Anna dismounted from her horse and walked toward the scatter of various rocks laid out in what looked like a random mess. She knew better though. Kristoff had been very reluctant to let her out of his sight but he eventually allowed her to talk with their long-time friends if she agreed to an escort. She had no other choice in the matter so she accepted, but she told them to wait further back so that she had privacy. She doubted they would take well to rocks coming to life. Not everyone knew of the trolls, most writing them off as a fairy tale while others disregarding them completely. Anna had to admit that if it wasn't for her brother stumbling across them she wouldn't have believed they existed either. She patted a nearby rock affectionately and then continued on to the center where she raised her arms.

"Hello everyone! I'm sorry I haven't stopped by much but I could really use your help," she stated. Silence fell and nothing moved for some time but she continued to wait. Almost as one the rocks and boulders came alive, turning into squat rock creatures with varying blankets of moss and grass draped over them.

"Anna!"

"Anna's here!"

"Where's Kristoff?"

Varying forms of greetings came from every direction and Anna fought the noise to calm them. When they were silenced and only the small trolls were left laughing and hanging off her she turned to Gran Pabbie and began to explain her situation. She was desperate for answers and looking for guidance. His heavy brow fell lower in thought.

"Ah, the girl who can't control her gifts. She struggles because she is ruled by fear. Love is out of her reach, leaving her lost and alone. True love will thaw a frozen heart, and that is what will help her gain control," he advised.

"But, love in what way?" Anna asked him.

"Any way you can provide it, but it is love she needs," he answered sagely. Anna nodded, realizing all those times when Elsa was happy, when they spent time together, the weather wasn't so bad. When Elsa was having a particularly good day the sun was even able to come out. Had Anna been the one to help Elsa accomplish that?

"Ok, I-I can d-do that. Yeah," she said, nodding along to reassure herself.

"Anna," Gran Pabbie called out to her before she could take off.

"Yeah?" she replied, looking down at him.

"Keep her safe. Keep her happy. In time, she will mean more to you than you will ever know. Don't worry about what others will say. She will win them over in time. She has a pure heart and they will see that. Now go," he told her. She grinned, her determination renewed. She rode back home in high spirits, bursting into the castle and heading right for Elsa's room. She turned into the hall that would lead her to Elsa but she was suddenly thrown against the wall. She hissed in pain, her back throbbing from the blow it sustained.

"Hans?" she gasped when her eyes opened to see the handsome man furious.

"How could you?" he demanded, his once smooth tone as sharp as the blade that put Elsa's life in danger. It felt like a foreshadowing to wounds Anna would be inflicted with in the very near future.

"How could I what?" she spat, trying to yank out of his tight grip. He had her hands held up by her head, pinned to the wall.

"Don't act stupid! You care for that-that, thing! I was kind to you, patient to win your heart, and you waste your affections on that monster!" he snarled. Anna smashed her heel into his toes and he yelped, pulling away from her. She punched him straight in the face next, sending him pin-wheeling backwards. He hit the opposite wall but pushed off it to come back at her. He back handed her then grabbed her by the neck to hold her steady.

"If I can't have you, no one will. Definitely not that thing!" he yelled, tightening his hold. Anna tried to get loose but it was futile. Her breaths became shorter and her vision was going dark. Hans grinned at her maniacally but it disappeared when he looked up to see Elsa, a personal snow storm surrounding her to fill the halls. Her furious, cold, blue eyes were trained on him, intent on making him suffer for what he was doing to Anna. With a sharp gesture of her hand spikes of ice shot out to pin him to the wall. She threw out waves and waves of wind that battered at him, small pieces of ice cutting into his skin. He pulled himself off the wall and fell to the floor but Elsa conjured up snow that slammed him back, dazing him. She then picked him up, turning his binds into deadly spikes that pricked at his body. He screamed in pain but she just tightened her hold, gaze intense.

"Elsa, stop! You're killing him!" Anna shouted, picking herself up once she could properly breathe. She threw herself at Elsa who had ignored her pleas up until she felt her warm body envelope hers.

"Anna?" she questioned, the blizzard slowing to a stop as her arms came down to wrap around Anna. She looked down to see that she was crying.

"This isn't you! Please, stop. I know you would hate yourself if you killed him," she sobbed. Elsa held her tighter.

"I'm sorry Anna. I-I didn't like seeing you hurt. He had to pay," she growled, looking at the beaten and battered prince on the floor, too injured to get up.

"And he has. Please, stop," she repeated. Elsa sighed, letting go of the anger flowing through her, and concentrated on the feelings Anna evoked with her warm body pressed to her cold one. Elsa held her close and marveled at the way her powers relaxed in a way they hadn't on her own. It was little more than a breeze now, soothing even.

"Anna! What in blazes happened?!" the booming voice of her brother yelled, making them both jump.

"Ummm, don't you mean flurries?" Anna inquired.

"What?" the king responded, giving her a hard glare which she coward under.

"You said blazes when really it's flurries-ok, never mind, I can explain," Anna tried to clarify but opted to forego that for truth.

"Hans attacked me," she began but Kristoff cut her off from further explaining with an outraged growl. Anna waved away the sound.

"Listen, he could have killed me but Elsa saved me," she continued, gripping said girl's arm and giving her a smile before turning the hopeful expression on her brother. His anger receded as he took in Elsa's uncertain stance that showed how out of place she was yet displayed her protectiveness toward Anna just by the way she angled her body to block his sister from Hans who had yet to get up anyway, let alone be able to keep fighting. She truly cared for the Princess of Arendelle. She meant no harm except to those who threatened the princess.

"Elsa, thank you. I failed to be there for my sister but you were. Let me properly thank you by offering you a place to stay here, where you can keep Anna safe as well as become a bodyguard for our family. Will you accept?" he spoke to her, his voice kind. Elsa hadn't heard anyone speak to her in that way in what felt like forever. Well, anyone besides Anna. She bit her lip nervously but nodded when Anna's hand slipped into hers. Kristoff caught the action and smiled.

"It's settled then. I'll have you train with the Captain of the Royal Guards and you will forever be safe with us. No more of this Ice Demon nonsense. You belong here now," he congratulated her, advancing to clap a large hand on her shoulder. She teetered under the blow but remained standing. She smiled hesitantly at Kristoff but it bloomed into one of happiness when Anna grabbed her around the middle in a big hug. They laughed together, bringing a smile to the king's face. He called his guards to take Hans away, shipping him out to his homeland as fast as possible. He and his family weren't welcomed in Arendelle. Besides, an interesting trade with Weselton had just opened up and Kristoff wanted to look into that instead. Elsa moved in, getting her own room while Olaf came and went as he pleased and Marshmallow stalked around the castle walls, on the lookout for anyone wanting to harm the royal family. Olaf seemed to really get along with Sven who returned the interest only for the carrot nose given to him by Anna. For the past six months Elsa took to her training with determination.

She worked hard and soon fought with finesse, employing sword, shield, and her powers combined. She rose in ranks quickly, always busy trying to prove to everyone that she was reliable and trustworthy. Only when Anna dragged her off did she let herself relax. The two got along like long lost friends. Their relationship was special. Elsa loved her new life in the castle, spending almost every day with Anna, and learning what it took to be the protector she wished to be. It was beyond words when the townsfolk began to accept her, welcoming her into the markets and trading words with her. She knew it was all out of obligation which was then respect which then became habit that eventually morphed into a mutual like of who she was. It was even fun talking with Kristoff who became a close friend to her too. He understood the connection between the two girls and often left Anna and Elsa to spend time together. It was the least he could do. They were currently outside the castle walls sitting on a stone bench by the pond. Elsa messed with her uniform, still admiring the mix of feminine style and practicality.

"Hey Elsa?" Anna spoke up softly. She turned to give Anna her attention but warm lips met her cheek and caught her off guard. Anna then scooted closer and rested against Elsa's side, keeping them close.

"I never got to tell you how I feel about you," she whispered.

"And what's that?" Anna questioned with a grin.

"You're the best thing to ever happen to me," Elsa stated, her eyes finding Anna's to strengthen the sincerity. Anna pulled her into a big hug in response.

"Come on, let's ice skate," Elsa suggested, getting up and pulling Anna to the pond.

"Wait, hold your horses," Anna protested but Elsa just jumped out over the water. Anna opened her mouth to warn the platinum blonde when Elsa's feet touched water, spread ice across it, and created a skating rink.

"Wow. That was awesome Elsa," Anna said in admiration. Elsa just shrugged and then skated over to take Anna by the hand.

"I can't, I don't know how," she said with a shake of her head. Elsa just ignored her words and dragged her out onto the ice. She made skates for Anna and then began to twirl her around while sharing advice on how to skate efficiently. Elsa hadn't spent all her time in ice for nothing. When she was younger she spent hours refining and practicing her skating skills. She was practically a master. It took some falls for Anna to get the hang of it but with Elsa's help she managed. They skated over the icy pond an hour more when Elsa was called in for her daily patrol.

"Looks like time is up," she mentioned, dismissing the messenger and turning back to Anna.

"Another lesson tomorrow?" Anna hoped. Elsa smiled but nodded.

"I would love to," she agreed. Anna pecked her on the cheek and then gathered the courage and balance to lead them back to shore.

"Come on, I have to be punctual if I want to remain your royal bodyguard," Elsa playfully scolded Anna who just laughed and tugged her into a deep pile of snow. Elsa cleared some of it away so she could get to Anna and tickle her for wasting time she should be using to get back to the castle. However, Anna tackled her.

"Now can I go?" Elsa questioned.

"Maybe in a little while," Anna answered, her grin cunning.

"But Anna-" Elsa protested, her words silenced by Anna's lips gracing her cheek once more.

"Nope, you sassed me so now it looks like you'll be late," she decided. Elsa chuckled, hoping she would be excused for running late if she explained why. Kristoff stood with the Captain, wondering what was taking Elsa so long. A thought suddenly occurred to him and he smiled, knowing where she was. He shook his head and then dismissed the Captain for the day. It looked like Anna had gotten her way, as she usually did. There would be no training today. He headed for his study, mentally going through the papers he had to fill out while Elsa and Anna enjoyed a rare moment of bliss, getting in a snowball fight, enjoying warm hugs, and then returning inside when it got too cold for Anna.

They fell asleep in front of the fire on a worn chair Anna always took naps on. Kristoff found them later that day, draped a blanket over them, and left them to sleep. His gaze lingered on Elsa, grateful to her for calming his constant worry over Anna. He vowed to do everything he could for the ice wielder, because without her, Anna would never be as happy as she was now. He kissed his sister's forehead and placed his hand on Elsa's shoulder in passing, waking her up in the process. She met his gaze and the two smiled. The king saluted her then left while Elsa held Anna closer to her. She never wanted to let her go, no matter what. She would no longer feel like her life laid in scattered pieces because with Anna by her side, she was finally whole.

Wow, this took longer than planned to get done but now it is. Hope it wasn't too bad.