Chapter 6.

I'm running, as fast as my feet can carry me. I'm trying not to make a sound, but the crunching of the snow under my feet isn't helping much. I'm scared. I don't want to get caught. I've heard what happens to those who are discovered doing something they shouldn't.

My stomach twists and I force myself not to think about that. There's no turning back now; what's done is done. I knew what I was getting into and I still decided to do it. Not that I had much of a choice, of course.

I haven't eaten in more than a week. Nor have my friends and… family? I guess I can call them family; they adopted me as their own after all. It's winter, and it's getting harder and harder to find food. Bulda has been doing her best to keep us from starving to death, but… she can't do the impossible. More so considering she doesn't have any powers.

That's why I'm helping them, even if I know stealing is wrong.

"I didn't have a choice"; I repeat in my head as I tightly clutch the bread I managed to take from the guards' cabin. They have more than enough food. It's fair.

Suddenly, I find myself stuck in a pile of snow that reaches up to my chest. I panic. I must have stepped into a hole covered by the white powder. It's gonna be difficult getting out without help.

Holding the bread with my right hand only, I place my left hand over the snow and try to push myself out. Of course, the only thing I manage to do is to insert my arm deep into the snow without moving an inch. Sighing, I realize I only have one option; use my magic.

My magic. My curse. The source of all my problems, and yet… my only chance to get out of here before someone sees me.

Carefully, I pull my left glove off and press my hand against the snow, trying to make it hard so I can get some support and push myself out of here. However, just as I'm beginning to accomplish that, I feel someone grab me from behind and forcefully pull me out of there, holding me above the ground. I scream in fear and starting kicking the person, trying to get out of his grip. But he's strong, and I'm just a little girl.

"Let me go!" I demand, scared to death.

"I'm not letting you go, little thief." He says with spite on his voice. "I can't let you get away with this." I keep kicking him, struggling to loosen his grip as he carries me somewhere, but he doesn't relent. So I resort to my last option; using my ice.

He drops me when I basically freeze his hand, and instantly I try to run, but he's faster and grabs me by my collar, pulling me back and threatening me with his sword pressed against my throat.

Of course he's a guard. This can't get any worse.

"You thought you could just attack me and run away?" He snarls angrily. "Do you have any idea which is the punishment for attacking a Royal Guard?" He tries looking into my eyes, but I just look down, scared and ashamed. Of course I know the punishment, but I need to avoid it. Maybe I can reason with him.

"I didn't mean to attack you. I'm sorry." I say with an apologetic tone, but he doesn't seem to believe me.

"And what about stealing? You didn't mean to steal too?" He asks, almost yelling, and I cower as I timidly glance at the bread I'm still holding in my arms. I slowly shake my head.

"I didn't want to steal, but… I was hungry and I…" I pause, trying to form a coherent sentence despite being so terrified. "The law says every citizen has the right to have enough food to survive." I cite, remembering having read something like that once. Before I ended up like this.

"Well, yes." He admits, sheathing his sword and letting go of me, gesturing at me to get up. I do so and, for a moment, I innocently think he'll let me go. "But ice-wielders are not citizens!" He suddenly yells as his hand slams into my face with such force that I fall to the ground, tasting blood in my mouth. As the pain registers and tears start coming out of my eyes, I realize he just slapped me.

But that is illegal! I think as I stare into his stern eyes, trying to alleviate the pain by pressing my hand into my sore cheek.

Not anymore.

I start crying as I realize my situation. I always knew ice-wielders were hated, but… I never thought we wouldn't even be considered human enough to have the same rights as other people.

But I'm human! I know I am. I feel pain just like others. I feel guilt and remorse. I feel fear and anger, love and joy… I'm human!

I want to scream, to cry, to just crumble and never get back up. I don't want to live in a world where I'm treated as less as what I really am, but before I can do any of those things, the guard starts dragging me away. Literally dragging me through the snow, as I do my best not to move an inch. But his grip is firm and my complaints fall on deaf ears. I'm getting angrier and more scared by the second, though I don't know where he's taking me.

After what feels like miles of him dragging me somewhere against my will, but are probably just a couple dozen of feet, our destination finally comes into sight; the whipping pole. I've seen it before, but when I hear someone is getting punished, I make sure to stay as far away from it as possible. I still hear the screams though, and they sometimes fill my nightmares.

Desperately, I try to back away from it, not caring how much it hurts as I try to pull away with all my strength. But the guard's grip is relentless as he keeps hold of my right arm, dragging me towards the place where I'll be tortured.

"Stop fighting!" He snaps. "You know you deserve it."

"No I don't'!" I retort, trying to convince myself as much as I try to convince him, and at the same time, I somehow manage to get my hand out of his grip, though he's left holding the glove. But I don't have time to panic about it because before I know it, he's lunging towards me, obviously trying to continue dragging me towards that awful pole.

In that moment, fear takes control, and all I can feel is a powerful blast of magic leaving my hands, slamming into the guard. He stumbles a little before falling to the ground… frozen. I let out a silent scream, but I don't have time to feel horrified about my actions. Out of the corner of my eye I see a group of ten guards, which had been previously stationed by the pole, running towards me. They have their swords and crossbows out, and look ready and willing to use them.

I'm no fool. I know if I don't do anything, they'll kill me, and I don't want to die.

But I don't want to kill them either. There must be another way!

Except there isn't. They're almost on top of me. I have to make a choice, before it's too late.

Closing my eyes, I let out all my power as I scream as loud as I possibly can. But I still hear their shrieks. I still feel the warm blood splatter on my face. I feel the bodies impaled on the icicles I created.

In that moment I don't feel fear, or regret; I don't feel guilt or sorrow. I'm just a monster. The very thing I never wanted to be.

"I-I didn't want to kill them! I'm sorry!" I cry, not wanting everyone to see me as a monster.

"Elsa! Elsa, wake up! It's just a dream!" I hear someone yelling my name, and feel that same person shaking me furiously, probably trying to wake me up.

I can feel a soft and warm bed beneath me, and my mind is disoriented, like when you wake up in the morning.

It was a dream? But it felt so real!

Still, the dream is now fading, and I can only remember small fragments of it. Still enough to give me a general idea though.

Now awake, I try to open my eyes, but as I do so, I see my vision is blurry with tears. I'm crying. But I manage to recognize the hair color of the person who woke me up.

"A-Anna?" I ask with a shaky voice, noticing I'm trembling like jelly. I feel a heavy tightness in my chest, like I'm being torn apart on the inside out, and it makes ice appear all over the sheets that are clenched tightly between my hands. I already have a terrible headache which is only getting worse, to the point I have to press my hands over my temple in order to somewhat placate it.

"Elsa? Are you okay?" She asks worriedly as she gently cradles my face with her soft hands.

"M-my head…" I manage to choke out.

"Is it hurting? Hold on. I'll call Gerda." That said, she gets up and goes to the door, says something to someone (I don't know what, because I'm too busy trying not to freeze the room) and quickly returns, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"Don't worry, she'll be here soon with a cup of her magic tea." She reassures me, obviously trying to cheer me up, but I can't even answer because of the pain.

"It really hurts, doesn't it?" She says in a gentle tone, and I just manage to nod a bit before I'm wrapped in a pair of gentle and warm arms. "Come here." She says, noticing I'm trying to resist, as I know it's not proper for her, the Queen, to hug someone like me.

"Hey, it's alright. Sometimes a hug can help ease the pain."

"B-but…" I try to protest, but she shushes me.

"No buts. I owe you." She replies stubbornly, and I'm left confused.

"W-why?" I ask.

"I should have been more alert, seen how angry my subjects were, and stopped them before they tried to kill you. I thought just making you my special guest would deter anyone who'd want to try and murder you, but…" She sighs. "Sometimes I'm too naïve."

At first I don't know what she's talking about, but images from what happened slowly start filtering into my mind; the kidnapping, waking up chained to a chair, escaping, running, breaking the shackles, being saved by Kristoff and passing out. I start trembling all over again, as I recall the fear and rage I felt. Almost unconsciously I grab hold of Anna and clutch her tightly, hoping she can somehow erase all those bad memories.

Her smell is quite nice, and soothing. And the warmth of her body is very comforting, not to mention how soft her clothes are! Being in her arms truly feels like heaven, and it helps a bit, not only with my headache but also with the memories, and soon I'm feeling a lot better thanks to her.

"I-It wasn't your fault." That's the first thing I say when I'm composed enough to speak.

"But it was! I should have been less trusting." She protests, pulling away from me a little, only enough to for us to see each other's eyes. And Anna's eyes are… wow. I didn't recall they were so pretty, so warm and shiny. I could get lost in them.

"I was so worried about you." She says with such sincerity it takes me aback. "When days passed and you didn't wake…" Her voice trembles, and I take the opportunity to interrupt her.

"H-hold on. How long was I unconscious?" I ask, fearing the answer.

"Five days." She admits. "I was worried you wouldn't wake up at all. I don't think I could've lived with myself if you…" She cuts herself off, shaking her head as if trying to get rid of those bad thoughts. "But I'm glad you've woken up now." She smiles at me. "I guess getting out of those shackles must have taken a toll on you, huh?"

"You have no idea." I sigh, trying not to think about how tired and sore my body feels.

"Well, I don't blame you. Those things were specially designed for Northerners, and no one before you had ever managed to break out of them. At least not that I know of." She sounds impressed, but not worried, which is good. I was afraid she was going to start jumping into crazy conclusions, like I'm the Ice Queen or something like that.

"Must have been the fear." I shrug, but just before the redhead says something more, someone knocks on the door.

"Oh, that must be Gerda!" Anna exclaims, getting up from the bed. I miss her warmth already. "I have to go now, I'm sorry." She casts an apologetic glance at me. "I've been too worried about you to do much of my paper work and I really need to catch up."

"Okay…" I say, but she must've seen how disappointed I really am, because she rushes to try and make me feel better. Though just knowing she was that worried about me does a great deal towards improving my mood.

"But, if you can, and don't feel like you might die just by getting up… would you like to meet me later at my studio?" She asks hopeful, and of course I can't say no to that adorable look of hers! It doesn't matter if I can barely breathe and I'm feeling painful tingles all over my body; I'll go.

"Sure." I answer with a little smile, loving how Anna's smile widens at my answer.

"Great! See you later then." She answers before waving goodbye at me and running out of the room, almost knocking Gerda over as she passes.

I chuckle. She's been gone for no longer than three seconds and I already miss her. She really is a very likable person.

After Gerda basically crushed me in a hug and worriedly asked if I was okay, she made me drink at least four cups of tea. After that I was finally allowed to dress (with a little bit of difficulty), go have some breakfast and then go meet with Anna. Of course I saw Kristoff first, and he was more awkward than usual. It was almost like he didn't really know how to treat me now that he doesn't hate me as much anymore. He just said hello and tried to keep quiet the rest of the time, only giving me short answers when I asked something.

Oh well, I think he'll warm up to me eventually. I hope.

Now I'm waiting for Anna outside of her study, hoping I could get in and sit down on one of the chairs she undoubtedly has. But of course I have to wait for the Queen, even if my body feels like it will collapse at any second now. I wonder where she is.

"Kristoff… do you know where is Anna?" I ask my guard. He looks at me briefly and I can see he's considering not answering, but then he reluctantly speaks.

"I think she went to the docks to receive a royal from another kingdom."

"I see…" I sigh. "I hope she doesn't take long."

We stay in awkward silence for a few more minutes before I finally hear the steps of someone making their way here. I turn to see it's Anna turning the corner. I smile and wave at her excitedly before I see someone else is with her. It's a girl, probably around her age, with short brown hair, green eyes and facial features very similar to Anna. She's dressed in a simple pink dress and is… barefoot?

Weird. I wonder who she is.

"Hello there!" The stranger says with a big smile when they get closer.

"Hello, princess Rapunzel." Kristoff answers with a bow.

"H-hi." I say, nervous now that I know the girl is royalty. Anna's cousin, if I remember correctly. "Your highness." I try to make a courtesy, but I wince when my sore body protests.

"Whoa! Take it easy." Anna rushes to my side and holds me up before I can fall to the ground.

"I'm fine." I assure her, but she doesn't seem to believe me.

"Let's get inside." She takes my arms and gently pushes me into the studio, making me sit down in one of the couches she has in there, her cousin taking the one opposite to us.

"So… Elsa, what are you doing here?" Rapunzel asks in a cheerful manner, but both Anna and I instantly freeze.

"You know me?" I ask in disbelief, momentarily forgetting my pain.

"Yeah. Don't you remember me?" She asks playfully angry, feigning being offended by the fact.

"Actually, Elsa doesn't remember anything." Anna interferes, obviously as intrigued as I am to know where Rapunzel and I met. The princess's eyes widen at this.

"She is the Northerner?" She exclaims. Obviously Anna talked to her about me before introducing us, but apparently the redhead didn't mention my name.

"You know her, don't you?" Anna asks with curiosity, and the princess quickly nods.

"She was living in the city of Corona for three weeks. She said she needed to see my parents, but after the guards told her they had left on a trip and no one knew when they'd return, she decided to wait. Then she just… disappeared." Rapunzel explained, only making more questions pop up in my head, and probably Anna's too.

What was I doing there? Why did I need to speak to the monarchs? Am I from Corona? Why did I suddenly disappear? Where did I go after that? Why did I come to Arendelle?

It's too much for my poor head to handle.

I place my head between my hands, trying to ease the pain, but it's for naught. Stupid headache. I wonder why I have it.

"Elsa! Are you okay?" Anna asks concerned, trying to get a better look at my face. I blink a little, attempting to focus on something other than the pain.

"Y-yeah." I lie, because a simple headache isn't going to stop me from getting answers about my past. "It just hurts a bit." I force a little smile before turning to look at Rapunzel. "What else do you know about me? Did I mention anything?"

"Talking to you was like pulling teeth." She chuckled. "You were very secretive; it took me a whole week of coercing to finally get you to tell me your name!"

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow and the princess nods in response. Well… that sounds suspicious. I wonder what I was doing there.

"But… what did she want?" Anna asks for me.

"She only said she wished to speak with the monarchs of Corona." Rapunzel's answer disappoints me; I was expecting something else. "She mentioned she had important information, and that she'd come a long way to try and tell us what she knew. But she never said anything specific."

"Did I ever mentioned a name, or where I came from?" I press.

"You only said you came from far away, but you wouldn't even tell me if it was in the north, south, east or west." The princess explains, making me slump my shoulders in defeat.

"You also told me once you'd like to speak to the Queen of Arendelle, but you preferred to wait until after you spoke to my parents." She added as an afterthought.

"Well… that's interesting." Anna voiced my thoughts. "Maybe that's why you came here? To tell me whatever you wanted to tell to the monarchs of Corona first?" I shrug, honestly having no idea of which had been my thoughts and motivations at the time. However, to the redhead it appears to make a lot of sense.

"Then, when you saw they weren't coming back from their trip anytime soon, maybe you decided to try your luck with me, and… then you lost your memory." She sighs. "Whatever you knew must have been important. I wish there was an easy way to get back your memories."

"You tell me." I chuckle, but even that simple action makes a soaring pain appear on my head, and though I try to cover my wince, Anna notices it.

"You should go rest." She suggests, placing a gentle hand on my back. "Your body still needs to recover."

I want to protest, to spend more time with Anna and her cousin, who appears to be interesting and nice enough. But honestly my body's been aching all day, practically begging me to let it rest. I feel like if I keep exerting myself, I might end up fainting or something, and that would undoubtedly worry the kind redhead, so…

"You're probably right." I admit. "I'll see you tomorrow?" I ask hopeful, looking intently into her eyes, but then remembering there's someone else in the room and turning to look at Rapunzel too.

"Sure. I expect you for breakfast." The Queen smiles.

"Great." I smile at her before getting up with some difficulty. "See you." I say, waving at both royals, noticing how they both have equally warm and wide smiles (they're definitely cousins) as they wave back at me, before getting out of the studio and walking to my room, with Kristoff right behind me.

As I walk down the corridor, I start thinking about what Rapunzel said, but it didn't give me any insight as to my origins. And since my head starts hurting after a few seconds of trying to make sense of it all, I force myself to stop. I just hope this headache will actually let me sleep; I'm exhausted.

A/N: Hi! I'm sorry it took so long, but it's the end of the semester, so I've been pretty busy lately. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it (even if the first part was a bit violent), and if you did please leave a review, I always like to read what you liked and disliked so I can improve in the future. So, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read this story so far, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am :)

Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.