Startled, Elsa glanced down to the courtyard, trying to spot the person who had called her name. Instead, she saw an arrow hurtling upwards, straight toward her. She ducked, and the arrow shattered on the stone wall behind her. Elsa fled into her castle before another arrow could be loosed.

Below in the courtyard, Kristoff tackled the archer. Oof! The man grunted as he fell, caught off guard by Kristoff's sudden weight. The two gate guards shouted for their comrades and circled Kristoff and the would-be assassin. Kristoff disentangled himself from the archer and sat up only to find a spear in his face.

"Stay down!" the guard yelled forcefully. Kristoff hesitated.

"Uh… I - " he stuttered, his mind slow to think around the weapon at his nose. Immediately the archer leapt up, shoving Kristoff off balance and nearly into the guard's spear. The other, younger guard hesitated, allowing the archer a few precious seconds to bolt out of the castle gates.

"Hey!" the young guard and Kristoff both shouted. The young guard gestured to his cohorts, who were pouring off the walls into the courtyard, and shouted "Arrest him!" Immediately a squad chased the criminal into the mostly vacant streets around the castle, seamlessly splitting up to corner the man as he dashed into filthy, cluttered alleyways. Impulsively Kristoff jumped up to pursue the man as well, only to have the gate guards step into his path, weapons lowered. "You're staying here, buddy," growled the one who had nearly speared Kristoff's nose. "We'll be taking you for questioning - and you had better hope you aren't found guilty of anything." The scowling man's tone implied that he didn't believe Kristoff would be found worthy of benign treatment.

The other guard began to address the alarmed citizens nearby. "Don't panic, everyone!" he called reassuringly. "Everything is fine now. The danger is gone. You will all please remain as you are until the guard has gotten your report as witnesses to what happened here. We are doing our utmost to keep you safe!" When the rising panic seemed to have subsided to unrestful murmurings, the young guard briefly had a word with a tall man who appeared, to Kristoff, to be a captain of some sort. Then he returned to Kristoff and his partner, revealing a sweaty face that belied the reassurance with which he'd spoken to the people. He doesn't know what he's doing, Kristoff thought, experiencing sudden admiration for the way the young man held himself together in front of the crowd. "You better watch what you say," the young guard muttered to his threat-happy comrade, whose spear still hovered inches from the ice harvester's head. "That's the man who our princess has shown such as interest in. Watch how close you get to him with that spear!" Doing a double-take, the surprised guardsman withdrew his spear so that, though still pointed at Kristoff, it was a good three feet away. Kristoff smirked.

Anxious grumblings rose from the miscellaneous vendors, petitioners and sight-seers in the courtyard. Eight guards now manned the gate, four inside and four outside, calmly refusing to let anyone in or out. Kristoff was impressed by the efficiency with which the guards responded to the situation - he doubted this was a common occurrence. And I sure hope it isn't going to be. Some guards were already moving through the crowd, too far away for Kristoff to hear what they were saying, but evidently jotting down notes on the citizen's responses.

The guard watching Kristoff cleared his throat. "If you'll come with me, sir. I need to take you into the castle." Smirking again at the sudden use of the word 'sir,' Kristoff nodded. Into the castle they went, Kristoff leading by a half step as the spear hovered close by - not quite a prisoner, not quite a freeman either. Only a few curious stares followed them as the crossed the cobbled yard and entered the great wooden doors.

"Why are you arresting me?" he asked. "I haven't done anything wrong! And what about Sven?" The reindeer was braying loudly from outside the now closed castle doors, plaintively calling after his best friend.

"You're not being arrested, exactly," the guard answered in a low growl. He didn't like this impertinent young man and regarded him with suspicion, but heaven knew the flighty young princess was temperamental, and he didn't want her to notice and dislike him. So he would treat this wild man as if he actually belonged here, until he could be rid of him. "You probably won't be imprisoned, at any rate, what with having recently saved the princess. We just have to question you because you were involved in suspicious activity on the castle grounds. And who the heck is Sven?"

Kristoff just snorted and said nothing, earning a disapproving glare from the guard. "So where are you taking me right now?" he asked instead.

"To a holding cell, until the captain of the guard can interra- - question you."

Kristoff stopped walking. "A holding cell?!" he demanded. "I thought I wasn't being imprisoned!"

"You aren't," the guard snapped, longing to prod the boy with his spear to get him moving. "It's essentially a precaution to make sure you don't go ballistic and attack our queen or princess. My superior will meet you in the holding area to question you, he will then consult the queen, and you will most likely be released."

Kristoff grunted bearishly, continuing on his way. The guard led him to a bare stone hallway near the front of the castle and directed him into a sparsely furnished office with a sturdy wooden desk, a file cabinet, and a heavy wooden door with an iron-barred window in it on the opposite side. Kristoff walked sullenly over to the thick door and waited while the guard unlocked and opened it. Without protest, he stepped inside and allowed himself to be locked in. "Don't forget about me in here," he called out warningly as he took a seat on the simple wooden chair in the cell.

"Wouldn't dream of it," the grumpy old guard answered sarcastically, wishing that that just this once his work ethic was a little weaker, so that he wouldn't be compelled to report the prisoner to his superior immediately.

The guards pursuing the archer in the streets caught and arrested him within the half hour. A messenger was sent ahead to the castle to inform the captain of the guard, who then informed the queen. Queen Elsa ordered an immediate meeting between herself, her commander of the guard, the guard captain on duty, Kai, who was the head of household staff, and her sister. Several other guards were also to be present to protect the royal sisters and carry any commands they may receive to their cohorts.

Anna hurriedly followed the guard who had been sent to fetch her through the cheerful castle corridors, lit brightly by the glass panes set into the roof. "Are you sure?" she demanded yet again. "Someone tried to kill Elsa?"

"I only know what I've been told, Your Highness," the guard answered for what felt like the thousandth time. "An archer seems to have shot at her while she was standing on the balcony. And the man with the reindeer who you brought back last week was somehow involved as well."

"Wait, what?" Anna stopped dead, confused. "How was Kristoff involved in any of this? He would NOT try to kill my sister!"

Anna was getting dangerously red in the face, and the guard shifted uncomfortably as he faced her. "Well, Your Highness, I don't think anybody said he would, or did, he was just there, somehow, and they brought him in for questioning is all…"

"Where is he?" the princess asked, suddenly worried for him.

"I believe it most likely that they put him in a holding cell, Your Highness."

He thought Anna might yell at him again, but she only looked cross and ordered strictly, "Take me to him at once and release him."

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard answered, resigned. Changing course, he took Anna to the bare stone hallway and entered the office, where an officer was now sitting at the desk. He rose to attention when the princess stepped in.

"Kristoff?" Anna called anxiously as she darted up to the cell door. As she peered in, a dim figure glanced up at her and rose to his feet. He seems fine, Anna thought, reassured. But of course he would be. The Royal Guard wouldn't do anything to someone who was only wanted for questioning, would they? It was just irrational panic, she told herself.

Turning to the officer at once, Anna ordered, "Let him out."

"Your Highness," the officer protested weakly, "if you would just wait until - "

"No, I will not wait! Has Kristoff done anything wrong? No? Then let him out!"

Sighing exasperatedly, but smiling a little, the officer grabbed a set of keys and unlocked the door. "If you and your mountain man will kindly follow young Holdbrandt here, I believe Her Majesty called for an immediate meeting quite a few minutes ago."

"Oh! Gosh, I almost forgot! Come on, Kristoff, let's hurry!" Wordlessly, Kristoff allowed himself to be pulled along in his feisty princess's wake. They arrived at the meeting slightly out of breath, at which point Holdbrandt bowed and left to return to his post.

Elsa glared at her sister impatiently. "Now that we're all here," she began, her voice only slightly testy, "everyone tell me what you know. Kristoff, I wasn't expecting to have you here, but I suppose it's for the best since you're as much an eyewitness as my guards, and you were apparently closer to the scene than anyone else here was. I would like for you to tell me all you know, beginning to end."

It was phrased like a request, but her tone was a command, and Kristoff wisely took it as such. He explained how he'd overheard the conversation of the strange group at the bar and had come running to the castle right away. Elsa nodded when he mentioned yelling her name, and when he was finished his brief recounting she asked for a description of the people at the bar.

"You're sure you didn't see their faces?" she pressed. "Nothing that would be able to identify them?"

"No. I didn't," Kristoff answered, regretting that he couldn't be more useful. "They were all fairly big men… common labourers, peasants. Perhaps a merchant. The man who mentioned the archer had clothes that I think are usually worn by the nobility."

Elsa frowned. "Very well," she said. "I suppose we'll just have to keep our guard up and take extra precautions. If anyone sees any suspicious activity, report it. Spread the word," she added to the commander of the guard, who nodded dutifully. The queen wrung her hands together, then quickly stilled them, lowering them stiffly to her sides. Less than an hour ago someone had nearly killed her… No, she told herself. Don't think about that. Conceal. Conceal, don't feel… just for now…

Anxious now to get the meeting over with, Elsa whirled on her Royal Guard Commander and in a controlled, even tone, asked him, "How did a weapon come to be where it could hurt me or Anna?"

The commander inclined his head, ashamed. "The archer came in with a vendor selling wild game, Your Majesty. The bow was on the cart, and I confess we thought nothing of it. Just a hunter selling his catch. I assure you, no such weapons will pass through the castle gates in the future, Your Majesty. I will ensure that the guards search everyone thoroughly."

Satisfied, Elsa nodded. "Very well. Secure the castle as best you know how and then report back to me on the arrangements you've made. I will be in my study. All of you are dismissed." The guards and Kai bowed quickly and backed several steps away before turning to leave. Kristoff and Anna began to go as well, but Elsa called after her sister. "Anna. If I could have you for a few minutes."

Exchanging glances, Anna and Kristoff parted with a quick kiss. Kristoff lumbered off down the hallway, and Anna took Elsa's hand in both of hers, seeing the anguish in her sister's eyes. Neither spoke until they were alone and Kristoff was out of sight.

"Elsa? Are you okay?" Anna asked, concern creasing her brow.

"Oh, Anna," Elsa whispered, choked. "I felt so afraid."

"Elsa, of course you felt afraid. It's natural to fear something that might hurt us… I was afraid for you today."

"No… It wasn't just that… I'm so ashamed…" Now that everyone was gone, Elsa was bombarded by images of that afternoon, short loops replaying the moments beginning when she saw the arrow. She rushed inside, panicked, slammed the door behind her, shoving her shoulder against it as if the arrow might turn into a soldier who would knock it down. Freezing the door in place. Not meaning to. Jagged ice spread out from her hand, coating the surface in a thick, distorted ugly snowflake. She stumbled into the middle of the room, looking around too quickly and too slowly as everything appeared in a surreal clarity that somehow blurred at the edges. She looked at her hands. Fight or flight? Who are the enemies? Could she take them? No, no this storm inside must be contained. At all costs. Must be contained. Conceal… Conceal… Not breathing right. Too shallow. Too much, too fast…

"…Elsa? Hello, are you listening?"

Snapping to, Elsa saw her sister staring at her with a worried expression. "Anna. I'm sorry, I… got lost there for a second. What did you say?"

"I said, Elsa… what are you so ashamed of? You don't have to be ashamed of fearing for your life…"

"No, it's not just that. I'm a coward, Anna," Elsa said bitterly. "It's not that I was afraid. It's that I was too afraid to do anything, anything at all! I could have called the guards. I could have supervised them while they took care of everything from hunting down the archer to reassuring the people. But I didn't. I did nothing. I panicked." Hugging her arms to her chest, Elsa looked down and rocked her shoulders from side to side. Sensing that she needed something stronger than words, Anna hugged her sister and rested her head on hers, holding her silence.

"Hey," she crooned gently after a minute. "You don't have to be afraid anymore, Elsa. We're together now. We can do this. You can do this. You've… I know you've been running and hiding from the biggest problem of your life, all your life, and that will take time to undo. You won't change overnight, but you will change. I know my big sister is strong and brave. And soon, you'll find your courage and be able to use it. I know you will."

Elsa smiled, something like belief lighting the shrouded gloom inside her. Not belief, maybe, not yet, but… Hope. Hope that her sister might be right. That she might no longer lose her breath and panic at every inkling of fear. That she might actually be brave, and guide her kingdom with courage and wisdom.

"Anna, thank you. I…" Icy tears flowed down Elsa's cheeks, and she paused for a second to wipe them away. Anna squeezed her tightly and then began guiding her away, one arm wrapped around her sister.

"Elsa, you're getting braver already! A few weeks ago, if you were upset like this, you would never have reached out to me to help you. Or to anyone else. Something like that takes courage."

Elsa simply looked at her, beaming. "Anna, my impulsive, reckless sister, how did you get so wise?"

Anna grinned back at her. "Well," she answered, "I've had a lot of time to myself to think over the years. Not that that helps me make good decisions on the fly," she admitted. "Throwing a snowball at Marshmallow was NOT my greatest idea!"

"Marshmallow?" Elsa asked, confused.

"Your snow monster," Anna clarified. "Olaf named him that."

"You did what?!" Elsa laughed in disbelief. "Anna!.."

Both sisters were chortling now, picking up their pace as they strolled through the castle. "Anna, where are we going?"

"I want to show you something. It's a book from when we were little. Olaf found it this morning, and I think it might cheer you up."

For a moment, Elsa looked like she might go along with it. Then she sighed, shaking her head. "Maybe later. Right now, I should wait in my study for the commander, so I can discuss the placement of the guards with him. Then I want a report on what this assassin-wannabe has to say for himself, and whether he'll squeal on anyone he was working with. And then… oh, I don't know. I'm sure something queenly will present itself to take hours of my attention."

Anna looked put out. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed unhappily. Then she thought about the archer, and began fuming. "I wanna be there with you when you talk to that guy! Who the heck does he think he is, trying to kill you?!" The thought filled her with rage, and if she would admit it, a trickle of fear.

Elsa laughed uncomfortably, torn between amusement at her sister's frustration and disquiet at the thought of how near she'd come to death. If Kristoff hadn't shouted at her…

"Actually, Anna, I was thinking of asking my guards what the criminal had to say. And only maybe would I go to see him myself."

That took the wind out of Anna's sails for a second. "Oh. Well, can I at least punch him? What's the sentence for attempted murder of the queen, anyway?"

"Ugh." Elsa pulled a face. "I don't even want to think about that right now. One thing at a time. Come on, here's my study. Will you wait with me? I don't blame you if you'd rather not get involved. And want to spend time with Kristoff."

Anna set her face stubbornly. "Of course I'll wait with you. I can see Kristoff anytime. Until ice harvesting season," she amended. "You know, you and Kristoff both spend so much time working, but me, well…"

Elsa smiled as her sister prattled on, and she led them to some comfortable chairs near the study window - not the window seat itself; that would be too visible for Elsa's comfort just then. Ringing a bell for tea, Elsa prepared for a vexatious wait for unpleasant news. At least Anna would be here to fill the silence and drown the silent accusations of her thoughts.