A/N: Apologies for the 5-week hiatus; I'm up to my neck with work and studies. Don't worry though, come Nov, chapter updates will be faster. On another note, this is the start of the final arc. Enjoy!

Chapter 30

~ Her Final Gift ~

The void swallowed Anna. Then it spat her out.

She hung in the air. Her ears rang with steady clops. The ground flowed beneath her as she jerked up and down.

In and out she drifted from darkness. Now the ground was hard on her back and the aurora borealis loomed above. Smoke everywhere… Was Arendelle burning, or was it just her?

A rock with a bulbous nose and a mane of moss leaned in close. His mouth worked but Anna heard nothing. Then she realized she was just a pair of eyes without body, mouth or ears, so she simply stared. His eyes were so kind…

Hot turned to cold as voices chanted her name. The more they sang, the more her head swam. And once again the void claimed her.

Anna was in a better place.

The sun was kept at bay by the generous canopy overhead. Grass and bark and the wetness of summer filled her noise. The distant chatter of the town had long faded into a soft buzz that risked lulling her into sleep.

Elsa's lap was the main culprit of course; softer and cooler than any pillow had a right to be. Not that Anna complained. A picnic mat served as her bed, and a book was snug in her chest. But it was the pair of hands that worked on her head that Anna remembered most.

Who knew queens gave such wonderful massages?

Lithe fingers combed through Anna's hair before sliding down to both sides of her temple, tracing little circles. A cool hand pressed to her forehead while another kneaded the back of her skull. Elsa missed nothing and her touch was silk.

Would that this moment could last forever.

It stopped. Anna opened her mouth in protest. Just then, the book came sliding out of her hands. She locked it against her chest in time.

Elsa made a small unhappy noise. "So, you gonna tell me what that is yet?"

Anna stuck out her tongue.

Cold fingers drilled into her armpits and Anna yelped. "Okay, okay! It's 'Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War'."

"Haven't you read her books a hundred times already?"

"Who told you that? Bah, never mind. Not this edition. Kai got it for me from a Kongsbergian trader yesterday."

It took moments before Elsa connected the dots. "Now I got to read it!" The only kingdom that despised the Southern Isles more than Arendelle was Kongsberg. Elsa made another swipe for the treasure but Anna held it far out.

"Give it. Thy queen commands thee."

"Nay!"

Elsa cupped her hands around her mouth. "Guards! My sister is bullying me!"

Anna chuckled. They had sent every subject and soul well away. Still, she angled her neck for a peep. When she confirmed the coast was clear, she craned her head back and grinned. "Tell you what. Beat me in a stare-off and it's yours. Or you can always buy me one hundred krumkakes."

"Stop being a brat." Elsa squished her cheeks.

"You never won me as a kid, not even once. Still not up to the challenge?"

Anna had watched with bated breath as the older girl licked her lips and narrowed her eyes. But then Elsa leaned back. "Never mind, you win."

"Wait, what?"

It was wholly unlike Elsa to back down. Anna reached up and held her sister's face. She saw it too clearly now as she did then– the wrinkles on the corner of her eyes, the slouch of her shoulders, and even the tightness of Elsa's lips as she stifled a yawn.

"You didn't sleep again last night, did you?"

There was no reply.

"We spoke about this, Elsa."

"I know, I just…" The older girl glanced away. "I concentrate better at night. Plus there were more letters to deal with than expected. I'll be fine once this tides over."

"That's what you said last week!"

"Last week, I didn't know two of our neighbours would go to war."

"That's their problem, not yours," Anna said.

"Do you know how selfish that sounds? Even now, refugees from Yindu are giving their life's savings just to be smuggled into Arendelle. Also, Gerda and Finn have not heard from their cousins."

Anna swallowed, wondering if Elsa would shove her up. "That's… terrible."

Instead, her sister stroked her hair. "Even fishermen are scared to sail up the outskirts. If our borders were just slightly closer to Edenlands, we might've been dragged in too…"

As if. Her powers would've ended any war in days. But that was better left unsaid.

"They won't. Arendelle has always been neutral, and besides, you've only just signed new treaties with them." Elsa looked unconvinced still, so she changed the subject. "Can't you take a nap after lunch at least? Queens should be allowed to nap whenever they like."

"If I had time to nap, then I'd rather spend it running Arendelle better." Their eyes met. "Or with you."

Elsa's tresses draped over her face like a silvery waterfall. Anna giggled as Elsa pressed her lips to her forehead. Then her eyes blurred with tears.

Why do you keep sacrificing yourself for us?

She loved Elsa. How could she not? How could anyone in the world not love this woman who was as selfless as she was amazing? She, who could create life on a whim, who could destroy a hundred warships with a mere gesture, yet would fall upon her knees to hug children or tussle in the snow with her sister.

But always so stubborn too. The rage came to Anna suddenly. Sacrifice was all Elsa knew; giving up a life of happiness for her; fleeing into the mountains to protect Arendelle. And now this.

Anna steeled her voice. "Elsa, you need to stop working yourself to death. Get someone, anyone to help. I don't even care if you promoted Oddvar or whatever-his-name-was. Just… stop trying to do everything by yourself."

"I am the queen."

"And the queen has capable advisors!" Like me, Anna nearly said, but she bit her tongue. "You could put just a weeee bit more trust in your ministers or Kai." Inclined on her sister's silky laps and staring at her from upside down made for a strange position to argue from, but Anna didn't feel like getting up yet. "Look, Louis can help. I mean, he was regent for three years! Why don't you restore him to Minister of Finance? Or you can share your work with Isabelle; even Meanie talks about how good she is."

"Weren't you telling me one month ago how I should handle all of Arendelle's affairs like a proper queen?"

Anna wanted nothing more than to slap herself.

Elsa rubbed the bridge of her nose. "It's been a rough day, alright? Two guards, Eirik's best mind you, were fighting at an outskirts tavern; thank God no one drew weapons. Come afternoon, and Meanie was trying to raise taxes again. Damn if his latest proposal wasn't winning the council over. I had to halt the meeting just to come up with a counter."

Anna drew out an exasperated sigh. After the thaw, they had exactly one day of peace, then reality struck; Elsa was queen, and a queen must run a kingdom. More appeals than Anna could believe came pouring in; farmers with frozen crops, traders desperate for the crown's favour, mothers wanting their babies blessed, suitors asking for their hand-in-marriage. Even clerics wanting to scrutinize Elsa for signs of "devilry" – these ones they sent away with strained smiles.

Elsa was queen, and a queen's duties were endless.

"I take back everything. Let our ministers handle this. Some of them served at Papa's side since even before I was born! I know we can trust them to run Arendelle well. You deserve time off. How long has it been since we last built a snowman? Can't you just–"

"Anna."

Elsa's eyes were shut, and her tone sealed Anna's tongue. Elsa was queen, and now she wore her queen's voice.

"It's been one month since my coronation. Our people have accepted my powers, but that isn't enough. I can't keep hiding behind the council, letting them run this kingdom for me, or use my magic to solve everything. Arendelle needs to trust me– needs to see that their ruler isn't the scared little girl anymore, but the daughter of King Agdar and Queen Idunn."

Words failed Anna back then. She both dreaded and yearned for Elsa to ask for her help. But the words never came, for they both knew from her short term in court that she was as useful in running the kingdom as Kristoff was with maths.

After all, Anna spent her thirteen years fretting over her loneliness, living in storybooks, dancing with suits of armour and dreaming of princes. A far more sensible person was Elsa, exceling in every subject under the royal tutor; mastering the history of Arendelle and ancient kingdoms, and learning the arts of rulership from Papa and Mama.

Anna propped herself up. There was one thing she could do now. "Lie down."

"What?"

Anna nudged her sister away from the trunk and took her spot. "Lie. Down. If you're not gonna get your sleep at night, you can at least do so now. C'mon my laps are waiting! Ow, there's a root poking at my back. How did you even look so comfortable all this while?"

Elsa's laughter was sweet music. Gently but firmly, she drew her sister down.

"Better?"

She nodded. Anna mapped out the contours of Elsa's head, kneading and rubbing. She patted the length of Elsa's neck to shoulders, and back again. She ran a knuckle down her spine, then pinched at her joints. Anna didn't even know what she was doing. How did her sister make this look easy, did they give royal masseuse lessons somewhere? But then she heard the sigh escaping Elsa's lips and decided it didn't matter.

"I'll have Isabelle look into the refugee issue," Elsa said. "And… I guess I can trust Eirik to handle his own men."

"Now you sound like a proper queen."

Elsa grinned.

Her buttocks soon went to sleep but Anna would've gladly sat still for another ten hours when she heard the soft breaths of the older girl.

Rays of gold peeked through the branches to rest on her sister's face. Even haggard as she was, Elsa was still the most beautiful woman Anna had ever seen. Nothing else mattered at this moment. Anna's world was her closed eyelids, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and how quiet and at peace she looked.

Anna brushed a fringe from Elsa's forehead. "I'll protect you forever."

And she sealed the promise with a kiss.

Anna opened her eyes.

The sky was rent with insane swirls of purple and green still. Boulders surrounded her. Mossy bodies with stumpy limbs, chattering in their high-pitched voices.

"–is awake! Quick, someone get Bulda!"

"Anna, are you hurt?"

"Where is our Kristoff–"

Anna pushed herself up, scouring her surroundings. No… no this is wrong. I shouldn't at the valley...

The trolls gathered around her, stroking at her with palms of sandpaper. She would've screamed at them to leave her alone, but her throat was on fire and her bones ached.

"Elsa?" She croaked, pushing against a troll for support. "Elsa, where are you?" If she was so tired, then what would Elsa be feeling? After all, she'd only just fought off the possession of a mad demon.

Bulda was there at once, handing over a huge leaf dripping with water. "My dear, oh! Lie down, lie down! Pabbie healed you best he could but still you–"

"He's with Elsa, isn't he? Is she hurt? Where are they?" Anna gulped it in one swallow. "Where?"

Bulda's mouth went wide. Anna had no time for half-addled trolls however so she spun around. "Where's my sister?" Her head whipped left and right. "Where's Elsa?" Trolls everywhere, and not a single one answered. Had Elsa left the valley already? Surely not, she wouldn't have left Anna by herself.

Cliff waddled up to her. "Your Majesty, it's just you."

Anna stared at him in utter disbelief. Anytime now they would burst out laughing, then they'd part and Elsa would stand there smiling as she always has. The trolls were quiet now. Where were their japes? Their giggles?

Anna fought to keep her voice steady. "You… brought me here… without her? Why?"

The trolls moved apart and Anna held her breath. But it was Sven who trotted through. His fur was ruffled and his eyes sore, but he looked none the worse for wear. Draped over his back was her green cape.

"We cleaned your clothes. They were soaked," Bulda said. Catching the look in Anna's eyes, she continued. "You fell. If not for the snow, you would be…"

"Snow?" Anna recalled falling… Yes, it made sense now. Elsa couldn't catch her in time, so she used snow to cushion her fall. Sven must've seen what happened and toted her to the trolls.

It was good of him and yet… Anna couldn't help but feel a stab of bitterness. He should've waited for Elsa and Kristoff to get down. Sure, she was hurt, but it's not like the trolls were the only healers. Now, Anna would have to ride till the next day just to see her sister again.

Sven trotted forward and nuzzled his nose against her. Her anger subsided just a little; it wasn't his fault. She was the careless one for falling unconscious.

"Don't do this again, okay Sven? I know Kristoff told you to stand by in case something went wrong. But everything's fine now. Elsa's back!"

Cliff's face was grave. "Your Majesty, Sven told us everything… we know that the demon child has taken over Elsa. We saw your memories of what happened on the waterfall."

They looked into my head without asking? Wow, talk about rude. "Don't you see? My sister won! She regained control of her body. And don't call me 'Majesty', that's Elsa's title."

Bulda squeezed her fingers, and her voice was oddly gentle. "Anna… Anna, my dear, you must be strong now."

"I don't know what you're talking about… You– you aren't making sense. I need to go back. Elsa's waiting…" The trolls spoke in hushed tones. What was wrong with them? She gave it ten seconds, then she twisted away.

Bulda shook her head. "Anna…"

Back at the waterfall, Elsa's hand were thrust out, fingers splayed to catch her. Anna reached out but they missed each other by a hair's breadth. Elsa's mouth gaped in horror. Anna saw it then – not the demon wearing Elsa's skin, but her real sister. No wonder Anna hadn't been able to tell from the very start; it was just like how they'd held each after the Splendor was destroyed. Freya could pretend all she wanted but there was one thing she couldn't fake – Elsa's love.

"I'm going back," Anna announced. "Elsa and Kristoff are there. Sven, let's go."

She'd hoped for shouts of support; after all her in-laws-to-be were always so enthusiastic about everything, but now they simply murmured and peered at each other stupidly. Even Sven was whimpering.

Cliff clamped onto her arm. "She's gone."

The words were hollow in her ears, unreal, like a dream. But the ground was too hard and the bruises in her limbs were real. What was he playing at? This joke had long gone stale. Elsa was back at the castle, perhaps sipping a cup of tea with Kristoff, wondering where Sven had brought her. They would fret at how they could convince Arendelle that all the weird things she did the past few days had been Freya's doing. Then Elsa would go back to her room, poring over paper and parchment, all the while glancing at the windows wondering when Anna could return.

Anna chuckled. She couldn't wait to see the look on her sister's face when she returned. 'I'm the reindeer queen!' Anna would joke. Elsa would punish her of course for not recognising that she was possessed. 'Don't you even know your own sister?' But Anna had an apology in mind: she would surrender every chocolate and book from now on, and even go for lessons again…

Cliff's grip began to hurt. "You're queen now. You must be strong. If we hurry, we can still save Kristoff from the demon."

Anna snatched her hand away. "ELSA'S ALIVE! Don't you get it? She saved me when I fell. She shouted for me! She– she regained control!" The trolls went into a furore, clambering over one another's back, each trying to get a word in. They didn't believe her, but it didn't matter. Anna swept past them all, snatching her cape from Sven.

She froze.

On the underside of the cape hung a tiny thing – a blond-haired doll in a regal dress sewn hand-in-hand with a ginger-haired doll in a summer dress.

Elsa's gift.

A lifetime ago they had embraced and said goodbye to the other. Then, Anna had touched the sister-dolls to her cheek, gasping at the soothing coolness within – born from Elsa's magic and love. Later, no matter how tough things got in Weselton, her little companion served as a reminder of the woman that made it all worthwhile.

"I can prove that Elsa's alive," Anna whispered. "I can prove it! I can! Elsa sewed it herself. She put her magic into it. See?" She held out the cape for all to see. "I can... I can…" Her hands trembled as she stared at the dolls. Then she pressed them to her face.

The dolls were plain. Empty. Dead.

No no no...

Anna no longer heard the trolls' words. "Elsa must be tired. That's all. That's all... That's why I can't feel her magic. Is– is this the right one? Elsa told me she sewed it herself. Maybe, maybe I just kept it somewhere and lost it. I know I did–"

Bulda held her hand. "My dear. I am so, so sorry..."

Anna crushed her nose to the dolls, breathing for any traces of her sister's essence. She didn't care that her tears and snot were seeping in. She didn't care about anything else. Sobs racked her body as she clutched on the cape like a lifeline. "Elsa Elsa Elsa…"

She whispered a thousand promises into the dolls. Then she prayed as she had never prayed before. She would give anything as long as Elsa's magic would return, anything to hear her sister's voice again…

A dead silence hung in the air as Anna dropped the cape. She howled, till her throat was raw, till it lost all feeling, and she no longer knew if it was spittle or blood that left her mouth.

Still she screamed.