Kai heard Anna's panicked shout from outside the door and he came rushing back in. At first he didn't see the sisters – they were hidden from view behind the judge's pulpit. As he rounded the corner he came upon Elsa slumped half off of the seat, her limp body resting against a quite distraught Anna who was beginning to cry. Kai's heart plummeted to the bottom of his stomach at the sight.

"Elsa, wake up! Elsa?" Anna shook her sister gently but insistently. Much to her relief, the queen groaned a little in response. Anna shifted her sister with practiced ease so that Elsa's upper body was cradled in her arms. Elsa's head rested in the crook of Anna's elbow and when she blinked open weary eyes, she was face to face with her terrified sister.

"Elsa!" and the exhausted monarch found herself caught up in a tight, frightened embrace. "I never should have let you get out of bed! This was far too much, way to soon. You shouldn't have had to deal with this at all! I can't believe-"

"Anna, shh," the melodious voice cut through Anna's terrified cries. "It's all right. I'm okay."

"No, you're not!" Anna shot back, still in tears. "You… why do you do this to me? I thought I lost you again!"

"You didn't," Elsa whispered. "I'm right here." Her eyes fell closed in exhaustion and Anna continued to panic.

"Elsa, d-don't go! Stay with me, Elsa! Please!"

"Anna, calm down dear. I'm not going to die." Anna whimpered at the mere suggestion. "I just really need to rest. Can… can you get me back to our room?" Elsa asked dazedly before correcting herself. "I mean, your room."

"Yes," Anna responded with a smile. "But it's our room. It used to be, and so it is again. Here," she said sniffing back the last of her tears, "hold onto me. I'll carry you." Elsa weakly reached up and wrapped her arms around her sister's neck. Anna shifted Elsa in her arms and stood up. Kai wisely chose not to interfere and settled upon clearing the halls of observers and holding doors for the royals as they made their way back to their room.

Elsa clung tightly to consciousness and to Anna, but when she felt her back settle into the softness of her sister's bed she released her hold on both. Anna panicked briefly at Elsa's unresponsiveness and fell upon her sister's body to listen for a heartbeat. She found one and sagged in relief. Sniffing back tears and fighting off her lingering worries, Anna wrapped herself around Elsa's still form and held on desperately. Elsa's body was cool to the touch from the enormous use of her powers, but Anna intended to change that. She pulled all the blankets she could reach over the two of them and began to relax as Elsa warmed up in her arms.

"You scared me, Elsa," she murmured, hoping her sister would be awake. Elsa didn't respond. She simply kept breathing steadily in sleep.

"I'm really proud of you, though," she followed up, "for dealing with them like that." She paused and then in a whisper asked, "Is my life really that valuable to you?"

When no response came, Anna couldn't help but feel the slightest bit disappointed. Elsa had made an interesting habit of appearing asleep even if she wasn't, and finding her genuinely asleep threw Anna off.

"I guess I could say anything right now and you wouldn't hear me," Anna realized aloud. She thought of going on a lengthy monologue to her sleeping sister, but decided better of it.

"I don't want to wake you if you need rest. So sleep, Elsa. I'm right here."

Elsa woke later that afternoon and stayed awake long enough to change back into a nightgown and eat. Much to Elsa's embarrassment, Anna insisted upon spoon-feeding her some soup. It was just as well – Elsa didn't even have the strength to sit up on her own. After she ate, Elsa quickly fell asleep again. Anna refused to be parted from her sister, so she stayed in bed for the rest of the day too. She maintained contact with Elsa to keep her warm and to ward off nightmares. It seemed to work. Elsa slept peacefully all day and well into the night.

Anna lay on her side, her back to Elsa, watching the night sky. She was startled when warm arms softly wrapped around her body and Elsa pressed herself closer.

"Is the sky awake?" The sleepy whisper tickled her ear and Anna smiled, resting her hands on the arms that held her securely from behind.

"Yeah, but you're not," she murmured back and felt a puff of air from silent laughter.

"Touché."

"How are you feeling?" Anna asked in concern, trying to roll over. Elsa's arms prevented her from doing so.

"I'm fine," Elsa insisted quietly. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I scared you so badly." She let Anna turn over in her arms. The younger girl buried her face in Elsa's neck and shuddered.

"I t-thought..." she stammered, but Elsa gently interrupted her.

"No, dear. It's okay. I'm just tired, that's all. I'm already feeling a lot better. I didn't intend to use that much magic. It just sort of… happened."

"It was pretty impressive," Anna admitted. "I wish I had a portrait of his reaction." Elsa chuckled in response and ran her hand up and down Anna's back, eliciting a happy hum.

"Why thirteen years, Elsa?" the younger girl asked, her tone suddenly serious. Elsa's hand stopped and held Anna closer.

"That is roughly the length of time you and I were separated. Those were thirteen years I could have been with you and loved you well. Anna, you were so starved for affection you almost married that snake. No amount of money could make up for how all of this has hurt you. It will not bring back the time we lost, but maybe it can help Arendelle. It was a statement more than anything, really."

"So did you mean what you said about me?" Anna asked in a fragile, small voice.

"When I said your value to me is incalculable? Of course! Anna, there is no measure great enough to even rival how much you mean to me. Without you, I have nothing and I am nothing. You are my world, my precious girl. I love you infinitely."

The sisters were quiet as Elsa's words washed over them. Anna was soon sobbing into Elsa's chest, overcome by the depth of Elsa's love.

"I… I don't always know how to use words like you do," Anna whispered around her tears, "but I feel the same way, Elsa. I couldn't live without you. I wouldn't want to live without you. Please… don't ever leave me. I love you so much." She held tightly to Elsa and felt the older woman holding onto her as well.

She wasn't sure when she drifted off to sleep, but the next thing Anna knew was that morning light was streaming in through the window and hitting her right in the eyes. She turned her face away with a grumble and was instantly surrounded by Elsa's scent and her comforting warmth. She buried her face in her sister's shoulder and sighed, falling back asleep quickly. Elsa merely smiled. She still felt too weak to get up on her own, and had settled upon watching Anna sleep. Clearly the girl wanted to sleep in, and Elsa didn't have the heart to wake her. She enjoyed watching her beloved Anna slip back into a peaceful rest.

Later that morning, Anna finally woke for good. She was surprised to find Elsa already awake and watching her with tender adoration. The redhead blushed at the attention.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"Because I love you," was Elsa's only response as she smiled at the girl. Anna just shook her head in slight embarrassment and helped Elsa sit up. She was still much weaker than before the trial, but she wasn't dozing off at every opportunity any more.

"Do you have to do any work today?" Anna asked, hoping the answer would be 'no'.

"Nothing as strenuous as yesterday," the queen replied, slowly stretching her arms. "What I intend to do will not require much moving around and only a little magic. Will you allow me to do that, Your Highness?" she asked, a teasing glint in her eye.

"Oh stop," Anna admonished, rolling her eyes. "You outrank me, Elsa. I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to."

"But you could," Elsa insisted. She patted the spot next to her and Anna sat down, leaning against the headboard with Elsa.

"Papa always told me that the reigning monarch has absolute authority, but Mama said that isn't true. She said that the person who holds the heart of the king or queen is the one with real power, for he or she can sway any decision made by the ruler." Elsa turned to her sister with a soft smile. Anna was looking down at her hands, red-faced.

"She was right," Elsa continued. "Though she rarely used her unique sort of authority, she always had Papa wrapped around her little finger and they both knew it. She had his heart, just as you have mine." Anna looked up. The tears brimming in her eyes quickly obscured her view of her sister's tender expression.

"So, I'll ask again. Will you let me do a little work today, my dear? Or shall I stay in bed all day and cuddle with you instead?" Anna laughed and wiped the tears out of her eyes. She curled up comfortably against Elsa's side.

"How is it that you can make me cry and blush all at the same time?" She asked with her face buried in Elsa's neck.

"I guess I'm gifted with more powers than just those of ice and snow," Elsa chuckled. Anna giggled and rolled her eyes again.

"You can work a little," Anna finally answered, "but I'm going with you, and if I see that you're getting tired then you have to come back and take a nap, okay?"

"Yes, my liege."

"Elsaaa!"

"Help him design in his mind's eye the best, most perfect sled he can imagine. Make it be everything he ever wanted and more. Then, build it as close to his specifications as you can. Don't spare any expenses on materials or labor. It is a royal gift and I will not settle for second best."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the carpenter responded with a deep bow. Just as he turned to leave, Anna's voice broke out.

"Make sure you include a cup holder!"

"A cup holder, Anna?" Elsa asked quizzically.

"Yes! It would have really come in handy on the way up the mountain. Where else can you put your drink?" Both the carpenter and the queen stared at Anna for a moment. Then Elsa spoke with a small smirk.

"Very well. Design a cup holder as well, even if he doesn't ask for it. Have the phrase "Commissioned by Princess Anna" etched on the side."

"What? Nooo! What if he doesn't like it?" Anna suddenly reconsidered her addition.

"Well, then maybe you should let him design his own sled!" The sisters stared at each other for a moment, Elsa repressing her laughter and Anna caught between embarrassment and stubbornness. Finally she sighed and turned to the carpenter.

"… Can you make the cup holder removable?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"That would be a suitable compromise," Elsa agreed. She smiled graciously and dismissed him to his work.

"I'm glad we're getting him a sled," Anna said as the carpenter stepped out to find Kristoff. "I'm glad he gets to design it, too. I think he'll love the cup holder, actually. I doubt he'd have thought of it."

"You may be right," Elsa agreed, "but in case he doesn't like it, it will be good for him to have the option to remove it."

"… Is it still going to have my name on the side?"

"Probably." Elsa laughed as her sister slumped over in defeat.

"Well, at least he'll have a sled. He'd just paid his old one off when we… um… dropped it off the cliff and it caught on fire." Elsa grimaced. She'd heard the story before, but it still sounded so violent.

"Just take the bridge next time," Elsa suggested with a grin. "It should still be there."

"Very funny," Anna deadpanned. "'Take the bridge,' she says. 'I can make a bridge over any terrifyingly deep chasm with the wave of my hand cuz I'm the snow queen!'" Elsa smiled and rolled her eyes at her sister's theatrical prancing and arm-waving. She stood slowly from the throne where she'd commissioned the sled and seen to an hour's worth of other critical kingdom business. Anna turned and dropped her façade in time to keep Elsa from stumbling as she tried to traverse the throne room steps.

"Where do you think you're going?" Anna asked as she supported her sister.

"I left something in the court room yesterday," she responded, carefully watching her footing until they were on level ground.

"Really? I didn't see you bring anything in."

"It's more about what I didn't take out," she replied cryptically. "Come along and you'll see."

When they entered the vacant courtroom Anna understood exactly what her sister was talking about. The ice giant stood as still as a statue in front of the defendant's table, right where they had left it. When Elsa stepped into the room, it moved with a great creaking and looked over at her. Anna squeaked in surprise and hid behind her sister. As if in recognition, the great living sculpture relaxed and its ice spikes vanished to leave a much softer-looking figure.

"Don't worry, Anna. This big guy couldn't hurt you if he wanted to. He's made of my magic, remember? Go ahead and touch him." Elsa leaned against a chair and beckoned her sister forward.

"Um… are you sure? I mean, he's awfully large." Elsa simply nodded in response and urged her onward, so Anna reluctantly approached the enormous being. She barely came up to its thigh. She reached out a shaking hand to touch its kneecap and gasped in shock when her fingers sank into what had once appeared to be a hard surface. It was cool to the touch, but not firm. It felt like… marshmallow?!

"Elsa?!" she exclaimed in confusion and alarm. Her smiling sister was soon at her side.

"That's part of my magic," she said. "It feels soft to me as well. But to anyone else, he's made of the hardest ice."

"Wow!" Anna gaped in wonder, pressing all over the squishy knee. A deep rumble sent her scurrying behind her sister, who simply laughed.

"It's all right, Anna. I think he's just ticklish."

"Ha-have you named him?" she asked, looking up at the impassive snowy face.

"I have not. I thought I'd let you do the honors. You were always so great at making up names." Anna hummed in response and stepped out from behind Elsa.

"Will you let him pick you up?" Elsa asked.

"What? Why?" Anna was alarmed at the prospect of being up so high and at the mercy of something so large.

"I want you to trust him. He and others like him will act as your bodyguards should you ever need protection when I am not with you."

"O-okay," Anna agreed and stepped forward uneasily. She cringed as the giant bent over and reached a hand to the ground.

"Step into his hand. He won't hurt you or drop you," Elsa reassured her sister. A few timid steps later Anna was holding onto a giant thumb and being lifted, squealing, into the air.

"Elsaaaa!" she screamed, her eyes shut tightly.

"It's okay! You're fine," Elsa called to her sister. The girl's knees were visibly shaking. "Here, I'm coming." Without further command, the creature bent down once more and Elsa too was lifted into the air. The icy being cupped his hands together to allow Elsa access to her terrified sister. As soon as Anna felt Elsa's comforting arms around her, she slumped down onto the soft substance beneath their feet.

"See? You're all right. Look up, Anna," Elsa encouraged. Anna did so and found herself face to face with the largest, most unbelievably awkward toothless snowman smile she'd ever seen. Her fear was gone with Elsa beside her and she gave a wobbly grin back.

"There you go. Now, what is his name?" Elsa asked quietly. "What was the first thing you thought when you touched his knee?" Anna thought back and the word sprang unbidden to her lips.

"Marshmallow," she whispered. Elsa laughed, and the odd creature's smile grew even larger and more delighted.

"An-na," he rumbled and the girl gaped at him. Elsa grinned in delight.

"I think he likes you."

Minutes later, Elsa and Anna were held fifteen feet in the air in Marshmallow's cupped hands as he carried them back to their room.

"Elsa, this is AMAZING!" Anna exclaimed, still holding tightly to her sister's arm.

"I knew you'd love him," she replied happily.

"He knows my name!"

"Of course he does. I made him that way. He will also never melt, no matter how hot it gets."

"That's incredible, Elsa."

Marshmallow stopped just outside the sisters' door. He was too large to go any further, so he lowered his hands so that the sisters could get down. He smiled enormously at their thanks and praise. Then, as Elsa sat down wearily on the edge of the bed, Anna had an idea.

"Elsa, do you think he could get Olaf?"

"Who? Marshmallow?"

"Yes. If he held onto Olaf, I don't think he'd melt. Marshmallow could find him and bring him back for us. Would he do that?"

"Yes," came the rumble outside their door. Their snow giant was on his knees peering in through the doorway.

"I get him."

Elsa and Anna both seemed surprised by Marshmallow's command of the language.

"That's… not a bad idea. We should have an escort go with him through the city so that the people don't get too scared. And I'll give him my memories of the correct mountainside. They should both have enough magic in them to find each other once he's above the snowline."

Elsa closed her eyes and magic flowed from her forehead and through the doorway into Marshmallow's. When Elsa finished she slumped backwards on the bed, much to Anna's alarm.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Elsa insisted. "Just help me sit up." So Anna sat behind her sister and held her upright.

"Do you know where to go?" Elsa asked the huge creature. He nodded. "Do you know what to do?" He nodded once more. A slip of magic spilled from the icy creation back to Elsa. Her eyes rolled back for a moment as her magic responded. Anna fought hard to keep from panicking. Eventually Elsa returned to her senses.

"He knows where to go and how to get Olaf back safely," she told her sister. "He says he can already feel Olaf's presence and that it won't be hard to find him. He'll learn to speak better soon, but he wanted to be on his way quickly so he decided to tell me like this." Elsa laughed suddenly as her magic translated the end of Marshmallow's message. "And he likes you a lot, Anna." Anna blushed as the snowman nodded emphatically outside the door.

"Very well," Elsa addressed Marshmallow. "Go with Anna downstairs to get the guards. Try not to scare them too badly, please. Walk slowly enough for them to explain you to anyone who is curious or afraid, but once you get out of the city you may go as fast as you like. Watch out for wolves, and bring Olaf back safe. Keep him close to your ice, and don't let go of him or he might melt. Do you understand?" Marshmallow nodded and stood up to wait for Anna.

"All right, you," Anna said and pulled her exhausted sister fully onto the bed. "Let me get you settled and then I'll go talk to the guards." Elsa let herself be turned to lie with her head pointed the right direction, but she protested at the excessive fluffing of pillows.

"Anna, it's all right. You'll only be a moment. I'm fine!"

"Okay, okay," Anna agreed and slid off of the bed. "Just don't go anywhere."

"I won't," Elsa chuckled. She sighed peacefully as Marshmallow's heavy footsteps faded down the hall. She closed her eyes and felt out with her magic. She could feel Marshmallow moving to a lower floor of the castle, and as a distant ping she felt Olaf far away on the mountain. She had felt this connection with Marshmallow while she lay resting earlier that morning. The magic she put into Marshmallow had called to hers like a beacon. Did you forget me? It had seemed to cry. That had prompted their foray back into the courtroom, and Elsa was glad of it. Soon Anna would have her snowman back.

Minutes later, Elsa opened her eyes at the sound of soft footsteps approaching the bed. Anna smiled down at her sister and knelt beside her.

"Now you've made me two snowmen," Anna said in disbelief. "Marshmallow tried to kiss my hand." Elsa laughed quietly.

"I don't suppose that worked out too well."

"He figured it out. You were right – he does like me a lot."

"Just like me, huh?"

"Ohh you are so cheesy sometimes!" Anna exclaimed, throwing her arms up in exasperation before crawling under the covers to be close to Elsa.

"Mmm, but you love it," Elsa murmured as warmth enveloped her body and her eyes fell shut.

"I suppose I do," Anna replied, the smile evident in her voice. "Sleep well, Elsa." The sun gradually set, casting the land into darkness as the sisters slept.

Elsa woke suddenly when magic sparked behind her eyes. She jerked violently and sat up. Her sharp movement woke Anna from her deep sleep. She looked up in groggy concern at her older sister as she sat illuminated by moonlight and grabbed for her hand. Elsa rubbed her eyes with the other.

"What is it, Elsa? Are you okay?" Anna's sleep-roughened voice asked, pulling Elsa from her thoughts.

"They must have found each other," Elsa muttered, almost to herself. "I felt it. I didn't realize I was still tracking them, but I think Marshmallow and Olaf found each other." She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow to focus. The connection was faint, as if there were a long distance between Elsa and her targets, but they seemed to be in the exact same location. She was just starting to feel dizzy from the effort when Anna quickly shook her out of her thoughts.

"Elsa, don't do that. It's taking up your energy and I can feel you getting colder," she explained in concern. "Don't worry about them – they'll be fine. You need to rest."

"All right," Elsa sighed, feeling the strain from her magic use. She let go of her tight hold on the connection and laid down again. Anna pressed herself closer to chase away the chill that overtook Elsa whenever she used her powers. She could feel her sister's body go limp as exhaustion claimed her. Elsa eventually warmed back up as she slept and Anna let herself relax again.