Elsa stared out the window towards the Kingdom of Arendelle. The sun was going to set in a few hours.
It has been three years now, hasn't it, she thought idly. Her chest ached at the thought.
She caught sight of Marshmallow struggling to walk with his one leg. The other had been cut off by Hans in his attempt to get into the castle on that fateful day years ago.
Elsa couldn't bring herself to fix his leg, no matter how much it pained her to see him struggle. After she had hurt…her, Elsa had sworn that she would never use her powers again.
Three years ago, she had watched Kristoff leave with her reason for living, for drawing breath. After that, she had slowly made her way back to her palace of ice and isolation. She sealed all the doors shut, and there she remained.
She found relief in watching the sun rise and set on Arendelle, imagining how she was doing. Was she safe? Was she happy? Or, the one she dreaded most to think about: Was she happy with someone else?
To be honest, she felt like there was a swirling storm inside her. Sometimes she would want to break down and cry, others she would want to barge into Arendelle castle and steal her beloved away, memory be darned.
Elsa sighed in resignation, repeating the mantra that she had been telling herself for the past three years. "It's for the best. She'll be safe from me."
She was finally beginning to accept the fact that if her love was happy, then so too, was she.
That is, until she saw the rapidly approaching sleigh in the distance.
Her breath caught in her throat painfully. No…it can't be…?
The distant ice palace seemed more…lonely looking, than Kristoff remembered.
"Why are we going to the North Mountain Kristoff?" Anna asked impatiently beside him. She shivered, another piece of her hair fading to white. Over the last three years her hair had gradually lost its reddish hue; now she only had a few scarce strands of color left.
Kristoff did not take his eyes off the path before him. "You'll see when we get there." He told her.
Anna was about to pester him when she caught sight of the ice palace. It was one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen. It glistened in the light like shimmering glass, with beautiful arches and towers that touched the sky.
A sudden pain stabbed her chest and she doubled over, almost falling out of the sleigh. Kristoff's arm shot out and pulled her closer to him in order to keep her secure.
"Hang in there, Anna," he pleaded quietly, "We're almost there."
Anna nodded shakily, another strand of hair turning white.
Kristoff urged Sven to go faster. He knew that Anna's condition was bad, and getting worse by the second.
Finally they slid to halt in front of the icy edifice. Kristoff quickly hopped out and ran to the door. Anna appeared to be too weak to move, so he would have to bring Elsa out.
Unfortunately, the doors were in the same state that he'd found them in three years ago: frozen shut.
"Damnit!" he cursed, starting to bang on the door, "I know you're in there Elsa! Open the door! Anna's in trouble, she needs you!"
There was no response, but Kristoff did not give up. He kept shouting and pounding on the door. "Please Elsa! Open the door!" he begged, eyes starting to fill with frustrated tears. He knew that his fists were swollen and bleeding inside his gloves, but he did not stop.
Anna's mind had gone blank, however, the moment she'd heard those two syllables leave Kristoff's lips. El-sa…It echoed through her entire being. Elsa…Why did it sound so familiar to her when she knew she'd never heard it before? Her heart fluttered at the name, yet she could not put a face to it.
Anna stood up in a daze and slowly made her way towards the door. Elsa was in this castle…She needed to go to Elsa. At least, that's what her heart kept telling her. She had to find Elsa…
Kristoff watched in bewilderment as Ann reached out and placed her hand on the large doors. The girl looked like she was in some kind of trance.
"Anna, I don't-" he stopped when he saw Anna's snowflake pendant begin to glow. "What is-"
The ice sealing the doors shut suddenly vanished, allowing them to enter unhindered.
"Wow..." Kristoff said in awe, watching as the large doors swung open, "How did you do that?" he realized Anna had collapsed to the ground, unconscious. "Anna?!" he quickly knelt down and picked her up. She's ice cold!
He quickly carried her into the castle. "Elsa? Elsa! Where are you?!"
Elsa felt it. Felt her.
Anna's here…That was the first time in three years that she allowed herself to speak her name, even if only mentally.
"Elsa? Elsa! Where are you?!" she heard Kristoff's frantic voice and knew that something must be very wrong.
She immediately left her chambers and descended the stairs. If Kristoff was this worried then something must've happened. Something horrible.
She quickened her pace, only to stop dead in her tracks when she caught sight of them. Kristoff stood there, his desperate eyes meeting hers. In his arms was the love of her life, weak and dying.
"Anna!" she didn't even notice the horrified shout as it left her throat. Elsa practically flew down the final flight of stairs to reach them.
"Elsa please," Kristoff pleaded, "You have to save her."
Elsa stared at the girl and shook her head frantically. "I can't I…I don't know how!" Fear washed over her in waves and her power began to fight its way free of her control.
Anna stirred slightly, her body shivering. Elsa quickly tried to calmed herself.
It was then that the older girl suddenly noticed how pretty Anna had become over their time apart. Of course, Elsa had always found Anna pretty, but now that the girl had matured she was…well, beautiful.
"May I," Elsa cleared her throat, her voice sounding thick, "May I hold her?"
Kristoff blushed slightly, nodding once. He realized that Elsa had only grown more attractive as the time passed; something he had thought was impossible. The woman before him resembled an icy goddess; the picture of sophisticated grace.
Elsa reached out and gathered Anna carefully into her arms. She had never felt so elated and saddened at the same time. She was finally able to hold her again, but at what cost?
Tears welled up in Elsa's tortured blue eyes before spilling down over soft snowy cheeks. She fought off a sob. She couldn't save her. Anna was going to die and she was powerless to stop it. Why couldn't it have been me? Why can't I share this burden?
Little did Elsa know, a sphere of light had enveloped both of them. Kristoff watched in awe as Anna's hair completely regained its vibrant color and her skin became rosy once more. It was as if they were breathing life back into each other, and Kristoff swears that it was one of the most magical things he's ever seen.
Anna's eyes fluttered open lazily to find that she was in the arms of a beautiful woman she'd never seen before. Her hair was a snowy blonde hue and rested in an elegant braid upon her shoulder. Her teary eyes were an icy blue, yet held a gentle warmth to them amidst the sadness. Anna knew this woman, she was sure of it. Something about her was so familiar it made her heart throb against her chest. Anna tried to organize her thoughts and focus, but her mind felt murky and muddled.
"She's awake!" she heard Kristoff's voice exclaim.
The woman's eyes suddenly stared directly into hers, and Anna felt her breath catch in her throat. Her heart was fluttering like crazy. Or maybe it was just the fact that her mind felt incredibly hazy from being out.
"Anna…" The woman sighed in relief, "Thank goodness you are alright."
Even her voice is familiar…Anna had never felt so confused in her life. Her mind told her that she'd never met this woman, but her heart was shouting the opposite.
"How do you know my name?" she asked curiously, her voice sounding lower than normal.
Apparently Anna had asked the wrong question because a pained look passed over the woman's face before she abruptly pulled away.
She looked up at Kristoff. "Now that she's well again, you both need to leave." She stated coldly, her hands clutched tightly to her chest.
Kristoff's brow furrowed. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if she relapses?"
The woman shook her head and backed away from them. "It's not save here, for either of you. Please…"
Kristoff looked upset. "We don't have choice, Elsa. Do you remember the part of the prophecy that said: 'the ice shall fester when apart'? It was talking about you and Anna, I'm sure of it."
Anna rose to shaky feet. She didn't really understand the current conversation, her brain would not allow it. Her gaze was locked on the woman before her. "You're Elsa?" she whispered. Her foggy mind was still struggling to process everything that was happening.
The woman nodded, her expression neutral. "And you're Anna."
"Please, Elsa," Kristoff broke into their moment with his plea, "You're the only one who can keep Anna alive. She needs to stay here."
"And how do you expect me to just keep her here?" Elsa asked, her tone riddled with uncertainty, "She's the Princess of Arendelle. What about her kingdom? Not to mention the fact that you'll be executed for assisting in her abduction."
Kristoff steeled himself. "She's even less use to them if she's dead." he reasoned sternly.
Conflict was easily read in Elsa's face. He certainly had a point. A point with which she could make no argument. Anna's safety was her top priority, after all. But could she really trust herself to keep Anna safe? But then again, what other choice did she have?
Anna watched as the taller woman paced the room in thought. Elsa finally turned to them, her expression pained.
"Very well," she reluctantly acquiesced, "She can stay…" she sounded pained as she said this. "Also, Kristoff?"
"Yes Elsa?"
"When you return to Arendelle, I do not want you to take any of the blame for this."
Before he could object, Elsa held up a hand to silence him. "If you must give an explanation, tell them that she was taken by the 'Wicked Ice Witch'." She smiled ruefully at her own words. I might as well take advantage of my reputation.
Kristoff nodded solemnly. "I'll be back tomorrow." He promised and then left.
When the doors closed, Anna finally snapped out of her sleepy daze. "Wait a second!" she exclaimed, "Did he just leave me here?!"
Elsa fought off a smile. She's just as adorable as I remember. "Yes," the blonde answered calmly, "It seems that staying with me will sustain your health…how are you feeling, by the way?"
Anna smiled widely. "I feel great actually! Which is kind of odd considering I'm kinda stuck in a castle with a stranger- Oh! Not that you're strange or anything, I meant that I just don't know you is all. Oh, but I would like to, uh, get to know you that is. Now who's strange? Me, that's who! I mean, who in their right mind would think that you're strange? You're gorgeous! Wait, what?"
By the end of her rambling, Anna was blushing darker than her hair.
Elsa smiled genuinely. "Thank you, Anna." She paused in thought, "If you would excuse me a moment, I would like to prepare you a room."
"Uh, thanks," Anna was still blushing like mad, "Nice castle, by the way."
Even in a palace made of ice, Anna could still feel her face burn in embarrassment. Real smooth, Anna...
Hi everyone! I didn't want to keep you good people waiting so here it is! Okay now, honesty time. I'm a little worried about the quality of this chapter...call it writer's insecurity, I guess. Did you guys like it? I hope so...Anyway, next chapter: Let the Elsanna begin! :)