It had been a few weeks since the messengers made their way to Mariabronn. The rescue ships were just starting to pull up to the new docks Elsa had created at the edge of the frozen fjord. One of the conditions of Elsa's ice for passage deal was that all the dignitaries leave first. While she despised this compromise, she was glad to be rid of the Duke. She had listened to his whining on almost a daily basis, and had certainly had enough.

Day two was far more heartbreaking. Elsa stood on the balcony as the slow march out onto the fjord began. Like a trail of ants who had just found a source of nourishment, Arendelle's citizens would slowly walk away from their former lives, weaving between the wreckage and carrying what little possessions they could take, as jeers would spontaneously erupt in the distance. Elsa saw a little girl clutching her doll as tight as she could, and the thought of what that child must be experiencing was just too much. She turned away to return to the safety of inside, behind closed doors again. Her thoughts turned to her father, who would have been so disappointed in her. She held the job of Queen for less than a day, and she totally blew it. Elsa! What have you done?! , played over and over in her mind. The shame,... the shame of it all. Arendelle and the Crowns only other living heir, destroyed in just a few days. A mountain of tremendous guilt wracked her brain, frost creeping out from under her shoes, the mantra no longer working; Conceal it-don't feel it. How many thousands of times had she repeated that dreadful litany? Why didn't it work? What did I do wrong?!

Elsa was in a corner, knees pulled up to her chest, head hanging low when the door opened. Elsa shot up, not wanting to be seen like that.

"Forgive the intrusion, your Majesty, but Gerda and I wanted to bid our farewell." Kai could not make eye contact with Elsa, this was the worst day of his life. A job he had held since he was a young man was over, and the future uncertain. Besides, he felt like he was leaving behind family, even if all that was left, was Elsa. She slipped her gloves on. These two would not leave without at least getting a hug from her.

"Have you made any arrangements as to where you're going?"

"Yes, we had a conversation with the Crown Princess Rapunzel, the kingdom of Corona will take us in."

"That is heartening news, Kai. It's good you will be staying in the employ of family." Elsa had completely forgotten about Rapunzel being here, and she probably slipped out on the first ship out of Arendelle.

"Goodbye, your Majesty." Elsa gave Kai a hug. It was the first time he had physical contact with her since she was eight. Gerda was at a loss of words, holding back from crying as best she could.

"I'll miss you, Gerda, and your cookies." It was her turn for an embrace, and she could not hold back any longer.

"Goodbye, Elsa. My little snowdrop!" They would walk out of the study with their heads hung low, Kai practically carrying Gerda out. Elsa curled back up into her corner, feeling much worse than before her faithful servants' departure. Elsa! What have you done?! The voice was now screaming.

It would take a month for the evacuation to be complete. Some would make their way thru the mountains, not desiring to be refugees in some camp somewhere. Elsa would have these thoughts raging thru her head on a daily basis. What if they are mistreated? Or killed? She hadn't eaten in days, and her frail frame didn't hold any reserves for fasting.

Except for Olaf, the castle was now empty of living creatures. While the little snowman tried desperately to cheer Elsa up, it wasn't working. Kristoff decided to pay the Queen a visit, and was glad he did, when he did.

"Elsa! You look terrible!"

"Thanks, Kristoff. Nice to see you too."

"When was the last time you ate, or slept?"

"I know I did that sometime in the last week. Monday was it?" It was Friday.

"Ugh!.. I'll be back." Kristoff would scour the town for any remaining food, there wasn't much left. People typically don't store food in summer, the markets had plenty. But there were a few jars of pickled fish around, and a few stiff loaves of bread. "Beggars can't be choosers." Kristoff thought aloud. It was creepy to be rummaging thru people's homes and businesses like this, all these places now empty. But the queen was in trouble, and he found enough to sustain her until the castle can be resupplied. When Kristoff got back, he searched the pantries one more time just to be sure, there wasn't a crumb left. Elsa had given away every bite. He made his way back to the study, only to find Elsa curled up on the couch, sobbing.

"Elsa, please! Pull it together. Come over here and eat something." It didn't look very appetizing, and it damn sure didn't smell that way when Kristoff cracked open the jar, but it wasn't spoiled, and Kristoff knew Elsa was in a bad way.

"Elsa, I insist!"

"Alright, Kristoff; I'm not a child!"

"Good, then act that way. There may be hope for your sister yet, she needs you,… alive. Do you want the people of Arendelle to suffer if you don't go through with your bargain? Look,… I've signed on to the Harrad to Australia. It leaves in two days. Should I cancel, or should I go and try to find a cure for your sister?"

"I didn't think you'd leave,… so soon." There was a strange inflection in Elsa's voice. Was she going to miss him?

"This is the best time of year to go; round trip this journey will take eight months."

"Oh." Elsa's lips kept moving, but nothing came out, she just didn't have the words.

"I'll make sure that Lun and Gran Pabbie stop in from time to time to see how you're doing."

"Good luck Kristoff, I'm sure you will find the c-cure." It took all her strength to keep it together.

"Please take care of yourself Elsa, we need you." With that Elsa gave Kristoff a hug. She would have liked to have kissed him, but having his lips frozen may have been a bad sendoff.

Once again, Elsa faced her inside world alone…..

And Kristoff?, well he was going to have one last ride,… with an old friend.