Disclaimer: All canon characters belong to Disney.

Author's Note: This story picks up right after Frozen 2. It's nearing the end of autumn.

~x-X-x~

Chapter #1: A Reminisce

The autumn sky shone purple as dusk welcomed the sparkling stars of the north. The small kingdom of Arendelle, nestled comfortably against the cliffs, prepared itself for nightfall. The lamplighters moved from one post to another, illuminating the peaceful streets with a warm glow as the citizens of Arendelle hurried home to their families. Out on the water, the bell tower of Arendelle's castle welcomed the new hour, its melodic chime radiating out into the world, reminding its kingdom that all was well and, for the most part, at peace.

For the most part.

'OH COME ON!' Anna jumped from the couch and rounded on Kristoff, her green nightgown whipping around her limbs. 'I thought we agreed that Olaf was not allowed to rearrange anymore!'

Kristoff sat back into the cushions of the couch and smirked. 'Yea, well we did. Until you decided that Elsa was allowed to use her ice magic to conjure things.'

Anna crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, causing her auburn bangs to flutter. 'That's only 'cause Elsa sucks at charades and needs the help!'

'Hey!' Elsa was standing by the window, holding a sliver of paper with the next charade prompt in her hand. She tried to give her sister a reproachful look, but only ended up chuckling as she watched Olaf collapse into the folds of her white dress, laughing uncontrollably at Anna's comment. His laugh was infectious.

Anna slapped a hand over her mouth. 'That's not what I meant… I mean…' she floundered, turning sheepishly towards her older sister. 'Using magic just evens out the playing field, right?'

'According to our score keeper...' Kristoff nodded his blonde head towards his reindeer, Sven, who was charged with keeping the peace, '... rearranging IS allowed, then.' He flashed Anna an unapologetically large grin.

If reindeers could roll their eyes, Sven would have done so. Instead, he let out a grunt and poked his nose at the time-turner.

Anna scoffed. 'Fine! Jeez, you can be so annoying sometimes!' She sat herself down beside Kristoff on the couch, readying herself for Elsa's turn.

'And yet you still love me!' Kristoff cooed, and kissed Anna on the tip of her nose. Anna "hmphed", but smiled in spite of herself.

Elsa and Olaf watched the two bickering. 'Next time we should put them on the same team,' Olaf whispered loudly to Elsa.

'Oh, but that wouldn't be fair, Olaf,' Elsa said, patting the snowman affectionately on the head. 'We would absolutely crush them.' Her large, blue eyes twinkled.

Olaf could feel another bout of laugher escaping his mouth. 'Like crushing an ice-cube!'

'Hey! What are you two laughing at?' Anna exclaimed, loudly. 'You'll wake the whole castle.'

Elsa raised a perfect brow. 'We'll wake the castle?'

Anna gave her a mischievous grin. 'Sven, start the clock!'

~x-X-x~

The moon glistened against the night sky, illuminating the rooftops with a soft glow. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of a gentle breeze ruffling the fall leaves travelled through the air, on which still hung the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies.

Elsa crept through Arendelle's streets on quiet feet, her eyes taking in the peaceful allure of the village. For twenty-four years Arendelle had been her home, and for three of those years she had watched over the kingdom as queen. Her heart warmed as she gazed through blazing windows at the silhouette of families settling in for dinner. She was queen no longer, but in her heart she carried each Arendellian with warmth and affection.

As Elsa turned a corner towards the town square, she recalled with a smile the week leading up to Anna's birthday, when the whole town had riled up to help her organize a magical day for her sister (1). She still had the red string—now spun into a ball—kept safely in a chest in the castle attic. And of course, had not the entire town awoken at her beckoning to find the lost Olaf that Christmas day a few years ago (2)? Elsa's eyes moistened as she reminisced. She and her sister had built traditions here. In Arendelle.

She came to a stop when she reached the statue of her parents in the town square. This statue had been one of Anna's first commissions as Queen. Elsa gazed at the bronze rendition of her parents, depicted as young children—her father wearing the Arendelle crest with pride, her mother dressed in Northuldra wisdom. This statue was a symbol of unity between Northuldra and Arendelle, but for Elsa it was also a symbol of love: the love for her parents, for her sister, and for this land.

As she continued to gaze up at her parents, she felt a slight shift in the breeze and turned to find an old man suddenly before her.

'Oh!' she gasped, startled.

'Your Majesty!' exclaimed the man, bowing deeply. 'I mean… your highness! I mean…'

Having caught her breath, Elsa chuckled and placed a gentle hand on the man's shoulder. 'Just… Elsa.' She smiled at the man reassuringly, having recognized who he was. It was Mr. Olsen, the retired school teacher and community elder.

'Oh no, my lady,' Mr. Olsen said, straightening and returning Elsa's smile. 'You are never just anyone. You are Arendelle's protector.' He beckoned Elsa to follow his lead as he sat on the steps leading up to the statue's podium.

Elsa followed and sat down beside him. 'I took a vow once to always do what was best for Arendelle. That hasn't changed for me.'

'Yes,' said Mr. Olsen, nodding. 'You have given us a most wonderful leader. Queen Anna is kind, committed, and above all else, her love for her people guides her actions.'

Elsa lifted a hand to her heart, overcome with pride. She always knew Anna would make an amazing queen and it was reassuring to hear an Arendellian repeat her conviction. It was Anna that Arendelle needed to thrive.

'But…' continued Mr. Olsen, '… we are also blessed to know that somewhere, deep in the forest, is another who watches over us, as well.'

Elsa bowed her head, her eyes growing moist.

'We are glad that King Agnarr's eldest daughter has finally come into being, whatever that means for her.' He patted her on the knee as he gazed up at the statue. 'I am sure that your parents are very proud of you both, just as Arendelle is.' He smiled at Elsa as she lifted her gaze to meet his. Her large eyes glistened with the glow of the moon. He cleared his throat. 'Now, just Elsa, what are you doing roaming the streets at night? Don't you usually ride away on that magical horse of yours after a visit?'

Elsa gave him a small smile. 'Something in the night air was calling me to take a stroll through these old streets. I suppose I was reminiscing.'

'Ah, well then I'll leave you to it.' Mr. Olsen stood, slowly. 'Oh! These old bones of mine,' he chuckled.

'Allow me.' Elsa helped him up. She rubbed together the thumb and fingers of her right hand and, with a small explosion of white flurries, produced a cane. 'Please accept this to help you walk home tonight.'

Mr. Olsen took the walking stick from Elsa. He held it up to his eyes, elated. 'It never gets old, seeing you do your magic!'

'Too bad it doesn't make me any better at playing family games,' she said, with a pout.

Mr. Olsen gave her a quizzical look, then let out a laugh and bade her farewell. Elsa watched his receding back as he disappeared into the night air.

'I better be heading back as well,' she said, to no one in particular. As if on cue, she felt her hair lift in a playful breeze. 'Hey, Gale. Race you back?'

~x-X-x~

Elsa leaned, panting, against one of the four Elemental Stones that flanked the entrance to the Enchanted forest, her conjured ice path melting into the ground. Gale burst onto her body and gently twirled her around. 'I know I know, you won. Again.'

She waited for Gale to set her down before smoothing her platinum blonde hair out of her face. As she turned towards the forest, her senses immediately came alive in the warmth of nature's grasp. She closed her eyes, breathing in the freshness of her surroundings, and exhaled slowly.

She opened her eyes and turned to look over her shoulder. Across the fjord she could make out the blinking lights of the sleeping town that cradled her beloved sister. Yes, her heart lived and would forever remain with Arendelle. She turned her gaze to the entrance of the Enchanted forest. But her soul came alive when she walked into the now-known realm of nature's embrace.

She smiled, and disappeared into the arms of the forest.

~x-X-x~

(1) A reference to Disney's short film: "Frozen Fever".

(2) A reference to Disney's short film: "Olaf's Frozen Adventure".