A/N I would like to thank everyone for their patience. It took me forever to get around to writing this next chapter. From now on things will be hotting up and becoming much more violent. Also within the next 2-3 chapters we'll be introduced to two more familiar characters.

**Please be aware that this chapter will contain some violence towards an animal. So if that bothers you then proceed with caution.**

Chapter Seventeen.

5 years later.

Elsa had no idea how many years had passed. She had no concept of time. Of course not that it mattered. Time was of no importance up here. She had the freedom to do what she wanted when she wanted. The one thing she did know though, was that she was slowly blossoming into a young woman. And whilst her body was busy maturing, so were her powers.

One of her daily routines had been learning to control her powers much more efficiently. So she'd spent each and every day perfecting her magic. Clearly demonstrating how dangerous the power of ice could be. Up here, she didn't have to hold anything back anymore. She could unleash every emotion she ever felt without consequence. There were no rules, no exceptions and no boundaries.

Of course, surviving out here had been marginally difficult. The elements didn't bother her, but the thought of starvation did, so her trips to the town had still been quite frequent. She would always go at night, pillaging whatever foods she could...especially her favorite delicacy - chocolate.

Isolation was the next biggest killer in her opinion. Being alone did have its advantages, but it also came with several disadvantages too. And that seclusion meant her social interaction had been severely limited.

Her snow Golems did provide some wild and imaginative entertainment, but when it came to serious socializing, she quickly came to realize that she just hadn't made them intelligent enough. Yes, they'd often make her laugh and giggle, but as they were so innocent, so childlike they inadvertently reminded her so much of her childhood with Anna.

Sometimes, when she was all alone, she would pretend Anna was right there with her and they would reminisce on their most happiest childhood memories. Of course there were plenty, but the two sister's had both agreed that their most favorite was all those times they would sneak around the castle, eluding the guards in pursuit of the chocolate stash. Once the girls had helped themselves to various cakes and cookies they'd pig out on them all night, either until they were bouncing off the walls or they had made themselves sick.

Elsa had never wanted the precious memory to come to an end, but when it finally did fade, it found itself buried deep within her subconscious once again. The Princess had tried to engage in one of her favorite book of fairy tales, but even that wasn't enough to take her mind off Anna, so she had decided to go for a walk instead to clear her head.

As the Princess stood admiring the beauty of the landscape, Kristabell trotted towards her master, neighing softly, ears pricked up and fully alert. Elsa greeted her companion with a smile, before stroking her head and tickling her behind the ear. The horse gave the blonde a gentle nuzzle, before they both sat down to watch the peaceful and beautiful sunset together.

As darkness fell, Elsa let out a loud yawn. "Come on, girl, we'd better get back. I'm so tired."

That night however, the Princess hadn't slept well at all. Her sleep had been fitful and she'd been plagued by an extremely alarming and disturbing dream.

With her arms wrapped in thick chains, the blonde was deposited unceremoniously in the middle of the throne room.

"We have succeeded in capturing the witch, Your Majesty," the gruff voice of the man next to her announced jovially.

The Queen stepped down from the dais and strutted towards the prisoner. Raking her eyes over the bound woman, the monarch beamed. "You and your men have done well. I knew you could do it. You will have your reward, five thousand gold coins I believe was promised."

The man confirmed this with a curt nod. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"My advisor, Kai will organize payment. Now go, leave us," she ordered with a wave of her hand.

Bowing respectfully, the man then turned on his heels, his footfalls gradually fading, until there was nothing left but a deathly silence.

Elsa slowly raised her eyes towards her Mother. Queen Idunn hadn't changed much. Her appearance was still rather youthful, her turquoise orbs still glittered. But that face still held that malevolent smirk, Elsa remembered all too well as a child. "Mama please, these chains, they're hurting me."

Without warning, the Queen violently backhanded her daughter, sending her reeling sideways. "That's, Your Majesty to you, witch. And I think you should know by now why the chains are necessary."

"I'm not a witch, I'm your daughter," Elsa countered.

Queen Idunn cackled in response. "Daughter? You are clearly deluded, witch. I have but only one daughter. And her name is Anna."

"You can pretend all you want, but we both know the truth. And Anna does too."

Grinning, Idunn grabbed the Princess's chin harshly. "I wouldn't be so sure about that...daughter! I think you'll find a lot has changed around here. It may even be safe to say that your sister doesn't even remember you exist."

"What? No! I don't believe it!"

Her Mother circled her like an animal its prey. "Fine! If you don't believe me, then let me show you." The Queen strolled towards the opposite end of the room and whispered to the soldier standing guard.

Moments later a teenage girl wearing a bright green dress and her hair tied neatly in a bun, walked elegantly into the room. "You wished to see me, Mama?"

"Yes, Anna. Come over here. There is someone I'd like you to meet."

The redhead followed her Mother over to the blonde. Anna stopped to gaze down upon the woman. "Who is this, Mama?"

"This is the monster I warned you about. The dangerous witch who has been living in the mountains. The one who has been coming into the village stealing food and killing livestock. She is the very reason you have never been permitted to leave the castle grounds."

Struggling on her chains, Elsa gazed up at her sister. "Don't listen to her, Anna, she's lying. It's me, Elsa. Please, you have to remember me. I'm your sister."

The younger Princess's eyes widened. "Sister! But I don't have a sister."

The words struck Elsa as if an invisible knife had been driven through her heart. "You do. I'm your sister. I have magical powers. I can create snow and ice. Don't you remember? Please, Anna. You have to remember."

Anna simply glared at the prisoner without an ounce of recognition. "I'm sorry, but I don't."

Elsa's head was spinning at her sister's statement. It was becoming more and more obvious that her Mother was right. Anna didn't remember her. The blonde glared at the Queen with the most hate she could muster. "What have you done to her?!"

The Queen took this opportunity and kicked the older Princess in the ribs, causing her to wince in pain. "I haven't done anything. Now, I've already told you. You're deluded if you think you belong here. You're nothing but an evil monster, wielding dark magic. You're dangerous and you don't belong in this world. That is why you are to be executed."

Anna's eyes were gleaming as she clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh I do love a good execution. Can I watch?"

The Queen smiled. "Nothing would give me more pleasure, my dear."

Elsa woke to find her chambers coated in thick ice. Her heart was pounding and she was still trying to catch her breath. Out of all the nightmares she had ever experienced, this had to have been by far one of the worst. In her dream, Anna had no longer seemed like the bubbly, free-spirited girl she once knew. She had changed. She seemed bitter, cold and heartless. It was like she was a whole different person...but the most horrifying thing was that Anna really did seem to have no memory of her.

It may have just been a nightmare, but the twisted memory of her sister no longer acknowledging who she was lingered in her mind and in her heart like a stain that wouldn't wash out.

With her mind a maelstrom of a thousand different thoughts, Elsa wrapped her cloak around her and hurried from the palace where she found Kristabell relaxing nearby. Mounting the surprised horse, she gripped the reins tightly and spurred the mare towards the mountain peak. Although her faithful friend was slowing due to age, she never faltered. Unfortunately though by the time they had reached the top, the animal was exhausted. Elsa immediately stopped and then dismounted, before patting her loyal friend gently.

Whilst Kristabell rested, Elsa took a deep breath of air and then raised her hands. Short bursts of ice shot out of her hands, illuminating the night sky. Waving her hands around, snow swirled up from the ground. At first just a flurry, then a small snowstorm, but as it continued to spiral around and around a blizzard quickly formed emitting a squeal of delight from the Princess. Her next goal, she decided was to design some ice sculptures.

The only sculpture she had ever created was the small snowman she had given to Anna. Now it was time to step it up and take it to the next level. "Okay," she whispered. "I can do this."

Closing her eyes, Elsa concentrated deeply. The ice quickly left her fingertips, churning, swirling, and twisting until it had formed into a replica of what she saw in her minds eye. Slowly opening her eyes, the Princess gasped, as her gaze fixated onto what was in front of her. Standing tall in all their glistening and sparkling glory were three ice statues closely resembling her family. Her Mother, Father, and Anna.

Although made of pure ice, Elsa shuddered at the thought of her Mother's eyes staring back at her. Unblinking, unsettling and terrifying. She also could have sworn she heard her Mother's voice, mocking her, threatening her just like in her dream. You better fear me, witch! Because one day, I'm going to crush you. You'll never be safe. Do you hear me? I will find you and cut you down myself!

Elsa staggered backwards. "NO!" She screamed. Anger channeled into power, flowing freely through her. Bursts of ice shot from her hands, whilst icy spikes erupted from the ground, jagged, sharp and deadly. A scream escaped her lips as more enraged, uncontrollable power that she had ever wielded before blasted forth, shattering and then obliterating the three sculptures, before destroying several trees that were unlucky enough to be in its path.

Finally, with her energy spent, Elsa collapsed weakly into a pile of snow, her head still filled with violent and cataclysmic thoughts. It was only after she heard the high-pitched yowling sound from behind her that she was brought her back to her senses. Kristabell?

The mare was lying in the snow, just centimeters away from the Princess, covered in blood. Elsa gasped as she realized that one of her icicles had fatally impaled her beloved horse. The mare snorted loudly, whilst trying to take in a breath.

"No, No, No!" Elsa shrieked, as a surge of pain tore through her. Crawling across to the wounded animal, she flung her arms around Kristabell's neck as her body wracked with sobs. "I-It was an accident," she continued to choke out. "Please forgive me. I-I didn't m-mean it! I'm so sorry. P-Please don't leave me...you're my friend."

The horse whined once more, before becoming completely still. Elsa shook the animal, whilst crystallized tears streamed down her cheeks. But after several attempts to awaken her proved futile, Elsa knew she had to accept the truth, and that was Kristabell was gone.

The devastated Princess wrapped her arms herself as she rocked back and forth. "I killed her, I killed Kristabell. I'm a murderer. It's all my fault..." But a small voice in her head was telling her otherwise. No, Elsa. It's their fault. They made you do it. They turned you into a monster.

A monster. Feeling more rage then she had ever felt in her entire life, Elsa stood tall, gazing down upon the Kingdom of Arendelle. "Mama! Papa! You did this! You turned me into this! This is all your fault! You will pay!"

Ice exploded from her hands, forming into a massive puff of snow. Slowly the snow formed into something monstrous and twice the size of her previous creations. Sharp spikes protruded from the massive body, its mouth concealing the sharpest fangs of ice and its enormous hands large enough to crush anyone and anything.

The snow beast roared in fury, before leaning down towards her. "Command me, master!"

A dark smile formed on Elsa's lips. "Wreck havoc on the Kingdom of Arendelle. Kill no-one, but make them suffer!"

A/N More to come...