Chapter XVII: Anna's Other Sister

Shade raced through the city with Kai on him. Kai was always paying attention to the snow in front of them, looking at the trail of prints in it. He saw two different pairs of hoof prints, and Kai instantly knew that it was Sven and the other horse, Maximus. But, something was odd about the prints. He noticed actual human footprints also on the ground in front of them. Kai slowed down his horse in the middle of a path in the city. Kai stopped Shade and he got off of the horse.

He knelt down on the ground to examine the footprints further. Kai knew that the difference between Sven's and Maximus' prints; Sven' prints were larger than that or the horse. He noticed that Sven's prints were spread out from each other as in there was a fair distance between the prints. Maximus' prints were also like that, meaning both if the horses were sprinting.

The human prints Kai was looking at were both small, meaning they belonged to a woman's. There were two different pairs of prints, both had a different pattern. Kai knew they belonged to Anna and Rapunzel. The prints weren't that farly spread from each other, telling Kai that the girls weren't exactly sprinting, but they weren't close enough to show that they were walking. Kai deduced that they were both jogging at a pace.

Kai realized a contradiction between the animals' prints and the girls' prints. Though the animal prints were near the girls' prints and it seemed as they were going together, how could they be traveling together if the girls were jogging at a constant pace and the animals' were sprinting at a constant pace.

Kai also noticed that the animal prints looked much more "fresh" and recent than the girls' prints. There was no possible way they traveled together and Kai deduced that. Anna and Rapunzel weren't with Sven and the horse, Kai told himself, meaning they weren't with Kristoff and Eugene. The prints showed that the animals were in a rush. Kai then assumed that Kristoff and Eugene were chasing after the girls, just like Kai was doing.

People would be surprised about the knowledge Kai held about tracking. Kai learned this all when he was a child, working for King Lyre and his bandits. The snow made it easy for anyone to track someone down, but Kai's knowledge gave him exact details. Unskilled trackers would just follow the prints but Kai would not only just follow them, but he would also analyze them, knowing the full truth of what happened.

Kai got back on Shade and ordered him forward. Shade galloped and went into the direction Kai willed him to until Kai stopped him at the entrance to the forest. Ahead of them was a wide, open path surrounded by trees. Kai could see the prints in the snow ahead of them. The prints still matched the girls' and Sven's and Mazimus'.

Kai looked behind him. He wondered why he would bother going if Kristoff and Eugene were doing the same things as he was. Then, he remembered that they weren't as skilled trackers as Kai was. The probability that they were to make a mistake was fairly high. If Kai continues on his search, finding the girls would be a guarantee. Kai looked back in front of him and ordered Shade forward.

The horse sprinted as fast as it could.

The straight path seemed to lead on forever. Anna and Rapunzel have been walking it for hours. They hoped for at least one turn or change in direction, but the path was still straight. Since they left a few hours earlier than Kristoff and Eugene, their head start was massive. Even though their husbands were riding animals, they were a fair distance away from the girls.

The feet of both girls hurt. They both wanted to just sit down and rest for a moment, but they were in a rush. They didn't have any time to waste. Lives depended on them. Plus, the forest was filled with many dangers. If wasn't safe staying in the same place for a while.

Although exhausted and in pain, Rapunzel was admiring the snow. She opened her mouth for the snow flakes that fell down, catching them with her tongue. She played with the snow using her feet, making strange patterns in it as she walked. She was enjoying herself more than Anna was. Anna looked behind her at Rapunzel and raised her eyebrow.

"Having fun there?" Anna asked Rapunzel.

"Snow is beautiful." Rapunzel said.

"Have you never been to the snow before?" Anna asked.

Rapunzel shook her head. There were so many things in the world that Rapunzel had yet to see. Being confined in her tower for around eighteen years limited her experiences. There were so many places she hadn't been and things she hasn't done. It never really snows in Corona, so when Rapunzel entered Arendelle, that made it the first time she went to the snow.

Rapunzel was enjoying herself at despite the circumstances. That was a quality Anna admired and shared. But somehow, Rapunzel was acting more like a kid than Anna was even though Rapunzel was about three years older.

"People would have woken up by now." Anna said. "The look on their faces when they realize we're gone..."

"They must have been priceless." Rapunzel smiled. Rapunzel then did her best to try to imitate what Eugene would have looked like when he found out. Her mouth as wide open, her eyes were widened with her eye brows high. She then took her hands and put them over her cheeks. Anna giggled at Rapunzel's funny face.

"I bet Krisoff would've looked like this." Anna said. Anna opened her mouth wide opened and twitched her eye. She grabbed her braided hair, one braid in each hand, and pulled them away from each other. Rapunzel managed a long giggle.

It was miraculous that they were able to laugh during a quest as important as this one. But, they needed some laughs during their quest to remind themselves who they were. They couldn't lose their personality during their adventure and become serious. They wouldn't lose themselves as long as they both had a fun loving personality, even when that personality wasn't exactly the most useful during a rescue mission.

The girls put back on they're straight faces and focused on the path ahead of them.

Anna knew that Elsa would send someone to retrieve her, and so she had to watch her back. If Anna and Rapunzel were caught, that was game over and their journey would be for nothing.

Anna thought of the fact that maybe the sent guards would have returned home by now with the monarchs and representatives, and when Anna got to the location, there would be nothing there waiting for her. Anna feared that that might be the case. But, she also thought of the probability that the guards had not rescued them yet. She also thought of the probability that the given location was a phony. There were so many things Anna wasn't sure of, and that didn't give her any comfort.

Though there was only a small chance that Anna's journey would be of any use, she had to at least make sure. If this journey were to be for nothing, she wanted to be confirmed at that by going to the location and seeing it for herself.

Anna looked at Rapunzel and the look she had told that she was having the same thoughts. Rapunzel was just as unsure of their usefulness as Anna was. But, who knows? The guards traveled in a large group, meaning more stops and rests, catering to the needs of a few. Perhaps Anna and Rapunzel could reach the location before the guards did. Maybe they could save the kidnapped people all by themselves?

To the girls, one thing was for certain. They would not return to Arendelle until they help rescue the kidnapped or find that they were not there.

"Anna?" Rapunzel asked.

"Hm?"

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Rapunzel asked. They have been traveling endlessly for the past few hours and they haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. Rapunzel was beginning o doubt Anna's guidance. Rapunzel knew Anna didn't know the exact route, but now she wasn't sure if Anna even knew she was looking for.

"Kristoff told me that it's a flat land area. Probably covered in snow." Anna answered.

Rapunzel looked around and found snow everywhere.

"That's not very specific." Rapunzel said.

"We should just follow the path until we find a large flat area with no trees." Anna said. "I have no idea what's waiting for us there, but that's where we need to go."

"So, the fate of my parents rest on your guesses?" Rapunzel asked.

"Pretty much." Anna said.

Rapunzel stopped in her tracks and Anna looked back to look at her. So many things were going around in her mind right now, and Anna couldn't read them. Anna didn't know if Rapunzel was scared or unsure. Then, Rapunzel shrugged and said "Alright."

The girls kept walking and continued with their stories. Rapunzel was the first one to tell hers. Rapunzel revealed to Anna her life story about how she was separated from her parents by Mother Gothel and how she was raised by her for eighteen years. She then explained her encounter with her husband, Eugene, who was known to her as Flynn Rider when they met. She told Anna about her dream about seeing the floating lights and how she made a deal with Eugene. She then told about Gothel's demise and ended her story with her wedding.

"The wedding my parents were going to?" Anna asked.

Rapunzel looked at her feet. "Yes..." She said quietly.

"It's not your fault." Anna told Rapunzel.

"I don't need to be reminded of that." Rapunzel said. "Let's change the subject. What's your story?"

Anna then explained her story. She first talked about how close she was with Elsa when they were small children, but then told Rapunzel about how Elsa accidentally struck her head with her powers. She then talked about how Elsa kept her distance for the next thirteen years. Then, she spoke about Elsa's Coronation Day and how she thought it was going to be the best day of her life.

"That's the day I met Hans." Anna said.

"I heard about him." Rapunzel said. "Isn't there some bad blood between you and him."

"Not just me." Anna said. "I think he's responsible for all of this."

"What makes you say that?"

"I'll continue my story and you'll see. So, where was I?" Anna asked.

"You were talking about meeting Hans."

"Oh, that's right. So, later that day I got engaged with him, and-"

"Woah, wait." Rapunzel said. "You got engaged to a guy you just met?"

Anna nodded. "Not necessarily the smartest move but-"

"That day!?" Rapunzel asked to which Anna nodded to.

"Can we just get back to my story?" Anna suggested, sick of getting the same reaction from everyone.

"Who does that?!" Rapunzel asked.

"Actually, a lot of princesses do it." Anna answered.

Rapunzel put her finger on her cheek and looked at the sky. She was thinking about Anna's statement. She realized that was true. There were so many stories about princesses marrying the person they just met in the name of "true love". It seems that Anna wasn't the only one. But, Rapunzel still believed that one should wait to get married. Even Rapunzel waited a few months for her marriage.

"Are we done talking about this?" Anna asked.

Rapunzel nodded and Anna continued her story. She continued with telling Rapunzel about how Elsa revealed her powers to everyone when she got mad at Anna after finding out about the engagement. She then spoke about going on a journey to find Elsa where she met Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf. She then talked about how Elsa struck Anna's heart and how she learned that only an act of true love could save her. She talked about how she learned of Hans' true self when she got home. She then talked about how her heart was thawed by protecting Elsa from Hans.

That was the end of Anna's greatest adventure, but then she spoke about what happened next. She talked about how she fell in love with Kristoff, waited a few months to get married, and their wedding day.

"That must have been a romantic day." Rapunzel said.

"Actually, about that. Before we were officially named husband and wife, Kai kind of crashed in."

"The Captain of the Guard?" Rapunzel asked.

"Well, back then, he wasn't our Captain of the Guard. Travis Summers held that position."

"Who's that?"

"Just listen."

Anna continued talking. She told about how the wedding was cancelled but the party was still going on. She then revealed that she was kidnapped by Bandits and how Elsa and Kai went on a journey to save her. She then told Rapunzel how Kai used to be a Bandit and how Travis Summers was a Bandit. She talked about being held captive by King Lyre and how Elsa was also kidnapped. She talked about how she was able to convince Lyre to change his ways and free the girls so that Elsa could stop an eternal winter in Teranhall. Anna then told Rapunzel about her wedding in the woods, with a troll as the priest.

"Then we thought we lived happily ever after." Anna said. "But then, Kai went missing was thought to be dead for three months. Elsa isolated herself once again for those months. When Kai came back, we were all happy again. Then, the war stuff came."

"And we find ourselves here." Rapunzel finished for Anna, giving a sad look.

Anna moved back to walk next to Rapunzel and she put her hand on Rapunzel's shoulder.

"Lighten up, will ya?" Anna said. "All we need to do is save a bunch of dignitaries from a group on maniacs who are led by a super skilled warrior and his lover. Plus, we also need to find a way to these maniacs. All of this to prevent the destruction of a kingdom. Also, we may or may not have people chasing after us."

"Sounds easy enough." Rapunzel smiled. Anna explained the situation so casually like she did that for a hobby. "So, is there anything I should know about Elsa?"

"She has ice powers." Anna said, as if people have not been talking about it.

"I know that, but what else?" Rapunzel asked.

"Well, she's pretty nice and sweet when she's in a good mood. She usually is, but in times like these..."

"Got it." Rapunzel said. "What about Kai?"

"He has fire powers." Anna said.

"I've heard a little about that." Rapunzel said. "I'm assuming the two are a couple." Anna nodded. "Are they married?" Rapunzel asked.

Anna shook her head. "They're together, but not married. Not enough time has passed."

"Ah." Rapunzel said.

The girls kept walking until Rapunzel fell, tired. Anna sat down next to her, also exhausted. They didn't know how much further the place was, but they feared that they had to find out. Anna looked ahead of them to find that the straight path ended about a few meters ahead of them. Anna tapped Rapunzel's shoulder and pointed at it. The path then split into two directions; one going left and the other going right.

"That's great and all," Rapunzel said, "but there's one problem. Do we go left or right?!"

Anna's smile faded and her eye was twitching. They had to make the right choice. They had no idea where each path went, and if their guess was wrong... They could only think on the positive side. They couldn't make a wrong guess. Arendelle depended on it.

Rapunzel looked at Anna and saw the distressed face she had. Rapunzel was more used to the cheerful face Anna always kept but now that was gone. Rapunzel didn't want to lose the Anna she knew. Even though now wasn't really the time that called for it, Rapunzel wanted to put a smile back on Anna's face. She felt that she needed to take the part of an older sister and keep Anna happy.

Rapunzel got up and jogged to the side of the path, behind a tree. Only Anna was left on the path.

"What are you doing?" Anna asked Rapunzel, looking at the tree she was hiding behind.

Rapunzel's hand appeared from the side of the tree with a snowball in it. Rapunzel threw the snowball and it flew towards Anna. Unfortunately for Anna, she didn't have enough time to react. The snowball hit Anna's face, to which she was unamused to. Rapunzel stuck her head out from behind the tree to show Anna her laughter, but then, a snowball met Rapunzel's face and Anna started to laugh.

Rapunzel quickly made another snowball and threw it at Anna. Luckily for Anna, she was expecting it. Anna rolled to the side and dodged the snowball. Anna then threw a snowball of her own at Rapunzel, but Rapunzel hid her head back behind the tree. When Rapunzel stuck her head out again, Anna was nowhere to be seen. Rapunzel turned her head around to scan the area, but she still couldn't find Anna. Then, from behind a tree, a snowball flew and hit Rapunzel's face. Rapunzel wiped the snow out of her eyes and looked to see Anna peeking her head out from behind a tree.

"This means war." Rapunzel said.

For the next few minutes, the girls kept throwing snowballs at each other, using the trees as cover. Snowballs were flying everywhere and they were having the time of their life. The fun Anna was having reminded herself of the fun she used to have with Elsa when they were younger. The sisters would always play games like this for fun, but that all changed when Elsa struck Anna's head. Anna missed having fun like this. Even after Elsa revealed her powers to everyone, she didn't play that many games with Anna. She was too busy being mature.

Anna now saw Rapunzel as a sister. The sister Anna longed to have for quite a while. Anna was the closest thing Rapunzel had to a sister, and she longed for someone to hang out with who could relate to her.

When the snowball fight died down, Anna stuck her head out from the tree and looked to the left at the trail. In the distance, she saw two figures in the distance. Anna motioned Rapunzel on the other side of the path to stop throwing snowballs, to which Rapunzel did. The figures in the distance grew bigger, meaning they were getting closer to the girls. Then girls then saw that one was grey and the other was white.

Rapunzel motioned for Anna to get down on the snow and hide, to which both girls did. The sound of galloping in the snow got louder and louder. The girls then saw that it was Sven and Maximus with Kristoff and Eugene riding them. They could make out Olaf riding behind Kristoff. The group of boys raced past the trees where Anna and Rapunzel were hiding and to where the path ended and split in two.

"To the left!" The girls heard Kristoff yell. The men then turned their rides to the left and sprinted down that way.

Although the men weren't exactly dumb, they weren't the best at tracking. They completely ignored the girls' footprints as they rode their animals. Kristoff was so sure that he knew where Anna was going that he decided that they would just meet her on the way. Kristoff and Eugene were taking a route that led to the coordinates that Cade gave, and they assumed that the girls were taking the same route.

The girls got out of hiding and met each other in the middle of the path.

"That was close." Anna said.

"There's no doubt that those are our husbands." Rapunzel said. "Where do you think they're going?"

Then, Anna thought about it. If Kristoff assumed Anna knew where to go, he would go to that area in hopes that she would already be there.

"They're going to the location." Anna said.

"What makes you so sure?" Rapunzel asked.

"Now you're the one asking a bunch of questions." Anna joked. "Just trust me, I'll explain on the way. We go left."

The girls ran to where the path ended and prepared to turn left. But, the girls stopped when they saw something in the distance of the left path. They saw many grey figures slowly making their way towards the girls. The figures became more clear as they got closer. Soon, when they were close enough, the girls could make out who they were. Wolves. Their fangs were out and they were snarling.

Rapunzel looked behind them, at the path they just came from and found more grey figures in the distance. The closer they got, the more someone couldn't have mistaken them to be something else. More wolves were creeping up from the path they had just gone from. Rapunzel tapped Anna's shoulder and pointed at the other wolves.

Two groups of wolves were now making their way towards the girls from two different directions. The girls looked to the right path, the path they weren't supposed to go on. They found that it was clear with no wolves.

"Right's probably our best bet." Rapunzel said.

"Right looks good." Anna said, and Rapunzel nodded. They started running on the path to their right, and the wolves followed them, running.

Author's Note: Sorry if this chapter was a little short compared to other chapters. I wanted this chapter to focus more on the bonding between Anna and Rapunzel than the part with the wolves. Ciao.