Anna

Anna was walking through the castle. She became aware she was naked. She didn't really care, after all, it was much quieter than normal, especially during the day. Cari came out of a door on her right, saw Anna, and said, "Anna, what are you still doing here? You're needed at the coronation."

Anna smacked her forehead. "Of course, I'll be right there." She looked down, and she was wearing Elsa's coronation gown. She walked down the hall and into the throne room. Her father sat on the throne.

"Anna? What are you doing here?", he asked.

"I'm trying to go to Elsa's coronation. What are you doing here?"

"I'm not here," he answered. "I'm dead, remember? You're all alone here."

"Oh, that's right," said Anna. "I better get to the coronation. Will you be there?" And then the man wasn't her father, it was Kristoff with his sword bare.

"Hi, Anna. How are you?"

"I'm okay. I mean, you scare me a little, but I think that's okay, right?" Suddenly he was right in front of her.

"That depends. Is anyone trying to hurt you?"

"Just you," she said. Kristoff nodded and cut his own throat. Anna turned around and walked out of the hall and bumped into Elsa.

"Elsa, hi! Why aren't you at your coronation?"

"Hi Anna. Long story. I'm probably going to be dead at the end of it. Will you take this crown for a moment?" Anna took the crown then forgot where she put it. "Well, Anna, I better get going. They won't hold my funeral without me. Make sure you're there, okay?"

"I will be," Anna promised. Elsa jumped out the window. Anna walked towards the cathedral. When she got there, she was wearing Elsa's blue gown that she had made for herself on the mountain. Anna thought it was strange attire for a funeral. She walked through the cathedral doors, and Hans was waiting at the end of the aisle. Her father had her arm. Alan stood to the side of Hans, and Cari stood opposite them. As Anna walked down the aisle, Elsa and Heins were outside the window, pointing and laughing. When she reached the pulpit, Anna turned to see the man standing opposite her was Kristoff. His throat was split in a grotesque smile. He grinned as he drove his sword through her chest.

"Kristoff!"

"Anna! Stay still, you're seriously injured. Don't try to sit up. I need to fetch Kristoff."

Anna opened her eyes. Gerda stood over her with a relieved expression. "I will be right back, child."

"Wait... When is it?"

"Just after sunrise. You've been asleep for the night, I tried to make you as comfortable as possible. Rest, Anna. I will return shortly."

Anna nodded and closed her eyes. When she heard the door open, she called out, "Gerda? Thank you." Gerda paused.

"You're welcome, Anna." Then she was gone. Anna tried to sit up, but a searing pain shot through her side and she fell back. So much for that. I wonder what else happened last night. And where did that Heins take Elsa? And why was Heins taking orders from Karl? And why did he say he didn't want to betray us? Is he being coerced? Anna had to admit, the fact that Heins was not allowed to finish what he was trying to say was suspicious. But then again, if he had told Karl beforehand to cut him off to plant the seeds of doubt… but then again, that would mean Karl wasn't really in charge, just seeming like it, but if that was the case, who was the master he referred to…

It was all too much for Anna to think about. She started taking slow, deep breaths to calm herself. I'm safe right now, and Kristoff is on his way. Deal with everything when he gets here. Until then, pull yourself together! You're of no use to anyone panicking! That's it Anna… calm down. When she had started to relax, she decided to start listing what she knew and work from there. Okay… Heins and Karl came here to reopen relations between the Southern Isles. Heins took Elsa away. I fought Karl and we wounded each other. I apologized to Kristoff and told him I loved him… I apologized to Kristoff… and told him I loved him. How did I get there? Of course I never stopped loving him, but why would I apologize? As she struggled to understand her own actions, the door swung open and Kristoff walked through. When he saw Anna awake and moving, he rushed to her side and knelt down.

"Anna?"

"Kristoff…" Everything that had made her apologize lept unbidden to her lips. "I am so sorry Kristoff, I know you were only trying to keep us safe and I know you don't enjoy fighting and I know how much you love me and how much I mean to you and how much it would break you if something happened to me and I realize now how dangerous my life is and how weak I am and-"

"Anna. Stop. I understand. It's really okay. And you're not weak. You defeated Karl on your own."

"Hardly. I wouldn't call this a victory. I'm not exactly unscathed, here, you know."

Kristoff cocked an eyebrow. "Only a fool thinks that a victory means walking away unharmed."

Anna smiled wearily. "Are you calling me a fool?"

Kristoff had the good sense to look contrite. "No, of course not. I- I only meant that you-"

"Kristoff, it's okay, I'm just teasing. You're right, I suppose. Did… Did Karl survive?"

"...Yes. He and I had quite a lengthy conversation last night. He was rather… uncooperative."

"Did he tell you that Heins is acting against his will?" Kristoff blinked in surprise. "When I got to the throne room, Heins was leaving with Elsa over his shoulder and Karl was blocking the path. Heins shouted for me not to fight, that Karl wanted me and Elsa both alive, but that he would kill me if I fought. When I asked him why he cared, he was betraying us, he said he didn't want to, and that they had his… something. Karl cut him off before he could say more."

While she spoke, Kristoff had risen and walked over to the window, gazing out over the castle. "What did Karl tell you?", Anna asked.

Kristoff turned around. "He told me what they plan for her." He averted his eyes as he spoke. That doesn't sound good. "He told me they have someone who can force Elsa to do anything they want. Someone who can make her believe she is doing one thing, while twisting her mind and making her do something entirely different. Someone who has total control over a person's very thoughts."

"That… that can't be true!"

Kristoff shrugged. "Can't it? Elsa has her tricks. Is it really that hard to believe that someone else may have powers too?"

It can't be. That's impossible. But the more Anna thought about it, the more she had to concede the point- it was rather unlikely that Elsa was the only one in the world with the power of magic. "So, what do we do now?", she asked.

" Well, we must find Elsa. If what Karl says is true, it's only a matter of time before they turn her into their weapon. And, Anna... With Elsa gone, you are the Queen-" she took the crown then forgot where she put it "-until Elsa's safe return." Oh boy.