A/N: This is my first fanfiction. Not 100% sure of the length yet, but it will be long. Rated M for Elsanna, and some more...dark themes. Hope you all enjoy, some constructive criticism is always appreciated of course, but be nice, as I said it's my first story. Many thanks to cupcakesplease for proofreading!

-Celdarion

To New Frontiers

by Celdarion

Prologue

It was freezing. Elsa rode through the waist-deep snow, her body weary, her mind hazy. She could barely see, the entire world was white. She was hopelessly lost, and Anna, her dear Anna, was missing. Somewhere out there in the vast white wilderness was her sister. Cold, injured, possibly worse, she needed her.

Chapter One

Four days prior

"Elsa!"

A sharp rap on the door stirred Elsa from her sleep. Her mind was foggy, her eyes blinded from the morning sun.

"Elsa!" Three more sharp knocks.

"Anna…" Elsa mumbled, "What is it…?"

Anna came bounding into the room and landed heavily on her bed. Elsa grumbled. It was often Anna who was difficult to rouse in the morning.

"You're late for that meeting with Darius, dear sister"

Elsa shot upright, eyes wild, her hair tangled.

"Gods, Anna, you should have woken me earlier!"

"I thought you deserved a lie-in" Anna said softly. "You have been working pretty hard lately. Besides, the Captain can wait. I doubt it'll be important anyway"

Elsa couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Anna's remark. She cupped Anna's face lightly with one hand, and brought her in for a hug.

"What was that for?"

"Just...for being you, Anna. I've missed you so, so much." Elsa's heart was bursting with feelings of remorse and guilt for all the pain she'd caused Anna over the years. "I'm so so sorry for...everything, Anna. For shutting you out, for ignoring you, f-for everything! Please forgive me, Anna, I c-couldn't b-bear to lose you, not again!"

The young queen broke down in tears, burying her face into Anna's shoulder.

Anna was at a loss for words. She tried to comfort her as best she could. Elsa clung to Anna for what seemed like an eternity, until finally she pulled away.

Anna felt a pang at the loss of contact.

"Can you forgive me, Anna?" Elsa asked, wiping away tears. The room temperature had dropped considerably.

"There's nothing to forgive, Elsa" Anna said softly. "I love you"

"And I love you" Elsa replied, leaning in to embrace her sister again.

The meeting with Darius Aster, Captain of the Guard, was mind-numbingly boring, full of tedious minutiae that seemed insignificant. Elsa normally didn't mind such meetings, but today she was distracted.

By Anna.

Of late, Elsa found her thoughts lingering on the bubbly princess. It had been many years that she had closed herself off, and Anna was a completely new person, a person she barely knew. Elsa felt a pang of remorse. Anna could brighten her day just by being in the same room. When Anna hugged her in her chambers, she felt closer to her than she ever had in more than a decade. She didn't deserve it. She could never deserve Anna.

"Y-Your Majesty?"

Elsa snapped her head up. She had been lost in thought, thoughts about Anna. Darius was looking inquisitively at the queen, a hint of concern on his face.

"Are you alright, majesty?"

"Y-yes. Yes. I'm fine My apologies Captain Aster, please continue".

"We're about done here, Your Majesty, just a few more details to address"

Elsa sped out of the council chamber, where her meeting with the Captain had finally ended. She made a beeline for her chambers, determined to catch up on some paperwork.

She finally reached the heavy double doors, and pushed her way inside.

"Anna!"

"Elsa!" Anna squealed. She had obviously let herself in, ostensibly to wait for Elsa, but why? Elsa was overjoyed to see her, of course. Lately she had been anxious to spend as much time as possible with her beloved sister.

"Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Why, I came to see you, silly!" replied Anna brightly, and Elsa couldn't help a broad smile forming on her lips.

Oh, Anna, you really are wonderful.

"I wanted to ask you something," Anna continued, "I-I want to spend more time with you, Elsa. I know we've been trying lately, I know you're busy all the time, but sometimes it seems like it's not enough. So...would you like to take a trip with me? Just the two of us!" Anna's previous nervousness had dissipated, replaced by her usual frantic babbling. "We could ride north, through the hills. Oooh! We could stop at Oaken's! You'd like him, and we could visit the trolls, they're like Kristoff's family, you'd love them, and, and, and-"

"Anna" Elsa interjected, "I'd love to! But I can't. I simply have too much work to do."

"Nonsense," Anna replied simply, her bright smile tugging at Elsa's heart.

"Do you know just how much there is to do? The summit is to take place soon, it is our turn to host it, and it's an incredibly important event!" she continued hotly, noting the look on Anna's face. "Many of the other kingdoms are at odds with one another and with us - it is our duty to keep the peace this time! So no, as much as I'd love to go with you, I can't!"

Anna was heartbroken.

"Oh…okay" she said in a small voice.

"I'm so sorry, Anna. I wish I could"

"It's fine, really. I understand" Anna gave Elsa a weak smile. "But I really do miss you sometimes." She rose from the bed, slowly walking towards the door.

"I do too, Anna. We'll do something soon, I promise."

And with that, Anna left.

Elsa sighed to herself, feeling guilty. It was silly of her really, Anna did understand of course, but she couldn't help but fixate on the glum expression on Anna's face. All logical thought pushed aside, she rose from her bed, and hurried out of the room.

"Anna!"

Her sister turned, already halfway down the hallway.

"Yes?"

"Let's go, Anna"

"Wait, what?"

"Yes, let's go!" she repeated. "The summit isn't to be held until a few weeks time, I'm sure my absence could be tolerated for a few days."

"Oh, Elsa, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Anna planted kisses all over Elsa's cheeks, making the older girl giggle. In her state of delirious happiness, she kissed Elsa squarely on the lips, before hurrying down the hallway out of sight.

The queen's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed.

'What was that?' she thought to herself. Anna had never kissed her before in such a manner, on the cheek, yes, but never on the lips. This kiss was...remarkable.

The queen returned to her chambers and sat, staring at the piles of work to complete, her mind a complete jumble. She couldn't think, not one thought fully formed before it was replaced by another, and another, and another. Hundreds of thoughts racing through her mind.

Thoughts about Anna.

The next morning, Elsa awoke with the sun, as always. Stretching indulgently, she lay in bed for a few minutes, enjoying the heat of the sun on her bare skin. Finally, she managed to gather the willpower to slowly get out of bed, and don her clothes for the day - a simple dress made of spun ice. She would bathe later, she decided, right now she had matters to attend to.

Elsa poked her head out of the door and beckoned over a passing servant.

"Please send for Kai immediately"

"Yes, majesty" the servant replied, scurrying off rapidly.

Elsa retreated inside her chambers and sat upon the edge of her bed. Her mind instantly landed upon Anna, and the heartwarming kiss they had shared the previous night.

No, this is wrong. She's my sister - I can't be thinking of her like this…

But she couldn't help it. The more she tried to resist, the more the thoughts of Anna pushed their way back into her mind. She wanted to hold her close, to whisper in her ear, to kiss her with passion, to-

Elsa's reverie was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.

"Your Majesty?"

"Please, come in Kai."

The door swung open, and Kai stepped inside, bowing. A portly gentleman, Kai had been in service of the Royal House of Arendelle for most of his adult life. Elsa's parents had trusted him with almost everything, and so did Elsa.

"How may I be of service, my queen?" Kai inquired.

"My sister and I will be leaving the castle for a few days, and there are certain things I need taken care of, Kai"

Kai blinked. "Your majesty...as much as it pleases me that you and the Princess Anna are reconnecting, would it not be wise to wait until after the summit? The Royal Ambassador of the Kingdom of Valanx is arriving shortly, no doubt with the rest of the dignitaries not far behind. Arendelle needs its queen in such a time, the importance of this conference is paramount. Our relations with the Western Alliance is tenuous at best. If-"

"No, Kai" Elsa interjected. "This event is indeed important, I know. But the Princess Anna are taking this trip, summit or no summit. I trust you Kai, you're more than capable to make any preparations in order to receive our guests. In any case, we will return long before any dignitaries arrive"

Kai looked as if he were about to argue, but then he stepped back and nodded instead.

"Yes, your majesty"

"Thank you, Kai. Please, carry on"

Kai bowed deeply and retreated from the room, closing the door with a snap.

The Most Noble and Mighty Confederation of Allied Kingdoms, better known as the Western Alliance. Volatile, unpredictable, dangerous. Kai was right, this summit was indeed important. Held once every decade, it was essential to verify and maintain the various truces, alliances and treaties between each of the kingdoms. Elsa thought of each of the nations of the Alliance in turn, trying to categorise their qualities, attributes, and weaknesses.

The Kingdom of Valanx. A wealthy nation, with a large military force, Valanx and Arendelle had never enjoyed good relations. Having experienced terrible war in the past, each kingdom was constantly on guard against the other. King Ivan was a shrewd man, cold and calculating, though he was normally reasonable. The former King and Queen of Arendelle had successfully negotiated with King Ivan on several occasions; Elsa felt confident with dealing with him.

The Kingdom of Weselton was, until very recently, a good trading partner of Arendelle's. After the Great Thaw, when Arendelle cut ties with Weselton, they became the Alliance's newest member. Elsa knew very little of its sovereign, King Alfred, having only met the Duke of Weselton briefly.

The Kingdom of the Southern Islesis, like Weselton, one of the newest members of the Western Alliance. Besides Prince Hans' ill-fated attempt to seize the throne of Arendelle, there had been very little contact with the southern nation. Reclusive and mysterious, Elsa knew very little of their politics, their wealth, their military power, or their King, Maximilian.

Elsa groaned, thinking of the prospect of having to treat with all these dignitaries. The presence of others still made her nervous, having spent a great part of her life alone, she did not know how to act around people. Except Anna. Anna was the one constant in her changing world. She was her guiding star, her reason to be. Without Anna…

Elsa shuddered at the thought, and returned her attention to the final member of the Western Alliance.

Bastion. The most powerful member of the Alliance. A huge city-state, Bastion is the very pinnacle of military excellence. They have the largest army, the largest navy, and the most advanced siege weapons. Presided over by Lord Rainier, Elsa had only heard tales of this man's ruthlessness. A hardened battle commander, Rainier was famed throughout the land for his exploits in battle. Famed, and feared.

Dealing with Rainier made Elsa extremely apprehensive. For Bastion was mighty, and if the outcome of this summit was less than favourable, then all of the Northern Kingdoms may be in grave danger.

The Northern Kingdoms Elsa thought to herself, a small smile forming on her lips. Arendelle's most loyal allies, and closest friends. There was Corona, of course, with the graceful Queen Nathalie as its noble leader. One of Queen Idunn's closest friends, she trusted her implicitly. And Elsa did too.

The Kingdom of Kelastra is Arendelle's most powerful ally. Relations have long since been excellent between Kelastra and Arendelle, with fair trade and even open borders between the two nations.

The Kingdom of Dale is Arendelle's most reclusive ally, though a good ally nonetheless. King Farren was good friends with Elsa's father, King Agdar, before his untimely death at sea.

Elsa's mood was lifted slightly. Though the challenge her kingdom faced in the coming weeks, Elsa found solace in her allies. Though the possible threat of the Alliance was grave indeed, Elsa was confident that the Northern Kingdoms would survive.

I can't let anything happen to my Anna. I won't.