The time has come to be brave

A time to heal a time to change

Forgiving is hard to do

And loving is hard to prove

A time to take off the mask

To show that the past is past

Enemies coming your way

They scream checkmate

So Little girl what will you do?

We are waiting for your next move?

As Elsa walked by herself through the halls, she clenched her icy fists hard. They lied. Kai lied, Asher lied and her uncle knew. Elsa stopped and leaned her weight on the wall next to her. War. That word kept repeating in her mind.

How did it come to this? Had she done anything right being Queen? She thought of what her parents would've done in this situation but she couldn't think. She couldn't breath. Tears welled in her eyes. Her chest was heavy and she felt numb. Elsa then lifted her slumped self and stumbled while she walked. When she knew no was watching, Elsa ran through the servants hall and out the back door to the outside.

She was graced with the night air and the silence of her surroundings. Elsa grabbed her sides, feeling ice brush through her fingers. She let out a stiffle of a cry and jogged her way toward the stables. She shoved open the doors startling a few horses from their sleep. They hit their hooves to the ground as if showing their anger towards her. She hushed them sweetly and reached Genty's stall.

"G-Genty?" She asked sadly. Genty's ears perked up and he bayed happily. Elsa frowned, her shaking hands opening the stall and throwing her arms around his neck. She cried in his mane and didn't stop. She felt her horse hug her back with his head and huff at her.

"Elsa?" She froze and turned her head slowly. Rapunzel waved nervously at her outside the stall.

"Rapunzel?" Elsa wiped away the moisture from her eyes and smiled as best she could. She patted Genty on the neck and walked out of his stall. "I apologize for leaving so quickly I just needed-"

"Time to yourself?" Elsa furrowed her brow at her accurate answer.

"I was going to say, time to think." She lied. Rapunzel nodded and cracked a small smile.

"I understand." They both went quiet until Rapunzel broke the awkward silence between them. "I'm sorry about my father. You should have known, this is your kingdom." Elsa took a breath in, trying to control her shaky voice.

"Indeed."

"I think my father still seems to see you more his little niece then a woman who is Queen...But you should know Elsa I asked him as well as Asher not to tell you." Elsa felt her heart beat hard. Rapunzel of all people? Why? Rapunzel frowned at the sour expression Elsa tried to hide but failed to do so.

"I thought family didn't keep secrets like that from each other." Elsa sounded more stiff then she would've liked but it's how she felt.

"Elsa-"

"I honestly do not want to have this conversation with you, there is no excuse why you couldn't tell me!" Rapunzel held her shoulder tight. Catching Elsa off guard.

"We are having this conversation and you better listen to me!" Elsa froze and nodded. Rapunzel loosened her grip and raised her hand to Elsa's cheek. "Elsa I don't want to lose you and I was wrong to tell Papa not to tell you about Hans threat but after what happened to my mother... I didn't want to see that happen you or Anna."

"I can take care of myself," Elsa tried to sound confident but she could tell it didn't convince Rapunzel and she lowered her hand to her side.

"Elsa it's okay to be afraid and it's okay to have help, you need to be willing to except it. Your magic can only take you so far. I should know." Rapunzel grabbed her hair and twirled strands around her index finger. "If it wasn't for Asher we would've found my mother dead." Elsa bit on the inside of her mouth.

"I'm not sure if even want him as my guard now."

"Elsa there's going to come a day when your going to have to trust somebody and that person is going to be Asher. I really believe that. I wouldn't of sent him here to protect you if I didn't think so. Now stop being a cry baby and get some sleep alright?" Rapunzel acted like she was joking but she was serious too. Elsa grinned and looked up at the young women before her.

"You are a strong women Rapunzel." Rapunzel smiled widely at her. Rapunzel will always be joyful spirit but Elsa realized she wise and honest which Elsa appreciated more then she knew. Rapunzel looped her arm around hers and looked toward Genty.

"Before we go what's the story behind this guy? I heard he almost died"

"Believe it or not that's when I met Asher."

"Thanks for the sneak away buddy." Eugene leaned next to him on the wall outside the tavern in town. Asher shrugged awkwardly watching him down the last bit of beer from his mug and placing it on the ground.

"Are you even allowed to drink cheap beer your highney?" Asher joked folding his arms.

"Rapunzel and I still visit the ugly duckling all the time so I don't think the royal family minds."

"The ugly duckling?! They have nasty beer!"

"They do," Eugene answered while adjusting his vest and hooded his face with his cloak. "Alright let's go." Asher nodded and did the same and walked up the stone road back to the palace. Asher noticed Eugene giving him a stare life a father would do to get the truth out of his child.

"What?"

"Stop moping Asher, Elly can't be mad forever." Eugene shifted his weight to hit Asher's shoulder but he dodged sending Eugene tripping over his own feet.

"I'm not moping." Eugene raised his brows in disbelief. Asher rolled his eyes. "I should have been honest that's all."

"We all should have but war is a touchy subject and Elsa has enough on her plate right now. We do truly care about her but she needs to accept help when it's offered." Asher nodded and gave Eugene a mischievous smile.

"Elly?"

"Oh God please don't tell her I said that."

"Your drunk."

"I am drunk."

"I think I can take it from here. Thanks kid." Eugene jogged toward a open door from the servants hall and walked in. Asher smirked when he heard the sound of tumbling pots and pans hit the stone floor as he turned and walked away. He tried to enjoy the crisp evening air but couldn't get the fact that he angered Elsa off his mind. The way she looked up at him with teary eyes made his stomach ache.

Moments later he opened the door to a room that connected to the stable. Usually where the stable hand would sleep when having to watch the horses on night shifts. Asher was familiar with it since he use to be a stable boy for years in Corona. He was offered a room in the small palace next door but Asher never liked such soft beds and complete silence. He liked the sound of horses and a simple cot and fireplace beside him. The smell he could do with out but other than that, this was home to him.

He untied his cloak and placed to a hook beside the door and placed his sword beside the fire place. He knelt and Moments later the fire was lit and he sat on his bed. He shook his hair and starred into the flames. The ache in his stomach started to turn into a painful burn. He grabbed his waist rubbing the agitated area.

"No not again." He quickly stood up and grabbed the water bucket next to thee door. He sat back on the bed and placed it between his knees. Leaving a burned hand print on the rim of it.

When the burning sensation grew he thrust his hands into the water. He gasped from the pain and watched as bubbles started to form around his hands. Creating little ripples, moments after the bubbles became a boil and steam aggressively curved around his face. He begged for it to stop and soon the pain in his gut disappeared along with the heat in his hands. He lifted his hands and looked into the empty bucket, dry as a bone. He kicked with an angry grunt and slammed his body backward onto the cot. He breathed heavy while sweat dripped from is brow.

"It's getting worse."

While waiting for the Queen exit her chambers, Asher yawned and squinted his tired eyes toward the dull conversation across the hall to some maids talking about the events the day before. Once they caught Asher's stare, one hushed to the other and hurried to their chores.

"All about yesterday? Rumors sure get around fast here."

"They do?" Asher looked down to Elsa standing next to him. He didn't even have time to jump from her sudden appearance. "I see," Elsa said as she looked down at the floor sadly. He furrowed his brows and looked straight ahead in front of him.

"I'm sure its nothing," He said carefully. "They must be complaining about their duties if anything." He peeked from the corner of his eye watching a soft grin cross her lips. It was obvious she was still upset but she grinned anyway which made him feel better. They both caught each others glances and broke it quickly. Both feeling the heaviness between them. Asher began to open his mouth to say something but was broke off by Kai.

"Your Magesty." Kai said and stopped in mid walk slowing his pace toward Elsa and Asher. Elsa frowned at him and lifted her head high.

"Master Kai."

"Elsa I'm sorry I-" Elsa lifted her hand and he stopped.

"Master Kai that is in the past now. Lets focus on the matters at hand." He nodded and cleared his throat.

"King Thomas awaits you in the library." When he finished he bowed and headed down the hallway instructing two maids to follow him. Elsa began walking in the direction of the library, Asher moved forward a step and stopped. She never wanted a personal guard in the first place and that look she gave him. Completely confused, scared and hurt. Maybe it was best to plant his feet where they were and keep them there. Elsa paused her pace and glanced behind her.

"Are you coming?" Asher blinked and she asked again. "Are you-"

"Yes!...I mean, i'm sorry." He stepped to her side and they continued down the hallway.

"Me too." Elsa said quietly. Asher felt her arm slip though his and he grinned. He knew then that it wasn't a guard she needed.

It was a friend...

Asher felt Elsa tighten her grip as the two guards reached the handles of the double doors and opened them. They both slowly entered the library, King Thomas, Rapunzel and Eugene sat a table in the middle of the room in deep discussion. King Thomas smiled and stood from his chair.

"Queen Elsa, Sir Asher please come sit."

They both nodded and sat down in the two empty chairs across from Eugene and Rapunzel with King Thomas at the head. On the table, papers, maps and books were sprawled across it.

Books of old religions and maps that lead to lands that Elsa had never seen before. She had read every book in every cranny of that library and had never read or seen of such places. She was so lost in curiosity and thought that she almost forgot that there were people in the room. She came back to her senses and sat straight. She looked for Anna but she was't there.

"I know I say this often but...Where's Anna?" Rapunzel whispered back in reply.

"She told me she had work to do and couldn't get away. Elsa rolled her eyes. That was code for "I'm going to sneak away and see Kirstoff" Elsa knew she hated work and always found a way to get out of it. Though Elsa would rather her not be part of this discussion. Of all things she did not want Anna to see her big sister start throwing ice spears across the room because she couldn't control her emotions. Elsa watched King Thomas reach for a book and held it up for everyone to see.

"This will help us solve our problem." He opened to a passage in the book and read aloud.

"There is a Ying and there is a Yang. Opposites that can never change. There is evil and there is good. There are things that shouldn't be known and things that should. For what I am about to say is the truth and the truth alone. There will be war Between Sun and Snow. For it is prophecy and it is certain. This war will surely be a burden. But be not afraid for there is a higher help. Find the man who contains joy that does not melt. His fear does not exist. He can withstand arrows with his icy fists. For he will help the daughter of snow."

King Thomas stopped to look at Elsa and back to the book and continued.

"The true secret of winter he will show. Daughter of Winter, when all is lost. Seek out the Guardian who calls himself Frost."

They all looked up when Asher stood to his feet with shock in his eyes. When Asher noticed his sudden outburst he just stood there.

"Asher? You alright buddy?" Eugene asked standing to his feet as well. Asher shook his head checking his hands every now and then. His heart was beating fast. No steam...no fire. He clenched his fist and finally words came out.

"I know this guardian."

"You know him?"

"I mean...my village. Where I grew up with my adoptive family."

"You were adopted?" Eugene was stunned. Elsa frowned at his strange expression. Asher and Eugene were friends. Didnt he know? Asher nodded uncomfortably and continued.

"In our village there was young man who had the same abilities as Elsa-"

"There was someone like me?!"

"Y-Yes but...he was different.. he had fire." Elsa noticed him struggling to find the words and sweat rolling down his forehead. Was he nervous for some reason? Scared? No one else seemed to notice as much as she did. "This guardian said he could freeze his heart, temporarily stop the growth of power inside him."

"Wouldn't that kill him?" Elsa asked remembering when she froze Anna's heart which almost cost her, her life."

"No, since he was a magical being it wouldn't effect him."

"Why did he want to get rid of this power?" Rapunzel asked next.

"He couldn't control it." Elsa sympathized for the man, she knew exactly how that felt. "And it caused him pain every time it happened. Frost promised to come back to finish the process of completely freezing his heart over but it was to late. He didnt return and-" Asher began to sound angry. "The man couldnt control his powers, killed his family and wounded half the village. People hunted him down, called him a demon from hell. Devil's spawn. And the guardian still didn't come."

Everyone was silent except King Thomas.

"So your saying is the Guardian-"

"He won't help us." Asher said bluntly. "He didnt help my brother he wont help us."

"He was your brother? And-" Elsa licked her lips. "Tht was your family?" He nodded and Elsa gasped.

Everyone was silent. Elsa looked to her lap she shook her head and closed her eyes. "But he is the only one who can help us stop the war?" She opened her eyes and tried not to focus on Asher's questioning face.

"The prophcey said he is the only one who can help you. Elsa you are the daughter of Winter." When Thomas finsihed she looked at Asher and to him.

"Then we must find him...and Asher will lead us to him." She looked back to him and he looked away from her.

"Is that an order?" He asked dryly still not making eye contact.

"Yes." He paused surprised at her respounce, after a few moments he straightened his jacket.

"Then I will prepare for our journey, excuse me." He stomped away, opening and slamming the double doors behind him. Elsa flinched at the sound, shutting her eyes tightly. Refuseing to open them. She was scared. Did she just make an enemy out of her new friend?