart next to the disembodied parts of her mother and father. The father only having an axe to protect his family who he had likely taken on some sort of trip.

Anna had seen to killing the family herself, seeing as they were a small group that she could handle alone.

Elsa tried to block out the fact that Anna was willing to murder a child if need be. Instead she readied her wooden sword for another round, focusing on Anna only.

"Ready." Elsa said.

The training went on, Elsa always on the losing end. Eventually, after perhaps forty minutes or so, they had garnered a small crowd of soldiers. Most came to marvel at the Beast Tamer who was willing to challenge his own beast and lose. They expected him to be mauled at any given moment, the beast gaining more and more dominance with each victory. Some came just to see how the beast fought, in case they too may have to deal with her someday. A few felt the need to watch just in case they needed to interfere. While Elsa was unaware, she had gained the respect of some soldiers after the mission to protect the village from the southern isles' attack. It did not matter that Anna slayed the beast, what mattered to some was that Elsa commanded her.

Elsa hit the floor for what felt like the hundredth time. Anna stood over her, a small smirk on her face as she tapped a claw to Elsa's throat.

"I yield." Elsa whispered feeling frustrated with herself, and something else that had been nagging at her mind.

A laugh entered her mind. Elsa easy. Maybe always have to protect. Anna taunted in good nature, smile showing she meant no offense.

Elsa however took it as offensively as possible. She was growing frustrated, angry that she couldn't best Anna even once. More so, the image of Anna slaying a young child would not leave her mind. She couldn't understand how Anna could do such a thing. Did the girl have no empathy? What child at that age deserved to be killed. It also reminded her that Anna had once killed one of her own who was also much too young to be escorted to the afterlife. Did Anna truly have zero remorse for anyone she considered an opponent. She never even went easy on Elsa, sure she made sure not to hurt her too bad during training, but she didn't even try to slow down for Elsa. Every match lasted a few seconds before Anna claimed her throat with her clawed fingers and put her to the ground. Every match was over before Elsa could even learn anything. All she knew was that Anna was better, stronger, faster.

Her fingertips tingled as she remembered that she had an edge that Anna did not.

"Ready." Elsa said, a fiery determination now filling her eyes.

Anna noticed, but took on her own stance as she prepared.

As per usual, Anna waited for Elsa to attack first. Elsa went first, charging at Anna with her blade ready to slash downwards. Anna, predictably moved out of the way. Before her claws could come up to grab at Elsa's throat however, Elsa backed off. Her fingertips felt cold, icy, and numb as she lashed out her left hand with a yell. Suddenly snow began to billow, a harsh winter wind kicking up the snow from the ground around Anna, creating a vortex of of snowflakes that swirled around the area, blinding most of the onlookers who hid their faces. Most importantly though, Anna was distracted by it, covering her eyes with an arm while trying to look for Elsa. Elsa took her opportunity and charged forward.

"Got you!" Elsa yelled out as she swiped her sword down with way too much force for practice.

She hit air.

Elsa looked shocked as Anna moved out of the way, barely dodging the blade that came down. Elsa went to turn her blade, only to find herself pounced upon. Anna jumped on her, claws on her shoulder as she threw her entire weight onto Elsa and made her hit the ground. She growled menacingly before opening her mouth with a roar that sent saliva onto Elsa's terrified face. Anna looked furious, ready to murder. Elsa shook as she did the only thing she could think of.

"I-I yield… Anna." She tried, worried that this may be the last thing she'd ever say.

Something shifted in Anna, the girl calming down near instantly. She looked down at Elsa, her own face mimicking a sort of terror that Elsa was wearing. Anna quickly backed away, scrambling to get off of Elsa. Elsa simply laid on the floor for a moment, staring at the sky while trying to even out her breathing. Elsa eventually did sit up, finding that the brief whirlwind of snow was over. Most seemed confused by the sudden attack of wind, while a few hand their swords drawn, looking as though they were about to come to Elsa's aid. Elsa could tell that most did not see what happened. No one seemed to suspect her of what happened, instead some began to laugh as they said that the gods must be watching over the match as well and wanted to join in.

"Are you alright, Beast Tamer?" Someone asked, a man who seemed to be the only one brave enough to walk close to Elsa despite Anna only being a few feet away.

Elsa looked to him for a moment, seeming lost. Eventually she did nod and stand up. "I am fine. What was that wind?" She feigned ignorance, opting to ask a question that everyone else seemed to wonder as well.

"Arendelle winters can be odd at times, sir." The soldier said, showing Elsa an amount of respect that she didn't expect.

"Right…" Elsa said absently, staring at Anna who still looked shaken over what nearly happened.

The soldier seemed to grow antsy, as if he were in front of the queen. "Yes, well carry on, sir." He said, quickly walking away.

Elsa stared at Anna, wondering what she was feeling, but found that the link had been severed. Anna was shutting her out, the same way that Elsa did to her. Elsa was unaware if this was on purpose or not.

Elsa took a breath before, "I think that's enough for now." She eyed the people around her out of the corner of her eye. "We're leaving, Anna." She said, more for appearance than anything.

Elsa walked away, hearing footsteps behind her that told her that Anna did indeed follow. Elsa didn't have a destination in mind, simply walking back toward the castle. She wanted to get away from everyone, her mind feeling like people would somehow figure out that she had caused the gust of chilly wind. Elsa had of course done it, the wind not really being wind but rather snow that she controlled that had come in like a flurry. She was hoping to distract Anna long enough to land a killing blow. It was… wrong, she knew. She had been so angry at the losses over and over, just wanting one win against Anna. She'd even felt she would be giving the girl a proper punishment for what she'd done in the past if she could best her even once. Elsa knew she was wrong, knew she should apologize. However she was scared to turn around, scared to face Anna's anger again.

Anna remained quiet.

The two walked the castle, Elsa aiming to head back to her room. To do what? She was unsure. She knew she would have to talk with Anna about what happened. She didn't feel anger towards Anna, only shame for herself for doing what she did to provoke the girl. She did feel something towards Anna though… something she hadn't felt towards Anna in what felt like a long time.

Fear.

Part of her knew she shouldn't. Anna had clearly regretted what she had done and had backed off immediately once her senses came back. It's just that she never thought for a second since getting back to the city and castle that Anna would ever even think of harming her. Maybe she wouldn't either. Still, the way she snarled at Elsa, the way her jaw opened and the look in her eyes. It wasn't something Elsa would forget for some time.

"Mr. Larsa."

Elsa stopped, blinking away thoughts she'd rather not think about as she looked to find Kai, the royal servant, standing before her.

"Yes?" She heard Anna stop behind her.

"Her majesty has summoned you to the throne room." Kai informed her.

Elsa seemed confused, but soon words of Sir Flynn's warning entered her mind.

"Right…" She more said this to herself.

"Would you like me to walk you there, sir?" Kai asked, looking as formal as ever.

Elsa gave a nod.

"Right this way, sir." And he turned on his heels and began to walk.

Elsa walked with him. Her first thought was to let Anna know where they were going and that they may just be sent on another mission by the queen. She feared trying to use the link right now, worried that Anna would be angry with her. She tried to remind herself that Anna was kind and that she seemed to feel bad about what had almost happened. All Elsa had to do was apologize for provoking her. She surely didn't blame Anna for her anger, Elsa had no right to do what she did.

She took a breath.

Anna? She thought, doing her best to focus on Anna so the thought went through. She had already learned that she could talk in her mind the same way Anna did, however she liked using her own voice to communicate with the girl when possible. Right now though, she thought Kai might find it strange if she had a one sided conversation with Anna.

There was no response to her call.

Anna? A furrow of her brow as nothing was said back to her. Anna, please. And Elsa let her emotions go, let them free through the link.

They hit a wall.

Anna was blocking her out, unable to hear her words.

The link wasn't severed, Elsa could tell. Anna had cut off her side of the link however, unwilling to hear Elsa's words. It was like two friends connected by a rope around the waist. While Elsa still had the rope around her waist, Anna had cut her own rope and simply held it in her hand. It was still there, but the connection had been cut on one end. Anna could re-attach the rope to her waist if she wished, but only if she wished.

She didn't want to talk with Elsa.

The thought hurt Elsa's chest, made her heart ache. Anna wanted nothing to do with her right now. The girl who couldn't seem to ever get enough of her, now seemed to want to get away. Elsa could only blame her own foolish actions. How could she use her powers against Anna in what was supposed to be a practice fight. Perhaps it would have been okay if she had warned her first.

Funny how something as simple as a warning could have avoided this entire situation.

"The queen awaits inside, sir." Kai said, stopping in front of the throne room doors that were ajar.

"Thank you." Elsa said absently, her mind focusing on her own failures.

Elsa stepped into the large throne room, Anna behind her. Elsa had of course been here before. She had once stepped inside when called to deliver a report on what happened during her last mission. Not that she reported anything, Shang and Kristoff were able to cover it all without her input. Now though, Shang and Kristoff were gone, replaced with only one knight who stood proper in front of the queen.

Sir Gaston.

"Ah, there you are, Larsa. I see your training with Anna has not left you battered. This is good, for you shall be needed." Queen Rapunzel said with a smile, her strange nature making it hard to tell if she was serious or if she were joking.

Elsa walked until she was around the same area as Sir Gaston, only several feet apart to the side.

"You called, your majesty?" Elsa asked, not really knowing what to say, but remembering a children's story where a peasant said the same words when called for by the queen.

"Indeed I did. Important business that needs to be taken care of." She said easily.

"Business you're familiar with." Sir Flynn decided to speak up from the queen's side. As usual he was posted nearby.

Rapunzel looked to him with a small glare. "I can handle informing him." She scolded him.

"Didn't want you to have to waste all of that royal breath princess, but be my guest." Flynn gestured a hand towards Elsa and Gaston, essentially telling her to get on with it.

"I'm the queen." She stressed. When Flynn gave her nothing but a shrug and a smirk, she decided to turn back to the two under her services that would actually give her respect. "Sir Gaston is already quite informed on what is happening, so allow me to catch you up." She was speaking to Elsa of course. "Rumor has it that another demon has shown their face, this time at an old castle. The castle itself is abandoned, ruled once by those who reigned before Arendelle came to be. The peasants say the demon howls at night and stalks the village with hungry eyes. No bodies have been found, but several maidens have gone missing. They are thought to be abducted by the beast." Then she looked to Sir Gaston. "This would make sense, considering Sir Gaston once fought the very same demon at that exact location." The queen said.

When Gaston realized that the queen was finished and was expecting him to elaborate, he did. "Months ago I fought with this demon. I thought it to be dead, sure that my wounds I inflicted were fatal, but alas the demon has come back. If maidens are being abducted, I believe it is this same demon. The only reason I investigated the castle to begin with was because the local peasants claimed a young woman had been taken. If not for that, I would have dismissed their rumors of a demon to be just that." He finished, believing this was enough information for Elsa.

Elsa looked from Gaston to the queen. "You would have me fight this monster?" Elsa asked, already knowing the answer.

"Who better? You are the most experienced in slaying demons. If this demon really is back, then Sir Gaston has only ever fought a demon, not slayed one." Rapunzel said, thinking it obvious.

Elsa wanted to argue that she had slayed no demon. She wanted to argue that she was nearly killed, caught in the grips of one and about to die. If not for the kindhearted soldier who threw away his own life to save hers, then she would be dead. She knew though, that no one cared that she had not slain the beast. It was Anna who did it and everyone knew. Elsa was her master though, and as her master, it meant she commanded her.

If Anna slayed a demon, the credit would go to the master that controlled her.

Elsa already knew this, seeing as some soldiers from the mission to defend the village had congratulated her on slaying the beast. Anna was just a tool in the eyes of others, a sword that Elsa wielded. They were all unaware that it was a double edged sword that Elsa had no idea how to wield. She could just as easily cut herself as she could anyone else.

"Don't tell me you're worried." Sir Flynn spoke up, an easy smile on his face. The look Elsa gave him was one that did very little in hiding her nerves. "The demon was bested by Gaston, who will also be going on the mission, The two of you combined will send the demon to its grave. Not to mention Gaston is the best swordsman in the kingdom." Flynn tossed out simply, his words containing a reassuring truth to them.

"The best?" Elsa asked, looking to Sir Gaston in a new light. Sure, she already thought the man to be great and honorable after what he did for her and Anna, but to also find out that he was the strongest swordsman in the kingdom was reassuring.

Flynn nodded, smile still in place. "No one crosses blades like Gaston."

Gaston suddenly laughed out loud, as though there were some hidden joke that everyone but he and Flynn were missing.

While Elsa and Rapunzel remained ignorant, the queen decided to move on. "The mission is simple. You two will go to the village, slay the demon, and rescue the maidens he has captured… if they are alive." She added.

Elsa gave a nod, already knowing that she couldn't wriggle her way out of doing this. It helped to know that Sir Gaston would be coming with her. If the man really was the best swordsman in Arendelle and had already bested the demon in combat, than this shouldn't be nearly as frightening as she imagined.

"I will make sure that the demon does not live a second time, your majesty." Gaston said with confidence.

The queen nodded. "You will both leave immediately, horses have already been gathered and packed for your journey at the front of the castle."

Both Elsa and Gaston gave a bow, Elsa only doing so after seeing Gaston do so. Both of them turned to leave, Elsa making eye contact with Anna as she turned. The redhead was quick to break it, looking away and down at the ground. Elsa felt another ache in her heart as she let out a weak command.

"We're leaving, Anna."

The three left the throne room, heading for the front gates of the castle. Contrary to what Elsa thought, it would not be just the three of them. There were a dozen soldiers posted outside, all of them lounging around and waiting for Elsa and Gaston.

Surprisingly she recognized one of them.

"Larsa!" Milo called, running up to Elsa and Gaston who were walking together. The two of them stopped at his approach. "Hey. I'm glad I got here in time to get a horse." He said, ready to tell the story of how he ran all the way here from the soldier's bunks.

Before Elsa could greet him, Gaston spoke up. "And who are you?" He questioned, seeming somewhat displeased.

Milo turned to Gaston, thrusting his hand out for a shake. "I'm Milo Thatch. We've uh, met once before." Gaston eyed him, not seeming to know what he was talking about. "I'm Larsa's training partner. We met during one of our practices."

Gaston suddenly smiled, reaching up to grasp at his hand for a shake. "Forgive me, as a knight I am ashamed to forget a soldier's face for even a moment." He told him.

Milo shook his head. "No worries, sir! I'm quite forgettable." Milo degraded himself easily, excited to shake hands with a famous knight.

"What are you doing here?" Elsa asked.

"Yes, a good question." Gaston agreed.

"Oh! I'm here to join you in slaying the demon!" He said easily.

"What?!" Elsa and Gaston both seemed shocked.

"I was recruited for the mission at the last second, an extra man to help in taking down the demon." Milo seemed excited to gain an opportunity like this.

Gaston's eyes turned dark. "Is that so?" Then suddenly he was back to normal. "Well, best of luck Milo. Don't let your first demon hunt be your last." Gaston told him, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he walked away to talk with the other soldiers.

"Wow. You do missions with people like Sir Gaston." Milo turned to Elsa, amazed.

"You were recruited for this?" Elsa had a hard time believing this, neither she or Milo were experienced enough in combat for something like this.

Milo took a look around, making sure no one was in earshot before leaning forward to whisper to Elsa.

"Truthfully I was sent by Sir Kristoff." Milo said.

Elsa looked surprised. "Sir Kristoff sent you?"

"He told me to keep an eye on… um…" He suddenly seemed to be at a loss for words.

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "What? You can tell me, Milo."

Milo sighed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you in the first place. He wants me to keep an eye on Sir Gaston and… Anna as well." He admitted.

Elsa reared her head back as though she were slapped. "What, why?" She asked.

Milo shrugged, looking somewhat ashamed, as though he were doing something wrong. "He just said that he didn't trust either of them. He wants me to 'lay low' and watch." Milo told her.

Elsa looked angry suddenly. "He just doesn't trust Anna. He thinks she's an animal. He thinks she would hurt me." Images of herself being pinned on the ground with Anna snarling at her filled her mind. She ignored it though. Anna wouldn't have hurt her. She would have stopped before she did. "As for Gaston… I don't know." Elsa shrugged, not understanding why Kristoff would want Milo to watch over Gaston who had been nothing but kind to her.

Milo also shrugged. "Me either. Everyone says that Sir Gaston is a great man. They say he slayed a demon, that he's the best swordsman in the kingdom. Now… I don't know about the demon part, that just seems too ridiculous." Milo said.

Elsa gave a small smile. Milo wasn't a soldier who didn't believe in demons. He believed Elsa when she told him the story of how Anna slayed a demon immediately. Milo however seemed to have a hard time believing that one man could take down the kind of demon that Elsa described. Elsa began to walk around Milo, ready to search for her horse and get a move on, not wanting to slow down others who were already mounting their horses.

"He didn't slay the demon, Milo." She said as she walked.

Milo quickly turned and caught up. "What?"

While they mounted up, Milo having kept a horse for Elsa beside his own, Elsa told him that Gaston had only bested the demon in combat. She also had to explain that they were going to slay the same demon.

"Rumors can get out of hand, huh?" Milo was referring to the fact that everyone believed he slayed the demon, not weakened it.

Elsa gave a nod as she tried mounting her horse, failing to do so. She heard Milo chuckle from atop his horse, having successfully mounting his own by himself. She almost stopped to say something nasty to him, but found hands on her waist that pushed her atop the horse.

"Oh! Thank you… Anna." She said, pausing for a moment as she righted herself atop the horse and looked down to find her beast-like friend.

Anna said nothing, doing her best not to look at her.

"… Well, come on. We've only got the one horse, Anna." She told her.

Whether Anna understood her words or not was left up in the air as Anna did in fact mount the horse, climbing up and behind Elsa.

Elsa noticed that she did not hold on as tightly as before when they began to move out.

The link between the two remained closed as they rode on. Even after several hours, Anna did not speak up or even hint that she would re-open her side of the link. Elsa had to entertain herself with conversation with Milo. Well, it was mostly questions from Milo and Elsa answering as best she could without blowing her cover that she had not tamed Anna. This would go on for hours before it was announced that a break would occur. Elsa was used to this, seeing as she took multiple breaks during her first mission where she had to visit a far away town.

They took a break near a stream of water, a perfect spot to let the horses drink while Elsa and everyone else sat down for a meal. The trip wouldn't last much longer, the town only being a few hours away now. It made Elsa nervous, but she kept reminding herself that so long as Sir Gaston and Anna stayed nearby, she would survive this ordeal. Although Anna was silent and not talking, Elsa just knew that the girl would protect her. She was likely angry with Elsa over what she did… but she wouldn't let Elsa die over something like that… right?

Elsa was sitting down with Milo and Anna, all of them eating dried out jerky as their meal. Anna seemed content with the chewy and dry meat. At least, Elsa assumed so. Anna was sitting further away than normal, not so far that Elsa would need to shout or anything, but it was still far in comparison to the way Anna normally sat up under her during times like this.

Elsa sighed as she bit into another piece of jerky.

"…Is something wrong?" Milo asked hesitantly.

Elsa looked to him, the man sitting only two or so feet away from Elsa as he ate away at his own jerky. "Why would you assume that?" She questioned instead, not bothering to give him a yes or a no.

Milo drummed his fingers against his lap for a moment. "I've never seen you two so far apart." Milo said, taking note of the distance between Anna and Elsa.

Elsa tried to shrug it off nonchalantly. The idea of letting anyone know that she and Anna were not on the best of terms made her stomach flip. She had a reputation to uphold with others. "She can be… moody sometimes. I give her a little bit of space during these times." Elsa tried to put it on Anna, not wanting anyone to think she had a flaw in her taming skills.

Milo nodded as though he expected to hear that. "Is that so? Do you know the reasons for these moods?" He asked, always curious.

Elsa's face folded into a small grimace. "I…" She paused, looking over and noticing that Anna had finished her small bag of jerky. "I'm going to get Anna more food." She looked to Milo with a forced smile. "A little meal like that is nothing for her." Then Elsa stood.

"Oh, okay." Milo answered, somewhat confused at Elsa's dismissal. He wondered if he'd asked a wrong question.

Elsa, for the first time in a long time, left without trying to get Anna to follow her. She left the area, boots barely making a sound as she walked off. She had not lied about going to get Anna more food, however the reason she had left was indeed to avoid Milo's question. She didn't want to tell him that it was she who put Anna in moods. Whether it be the time she rejected Anna's attempt to feed her so long ago, or when she rejected Anna's offer of warmth during their first mission. Anyone who knew the two, would know that the only way Anna entered one of her 'moods' would be when Elsa did something wrong to her.

It was always like this wasn't it? Elsa had always done something wrong, or misunderstood Anna.

Elsa sighed as she walked around the small area that the soldiers had used to set up camp. They were beside the stream, which was in a small bit of woodland. A few birds sang in the trees, the river flowing with a trickling sound. The atmosphere did not tell of the battle that was to take place in only a few short hours. Elsa didn't mind of course, preferring to ignore what was to come until she was forced to deal with it. She walked around to the horses that were still drinking water. It took her a moment, but she believed that she did find her own horse. She opened up one of the saddle bags and found more jerky. She pulled the bag out and gave the horse a pat on its side, wanting to thank it for putting up with both her and Anna's weight.

She was stalling.

"Quite an appetite you have." Someone said beside her.

Elsa turned to find Sir Gaston standing a few feet away, his eyes on the jerky in her hands. She blushed for some reason, worried that he thought she to be some sort of glutton. "It's for Anna." She admitted.

"Ah." Gaston began knowingly. "I would imagine it takes a lot of energy to transform the way she does. It would explain her appetite."

Elsa looked somewhat shocked to hear that. "You… know of Anna's other form?"

"Not personally. I only have the stories of soldiers to go off of. They claim she is huge. That her jaws could easily split a man in half with one bite." Gaston told her, sounding… almost thrilled.

Elsa turned fully to him, a feeling of needing to defend her friend sparked within her. "She wouldn't do that. Anna doesn't attack unless she is provoked. She's never hurt anyone besides southern isles soldiers." Elsa said, wanting to make sure that Gaston knew of Anna's nature. The man had saved her after all, had given her and Anna a second chance to be together.

If not for Gaston, Anna would have been hung at the gallows.

The thought made Elsa's chest hurt.

Gaston gave a brief wave of his hand. "I am aware that she is on our side. She's been here for weeks, yes? Not a single injury has been reported that could have belonged to her bite or claws." Gaston said easily, and truthfully he did not fear Anna attacking anyone without it being in defense of her or her master.

Elsa gave a nod after a moment, glad he understood.

She thought to leave, to go back to Anna and give her the jerky. Perhaps Anna would feel up to talking after receiving more food from Elsa. Maybe she'd re-open the link once she was full and happy after a meal.

She remembered the way she aimed to cut Anna down while she was distracted by Elsa's snowstorm.

Elsa looked down, knowing that Anna wouldn't want to speak to her right now.

"You seem troubled." Gaston pointed out.

"I'm… only worried about the mission." Elsa lied. She was worried about the fight with the demon, but at the moment it was another worry that plagued her mind.

"I see." Gaston said, believing her. "It has been some time since I've fought with the beast. I sometimes wonder if the match will end the same." Gaston seemed to let a bit of insecurity enter his voice.

Elsa looked at him. "What… what is the demon like?" She really didn't want to know, but she'd need to know what she was fighting.

Gaston looked to Elsa for a few moments before speaking. "A large abomination. Taller than a man. Covered in fur. Claws large enough to rip through even the heaviest of armor. Teeth sharp enough to tear a chunk out of you easily enough." He told her.

Elsa shuddered at the image. She should have figured it would be something like this.

Gaston stared at her for a few more seconds before continuing. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I feel you should know. I was not the only one to fight the beast." Gaston informed her. This gained Elsa's full attention as she wondered why she'd never heard of others besides Gaston. "Others fought beside me… though they were not as lucky as I. While I wounded the beast greatly, it was only off of the efforts of others." Gaston seemed to grow solemn, almost a bit fearful as well. "This monster is like nothing you have seen. I watched as it tore apart the two men with me. I watched as its fangs dug into their flesh. I watched as it dug its claws into one and ripped him into two just by spreading his arms."

Elsa just looked at him, growing more frightened with every sentence.

"And then there was the fair maiden…" Gaston said, his eyes suddenly looking down, shame crossing his face.

Elsa licked her lips, afraid to ask, but needing to. "Maiden?"

Gaston nodded. "I gave the full report to the queen… but it seems the council and queen agreed to withhold the information. They would much rather tell the story of how I bested the beast in combat and sent it running, rather than the truth of how it killed two men with no effort and ate the poor young woman who it kept prisoner." Gaston was looking at her now. "That's what he does. He captures women, stores them for later, and then… consumes them." Gaston said.

Elsa's breath was getting heavy, despite her being in a safe area right now. That was the beast she was going to fight. That was the demon that she was going to have to draw her sword against. A demon that could rip a man in half, a demon that captured girls and ate them.

Girls like Elsa.

Elsa shook so badly and was so frightened that she didn't even notice the brief smirk that crossed Gaston's face as he stared at her. By the time her eyes drew back to his own, he was back to looking solemn.

"Does he always… take girls?" She asked.

Gaston gave a grave nod. "Always." He watched Elsa shake for a good few seconds before continuing. "That is why I told you, to let you know what you were getting into." He said.

Elsa looked to him now. "What do you mean?" She asked, feeling like his words held a deeper meaning.

Gaston made sure they were alone before he drew closer to her. "You may have the rest of the kingdom fooled, but never could I not spot such a beautiful maiden such as yourself." He told her.

Elsa felt her breath catch in her throat. "I-I-I'm not-"

"There is no use in hiding it. I've known you to be a woman since the day we first met." Gaston told her sternly, wanting to make sure that Elsa knew that he knew.

Elsa looked at him, fearful. "You can't… you can't tell anyone. I need this job, my family-"

Gaston held up a hand to stop her. "Your reasons are your own." His hand came back down. "However I cannot allow another maiden to be killed in front of me. My honor as a knight would never allow it." Gaston told her.

"Please. If I don't do this. The queen may fire me. I need the money." Elsa pleaded, afraid that this man could ruin everything she'd achieved with just one word.

Gaston reached up to rub at his chin, thinking it seems. "I cannot allow you to follow me into the castle to fight the demon." Gaston told her, watching as Elsa deflated visibly. "However your queen will not have you fired." Elsa looked back up. "You will send Anna with me. Together we shall slay the beast, along with the other men. You will stay outside. I'll have you patrol the village, to pretend that you are a second line of defense just in case the demon attacks the town. Of course you will have other soldiers with you, but you will not participate in this battle. If what they say about Anna is true, then she and I will be all that is needed." Sir Gaston said, a smile spreading across his face.

Was this really true? Had all of Elsa's fears been alleviated so easily? She would not have to fight. She could send Anna in her place, to fight for her without Elsa needing to be beside her. This couldn't have been bad right? She would have been no good in a fight anyway. The fighting would have been done by Gaston and Anna in the first place. With this new plan, Elsa wouldn't have to be in needless danger. She could wait for Anna and Gaston to slay the beast.

Gaston gave her a handsome and kind smile, one that made her bow to him out of sheer joy and respect. "T-thank you. Thank you so much." And she meant it. This man had saved Anna weeks ago and now he was saving Elsa.

Gaston gave a nod. "Rise. I should be thanking you. Never could I witness another maiden fight and die. When the time comes, you need only command Anna to follow me and we shall slay the demon." Gaston told her kindly.

Elsa wanted to cry. She had never felt so relieved. "I will. I will let her know." Elsa told him, so happy to not have to fight another terrifying demon.

"Good… You go and finish your meal. We'll be moving out soon." Gaston told her, turning his back to her so that his smile would remain unseen.

"Thank you." Elsa whispered out once more, not knowing if she was thanking Gaston or whatever deity was watching out for her.

Elsa walked back to where she left Milo and Anna. To her great surprise, Milo was sitting beside Anna, his mouth going a mile a minute as he talked to her. Elsa was somewhat amazed that he had not been mauled. However she soon figured it should not come as a surprise. Anna had turned out to be more laid back than Elsa first imagined when she brought her into the city.

"Hey." Elsa greeted as she walked over.

Milo turned with a smile on his face. "Oh hey, Larsa! Wow, you never told me that she could talk to others! I mean sure, she doesn't understand everything, but she's been really-"

"What?" Elsa asked, brows beginning to join in the middle.

"She's a lot nicer than I thought. I almost feel bad for assuming she'd eat me if I ever tried speaking with her." Milo said happily.

That was when Elsa and Anna made eye contact. Anna quickly looked away, back down to the dirt as if it were so very fascinating.

"She… spoke to you?" Elsa asked.

"Yeah." Milo said easily.

Now Elsa was very confused. Sure, her lessons with Anna had been going great, especially since the establishment of the link. She had been teaching Anna so much and it was so much easier with the link. Still, she never imagined that Anna was capable of speech outside of their link yet. Perhaps it was because they only spoke through the link and never tried communicating without it. Maybe Anna was further along in her lessons than Elsa thought.

"That's… great." Elsa said, feeling a pang of jealousy that Milo got to talk with her first without the assistance of the link.

"She was just answering questions about her old village. Did you know that she was part of a society with others like herself? Did you know they have no way of speaking with one another and that they use intimidation and care to show their feelings?" Milo was very excited to say the least.

Elsa, feeling jealous, walked between the two and sat down, making sure they were separated. "I'm aware of her old village." Elsa said a bit hotly. She handed off the bag of jerky to Anna who took it gingerly. Elsa just stared at her, wondering just how much Anna could talk without the link now.

"Could you… leave us alone for a little bit, Milo?" Elsa asked, her eyes never leaving Anna's face. The girl was pretending not to notice as she snacked on a piece of jerky.

Milo, finally realizing that Elsa seemed be in some sort of mood, decided to do what he was told.

"Uh, sure." He answered, stepping away from the two and walking off to god knows where.

Alone, Elsa stared at Anna who was pretending not to notice.

"So… you can understand more than I thought. Guess our lessons have been paying off." Elsa said to her.

Anna continued to eat her jerky, staring at the ground.

"I know you can understand me. Or at least you get that i'm trying to talk with you." Elsa said. Before she would have never considered that Anna understood a word she was saying without the link, but thanks to Milo, she knew better.

Anna continued to chew, seeming to not understand a word Elsa was saying.

Elsa stared at her, trying to make her look back at her. When this did not work, she decided to do something a bit underhanded.

"You know. You're very beautiful, Anna." Elsa told her.

She watched as red began to stain Anna's cheeks.

"Ah-hah! I knew it! You can hear me just fine!" Elsa shouted out, feeling victorious.

Anna let out a pitiful groan.

"Only little." Anna said, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

"You've been learning a lot faster since… well since you know." Elsa said, not wanting to bring up the link that Anna had closed off just yet.

Anna gave a nod. "Hear people sometimes." Anna informed her, letting her know that she could understand what people were saying sometimes. No longer was she ignorant to everything around her…. At least not always.

Elsa was amazed that Anna had come so far. Still, part of her should have expected it. She had been talking to Anna through the link for a few days before the queen called upon her service once again. Teaching Anna had been especially easier as well.

"I see." Elsa said. She wanted to approach a specific topic with Anna, but felt she wasn't ready just yet. "So… what did Milo ask about?"

"Village. Old times. Old home." She answered simply. While Anna had made leaps and bounds to understand a language, her grasp of it was not complete.

"He's a bit nosy." Elsa said with a smile, knowing that she didn't mind his nosiness.

"Lot of questions." Anna said.

"I'm surprised you didn't scare him off. It must have been annoying."

Anna bit down on a new piece of jerky. "Not bad. Talking nice. Like we…" Anna grew quiet, unable to finish.

Elsa sighed a big and slow sigh.

"Can we… talk like before? We can keep talking out loud. But… I want to make sure you really understand me." Elsa said, already she was prodding at Anna's mind, trying to re-establish the link.

Anna blocked her out. "Why?" She asked nervously.

"Because I have something to say… and I want to make sure you understand." Elsa told her.

Then Anna gathered her courage to ask a question that she feared the answer to.

"You… hate me?" Anna asked, looking pitiful as she seemed to expect the worst.

Elsa looked like someone slapped her. "Hate you? Why would I ever hate you?"

Anna was absently crunching on a piece of jerky as she answered.

"I get mad. I hurt. I… scare you." The last part seemed to be the hardest to say.

Elsa finally realized that she didn't have to worry about Anna being angry with her over what happened. Sure, she could still get mad, but it wasn't anger that had fueled Anna to close off the link.

She was worried that Elsa was afraid of her.

"Hey." Elsa grabbed Anna's face and guided it until Anna was forced to look at her. "I will never be afraid of you. I trust you too much for that." A partial lie, but mostly the truth. She wouldn't tell Anna that she feared for her life when Anna pinned her. What mattered was that Elsa was not afraid now. "besides," She smiled. "It didn't hurt that much when you knocked me down. I'm a tougher girl than that."

Anna looked into her eyes, searching for something.

Whatever it was, she did not find it.

The girl smiled as Elsa felt a warmth settle over her. A familiarity set in, one that had only started a few days ago, yet she felt she had always had with her.

Anna had let Elsa's feelings in, and in return, her own feelings flowed into Elsa. The connection was re-established.

I'm happy. Anna admitted, though Elsa was sure it was more a feeling than an actual thought meant to be transferred to her.

"We can keep talking out loud if you want." Elsa told her, smiling at the feeling of being connected again.

Like this way. Speaking with mouth hard. Words funny. Anna said through the link, the girl much preferring to speak with Elsa this way.

"Right… well I should start off by saying I'm sorry." Elsa said, feeling a bit ashamed as she remembered what she did. "I never should have used my power against you. I just… really wanted to win once. It was stupid of me." Elsa admitted.

Not just you. Me too. I get angry, try to hurt. I'm sorry. Anna told her, feelings of regret coming from her side of the link.

Elsa was glad she was good at concealing her feelings. Her feelings did not go through the link, so Anna was safe to assume whatever Elsa said was true.

"I knew you wouldn't hurt me." A lie, but Anna would never be able to tell.

Anna blushed a bit. Like Elsa. No want to hurt.

"I know." Elsa told her.

Elsa could literally feel Anna's embarrassment, but also her giddy excitement, as she continued. Always like Elsa. No hurt. Elsa nice. Beautifuller than all.

Now it was Elsa's turn to feel embarrassed as she realized where Anna was trying to take this conversation.

Elsa cleared her throat, doing her best not to blush at Anna's praise.

"So, I have great news." Elsa smiled, remembering the brief moment she shared with Gaston. "I won't need to fight during the mission." Elsa admitted, feeling another wave of relief wash over her. To be able to say it and for it to be true was definitely a good feeling.

Anna looked to her now. No fight? We leave? Anna seemed confused and she had every right to be.

Elsa shook her head as she looked to Anna, smile still on her face. "We're still going. It's just that I won't have to fight. Sir Gaston… found out some things about me." She would have explained it to Anna, but it would have taken longer to explain why her being a girl was not acceptable in her society. "He doesn't want me to fight. So, I'll be staying at the village."

Anna tilted her head, still not understanding. Why go? We no fight, we leave. Food at rock hut much better than here. Anna was clearly referring to the food that was fed to her at the castle.

Elsa chuckled at her seemingly endless appetite. "Well we have to go. You'll be fighting with Gaston. You will take down the demon with him." Elsa watched as Anna's face turned to frustration as she tried to understand what this all meant. "Don't you see? I don't have to fight. I would only get in the way. Now that we understand each other, I can just tell you to go with Gaston." She noticed that Anna's face remained the same. "Don't tell me you're scared." Elsa smiled, attempting a joke with Anna.

The girl did not see it as one.

No! No fear! I'm strong! Anna defended herself, the link suddenly filled with emotions of hot anger and pride.

Elsa nodded. "It was a joke, Anna. I know you're strong. Between both you and Gaston, the demon will be nothing." Elsa told her.

Anna still seemed to be confused and frustrated. Why you not fight? I protect. I always protect. I take away fear. Anna tried, her mind unable to grasp why Elsa would not fight alongside her.

Elsa merely looked to the ground before her, keeping her smile in place.

It was forced.

"I'll only slow you two down. I'm no good in a fight. I'm still training." Excuses, good ones to hide behind.

Anna stared at her for what felt like a long time. In reality it was only a few seconds before the girl turned back to her jerky.

Okay. That was it.

Elsa looked to her, finding that Anna was more interested in her food.

"You're not mad are you? It's just that it will be easier this way." The words of a coward.

Anna gave Elsa a smile, warmth coming through the link.

Elsa train more. Fight later.

The words and feelings were reassuring, yet Elsa still felt a pit of cold settle in her stomach. She wondered how well Anna could hide her own feelings. Surely the girl thought her a coward, thought of her as less because of this. Anna was a strong warrior, one who seemed to value strength over everything. Still, had she not told Elsa before that she didn't care if Elsa was weak? Those feelings had been sincere and Elsa knew better than to question them. Anna didn't deal in trickery, she was upfront and at times abrasive. She would not lie to Elsa, nor would she force fake feelings through the link just to reassure Elsa.

Anna did not see Elsa as less for her decision.

Elsa smiled at this.

"I promise, I'll get you a feast once we're back at the castle." Elsa told her while meaning every word of it. Anna's support deserved to be rewarded.

Can have meat? Like first time?Anna asked, excitement evident.

At first Elsa didn't understand, but soon her mind was flooded with images of the first meal that Anna had ever had that was cooked. It was the time when the queen had called her to breakfast, the same day where she was given her first mission. Anna wanted more of the food that was served to royalty.

She wondered how hard that would be to get.

"I'll… I'll do my best to get it, Anna." Elsa said, not having the courage to promise such a thing. She would never want to break a promise with Anna, too fearful of the outcome.

Anna beamed at her.

The rest of the trip mostly consisted of Anna's hungry thoughts. Even when all of the soldiers gathered up to get back on their horses, Anna was thinking of the first cooked meal she had ever experienced. Elsa could only smile as she rode on her horse, Anna latched onto her back with her arms around her waist. Her head was beginning to hurt with all of the images that Anna was sending her way. The girl was thinking about every meal she'd had at the castle, comparing them, but none seemed to hold up to that first bite of glorious cooked food. Elsa only sighed, acting as though it was such a pain. In reality though, she'd take a hundred headaches over Anna not speaking with her.

It was some few hours later that they arrived in the small village that was plagued by a demon. Elsa had seen the castle on the way in. Like she had been told, it was an old castle, one that almost seemed haunted in the twilight of the sun that was nearing its final descent in the sky. Gaston led them all into town, his horse ahead of everyone else. Already he was talking about who would be going to slay the beast and who would be left behind to 'protect' the village. It seems he planned on leaving a few soldiers with Elsa to help it seem as though there was more intent then to simply leave her behind.

"Anna." Elsa called, the girl still clinging to her back.

The images and constant feelings of hunger suddenly ceased.

Anna lifted her head and realized for the first time that they had entered a new village.

"It seems as though Gaston is going to go for the demon immediately before the sun has a chance to fully set. This is… where we part ways." Saying it out loud made Elsa feel sick. It only reminded her of how relieved she was to not have to go with Anna. She was indeed happy to not have to go, but suddenly the idea of having to send Anna to fight in her place felt wrong.

Anna made a small noise, whether it was one of agreement or just to let Elsa know that she heard, Elsa did not know.

Elsa got off the horse while Gaston called for soldiers that would be following him while instructing the rest to stay in the village.

"You… remember how to ride the horse right? You just give him a kick and he will follow the others." Elsa said, not really knowing why considering Anna had done this before.

I remember. Anna told her, looking down at the girl from atop her horse.

"Right… Just follow Gaston. I'll be waiting for you once you've killed the demon." Then Elsa felt she needed to add more. "I know you will. Because you're strong, Anna. Stronger than anyone I've ever met." She admitted.

Anna just smiled.

And Elsa most beautifuller.

Elsa blushed, face turning angry as she looked up to Anna. "You should be focusing on the battle." She scolded.

Anna only laughed.

Eventually the time to depart did come. Gaston called for everyone and spurred his horse forward towards the old castle that was deep into the woods next to the town. Why they built a castle in the woods, Elsa did not know. She stayed, watching as Anna left. The redhead gave another look behind her at Elsa and smiled, her smile one that held all of the confidence that the girl possessed. She did not fear the demon and she knew she would not fall to it.

Her smile promised that she would return.

Elsa told herself not to worry. After all, they still had the link. Even with Anna traveling far away, she could still feel the girl, almost as though she were next to her. Although, Elsa did notice that the further and further Anna went, the weaker the link seemed to become, but never did it break. Elsa watched her go until she disappeared in the trees, horse and all.

"So… you're the famous Beast-Tamer."

Elsa turned to find a soldier standing beside her. His armor reminded her of the old armor she used to wear, though he was using a sword instead of a spear.

"Guess the rumors that you can command the beast really are true." He said, though he didn't seem very happy about it.

Elsa gave a nod. "I am her master." A lie. "I would prefer if you did not call her a beast though. She has a name." Elsa defended.

He gave a shrug. "Sure." Then he thrust his head towards the entrance to the village. "Why don't you keep a look out at the gate entrance. The rest of us will patrol and keep the entrance to the woods guarded." He more commanded than suggested.

Elsa saw no reason to argue, figuring he was left in charge while Gaston was away. She gave a nod and made her way to the gate entrance. As she walked back through the village and towards the gate, She let her hand rest upon her sword. It was something she had seen other knights do and thought it made them appear more intimidating. She didn't know why this mattered right now, but she didn't want to appear as some coward who was left in the village. She could at least make the villagers think she was a real swordsman for the kingdom.

And so she stood at the gates. She found that she got bored after only thirty minutes as she stared at the road that led to the village. She already knew that the only threat was in the old castle and it wouldn't come from this direction even if it did break out. She tried to keep herself busy by thinking of things. She hoped that Milo would be okay, seeing as he seemed to be picked to go with the others. She knew Anna was fine, the link was wearing thin, but was still there. It seemed that Anna was too far to send her emotions through the link as casually as she normally did. No longer was Elsa plagued with scenes of food and constant growls of anticipation at the thought of eating.

She realized that she oddly missed it already.

For some reason, Elsa began to wonder how she'd gotten to this point. She was just a farm girl not that long ago. The most arduous task that she'd had was milking a stubborn cow. She never dreamed of anything more. Farm work was all she needed. She didn't need to get married and have children, she could leave that task to her brothers. All Elsa had ever needed was the love of her family and simple farm related tasks to keep her busy. However, when the winter came early this year, Elsa had to help support the family. Job after job was taken until she wound up as a soldier.

Then she met Anna.

She wouldn't forget the first meeting with Anna. Not the moment where Anna first appeared in her humanoid shape and nearly scared her half to death, but rather she would remember when Anna ran her down in her beast form, blood on her maw as she stared Elsa down, ready to end her life. Compared to everything that had happened, that was probably one of the more terrifying moments to occur. She chuckled as she thought about it. Anna was so worried that Elsa feared her. Elsa wondered what the girl would think if Elsa admitted that the most fearful moment of her life was one that Anna caused. Still… so long as she lived, she would go back and redo it all. Anna, despite their first meeting, had turned out to be a dear friend, Elsa's best friend.

That thought made her realize something.

Elsa never really had friends. She was much too busy staying indoors with her family or tending to a farm. Sure, she knew people that lived around her modest home. She knew the people she sold goods to and always made sure to greet them with a smile when it came time to sell off the farm goods, but none of them were friends. Even as a child she didn't make friends. This though, could be contributed to the fact that she was too busy concealing her feelings rather than trying to make friends. What was more important? Making friends, or making sure that her power didn't kill her? This also made her realize that fear had been a natural part of her life since she was a child. And why wouldn't it? How many children could honestly say that they had died, that they had bore the pain that came with it, and were suddenly given a second chance to live again. Elsa was a fearful child because she knew something that other kids didn't.

She wasn't invincible and death was kind to no one.

While other kids feared falling down and gaining a boo boo, Elsa feared having her veins frozen. It took her years to control it, years to learn to live with it. She was much too busy to make friends. Tending to animals and farm work was nice as well. It gave her something to do, something to take her mind off of the fact that if she ever lost control she would lose her life. Elsa's power… no, her curse, was one that was fueled by emotion. She had learned that long ago. Whether it be fear, or anger, or even happiness, she would feel the chill as her power exited her fingers.

It was the time where it didn't exit her fingers that worried her.

"Excuse me, young knight." Someone called.

Elsa turned to find a young woman approaching her, a woman that was perhaps just slightly younger than herself.

"Please, forgive me for bothering you, Sir Knight, however… a question is all I wanted to ask." She said hesitantly, fearing that Elsa held status and therefore that her time was worth more than that of a lowly peasant's.

Elsa blinked at the behavior before realizing what was going on.

"P-please. I am no knight. I'm just a simple soldier." Elsa said, trying to banish any thoughts of this woman thinking she was someone that commanded such respect.

"Oh? Is that true? I am sorry… Your armor seemed different and you seemed… above normal soldiers." The woman said, a faint blush on her cheeks.

Elsa realized that her armor was different then that of a normal soldier. It was not nearly as heavy or thick, and the pieces not so large. Clearly the queen had been thinking of her smaller frame when she gave it to her. It was more nimble though less sturdy and easier to pierce.

"Above? No, I am just a soldier." It wasn't entirely true. However she figured if she told the girl that she was part of the queen's select few, then she may end up commanding more respect than a knight.

"I see." The girl said, now able to look Elsa in the eye without feeling embarrassed because of her low status in society. "Well, then… Soldier. There is a question that many of us would like to ask." She said.

That was when Elsa took a look around and noticed that there were a few peasants that were looking her way. All of them seemed curious, though afraid to approach. Elsa now knew it was because they assumed her to be some sort of knight.

"Is there something I can help with?" Elsa asked, turning more towards the woman instead of having her body facing the front gates.

"It's just… We were not informed that soldiers would be arriving in our village. Is there a reason you are here?" She asked. Though she now knew Elsa to be of a lower status than she first thought, the girl still seemed a bit hesitant to ask questions.

Elsa seemed confused at that. "We are here to slay the demon of course."

The girl looked frightened to say the least. "The demon? It is back?" She questioned, scared of the answer.

Now Elsa was really confused. "We are here because there were reports of the demon being sighted and maidens being taken hostage. He is in the old castle, yes?"

The girl shook her head slowly. "Sir, we have not heard of the demon since the first time he stole a maiden named Belle. He was thought to be vanquished the last time soldiers arrived months ago."

Elsa looked away from the girl and to the peasants around. They did seem worried to see soldiers here. Elsa had expected them to be happy, to be reassured of their safety now that they were here. These were not the looks of peasants in need, but rather ones that feared the unknown. This made no sense however. The queen had said that there was word of a demon here. Gaston had also confirmed this at the table. Why would the peasants lie though? Why did they seem worried to see soldiers instead of happy? If what this girl was saying is true, then there has been no sighting of the demon or any maidens disappearing.

If there was no demon… then what did she send Anna to fight?

That was when her head suddenly felt as though it were split open. Her ears nearly bled at the sound of a deafening roar. Images of blood and battle entered her vision briefly, so briefly that she couldn't even make out what was happening.

She regained her senses after a brief moment, the headache going away just as quickly as it came, yet the feeling of dread remained. When she looked around, she realized that no one had heard the roar, none seemed concerned for it and were still more concerned with Elsa's reason for being there.

No one heard it.

No one but Elsa.

And the way it sounded… almost like-

"Anna." Elsa whispered.

"I'm sorry?" The woman asked.

Elsa ran off. Quickly she ran for the trees, the same area where she saw Anna disappear before. There was a feeling in her stomach, one that spoke of ill things about to happen. Something was wrong, something was wrong with Anna. She eventually made it to the trees, to the area where Anna and the other soldiers left. What she found was two guards and two horses stationed there.

Elsa didn't bother saying a word to them, she ran straight for the horse, and with strength she didn't know she had, she pulled herself atop it in one go. The soldiers were shouting something at her, whatever it was she didn't know. Elsa kicked the horse on its sides and spurred it into a run. The horse ran, flying through the forest as Elsa felt something pulling her. Something told her where to go, let her know where Anna was. She was sure it was the link, as the closer and closer she got, the more she could feel Anna. Feel her rage, her anger. Something had upset her, something was causing her to fight. Elsa saw another image of a blade coming towards her, towards Anna. It connected, slashing Anna across her gut. Elsa reeled over on the horse, the pain shooting through her as though she were the one injured. She didn't understand what was going on. Where was Anna? Who was she fighting if the demon was not here? Why could she feel the pain, why did she feel so much anger at the moment.

Maybe she would have figured it out, but she was suddenly stopped as another horse ran in front of her own and cut her off. Her horse reeled back, standing up on both its back legs. It sent Elsa tumbling off. She hit the ground, scraping her arm along a rock in the forest. The pain meant nothing however, not when she felt another slash of cold steel across her arm.

Elsa stood up, angry and hurting as she looked to see the two soldiers from before now atop one horse, the same one that had cut her off.

"Hey! You were told to watch the front gate!" One of them said, the same one that assigned her there.

"I can't. I have to go. Anna is… Anna is…" And Elsa could only wail as another cut slashed her across the back, the pain burning despite the coldness of the steel.

"What the? Did he figure it out?" One soldier asked.

"Seems like it." Another answered.

The soldiers dismounted their horse and walked over to Elsa who was still holding her stomach, trying to stop bleeding that wasn't really there.

"Move." Elsa commanded, attempting to walk through them.

One of the soldiers pushed her, the shove not meant to knock her down, but she went down anyway.

"Man you're weak. The mighty Beast-Tamer really is all talk. I heard you can't actually do anything. I heard it's all that damned beast of yours." The soldier who pushed her taunted her.

"I hear he trains with that weird guy. The one with the thing on his face. If that's the best partner you can get, you must really be weak." The other said.

Elsa yelled out as more pain blossomed in her body, so much was beginning to hurt that she couldn't even tell where she had been cut now.

"Move!" Elsa screamed out as she barely stood and tried to ram past them.

She received a knee to the gut for her trouble.

She fell to the ground before them.

"How'd he even figure out that Gaston was going to kill his pet?" One asked.

"I don't know… but you know the orders." The other said.

Elsa heard as they unsheathed their weapons. Still, she only focused on what was said. Gaston planned to kill Anna? He was going to kill Anna. He was hurting Anna right now. Her pain was because of him. This pain was because of him. It hurt. It hurt so much and still Anna fought.

"Move." Elsa commanded lowly, her face hidden as she looked to the ground.

"Enough of this. Just kill him." One said.

He was suddenly gagging on his words as an icicle of inhumane size jutted from the ground, piercing his throat.

"What the fuck?!" An appropriate response from his partner.

He was not spared either as another jutted from the ground and pierced through his gut, leaving him suspended on it as he slowly died out. Elsa paid them no attention. She stood and walked between the two pillars of ice. Luckily the horses had not run, and she quickly took hold of one and grabbed onto the holster and pulled herself up. She gave the horse a kick, spurring it on.

Not once did she turn to look back at the bodies of the dying men.

Elsa rode on, a bit of blood in her hair and covering parts of her shoulders from the men that tried to stop her. One thought was on her mind, one name, one action.

Kill Gaston. Kill Gaston. Kill. Kill.

She arrived at the castle after following the link for several minutes. She ran inside, immediately finding blood and carnage upon her entry to the lobby at the entrance. She looked around, finding several dead men. Most of them suffered from claws to the throat or a fatal wound to the gut. The only thing that halted her thoughts and made her stop was the sight of Milo next to one of the bodies. The young man was still breathing, though he too had been wounded.

Elsa ran over, her mind becoming less focused on one task and becoming hers again.

"Milo!" She called out.

Milo looked up, seemingly in disbelief at the sight of Elsa.

"Larsa?" He smiled and tried to laugh, though it only pained him and sent him to holding at his stomach as he bent further into himself.

That was when Elsa noticed the slash across his stomach. The size and shape made it clear that it was Anna's doing. Based on the size however, Elsa was sure that Anna had not transformed. She had done this in her human form.

She took a look around and saw all of the dead bodies.

Anna had done this in her human form.

"Milo…" Elsa didn't know what to say. Had he tried to attack Anna too? Was he an enemy as well? "What happened?" She tried instead.

"It was Gaston." Milo said, pain filling every word. "He's crazy or something. He made this whole speech about slaying Anna and gaining prestige. I don't know… I just know he didn't expect Anna to strike first." Milo tried to laugh again, hurting himself.

"What?" Elsa asked.

"The idiot thought she couldn't speak. He didn't know she could understand. He began to rant about it once we arrived at the castle. Anna… she didn't do anything though, didn't say anything. When he drew his sword though… she just… god she just…" And Milo shook his head.

He didn't need to answer. The bodies told their own story.

"I tried to help her. I tried to calm everyone down, to try and figure out just what the hell was going on. But she… when I walked up to her… God, Larsa…. The look on her face." He looked up to Elsa then, a small smile on his face. "Guess she didn't trust me even though we talked." He said sadly, looking down at the slash across his gut that told Elsa everything she needed to know.

"You'll be fine… I'm going to get you help. But I need to know where Anna is." Elsa said.

Milo gave a weak nod. "Gaston… the coward… He hid behind everyone else. Made them take shots at Anna first. She ran after taking half of them down… I think she was too hurt. Larsa… I don't think she's-"

"She's alive." Elsa said firmly. She knew it to be true, the link was there.

Milo just looked at her before giving another tiny smile. "Right. She ran up the stairs… beyond that I don't know." He said, giving a weak point to the huge stairs in the lobby that led to the next floor.

Elsa looked to the stairs before looking back to Milo. "I'll be back. I just… I just have to find Anna first." She told him.

Milo nodded again. "Take your time. I won't leave." He tried a joke, though he didn't dare try to laugh again.

Elsa stood up and ran off again. She needed to hurry if she wanted to save both Anna and Milo. She ran up the stairs, finding stains of blood on the rug as she went. Some of it, she knew belonged to Anna. As she ran through the castle, she caught glimpses, images of a battle she was not present for. She saw Anna running through the halls, saw as she hid behind a corner and waited for the fastest soldier to catch up. She watched as Anna grabbed the man the moment he turned the corner and ripped his throat out with her sharp teeth. She could feel the old feelings that were felt as Anna ran through these halls.

Survive. Get back to Elsa. Live. Kill Gaston.

Elsa would find more and more images as she ran higher and higher still through the castle. She would see images of Anna ambushing soldiers, she would see a time when Anna was cornered and forced to fight multiple enemies, suffering more and more wounds. She watched as each and every soldier fell to her, watched as Anna ran, not because she was afraid, but because she would make it back to Elsa.

Anna would make it back. She would.

That was what Elsa thought as she came to the highest floor of the castle. She found a room at the top, one that held a balcony with a broken window. This was where the memories ended, where she didn't need them anymore to know where Anna was. She ran over to the broken window and climbed out, finding that the window led to the roof of the castle. Elsa jumped out, feet landing on the stone as she looked around. It was nearly dark now, the sun nearly set. She tried to feel the link, tried to feel Anna, but the feeling was weak.

"Anna?!" She called out as she looked around the roof.

A weak and pitiable voice answered in her mind.

Elsa…

Elsa turned like a hawk focused on her prey as she pinned where the voice came from and where the link ended. She ran across the roof to the area behind her. That was where she found Anna.

Where she found Gaston.

Anna was on the ground, hurt, bleeding, though still she bared her teeth in defiance as Gaston stood with a boot on her neck.

"Get away from her!" Elsa yelled.

Gaston turned to see her.

"You?! What are-" he stopped, shaking his head as he realized it didn't matter. He smiled cruelly at Elsa. "Come to watch your pet die?" he questioned.

Elsa stepped along the roof, balancing herself as she got closer and closer to the scene.

"Ah! Don't get any closer, stupid girl!" He yelled, raising his sword to cut Anna down.

"No!" Elsa screamed.

Gaston laughed at this. "What? You cannot be serious. You actually care about this beast? This monster?" He questioned.

"Why are you even doing this?! The queen will have your head!" She tried to be threatening.

Gaston laughed again. "Oh please. Who will be believed… You? Some foolish girl who has no place in war? The liar who claimed to be a boy? The idiot who was stupid enough to care for a monster? Or will the queen believe me? A trusted knight who says that the beast lost control of itself and murdered the soldiers under my command. Be smart for once, girl." He told her.

"If you even dare to try and hurt her, you will regret it." Elsa warned, already feeling her fingertips tingling in anticipation.

Gaston turned back to Anna, seeing that she truly had no strength to fight. He could cut her down easily. This however was not exactly what he wanted.

He looked to Elsa. "Enough of this nonsense. Go back to being a proper maiden after this." He said insultingly. He looked back down to Anna and stepped harder on her neck. "Change you foul beast! Do it!"

"Stop it!" Elsa shouted.

Gaston took his foot off her neck and gave a swift kick to Anna's side, the girl whimpering from the pain. She was too wounded, too hurt to fight back.

"Why won't she change?!" He made a noise of frustration as he raised his sword. "Whatever, your head will have to do well enough in the state its in."

Before he could swing his sword down, a cold began to creep up his leg. At first he mistook it for a chill, but suddenly the cold began to hurt as it pierced his foot deeply. He looked down, dropping his sword in fright as he watched ice crawl its way up his leg. He tried to pull his foot away, but found it was frozen to the roof. Gaston cried out as the pain in his foot became too much. The ice continued to travel up his leg, freezing blood as it went. He tried, as an act of desperation, to pry it off with his fingers, but alas it was like trying to chip away at stone.

He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, one that was less fear and more cold. He turned to find Elsa standing beside him, looking down at him as he was now kneeling on the ground and trying to free his foot. She looked at him icily, no sympathy in her eyes. Gaston turned angry at the sight.

"What foul sorcery is this? Are you a witch?! Another demon from the south?! You monster! I'll cut you down!" He threatened, reaching for the sword he dropped.

With his foot rooted in the ground however, he was unable to reach it.

Elsa said nothing, only watching as the ice slowly engulfed him.

Gaston cried out in pain at the feeling.

"Wait!" He yelled. "Wait! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't ever try to hurt her again! I'll leave! Is that what you want?! I'll leave the castle! I'll leave the kingdom!" He looked at her, desperate and scared. "Just don't do this! Please!" He begged.

And Elsa almost let him go, almost felt for him. In that moment she saw herself. Saw how scared he was, saw the desperation and remembered the way she would act the same. She too would beg, would promise anything to live. She was a coward much like he was right now. And to make him experience the cold? It was something she knew, something that killed her once. She never would have imagined she could put someone else through that pain.

One look at Anna's pained form as the girl watched on though… that was all it took to make her decision.

The air around them turned to a frosty chill, Gaston watching as flurries of snow began to whip around them. Elsa only stared at him, watching as he began to shiver, watching as her power began doing something she knew it could do all too well. Still, this wasn't enough, it wasn't enough to watch him bowing and shivering. It wasn't enough to know he could no longer feel his fingers.

The cold wasn't cold enough.

Elsa felt the ice tingling in her fingers as she raised her hand and put it to Gaston's face. She offered no words, no final statement to tell him of his crimes and how he'd pay for them. She simply let the magic go. She watched as his veins turned blue before freezing, watched as the pain filled his face. His mouth was open in a silent scream, nothing but small sounds coming out as the pain was too much to even voice it. She knew the feeling, knew what it was like to have your blood turn to ice. She held no sympathy though, none after what he'd done. She only watched as the ice took over, watched as he went from a warm man, to a cold statue of ice. His face would be forever stuck in that final moment of pain.

She froze him… just like she'd been frozen so long ago.

She took her hand away when it was over, staring at his tormented face. Perhaps she did what she did next to not see his face, or maybe she wanted there to be no proof of what happened. Either way, Elsa pushed him over and let his body slide down the roof and hit the ground below. He shattered into multiple pieces, no blood to be spilled as it was all frozen.

"Elsa." A weak call.

Elsa turned to find Anna still on the ground, watching her.

"Anna!" She called, running over. The tingling in her fingertips going away as she fell to the ground and grabbed at Anna. "Gods… Anna! I'm sorry!" She yelled out, looking at the various wounds that Anna had acquired in her fight to survive. What had she done? Why had she sent Anna to fight alone? Why did she not see the looks on the peasants faces as she entered the village.

She didn't notice because she was too relieved at not having to fight.

Tears fell down Elsa's face as she realized that Anna was the way she was now because Elsa was a coward. Her fear of fighting, of dying, had put Anna in this place. She was the reason that Anna was so hurt. She could have fought with Anna when Gaston turned on them, she could have been there, to share the hurt and pain.

Instead she was watching the front gates, avoiding battle.

"Elsa…" Anna called.

Elsa looked down to the girl in her arms. Only then did she notice that Anna was shivering, cold from the use of Elsa's powers. While the attack may have been meant for Gaston, Anna was close enough to feel it's icy chill.

Her eyes were fixated on a few strands of Anna's hair that had turned platinum.

Just like her own hair…

Just like before when she…

Elsa quickly threw the thoughts away. Now was not the time, not with Anna hurt like this. She needed to get back, back to the village to seek help.

"I'm going to get you help." Elsa told her as she stood and lifted the girl who was heavier than she imagined. She stumbled a bit, holding Anna bridal style as she carefully made her way across the roof and back to the window she came out of.

"Elsa…" Anna called again.

"It's okay, Anna. I'm going to bring you home. I promised you a delicious meal, remember?" Elsa asked, smiling a tearful smile down at Anna.

Anna reached up and wiped away one of the tears, causing Elsa to stop moving just as she re-entered the castle.

"Elsa… strong. So strong." Anna said with a smile.

And Elsa could feel it through the link, could feel the way Anna praised her for defeating Gaston, for rushing to her aid. Elsa hated it, every thought was too good for her. She was nothing but a coward, one who ran at the first sign of danger. She should not be rewarded with praise for coming to a fight late and barely cleaning up.

"Stop it… Anna." Elsa said weakly, continuing to walk.

"Strong. Elsa good." Anna told her, the words obviously painful to say in her state.

"Stop it…" Elsa pleaded.

But Anna wouldn't stop. Anna would go on to send warm feelings through the link. Feelings that told Elsa how happy Anna was to see her, how glad she was that Elsa came. None of it was negative, not a single horrible thought from Anna. When it came to Elsa, Anna only had good things to think.

And Elsa knew she was too pure… too good to manipulate her with false words.

"Stop it…" Elsa asked again, feeling like she wanted to break down.

Anna didn't stop.