Arendelle's army paraded through the streets of the city, the cavalry mounted on their horses and the infantry marching in formation, making their way from the courtyard of the palace to the wall of ice that now protected them. Along the route, the townspeople cheered, though their encouragement was somewhat tempered by nervousness. Leading the way at the head of this procession was Queen Elsa, her platinum blonde hair still braided over her shoulder but pulled back tighter to allow her crown to rest atop her head. She wore a new blue dress that lacked the cape and long sheer sleeves of her more typical gown, leaving her less encumbered and her arms free. The dress also had a slightly shorter ankle-length skirt that now subtly displayed Elsa's signature snowflake pattern and instead of her high-heeled shoes she wore high riding-style boots in a sparkling powder blue. Though very much in Elsa's distinctive personal style, the outfit was far from what anyone would expect a queen to wear into battle, with no armor to offer protection. Elsa had no need for armor. She was confident that her powers could block any weapon. She had never been afraid for her own safety. It was the always the safety of others that concerned her, and as she led her soldiers through the streets with a purposeful stride, it was the only thought in her mind.

The forces of Arendelle came to a stop as they approached Elsa's wall of ice, which loomed ahead at the edge of the city. Elsa took a deep breath and reached out toward the wall as she summoned her powers. The wall began to crack and a set of massive gates formed. The gates swung open to reveal the wintry landscape on the other side.

Looking at the snow-covered wilderness beyond the wall, it suddenly occurred to Elsa that Lillehaven was a long walk from Arendelle. She knew her soldiers were trained for a long march through the snow, but she herself wasn't. She was reminded of her hasty flight up the North Mountain on the night of her coronation. It had been exhausting, and if not for the fear and adrenaline driving her, she might not have made it that far. She didn't have quite the same motivation now. If anything, her fear was a hindrance. Not knowing what she might face at Lillehaven, she realized she didn't want to exhaust herself just getting there.

Elsa knew every available horse in Arendelle had already been commandeered for her cavalry, and even if they weren't, she wouldn't go back to get one now. When the solution to her predicament finally came to her, it was so obvious that Elsa felt a little silly for not thinking of it sooner. With a wave of her arm, and to the fascination of the assembled onlookers, she quickly generated a sleigh made of crystal-clear ice and a pair of sleek inanimate snowhorses to draw it. Elsa had become very careful about not creating any additional "living" snow-creatures, so unlike some of Elsa's other creations, the horses were simply soulless mechanical constructs that were more like movable sculptures. They could not move on their own and Elsa would have to use her powers to give them the motion necessary to propel her sleigh, but Elsa didn't want to have to worry about something happening to them in battle, or about them melting after she restored the summer.

Elsa was just about to climb aboard her newly-created chariot and resume her advance when she heard a faint voice call out from somewhere among the ranks of soldiers.

"Elsa, wait!"

Elsa looked back to see where the voice had come from. As she searched the faces of her troops she saw only expressions of confusion, as they too were unsure of where the voice had come from. Eventually, a diminutive snowman made his way through the formation and emerged at the front.

"Wait for me, Elsa!" Olaf said, gasping for breath.

"What is it, Olaf?" Elsa asked, looking down at him.

"I want to help rescue Anna and Kristoff!" Olaf replied. "I'm coming with you!"

"And so am I!" announced another familiar voice.

Elsa looked up to see Lars. Lars was dressed in the burgundy coat of a Weselton palace guard, with a cavalry sword hanging from his belt in a scabbard and a crossbow and quiver slung over his shoulder. For a split second, a chill went down Elsa's spine as his appearance reminded her of the duke's men who had tried to kill her at her ice palace on the North Mountain, but that feeling quickly passed as she remembered the trust she had in him.

"This isn't your fight," Elsa said to him.

"I know," Lars replied boldly, "but I can't stand idly by while Arendelle fights for its survival."

Elsa looked back at Lars with a look of silent skepticism.

"Look, I told you that not everyone in Weselton is like the duke," Lars said, his bold tone giving way to one of candor. "Give me a chance to prove it."

"All right," Elsa replied softly after a moment of hesitation, a slight smile crossing her face.

"Sven!" Olaf suddenly shouted.

Elsa turned to see that Olaf had wandered through the opening in the ice wall and was running out of sight. She quickly chased after him and Lars followed. On the other wide of the wall, they found Kristoff's beloved reindeer, still tied to the tree where the soldiers from the Southern Isles had left him.

"Oh, Sven!" Elsa exclaimed, rushing over to untie the reindeer. "Have you been out here all night?"

Sven grunted in response, which Elsa took as an affirmative.

"You poor thing!" Elsa said to Sven as she untied him. "Don't worry, I'll have someone take you back to the stables where its warm, while we go to rescue Anna and Kristoff."

Sven snorted in protest and shook his head.

"What's wrong?" Elsa asked in confusion.

"I think Sven wants to help, too!" Olaf said.

Elsa suddenly had an idea. She looked back at Lars with a sly grin.

"Have you ever ridden a reindeer?" she asked him.