"Anna is dead because of you."

The voice was unmistakeable, and his tone was so matter-of-fact that it had to be true. Falling to her knees, Elsa felt the whole world collapse around her. She'd done the unthinkable. An accident, but still her fault. The revelation struck her like a blow, and she fell forward, her hands barely keeping her up on the frozen fjord. She swallowed against the lump in her throat. If Anna was dead, she deserved whatever was coming. There was no point in trying to avoid it.

She just wished she could feel something—anything—before the end. Terror. Sadness. Grief. Anger. Anything at all. But all she felt was empty. Nothing. A shell in the shape of little girl forced to grow up too fast. As the emptiness filled her she saw something else. The howling blizzard was gone. Snowflakes hung frozen in the air. Her own breath echoed into the vast silence. There was nothing left in this world.

A whispered voice—but it couldn't be true. The sound of metal scraping on metal. Hans had drawn his sword. Elsa closed her eyes, waiting for the end, her only hope that it would be swift—a blinding instant of pain, and then the nothingness she deserved. Heavy, measured footsteps drawing closer. Something else. Unsteady steps. Ragged breath. A quiet whisper.

The sickening sound of steel carving through flesh. She was confused by the lack of pain; that she could hear anything at all. A scream—too familiar to be real—and the sound of splintering bones. The scream faded to nothingness, replaced with the sound of metal shattering into a million pieces. She heard a heavy thud, and at the same time fire flared across her back, driving her to the ground.

But she wasn't dead.

Why wasn't she dead? She turned, rolling over slowly, confused that her legs refused to obey her. It had to be shock, like in the stories. As her gaze rose higher, she knew it was worse. Knew why she wasn't dead—why her wretched soul had been saved. Because there, behind her, was a perfect statue of her sister, frozen to death in the act of saving her. The pose—her expression—frozen in time forever, was heartbreakingly pure. One arm out behind her, to try and shield her sister. One arm in front, trying to ward off a blow it could not have possibly stopped.

"Anna," it was a breathless whisper.

After everything. Even dying from a frozen heart, she had sacrificed everything to try and save her sister. Elsa could already feel the tears. Then she saw her sister's outstretched arm. Actually saw into that arm. She turned away, breathing heavily, trying so hard not throw up. Anna's arm had been torn in half, from between her fingers to past her elbow. It was like a perfectly rendered anatomical study. And if she thawed, it could still kill her.

Elsa tried to stand. Again. She pushed up and fell flat on her face. Surely shock didn't last so long. Her knees dragged under her. She pushed herself up with her hands, trying and failing to get her legs under her. Suddenly a new terror filled her. Her back had screamed in pain before, but the numbness now was so much worse. Part of her wished she had died. That might have been better. She wouldn't have to see her sister dead this way either.

There was someone else on fjord. Even a quick glance was enough to tell her that Hans was out cold. An evil, spiteful part of her hoped that he was dead, for all the pain he'd caused Anna. Anna… Elsa looked up, dragging herself along. She tried using Anna's body to pull herself upright, but could only get level with her sister's waist. She held on tight, wishing that wherever she was now, Anna would be able to feel her sorrow and regret.

Silent tears fell against the ice, and Elsa forced herself to look up, to look at her sister's face. Tears misted the ice under her eyes. Her brow was set with determination even with the pained scream of her final moment frozen forever on her lips. Blinking back more tears, Elsa looked away. She didn't deserve such love. For Anna to give her life to save her; she just couldn't understand.

"No, no, no…" Elsa sobbed in protest. "Anna."

It should have been her, not Anna. Her sister shouldn't have to pay this price. Not after everything she'd been through. But she had paid the ultimate price in saving Elsa, frozen forever out on the fjord. Elsa's mind refused to accept it—Anna couldn't be dead. If Anna was dead, then how could she still be alive? How could her life be worth living without her sister in it? Nothing made sense. A world without Anna had been her greatest fear for so long, and now it was true. She felt hollow. Empty. Her legs not working was nothing compared to this.

She held tight to her sister, waiting for the world to just end. That was all she wanted now. Hot, salty tears burned her cheeks, but she was beyond caring. Warm, sticky liquid flowed down the side of her dress. Confusion wracked her brain. Those weren't tears.

Anna's scream brought her back to reality. Collapsing on top of her, Anna's ruined arm spread blood across them both, staining the ice and throwing Elsa's mind into chaos. If she didn't act now, Anna could die. She wrapped both hands around the bloody ruin of her sister's arm and did the only thing she could think of. The most dangerous thing she could even imagine.

Anna's scream subsided, replaced by ragged, tearful breaths. She stood slowly, staring at the blood covering Elsa's dress, worry filling her eyes. Elsa just shook her head, pointing to Anna's now frozen arm, hanging like a dead weight from her shoulder. She swayed slightly as she stood there, staggering half a step, clearly light-headed. She shook her head to clear it, and Elsa turned away as she raised a hand to her mouth.

"I want to hug you so bad right now," Anna's voice was almost painfully earnest. "Come on, get up."

"I can't." Elsa swallowed as she finally realised the implication of those words.

"You're still pushing me away?!" Very real anger shaded Anna's voice, but when Elsa remained motionless her expression changed to one of intense concern. "Elsa?"

"I–I can't," it was so hard to hide the fear and pain her voice. "I can't stand up."

"No…" Anna's voice sounded close to panic. "No. No. No, no no no… Elsa…"

"Anna," Elsa's voice was calm, but full of surprised gratitude. "You saved me."

"I love you, Elsa," and Anna knelt beside her, gently taking her hand. "I never want to see you hurt."

Elsa couldn't hide the way her eyes traced the ruin of Anna's right arm. "But your arm?"

"Your life is worth more than an arm—or a leg," and for some reason she laughed. "When I was just a kid I once promised myself I'd pay any price to be with you again. I said I'd give up my right arm for you—I just really wasn't expecting it be so literal. And why doesn't it hurt anymore?"

Anna rose, letting Elsa's hand fall. She looked down at the frozen remains of her right arm, a complex flurry of emotions playing across her face. Fear, confusion, sadness, grief, rage and acceptance. Then back to anger. Her good hand balled into a fist.

"And now I have to have some words with a certain prince."

Elsa shuffled around awkwardly, her magic suddenly free, sending her mind into a momentary panic until she felt a rest forming for her back. Just enough to allow her to sit up. Elsa's attention returned to her sister, striding purposefully towards Hans, still lying flat on fjord. Anna held her right side forward, closer to Hans. He didn't recoil in shock or revulsion. He didn't even move. Anna turned back to her sister with a look of confused disappointment.

Then she saw Anna running over to another man—the one from she'd seen her with at the ice palace—and hugging him tight, whispering something in his ear.

As they both approached her, offering her their hands, she heard her sister talking quickly. "Come on Kristoff, she needs our help—I think… I think she can't use her legs anymore."

Even as they reached towards her, Elsa hesitated, unsure of herself. Unsure of whether she could accept their help. If she didn't accept it, she would hurt her sister again—and she might not get another chance. Dragging herself across the ice, back to the castle, using just her arms would be too much. But she didn't want to burden anyone else. Anna and Kristoff just stood there, hands outstretched, waiting.

Elsa bit back tears of gratitude, and reached out for what felt like the first time in thirteen years. She swallowed against the lump in her throat, realising how much more she would need to do this if she couldn't use her legs. There was so much she would need help with, and reaching out to ask for that seemed even more terrifying than plunging Arendelle into an eternal winter. It was all she could do right now to keep from dragging her sister and Kristoff down with her.

She could see Olaf walking over, in awe of everything he could see. "An act of true love will thaw a frozen heart." He ran over to hug Anna, giving Elsa a quick smile before nestling against her sister. "Anna, that was so brave. And scary. Were you scared too?"

"Of course I was," Anna's voice trembled with fear. "But I love my sister. More than anything."

Those words echoed through Elsa's mind, simultaneously taunting her and buoying her spirits. Olaf's words as well. There was a simple truth in there. If it was fear and sadness that had frozen everything, and caused so much pain. The epiphany was so clear and sudden it almost hurt. Because her sister had proved it to be true only moments ago. And the strange kernels of truth that seemed to be from Olaf's words. It only made sense.

"Love will thaw…" Dawning comprehension filled Elsa's voice. "Love."

She closed her eyes, her spirit drinking in the support Anna and Kristoff were showing her right now. Her soul flamed with the love her sister still held for her, despite everything. She remembered all the good times—playing in the snow, making up stories about enchanted forests, leaping off things pretending they could fly. Staying up late watching the northern lights. A chest of treasured memories, of all the things Anna had made for her over the years. Every rebuffed attempt at reaching out. All of it. How her parents cared for them both. Tried to keep them safe. She filled her soul with all the love she'd ever known, and hoped that it would be enough.

Her jaw dropped with wonder when she opened her eyes. Glittering spirals of thawing ice wound slowly into the sky, building into a rainbow kaleidoscope swirling above Arendelle itself. That rainbow shifted in colour, bright white and rich blue, crystalline flakes casting their own fluttering light. The greatest surprise of all was the shape in the sky. The six points, the branching lines. Those complex fractals. From the floor of her ice palace. It was… a signature. It was hers.

The ice from the great thaw hung motionless in the sky, a sparkling cloud above all of Arendelle, making a promise of greater things to come. But it was still hers, and she could let it go. Like her song, she could just let it go. All it took was that thought, and with a million points of light, the sky was clear and blue, a perfectly normal late summer's day.

On the fjord.

Looking down, Elsa saw they were on a ship, likely a trader there for the coronation.

"Summer!" Olaf's joyous shout forced her to turn, appalled at how quickly he was melting. "This is the best day of my life… and quite possibly the last."

Elsa took her arm from her sister's shoulder, almost pulling Kristoff over with her shifted balance as she twirled her free hand to create a life-saving flurry for her snowman. He rolled on the deck, exulting in the constantly falling snow.

"My own personal flurry." The joy in his words was infectious, and Elsa couldn't hide her happy, relieved smile. She turned to see Anna wearing a similar smile, only for it to be replaced with unbridled fury.

Just a little further away, Hans was dusting himself off, standing tall. "But… your sister froze your heart."

Anna turned back just long enough to wink at Elsa. Then she stepped menacingly close to Hans, eyes full of fire as she spoke. As far away as she was, Elsa could still hear the deadly edge in her sister's voice.

"You ruined my arm. You tried to kill my sister. The only frozen heart around here is yours!" It was timed to perfection. Anna's punch slammed into Hans's face just as she finished her speech, sending him reeling overboard. It helped that he'd been standing next to the edge of the deck anyway. Elsa actually found herself cheering when Hans fell overboard, hitting the water with a resounding splash.

Anna turned around, a satisfied smirk crossing her lips. That faded when she saw how heavily her sister was leaning on Kristoff. She rushed over to try and take some of the burden. Elsa gladly looped her arm around her sister's shoulders once again, wishing hopelessly that she could just stand on her own two feet. An impossible wish. Anna's suddenly plaintive tone only made her feel worse.

"Elsa, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Anna," Elsa motioned for them all to sit, forming a small circle. A hint of her magic formed a rest for her back once again. "But I promise I'm not going to shut you out this time. Never again."

But even as she said that, she knew it was a lie. There was so much she had to come to grips with now. So much more to process—but the only way she knew how to do that was alone. By herself. She didn't know how to reconcile that with her desire to be so close with Anna from now on. It felt like she was being torn in two, unsure of which half would be bigger, or if she would just fall apart completely. Then Anna smiled, leaning closer.

"You were a right stinker, but you're back—we're back together now. I like this new Elsa."

And Elsa knew which side she would fall on.

They sat, somewhat incongruously, in the conservatory. When Elsa sat down, Anna noticed a slight, peculiar movement of her fingers. Enough to draw up a tiny little backrest of ice. When they moved her that same movement would thaw the rest. It seemed as if a switch had been flipped inside her sister, from being mortally afraid of ever using magic, to now using it so casually it didn't seem worth mentioning. Anna frowned. Aside from the great thaw, the backrests were the only magic her sister was using now. Well, the great thaw, and freezing her arm to stop her dying from blood loss or shock.

She couldn't help but look, the perfect cut going more than halfway down her arm. She could see tiny holes. Strands of muscle. The layers of her skin. Shattered chips of bone on one side, and a small nick against the other bone. All those little bones in her palm. It was more than just a morbid fascination. She knew the pain should have been blinding. There were stories she'd read of the Seven Years' War. But from just below her shoulder she couldn't feel anything, just a vague, tingling sense of cold.

"Your arm?" Elsa's voice was too heavy with concern.

"I'm going to lose it," Anna shook her head mournfully. "No one has that kind of magic."

"I heard a rumour, once, about Rapunzel's hair."

"I heard the same rumours," Anna winked, catching her sister by surprise. "And they said the last of that magic was used saving her husband."

"Does it… does it hurt?" Elsa wore a fearful, quizzical look.

"No…" Anna let the word trail off. "It kinda tingles like pins and needles, but I can't really feel anything."

They fell silent, the afternoon suddenly feeling a little more chill. Elsa shook her head in a subtle 'no' when Anna looked questioningly at her. She turned away, rolling her eyes when she finally remembered that Elsa couldn't feel the cold. The chill deepened, and she realised she was shivering. It couldn't possibly be that cold. The cold couldn't be what was making her feel so sick either. Her breath came in ragged gasps. Realisation flooded through her when she glanced at her frozen right arm. She had to get it out.

"Elsa!" she cried out, sick with worry.

"I'm here," her sister's voice held its own note of concern.

"I was so scared. I felt it when Hans's blade sliced through my hand. I was terrified. I could feel it splitting that bone—I don't want to say this Elsa but I can't stop—and then I felt—it was—I was sure he was going to… in half… and then you… you would… be… I… I–I–I… Elsa!"

She felt a weight on top of her, placed so awkwardly they could both hardly move. She could see the tears in her sister's eyes, and read the sudden panic in her face. Stray hairs tangled together as they sobbed in a heap on the floor, not even trying to move anymore.

"I thought you were…" Anna heard Elsa's voice catch in her throat. "Hans said—lied. But I was going to… without you—just not life."

"Saved you," Anna managed to smile through the tears. "Hurt, but… I saved you."

"Yes," Elsa smiled, letting out a quiet, exultant laugh. "Yes you did."

"Punched Hans." Anna smiled again, slowly helping her sister sit upright.

"Overboard," Elsa laughed again.

"I'd do it again, just for you."

"You won't have to, I'm sending him back to the Southern Isles; convicted of high treason and attempted regicide. He'll never be able to hurt you again."

Elsa's voice had been filled with such fiery determination that Anna recoiled in shock.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"If you get angry like that again you could scare Marshmallow."

"Who?" Elsa was visibly confused.

"The giant snow monster that threw me and Kristoff out of your ice palace. Olaf said his name was Marshmallow."

Anna watched as Elsa blinked back tears. "I don't know what happened to him. If Hans and those Weaseltown goons got to me then… but I don't even know if a snowman can die, except from melting."

"It's pretty cold up the North Mountain," Anna tried to reassure her sister. "If he's still there, he should be fine."

"Maybe." Elsa sounded unconvinced.

"I'm more worried about you, Elsa, your legs—you can't feel anything?"

"No." Elsa shook her head even as Anna leant hard against her left leg.

"Nothing?" Anna's voice was full of disbelief. She pinched the meat of Elsa's thigh.

Nothing. And Elsa was staring at her disapprovingly. Disappointment shaded her words. "You didn't believe me."

"I'm sorry," Anna shuffled back slightly. "When I helped you change, with Gerda, the cut just looked so small, but that piece of metal—"

"That, I did feel you pulling out, thank you."

"—that metal went in deep. There was blood, but why didn't you call for the physician?"

Anna heard her sister sigh heavily. "Because I knew a bandage would be enough. I've… seen worse."

That just raised more questions.

A knock at the conservatory doors forced them both to turn. Kai stood there, uniform tailored to his portly figure, and bowed deeply.

"Your majesty, your highness," he gestured with one hand for them to follow. "A sizeable crowd has gathered in the palace courtyard. I believe it would be wise to address them soon. If I may assist you in any way?"

"Kai, what can I even tell them?" There was a plaintive note in Elsa's voice.

"The truth," Kai gestured gently towards the windows. "If you wish—and we have a little time—I can help you craft a brief proclamation. I know you may not wish to tell the people of your injury as yet, but certain things cannot, and in my opinion, should not be hidden. Your people respect honesty almost as much you do yourself, your majesty. If you wish for additional time to make yourself presentable, I can delay for a time, but I am not sure how patient this gathering will be, having seen how you returned to the castle."

"Why do you always have to be right?" Anna found her sister's resigned tone quite at odds with her smile.

Kai's reply told her everything. "You father charged me with your care in his stead. I simply hold myself to his standards."

"Can I help?" Anna helped her sister back onto one of the benches in the middle of the conservatory.

"Be there with me?" It was almost painful to hear the fearful plea in Elsa's voice.

"Always." Anna promised.

Just being near such an important building made Kristoff nervous. Very nervous. The crowd wasn't helping—and they had been gathering basically since the Great Thaw, as all of them were now calling Elsa's thawing of the kingdom. He was also very surprised to find himself worrying about someone other than himself or Sven. Anna—Princess Anna he reminded himself—weighed heavily on his mind. He knew she was going to lose her arm. He also knew that while Elsa had saved her life, freezing her arm like that might cause bigger problems.

He felt someone tugging at the hem of his shirt, and was about to shoo them away when he realised it was Olaf. Tugging at his shirt and pointing excitedly towards a high balcony. A hush fell across the crowd.

"Is that them?"

Kristoff squinted. Anna's hair was unmistakeable. Elsa's was almost as distinctive, but it had been Anna he was looking for. He frowned, not sure he was seeing things right. Elsa couldn't be that much taller—no, that really was a big chair behind her. And four quite large men holding it aloft, all wearing the same uniform. All with swords sheathed at their hips. Palace guards. A whole lot of needless pomp, especially if Elsa was just about to make a speech. The guards set her chair down against the balcony and stepped back. When she spoke her first words made it clear that using that chair was not by choice.

"Many of you may ask why I am not standing before you. It is a fair question," her level voice turned to ice. "An attempt on my life by Prince Hans of the Southern Isles has instead robbed me of the use of my legs. Princess Anna bore witness to this. I feel certain she was not the only one. Thus, with an attempt marked on my life, I pronounce Prince Hans guilty of high treason and attempted regicide."

Hushed murmurs and angry rumbling emanated from the crowd. Kristoff caught a few suggestions on how Hans might be properly repaid. Everyone fell silent when Elsa held her right hand high, palm out.

"As a foreign noble, he cannot be tried in Arendelle. Instead I sentence him to exile, to be returned home by a neutral party. Were it possible, for what he has done to my sister, I would sentence him more harshly, but I do not wish to declare war upon the Southern Isles for the actions of a rogue prince. Along with this traitor prince I will send a message asking for a more responsible envoy—one who better represents the people of the Southern Isles."

General sounds of assent and agreement filtered through the crowd, and Kristoff found himself nodding slightly. Elsa seemed far more merciful than the situation warranted. But he didn't know—or care—for noble treaties and the politics of kings. He could just make out a smile that passed between the sisters.

"This is not the only painful declaration I must make today. For when I was attacked, earlier, on the North Mountain, it was Hans, again. Aided and abetted by soldiers from Weaseltown. For this reason we will be cutting trade with the kingdom of Weaseltown. Their ships and people will be unmolested if they choose to leave, but they will not be welcomed back. Any still here by the end of the week will be made to leave; by force, should it prove necessary."

Some confusion followed this, and Kristoff traced an odd undercurrent in the crowd. He didn't know much about Arendelle's trade, but he did know Weselton's ships were a common sight in the harbour whenever he arrived in town to sell his ice, or buy supplies.

"There is good news as well," Elsa's speech continued. "The Great Thaw, as rumours have been calling it, was helped by my sister, now safe and by my side. I must thank all of you, citizens of Arendelle, for your patience, your forbearance, and your understanding. I hope that the events of the past few days are never repeated. The Great Freeze was my fault, and I promise that I will make amends. Princess Anna suggested that my fist act be to set a day of grievances, so that you may all be heard. I agree with her. There is much to be done, such that the date for the first day of grievances cannot yet be set. I ask again for your patience and forbearance on this matter."

Kristoff watched as Elsa's hands began to move, weaving a complex pattern in front of her. Several people in the crowd exclaimed in surprise and awe.

"With the Great Thaw, you have shown me my powers are not a curse," Elsa's voice was strong. As she spoke, Kristoff watched lines of ice tracing the pillars and staves around the castle. "My sister insists they are a gift." Graceful arches began to flow higher, framing windows and buttresses. "I wonder if they might be a tool, for some higher purpose." Branching patterns covered the roof of the castle, and snowflake stars hovered over the pointed arches above each window and peak. "Or perhaps they are merely an expression of something we have forgotten long ago…"

Everyone heard the shy little giggle as the entire courtyard was covered in ice. There were a number of appreciative gasps as people noticed the water frozen in the fountains, trapped in gloriously intricate patterns. The ice retreated from the courtyard, but the fountains remained frozen works of art.

"…in time I might myself learn the truth." Elsa lowered her hands, and Kristoff thought her saw a smile cross her lips. "For now, I have one final matter to address: The castle gates shall remain open henceforth, and visitors to the castle shall be welcomed with appointment from week's end."

Kristoff watched as Elsa gave a brief bow, Anna's hand moving to rest on her shoulder. As he turned to leave, Elsa's speech obviously over, a heavy hand fell against his shoulder. He turned back, a tall palace guard holding him in place. The man spoke without hurry or threat.

"Princess Anna insisted you be offered lodgings in the castle for the night, or as long as you need. She mentioned a reindeer, which may safely be stabled with the castle horses."

"That's all?" Kristoff asked, more than a little confused.

"I was asked to pass on her message, that was all she said." The palace guard turned and left without another word.

Looking back out the gates, towards the forest and the mountains, Kristoff let out a wistful sigh, a sense of home just out of reach. Anna wanted him to stay, at least for the night. One night wouldn't be too much. And if the stables were good enough for Sven, they'd be good enough for him.

Author's Note: I started writing this nearly six years ago, after first seeing Frozen in theaters, and wondering what would happen if there were consequences, in the same way as there were at the end of How To Train Your Dragon. Six years, even with very slow updates, is a long time to be working on any project. To me, this is my magnum opus of fanfic. I'll not write another like it.

I know, harping on about six years, why is it important?

Because I've decided to re-write the earliest chapters of the story, bringing them in line with my current level of quality, and working to link them together as the first great arc of this story. The process is going to be slow. It's the first time I've really used beta readers, aside from one really, really rough later chapter (79). This re-write will probably continue to "Anna Day" around chapter 22. It might force me to go back and polish those chapters as well.

Now, to those of you reading this for the first time, you'll see a sharp change in both style and quality come chapter 3. I'll keep this A/N updated with the current re-written chapter when a new one is posted. If you want a quick cheat-sheet to get to "good" writing: Chapters 4, 6, 12, and 20 to get information then chapter 21 onwards…