(This chapter has been revised on 6/22/2024)

Icy Discovery

February 18th, 1836

Anna opened her eyes and yawned as she slowly sat up. She was still in the ice cave, alone. Near her was a small bowl that had some berries. Elsa had most likely left them there as breakfast. The fireplace also looks like it was recently re-lit and had new wood. Anna got up from her stone bed, sat near the fireplace, and ate the berries, which were actually delicious.

For what felt like hours Anna sat near the fireplace and ate her food until there were no more berries. She just sat near the fire, thinking about her family and friends back home. They were most likely worried sick out of their minds about her.

"No doubt I'm gonna get grounded when I get back home. Well…Better grounded than dead."

On the bright side, she noticed that her head didn't hurt as much, nor did her right sore foot. Thinking it was an excellent way to pass the time, Anna decided to see how her foot was. She started walking around the cave. Her foot was still sore, but she could walk easily, so it was safe to believe she hadn't sprained her ankle.

When Anna wasn't thinking about her home or injuries, her mind was on the woman who saved her life, Elsa. She had her own questions centered around the platinum blonde-haired woman. Such as how and why someone, who looked like a teenager, lived alone and why was she afraid of people?

Anna noticed Elsa keeping her distance from her during last night's encounter. Along with other things, she had seen several scars on her hands, and a prominent one on her left cheek. It was clear that something had happened to Elsa in the past, but Anna didn't feel the need to pry into that for the moment.

From the corner of her eye, Anna gazes at the ice wall again. Whatever was on the other side is most likely the rest of Elsa's home. Anna wondered what lay beyond it and, more importantly, why Elsa didn't want her to see it. Was she hiding something?

A small thump interrupted her thought train. Anna thought she saw a small white object moving around the entrance, followed by hearing some footsteps. Anna rubbed her eyes to clear her vision, only to see the white object gone. She even went to the ice hole for a better look, but nothing was there.

Remembering Elsa's words, Anna hesitated to move. She didn't want to disrespect the wishes of someone who had saved her life. But something in Anna told her to go through the hole. Eventually, Anna's curiosity got the best of her. Taking a step, Anna entered the ice tunnel.

Elsa had been kind enough to give her a spare bonnet, and gloves, which were helpful. Despite walking in a tunnel encased in ice, Anna didn't feel cold. The tunnel had several turns and was wide enough for a person to walk through. After several minutes of walking, Anna found herself on the other side in a place that looked like an icy...small hallway?

Anna expected more ice, but not in this form. She noticed a light on the other end and walked in that direction. As she walked, she looked around the hallway. The designs had reminded her of the halls of the castle. Anna was soon at the end of the hallway when she saw something resembling a fountain on her right. Once she walked to it, she was in for another surprise.

On the other side of the ice fountain was a room with a grand foyer. Anna was awestruck as she observed the room. Right across the fountain are grand doors, which may be the only way in and out of this ice structure. Walking towards the center of the room, Anna noticed two staircases on both sides of the ice fountain. On top of those small staircases was an archway that led to two more staircases on each side, indicating more to be seen. As Anna moved her head upwards, she saw a big snowflake design on the ceiling.

"This place...it's beautiful," Anna muttered.

"How was this built? Where am I?"

"Yeah. It really is beautiful, isn't it?" A new voice echoed in the chamber. The voice sounded like a cheerful male. It kept on rambling as Anna tried to look for the source of the voice. The more it rambled, the closer it got, but Anna strangely could not find them. "But it's so blue. I know blue is Elsa's color, but I wish there was more variety. Y'know, some crimson and maybe chartreuse. But not yellow, yuck! Because like snow, ice & yellow don't go together well."

The voice stopped, but the footsteps continued until they stopped near Anna. Instinctively, Anna looked down and was in for another surprise. Below, next to her was a living snowman!

"Am I right?" The Snowman said with a big grin.

Anna let out a small shriek as she kicked the snowman's head, knocking it off its body. The snowman's head landed on the other side of the room while its body was aimlessly walking around. Anna stood there stunned at what she was looking at.

"Okay, we got off to a bad start," The Snowman's head uttered.

Getting over her shock, Anna went to the talking snowman's head. She got its head and tried to place it on the snowman's moving body. After chasing around a bit, she manages to put her head back.

With its head back on the body, Anna got a better look at the snowman. Its body had 3 stacks of snow. The one at the bottom, the middle, which seems to symbolize its chest, and the head of course. He had two stubby legs in the form of snowballs and sticks for arms. Small pieces of sticks that seemed to represent hair came out of his head. The final touch Anna noticed was three black rocks that went vertically down his chest like buttons on a shirt.

"That feels so much better!" The snowman exclaimed. "Now I'm perfect!"

"Yeah," Anna answered nervously as she knelt at the snowman's level. She noticed an empty spot on the snowman's face. If she had carrots on her, she would give one to him as a nose. "Sorry for kicking you like that. You sorta scared me."

"Oh, it's fine. But now that's done, let's start over." The Snowman cleared his throat and gave a happy smile. "Hi, my name is Olaf, and I like warm hugs!"

"Olaf…"

"What do we call him Papa?"

"How does Olaf sound?"

"Olaf...I like it!"

"I bet he loves your warm hugs."

That was the name her father had suggested that day almost a decade ago when they had their snow day. She had used that name for every snowman she built throughout her childhood. Anna found it quite a coincidence to meet a talking snowman with that name. Even more so when he said that he likes warm hugs.

"Your name's Olaf?" Anna clarified.

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason. I just think it's a nice name."

"Thank you!" Olaf lightly waved his stick arms. "And your name…"

"Oh! Right! I'm Anna."

"Nice to meet you, Anna!" Olaf then looked at her head weirdly. "What's that wrapped around your head?"

"What? You mean this?" Anna pointed to her bandage. "I hit my head badly yesterday."

"Does it still hurt?"

"Still a bit sore, but it's getting better. I got a thick skull."

"I don't have a skull. Or bones," Olaf blurted out.

Anna could only awkwardly stare at the snowman after his statement. She promptly continued with the conversation.

"Uh, right. Anyway, I'm not sure if you know but Elsa found me last night and took me into the cave where she helped me."

"So you're that person Marshmallow was carrying last night!"

Anna looked at Olaf confusedly. "Marshmallow?"

"He's like me, but bigger. He's my little brother. Though he is the biggest little brother I have."

"So there's more of them..." Anna thought.

"Anyway, I saw you in Marshmallow's arms when he and Elsa returned. Elsa told me not to go into the cave when she brought you there. I don't know why. But since you're not in the cave, I can talk to you, right?"

"I guess. Where is Elsa and...Marshmallow?"

"I think Elsa is in here somewhere. Marshmallow is out patrolling the mountain for the moment. But it's not just us. I have more little brothers. Maybe I'll introduce some of them to you!"

"I would love to meet them. Where are they-?" Anna was interrupted when she felt something touch her back. Three little snowmen that were several inches tall appeared from behind Anna and went to Olaf's side.

"Here's some of them now!" Olaf exclaimed. "This is Slush, Sludge, and Slide. Slush, Sludge, Slide, this is Anna."

The three little snowmen faced Anna. The young woman only stared at them. She gave a small wave and uttered a "Hello."

The small snow creatures smiled cheerfully and then started jumping on Anna. She was taken by surprise and felt a bit overwhelmed, and Olaf smiled. Soon, the creatures manage to settle down on Anna's lap. Due to their size, Anna had guessed that these were what she saw at the cave entrance.

"AW! They like you!" Olaf exclaimed.

"I think I figured that out," Anna said as the tiny snow creatures jumped off her lap and ran elsewhere. "Are there more of them?"

"Oh yeah! I have their names, but Elsa just calls them Snowgies."

"So it's just you, Marshmallow, The Snowgies, and Elsa?"

"Yep! Just us!" Olaf answered. "And there's you now. Are you going to live here?"

"I'm afraid not. I'm only here until the blizzard dies down. I have to get back home. My family must be really worried about me..."

"That makes sense. We never get visitors up here. Actually, you're the first person I've talked to since I was created. Besides Elsa of course."

"When were you created?"

"I think it was 10 years ago."

Anna's eyes widened in surprise. "You guys have been up here for 10 years? With no one else?"

"Mhmm." Olaf nodded his head casually like it didn't phase him.

This revelation sparked even more questions that Anna wanted to be answered. If Elsa was seemingly around Anna's age, then that would mean Elsa's been here since she was a child. What exactly happened to her? Did she have a family that was worried about her? Or was her family the reason why she was here?

Anna, of course, had her own question for the talking snowman.

"Olaf, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Who exactly created you?"

"I was created by El-"

"What are you doing out here?"

Both Anna and Olaf turned in the direction of the voice. Elsa was staring down at them from the top of the foyer stairs, her face filled with fear.

"Hi, Elsa!" Olaf waved at the woman. Elsa's attention was not on the snowman.

"I thought I said you can't come out here," Elsa told Anna.

Anna suddenly felt nervous. "I'm really sorry. I saw something and wanted to see what it was. But I never expected this place."

"We were just talking and getting to know each other," Olaf explained.

"And I'm afraid that's over. Anna, please go back into the cave."

"Wha-Why?" Anna asked in confusion.

"I-I just can't have you out here right now. Please, just do what I say." Elsa's voice sounded desperate and fearful. Anna watched the woman wrap her arms around her chest and looked down.

Usually, Anna would try to stand her ground, but that was with her father. This woman was genuinely afraid. Who or what was unknown to Anna.

"Okay, I'll go back." Anna didn't look up as she walked back in the direction she had come from. Just before she left the woman's view, Anna stopped and looked up. "I'm sorry for going against your wishes. I didn't mean any harm. But I do want to say...I don't know how this place was made, but it's beautiful."

Elsa's eyes only gave a quick glance before returning to her. Anna sighed and went back to her cave, leaving Elsa alone, with the exception of Olaf. After several moments, Elsa quickly went to the grand staircase on the right of her home.

Elsa was sitting on her bed with her hands on her face. Thoughts went through her head.

"She saw this place. She saw Olaf and The Snowgies. If she found out how they were made…"

She didn't even finish that thought as she just sat in silence.

"Why did I bring her here to begin with? I should've realized the risks."

On the other side of the bedroom were Olaf, a couple of Snowgies, and a snow creature that appeared to be the size of a house. They all stood in silence at the entrance, wondering what they could do to help. Eventually, the giant snow creature went over to Elsa.

The creature gently lifted his snowy hand and placed its icy finger on Elsa's head, gently stroking it. Elsa jerked up at the creature's gesture, though she nuzzled her head into his hand.

"Marshmallow, do you think I made the right choice to bring her here?" Elsa asked.

Marshmallow only spoke a few words. In fact, he can only talk a few words at a time. Fortunately, while he may lack words, Elsa can still understand him in other ways.

"It was risky to bring her here, I admit. But I never doubt your judgment." Marshmallow spoke calmly.

"What if she's afraid of me? What if she escapes and gets people here to hurt me? Or worse, I could end up back with...him."

Marshmallow did not have an answer. It didn't help put Elsa at ease.

"Maybe...she's different?" Olaf suggested with a gentle tone.

Elsa turned to see the small snowman already near her bedside.

"What do you mean?"

"When I was talking to Anna, she didn't seem afraid of me," Olaf started. "Okay I scared her at first, but she apologized and warmed up. She seemed genuinely nice. The Snowgies really like her. I don't know but...I got a really good feeling about her. I think she wouldn't be afraid of you"

"I don't know…" Elsa muttered.

"Wouldn't hurt if you talk to her."

Elsa looked at Olaf for a moment. While he may be goofy sometimes, he can be wise when necessary. Maybe he was right. Elsa should tell Anna the truth so she would understand. Elsa hoped so for both of their sakes.

She looked at her hand, and snowflakes swirled around it momentarily before she clasped her palm.

We finally have the appearance of Olaf (for real), Marshmallow, and a few Snowgies (Okay they were kinda a last minute addition:P). I sure hope I did Olaf's character right.

So now that Elsa is in this story, she'll get her own sections throughout the story. Though Anna will still get the main spotlight.

I feel I should explain Marshmallow. As far as I know, Marshmallow doesn't really speak. He can only speak a few words at a time. So when he really 'speaks' is more like Elsa (and Olaf) interpreting what's he saying. To others, it'll just be grunts and/or roars. I hope that make sense.

And I'm sorry for ending off the chapter like this. I feel Anna & Elsa talking to each other should be in a separate chapter. Who knows, perhaps we'll see a bit of Elsa's story.

Also, Thank you to those for following, favoring, reviewing, and reading this story.