Anna finished her bowl of stew and placed it back on the table. After that, she very carefully unwrapped the Codex Regius and turned it to the first page to find more of her mother's handwritten notes. She turned the book towards Elsa. "Do you recognize the script, Elsa?"

The Queen munched on a chunk of cheese. "That's mother's handwriting." She gently edged the book closer by dragging it by the cloth. "Oh, my, I recognize this book, indeed. I remember sitting on her lap while we both read it. This is how I learned Latin. But I don't remember her leaving notes in it."

Anna thought about it for a few moments. "Maybe she wrote those after you two read it together. They seem to be directed towards you."

"Let me see." Elsa glanced over the first sentence. "'For my Chosen One.' That's how she addressed this book, did you see this, Anna?"

"Yes I did." Anna sat back and folded her hands in her lap.

Elsa noticed this gesture. "What?"

"I'm just having a really hard time with this, Elsa. It's all so crazy—no, I don't think mother was crazy, but, gods, I just don't know anymore."

"Anna, you're not making any sense."

The princess's eyes widened. "I'm not making sense? Forgive me for being a skeptic."

Elsa continued to turn the pages until she reached a familiar poem. "Here it is, Anna, the Vafþrúðnismál. In this poem Odin questions the jötunn, Vafþrúðnir, about Fimbulwinter, and asks him what needs to take place in order to forestall it. He also inquires as to who will survive it."

"What is a jötunn?"

"What? Oh, it's a forest spirit." Elsa didn't look up from the book, and continued to read.

Anna closed her eyes for a moment, absorbing all that Elsa was telling her. "Elsa?"

"Yes…"

"Could these—forest spirits—be the trolls?"

The blonde looked up and stared at Anna, her jaw slack. "Why didn't I think of that? I mean, after all these years, I never made that connection." She got up and moved to stand in front of the fireplace, placing her hand on the mantle. "Could it really be possible? If it is, then why haven't they talked to me about Fimbulwinter and the prophecy? Why have they left me in the dark all these years?"

Anna got up and stood by Elsa. "Why don't you tell me about the survivors?"

Elsa took in a ragged breath. "Well, the myth speaks of Líf and Lífþrasir. Líf is an Old Norse feminine name meaning, well, 'life' or 'the life of the body'. Lífprasir is the masculine for 'lif's lover' or 'the lover of life.' I'm surprised that I still remember all this, Anna."

"So, does that mean people will survive this 'end of the world'? Then the whole world doesn't come to an end?"

"No, that's not what it means at all. Líf and Lífprasir survive in a hidden forest during the Fimbulwinter—the Hoddmímis holt—and emerge unscathed to re-populate the land."

Anna sighed. "I'm confused. So, its not really the end of all things?"

"But, Anna, you are missing the entire point of this conversation. What does all of this have to do with me? That's the question I need the answer to. Because I have a nagging feeling that I won't be in that forest, and neither will you." Elsa ran her hand over her head, and winced. "Those bumps still really hurt, a lot."

"Here, let me see." Anna took hold of Elsa's head and gently parted her hair where the bumps were. The wounds seemed to be healing but now two small bony protrusions appeared at the center of each wound. Anna ran her fingers over them, and then released her sister's head. "Oh, Elsa."

Elsa's head snapped up. "What?"

"I think its time to see the royal physician."

The blonde grabbed her sister's arms. "No, no. That is unacceptable. I thought we were going to figure this out on our own." She dragged her sister over to the small table. "We have the book. All we have to do is find the answer."

Anna sighed, raking her hand through her hair. "Elsa, I need to see your back."

"Why?"

"I have a suspicion."

The blonde stared at her sister for a few moments, and a small amount of fear crept up into her bones. "Alright." Her eyes never left Anna as she unbuttoned her blouse. It fell to the floor by her feet. "What are you looking for?"

"I don't know, yet. Please turn around."

Elsa did and Anna's hand went to her mouth at what she saw. Two small vertical slits appeared between the Queens' shoulder blades. Anna ran her finger over one slit and was able to separate the skin. She looked inside and saw a dark leather-like 'skin' between the folds. Anna swallowed hard and resisted the sudden urge to vomit.

"Can you feel this?" Anna tugged at the dark skin.

"Yikes!" Elsa abruptly whirled around. "What did you do? That really hurts." Her tirade stopped at the look on Anna's face. "Tell me."

Anna went white, and could not find the words to express what she was currently feeling. She was horrified and more than just a little sick to her stomach. But before she could say anything she turned away from Elsa to collect her thoughts. One thought entered her mind—wings—and it forced her to stop being in denial. Something was horribly wrong with Elsa, ever since the previous night, and she needed to recognize it wholeheartedly so as to be a help to her, and not a hindrance. Elsa needed her now, more than ever, and she vowed to herself not to doubt her sister ever again.

Anna turned back and gathered Elsa into her arms. "I'm here for you, Elsa. I believe you, and I'm sorry for doubting you in your time of need."

Elsa closed her eyes, feeling her sister's resolve in that one embrace. "Thank you, Anna." She tightened her hold, bringing their bodies flush together.

Anna let out a deep breath and relaxed, feeling better. "I think we need to do away with that rule."

"What rule?"

"You know, our agreement not to touch." The redhead turned her head and breathed in the unique aroma that was Elsa. "I need this from you."

Elsa opened her eyes at the feeling of Anna's breath on her neck. Something inside her snapped to attention at the intimate contact, and a low growl sprung from deep within her throat. She loosened her hold on Anna before it could fully rise to the surface. "Anna, please…"

The princess did notice the change, and stepped away from her sister. "You see, nothing to be afraid of."

Elsa grabbed her shirt and put it back on, and then she sat down abruptly. She tried to hide her current state by bringing the book into her lap. "So, Anna, tell me what you found on my back."

But Anna had seen the bulge at her sister's crotch, and decided to ignore it just like Elsa was. She sat back in her own chair. "There are two open wounds on your back, Elsa, and there is something between the skin."

Elsa's complexion went even whiter. "What does it look like?"

"Well, it looks and feels like leather." Anna was quite familiar with leather, as she was used to the saddle.

"My, God, Anna. Really?"

"Elsa, if you don't want to see your physician right now we should at least consult the trolls, and find out what they know."

"It does seem like the next logical step, doesn't it?"

"Yes, and I think we should go now." Anna tried to appear authoritative. "Please?"

"Will we get back before tonight?" Elsa looked expectantly at Anna.

"I don't know, why?"

"Look at what happened to me last night, Anna, and what I became. How will you survive if something like that were to happen again?"

Anna swallowed hard. "I never thought of that—wait, what? But last night was the full moon, wasn't it? And that violent storm happened." She went over to one of Elsa's windows and opened the drape. "Look—a clear sky, with only a few white clouds. I think we need to take the chance, don't you?"

"I suppose. Anna, I'm frightened." Elsa put the book on the table and stood up, facing away from her sister. She desperately didn't want her fear to take over, because if it did she would be plagued with inaction. "What am I to do?"

Anna calmly walked over to her sister, but didn't touch her. "Then let me go alone."

Elsa whirled around, her face contorted with fright. "What? What am I to do when you are gone?"

Anna sighed and brought her hands to her face. "We're in a predicament, Elsa. Either let me go alone or come with me! Whatever we will face—we'll face it together. But if you're coming with me, you can't go dressed like that. You'll need to change your clothes."

Elsa looked down at her simple shirt and trousers. "What's wrong with the way I look?"

"You're a Queen—okay, never mind. But you do need a pair of boots and an overcoat."

"How will we get past the Royal Guard?"

"Leave that to me." Anna paused at the Queen's door. "Just give me a half hour, will you? I need to talk with someone first."

Anna had to cajole her way out of the castle without a royal guard, and walked the streets of Arendelle unmolested. The townspeople were used to her presence, as she visited often either alone or with Kristoff. She turned a corner and saw her destination, a tavern that a certain mountain man frequented often.

Kristoff downed his ale and then pointed to his stein. "Another one, please."

The barkeep shook his head. "Don't you think you've had enough, friend?"

The blonde man wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not really."

"I would say you're done for the day."

Kristoff turned at the familiar voice, his mind was a little fuzzy. "Well, if it isn't Her Highness. What brings you to town, Anna? Care to knock back a few with an old friend?"

His icy stare unsettled her. "I didn't come here to fight with you. Can we talk, please?"

Kristoff grabbed his stein and motioned for Anna to follow him to a secluded corner, by the fireplace. He sat down with a thud and took a large swallow. "What is it, Anna? Do you need another window to fix?"

Anna reached over the table to take his hand but blonde man wrapped his hands around his ale. "I'm sorry I missed you at lunch."

"I waited for you, but you didn't come, again. Look, I realize being a princess means you have a lot of duties. But—I want to spend more time with you, too."

"Will you tell me what's really bothering you, Kristoff?"

Kristoff sank in his chair, and any and all spitefulness drained from his features. "I don't belong here, Anna. We both know that I don't."

Anna felt her heart sink. "What do you mean? I thought you liked being here with me."

The mountain man smiled somewhat. "I do like it. But, sometimes I feel useless, Anna. I have no purpose here, I don't fit in at parties—I feel…"

The redhead grabbed Kristoff's hand in hers, and held it dearly. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"I need to go, find something that I'm good at. I need to work, Anna. I need to feel like I'm worth something, and I'm not finding it here in Arendelle."

The princess wiped at a few tears. "So, you've made up your mind, then? Is there anything I can do to help you stay here."

The mountain man reached over the table and wiped away Anna's tears. "I am sure, Anna. I'm going to stick around until the week is over, and then ole Sven and I are hitting the road. Winter is around the corner, and the ice harvesters will need some help."

"It that really what you want to do, return to that back-breaking work."

"Hey, it's an honest living, isn't it? But, who knows? I hear there are a lot of opportunities in the Americas."

Anna stared at the mountain man, wishing that she could confide in him all the problems of the last two days, but she couldn't. Perhaps if he did know he would agree to stay and be there for her. She wondered if she had somehow manipulated him into staying all these months. He was right, he didn't fit in with courtly life, and she had chosen to blindly ignore that fact. There would be nothing she could say to change his mind and she knew it.

There were so many things that she wanted to say, but Elsa was waiting. So she said the only thing she could. "I love you, Kristoff."

"I know, feisty pants, and I love you. I hope you know this isn't good-bye—more like, I'll see you around sometime."

Anna merely put the officer's overcoat on Elsa and placed a hat on her head. No one paid any attention to them as they rode their horses outside the city, heading southward, towards the land of the trolls. The forests were thinner and weather was more temperate in this part of Arendelle. Some say the trolls dwelt in the area because of the hot springs throughout the zone. But it was more because of the solitude, as forest creatures usually sidestepped this part of Arendelle's greater forests.

They rode in silence for quite some time, and Elsa wondered what was keeping her usually chatty sister so quiet.

Anna and Elsa rode on at an easy pace, content to enjoy the sun and each other's company. Elsa had long since given up the officer's overcoat to Anna, who was not as acclimated to the cooler weather as she was. After awhile, Elsa shifted in her saddle, trying to get comfortable.

The Queen spurred her horse to trot alongside her sister. "How are you doing, Anna?"

The redhead saw the look on her sister's face. "I'm probably doing better than you. What's wrong?"

Elsa blushed a deep red. "I can't seem to… find a comfortable position on this saddle."

"I did put your saddle on that horse, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." The Queen shifted again, and her expression changed. "But, well, how to put this delicately…"

Now, it was Anna's turn to blush. "Oh—oh, I'm sorry, Elsa." She spared a quick glance before turning away. "Does it hurt?"

"Anna!" Elsa closed her mouth and did not dare say more, lest she be the brunt of many future jokes from her younger sister. She was not hurting, but having the opposite problem. The constant friction on her new flesh was disconcerting, and driving her to distraction. "How do men do this," she mumbled.

"What was that?" Anna turned to look at Elsa.

"Nothing."

Anna stopped her horse and looked at the eastern horizon, beyond the tall horse chestnut and beech trees. Her horse sniffed at the air and became agitated.

Elsa picked up on this immediately and reined her horse to a stop. "What is it, Anna?"

The princess frowned and continued to stare at the eastern sky. "I don't know, but I feel something—just over the horizon, over there." She steadied her mare by giving it a gentle tug.

The blonde lifted her head and rose on her stirrups. "I don't see anything."

Anna petted her horse's neck. "I didn't say I saw anything. It was just a feeling, I'm sorry."

"Why are being sorry for following your instincts, Anna. I am counting on you and your intuitions to help me get through this."

The princess turned to her sister. "I know you are. But we need to avoid the east if at all possible."

"The trolls ought to be at their autumn dwellings, don't you think?" Elsa's horse started to whinny, very loudly, so Anna reached into her bag and gave it a small sugary treat. When the horse settled they headed back along their southern route.

After about an hour they began to see the evidence of hot springs, as the vegetation changed, and the foliage appeared to be greener and thicker. Their open path gave way to rocky fields, and the horses slowed down to maneuver through the new terrain. The tall beech trees were gone, and the horse chestnuts were now scattered and few.

Elsa finally stopped her horse at the first noticeable hot springs and turned towards her sister. "Do you feel like taking a rest? I would love to get off this saddle."

Anna turned her horse and looked at their surroundings. "It seems safe enough. Sure." She dismounted and tied the horse to a branch on a nearby chestnut. When she turned she noticed that Elsa had yet to get down. "Is something wrong?"

Elsa turned her head towards the east. "I'm feeling it, as well—a queer sense of—urgency." She turned her body and faced her sister. "Perhaps we should press onward?"

"That's fine by me. You were the one who said you needed a break."

The blonde fiddled with her reins. "I really do. Okay, coming down." The moment her booted foot hit the ground there was a loud clap of thunder from the eastern sky. Her horse rose on its hind legs and neighed in fright, and then took off.

Elsa was driven back when the horse reared up, and she landed flat on her back. She winced in pain and then groaned. Anna rushed to her side in an instant. "Elsa! Are you alright?"

The Queen opened one eye. "Please tell me that your horse didn't bolt."

Anna looked confused. "Why would it?"

Elsa sat up and looked at her sister quizzically. "Well, don't you think the thunder was particularly loud?"

Anna sat back on her heels and tilted her head. "Elsa, what are talking about? I didn't hear anything."

"What?" Elsa winced again as she tried to stand, and ended up on her rear again. "Why do you think my horse took off?"

"I saw you trip on your own stirrup. You then screamed and fell flat on your back. I think you frightened the animal." Anna stood and offered her hand to Elsa. "Come on."

But Elsa didn't move. She continued to stare at Anna as if she was crazy. "Anna, I did hear something and it sounded very much like thunder—in the east."

Anna nodded. "I believe you." She tucked some loose hair behind her ear and decided to redirect Elsa's attention. "I brought a snack if you're interested. No, don't try to get up. Let me bring it to you." Anna returned with her large saddlebag and pulled out a picnic blanket, which she spread out before Elsa. She then placed some cheese, bread, and pastries on it.

Elsa scooted on the blanket and tore off a rather large piece of bread and folded it over a chunk of cheese. "When did you have time to do this?"

"You know me and food—hardly one without the other." Anna sat next to Elsa and pulled out a bottle from the bag. "Want some?"

"What is it?" Elsa leered at the bottle.

Anna laughed at the look in her sister's eyes. "No, its not liquor. I swear, Elsa, you and your spirits are too much. Its just spring water."

The blonde grabbed the bottle and drank a few mouthfuls. "Thank you, Anna."

They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, saying nothing, each lost in her own thoughts. Finally, Elsa had enough, and wiped her hands clean. "Excuse me for a moment while I—take care of business." She got up and disappeared behind a huge boulder.

Anna continued to munch on an apple, and threw away the core once she was finished. She waited patiently for a few minutes for her sister to return, but Elsa didn't come back. The redhead picked at nonexistent threads on her skirt and finally looked up. "Elsa?"

There was only silence.

The princess got up and slowly approached the boulder. Her senses came alive as she felt a prickle of fear rise up from her stomach. "Come on, this isn't funny. Elsa?" She took a few more steps around the boulder and then saw the blonde about twenty feet from her, leaning against a nearby tree. Elsa had one hand on the tree and was staring at her crotch.

Anna blushed and turned away, she walked a few feet but then stopped, her curiosity piqued. When she turned around she saw that Elsa was using her other hand to slowly stroke herself. The redhead scooted further behind the boulder, and peered out from behind it. Her eyes widened and she took in a deep breath. What am I doing…?

Anna reddened again and this time hurriedly went back to the blanket. She picked up the bottle and then took a large drink, wishing that it were wine instead of water. Anna, Anna…this is your sister! What were you thinking? Anna buried her face in her hands and squeezed her eyes shut. What if she noticed? No, Elsa was too busy to notice me gawking at her.

Confused, Anna got up and started to put away their brief picnic. After a few minutes she heard a rustling behind her and saw that Elsa was coming around the boulder, looking very much relaxed and relieved. The princess turned away from her sister and loaded the blanket into the saddlebag.

Elsa picked up on her sister's nervousness. "Are you okay, Anna?"

Anna continued to buckle the straps of the bag. "I have to learn to adjust, that's all."

Elsa gently took hold of Anna's arm and turned the younger woman to face her. "What's wrong, Anna? You know you can tell me anything and I won't judge."

"When you didn't come back right away I went looking for you." Anna looked up into Elsa's eyes. "I'm sorry."

The Queen withdrew her arm. "I see." She backed up a step at Anna's expression. "I needed to—relieve the pressure, Anna. I'm the one who ought to be sorry, not you."

"Well, are you?" The question came out a little too harshly.

Elsa didn't answer right away. Hurt, she stepped away from Anna and turned from her. "Yes, I am."

Anna cringed on the inside. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Elsa, especially in her time of need. "Look, I have to get used to the idea that your body is changing. You can't help it, I know. It makes me feel so helpless that I can't do anything for you."

"You do help, Anna. You are here with me now, are you not? I don't think I could get through this if it wasn't for your help and support." She breached the gap between them and folded her arms around her younger sister. "I love you—you mixed up, crazy girl."

Anna leaned her head on Elsa's shoulder. "We need to go, before it starts getting dark."

The Queen looked around her. "It looks like I'm walking."

"Nonsense, you can ride with me."

Elsa was dubious. "How can we both fit on that animal?"

Anna batted away a fly. "Look at you; you're as thin as a rail. Believe me, we both can fit on the saddle." She mounted her mare and offered her hand to Elsa. "Come on, Elsa."

The blonde put her foot in the stirrup and grabbed Anna's hand; and then hoisted herself behind Anna. She was surprised to discover more than enough room for both of them.

Pabbie watched the east and noted the distant wail, the same loathsome sound that the Queen of Arendelle had heard. He turned his head, and saw that his fellow trolls were still curled up, resembling rocks. They didn't hear it… He wasn't shocked by this knowledge, but made resolute in his pledge to the late king and queen of Arendelle. Signs and wonders… He scratched his head and lowered his eyes; and thought about Agdar and Idun, wondering for the umpteenth time if either one had properly prepared Elsa for the upcoming trials. There was still so much that he didn't know; being so abruptly cut off from the royal family. As time went by the old oaths were forgotten, magic was done away with, and the spirits of the trees and springs fell silent. It was the way of things; change. Diplomacy replaced feudal loyalties, science trumped the reading of the stars, and people grew restless as new technologies shrunk the world into a microcosm of itself.

He looked to the east again and shuddered, the weight of many worlds falling onto his less than sturdy shoulders. But there was one thing that he was certain of.

The Queen of Arendelle was on the move, searching for answers…

Look for Elsa to go through some drastic physical changes in the next few chapters…please review.