Elsa POV

One of the virtues of being queen of Arendelle is that I have the opportunity, and am required to, wake up just after dawn. Now this idea may not appeal to most people, but I have always been one to operate more efficiently when I am able to embrace my day on my own terms at my own pace. I like to wake up and initiate my duties without anyone beckoning me. I prefer to have my servants know that I am self-sufficient and well-qualified for my position as their queen.

Anna, on the other hand, has always been somewhat of a free spirit. She may have been severely limited throughout her childhood, as have I, but she prefers to be woken by Kai or Gerda and go about her day at her own pace, dealing with whatever is thrown her way. Anna goes with the flow, whereas I plan and conquer. These contrasts parallel our personalities, but they are also responsible for our well-balanced relationship as sisters.

Despite how spontaneously Anna embraces her day, I'm surprised to find that she has yet to arrive for breakfast by the time I have completed my meal. I frown at my empty plate, which is now being cleared, and wonder where my vivacious sister is keeping herself. Not that she hasn't overslept before in the past, but surely one of the servants would have aroused her by now.

I think back to the night before and remember how tired Anna had been just before Kristoff had carried her up to bed. She had barely touched her dinner and as I continue to think about it, she looked rather pale as we sat reading books in the study, her eyes clouded and unfocused. I frown, growing more and more worried as time goes on. I'm just about to rise from the table to fetch her when Gerda approaches me with a furrowed brow.

"Ah, good morning, Gerda," I say warmly, offering her a friendly smile. "I was just about to ask you if you've seen Anna at all yet this morning."

Gerda shuffles nervously before me. "Yes, your majesty, I have," she says meekly. "However, she still remains in bed at the moment. The princess had taken ill earlier this morning and I believed it to be in her best interests to rest just a little while longer before I went up to check on her."

Damn.

My brow furrows with worry. "Ill, you say?"

"Yes, your majesty," Gerda says quietly. "She raced down the hall to the bathroom at around 4:00 am and became ill. I offered to assist her, but she insisted that she was fine and returned to bed."

Sounds like Anna.

"Alright, thank you, Gerda," I say, rising from my seat. "I will take it from here. You may continue with the rest of your duties."

Gerda offers me a warm smile and nods once. "Yes, your majesty. If you need anything at all, I will be more than willing to help."

"I know you are, Gerda," I return the smile, grateful for she and Kai's service to our family over the years. "And for that we thank you."

Gerda dips her head and scuttles away on her short, stumpy legs. I watch her go before I turn and make my way up the stairs to deal with my troublesome sister. Despite knowing that my sister is probably feeling miserable, I cannot help but feel amused by this turn of events. After all, this was a classic example as to why you don't run through the snow in only a knee-high dress.

Suppressing a chuckle, I pause before Anna's door, reflecting on how this must have been how my sister felt when she waited outside my room for all those years, uncertain as to how the other was and whether or not they were alright.

I knock a few times and call out softly, "Anna,"

When I receive no response, I carefully and quietly turn the doorknob and slip into my sister's room. Right away I can tell that something is wrong. The air is stuffy and lingers with a sour scent that I can't quite place. Anna's bedspread has been thrown this way and that and I can only assume that beneath an enormous mound of twisted blankets is where my sister dwells.

"Anna," I murmur, crossing the room toward her bed.

I manage to locate the upper half of her body, wrapped impressively around the covers, her head half-obscured by her strawberry blonde hair. I catch a glimpse of her pale face, noticing how flushed her cheeks are.

"Anna?" I whisper, worry etched in my features.

I brush away sweaty locks of her hair from her forehead only to find that she's running a high fever. I gather her face in my hands, my heart pounding steadily with fear, suddenly feeling very anxious about my sister. All of my previous amusement is banished from my mind as I take in the sickly appearance of my little sister.