Anna collapsed, panting and gasping for breath, in the cold snow. Her chest heaved up and down, and her skin was shining with a thick layer of sweat. A sob tore from her throat, and she curled up in the freezing snow that surrounded her. She couldn't catch her breath, so for a long time she just laid there in the soft snow and tried to breathe. She didn't know why she even bothered breathing. She didn't want to. Not anymore. It was sick, what she was doing. What Elsa was doing.

The princess of Arendelle rolled onto her back, exhaling. Her breath finally slowed to a more even pace. The adrenaline from disobeying Elsa had long since faded. Exhaustion and the cold seeped into her body like an icy, wet blanket. "Damn it," she whispered, covering her face with her arms.

She regretted it. Calling Elsa a whore, running away, threatening to kill Hans. All of it. She didn't regret doing it, but she regretted the effect it would probably have. No doubt, Elsa was furious. When Anna returned home her sister would hurt her, give her a cold and empty stare, ignore her…She wiped at her tears with her frigid fingers.

No one said you have to go home.

She laid there in the snow for a long, long time, contemplating. The thought had wandered in. Not going home? She supposed that was an option. A heavy sigh fell from her as she ran her fingers through the snow and lifted a handful, watching the powder fall away. The cold still touched her, but not as much as it should. She was in the middle of the blizzard and she was merely cold instead of frozen as she should be. The armor she wore made its effects nonexistent.

This abomination she called armor protected her from the cold. Elsa's "love." No, this armor…it was a cage. One she would break free from. It was part of the problem, wasn't it? This illusion of being special. The need for her sister's approval. That's what made Anna slide her blade across Kris's throat, after all. What made her this…monster. She talked of Elsa becoming a monster but what of herself? And what would the real Elsa say if she ever saw this Anna?

She sat up, swallowing. Anna couldn't go back. Anyway, Elsa probably preferred her gone. Now she could be with Hans…She'd gather some supplies, and head out on her own. Maybe one day she'd go back to the castle, and go back to Elsa but she needed time to herself. Needed to think, before she lost her mind. Lost her mind again. She needed to find a solution to their problem and for once…she needed to go out and find a way to save Elsa.

The real Elsa.

Determined, and with a plan going forward, the woman got to her feet. First step: find supplies.

She travelled for a long time. With every step she took, the storm seemed to worsen. The frigid winds were like a battering ram. Finally, though, Anna wandered towards a familiar cabin. It was secluded and coated in a thick layer of fresh snow. It looked just like it did the first time Anna saw this place. Just like then, light shone brightly out the front windows. Through them, Anna saw the silhouette of merchandise like coats and skis. Sighing gently, the redhead began to trek down the hill, running her hand nervously along the hilt of her sword. She worried about what form of reception she would receive.

Would the owner be angry, and cast her out? Or would he greet her with a familiar warmth? Maybe he would kill her. She didn't have time to worry. She shivered, but not from the cold, as she approached the porch. A sign slapped onto the front of the cabin read "Wandering Oaken's Trading Post."

The worn wooden steps creaked heavily underfoot, and she cleared her throat and shook away any lingering doubtful thoughts. For some reason, her throat felt tight. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Anna raised her fist to the front door and knocked three times. She tightened her fist around the sword at her hip and exhaled heavily. Closing her eyes, she cursed. It had been a long time since she'd felt so nervous. The added tension of what had occurred earlier that day didn't help.

Moments passed Anna heard the creak of another's footstep on the other side of the door. Then, it slammed open.

"It's awfully late to sho…." The man who opened the door went completely still, his eyes widening like plates. Anna flinched, avoiding his eyes. "To shop." The man finished, swallowing heavily. His eyebrows were furrowed, a deep crease on his forehead. He looked older than Anna remembered. His curly, ginger hair had streaks of gray. His eyes were worn and a bit sunken. Colder than when she last saw him. Some things were the same, however. Like his immense height, the bulging muscles hidden under his bright and colorful clothing, and the thick accent in his voice. "What are you doing here, Princess Anna?"

Anna felt shame as his eyes swept over her. She wouldn't pretend that they had a deep or meaningful relationship. In fact, she knew next to nothing about this man. She knew he was a merchant, and she knew he had a family. That was really it. However, he had been kind to her once. Kristoff, too. He was one of the reason's she was able to save Elsa.

So the use of her title hurt Anna more than if he'd yelled at her to get out. Anna smiled weakly. "Hello Oaken…it's been a long time. I am...on a trip," she lied, "official business…for the Queen."

Oaken knew she was lying. Anna saw it in his eyes. Even so, he didn't raise his voice or grow angry. Instead, he opened the door wider. "Come in, then. I take it you'll be needing supplies? A warm bed for the night?"

"I can't stay long." Anna needed to get away. From everything.

The huge man shook his mighty head. "You are too worn out to continue traveling, for now, Princess." She flinched at the formal use of her title again. Back when they had first met, he had no clue who she was. She was just a girl to him. But now he knew exactly who Anna was. And everything she'd done up til now.

"I really can't stay…." Anna met his eyes and frowned.

"Just for dinner, then?"

Anna sighed and scratched at her jaw. Her frown grew deeper. She should refuse, but she could not deny that she was starving. And she felt that refusing his hospitality would be terribly rude. "Just for dinner," she repeated, "and then I need to leave."

Beaming, Oaken nodded. "So other than a meal, what can I get for you?"

Oaken got her everything she needed. A coat, some bread and other easy to carry food. Basically every necessity. She asked about his family. Apparently, they'd moved to Corona. When he raised enough money for his own travel fee, he would be joining them. He clearly missed them, she could hear it in his tone.

Anna's black, glistening armor glinted from where it sat in the corner of the bedroom. Liquid pooled beneath it as it began to melt, now that it was no longer on her body. It looked…monstrous. Beautiful, albeit deadly, spikes grew from the shoulders. Not made of metal, but just as deadly. It was hard to the touch, like a diamond. And despite its wet texture and the fact that it was, in fact, ice, when it was on her body it never melted. Anna sighed and stretched as she pulled on the pair of pants and a simple tunic that Oaken had given her. Over that, she pulled on a warm, wooly sweater. For the first time in a very long time, Anna felt the comforting heat of a warm and welcoming home.

She shuddered as her thoughts roamed to her sister. The storm outside raged ever heavier by the second. She knew Elsa was enraged, restless, probably screaming. The thought distressed her…Anna bit her bottom lip as she strapped the harness and sheathe of her sword back on. She couldn't let herself care about that.

Then she began to fill a bag with the supplies Oaken had given her. A variety of things. Some food, some clothes, some first aid supplies. Oaken had been kind since she'd arrived. Terrifyingly so. His insistence that she stay for dinner frightened her in a way. Was he planning to assassinate her? Poison her food? Her heart pounded in her chest. Of course, if he really wanted to kill Anna he could have when she was shivering and weak on his doorstep.

Anna sighed and stepped out of the guest room, beginning her search for Oaken. He was setting the table when she found him. He had laid out two bowls of steaming, hot soup. She could smell tomatoes and beef, and something sweeter. It smelled delicious. Anna inhaled the scent of it with a pleasant sigh, her stomach rumbling with excitement.

"Thank you for letting me join you for dinner, Oaken." She offered him a small smile, and he nodded eagerly, clapping.

"It is no problem, Princess. I apologize that it is just soup. I don't have ingredients for anything fancy...this is hardly a meal fit for royalty." The huge man frowned and scratched at his beard. Again with the "princess". Did Oaken not know what Anna had become? What she's done? If he did, he definitely would not be calling her princess. Or anything remotely respectful.

"There is no need to be formal with me, Oaken. I'm not exactly your princess anymore…" She clenched her fists. "I don't deserve the title, afterall. I've done nothing for you, for anyone. Just myself."

Oaken said nothing for a while. She expected him to agree, but instead, the big man began to laugh. Deep, hearty laughs. She was shocked when his hand slapped her back, hard. "You are still the princess! No matter what you do! Duty is not a position you can just get rid of. Committing atrocities does not free you from the burden if anything it does the opposite. You were born a princess, you will die a princess...or a queen."

She met his eyes. They were warm and bright. But there was so much pain buried deep inside them. Even so, she knew he meant his words. Knew that he still looked up to her, was loyal to her. But why? "Shall we eat?" He smiled at her. Anna had so many questions but she decided not to voice them. Not yet... Her stomach demanded that she eat.

The redhead pulled out a chair and cautiously sat down. "Do you truly feel that way?" Anna mumbled. She picked up her spoon and waited for his response with bated breath. Oaken plopped down in the seat across from her and began to dig into his meal quite heartily.

"Of course I do!" He beamed, plopping a huge mouthful of soup into his mouth. She hesitated as she stared at her own spoon. "Ah, you're suspicious of it? If I wanted you dead, I would have snapped you in half the moment I opened my door. Afterall, you were about to collapse. You can trust me, in this regard," he chuckled, heartily eating.

Anna nodded. "I'm sorry. I'm being quite rude. I'm just not used to such kindness. It feels almost unnatural."

"I am not offended...but I must ask, princess. What is the real reason you're here? Were things so horrible for you at the palace? I was under the impression that what you had with the Queen was a partnership. Did you truly have such a big disagreement that you'd leave?" Anna probably shouldn't talk to a commoner about her problems, but his warm expression made it impossible to not open up. She was truly comfortable in this house. The warm fire, the delicious food...it was overwhelming.

So she answered. "I suppose I was Elsa's partner. And maybe it's selfish that I'm backing out now that things aren't going well for me, but I guess I am running away. To put it simply."

His eyebrows raised. "So I'm right? You ran away?"

"Yes. Elsa and I had a disagreement. So I left. I'm going to go to Corona, to have a fresh start. Just like you, I suppose." Oaken smiled at her words, but his expression seemed troubled.

"Won't the Queen be looking for you?"

Anna nodded. "She will be. I have no doubt. It's why I cannot stay long."

Oaken sighed heavily. "It's a real shame. I figured that might be the case but I hoped it was not. With you gone the Queen will no doubt go into a rage...that does explain the storm."

Anna nodded. "Yes. This blizzard is most definitely Elsa. She does not like it when I disobey her."

Oaken laughed. "What woman does?" He pushed himself out of his chair. "This talk is a rather serious, heavy one. I'm going to get some beer. Would you like some?"

Anna could use some alcohol. There was no way she was turning that down. "Please, just a little."

"Ha! Free food is one thing but you think I'd let you chug down all my beer, too!?"

Anna laughed. "I never said that!" Oaken grinned and scurried off. He returned a few moments later, two wooden cups in his hand.

"To new beginnings!" Oaken smiled. So Oaken was cheering her on? How could one man be so kind and generous?

"To new beginnings," she agreed. They both raised their cups and Anna took a big mouthful of the beer. It tasted smooth, slightly warm. There really was nothing better than a warm beer on a freezing night. It was delicious. "It's very good!" She cheered. To emphasize her words, Anna drank down another mouthful. They drank in peaceful silence for a while.

She was started to get a little tired.

"I hope there are no hard feelings," Oaken suddenly stated when she yawned. When she looked at him, he was staring into his cup, unsmiling. The coldness in his eyes had returned. Anna didn't understand. Hard feelings about what?

"What do you mean?"

Oaken frowned and scratched at his beard. "You're starting to feel tired already, yes?" Anna's eyes widened at his words. Did he drug the beer!? But why? Not to kill her...Now that she was aware of it, she could feel the uncomfortably relaxed haze on her mind. Why did he do this!? Anna opened her mouth to demand answers but all that slipped out was a big yawn.

Oaken stood up.

"Princess, please understand that I did not want to do this. I have to. I cannot make ends meet with the way things are now. Business is slow in Arendelle. People are poor, they don't come to my Trading Post. At this rate, it will be two years until I raise the money I need to travel to Corona. You understand, right? I am going to return you to the Queen. In exchange, I am going to ask her to pay me. So I can be with my family. So I can have my new beginning."

So it was all pointless? She was just going to end up where she started!? Back in Elsa's grasp!? Just like that?

Apparently so because she really was getting tired. Anna could feel her consciousness eluding her. She could barely think...Her eyes closed. When she opened them, she was not in the same place she had been before. She was on a mattress. Her arms and legs were tied, her mouth gagged. Oaken was nowhere to be seen.

No doubt he'd gone to fetch the Queen.

Her brain was still sluggish, truly conscious thought eluding her...and the bed was incredibly comfortable. There was no point fighting. Her little rebellion was over. Anna closed her eyes. When she opened them, she had no doubt Elsa would be there.

What would happen? God, what was going to happen?

She could hear a voice in the distance. Cold. Familiar. So far away...

"Things are going to be much different now, my sweet little Anna."