A/N: So sorry, didn't mean for the update to take this long! I give warm hugs to all who have reviewed, followed, and favorited! Thank you so much! It means a lot. :)

And how about that new Frozen short Disney's making, huh? I'm so excited! :D

Rapunzel sprinted down the hallway on her toes, practically running straight into Eugene. He held onto her arms to steady her as she found the air to speak. "Find her?" she panted, breathless.

"No. No one's seen her. You?"

"No. I even checked her room." She sighed. "I hate to wake Anna, but..."

"It's our best shot. The Queen is the only one who can make those decisions. I'll keep asking around." Eugene nodded at her before she was off again, dodging servants and butlers as she dashed through the hallways.

She really did hate to bother Elsa and Anna the day after their friendship had been restored, but this was imperative. Elsa had to decide what to do with the traitors- namely Prince Hans and the Duke of Weselton- and apparently sign a few important documents as well. No one had minded at first, but as it neared noon, Elsa still hadn't been seen, and these things had to be done today.

Rapunzel skidded to a stop in front of Anna's room for the second time today. The first time she had heard snoring inside, and hadn't wanted to wake up Anna. Now she had decided to wake her up anyway, hoping she would have some clue to the whereabouts of Elsa.

"Anna?" Rapunzel knocked on the door and listened. Snoring, still. Did she always sleep this late? "Anna?" she asked a little louder. Still no response.

With a resigned sigh, she slowly pushed open the door and tried not to laugh at the sight that greeted her. Anna was stretched out on her back toward the head of the bed, her feet hanging off the edge on the opposite side that Rapunzel couldn't see. Elsa was curled up at the end of the bed, her brilliantly white hair cascading freely over her shoulder and hiding most of her face.

Smiling to herself, Rapunzel tiptoed over to the edge of the bed. Hesitating at first, she gently shook Elsa's arm. "Elsa? It's Rapunzel. Sorry to wake you up, but..."

Elsa inhaled deeply and pushed her hair out of her face. When her eyes blinked open and saw Rapunzel, she started and became immediately alert. "What time is it?" she asked sharply, though the words mostly came out garbled.

"Almost noon."

Elsa jumped off the bed and shook her head, as if shaking off the last trace of sleepiness. "Thank you, Rapunzel." She glanced back up at Anna's sleeping form and smiled. "Let her sleep. She needs all the rest she can get after what she's been through. I'll be in the Throne Room in just a few minutes." The Queen rushed out of the room, Rapunzel watching her leave with a chuckle. With one last look to make sure Anna was still sound asleep, Rapunzel retreated from the room and shut the door softly behind her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your visit is much appreciated."

Elsa curtsied to the humble shopkeeper, smiling and shaking his hand. It was still such a strange sensation to be able to touch things. She had worn gloves so often that the only thing she had actually touched over past several years was the blanket on her bed. And it was also a new feeling to touch people and not be afraid of hurting them.

Not that she could completely control her powers. No, they still worked of their own accord, displaying her emotions freely. However, she now knew better how to reign them in, and the secret, of course, was love. She had powered her icy magic by fear for so long that she had forgotten that the most powerful emotion in the world used to fuel her magic when she was young. She knew that her parents had meant well, but her powers were never meant to be concealed; controlled, yes, but never suppressed. And now that she was free from that suppression, she felt like she could really breathe for the first time.

Still reflecting on this new life, Elsa turned to walk out of the shop. She had been visiting around the town, assuring people of Arendelle's safety and her own sanity as well as informing them of the celebration in the castle courtyard later tonight. Some had still been wary and scared of her, but she had been as kind as possible, being gentle and patient with them. She wanted to be trusted by her subjects, not feared.

A flurry of movement caught her eyes from the window. Elsa turned her head to see Anna dragging Kristoff across the castle bridge, a blue blindfold over his eyes. The Queen laughed despite herself as Kristoff ran straight into a pole and yet Anna only paused for a second before continuing on.

Elsa walked to the window and placed her hands on the sill, watching the scene with amusement. Anna pulled off Kristoff's blindfold, and even from here his eyes were wide and awed. Though the new sled was out of view, Elsa could picture it in her head; pristine and polished with intricate patterns and even a cup holder. She had ordered it first thing after she got up this morning, and it had been done in the matter of a few hours.

Returning her gaze to the couple, Elsa watched as Kristoff placed his hands on Anna's waist and spun her around in the air, suddenly setting her down and scratching the back of his head after a few moments. With a smile visible from here, Anna bounced up on her toes and kissed his cheek. Kristoff looked at her for a few seconds before wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. Anna leaned into him and looped her arms around his neck, neither of them seeming to care that they were in the middle of the town.

Elsa looked down to find the window sill covered with a smooth layer of ice. She gasped silently and thought of her and Anna playing in the snow in the ballroom last night. Just like that, the ice was gone.

The Queen finally turned and exited the shop, her emotions all in a mix. She crossed her arms across her chest- an old habit- and tried to make sense of it all. Certainly she was happy for Anna; there was no doubt about that. Kristoff seemed like a nice guy, but she was going to have to get to know him more before he really got serious about her sister.

Elsa looked toward the spot where she had seen Anna and Kristoff as she stepped outside into the warm summer air. They were still quite close together, but Kristoff was holding Anna's hands in his and telling her something in an eager voice, his eyes bright and excited. Anna's smile was huge and unwavering as she giggled and listened attentively to what Kristoff was saying.

Analyzing the two, Elsa wondered if she should remind Anna about the Council meeting, but decided against it. She could fill her in later. Another strange feeling came over Elsa and she turned and walked over the bridge to the castle. She couldn't quite untangle her emotions, as she was feeling things that she had never felt before.

Blocking out her confusion, Elsa greeted the people she walked past with a smile until she entered the castle. She then hurried to the castle, as she knew that she was late for the meeting with the Council of Arendelle. Though she would much rather be catching up with Anna, maybe this would be a welcome distraction from the new swirl of emotions.