The previous night's storm was long over, and the first rays of the sun slowly broke over the eastern mountain, bathing Arendelle in the first light of a new day. Merchants opened their doors and there was a bustling of activity at the docks. Merchant ships, which had to moor off port during the night, now made their way to the docks. Arendelle was waking up to a new day. If the people were surprised to find more than a few guards and soldiers wandering about the city at such an early hour they kept to themselves.

People welcomed the light, but to the thing that was sleeping in the hayloft of Arendelle's stables, the day meant a painful transformation.

It bolted upright as soon as the songbirds welcomed the day with their melodious music, clutching at its head, and growling uncontrollably as the pain became too much. It grabbed at the horns on top of its head, only to have them splinter as soon as it touched them. Wracked with spasms, it soon fell onto its back and the force of the impact shattered its new wings. But before it could howl out in surprise the pain became too much and it blacked out. The human within its clutches whimpered in relief.

A company of soldiers gathered in front of the Royal stables and waited for an officer to arrive, as they were weary of the night's unfruitful search. The groomsmen nodded as they walked past the soldiers, entering into the stables to prepare the horses for their day's activities. The stable master, Barthold, met them near the entrance.

Barthold, holding a mare by its reins, steadied the horse before speaking. "We have an—unusual assignment this morning before we begin preparing the horses. We have been asked by the Captain of the Guard to inspect the stalls for any signs of an intruder. The guards were here last night and didn't find anything out of the ordinary. So, this is just a precaution."

A young woman, Aaliyah, stepped forward and frowned. "What do they expect us to find?"

"Hopefully nothing." Barthold squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, not intending to speak his immediate thought. He recovered quickly and added, "Like I said, this is just a formality. Go, now—there are enough of us that this should take only a few minutes."

As the stable staff left to do their assignment Gunnar, a Captain of the Royal Guard, entered the stables and looked around. No one was in sight so we walked to a small wood-burning stove in the corner to warm his hands. There was a huge pot of what appeared to be coffee on top of the stove.

Gunnar was about to pour himself a cup when he heard the scream. He dropped the pot and ran in the direction of the noise. He passed at least twenty stalls when he stopped in his tracks at the end of the passageway. Several grooms had reached the site just as he did and they all looked to a wooden staircase that led up to the second floor hayloft.

A young man was now calmly walking down the stairs and he approached the Captain, a stunned look on his face. When he noticed the other groomsmen he spoke softly. "I need to tell you something, but not in front of these guys."

The Captain led the young man down the passageway. He wore an impatient look. "What is it?"

The young man shuffled on his feet. "There is a naked woman sleeping up there." He pointed up the stairs. "She looks like the—"

Gunnar covered the man's mouth before he could say anything more. He leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Don't say it. Go outside and ask for Lieutenant Ingarth, tell him to meet me at the foot of that stairway. Go, now!"

"Princess Anna."

The young woman batted at the hand that was gently shaking her shoulder. "Mmmm…go away…"

The shaking was more insistent. "Princess Anna, you need to wake up now."

Anna opened her eyes and looked around. She was lying on her bed, fully clothed, and frowned for a moment, before comprehension hit her and she sat up rather abruptly. "What is it, Gerda? Have they found Elsa?"

Gerda offered the woman a thin smile. "They…they think so. You need to come with me right away."

Anna didn't hesitate to scramble out of her bed. But she paused at her mirror to look over her image. "I look terrible—where are we going?"

The older woman paused at the Princess's door. "To the Royal stables, my Lady."

Anna groaned as she tried to straighten out her skirt. She gave up and then huffed as she followed Gerda. "What did they find?"

Gerda looked over her shoulder at the question. "You mean, 'whom,' don't you, Princess?"

"Oh—of course. They found Elsa, right?"

"As I said, Your Highness, they only indicated that they think it is Her Majesty."

Anna followed the older woman down the long hallway towards the spiral staircase. "Gerda, do you know what time it is?"

"It is still quite early, Princess Anna. But I'm sorry I don't know the exact time."

Anna was silent for the moments it took them to reach the front gates of the castle. It appeared that there was much activity going around—guards and soldiers were scattered about the courtyard, crouching over makeshift fires that had been set up to relieve the cold.

Once outside Anna was greet by the immense chill and regretted not bringing a coat with her. A nearby coachman noticed her look of discomfort and immediately took off his coat and offered it to her. The Princess gladly to it and smiled at the man. "Thank you so much."

"No need to thank me, Your Highness, it is my duty to serve." He bowed with a flourish as Anna stepped into the carriage he was standing next to.

The coach ride to the Royal Stables only took a few long minutes and Anna counted every second that went by, her nerves were raw and frazzled. When at last the carriage pulled up to the stables Anna didn't wait for Gerda to get out first. She hopped out and didn't wait for a footman to guide her path and almost tripped on her way into the building. Captain Gunnar and another man she didn't know met her at the door.

"Captain Gunnar!"

The Captain caught her as she attempted to fly past him. "Whoa, Princess!"

Anna tripped into his arms. "Let me go, now, Captain I have to get to—"

The Captain dragged Anna towards the wood burning stove and whispered into her ear. "My Princess, we don't know if it is the Queen up there. We need to verify this."

Anna stopped struggling and looked into the man's eyes. His concern was plain and evident. She let out a ragged breath as Gerda finally entered into the stables. She turned towards the other woman. "Gerda, come here, please.

The older woman approached cautiously. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Gunnar briefly squeezed the princess's shoulder before turning towards the older woman. He bent down to speak softly, so that others would not hear. "Madame, Gerda, we need to impose upon you the utmost in secrecy, do you agree?" Before she could answer he rose and indicated for Anna and Gerda to follow him.

They moved amongst down the passageway, past the horse stalls, and Anna found herself relaxing a bit. Being around the large animals was soothing her nerves, as she was very comfortable around them. She was Arendelle's finest horse rider, far outshining the other noblewomen of her peerage.

When they reached the end of the passageway and the wooden stairs Captain Gunnar stopped and dismissed the guards and groomsmen who were watching the area. The Captain turned to Gerda again. "Madame, we need for you to go into the hayloft and let us know if that is, indeed, the Queen that is up there."

The old woman turned to the Princess and Anna smiled and nodded. As Gerda climbed the stairs Anna turned towards the Captain. "Thank you for your discretion, Captain, I greatly appreciate it."

The man blushed slightly. "You're welcome, Princess Anna."

They looked to each other for the briefest of moments, and a small connection was formed between them.

Anna was about to say something when Gerda came down the stairs. She immediately went to the Princess. "Princess Anna, your sister—um, the Queen—is up in that loft."

Ana breathed out a sigh of relief, and had to lean on the Captain lest she should fall to the ground. But she realized almost immediately what she had done and looked up in embarrassment. "Forgive me, Captain, I'm so sorry."

"Gunnar."

Anna straightened up. "Excuse me?"

"I am just Gunnar, Your Highness—at your service." He smiled before nodding towards the stairs. "I'll make sure that no one sees the Queen."

Anna climbed the stairs to the hayloft and was thankful that she had the coat on, as the air up in the rafters was freezing. She looked around for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the dimmed light. The upstairs hayloft looked like it must have been an office of some kind years ago but was now used for storing extra hay. Hay was strewn everywhere amongst the remains of what was once a desk. Anna maneuvered around those pieces and stopped suddenly.

Elsa lay a few feet from her, huddled under a rather large portion of hay. She was naked. Anna sank to her knees to examine her sister for any injuries. There didn't appear to be any. She began to slowly remove the hay from her sister's body and then noticed that there was what appeared at first to be ash in the hay around the Queen's head and her upper back. Anna dismissed this immediately, as it didn't seem to be important, and after enough hay was removed, saw that Elsa was sleeping soundly, as she could hear a slight snore.

Anna sighed again in relief and gently turned her sister over so that she sleeping on her back. She was about to wake her when her eyes moved downwards and she saw…

The princess staggered backwards and covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a scream. She looked again, making sure that what she was seeing was real. It was, and Anna's eyes moved over Elsa's body, looking for any other—abnormalities. Except for deep scratches on her arms Elsa's body was unblemished.

Anna sat back on her heels. "Oh, my." All of her doubts vanished in that one moment, and she knew that the creature she had seen in Elsa's room that night was now splayed before her. Elsa and the creature were one. She removed the coat she was wearing and gingerly placed it on her sister's sleeping form. "Elsa… time to wake up."

The blonde remained asleep, and turned over on her side again as her snore got louder. Anna was undeterred. She shook her sister' shoulder. "Elsa—pssst—time for…"

Elsa sat up abruptly, her eyes wide and looking fearful. But before she had a chance to say anything, or get to know her bearings, Anna had her in a warm hug, the tears flowing freely.

"Oh, my, Elsa—I'm so glad you are safe!"

The Queen wrapped an arm around her sister's waist and blinked for several moments, looking like she was in a stupor. After awhile she turned her head and looked around. When she spoke, her voice was rough. "Anna, please don't cry. Come on now, you're okay."

"I'm okay? You've been through—" Anna didn't get to finish her thought as Elsa's eyes appeared to be glazed over.

"Anna?"

"Yes."

The blonde rubbed her eyes. "Why are we in the stables?"

Anna took Elsa's hand and held it between her own. "You don't remember?"

Elsa looked confused again. "No, I don't think so. What is going on?"

"You were sleep walking." The princess tried to sound convincing.

The blonde looked abashed. "What? Anna, I've never walked in my sleep in my life. How can…" She stopped at the look in her sister's eyes. Anna was looking down at her waist. "Anna, what is it?" That was when she noticed an uncomfortable sensation between her legs. She looked down and gasped when she saw the bulge, not entirely hidden by the coat Anna had thrown on her.

"What in God's name—" Elsa looked at herself in horror and then her eyes flew to Anna's. "What is happening, Anna? You're not telling me something!" She grabbed her sister's arms, holding on a little too tightly.

Anna winced at the pain, but she knew she had to stop her sister's tirade before it escalated. "Please keep your voice down, please, Elsa. I don't know what happened to you, Elsa. That is what I've been trying to think about all night."

Elsa started to hyperventilate, as her sister's words were failing to soothe. "What do mean by 'all night?'" Tears started to flow. "What is going on, Anna?"

Anna let out a shaky breath and then related everything she knew to Elsa. She told her about the heavy storm and how it seemed to bother Elsa quite a bit. When she told Elsa about the creature in the Queen's bedchamber Elsa's eyes widened even some more, and after she related the story that Captain Gunnar had told her Elsa seemed to sway, as if she was about to faint. When Anna was done with her story Elsa turned white.

The blonde turned her head suddenly, and vomited all over the hay. Anna supported her sister by the waist as her body was wracked with violent spasms. After a long while Elsa finally calmed enough to glance over her shoulder at her sister. "How can you look at me?"

Anna blinked. "You're my sister, Elsa. I love you."

Elsa used the coat to cover herself. "But look at me; I'm the monster I always thought I was."

Anna blinked back her hot tears. "You'll never be a monster to me, Elsa. No matter what happens to you or why. Are you listening to me?"

But Elsa wasn't listening. She grabbed at the coat and scooted towards the wall, whimpering and trying to cover as much of her body as she could. But a certain part of her body demanded attention and Elsa blushed in shame some more, feeling a deep humiliation. She glanced over to the pained look on Anna's face and new tears formed in her eyes. "Go away."

Anna sniffed and wiped at her own tears. "I can't do that—I'm taking you home, Elsa."

The blonde's eyes went wide again. "What?"

"I said that I'm taking you back to the castle, Elsa. We'll figure this out together, alright?"

"What is there to figure out?" The Queen spat out. "I'm a mon—" Her head snapped back at the force of the slap, and she glared at her sister. "How dare you…"

"I dare because I love you and am not giving up on you! Do you get it now, or do I have to hit you again?" Anna was resolute, and she wiped furiously at her tears.

Defeated, Elsa could only nod in compliance as Anna moved closer to her. "What are you doing?"

"We need to hide you in that coat and get you back to the castle, Elsa. Now before we attract too much attention."

Elsa wanted to protest, but the look in the princess's eyes told her it would not be a good idea. She nodded. "Alright. Turn around please."

"What?"

"Anna, please?" She wanted to add that she didn't want to be seen by anybody in this condition, and most especially by Anna, but she kept that to herself.

"Okay, Elsa." Anna got up and turned around. She could here Elsa behind her put the coat on. "All finished?"

"Yes."

Anna turned back to her sister and then reached for the lapels on the coat. She turned them up and then tucked Elsa's hair into the coat, effectively hiding her appearance. "Are you ready?"

Elsa merely nodded and followed Anna as she made her way to the wooden stairs. Her whole body ached with its previous night's exertions, but the pain on top of her head and between her shoulders bothered her the most. She reached up to the top of her head and felt around her scalp and felt what appeared to be two wounds that were partially healed. Monster… Elsa shivered despite herself, trying to understand Anna's explanations about last night. A part of her didn't want to believe because she had few memories of the previous night. But the more rational part of her, the one that felt the healed wounds on the top of her head—well, that person did believe. That person didn't have a choice but to believe.

Once down the stairs Elsa noticed a young officer waiting for them close to the nearest horse stall. As she approached the horse in the stall began to whinny and shift on its hooves, as if sensing danger.

The Captain bowed as Anna and the Queen walked past him. "Princess Anna, if I—"

Anna waved him away. "Not now, Gunnar."

As they walked down the passageway the horses began to neigh rather loudly at them as they passed. Anna glanced over her shoulder at her sister, but Elsa didn't seem to be phased at all by the skittish beasts. She was walking as if in a daze. Despite the frightened horses the Queen and Princess made it to the outside carriage without incident. Even the guards and soldiers that were outside ignored them as they approached the carriage. Elsa was thankful for the anonymity, and the ride to the Castle was thankfully short.

Anna escorted her Queen to her rooms on the second floor of the Castle and made sure that the servants stayed away. She even checked Elsa's room before they entered it, scooting out the lone servant who was stoking the fire.

Elsa breathed a sigh of relief once inside her room and collapsed on her overstuffed chair near the fireplace. After a few awkward moments she turned her head towards Anna, who was still standing near the door. "Thank you."

Anna tentatively moved closer. "No need to thank me, Elsa. I want to help you figure this out."

The blonde sniffed at herself and then crinkled her nose. "I need a bath." When tried to get out of the chair her body protested. "I can't seem to move—my body is so sore."

"Then let me help you."

"No!" Elsa snapped. After a moment she held up her hand. "I'm sorry, Anna."

"Don't be. You've had the devil's own day, haven't you?"

"That's one way of putting it." A mirthless chuckled escaped her lips. She turned to her sister, who had walked up to her chair. "I need some hot water."

Servants brought up buckets of hot water to the Queen's bathroom and then bowed upon leaving. Anna tested the water with her hand just as Elsa was stepping into the bathroom.

"Its too hot, Elsa."

"It is? They know I don't like my baths particularly hot."

"Why not use your powers to cool it down?"

Elsa lifted her left hand—and then nothing happened. She frowned and lifted her right, and still nothing happened. She went white and her eyes widened. "Anna! My powers—"

Anna, who had been kneeling next to the tub, rose quickly and went to Elsa. "What, that's impossible—try again."

Elsa flicked her hand again at the bathtub, and still nothing. Her mouth agape, the blonde looked at her hands and shivered. "Oh, my God, Anna. This is all too real. A part of me didn't want to believe any of this—that all of it was some sort of bad dream. But, gods, Anna—I've lost my powers!"

"Hold on, Elsa, let's not jump to conclusions here." She attempted to touch her older sister but Elsa stepped back.

"Oh, Anna, something foul has entered Arendelle and now its in me."

Anna blinked. "Foul? How could you know such a thing?"

"First you tell me such a fantastic story that I barely believe it, and—my body." She indicated her crotch. "And now my powers—I don't know how else to interpret these things."

Anna swallowed hard. "I refuse to believe that you are cursed, Elsa. What cruel god would do such a thing?"

Elsa glanced at Anna before she hobbled around her towards her bathtub. "Can you help me with this coat, Anna."

When the princess lifted the coat from Elsa's shoulders she saw the scars near her shoulders, but did not know what they were. "Can you feel something on your back, Elsa?"

"Yes, I hurt around my shoulders, towards the middle of my back."

"I can see the scars—they must be from the… well, from the…"

Elsa turned her head towards her sister. "From what?"

Anna tossed the coat to the side. "I thought I saw small wings on that cre—on you—before you crashed through the window."

"Wings, good gods… help me, Anna, please." Elsa lowered her head and covered her eyes as the tears started to fall.

Anna wrapped her arms around Elsa's waist and helped into the sunken bathtub. The blonde splashed into the water and let her head fall back onto the rim. "A cruel god, indeed."

Anna sighed and sank to the edge of the tub, she reached down and took Elsa's hand, and this time, the blonde didn't pull back. "I've been far too unfair with you in the past, Elsa, but that stops now."

Elsa found a wash cloth and nonchalantly covered up her new flesh. "How have you been prejudicial, Anna?"

Anna noticed the move but chose not to comment on it. "I've always looked to you to be the strong one. Actually, I counted on it way too many times when I could have been resilient or decisive. But, let me be the strong one now, Elsa. Please let me help you with this. I'm sure we can figure this out."

Elsa smiled, in spite of herself. "Let you take care of me?"

"Oh, yes!" For the first time since the previous night, Anna felt hopeful. She squeezed Elsa's hand tighter. "Will you?"

"Of course I'll let you help me. I can't imagine I can do this on my own." The blonde grabbed another wash cloth and poured soap onto it. "Will you wash my back, Anna?"

"Of course, Elsa. Here gimme…" She took the cloth and lightly ran it over Elsa's back. "Does it hurt?"

Elsa sat up and closed her eyes. "My whole body hurts." Elsa stifled a groan as Anna's hands worked wonders on her aching back. But after a few minutes she felt a stirring below her waist, and to her horror, her body came alive at the touch. "Anna, please stop."

Anna dipped the cloth into the water to clean it. "I hurt you, didn't I?"

"No!" Elsa scooted away from Anna and slid along the tub to the other side. Something deep inside her awoke for only a fleeting moment, and a low growl escaped her throat. But just as quickly as it came it passed over her, leaving her shaking with shame—and desire. "Anna, maybe you should go."

"No, Elsa. Tell me, what is happening to you?"

Elsa squeezed her eyes shut. "My body—it's reacting to your touch."

"Oh, how is it—oh!" Anna blushed a deep red. Even though Elsa had her back to her, she knew her predicament. She flushed in embarrassment, and her heart broke for her sister. "I ought to not touch you right now, I think."

"That would be helpful!" Elsa squeaked. "I'll finish washing myself. Can you wait for me in my room, Anna? Perhaps have some tea brought up?"

"Sure, Elsa, take your time." Anna strolled out of the bathroom, deep in thought. In hindsight, Elsa was right to question the storm; it brought something vile to Arendelle, to Elsa. It had changed her, both physically and otherwise, and they needed to find a cure, fast.

Anna found a servant in the hallway and ordered tea and whiskey to be brought to the Queen's chambers and then seated herself next to the fireplace. It was going to be a long and arduous day.