Author's Note: First, sorry for posting so late. I had been planning to post earlier today, but I was so exhausted that I ended up sleeping in (I slept for eleven hours straight, in fact). But anyway, this chapter is starting the beginning of the end, so to speak. The climax is creeping up and there's only about seven chapters left (unless I end up adding a couple more). So, as always, thanks for the great reviews and I look forward to hearing what you guys think of this chapter. See you next week!

18. Clarity?

"Nobody wants to be alone."

–Frozen, Anna

Knock. Knock.

Elsa opened her eyes groggily, and realized after a moment that someone was knocking on the door. Glancing at the clock and outside the windows made Elsa realize it was nearly noon. Groggily, she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Who is it?" She called.

A small voice came from outside. "It's me, Elsa. Can I come in?"

Elsa recognized her sister's voice, even through the thick door. Suddenly, she remembered everything that had happened the previous night. Their argument. Hadyn. Jain. Everything had been so crazy. How had she forgotten all that had happened.

"Come in," Elsa called out cautiously.

The door creaked open as Anna entered sheepishly, hanging her head.

"Are you alright?" Anna asked. "I've been waiting in the hallway for hours hoping you'd come out."

Elsa blinked, recalling that Anna would do the same thing when they were children. Shaking her head to wake herself up fully and watching Anna carefully for any anger she emitted the previous night, Elsa answered, "I must have been tired. I can't remember sleeping this long for years. Are you…alright?"

Anna nodded slowly. "I…I wasn't last night. I'm…I wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry."

Elsa patted the bed beside her. "Come here. We should talk."

Despite Anna saying she was alright, she still seemed more serious than usual. Anna simply nodded again and moved over to the bed. "Yes, we need to talk about a few things."

After Anna had sat, Elsa opened her mouth to speak, but Anna held up a hand. Oh, dear, Elsa thought. Anna still must be angry. Was she going to keep going with her plan to call off the wedding?

Despite Anna's hand, Elsa blurted out, "Please don't call off the wedding yet. I don't trust Jain. We've known Kristoff for over a year and he has never done anything—"

"I know," Anna interrupted. "I believe you."

Elsa fell silent for a second before asking disbelievingly, "You do?"

Anna nodded soberly. "I didn't when I got up this morning. I was so upset and confused last night. I couldn't imagine Jain lying and I was so angry that you didn't take my side. But then…" Anna quieted.

"Then?" Elsa asked a moment later when Anna didn't finish her sentence.

Anna looked intently at her sister, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Elsa, do you like Hadyn?"

Elsa blinked. "Where is that come from? I…I…" She paused. She had been about to deny all attraction towards the fire prince, but she couldn't lie to her sister or to herself. Despite how she hated to admit it, over the two weeks she had known him, she had found herself feeling drawn very much to Hadyn. He was untrustworthy and he jabbed at her darkest parts she didn't reveal to anyone. And yet, she had wanted him to kiss her last night. Elsa looked away from her sister.

"I was afraid of that," Anna said finally.

Elsa looked back at her, her brow furrowed. "Afraid of what."

"That you liked him." Anna drew closer. "I…I overheard Hadyn talking to his cousin this morning."

Elsa's expression darkened. "Really? What did they say?"

Anna's face reddened in embarrassment. "They made me realize how stupid we are both being."

"Anna, I just woke up and am not in the mood for riddles. Can you explain?"

Anna sighed and explained. "I was really upset this morning so I decided to get some fresh air. I went to the roof and…well, I happened to right above Jain's room. I heard Jain and Hadyn talking on the balcony. I didn't catch it all, but I heard something about a bet they had."

"A bet?"

Anna nodded. "To have Hadyn marry you. It sounded as if Hadyn was upset about it and wanted to leave Arendelle. I didn't get why. And Jain—" Anna gripped her fists in anger, "—I was wrong about him. I thought he was nice, but…"

Elsa was shaking from anger on the edge of her bed, listening to her sister's words. "But?" She demanded.

"Jain has a mission from Hadyn's father. I didn't hear enough to know what it might be, but it sounded like he wanted to hurt you. I heard one part clearly. He planned for Hadyn to break down your heart's defenses and distract you by destroying my happiness."

Elsa's hand went up to her mouth, but her hand was shaking so much she couldn't fully cover her mouth without whacking her hand against her nose. Behind her hand, she asked, "What did they say then?"

Anna shook her head. "I don't know. They went inside after that. Plus, I could only hear bits and pieces. Oh, Elsa, don't you see what this means." She smiled. "Kristoff didn't cheat on me. It was all Jain trying to pollute my mind!"

Elsa felt happy for her sister. The misunderstanding was cleared up. However, her heart didn't feel as relieved as it should have been. Hadyn…she had been right about him from the beginning. This was all a game to him. She should have listened to her head. Elsa clenched her fists and tried to smile for her sister.

Anna, however, read right through her. Taking her older sister's hand, Anna exclaimed, "Oh, how can I be so unfeeling! It is my fault about Hadyn. I encouraged you to like him. If I hadn't…"

Elsa reached up and patted her sister's cheeks, hiding her discomfort. "Don't worry about it, Anna. All I want is your happiness. Yes, I'll admit I did like Hadyn a bit. But he did not reach deep enough into my heart to break it. He only scratched the surface, and I will be alright. What is more important is that you go talk to Kristoff. Explain everything. He was so worried about you when I saw him last night."

Anna grinned, but almost immediately buried her face in her hands. "Oh, but I'm so embarrassed! I was such an idiot. How can I face him? I should just dig a deep hole and bury my head in there!"

Laughing, Elsa hugged her sister. "Oh, Anna, stop! We'll go talk to him together then, alright?"

Anna nodded.

Ten minutes later, Elsa was dressed and they headed downstairs in search of Kristoff, swinging hands as they went. Anna was bounding again, something she hadn't done for quite a few days.

Suddenly, however, Anna froze and Elsa glanced around her to see Jain approaching. She felt Anna's grip on her hand tighten.

"Your majesty, your highness." Jain bowed. "I hope you slept well last night."

Anna opened her mouth, looking like she was about to verbally attack him, but Elsa tugged on her sister's hand. Luckily, Anna took the hint and kept her mouth shut.

"We are well. And you?" Elsa responded politely.

"Never better. However, I do have some bad news."

"What might that be?" Elsa returned.

Jain's eyebrows rose as he glanced between the sisters, perhaps wondering why Anna was acting so stiff. However, his words were directed towards Elsa. "It is about my cousin. A letter arrived early this morning calling him urgently back to our country. He left immediately."

Elsa followed Jain's action and raised her eyebrows. "Indeed. Why did you not go with him?"

Jain shrugged. "I thought someone should stay to attend the wedding. That is," he glanced pointedly at Anna, "If there is going to be a wedding."

Anna raised her nose indignantly in the air. "Yes, there will be. Thank you for your concern. Now, excuse us, we were just about to get something to eat."

Taking Elsa firmly by the hand, Anna pulled her away.

Once they were out of earshot, Anna burst out, "How can he be so brazen! I just want to wring his neck!"

Elsa shook her head, concerned. "Anna, you say you didn't hear what Jain's plan leads to."

"No, why?"

"Because something isn't right. Hadyn simply leaves, when his plan was to marry me. Something doesn't sit right."

"No, that's true. Maybe he felt guilty for lying to you," Anna suggested.

"Possibly," was the only word Elsa could think to say, though she didn't believe it herself. Brightening her face, she turned to her sister, "But, for now, let's go talk to Kristoff!"

Anna grinned and agreed.