Just as Elsa was screaming because of her impending death, and as Yggdrasil was humming at an unbearable level, Anna awoke in the small dwelling that Kristoff built next to the giant white tree. She stretched and yawned, and wondered why the tree at the center of the world was in distress. At that moment Dáinn poked his huge head inside the doorway.

The stag blinked, his deer eyes deep and russet. "We have brought the wagon to Yggdrasil, mate of Jörmungandr, so that you may eat and retain your strength."

"You may call me Anna, Dáinn." The princess swung her legs over the side of the makeshift bed and stretched again, her back aligning as she did so. She smiled at the stag. "Do you know why Yggdrasil is in distress?"

Dáinn hesitated, his intuition telling him the reason why, yet at the same time, not wanting to believe it. "Jörmungandr learns the truth, Anna." He withdrew his head and turned towards the giant white tree, taking note that the whining sound was now diminishing.

Anna emerged from the shack and smoothed out her clothing. Her eyes wandered to Yggdrasil and she yawned again. "How long has Elsa been gone?"

"Time in the Valley moves about as it wishes, Anna. I do not know how to answer your query." Dáinn shook his massive neck and hooved at the ground; he was impatient for something to happen.

Anna could feel his nervous energy. "What is it, Dáinn?"

Dáinn stole a glance at the forest beyond. "We are not used to such docility, Anna, and yearn for battle."

"So, you think it will still come to that—war, I mean." Anna walked over to the wagon and hoisted herself up into the back, looking for food.

The stag followed Anna to the wagon. "War is always on the horizon, but it has never touched us so close to home before. But do not worry over such things, as my brothers and I have sworn oaths to protect you." He turned away from the wagon and lifted his massive head to the sky, bellowing as loudly as he could.

His kin bounded from the forest beyond and ran over to him as fast as they could. Duraþrór, the fastest, arrived first and reared up on his hind legs, shaking his antlers at Yggdrasil.

"Has Jörmungandr returned?" The stag whirled around, looking wildly to and fro.

Anna poked her head outside. "No, my sister has not returned, yet."

Dvalinn and Duneyrr exchanged a meaningful glance, which did not go unnoticed by Dáinn. He approached the other stags. "What is it, brothers? What has vexed you so?"

Duneyrr lowered is head in submission. "The forest beyond is full of rumor and suspicion, brother. It seems as if the trolls have vanished." He turned his head towards Anna. "Your friend is missing, as well, Anna. We have sent word throughout the forest and beyond, to all the plains and dells therein to be on watch."

Anna dropped the apple she was holding, her expression worried. "Kristoff... oh, no… how can the trolls be missing, we saw them walk away not too—do you know, Dáinn, how long ago that was?" She sat on the wagon's bench.

"As I have said, Anna, time in the Valley of the Living Rock is fickle, it ebbs and flows as it wills."

Duraþrór trotted over to the wagon and picked up Anna's apple with his teeth and tossed it back to her. He lowered his gigantic head to that he was eye level with her, his deer eyes dark and full of concern. "Please do not worry yourself, Princess Anna. It can not be good for the baby." He offered her his nose and she scratched it.

Anna smiled at her protector, and as she was scratching his nose her eyes fell upon her own belly, and how much more distended it was. Her breath caught in her throat, and she gasped. "Oh, my…"

Duraþrór watched Anna keenly, and then sniffed at her belly. "The baby is growing."

This caught the attention of the rest of Anna's protectors. They walked to the wagon and stared at her stomach, as well, each fascinated by Jörmungandr's offspring.

Elsa fell to her knees as she dropped from Yggdrasil, and she grimaced at the pain. When she looked up she saw all the stags surrounding Anna at the wagon and was immediately concerned. Wincing, she managed to get up and hobble over to it and stood between Duneyrr and Dáinn. "What is everyone looking at?"

Anna waved her away. "They are just curious about the baby, Els—Elsa!"

The stags acknowledged Jörmungandr by rearing up on their hind legs, each roaring to the sky above; and the sounds reached to the far corners of the Valley. Yggdrasil shook, and the creatures therein scurried about, some descending to the three roots, while others ascended to the highest branches and to the perching hawk above.

Anna stood, and tried to get off the wagon, and Elsa went over to her and helped her to the ground. The stags removed themselves from the scene, and trotted over to the other side of Yggdrasil. Elsa waited for the deer to be gone before taking Anna into her arms and holding her tightly.

Anna rested her head below Elsa's chin and sighed. "I'm so glad you're back, Elsa."

"I'm happy about it, as well." The blonde shifted somewhat to accommodate Anna's swollen belly. "The baby has grown since I last saw you."

"I suppose so." Anna raised her head and looked Elsa in the eyes. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Did she find it? It was an innocent question in itself, but carried so much more meaning. Literally speaking, she did not come back with the exact knowledge she had set out to find. But she came away with so much more, a certitude that she had lacked before the journey, and an understanding of herself that was much more realistic than before. Óðinn had sought the ultimate in knowledge and wisdom, and had paid a terrible price for getting what he wished for. She was unwilling to even know what the ultimate price would be, for it was surely not the loss of her horns.

Elsa looked down on Anna, a small smile on her face. "Let's just say I came away with something unexpected."

Anna raised her eyebrows. "Yes, and that's a good thing?"

"The best of things." Elsa bent her head slowly and captured Anna's lips in a sweet kiss, expressing all of her love and devotion. Her hands ran over Anna's belly, gently giving soft caresses and reassuring pats. "I'm really tired, Anna. I feel as if I've been walking for days on end."

"Well, all I know is you've been gone for quite some time." Anna released Elsa from her embrace and then took her hands. "Elsa, we have a small problem. Kristoff and the trolls are missing."

"Missing? How do you know?"

"Duneyrr announced it just before you returned. At least, there is a rumor in the forest they are missing. I really don't know for sure." The princess stepped back from Elsa and crinkled her nose. "Elsa, you are filthy."

Elsa started walking towards the wagon. "I need to eat something before I can think of anything else." When she attempted to use her wings to help her ascent into the wagon she was stopped by a sharp pain. Her body contorted and she landed on her knees.

"Elsa!" Anna was at her side in an instant, and so were the stags.

The blonde tried to manipulate her left wing but it wouldn't cooperate with her. When she attempted to stretch both to their fullest width it only stretched about half way, and the tip was bent inwards. "Anna, please look at my left wing."

The princess moved to Elsa's back and examined both, running her hands over the warm leathery surface. "You have a large reddish streak in the left wing, Elsa, and it feels warmer than the other one." When she touched the reddish blotch the blonde winced, and her hands fisted. "What happened to this one?"

"I don't know; I have no memory of injuring it while at Mímisbrunnr."

Dáinn slowly approached Anna and looked over her shoulder at Elsa's left wing, and then sniffed at it. "I smell sickness, Jörmungandr." He took a moment to closely examine Elsa. "What happened to your horns?"

Anna gasped, just noticing that they were missing. "Yes… where are they?"

Elsa turned her head and eyed Dáinn. "I left them at Mímisbrunnr."

Dvalinn now came over to them and sniffed at Elsa's head. "Were you tricked into leaving them behind, great wyrm?"

Elsa stared, and then thought about the circumstance of their removal, and her encounter with Mímir, and remembered Óðinn's sacrifice. She noticed the stags were uneasy, and shifted on their hooves. "I… I don't think I was tricked, but I did leave their remnants at Mímisbrunnr."

Anna noticed the tension, and she turned to Dáinn. "Tell me, is there something wrong?"

"It may be nothing." The stag's eyes were still fixed on Elsa, and she squirmed a little under such close scrutiny.

Elsa finally stood again. "Anna, will you help me into the wagon… Dáinn, please take us back to the hot spring that is near Yggdrasil."

They settled into the back of the wagon as the stags guided the horses towards the hot springs. When Elsa was sure that they were not being watched she removed her dirty clothing and tossed it aside.

Anna rummaged through the remaining basket of food. "There isn't much left, but it ought to be enough for our return to Arendelle." She took out the last pieces of dried sausage and gave them to Elsa.

The blonde gladly accepted the food, and ate it much too fast. "Anna, you need to eat."

The princess grabbed some bread and cheese and showed them to her sister. "See, I am eating, so don't worry. The baby and I are fine, Elsa."

Elsa sat back, careful not to put too much pressure on her left wing. "You wouldn't believe the things I've seen, Anna." She easily caught the apple that the princess tossed her way. "I wasn't alone on my trip down Yggdrasil's root."

"Dáinn mentioned earlier that you learned the truth. What did he mean, what truth?"

The blonde hesitated, and looked deep into her sister's eyes, trying to gauge her possible reaction. "Perhaps it is not the best time to talk about it. I would rather wait until our return to Arendelle."

"Then why mention it in the first place?" Anna returned to looking inside the basket.

"You are right. I misspoke, and I'm sorry." Elsa watched as Anna rummaged through the carrier, and grieved in her heart over her possible fate, and knew she had to take action to make sure it didn't happen.

The dungeon below the barracks at Jonvar was an old medieval structure, and had not been updated or cared for in years, considering it was hardly ever used; it was dank and reeked of old blood, urine and spoiled food. Mice scatted along the filthy stone floors, each vying for the tiny scraps of food its only prisoner threw their way.

Lieutenant Ingarth sat in one of its larger cells, his only blanket wrapped tightly around him, and waited. His guards had informed him earlier that two of the Southern Isles princes were on their way to the island to interrogate him, and he had better cooperate with them.

Ingarth threw his remaining scrap of bread at the small animals and watched as they fought each other for the prize. His attention was drawn away by footsteps coming down the stairs. A man appeared at his cell door, the one who had arrested him in the city, when he was with the prostitute.

The bearded man regarded him for a long while before finally speaking. "You must be someone important in Arendelle."

Ingarth raised his brow. "You never did introduce yourself properly."

"Hilfred—General Hilfred. A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. How do you know I'm from Arendelle?" Ingarth got to his feet and dusted off his pants.

"I'm afraid your accent betrayed you. You should have hid it better, my good man." Hilfred pulled a flask out of his uniform pocket and held it up. "Drink?"

Ingarth reached through the bars and took the flask. His eyes closed as the strong liquor poured down his sore throat. "Thank you, General."

Hilfred returned the flask to his pocket. "Look, you have no reason to trust me, and I would not be surprised if you didn't. But, please don't lie to Prince Hans, he'll see right through it, and he'll make you wish you were dead. His cruel streak is the worst I've seen."

Ingarth felt a cold chill crawl up his spine. "Why are you telling me this?"

Hilfred sighed. "Because you seem to be a decent man, and I will not have your death on my conscience."

Ingarth turned away, and watched as the mice ate up his food. "I'm not a spy, Hilfred. I have nothing to offer Prince Hans—or the other one."

"Prince Roman."

Ingarth turned cold, and slowly turned back around. "What did you say?"

"Those princes ought to be here in a few hours, so, please consider what I said. Good day to you, sir." General Hilfred turned on his heel and walked away.

The Lieutenant blew out a ragged breath, all hope for getting out of this interrogation alive vanished. He leaned against a wall and closed his eyes, silently praying for a reprieve to whatever god would listen.

Elsa groaned as she lowered her sore body into the hot spring, and immediately dunked her head into the hot water. She resurfaced seconds later, shaking her head, wringing out the excess liquid. "Come in, Anna."

Anna brought at blanket over to the side of the hot spring and arranged it, and then she sat on the blanket and dunked her feet into the hot water, lowering until her back was on the soft material. "Elsa, do you think Kristoff and the trolls are really missing?"

"I don't know." Elsa wiped the perspiration off her face. "It would surely complicate matters if they were."

Anna turned her head and eyed her sister. "How so?"

"There is still a lot I can learn from Hølje, if he is still willing to help me." Elsa splashed water onto her face, and scrubbed the dirt off of her body. "The heat is helping my wing to feel better."

"I'm glad." Anna shifted on the blanket, trying to get comfortable, but could still feel small rocks and pebbles under her. "I would love to sleep in my own bed tonight."

Elsa regarded the princess for a few moments, taking note of her swollen stomach, and wondered how they were going to explain her pregnancy. "That does sound wonderful, doesn't it?"

"Can we do it? Make it back to Arendelle before nightfall?"

"I suppose we could arrive at any time we wanted." The blonde got up and carefully maneuvered out of the spring, careful not to jar her infected wing. After drying, she climbed into the wagon and rummaged through the boxes, looking for clean clothing.

Anna heard a rustling of leaves and twigs, and sat up, but there was nothing to be seen. "Elsa?" She looked all around and then finally stood up. The strange rustling of leaves continued, and the twigs just started to form a pattern when Elsa came out of the wagon.

"Did you call me, Anna?"

The winds stopped, and the twigs fell back to the ground.

Anna, wide-eyed, turned towards the blonde. "Can we go now?" She looked down at her bare feet and rolled up the blanket, not stopping to put on her shoes. After throwing the blanket at Elsa she quickly crawled up into the wagon, frightened and on edge. Elsa sat on the front bench, and after taking the reins, pointed the horses in the right direction. When they passed Yggdrasil the harts took up positions at the wagon's four corners, and dutifully followed along.

Lieutenant Aleksander sat on his warhorse on the outskirts of Eidanger, the small farming community whose sympathies allied with Arendelle, and looked through his spyglass at the nearest farm. Its men were in the fields, reaping the latest harvest while young boys worked at their sides, planting more seeds as each plant was pulled out of the ground. He looked intently at the bucolic scene, almost regretting his duty, but not quite.

Aleksander turned his head as one of his junior officers, torch in hand, steered his horse next to his. "Yes, what is it?"

The young Corporal fidgeted in his saddle. "Are you sure about this, Lieutenant? I mean, they're just farmers…"

Aleksander continued to look through his spyglass. "What is your name, young man?"

"Corporal Einar, sir."

"Do you believe in our cause, Corporal?"

"Yes, sir, I do. But these people are no threat to Weselton."

"Have you ever held a spyglass, Einar?" The Lieutenant handed the instrument to the young corporal. "Here take a look—I'll take your torch." He regarded the corporal carefully, noting his young age. "How old are you—Einar?"

"Eighteen." After taking the spyglass, Einar held it up to his eye. "What am I supposed to be looking at, sir?"

"Well, certainly not this." Aleksander lifted his single-shot pistol, pointed it at Einar's head, and fired.

Einar's horse reared up slightly at the gunfire, and the Corporal's body fell to the damp grass below.

Aleksander spurred his horse to turn around and face his cavalry. "I would certainly not begrudge any man who would wish to turn around now and head back to the Duke and his castle. But as for me, I do my Lord's bidding!"

He waited for any indication of desertion, but there was none, and his soldiers remained resolute. He tossed the torch to one of the other young men and looked down to where his spyglass had landed on the grass. "Oh, damn." He dismounted and retrieved the instrument, wiping off the blood on his uniform coat.

There was a small commotion at the nearby farm, as its inhabitants had heard the shot.

After remounting his horse, Aleksander noticed the scene and swore to himself again. He unsheathed his sword and raised it to the sky. "Ready!"

His horsemen held their torches aloft, and steadied themselves in their saddles.

"Charge!" He dropped his arm and pointed his sword at the farm beyond.

The cavalry did not disappoint him.

The sun was still high in the sky when the wagon passed the border of the Valley of the Living Rock, the winding path became more prominent, and the temperature changed drastically. The cold air was not unexpected, but the slight snow flurries were. If the stags were bothered by the cold they did not show it, but held fast to their positions, their eyes wandering to and fro, looking out for danger. They appeared to be a little skittish, as if sensing something out of the normal, but not quite placing it.

Elsa noticed their behavior, and turned her head to look at Anna. "Are you alright, Anna? Because—" She did not get a chance to complete her sentence, as Dvalinn suddenly reared up and screamed.

The hart turned around wildly, not able to get his bearings for a brief time, and continued to thrash about uncontrollably. The other stags, though, just looked at him curiously, and didn't appear to be bothered by his comportment.

Elsa, was, however, and jumped down from the wagon in an effort to calm the beast. She slowly approached the stag, and spoke soothing words as she did so. It appeared to work, and by the time she reached the animal, he had calmed enough for her to touch him reassuringly. "Are you feeling better, Dvalinn?"

The other harts moved closer to the pair, and Dvalinn looked into each of their eyes, communicating to them his unspoken thoughts. Dáinn shook his massive head in response, and turned to Elsa. "Something terrible has happened."

Elsa recoiled slightly, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. "What has?"

"War…" Duraþrór choked out the words, and lowered to his haunches.

The Queen turned inward, searching within herself for the answer, and trusting her dragon senses. What she had not realized yet, was that even though she had not actually consumed the water of Mímisbrunnr, she had let it flow over her, thus unknowingly imbuing herself with greater insight. In her mind's eye she could see crops and houses burning, people screaming as they ran, only to be either shot or chopped down by the sword.

Dáinn could perceive exactly what Elsa could, and he lowered his head in sorrow. "This is but a taste of what is to come."

Anna now slowly descended from the wagon, and looked upon the scene in utter confusion. She instinctively clutched at her swollen belly, and cautiously walked over to her sister. "Elsa?"

But Elsa was not responsive, and continued to stare into the horizon because of what she experienced. When Anna put her hand on her arm she jerked it away with a sudden ferocity. "Don't touch me!"

Anna whirled towards Dáinn. "Tell me what's going on, Dáinn, right now!"

The stag approached the princess and lowered his head to hers. "The first casualty of war, Princess Anna, and Jörmungandr is grieved beyond measure."

The princess felt her heart clench, and she turned again to her sister, but Elsa had walked off a few yards, and was standing by herself, her normally straight shoulders were sagged, and her wings drooping. "A casualty of war? Is someone dead? Will someone tell me what has happened?"

Elsa finally turned around, and locked gazes with Anna. "I will not speak of such things with you, Anna. There are some things that are mine alone to bear. But I have been idle for far too long, and that stops today. Get in the wagon, Anna, it is time to move along." She turned to Dáinn. "You appear to be the de facto leader of your brethren, Dáinn, is this true?"

"You are wise, Jörmungandr."

"I'm assuming you can make your way to Arendelle without any problems?"

The stag shook his antlers. "Yes, I can."

"Good, then I want you to go there immediately and ask for Master Kai. When you find him tell him all about Eidanger and have him summon General Urban to the city at once; I'll need to meet with them right away—and Admiral Crispin needs to be there, as well. In fact, all of Arendelle's nobles should be informed so have Kai send out letters to them at once."

Anna paused at the wagon entrance. "Are you sure Kai will believe him, Elsa?"

Dáinn's eyes widened. "Yes, Jörmungandr, why will he want to believe me?"

"Tell him I said, 'general order number five.' He'll know then that these orders are from me. Oh, and another thing, I want Arendelle's Royal Guard to be put on maximum alert; can you remember all of this, Dáinn?"

"Of course, I can." The hart reared up on his hind legs and called out to the sky, and with a tremendous burst of speed, he was gone.

Elsa looked at the other stags and frowned. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go with him!"

They were gone in the time that it took Elsa to blink. She let out a huge breath and wanted to collapse where she stood but thought better of it, for Anna's sake. "I'm sorry if I offended you, Anna."

Anna poked her head out of the wagon's entrance. "Why would I be affronted?"

Elsa blushed a little. "Because I was being abrupt, and commanding towards you."

The princess merely smiled. "That's okay, Elsa. I realize that sometimes you just need to be, for propriety's sake."

Elsa walked to the wagon and climbed aboard; she picked up the reins and directed the horses to move along the path. When she was sure they were heading in the right direction she secured the ropes to the bench and climbed in back. "Thank you for being patient with me, Anna."

Anna tried to get comfortable, but couldn't quite do it. "Can you find some more blankets, Elsa?"

The blonde crawled to the back of wagon and began opening boxes. "I found two more." She folded the blankets and moved to Anna, and then placed them behind her back. "Is that better?"

Anna snuggled down and smiled. "Yes, it is, thank you."

Elsa crawled between Anna's legs and settled down between them. She lay her head beside Anna's belly and then began to gently caress it. "How is the baby?"

"Fine, Elsa. I, on the other hand, am a little worse for wear—I look pregnant now. How am I going to walk Arendelle looking like this?"

"With your head held high as always?"

"You think this is funny, don't you?"

Elsa blew out a breath. "In all honesty, Anna, I know we are going to face difficulties. But I will be there right along with you when you do walk in the city, and I will support you and defend you to my last breath. I am the Queen, Anna, no one is going to look down on you when you are with me."

Anna sighed deeply. "Thank you for being so reassuring, Elsa, I really appreciate it."

Elsa continued to rub Anna's belly, the action soothing her as well as Anna.

The princess could feel Elsa's breathing change, as it was now deeper, accompanied with a small snore. She lowered Elsa to the blankets and then tucked two more under her chin. "Sleep, Elsa, you need it."

Anna sat on the bench and picked up the reins, deciding not to worry about anything at the moment, and to allow Elsa to rest. She was sure life was about to get more complicated.

As always, your comments and thoughts are most welcome.