#frozen ff

Eydis insisted with her gaze, but her tone hadn't been sarcastic. She was fascinated by the connection the Spirits had between them, and now Anna and Kristoff had lifted their eyes to her to know the answer too.

Elsa felt ashamed to not have what they were looking for.

"I don't... Sense anything else than the fact they put all their power in a conflict. I'm sorry."

Anna frowned with emotion. "Hey, don't apologize. You did nothing wrong."

Elsa gulped.

"And I suppose that it's the first time ever that you feel anger emanating from them, isn't it?" Guessed Kristoff.

Elsa nodded. "Indeed. And it's..." Her right hand clenched on the table. "...really unpleasant."

Anna reached for it with her own hand. "It's gonna be okay. It will all end up well, eventually. We'll find a solution today."

The blonde smiled back, and Eydis bounced on her chair.

"Yeah, it will all be okay!"

The adults smiled at her genuine positivity. The girl exclaimed:

"When Nokk will be happy again, will we ride together, me on my pony and you on Nokk?"

Elsa smiled, ruffling her already messy hair. "Sure. I miss them just as much as you do."

She especially loved those rides with her, because she always spent a joyful time with her niece, and also because it drove the Water Spirit nuts to see how slow Eydis' pony was.

=======

Later in the morning, they all sat down in the living room to discuss about solutions. Mattias had joined them, much to Elsa's satisfaction, because she saw him rarely. Either she only had time to come for game nights and go back to the Forest right after, so she didn't get to visit him and Halima in the village, either he was busy training with the Arendelle's army.

"General Mattias. It's always a pleasure."

The man nudged her a bit as they embraced. "Please. Don't tease me. Just go for Mattias."

Elsa giggled. "I still think that this grade suits you well. It does have a ring to it."

Anna entered in the teasing game. "Oh, I only made him general because of how it sounded. Not because of his skills and wisdom. Of which he has none."

The black soldier looked at the dorky sisters with a smirk. "Are you two done?"

"And the fact he's my counselor only is for personal reasons." Kept going Anna, grinning along Elsa. "Not because he helps me in strategic meetings."

"Yeah, I heard you help Anna pick her dresses, is that right?"

They both giggled, and Mattias, even if he was amused, eyed the King from where he was.

"Kristoff, how can you even deal with those two?"

The blonde shrugged. "I don't. I actually plan to murder them with Olaf's help next week. But shh, don't tell anyone."

The sisters laughed even more, now holding to each other.

"What is going on?" Asked Eydis, entering the room with a book under her arm, finally getting out of her morning lesson. She had heard the word 'murder', which she didn't know, and would love to find out.

"Nothing", chuckled Mattias. "How are you, little Princess?"

"Great!" Beamed the little girl. "We started a new course today!"

She showed the book she had been holding.

"It's called trigged... Trigo..."

"Trigonometry?" Helped Elsa and Mattias with one voice.

"Yeah!" Exclaimed Eydis.

"Ooooh, I loved trigonometry when I was your age." Beamed Elsa. "You know, triangles are fascinating. The sum of their angles always equals—"

"Oh my goodness, please someone stops that nerd before she starts talking about fractals." Eyerolled Anna behind Mattias.

"Hey!" Grumbled the blonde, standing up after bending to her niece.

Anna stuck out her tongue as she sat on the couch next to Kristoff.

Mattias bent to Eydis. "You know, it's a really interesting and important class. I'm sure your aunt uses its rules when she crafts structures in ice. In fact, we use knowledge of it in military as well."

The princess' eyes sparkled. "Awesome! And is it practical in handiwork as well?"

The man nodded. "Of course. It's where it's the most useful, I think."

As she jolted along him, Elsa looked at her sister while she sat in the sofa by the couch. "Handiwork?" She repeated with a frown.

Anna waved her hand in the air. "She plays handiwork a lot lately. It's more 'pretend' than actually building anything, but she loves it. Craftspeople all around the village offered her tools so she could have a little kit."

"That's adorable." Smiled Elsa.

"Yeah, well, when she taps against door frames and stairs railings late in the night saying "this needs to be fixed!" and then mimes to bang nails in it or saw some parts, it's less fun."

The blonde giggled, sorry for them but deeply amused.

"This is as cute as dangerous", said Anna, "but don't worry, she hasn't broken anything on purpose. Yet."

"Lately she said she got a new hammer, and I suspect Oaken to have given him. Let's hope she'll not use it soon." Smiled Kristoff.

"I'll maybe confiscate her toolkit..." Sighed Anna, looking at her daughter talking with Mattias.

Kristoff frowned.

"Don't, that would break her heart. She loves handiwork just like you love to read novels, Anna. It's her passion."

They smiled at the father's wisdom.

"You're right." Admitted Anna.

"And I know someone who was just as dangerous when she was her age..." Teased Elsa.

The Queen lifted her eyebrows. "Who? Me?"

The blond chuckled, turning to her. "How many times did you say you made the armors fall apart again?"

She pushed him away, but her tiny hand on his muscular chest didn't make him move an inch. "Alright, alright. I was a constant mess and she inherited from me. Here, is that what you wanted to hear?"

The two others laughed a yes.

Mattias joined them and they started to think about all the possibilities to compensate the magic storm. The discussion went on for a full hour, and as Elsa now was nervously fidgeting with a cushion as she declined all of their suggestions because of how impossible to do they were, Anna was just as nervously standing up. Pacing back and forth in front of the lit fireplace, she searched for a solution to help her sister, but also her kingdom which was starting to get impacted by such a weather condition. Arendelle had known many terrible natural events in its history, but this one had been going on for many days without a pause. It started to tire the people and reduce the resources. She turned to her elder.

"Elsa, you know the best way is to get to Ahtohallan and get their opinion on this."

The blonde lifted her eyes to her, a bit annoyed.

"And Anna, I told you a dozen times already that I can't cross the sea."

The Queen agitated her hands. She wasn't going to give up easily.

"We should try together. We'll cross the Dark Sea despite the storm. We're the Bridge, nothing can stop us! I'm going to ask to prepare a ship from my private float..."

Elsa widened her eyes.

"Anna, no. That's out of question."

"Why? I should help you! I want to help you!"

Elsa now frowned.

"You will not go in a ship to Ahtohallan!"

"What?"

"Especially with a weather like this."

"WHY?!" Erupted Anna, enraging.

"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO IN A STORM ON A SHIP!"

Elsa's voice filled the room with force as she suddenly stood up. Kristoff and Mattias turned to her with shocked faces. Eydis retracted on the couch, holding her knees against her chest in fear. All got startled by how Elsa had suddenly raised her tone, something she very rarely did. Breathing heavily, she locked her eyes with her little sister.

Anna definitely was the most stunned of them all. Standing still by the fireplace, her lips trembled. She stared at Elsa intensely, but unlike the blonde's eyes which were panicked, hers eyes were sad, and filling with tears turning her vision blur. She saw that Elsa's eyes were teary as well.

She could also tell that, in that gaze, was almost printed the mental image of an Arendellian ship grimly lit by a lightning bolt and sinking in giant waves, never returning home.

The redhead gulped, gasping in a breath she had been holding.

"Elsa, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."

The elder sighed. "Yes, I know..."

She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "But still, please never bring up that suggestion again. Ever."

The room remained silent, and she picked up the cushion she had made fall to the carpet when she stood. However, she didn't sit to hold it against her. She put it back on the sofa, and walked to the door.

"I... Sorry, I need a break. I'll meet you guys later."

Anna gasped.

"Elsa..."

Her voice was weak and devastated, and she bit her lip in a pout as the blonde left the room.

The two men exchanged a look, not daring to add a word, and Eydis stared sadly at the spot where her aunt's back had turned to the corridor.

The Queen crossed the room to go after her, but Kristoff held her arm. He stood up to be at her side. He shook his head.

"Don't push her. You know you have to give her some space."

"Yes, of course." Murmured Anna grudgingly.

She lowered her gaze, and agreed with him. Anna could only clear her throat and change the topic, so they would talk about something else until she felt the time was right to go talk with her sister.

=======

"The past is in the past", Elsa had often said through the years since they got closer again.

The redhead held to this promise with dear life. By experience with her sister, Anna knew that her time alone wouldn't be long, and that she was allowed to gently ask to burst her bubble.

As she walked up the stairs, she felt like it was entirely her fault if Elsa was nervous after their argument and needed to isolate herself. She should never have suggested this stupid idea of going on a ship! Why did she suggest this stupid idea of going on a ship?!

Anna was so angry at herself that her knock on the wood of the door actually was stronger than she meant. However, Elsa didn't respond. Usually, she would say "Come in", or just "Hmm" to indicate Anna was welcome to enter. But here, nothing.

The younger's heart clenched. Persuaded she was the problem, she didn't dare to open the door, even if it looked unlocked.

"Elsa..."

She gulped. Why was it so hard to do that again? She knew that years had gone by, that their relationship was completely different and open now. It was so difficult to dive into this setting once again. Anna had known this situation for ages, but nothing could have prepared her to return to it.

Her hand clenched in a fist against the lacquered wood.

"Elsa, please, answer me. Please."

Without realizing it, her breathing sped up.

"Elsa..."

The Queen was rapidly having a panic attack. Not again. Not this situation. Please, gods, anything but this situation again. She couldn't go through it again.

Her legs felt like cotton, and she fell to the corridor's floor.

Anna's nails rasped the door.

"Elsa, I'm—"

"Anna, what are you doing?"

The redhead gasped loudly, and in the gesture, she swallowed a water drop, which was a tear that had fallen on her face and she hadn't noticed.

She spun around, falling on her butt as she did because of how fast she turned, and saw that Elsa was walking to her with frowned eyebrows and a concerned face, closing the book she visibly had been reading.

"Why are you here crying on the floor? What is going on?"

Anna had to gulp to form an answer, and in the meantime, the blonde's eyes darted to the door. Everything clicked in her mind like a puzzle.

"Oh Ahtohallan, you thought I shut you out?"

The redhead was unable to answer something else than a bubble of cry, her lips twitching in a tearful pout. She nodded, trembling. Elsa urged to go crouch to her.

"Anna... Hey, hey it's okay. Come here."

The younger didn't wait for a second call. She launched herself in her arms and sobbed silently on Elsa's shoulder. The Snow Queen recognized the too-familiar behavior of a panic attack, and she passed a hand along Anna's back and in her long hair to soothe her breathing. Acting like magic, and maybe it was, the redhead calmed quickly, melting in Elsa's embrace. The elder held her tight.

"I'm so sorry. I went to the library to get a register, and..."

She didn't add more. What was the purpose? She felt terrible for making Anna believe she didn't want to see her.

Elsa delicately parted the hug, and looked at her sister in the eyes.

"I would never, ever shut you out, okay? I know I'm still very bad at making it clear on why and how I need time alone, but... It's never to abandon you."

Anna nodded, gulping loudly again, and gasping because she still had her throat twisted by her emotion.

"Sorry for doubting it." Admitted the younger.

Elsa gasped in an exclamation as she rubbed Anna's tears. "You're really not the wrongdoer, you know!"

Anna had a smile at the corner of her lips. Minutes passed as Elsa made sure that her little sister retrieved her normal breathing. Finally, they stood up, and after she cleaned her face, Anna saw the book she picked from the floor.

"That's a register?"

"Hmm-hmm." Nodded Elsa, showing it to her.

As Anna turned the pages and realized what it was meant to take in account, Elsa continued: "Our argument earlier... That actually gave me an idea. Follow me."

The redhead blinked in confusion, but walked behind her elder through the castle, until they reached the servant's room where she knew Kai and Gerda would be at that time of day. Elsa asked if they were available, and the four of them went to a silent spot in the corridor.

"Kai, Gerda... You're the oldest servants we have. What I mean is, you were there when the accident with our parents happened."

The two widened their eyes, and Anna turned to her sister with emotion.

"Do you remember if the storm that happened that night was the same than the one occurring when Mother and Father were lost at sea?" Asked Elsa.

The maid looked at the ceiling as she thought. "Hum... Maybe..."

Her gaze then went from one sister to another. "Can't you tell?"

Elsa had a sad smile. "Anna was too shocked by the loss to remember it in detail, and me too, but I also was locking myself indoors, so I could tell even less about the weather..."

Anna turned to her sister again. She knew how shocked she was? Of course she knew. But that still was touching.

"I see..." Nodded Gerda.

"Well... We can't really know." Said Kai, looking sorry. "It was a stormy night like any other."

Gerda agreed. "I only remember that ships were unadvised to go sail that night and all stayed on the harbor, but the ship of your late parents had already departed an hour or so before..."

Anna lowered her eyes. "The wind had come up after they left. It was just misfortune."

"Yes."

Something held Anna's hand and it surprised her. Elsa squeezed her touch, and the redhead smiled sadly. "It was a good idea to investigate on that. But apparently, the two events don't coincide."

Kai looked at them. "Indeed, the storm which happened that day wasn't magical in any way."

Gerda turned to Elsa. "I have yet to understand fully the nuance between the magic of the Spirits of Nature and the science of meteorology, but the storm that happened that day more than ten years ago truly wasn't the same that we endure today. It was less intense and shorter."

Elsa nodded. She also paid attention to the subtext Gerda gave when she said she still was confused about knowing that there were Spirits associated to elements, and that the soft and shy little princess she had seen grow up had become a goddess able to command them.

"Thank you for your precisions." Smiled Anna.

Once they both bowed and returned to their activities, she turned to her elder. "It was brilliant that you came up with that conclusion."

Elsa looked at her, her eyes a bit lost in a reflection.

"I can't tell if the news that this is not the same kind of storm makes me relieved or worried..."

Anna winced. "Me neither."

=======

Eydis, however, was extremely relieved to see her aunt back after her other class of the morning, jumping at her sight at the lunch table. After the first course, she asked her to make a dome to cover her plate because she heard her mother on the other side of the table say that she was capable of doing everything with her magic. Elsa smirked, and flicked her wrist in the air. A glass-like cloche made of ice fell on her dish with a satisfying 'click' like it was tailor-made.

"Waaaoh!" Exclaimed Eydis, and she clapped in admiration like Elsa just did something utterly incredible.

The Snow Queen grinned however, because coming from her, it was a lovely compliment.

"Eydis, eat your vegetables. If you let it too long under Elsa's dome, it will get colder." Warned Anna.

"Yes, Mama." Pouted the girl, grabbing the cloche with her tiny hands to put it aside.

Elsa bit her lip and wiggled her finger, and in a crisp of frost, Eydis hands got stuck to the ice. She noticed it by the sensation and the fact she now was unable to put it down, and she giggled loudly.

"Auntieeee!"

Elsa laughed openly. Eydis continued to shake the dome up and down to get rid of it, laughing even more.

"Elsa, please let her eat."

The blonde rolled her eyes at Anna being a killjoy, and vanished it. The princess was disappointed, but the Snow Queen pointed at the vegetables to remind her it was important for her to eat them.

Elsa and Anna chatted lightly and after a while, it reminded the little girl of the argument they had a few hours before.

"I can build a ship."

Elsa turned to her. "Pardon?"

"I can build a ship to bring you to At-the... A-tho..."

"Ahtohallan." Smiled Elsa.

"Yeah. That."

"You can build ships? Entire ships?" Teased Elsa.

"Yes I can!" Exclaimed Eydis, thinking she doubted of her. "I've become really good at building stuff! I have all the tools! I even have screwdrivers! And I have rulers, and a new hammer, and I even got a chisel and—"

"A chisel?" Suddenly worried the blonde.

"I took it away from her."

Elsa sighed at Anna's sentence, easily imagining the fiery princess running around the castle with such a blade.

"But I need it to help the village's carpenter!" Pouted Eydis, shocked to know her mother did such a thing.

"You'll help him by assisting him", calmed Kristoff, finding a compromise.

It seemed to work, because the girl grumbled but returned to eating what was in her plate.

"Every Wednesday, she goes in the village and he teaches her some stuff. The architect working with him once said that she's got good pen stroke skills. Apparently, she already got perspective, which is rare at her age."

Anna chew on her piece of cheese and pointed at her elder.

"That is something she inherited from you."

Elsa smiled with delight, and she felt her cheeks get warmer in pride. She looked down at Eydis, and her smile disappeared when she saw that the girl currently was pulling her steak with her teeth. Anna sighed.

"Elsa, could you help the carnivore cut her meat?"

Eydis whined and Elsa complied, giggling.

After she did, she turned to her sister and brother-in-law.

"I'll take notes of the weather's intensity today, and see if it gets worse tomorrow. In the morning, I'll go investigate to see how big the storm is, and to which scale it extends."

"I'll come with you." Announced Anna.

Elsa frowned. "No, don't let me go on how dangerous it is for you."

"I don't risk anything if I'm with you." Underlined the redhead, knowing well what arguments to use with her.

The blonde got speechless.

"Touché." Muttered Kristoff as he drank his glass of red wine.

"Will you request for the other Spirits' help?" Inquired Eydis.

"Maybe I'll ask for the Giants to give us a hand, yes. Quite literally." Smiled Elsa.

"And will you need my help?"

The Snow Queen heard in that question that her niece was desperately asking for her to say yes to bring some adventure to her daily life, and the following day surely was filled with boring classes. However, she had to say no. She would never risk Anna's life, all the more for Eydis.

"No, but you'll be very helpful once you'll learn everything about trigonometry to help the carpenter."

"Really?" Beamed the princess, not even realizing she diverted the topic.

"Yes! And if you're nice, I might buy you a spirit level. It will be your most precious asset in handiwork, trust me."

Eydis' eyes sparkled even more. "Is it magical?"

"What? No, it's based on a bubble—"

She then realized what she had just said, and that she was talking to a child.

"Yes. Yes obviously. It's magical. It's a spirit level, of course it is."

"Awesome!"

Eydis then returned to her plate, and Elsa exchanged an amused look with her parents.

"Spirits magic really is awesome." Muttered Eydis, chewing on her meat.

=======

"Can I sleep with Auntie tonight as well?"

Kristoff snorted. "This is becoming a habit, uh?"

Eydis pushed the storybook he was reading her by the fire in the living room and turned with an adorable pout.

"Pleeeease."

She then looked genuinely sad. "I don't see her often."

The King melted at the sight. "Sure, I'll go tell her."

He stood up and she clamped to him like a baby koala. "No, wait, stay."

Kristoff smiled. "Why?"

As an answer, the wind outside started to blow, making the windows tremble. It made a haunting sound when it passed by the chimney, and the flames danced a bit. They didn't notice the storm much by day when they were inside, because they were busy or talking, but now that night had fallen, the castle was quiet, and it emphasized its violence.

"You're scared of the storm?"

She shook her head to say no, but her red cheeks and glittering eyes stated the opposite. Kristoff held her tight.

"Hey, it's okay. It's just wind and rain. You're safe in the castle."

"But it's magic."

He passed a hand on her hair. "Yes, but this magic will never harm you. I promise."

Kristoff then smiled. "Is it company you look for? Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"

Eydis grumbled, stepping out of the embrace. "No! I'm a big girl now. I don't need you to take care of me like a baby."

Her father understood that she was referring to him and Anna. "Okay."

She hugged him again however, and Kristoff took note that sleeping with her aunt, even if she was close family, didn't make Eydis feel like she was smothered.

When he joined Elsa later and he told her her wish, he also shared his thoughts.

"Yeah, it's very common for children of her age." Nodded Elsa. "Many Northuldra kids ask for a separate hut before they even are ten years old. It's normal, and it will pass. Trust me. Neither Anna or me were like that at her age, for we had a... Quite special childhood... But I'm certain that it's normal for Eydis."

"I'm not really a reference either." Chuckled Kristoff nervously, for he got raised by trolls.

"I'll sleep with her and keep an eye on her, don't worry. It makes me happy too."

"Great."

An hour later, Eydis and her were under the sheets, and this time the princess didn't request a chime, for the wind had calmed down to the benefit of rain, now a downpour. Thankfully, the drops weren't pushed to the windows, so it was a rather calm night, and Elsa smiled when she saw how soundly her niece was sleeping. She soon closed her own eyes and let herself drift to sleep.

=======

Eydis coughed lightly when she swallowed something tiny and cold. She frowned, her eyes still closed, and rubbed her mouth. As she did, the girl felt the familiar sensation of sharp touches of a snowing day and wondered why she felt it on her skin then. It must be a very realistic dream...

She fell to sleep again, turning on her pillow, but was woken up by a second tiny and cold thing falling in her ear this time. With a groan, she shook her head and wagged her arms around to get rid of what she thought were flies. Confused, she opened her eyes, and what her brown irises sparkled at the sight of a billion snowflakes falling in her bedroom.

They magically formed under the ceiling, then dropped slowly to the floor, vanishing just before hitting the carpet and the parquet. Eydis forgot to blink for a moment because of how jaw-dropping she was, and winced with clenched eyelids when she remembered that she had to. She kneeled then stood on the bed, watching what was happening in awe. Like silver dust, the snowflakes started to form a forest, and two people running around the trees. They didn't look very real, thought Eydis, and it reminded her of the illustrations in the storybooks her father read to her. She wondered if she were dreaming, and pinched her arm. After a wince, she noted that she definitely wasn't; as awesome as it was, what was happening in her bedroom really was happening in her bedroom.

Eydis hummed. She had heard multiple times from her mother that Elsa would sometimes conjure snow when she's upset. The little girl felt sad for her, and looked down at her aunt's face, but she was sleeping peacefully, even smiling. Everything clicked in the princess' brain: Elsa's smiles and moans were in sync with what was happening in the air. Was she controlling that show? Was she pranking her? No, she looked like she was genuinely sleeping, even if she had a calm breathing, just like her father when he had naps on the couch.

Eydis stood up, admiring the scene, not daring to touch the little characters at first, but then interacting with them with her fingers, following the trail of the forest that got drawn here. She squinted as she tried to understand who the two persons were. One looked just like Elsa, and the other, she couldn't quite understand, because they kept jumping on tree logs while the magic-drawing-Elsa clapped at her. She heard them both laugh, and it sounded weird, like it was distant and pitched like a bell.

The princess turned around the room to see more. The two were playing 'catch me' and giggling louder and louder in the forest. Eydis turned when she heard Elsa laugh slightly in her sleep. Suddenly, the magic-drawing-Elsa got caught by the other person because they had been hiding behind a tree, and Eydis finally recognized who it was when they talked, still with a bell-like voice.

"I won! Told you I could get you in no time." Laughed Honeymaren.

"Okay, okay, one point for you. I'll do the dishes."

Eydis heard Elsa laugh again in the bed, and she beamed at the scene. So it was Elsa and Honeymaren playing! She saw the mini-Elsa picking up pots and spoons and walking to what looked like a river, wide and going through the whole bedroom. It flowed like actual water with all its tiny snowflakes strolling in one move, and Eydis couldn't help but touch it with a "Woaaaw..."

She had to show this to her parents. She ran to the door, her forehead going through ice projections of branches, and she blinked with a giggle when it fell to her eyes. Eydis shook her head and ran in the corridor to her parent's bedroom.

"Mama! Mama!"

Anna grumbled at the sudden intrusion, noise and weight on her as Eydis jumped on the bed.

"Your daughter is awake", muttered Kristoff.

Anna sighed. "Sorry, but I technically have 'People of the Sun' blood, so before sunrise, she's your daughter."

"Mama!" Insisted Eydis, shaking Anna's shoulders specifically.

"What, sweetie?" Murmured the redhead.

"Elsa does magic!"

"Yes, we're aware."

"She is having visions! She has magic all over! The whole bedroom has ice in it!"

It took Anna a second, then her eyes opened wide.

"What, WHAT, WHAT?"

Those three informations were very alarming.

"Come, quick!"

No need to tell her twice. Anna jumped out of bed, hurrying. She was way faster than her daughter, and opened her bedroom's door wide. She gasped when she saw the scene. Just like Eydis, she couldn't help but contemplate it. She looked at every detail, at the trees, at the rocks, at the way they were made of what looked like a billion of stars. Emotion roamed in her heart and in her guts. It simply was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen in her life.

"Incredible..." She whispered.

Eydis finally arrived, and bumped headfirst into her back.

Stumbling, her mother then walked to Elsa still sleeping soundly, and was about to wake her up, but she looked so happy and peaceful with a smile matching her dream that she didn't dare to.

"Mama!" Exclaimed Eydis, rubbing her forehead. "Why did you stand there? It hurts!"

She had been talking with a regular voice, and Elsa stirred in her sleep. She frowned as something woke her up, and her dream projection softly vanished. The sparkles of magic disappeared, much to Anna's and Eydis' disappointment.

Elsa blinked, and suddenly widened her eyes when she saw her sister and her niece staring right at her in the dark.

"Uhhh... Hello?"

Anna inspected her face, like she was checking for fever signs by a simple gaze.

"...What is going on?" Worried Elsa.

"Are you okay?"

"I... Well, yes. I'm perfectly fine."

A smile even stretched her lips. She actually felt great. She couldn't tell why, but her brain was filled with happiness.

"Why are you two looking at me like this?"

Anna sat on the sheets in front of her sister.

“Let me go!” The Queen of Arendelle looked regal, even with the chains that bound her to the floor. “Oh no, my dear. That wouldn’t nearly be as much fun.” the woman who entered the cell answered. “Why would I let you go if your kingdom doesn’t know yet what you’ve done?” She threw the cloak down for Elsa to see. “Anna! What did you do to my sister?” “Oh don’t worry darling. She isn’t dead.” The woman turned and walked out of the cell, seemed to think for a bit and faced Elsa again. “At least not yet.”

–

It was dark again, and, though Anna could barely think it possible, even colder. Then, she heard laughing. It sounded like children, playing, having fun. Suddenly she was standing in a ballroom of a castle. Somehow it felt familiar, like a home. One of the big doors open and two children sneak in, giggling and shushing each other. “Come on, come on, come on!” The younger one shouts. “Are you ready?” The older one whispers in return whilst Anna looks on. They do not seem to see her as the ballroom turns white with ice and snow and the two children play. The scene seems familiar, as from a story in a book she once read. The children seem familiar as well, but Anna cannot recall why or when or how she met them. The youngest girl jumps and plays and looks in awe at the oldest sister who makes snow appear right before their very eyes. “Faster, faster!” Suddenly it all comes rushing back to Anna as she looks. This was her, that was Elsa. “No!” She tries to warn the children, warn her past self but it is too late. A flash of white and everything turns to black again.

“Granpabbie? Is there anything you can do?” Kristoff looks pleadingly at the man, troll, who raised him. The old wise rock-like creature hunches over Anna as he examines her. and slowly shakes his head. With a flick of his wrist, a vision appears in the night sky. “Long ago, there was a kingdom quite near us whose princess was born during the shortest day of the year. Not only this, but at the day of her birth the land was covered in darkness, for the moon had covered the sun and absorbed all of its light. And thus, the princess was born with the magic powers of ice and snow.” The vision changed. “The princess was vain but ugly, so she created a mirror that would show her how she saw herself, beautiful and powerful. But when a handsome palace guard did not return her feelings of love, she broke the mirror. The shards of the mirror made her more powerful than she ever was before.” Granpabbie sighed and the vision disappeared. “More powerful than me. I’m sorry Kristoff, there is nothing I can do.” “There must be something, anything!” The wise troll shook his head. “I cannot do anything. But there is one warmth that can melt any frozen heart: True Love.” “True love? That’s it!” Kristoff got up. “Her fiance!”

The dark was replaced with light again. Now, she saw herself. Anna was surprised she recognised herself, as everything else was so vague, and so cold. She was talking with what seemed to be a man, but there was something off about him. He was so cold, so incredibly cold. Colder than Anna felt right now, colder than she could ever imagine. Her past self did not seem to notice the freezing however. She laughed and danced and talked and looked happy. Anna followed the pair through the darkness that surrounded them. They seemed to see where they were standing, confident in their steps, but all Anna could see was darkness around them, like they were dancing in nothing. Suddenly, the man was on his knees, asking her past self something. She seemed enthusiast, but all Anna could feel was an ice cold stab of someone else’s victory in her heart.

By the time Kristoff arrived at the castle doors, the body he was carrying seemed more dead than alive. If it was not for the very slow and shallow heartbeat he could feel against his chest, he would be convinced he was carrying the corpse of the princess of Arendelle. Her face was white and her first so lively brown hair had turned grey. “Is anyone there?! Please, I need help! I need to talk to-” Kristoff paused for a moment to think. “Hans. The fiance of the princess?” The door opened slightly, and then fully as the people on the other side recognised the body the strong blonde was carrying. Gasps of shock and whispered questions could be heard as running footsteps got closer. “Who are you?” A demanding voice sounded. “What did you do to the princess?”  “She got hit by ice magic, she needs true love’s kiss.” Kristoff tried to explain, but too many people were looking at him, too many people staring. The limp body he had been carrying was suddenly removed from his arms and carried away by guards. “Find Hans” Kristoff managed to shout, before the castle doors closed in front of him and he was alone again.

–

The cell doors were opened again, and Elsa straightened her back. She could not wipe away her tears, for her arms were still chuffed, but she could at least have some composure. “What do you want.” the Queen asked, angrily. “Where is Anna? Let me go!” The figure that opened the door stepped into the light. The witch was tall and pale and her eyes had no colour. The clothes she wore were blue and rich and luxurious, with glimmering diamonds covering her dress. One diamond stood out, however. A gleaming brooch on her left breast. She seemed more dead than alive. “If I cannot have the person I love, neither can you.” The witch simply said. “Oh,” She added, as in some sort of an afterthought. “Your sister is dead.”

–

The darkness stayed dark. And the cold stayed cold. The silence stayed a silence. Anna did not know whether her eyes were open or closed, whether she had a body or not, whether she was alive or- No, she did not want to think that word. She felt her body, being carried, heaved over, carried again. She felt the couch she was placed on. She felt a single kiss on her lips, but she knew it was not meant for it only made her colder and colder. The darkness was so dark. The cold was so cold. She felt her heartbeat fade. Anna felt nothing.

A thunderous sound and an enormous explosion. In the distance, Kristoff saw snow flying in the air, trees and rocks with it. Never had he seen such force before. He had seen his fair share of avalanches and ice-related accidents, but never this. He never could have imagined this. Once some of the impact had faded away, he suddenly realised he had been there before. “Sven, run!” And for what seemed like the hundredth time today, the reindeer ran towards the horizon. 

–

Sadness. Intense sadness. And anger, burning and raging and bigger than herself. Elsa felt her powers grow with her anger until she could not contain it anymore. She screamed, shouted, exploded. Everything around her turned into bright white. When the light finally faded, she was standing in the ruins what was once a castle made of ice. Broken trees and rocks swept up in the explosion of snow surrounded her. “WITCH!” Elsa shouted, her voice echoing over the newly created glade. In the distance, some of the ice moved. Elsa started walking towards it, her anger, her sorrow, her sadness, her regrets growing again. Out of the snow climbed the ice witch, obviously surprised. “YOU KILLED MY SISTER. NOW YOU WILL DIE TOO.” Elsa’s heart was burning, so intently burning. her parents were gone, now her sister was gone. Her country would never want a Queen as her, as monstrous as her. There was nothing left, nothing to live for except making that witch pay for what she’d done. Pay for making her angry at the coronation, pay for revealing her ice powers, pay for capturing her and murdering her sister. Elsa raised her arms and struck.

–

When Kristoff arrived at the site where the castle used to be he could barely believe his eyes. Ultimate destruction was in front of him, with in the middle a raging Queen and a terrified witch, standing on the edge of a cliff. “QUEEN ELSA!” Kristoff shouted. The woman did not seem to hear him, instead driving the witch to the edge of the cliff. “WAIT!” “She KILLED my SISTER!” No. No. Anna could not be dead. He had brought her to the castle, brought her to her true love Hans. Kristoff refused to believe, could not believe- The Queen stuck again, leaving the terrified witch only one step away from certain death. Kristoff looked at the spectacle in fear, in worry. He remembered the tales Anna had told him of her sister on their adventure. The tales of her kindness, of the fun they had, of how much she admired the new Queen. “Would your sister have wanted you to do this?” Elsa looked up at these words. “What do you know of my sister?” 

–

The stranger looked back at her in surprise, seemingly not knowing an answer. “I-” he started, “I- I love her.” The stranger seemed surprised by his own words as if he only now realised it. “And I heard her talk about you. She loved you. She looked up to you.” the stranger continued. “She wouldn’t want you to do this.” Elsa lowered her hands and turned to face him. Suddenly, her sadness overpowered her anger and saw the destruction around her. She looked down at her hands. “I caused this?”

–

“QUE-” Kristoff didn’t even have the time to finish his word when the small explosion sounded. The witch had made use from the distraction and crawled up, now attacking the Queen. Everything went so fast Kristoff didn’t realise they happened until it was all done. Elsa had created some sort of ice shield, reflecting the attack and hitting the witch right in her heart. Kristoff carefully walked towards the edge of the cliff. Deep, deep down he could see a body, the clothes in clear contrast with the white snow. He turned to face the Queen, who looked in shock at her hands. “I killed someone.” She whispered. “I killed someone.”

–

Everything was a haze. From the moment she had killed, oh dear God she had killed, the ice witch, the stranger had dragged her with him on his reindeer. They had speeded over the mountain, back to the castle she grew up in. She vaguely heard the stranger talking to her. Something about a fiance, true love, trolls. It all did not make sense to her. She just stared into the distance, thinking of the body on the bottom of the cliff. She had killed someone. Actually killed someone. 

Elsa barely noticed that they had arrived at the castle. She didn’t hear her subjects cheer for her when the stranger announced the heroic actions of the Queen and the death of the evil witch. She didn’t realise herself being ushered inside. She didn’t understand her advisors when they were telling her how they had caught a usurper, planning to marry into the royal family and take over the throne. She only woke up from her trance when she saw the lifeless body of her sister, laying on her bed. “ANNA! NO!” 

–

Kristoff listened to the story of the advisors in shock. Hans had been a betrayer. He had not loved Anna. Anna was dead. Anna was dead. Anna was- He could not believe it. The young woman who had teased him, who seemed so lively, who had been so enthusiast and naive and kind was no more. He was lead to a room, together with the Queen who seemed to be in a constant state of shock, waking out of it when she saw her sister. “ANNA! NO!” The heart-wrenching cry echoed through the room as the Queen lost all her remaining dignity and hugged her sister tight.

It was so cold. So endlessly cold. How long had it been cold? She could not remember. Was she a she? She couldn’t remember that either. Who was she? What was she? She tried to shrug the doubt away, but she couldn’t move. So cold. So cold.But- not cold anymore. What was that? She felt something. Something radiating. The word for it was on the tip of her tongue, but yet it did not seem to come to mind. She just basked in the feeling. Yes, she was a she. She knew now. And what she felt was warmth. It had been so long since she felt warmth. Since she Anna, for she now remembered that was her name, felt warmth. Sound. She could now also hear sound. She couldn’t identify what it was, for Anna was too distracted by the feeling of warmth. But there certainly was sound. Crying perhaps? Why would anyone be crying? It was so nice and warm. And light. Anna gasped for air.

–

Movement. Elsa felt movement under her. She looked up, surprised, wiped away the tears. “Anna?” “Elsa?” “ANNA! You’re alive!” “I’m- I’m alive.” Her sister sounded amazed at this as well, but Elsa didn’t care. “Oh Anna, I am so sorry. I’m so sorry.” “What for?” her sister replied with a weak smile. “I wasn’t there for you, I shut you out, I didn’t believe you and I hit you with my magic and I kept secrets and-” Elsa started rambling. “And I’m so sorry.” “You’re here now.” Anna smiled weakly. And the two sisters hugged and cried.

–

It took weeks before Kristoff could finally find a moment to speak with Anna alone. She was still weak, and in bed, but she was impatient to get out of it. “Kristoff!” She sounded happy to welcome him in. “Finally someone. I am bored out of my wits here, stuck in bed.” Kristoff entered the room and closed the door behind him. “How are you?” “I should ask you that.” he replied. “I’m fine. I just-” Anna looked at him, thinking. “I just don’t really know what happened. And no one wants to tell me. The last thing I remember was- I was with you. And with Sven. And, trolls?” She looked at him desperately. “Nothing makes sense. I was so cold. And then suddenly I was warm again and Elsa was crying. And I don’t know what happened. Everyone keeps insisting we’re safe and the witch is gone but-”  Kristoff nodded, sat down, and started his story.

–

Anna looked in awe at the man in front of her. He did all that? For her? The room was silent for a while after Kristoff finished his story. “Why?” Anna broke the silence. “Why did you do all that? Why did you go through the trouble to save me? And why did you go back for Elsa? Why- Just, why?” The blonde man seemed to avoid her gaze when he answered. “I’ll love you till my breathing stops.”

———-

=======

“It’s a dome”, informed Elsa, helping Anna out with her words, for she had completely lost any notion of vocabulary since she entered the bright white room of memories. 

Anna looked down with a flabbergasted expression. “How high is it?”

Elsa shook her head with wide eyes. “I have no idea.” 

She lifted her arms, taking in the whole place around them, her voice echoing. “You said the other day that I have the soul and skills of an architect... Well, if I started estimating the size of this room, I’d loose my mind.” 

“Is it infinite?” 

“No, not quite. It’s magical, with its own physical properties. It has rules that I still have to comprehend.”

“It’s really funny to see your nerdy personality mix passion towards science and magic”, Anna laughed, her breath appearing in little clouds of smoke. 

Elsa smiled, but Anna’s steam made her smile vanish again.

“Are you okay? How is the temperature?” Worried Elsa. 

“I’m fine. I swear. It’s like I’m stepping into a very cold winter day.” 

The Fifth Spirit stared at her, clueless. 

“That means I can handle it.” Clarified Anna, chuckling. 

“Okay.”

Anna got back to admiring the statues of memories, and she stopped in their walk to look at some moving ones from people she knew. 

Elsa smiled at her reactions and kept going. There was some humidity in the air in one spot, and she recognized it as being recent memories. She turned it into ice statues with graceful moves of the wrists. In a swirl of snowflakes, three new living memories added themselves to the collection, slowly moving around. 

The first one represented Kristoff, Anna and herself laughing loudly around the campfire as they were drinking hot chocolate. The third one was the rolling hug Elsa and Anna had made on the hill when they reunited. And Elsa blushed when she saw the second one. 

Standing in front of her, the two statues showing herself and Honeymaren kissing deeply put her in a deep state of embarrassment. She had seen Anna and Kristoff kiss each other a thousand times, and now that she was in question, she felt that she should look elsewhere. Her cheeks felt like burning, and she couldn’t help herself but watching how Honeymaren’s arms hugged her, and how her hands passed through her hair. They actually were kissing vigorously, and Elsa turned at her sister in panic to make sure that she hadn’t seen anything.

Hopefully, Anna was looking elsewhere, standing dozens of meters away and giggling at a memory of a young Kristoff getting licked in the face by a baby Sven.

Elsa sighed of relief, and lifted her hand to reluctantly shatter the statue with her magic. Then something prevented her from doing it. Deep inside her, a feeling begged her to let it there. Elsa stared at the statues, slowly turning around them, and a soft smile stretched her lips. She knew what that feeling was. Pride.

She was lucky, she knew, to have all her family accepting her and supporting her for who she was. A woman who loved women. And she knew that she would forever be grateful. But right then, she realized that she started to be grateful for herself. To have found her way, to have found the right person, to have allowed herself to be this happy.

A delight shiver passed through Elsa, as she stared at the statue and the way the two figures embraced. Even if the ice was never really detailed in the frozen memories, the blonde smiled when she saw how beautiful Honeymaren looked as she kissed her. They both had closed their eyes when they kissed mutually, so she didn’t know how tender and sweet she actually looked.

At the thought of the word ‘sweet’, Elsa remembered the joke that Honeymaren had made about her nickname, and chuckled. She still couldn’t believe how perfect the Northuldra was to her. She was kind, funny, yet they shared the same burning level of sarcasm, and she was caring, and…

“What are you laughing about?” Asked Anna, who had heard Elsa’s chuckle echo in a crystalline way in the chamber.

“I, uh… I found a memory of us around the camp fire, from the other day.”

The Spirit just had to turn her head left to pretend that she was staring at another memory. She clenched her fist in a dear hope that Anna wouldn’t come to her to see what she was talking about, and was glad to see that her younger preferred to continue her exploration of the spot she was walking through.

Time passed - which was such an odd thing in a room filled with memories from all ages slowly moving around - and Elsa was happy to see some good memories again. She appreciated to come in Ahtohallan every so often and bump again into warm memories of her past.

She walked past another memory of Hans, and grunted before vanishing the statue away. Didn’t she have destroy them all? Apparently not. She turned to Anna, who was looking all around her.

“This place truly is magical”, gasped Anna, admiring.

“Well, yes.” Snorted Elsa.

“Don’t laugh, you know what I meant.”

“I think it’s awesome too.”

The redhead smirked, and she kept walking. “Hey, look! It’s us!” She suddenly exclaimed.

Elsa joined her, and noticed a memory of them from two years ago in a sled race. They laughed together at how focused they were to be the one who wins. 

Anna commented another memory, and another, and Elsa’s heart melted at how much joy Anna was exhaling, and she shared her happiness to be there. 

After a while, Anna came back next to her elder. 

“There’s not like, everyone in the world in here.” She noted, admirably pointing that out already on her first visit. “Are those selected memories?”

Elsa nodded. “They’re only memories that are relevant to me. Not all of them are directly linked to my own past. It also features some elements from others’ pasts, that can help me.”

Anna smiled and nodded too. “Speaking of… “Helping” you…” Said Anna, doing exaggerated gestures of the fingers. “Now is the time we probably should ask… Them… or it… Why you got those flashes.“

“Yes.”

Anna cleared her throat. “Uh... O, Ahtohallan...” She said, her voice strong. 

She then swiftly turned to her sister. “Is that the way to do it?” She whispered. 

Elsa had to bite her lip not to laugh. “That’s a bit pompous... And there’s no need to speak up.”

Anna grumbled. “We should have done a rehearsal or something.” 

She cleared her throat again. “Could you, uhm... Could you please tell us why you sent those visions to Elsa?”

Anna’s voice echoed in the memories chamber. Only some distant sounds of memories filled the silence that followed. 

The redhead looked around, and shrugged to Elsa. 

Then suddenly, something in the air changed, and both sisters felt it. The room seemed to transform.

=======

The chamber of memories changed its appearance, and Anna jumped of surprise as the ice statues seemed to disappear as the light dimmed. Elsa knew what it meant. Ahtohallan was about to plunge the room in the dark, to cast memories on the walls, like the very first time she had came in. The blonde smirked. Was her sense of staging and drama something she got from the magical source? 

Anna looked around with a bit of panic. Elsa knew that she was claustrophobic, so she turned to her with a smile. “It’s gonna be okay. Just stay still and look.” 

The younger nodded silently, and suddenly she saw something behind Elsa that brightened the whole place, and lit up her eyes in every meaning of the term. Elsa twirled around. 

A memory of Iduna had appeared, and their mother was around the same age than the last time Anna had seen her alive. Elsa smiled tenderly, happy to face her again, but was used to see her wide and clear on the surface of the giant wall. Anna, however, let out a gasp and put her hands on her mouth, deeply emotional. 

Elsa came next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. 

“I understand your worry.” Said Iduna’s voice, maternal and strong. 

Her voice vibrated in the room, until their very souls, and echoed in Anna’s ears like a melody she thought was long gone. She gulped, and her eyes looked at every inch of her mother’s face, amazed to see her again.  

The memory suddenly blurred and changed, now turning into one of Gerda.

“Though you have nothing to be scared about”, said the maid in a reassuring voice and a warm smile. 

She was bending forward, like she was talking to a small person, and it was clear that the memory was from Anna’s childhood. It was from when she had scratched her knee after playing with her bike indoors. 

The memory switched, and now Agnarr was facing them. 

“It will be alright.” 

Anna gasped when she saw her father, letting out a big puff of smoke, and her lips trembled. Elsa passed a hand against her back, soothing her. She knew how overwhelming it could get to see their parents. She was used to it now, but for Anna, it was intense and incredible. Elsa let her cry, remembering how she had sobbed the first time she experienced the memories room. 

Anna’s eyes danced as she looked at the wall, watching every detail of the memory as her father’s voice echoed all around, just like she did for her mother. 

She understood the process now. Ahtohallan being a magical entity, it didn’t have a body, and therefore spoke through the voice of different people across different memories. It was very clever, and the redhead would have admired the concept if she wasn’t completely paralyzed by the fact that her parents had just appeared in a giant projection in front of her. She felt soothed to hear their voice again, but her soul was torn apart. It was a good thing Elsa was standing for real next to her, protective and warm, otherwise she would have lost her mind.

“Not too far or you’ll be drowned…” She thought. “No wonder, given how tempting it is to just be carried along and dive into the past…”

Ahtohallan continued to give the explanation through memories, switching from one to another.

“You often doubted…” Said Olaf.

“That you would never…” Said Mattias.

“See each other again.” Said Gerda. 

Anna was taken aback, and Elsa’s jaw dropped. She turned to her younger. “What are they talking about?”

The redhead was speechless. She knew that Ahtohallan knew everything, but didn’t expected the truth to hit this close to home. 

“Your biggest fear...” Continued the magic source, now using a memory of Kristoff. “...is to lose her.”

Elsa’s eyes widened, and she stared at the memory of Kristoff. This was a recent memory, she could tell. A very recent one, maybe even less than a week old. And she was shocked by both the memory in itself and what Ahtohallan wanted to highlight. 

All color had left Anna’s face, and it wasn’t due to cold. She realized, little by little, that all of Elsa’s visions had happened because Ahtohallan wanted to reassure her on the strength of their relationship. 

“You have nothing to fear.” Assured a memory of Iduna.

“You’ll always have each other.” Stated now Agnarr, smiling.

Elsa nodded, and smiled tenderly when she remembered the night their father had told them that. It was just after the bed time story where he had introduced them to the forest. They were so little… And it was still true. They would always have each other. 

Anna sniffed, nodding to her father, or rather Ahtohallan. Elsa held her close and put her head on hers, and Anna naturally cuddled against her. Her eyes didn’t leave her father’s face. 

The memory switched again, and this time is was Mattias again, but younger than the current version they knew of him. He was gazing over the forest. 

“The two ends will always be united...” He smiled. 

Both sisters dropped their jaws at what Ahtohallan meant, and smiled. They tied their hands together. 

The colors of the room changed when the outside setting turned into an indoors one, mainly red due to Arendelle’s castle wallpaper.

“You have the right to have doubts” Said a memory of Kai. “It’s not because you’re Queen that you must be sure about everything all the time.”

Anna was shocked by the truth of those words, especially since it was the second time she heard them, the memory obviously belonging to her. Elsa smiled tenderly at how wise Kai was, and how nice it was of him to have told her that, probably in a moment during the past year where Anna lost some faith in herself.

Elsa’s hand tightened her sister’s harder, and she gave her a nod.

“They’re right. It’s okay if you doubted about us.”

The switch from one memory to the other stopped, and all moving images around them seemed to stand still in the dome. Elsa lifted her head. 

“So, each vision happened because you wanted to remind us that we’ll always find each other? Always unite and find each other?” She asked.

“Yes”, echoed Ahtohallan, using Iduna’s voice - though it could have used anyone’s with such a simple answer.

Elsa smiled, touched. She bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you. For showing us. I mean, you only could show me, but I’m happy you did, as I shared it to Anna.”

Speaking of, the redhead was lightly trembling next to her. When Ahtohallan’s voices vanished slowly now that they had finished talking, and that the room returned to its initial state, the elder turned to her sister.

“So it was all because of you…” Muttered Elsa.

Anna felt devastated, her eyes filling with tears.

“I’m so sorry, Elsa, I didn’t know…”

The blonde lifted her eyebrows. “Oh, I’m not reproaching anything. I’m just concluding.”

Anna’s closed lips trembled at her elder’s kindness. She sobbed a bit before blabbering.

“But… This is all my fault. I didn’t mean… It didn’t want to make you have all those flashes and visions and to prevent you from sleeping, I…”

She started to hyperventilate - which was rather painful in such a cold place - and Elsa rushed to put her hands on her shoulders.

“Hey hey hey, Anna, it’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose. And I’m not resentful. Remember that I trust Ahtohallan no matter what, and even if it was their entire act, I wouldn’t have felt upset.”

“But… But…” Muttered Anna, crying even more.

“But nothing.” Smiled Elsa, holding her face and rubbing her younger’s tears with her thumbs. “It’s fine.”

Anna powerfully embraced her sister, her face buried against her shoulder. The blonde wasn’t surprised by the brisk hug, but missed a heartbeat anyway. Anna cried and cried, all the fear and stress of the past week getting out. Elsa cried a few tears as well, touched by her feelings.

It was a tight hug despite Anna’s multiple layers of winter clothes, and Elsa could still feel her trembling. She knew she wasn’t shivering from the cold. Anna was crying, ashamed and emotional at the same time.

The room beamed in its beautiful white light again, and the memories statues continued to move around, their soft sounds echoing under the dome. But the most important sound to Elsa’s ears then, was the one of her little sister sniffing against her.

She held Anna against her, warmly and calmly, soothing her by passing her hand along her back.

“Anna… Now I get it. You were scared, and Ahtohallan perceived it. But it’s okay. And I’m okay with it. You surely didn’t want to talk about it because you were afraid of what I may say. Well, just know that I understand.”

The younger didn’t stop trembling as she was holding to her elder. Elsa closed her eyes and murmured to her ears in a lulling voice.

“I’ll always be there. With you. We’ll always be together despite the distance, okay? Look at how this past year went. It’s been good, no?”

Anna nodded against her shoulder with a sniff, and clenched her elder harder. Elsa didn’t think it was even possible, and got her lungs a bit crushed by it, but accepted the strong embrace. Anna was overwhelmed by everything that happened, from the apparition of her parents to the emotions that had burst in her chest. She needed a warm hug, and Elsa was gladly giving it.

Time passed, and the Fifth Spirit was unable to tell how much. Actually, she didn’t care. She preferred to make sure that Anna was letting go of all her sadness, and all her fears. After a while, the redhead parted from the hug and sniffed one last time, rubbing her nose. She then blinked with a frown and cleaned all her face with energetic moves, determined to be strong.

“I’m okay. I’m done crying.” She stated, clearing her throat.

Elsa melted in a smile, because she knew that Anna also stated this for herself. 

“Was it good? Do you feel better?” Asked the elder.

Anna nodded strongly.

“Great.” Smiled Elsa.

The redhead looked around, and Elsa wondered if she wanted to leave, or change her mind by walking through the memories again. She knew that the face Anna was making meant that she was thinking about a question, so she let her talk at her own rhythm.

“Can I ask you something?”

Elsa smiled. “Anything.”

Anna nervously looked down before staring at her elder. “Can we come back here more often? Together?”

“Of course, Anna.”

She put a hand on her arm. Anna remained silent, and Elsa bent her head, trying to understand her mood.

“What do you want to do now?”

Anna bit her lip. “Can we... Can we go back to the camp?”

Elsa smiled with a nod. “Yes. I agree, it’s a lot to take in. We can come back another day.”

“Thank you. For this, and the memories, and everything.”

“You’re very welcome.” 

They walked out of the room in silence.

Elsa looked up at the white magical ceiling as they left hand in hand, and smiled, like she gave a ‘sorry for that’ and a 'thank you’ message to Ahtohallan at the same time. Before exiting the room, Anna also turned in gratitude. 

=======

Anna gasped when they stepped down the entrance stairs.

“Waoh, this is so weird now that we get out... The wind here is fresh, but it’s still warmer than inside the glacier.”

Elsa closed her eyes and hummed the salty smell of the sea. That was something she liked to do after visiting the memories room.

Anna unbuttoned a part of her coat, and took off her beanie. 

“Well, that was an experience. That’s not something I’ll forget, that’s for sure.”

The elder smiled. “I suppose nobody forgets their first time in Ahtohallan.”

“What now? Do you call Nokk?” Wondered Anna.

Elsa just had to lift her hand towards the Dark Sea, and like if their minds were connected, the water horse appeared out of the waves. It trotted cheerfully on the surface, and Elsa smiled before gently touching their forehead with hers. Their whole body froze with a beautiful sparkle, their mane turning to crystals. 

When Elsa stepped back, the Spirit looked at her with expressive eyes, and the blonde chuckled. 

“I’m okay. We’re okay. Those were just happy tears.”

Anna frowned, surprised. 

“They know we’ve been crying?”

Elsa petted their nose. “Well, tears are water, no?” 

There was a silence, and Anna just stared at them two. This didn’t explain anything, and even brought more confusion. What, does the horse also know when people are thirsty? 

Elsa was about to mount the Spirit, and Anna jumped forward. 

“Hey, uh...” 

The redhead bit her lip with a smile, looking at Nokk. Both Elsa and the water horse looked back at her, confused. 

“What?” Asked Elsa. 

“Can I...”

“You want to ride them? Be in front?” 

Anna nodded with a grin. She looked like a 5 years old child, and of course Elsa couldn’t say no. 

“Nokk, what do you think?”

The Water Spirit stared at Anna for a moment, evaluating her. They trotted around her and the Queen held her breath, feeling like she was observed in every way. Her mouth in a thin line, her eyes followed the horse as it inspected her mood, her body, her intentions. After a few seconds, it neighed - which, in the Spirit style, sounded like a whale song - and jumped around. 

Anna let out a gasp of relief, and smiled. “I was afraid it would say no.”

Elsa was standing still, her jaw dropped. “They always say no to Honeymaren”, she muttered. 

The Queen didn’t hear any jealousy in her tone, but she was surprised anyway. “Wait, what? Really?” 

She carefully reached for their neck to caress it. It was an odd sensation, like passing a hand against a breathing window. “I get a preferential treatment?” 

Anna giggled as she continued to pet him, and they looked like they appreciated her touch. “Good boy...”

“Not a boy”, warned Elsa. 

“Oh, yeah. Well, good horsie!” Smiled Anna. 

“Uhm... Technically, they’re not a horse either, but I won’t get into details.” 

Anna wasn’t listening to her, too busy petting the horse with a kissy pout. “Yeah, you like it, uh?” 

“Anna...”

“Hm?”

“Please stop, this is embarrassing.”

“Oh, come on. You want me to believe that you’re respectful to every Spirit and treat them as equals?” 

“Well, yes!” Frowned Elsa, not very fond of the way Anna was muttering ‘good horsie, good horsie’ in loops. 

Her younger gave her a side look filled with sarcasm. “Have you ever seen yourself petting Bruni?”

Elsa blushed. That was a strong counterpoint. 

“It’s... With Bruni, it’s different! He’s... He’s cute, and...”

Nokk turned to her vividly with offence in their eyes. 

“No, wait, it’s not what I meant!” Gasped Elsa. 

“Ooooh, look at that. You made them jealous.” Smirked Anna. 

The Water Spirit was famously susceptible, and moved their mane in a dramatic way. Elsa knew the situation was doomed. The horse snorted, vexed. 

“No, of course not!” Assured Elsa, and Anna wondered what he had just said, or rather which emotion they just shared. “I’m sorry, Nokk, that’s not what I wanted to say. You know I don’t.”

Indeed, the Spirit felt in her that she genuinely cared, so they forgave her. However, it didn’t take away any of the drama, and Nokk kept snorting and turned to Anna. Elsa dropped her jaw.

“Oh, come on now. You can’t be serious.” 

“What did they say? What did they say?” Asked Anna, excited like a gossip fan looking for controversy. 

Elsa put her hands on her hips. 

“That if I’m not happy, I can still go back to the shore on foot.”

Anna burst with laughter, her head wiping back. The Nokk joined in the laugh with a happy neigh. 

“Okay, haha, very funny.” Squinted Elsa. 

“They’re right, you know. You can just run. The sea is calm today.” 

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” 

Nokk neighed and bumped her shoulder in affection. Elsa smiled tenderly. 

“Yes, let’s go. Anna, do you need help to mount?” 

“I’m good, I’m good”, groaned Anna, her voice distorted by effort as she tried to get on Nokk’s back without slipping. 

Once she was in place, and that Nokk and Elsa both made sure she was comfortable, the Fifth Spirit jumped behind her in one swift move. 

The water horse didn’t need any order or indications, knowing the way back to the camp by heart. It started to position in front of the sea, and waited for Anna’s signal. 

“Are you ready?” Checked the Queen, putting a hand on Elsa’s, who had them around her waist. 

She heard her chuckle in her ear. “Go slowly at first if you don’t want to slip out, you excited dork.”

“No chance. I like fast.” 

She firmly indicated to Nokk to dash forward, and the two sisters crossed the waters with shared laughs. 

=======

This was an emotional chapter! But filled with happiness as well. I really wanted to have this balance of nostalgia and humor, keeping it all in-character on how would Anna react within the walls of Ahtohallan. 

Thank you so much for your feedbacks and compliments and reactions so far, folks, they truly mean a lot! <3