Chapter 37

~ The Reckoning (END) ~

Dawn broke as Anna reached the apex.

She felt as if she'd entered another realm. A giant blade must have cleaved the mountaintop off, leaving a disc of flat rock as wide as the castle ballroom. The ground under her feet was solid ice, gleaming blue, and her extremities had long went numb from the chill. This high up, all of Weselton should've been naked before her, yet the snow fell so heavy the world beyond was white upon white.

It was a lonely realm indeed.

All around, the blizzard raged like a voracious beast. Here at its heart however, there was neither wind nor hail, as if the world was holding its breath before the snow queen's judgement.

There she was.

Elsa stood by the edge, her cloak trailing her, overlooking the frozen landscape. She seemed not to notice the princess behind.

A deathly calm hung in the air. Several times Anna raised her hand only to lower it. She fought for words, but her tongue seized up.

Say something, you damn coward. You've practiced this moment a thousand times the past few days. You know what must be done. Do it!

The seconds ticked by. Still she stood there at a loss. At the waterfall, she'd naively thought herself ready to confront Elsa. And then everything went to hell. This time, neither Sven nor Kristoff would be bailing her out.

Elsa spun around, breaking into a smile. "You came."

"You don't look surprised," Anna said.

The older girl strolled towards her. "I am your sister. You would never abandon me no matter what."

Elsa had never looked as beautiful or dangerous as she did now. While their surrounding was bleak and cold, her sapphire gown shone radiantly. She'd loosened her braid, and silvery hair cascaded down her shoulder. Snow parted before her every step, and the air warped around her figure. Her eyes glowed with a harsh blue light, the barest hint of her true power. Even now, in the depths of an enemy kingdom, she needed no armour.

She was, for all intents and purposes, a god. But the soul which dictated her every action wasn't her own.

"Freya."

Elsa's smile wavered. "Let's not talk about her, please." She kneaded her fingers, suddenly looking unsure. "I miss you. I was so scared. After you fell, I wanted to help but Sven had already taken you. Still, I knew he would bring you to the trolls." She nodded in agreement to herself. "This is what? The third time Pabbie had to heal you from my magic? I need to send him a fruit basket one of these days. To all the trolls in fact. Wait a minute, do they even eat?"

Anna merely shrugged.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Elsa said.

"I want to talk to the real you."

The queen raised her eyebrows. "You are talking to me right now." She glanced to the side. "Doesn't this just take us back? It's like when you climbed the North Mountain to find me. This time though, I made it a little easier. Did you notice? I cut steps into the slopes, and enchanted my ice not to be slippery. Kristoff isn't here to help, and I wasn't sure if you would bring the marines–"

"Freya, please stop pretending to be Elsa."

Their eyes locked. Anna braced herself for the coming attack. Instead, the older girl strode to the edge and peered down. The world beyond was nothing but a swirling snowstorm, as thick as the ocean itself. When Elsa opened her palm, a hole tore in the blizzard, revealing the countryside.

"A village," Anna said. Through all the snow, she could barely make out the outlines of numerous houses clumped between a frozen jungle and a crystal mirror of a lake. She wondered if the people within were alive.

"Indeed. And I guess you know its name."

"Belking."

"It's funny. Belking always behaved like it was the greatest town in Weselton or something. From here though, doesn't it look downright pathetic? I didn't even realize it was that small." Elsa grinned wide. "But I admit it did have its charms.

"I remember once when some royalty was visiting, and Mayor Rasmus himself set everyone to prepare this great feast, sweep the roads and decorate their houses. Every boy was shaved and groomed, and every girl had pretty dresses to wear.

"Christina was putting ribbons on Freya's hair while their parents were out hunting boars. Then... Bam!" Elsa slapped her palms. "Their neighbours burst into their house with pitchforks. All the sisters wanted to do was to see the horses and the banners, to wave at soldiers and join the feast. If Christina wasn't there, they would've killed a fourteen-year-old girl in her bedroom. Ahhh… What fear does to perfectly rational people sometimes." Elsa chuckled, but her eyes were wet.

Anna nearly put a hand on her shoulder, but she locked her arm in place. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Elsa smiled, startling Anna. She aimed a fist at Belking. "It's going to be over soon." Even the slightest flick of her wrist would've been enough to end the village.

She could've attacked anytime, but she wanted someone to witness it. Me.

"You don't need to do this. They've suffered enough," Anna said.

"You should rejoice for them then. Their suffering is about to end."

"Freya, please."

Elsa whipped around. "After Weselton has fallen, do you know where we are attacking next?"

The breath caught in Anna's throat. No. No! She wouldn't–!

Elsa's eyes narrowed, and the white of her teeth showed. "The Southern Isles!" she said with the glee of a child who'd solved a puzzle.

Relief filled Anna's chest; she'd been convinced for a moment the snow queen would say 'Arendelle'. She was instantly appalled at herself next. How could she possibly be glad at the calamity headed for them?

"Why are you doing this?"

"Don't you see?" Elsa spread her arms wide. "I am doing this for you! Did you forget how Hans tried to murder you? I haven't. I will make them pay. No one will bully us again." Her voice softened and she touched Anna's cheek. "No one will ever hurt you again."

Anna savoured the touch for just a moment, then she stepped back, letting Elsa's hand fall. The older girl reached out again, but Anna shook her head. Once, she would've accepted this. She was such a fool then, so blinded by her fear of losing Elsa again that she'd even shared her bed.

Pabbie's voice rose from the depths of her mind - the mantra Anna couldn't forget. 'You know what you must do.'

A violent sob rose from Anna's chest but she fought it down. "I won't let you do this. I won't let you destroy everything Elsa stood for."

"There's no need to go that far." The snow queen waved in a nonchalant gesture, but her lips were tight. "Fine, I will spare the Southern Isles then. Are you happy now?"

"You know the answer."

Elsa sighed. "Is this about Kristoff? Or what happened at the market? I know I hurt you, Anna. But I swear I never meant to do it. Give me a chance to make amends. I swear to the gods I will make it up to you." She held out her hand to Anna. "Just don't leave me again."

"Sorry, but I have to save Elsa."

"This again!" A gush of wind nearly toppled Anna over. "Why do you keep harping on this?"

"Because of a promise I made. Do you remember? This was where we first met."

"I don't remember." Elsa was trembling.

"That promise was to you."

"I… don't… care! Just stop."

Static prickled Anna's skin. Such was the snow queen's power that it seemed her glare alone could shatter her. The next words Anna had to will out of her mouth. "Freya, I promised I'd free you. But I betrayed your trust. I am sorry I left you here. I am sorry for everything."

Try as she might, Elsa couldn't mask the flash of recognition on her face. She gripped her tresses like they were a hated foe. "Too late. Your promise was to a dead woman. Is that what you want me to admit? Fine then, I have the demon's memories. But I am not her." She pressed a hand on her chest. "I am, and I always will be – Elsa."

Anna shook her head. "It was jealousy, wasn't it? When we first met, you just wanted to escape. Then, when I told you of Elsa, your focus became her. You desired her powers, her relationship with me, and how Arendelle accepted her. She was everything you wished for.

"After I abandoned you, you were angry and desperate and hurt. You wanted, no– you needed a fresh start. So you became her. That's why you stopped using your soul magic. That's why you kept bringing up Elsa's past as if it was your own. You tried so hard to convince yourself you actually believed it.

"But you are not Elsa, and you can never be her."

Something akin to despair filled the snow queen's face. "Enough. Anna. Enough."

"No more lies, Freya. It's just the two of us here." And only one is leaving this mountain alive.

Elsa exhaled. Once. Twice. And Anna realized she was treading on dangerous ground. Her mind was in turmoil, and there was no telling how she'd react if pushed any further.

"We can still stop this before it's too late," she said.

"Stop this?" The glint in Elsa's eyes told Anna she'd made a grave mistake. "And let those bastards get away? You always were too kind, silly. But I am your queen, and I am done with this childish bickering. I will have my revenge now." She aimed her hand at the town.

Anna drew breath to talk, but Elsa cut her off with a glare. "We are done here."

Gone was the image of serenity; gone was the woman who could've passed for the gracious queen she called sister. Now, Elsa's expression was almost predatory; her lips curled up to reveal her teeth, and her fingers were clawed as though closing around the throat of every Weseltoner.

The shadow fell over the peak as a wicked chill dug into Anna's flesh. She gaped, her tongue turning dry. The air was thinning. A crinkle made her snap her gaze down. Frost was crawling up her boots. Yet, somehow she knew this was merely the leakage of Elsa's spell. Her true target was–

Oh God, she's gonna freeze over the entire kingdom, the same way she did the merc army.

"Belking alone will not suffice." Elsa tilted her head up to the heavens as hail crashed down around them. "They must all pay! Oh Anna… when I'm done here, I swear to you – I will remake Arendelle. I will turn it into the greatest kingdom this world has ever seen! Won't Papa and Mama be proud?"

"They won't," Anna said. The snow queen could only stare at her in disbelief. "I may be a silly little girl. But I see through your lies. This invasion was never about revenge, or Arendelle or my parents. You are trying to erase your past! Weselton chains you to everything you once were, which is why you want to destroy it. You want to silent everyone who remembers Freya Solberg!"

Elsa stomped her heel. An icicle exploded from the ground in a spray of frost. The tip came to a rest on Anna's throat.

"So what if I am? She was a curse upon this world. This is the only way I can destroy her utterly." Elsa's face softened. "Please, Anna. I don't want to fight you. You must understand why I am doing this."

"Do you think you can erase Freya completely by destroying Weselton? She is you!"

Elsa scowled. "I am disappointed in you, Anna. After everything, you still let your delusions run wild. What are you really here for? To talk? No, you can't trick me. Not this time. You are still trying to take away what I have. Kristoff tried to kill me at the waterfall, and I imprisoned him. Do you think you'd get away so lightly? You are my sister, and I will never forgive betrayal. Not from you."

"You know well enough that you can't replace Elsa, and I can't replace Christina. I'm here to save my sister." Anna did not flinch from the blade on her throat. "I will save her, or I will die trying!"

The icicle shattered. Anna screamed as she flew back, the air punched out of her lungs. Her world twisted as the wind held her aloof for a sickening second before slamming her into the ground.

The sky, blackened and wounded, seethed above her when Anna cracked her eyes open.

"You know, you should've brought the men with you after all," came Elsa's voice, colder than ice.

Anna pushed herself right up, brushing frost off her cape nonchalantly. She was winded, nothing more; the fall would've incapacitated her or worse, were it not for the fresh cushion of snow on her landing.

She matched stares with the queen. "Would the real Elsa do this? Answer me."

The snow queen strode forward, and an icy flower burst from her step. The crystalline pedals blossomed past Anna's feet, blazing across the ground and engulfing the mountain in a blue embrace.

"I am the real Elsa, now and forever."

Anna only felt all the more pity for her. But the retort was robbed from her mouth when an invisible fist punched down, forcing her to her knees. Magic surged to life around her, entrapping her in a whirlwind of hail.

"I don't like to hurt you, Anna. But I will. Now, yield."

Anna wrapped her head in her arms, swallowing tiny gasps of air. Her body screamed at the strain and it was all she could do to stay upright. White crystals prickled over her clothes, the sheer cold burning her skin. But she wedged her lips tight. This pain was nothing.

"Yield, you stupid little girl!"

Still, Anna refused to scream. Just when she thought it'd never end, the hail dispersed with a flash. Her knees buckled, and she couldn't stop shivering. Elsa stood before her, proud and tall, her body shimmering with magic. "Had enough?"

Anna smiled. "You can't hurt me, can you?"

Elsa's eyes widened. Then she recovered, her mouth twisting into a sneer. "You are a bigger fool than I thought." She lifted a hand, slow and deliberate. Serpentine coils of snow sprang up behind her, towering over them both. Perhaps she expected a show of fear or submission, but Anna betrayed none as she stood her ground.

"Last chance," Elsa said.

"I'm not giving up."

"So be it." She slashed down, and the snow fell forward, flaring with blue fire. One second later, an avalanche of spikes plunged upon Anna, keening for her very blood.

She didn't flinch. She didn't even blink.

The icicles smashed down and the ground itself trembled. Snow sprayed up, peppering her with glistening frost. Wind lashed at her cheeks, and chunks of bedrock flew up before landing down in a pitter-patter of debris.

When the assault ceased, Anna stood within a circle of clearing, utterly untouched.

"Why…" Elsa's voice quivered. "Why didn't you dodge?"

"I knew you wouldn't hurt me."

"You think the old Elsa is in here, protecting you?"

"No. I think you are protecting me, Freya."

Elsa's expression twisted from one of shock to rage. "Don't call me that!" Icy fingers darted forward, coiling over Anna's throat. But they did not squeeze. "If–if I were Freya, then you would be dead! You are nothing to me. Nothing to the sister murderer." She spoke softly, as if her words were for herself rather than Anna.

When Anna reached up to touch her, Elsa stumbled back, palms squared at her. "Am I really nothing?" She followed, denying her a retreat. "Attack me then. Elsa was my world. She was everything to me, and you've taken her from me. You might as well take my life now."

"I didn't! It's not what you think. On the ship, we fought and I–I thought–" The blizzard whipped into life around them. Elsa glanced about in surprise. She closed her fist but nothing happened. When she turned to Anna again, the look in her eyes was unmistakable.

Fear.

"Go away, Anna."

It's beyond her control. Every instinct screamed at Anna to obey, but she dug her heels in. "I remember this," she breathed. "The same thing happened at the North Mountain. Elsa tried to warn me away. As you are doing now."

The wind tugged at their clothes as it intensified. Elsa shrunk from this new enemy but there was nowhere to run. Her hair beat at her face, and she clenched her fist several times to rein her magic in. Hail only rattled the ground beside them all the more harder.

"Go away, please! I can't– I can't control this curse."

"You're trying to protect me, aren't you?" Anna said. "You don't want to hurt me, because you love me as you loved Christina."

"If Freya did, she wouldn't have killed Christina. She wouldn't have stolen her body!"

"You didn't know any better," Anna said.

Elsa gritted her teeth. "Stop making excuses for me. Anna, go! You are not safe here!"

Anna stepped closer. "I won't leave you. I'm here for you as Christina was."

"SHE DIED!" Elsa screamed as ice exploded from her core.

This time, Anna dodged.

She wasn't fast enough. Even as she twisted her body aside, a shard sliced across her shoulder. She yelped, stumbling down as she thrust out both hands to stop her fall. Or at least, she tried; one good hand slammed down, but the other hung limp by her side, and Anna crashed onto the freezing ground.

"No–!" Elsa was by her side at once, propping her up. "Oh! Anna… Anna! I am so sorry!" Hot wetness soaked through Anna's cape. The look on her sister's face made clear just how bad it was.

"Ow… I think… getting struck in the heart would've been better…" Anna moaned, her head spinning from the pain.

"This is no time to joke! You stupid, stupid girl. Why didn't you run?"

"Told ya, I'm not leaving you."

"Damn you and your stubbornness. I am sorry, but this is going to sting."

"What are you–" Anna bit down a scream as Elsa cupped a hand over her wound. Green light pulsed from within, and she felt warmth pulsate from Elsa's palm, flowing into her wound, and swimming through her body. She inhaled rapidly as her fatigue, soreness, and even hunger vanished. Was this even possible?

At last, the fire subsided from her shoulder, replaced by the cooling sensation of Elsa's skin.

When Elsa removed her hand, there was no trace of any injury save the blood, and the queen's smile was one of genuine relief. Anna flexed her shoulder in wonder.

"Woah. That's… your soul magic?" she blurted. "It's amazing."

Elsa's smile curdled, and she glared down at her hands as if they were diseased. She stood up with great force. Anna tried to hold her but the older girl stepped back. It was as though they were strangers again. The blizzard was still closing in, and Anna raised a hand to shield her eyes against the cutting wind.

"Are you still going to deny it?" she said.

"I may have the demon's magic, but–"

"No," Anna cut in. "No more lies. I know you didn't want to hurt anyone."

"Didn't want to?" Elsa gave a bitter chuckle. "This power is a curse. Do you know how many lives it has taken?"

"Look at what you just did for me. You told us once that was all you ever hoped to do – to heal others with your soul magic. I know Weselton condemned you, but it's all in the past. You don't need to hurt anyone again!"

"In the past?" Elsa said. "Did you know... every second when Freya was in her cell, she wanted to kill herself? You don't know what I have been through. You can't even imagine my pain!" She smacked her chest. "The pain I still feel! When I look at the mirror and all I see is the soul of a demon! You know nothing!"

"Don't I?" Anna pushed herself up. She waved to indicate around them. "All these madness. This stupid war." She pointed at the snow queen. "You. Elsa. We are all here thanks to my stupidity. You think I haven't tried killing myself?" Now Anna stared, not at her sister, but into the eyes of Freya. "You don't have to keep making mistakes. You need to forgive yourself."

"How can you say that?" Elsa said. "Even knowing what Freya did?"

Anna couldn't answer.

Because it was true. How many lives had Freya destroyed in her mad quest? And how many more had yet to pay the ultimate price? Yet all these paled before her crime of stealing Elsa's body.

Anger wormed into Anna, and she welcomed it. Now, she could see past the guise of Elsa's face to behold the pitiless creature within. This pale, bony woman who'd been locked up for her own good. A demon that deserved every bit of–

'You know what you must do.'

Anna exhaled. Her fists were clenched. She'd come so close to letting rage take over. She had to be better than this. Because Freya had, once. For all of her flaws, she'd saved Anna at the waterfall. Pabbie may have been the one to heal her, but if Freya wanted her dead, no magic in the world could've changed that.

"I've seen your memories, child," the wise troll king had said to Anna in the valley. "Think back. Think of all the things you've learnt in Weselton. Think of the prison, and the things Freya said in both her sister's and your sister's form. Think of the promise you made once."

Pabbie squeezed her hands, his voice a whisper yet so forceful that she couldn't look away. "You know what you must do!"

Anna shook her head. Perhaps he was right, but she refused to acknowledge it. The gulf of silence only stretched all the wider between them, until she choked out, "I won't."

Tears welled in Pabbie's eyes. "Anna, you are the only one who can stop this madness."

"No, you can't tell me to do this. Not after everything Freya did."

"You must. You must."

"I can't!"

"Then you only prolong your sister's suffering." Pabbie let go. Before Anna could say another word, he curled up into a boulder and rolled away. He would partake in no vengeance. When she turned around, the trolls were gone too. She would receive no more help from them.

Because I've always had the answer. What does Freya desire above all else?

"You need to forgive yourself, Freya. Because I… forgive you," Anna said.

Snowflakes froze in mid-air.

All her life she'd been called a demon, damned for being born with magic, even though her only crime was to use it to save her sister's life. And if Anna condemned her now, what difference was she from the Warden, or the countless other Weseltoners calling for her blood?

For what felt like forever, the older girl simply stared at her. Then, she began to weep. "I don't deserve your forgiveness. Not for what I did to Elsa." Elsa– no, Freya was shaking. "Don't you understand? She just wanted to help me on the Eternity, but I attacked her. I killed her and took over her body. How could you possibly forgive me? How could anyone?"

"Because Elsa is still alive."

Hope flickered in Freya's eyes. Such wild, desperate hope. But there was ugly doubt in there too; all her guilt could be absolved if she simply took this princess's word. Could it truly be that easy?

"No." Freya's face hardened. "You couldn't possibly know that. It's too late. I know what you are trying to do, but Elsa died just as Christina did. It was over the moment I possessed her."

Anna could hear the sound of her own breathing. The world had gone still. Dread churned in her stomach. Freya was clinging on to her despair. One wrong move now could see the blizzard strike with a fury unlike any before.

"Please, Freya. It's not too late for you or Elsa."

"You always were too kind." Freya smiled a heartfelt smile. "Anna, thank you for everything. For forgiving me. I am sorry but this winter must not stop."

"Why! Why are you still doing this?!"

"Because," Freya approached and clutched her hands. "I am trying to save you."

So stunned was Anna that she couldn't speak.

"The armies of Weselton are coming. They must be stopped. Killed, if need be. I started this war," the older girl said. "Now I must end it. You have to go. Arendelle needs you, their true queen. Let me stay here among the fiends that made me who I am. This is where I truly belong. I won't let you or anyone else pay for my mistakes again. Not the way Elsa or Christina did. This is the only way I can atone.

"Elsa's gone, but I can keep you safe at least."

"You still think you failed Christina," Anna said.

"I don't think. I know I failed her."

"You never told me how she died," Anna said. Freya would've twisted away but Anna held her firm. "Tell me! What happened that night when the villagers attacked you?"

"They shot me with arrows. So many." Freya scrunched her eyes close from the horror of the memory. "I was about to die, so I… entered her. We were supposed to live as one. But when I came to, I was alone. I called but she never answered. Oh, Anna. I tried for so many days to search for Christina, but she–she was just gone."

Freya clutched her head. "I killed her. I am a demon!"

"You didn't kill her. I can prove it." Anna reached under her cape, fingers grasping the prize that she'd guarded for so long. This is it, she told herself as she inhaled deeply. I'm betting everything on this, Pabbie. Please be right.

She took it out. A million lives and more weighted on this.

Elsa's final gift – a pair of dolls sewed in the likeness of a younger Elsa and Anna holding hands.

Freya tilted her head. "I– Elsa made them for you. I don't understand."

"I think you do." Anna took Freya's hand and placed it on the dolls. "What do you feel?"

Suspicious, Freya's gaze shifted between Anna and the dolls several times. "It's just a pair of dolls, and–" She cried out and studied them as if seeing them in a new light. Then she pressed her forehead to it. The seconds trickled by as Anna's heart pounded. Freya snapped her head up. "Elsa's magic. It's still here! It's so… faint, but I can feel it deep within. She's alive!" Her eyebrows knotted up. "But how?"

"When you took over my sister's body, you gained her powers and memories. But her soul endured. She's clinging on within you even now. My sister is strong, you know?"

"Christina was strong too." Freya's fingers dug into the doll. "It's not fair. Why did she have to die? Why?!"

"I asked myself the same thing. Every minute when I was coming here. It was only when you healed me with your magic that I confirmed it–" Anna was surprised to find her voice so calm. Perhaps she had resigned herself to what was to come next. "–No matter how far I pushed you, you could never hurt me for real.

"Now I know. You would never hurt Christina. Pabbie told me so much about your soul magic. Your soul couldn't survive without a body. But the body cannot hold two souls either." Anna walked up to Freya and grasped her hands. "I believe you when you told me how much you love Christina. And I know she loves you too.

"You are right, Freya. She is strong. She would've stayed on just as Elsa would, but she wanted you to have her body."

Freya's eyes widened.

"You never killed your sister. Christina passed on so you could live!"

The snow queen stumbled back, losing her balance. She sunk to her knees and her shoulders began to quake. "Christie… Christie… Oh Christie, you silly girl. You silly, silly girl. You shouldn't have…" Her head dropped to the ground as she hugged herself, and her body convulsed with sobs.

Anna stood there, helpless. All these years, Freya had condemned herself to an abyss of despair, thinking herself beyond redemption for usurping her sister's body. But she hadn't known any better. And now, she was drowning in her tears and guilt. Absurd as it was, Anna haven't the faintest idea of how to comfort someone grieving. What could she do now? Squeeze her shoulders? Offer words of condolences? Even the wind was better company as it howled in resonance with Freya's screams.

When Anna's eyes began to burn, she knelt and embraced Freya.

To give up one's life for her sister – could there be any greater sacrifice? Words alone couldn't convey how fortunate Freya was to have Christina. And likely the older girl knew. Her body rocked back and forth as she wailed. She might just be wearing Elsa's body, but to Anna, it hurt all the same to watch this.

The hardest part has yet to come.

Anna would've let Freya cry to her heart's content, but time was not on their side. So she merely said, "Elsa."

Freya jerked up, the sorrow on her face twisting into horror. She'd realized it at last. "Elsa–! Elsa's going to die!"

Anna nodded. "If you stay in her body any longer, yes."

Freya stared at her own palms, then back at Anna. The blue fire only burnt stronger in her eyes. "You want me to leave her body."

It was not a question but a statement. "To save her life, you must."

"All that was left of Christina's body when I left her was ash."

"Because she was dead for years. But Elsa's soul lingers within you. The only way she can regain her body is if you let her."

Freya's voice was childlike. "But I will die. Anna, please… I don't want to." She stumbled forward, clutching Anna's arms. Her face was desperate. So desperate. "Please don't ask me to do this."

"You are afraid to die."

Freya's lips pressed tight and she gave the slightest nod.

"Then Elsa will die. Do you want that?" Anna held her eyes with her own.

Freya lowered her head, utterly defeated. In another time, Anna would've berated her. But now, some part of her sympathized with Freya Solberg. Was it unreasonable to fear death? One look at this woman before her, with her eyes full of pleading, and Anna's anger fell away.

She still wore Elsa's face, and that made it so much harder to hate her.

"Anna." Freya's voice was soft. So soft she strained to hear her. "This body isn't mine. This power. This life… I'm not worthy. But I can't do it. Don't force me to."

The last of Anna's hesitation melted away. She'd pondered over this outcome more times than she'd count. She came prepared. Now, she would be brave the way Elsa had been brave.

"It's not too late," Anna said. "You can save Elsa still. We can save her. With my body."

Confusion passed over Freya's face. "You don't mean–"

"You said you were afraid to die. Possess me then. We can return Elsa her life."

"No! No!" Freya seized Anna's hands. "I won't kill you."

"You aren't. I'm giving up my body willingly."

The snow queen only gripped tighter. "Don't be a fool! Pabbie already said that the body cannot hold two souls. If I do this, you would die! Aren't you afraid? You told me before – you died when Elsa froze your heart. Do you want that again?!"

Strange. Once, those words would've paralysed Anna. Ever since the Great Thaw, she'd avoided discussing that moment – both to spare herself the horror of remembering how ice had ate through her flesh while Hans slashed down – and to disavow Elsa of the fault of striking her with her magic.

But death wasn't something so easily forgotten, not even if it only lasted that scant few seconds.

Now, a deep calm filled Anna. And she remembered why she'd charged headlong to take Hans' blade instead of letting Kristoff save her. She'd have done it again a hundred times over.

"I said it before, remember? It's what sisters do. They sacrifice themselves for one another. And this time–" Anna touched the older girl's face. "I get to save both of mine. Freya, you are my sister just as much as Elsa is. I promised to help you. Now, I'm fulfilling it."

Freya's eyes went as wide as saucers. "I don't deserve you. I don't deserve any of this! Anna, please! We can think of something else. We can… we can go back to Pabbie. He can save Elsa, somehow!"

Anna did not allow herself even that glimmer of hope. "Elsa is fading. Anytime now we could be too late. Please, Freya, if you truly care for Arendelle and I, let Elsa go. Take me instead. You can live on as the princess of Arendelle. You will have my memories, my feelings, you will become me. And that's not so bad, isn't it?" Absurdly, Anna found it in herself to chuckle. "Best of all, you will have Elsa as your sister."

"No! No… no… I won't lose you. I won't!"

"I've been prepared for this. Ever since I set out from Arendelle." In spite of her words, Anna could feel tears freeze upon her cheek. Had she said her goodbyes?

Deep in her mind, she could see them holding each other, staring out at the sea, hopeful for their monarch's return. Kai. Gerda. Olaf. Sven. Markus. Louis. The ministers. The guards. The servants. All of them. Even Eirik. Most of all…

Kristoff. Would he understand?

Of course not.

Anna shook her head, unable to even imagine the sight of his grief. Freya surely would play her part expertly; she'd imitated Elsa well enough to fool everyone. No matter how much of her thoughts remained however, she would still be a distinctly different person from the Anna of old. Kristoff would tell at once. But Freya claimed to have feelings for him. Perhaps, just perhaps… they could have their happiness together in time.

Soft fingers pushed into hers, and Anna fluttered her eyes open to see Elsa– Freya looking at her. Yes, this was it. She was doing this for Elsa's sake. Everyone would curse Anna for walking this path. But she'd have to bear their hatred if she was to save her queen.

"Elsa," Anna whispered as she stroked her cheeks, hoping against all hope that her touch would stir her sister. "If you're in there, if you can hear me, please forgive me. I don't know how else to save you. I– I'm sorry I got you into this in the first place. Elsa…"

Anna studied Elsa's features; her almond-shaped eyes, the faint freckles on her cheeks, her hair, her lips. She wanted to commit all these to memory. Knowing that her sister would soon return, she'd face death with no regrets.

"…I love you."

I wish we had more time together.

"Do it." She slapped her chest. "Freya, take my body now. Before there's nothing left of my sister."

"No. There must be some other–"

"DO IT!"

Freya nodded, her lips pressed tight. She strode forward till they nearly stood chest-to-chest.

"Promise me," Anna said with as much ferocity as she could muster. "That you will do right by my sister, by Kristoff, Kai, Gerda and everyone else. Keep them safe, no matter what."

She stared at Freya till she received a nod. Yes, that was all she ever wanted. Anna closed her eyes. Any time now, Freya's soul would enter her body. She wondered if it'd hurt. Did Elsa scream as she was possessed?

Nah. She's too brave to do that. I won't scream either.

The storm was calming, and the winter air almost seemed pleasant, just the way Elsa would've liked.

What would happen once her sister was back? Was she even conscious now, watching from her prison of a body, screaming at her to stop? Or was she slumbering still?

Elsa would hate me either way. Anna realized, feeling a dagger twist within her. She'd never forgive me. And I won't even get to see her chew me out. Even so, I'm taking the easy way out. My death's gonna be quick, and everyone else will have to deal with the fallout. You most of all, Elsa. Only you can end this war and save everyone.

"What am I, Anna?" The snow queen breathed. "What am I really? A demon?"

Anna smiled. "No. You are my sister"

"But I'm not Elsa." Was there a tinge of disappointment in her voice, or was it resignation? "What makes Elsa… Elsa?"

Anna had resolved to die with her eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber. But this question forced her to stare again at the woman before her. "You may wear her body and wield her powers, but what makes Elsa the person she was is her kindness. Her selflessness. Her love."

"Her love," Freya repeated. "Anna, she loves you more than you can possibly imagine. You have no idea how lucky you are to have her."

Anna nodded. The older girl's face was a watery blur. "I only realized after I lost her."

"And if Elsa were in your situation, what would she do?" Freya said.

Anna didn't even have to think. "She would sacrifice herself for her sister."

"The way Christina did. I think I understand now." Freya smiled. She looked so peaceful she really could've passed for the real Elsa. "Thank you for everything, Anna." A pause. "I hope we can see each other again. Someday…" Lithe arms wrapped around Anna, and she felt a wet face press into her neck.

"We will." Anna sucked in a deep breath, her very last. "Goodbye, Freya."

Freya spread her arms wide and looked up as if prostrating herself before the heavens. She glowed as wisps of verdant energy rose from her. Her head tilted back and she gasped, and a green mist lifted off her body.

Anna steeled herself for Freya to take her. The mist swirled around her. All her fear and sorrow melted away with its touch, and she felt more alive than ever. This was Freya's living force itself – her very soul. A trail from the vapour curled towards Anna. Instead of sinking into her body, it caressed her cheek.

A voice rang in her head. Goodbye, silly.

"Freya?"

The snow queen went limp suddenly, sinking into Anna's embrace. At the same time, the mist flared out, melding with the falling snow, chaining from snowflake to snowflake as it raced over the edge of the mountain and beyond.

Buoyed by the winter, there was no limit to Freya's touch. Her magic of healing and life danced across the land, melting the ice and snow, freeing them into the sky in a thousand streams of glittering snow flurry.

The entire kingdom glowed emerald. It was the most beautiful thing Anna had ever seen. Blessed warmth found her skin, and she trembled from pure joy. Then, she heard it. A faraway drone of cheer and laughter. The people who'd been frozen were freed, healed by Freya's magic.

In the town of Belking, a family once named their child after the goddess of sorcery, death, war and life. Now, the girl honoured her namesake. And the green mist that was Freya's soul ascended to the heavens where Christina awaited her.

The sisters were together again.

"Anna?"

Warm hands cupped her cheeks. Anna couldn't think. She didn't dare breathe lest she wake from this dream. Slowly, she lowered her gaze. The harsh light was gone from Elsa's eyes, and she was shivering. That was a first.

"Anna, are you okay? My body still feels a little weak, so I think you got to hold–"

Her arms squeezed around Elsa, earning a gasp from the older girl. Seconds later, Elsa's hands wrapped around her, and Anna knew they would never let go of each other again. Amidst their tears, Anna heard her sister's whisper.

"I love you."

Winter was finally over, and the world was bathed in sunlight.

A/N: Epilogue on its way!