Hi yall! Sorry for such a long wait in between chapters!

This one is kinda a filler chappie...sorry! This is just the drumroll before the crescendo, yall, so get ready to get your socks knocked off during the next couple of chapters! (If I do say so myself)

XOXO,

OceansAria :)

Elsa's patrol of men shivered and ducked deeper into their cloaks around her as they trudged through the thick snow on the mountainside. But, as usual, the cold hardly bothered her. She hadn't even donned a coat over her riding clothes. She urged her horse ahead; Prince Lachlan followed closely behind on her right flank.

"Where are we to search, Your Majesty?" Lachlan called out to her over the howling winds. He looked handsome in his soft green cloak—it complimented his skin tone quite nicely, Elsa thought.

"From what I heard, Kristoff and his men usually harvest the ice closer to the peak. Anna said they had found some left over and were harvesting it when they were taken," the Queen's frown formed wrinkles she shouldn't have yet at her age. "We shall search the entire peak of the mountain if that's what it takes."

"What about caves? Should we check those out as well?"

She nodded. "Yes, of course. They could've camped out there if they got away."

"Or that's where they're persecutors have taken them," the captain of the guard joined in as he rode up beside the Queen. He was an older man; gray hair peeked out from beneath his hat and smile lines framed his mouth. Seeing the hidden agony on Elsa's face, he smiled slightly. "Do not fret, Your Highness. We shall find your sister and the prince consort."

"Oh, I know we will," Elsa said lowly. Nudging the sides of her horse with her heels, she picked up the pace, calling for them to follow.

Anna stayed curled into Kristoff's embrace for the rest of the day. Rumplestilskin didn't call for her again—he didn't have to for her to worry about her decision. How could she give up her own child for the safety of her loved ones? How could she sacrifice the safety of her loved ones for her child? Both were horrible options; neither could she agree on.

As they all gathered in a circle that afternoon to chew on the moldy bread they'd been given, Anna listened to the men's chatter. They tried to joke and make light of the situation, but Anna knew they were feeling just as bummed as she was, even if they didn't know what Rumplestilskin had talked to her about.

Cal glanced her way several times. Finally, he spoke. "How are you feeling, princess? Those are some frightful dark circles under your eyes."

Anna forced a small smile. Her husband's hands covered hers as she rubbed them along her belly. "I'm doing just fine, Cal. The baby feels as healthy as ever."

"Do you think it'll be comin' soon?" Holly asked.

Trying to keep up the cheery act, Anna said, "Yeah, I guess so. Especially with all this moving around, I'm sure it's got her in a tizzy. She'll probably be here before we know it."

She could feel Kristoff's gaze on her cheek. Her eyes found his; he hugged her closer, rubbing his stubbly jaw against her bangs.

"We'll be ready for the baby's arrival, Anna, and anything else that comes our way."

Again, she nodded and smiled. But within her, her child wriggled-ready to be free. And that worried her more than anything.

"Tracks! I've found tracks, My Queen!"

Elsa whipped around. She rushed to meet the young guard running towards her. "Where do they lead?" She asked, breathless. Lachlan was right at her side, as he had been for the last few hours. She could feel his body heat combining with hers.

The young guard gasped, breathless. He pointed behind him, to the southeast. "That way, Your Highness. They lead up to a narrow path that takes you to the other side of the peak."

"How long do you think it shall take for us to get through?" Lachlan asked.

"With how narrow it is, sire, not all of us could fit through. Some would have to stay behind. The path is barely four feet wide. As for time, it could take you anywhere from a day to three days' walk."

Elsa let out a hissing breath. She had to clench her fists to keep in her anger—and the ice threatening to grow. "That's too long!" Elsa cried. "They've already been gone for over forty-eight hours . . . who knows what could've happened to them?" The Queen about lost her temper right then and there. "My sister is up there, pregnant, and my brother-in-law will be frantic and-"

Lachlan's fingers wrapped around her arm.

"Elsa."

It was all he said; really, it was all he had to say. Her eyes sliced through his like poisoned daggers. Boiling over, Elsa yanked out of his grasp and stomped back to her steed. "Captain!" she yelled as she slung her leg in a rather unladylike way over the horse.

"Yes, My Queen?" he appeared from the line of trees, followed by more guards.

"Half your men shall stay here. They are to make camp for the night and wait for our return." Lachlan got on his horse beside her, the expression in his eyes unreadable as she continued to give out orders. "If we do not return within the next twenty-four hours, send out a group to search for us. If we do not return at all, go back to Arendelle. The Prime Minister will know what to do."

The captain's brow furrowed. "But, Your Highness—"

"No buts," Elsa said sternly. "Three of you are coming with Prince Lachlan and I. We must leave immediately."

As soon as they were ready, Elsa took off on her steed, snow flying up behind them as she sped away.

Once Anna was finally asleep that evening, Kristoff gently slid her out of his arms and rolled to his feet, as nimble as a cat. Well, as nimble as a cat could be with clunky boots on.

The other men had drifted off as well, so Kristoff didn't have to worry about them prying. Sneaking over to the iron door, he poked his blond head through the rails.

"Hey, you," he hissed at the nearest guard. The hideous, bulky man turned and glared at Kristoff.

"What do you want, toad scum?"

Kristoff gulped, but held on to his courage like a lifeline. He tightened his grip on the iron doors' rails.

"I request to speak with your master."

The guard turned and slapped his brethern's arm. They grinned mischeviously at each other before the second removed a set of keys from his waist and unlocked the door.

Kristoff stepped out of the cell; they prodded him with their swords when he didn't move as fast as they liked.

"Right this way, sire," they mocked.

Kristoff took a deep breath. This is for Anna. This is for your child. You can't take no for an answer.