Frozen | The Journey of Two Sisters

Chapter 1: Broken and Lost

(This book occurs a month after the events of Book 2)

December 1844

In the early hours of the day, Anna experienced painful contractions. Her water just broke, and she screams when she sees it. Kristoff and the maidens hurriedly carried her to the ward, where the maidens and the doctors prepare for delivery. Kristoff, Olaf, and Samantha are nervously waiting outside the ward. Anna's panting and screaming can be heard from the outside, causing more panic on them.

They waited, and waited, and waited. After nineteen hours of waiting. The doctors came out of the ward. The head of the royal physicians' escort Kristoff for a walk.

"Did she do well?" Kristoff asked.

"Your Highness. I don't want to spoil the celebration. But there will be no celebration, I'm afraid." The doctor said. Kristoff's heart begins to beat fast.

"What? What do you mean?" Kristoff asked.

"Her Majesty successfully delivered the child. But Queen Anna lost the child during birth. There was a lot of bleeding during the delivery, and we prayed that it wasn't a bad sign. But it was. The child had no signs of response, nor movements. We tried introducing stimulus, and we tried reviving the child for twelve hours, and had no success. I'm so sorry, Your Highness." The doctor tells Kristoff.

Kristoff's world shatters. He slumps on the floor. Sven grunts at him, and Kristoff starts to cry. He hugs Sven, and whispers to him.

"We lost her, Sven... we lost her." Kristoff whispered.

Kristoff cried for a few hours, just lying on the floor. Afterwards, he got up, and visits Anna inside the ward.

"I'm sorry, Anna." Kristoff said.

"No, it's... it's alright..." Anna replied, continuing to sob under the pillow whilst in her bed. Then, the lying-in doctor has entered the room, Anna turns away from them, while Kristoff talks to the doctor.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. We are not certain what happened. Her Majesty was and in great health during the development. We don't understand why. We will continue to know everything so this can be prevented. I'm sorry for your loss, Your Highness. We did everything we could." the doctor said.

"Anna-" Kristoff said.

"No, Kristoff... I don't want to hear about it." Anna tells him. She buried herself underneath her pillows, and start to cry. Anna loss her child. The doctors were clueless why, because it was very unlikely that such thing will happen, since Anna is in great health, and care.

With the loss of her child, and Elsa being out for good. Anna fell into hardships, and sadness. Anna was unable to attend ceremonies, she is always avoiding the weekly meet with the State Autocrat, which gradually affects the government, and causing her to be the subject of debate within the parliament, and of the people.

Anna's withdrawal from public life greatly put a strain in the monarchy. Kristoff had to step in for Anna in the parliament debates, and in all the ceremonies affiliated to the Queen of Arendelle. Anna plunged into a state of depression. Her health gradually declined despite Kristoff's best efforts to deter her from such thing. Often, Anna would just stare blankly outside of the window, thinking where she had it wrong. She cared for her child so much. Still, it was taken from her too early, not even a single cuddle.

The Yule bell ringing celebration dawns Arendelle. Kristoff got up early to prepare. He looks at Anna. She is awake, but she doesn't want to budge from the bed.

"Anna, the people want to see you. Besides, the Queen of Arendelle is the one who'll ring the bell." Kristoff reminds her.

"What's the point, Kristoff? I don't know what to do anymore." Anna softly replied. She sniffles, and then buries her face on the pillow again.

"You're not the only one affected by this, Anna. I thought I was going to be... a father. But it didn't happen. I got up again, because there is a reason for why it happened, Anna. Life doesn't stop when something bad happens.

But I understand so... I will give you your time." Kristoff explains to Anna. He kisses her on the forehead, then he leaves to oversee the celebration. Anna stares at the ceiling. She got up and goes to Elsa's room. She was about to knock, when she remembers that Elsa is no longer around. She leans back against the door, and cries herself on the floor of the hallway. Anna looks up to the royal portraits hanging on the wall. She grabs a vase, and throws it on her own portrait.

"You're horrible!" Anna yells at her own portrait.

Bulda, the head of the royal maidens saw what happened. She quickly cleaned up the broken vase, and helps Anna up.

"Oh, you poor girl. Come here." Bulda said, giving Anna a hug, which Anna gladly exchanges in return, crying onto Bulda's shoulders.

"Where did I go wrong? Why am I being punished like this!?" Anna cried out.

The Yule bell ceremony has begun. The bell has been placed on the headstock. The people are thrilled to see the royal family. When the doors opened, it was only Kristoff, Olaf, and Samantha who came out. There was no sign of Anna ever going out. The masses stirred into in distant talking on the whereabouts of their queen, who is supposed to lead the ceremony. Alas, the ceremony prevailed, and the people rung the bells that they have. Kristoff tolls the Yule bell along with Olaf and Samantha. The people cheered, and they enter the castle for the feast. They expected to have an outside gathering, but since Elsa's departure, it was all changed.

Anna looks on from a window above. She slowly grazes the window, tears still running down on her cheeks. She walks away from the window, and retires to her bed for the remainder of the day; crying and hating herself. She couldn't forgive herself for what happened. The doctors did whatever they can to save her newborn, but all was lost because there were no signs of life when the child came out.

The castle is alive due to the Yule bell celebration. As they celebrate, Anna weeps in her room, desperate to go to sleep, but couldn't. The thought of her daughter lingers, and is depriving her of her usual self. Kristoff brings her bread rolls and sandwiches from the feast.

"I don't want it..." Anna tells Kristoff.

"Honey, you have to eat. Please." Kristoff said. Anna tramples the tray, causing the sandwiches to fling across the room.

"I said I don't want it! Leave me alone!" Anna lashes out. Kristoff leaves the tray alone, and he exits the room with a frown on his face. No matter what he does to comfort, and cheer her up, are not working. Olaf and Samantha were about to enter Anna's room, when Kristoff blocked them.

"No. She needs time. Maybe go play at the courtyard instead." Kristoff tells the two, and they immediately chased each other out of the castle. He can hear Anna crying inside her room. Soon, Kristoff finds himself sobbing as well as the thought of his daughter being gone too early devastates him. But he didn't hold on to it. He knows that he has to be strong for himself, for Anna, and for the kingdom. Kristoff heads into the party to oversee it, and meet the various dignitaries that attended.

During the party, Matthias approached Kristoff, and asks about the situation regarding Anna. Ever since Elsa left, Anna personally chose Lieutenant Matthias to take over as the State Autocrat of Arendelle.

"Ahem... Prince Kristoff?" Matthias said.

"Oh, uh... what do you need, Sir Matthias?" Kristoff asked.

"I don't mean to intrude. But when will Her Majesty appear? Discontent within Her Majesty's government is brewing. They want to know what happened to her. Is the queen sick?" Matthias worriedly asks. The parliament is pressuring him to persuade Anna to appear on the opening session of parliament.

Kristoff tags Matthias along towards the hallway, where there are no people.

"Anna had a still-birth. One month before the expected delivery date. She's going through a very hard time. It's best if we just... give her time." Kristoff breaks to Matthias.

"Oh, my... I'm sorry for the loss, Your Highness. Arendelle grieves with Her Queen." Matthias replied, he bows his head. But it ultimately concerns him.

"When will the Queen tell the people? If the Queen loss Her heir, then the people have to know, Your Highness. It is in the law; the well-being of the monarch should always be disclosed to the people all the time." Matthias tells Kristoff.

"What? No, Sir Matthias. Anna had enough of attention for a day. Please, let us recuperate and mourn in private. Soon, we will announce it to the people. Just... don't tell the parliament, or to the people. Anna will not like it, I assure you." Kristoff pleas to Matthias.

"Alright, Your Highness. I will hold on to that information until the time comes. I will just tell them that she's having terrible morning sickness, and is advised to step back from royal duties." Matthias tells Kristoff.

"Thank you. Anna will greatly appreciate it." Kristoff replied. Matthias shakes Kristoff's hand, and salutes him before he goes back to the party. Kristoff brings a tray of chocolates to Anna's room. He opens the door, and find that Anna is not inside. He drops the tray, and looks for her.

"Anna!? Anna!? Where are you!?" Kristoff called out. Then, he comes across an open window. He looks out, and sees Anna on the edge of the roof, looking up to the sky.

"Why is this happening to me!? Tell me!" Anna cried out to the skies above. Kristoff grabs her off the roof, and embraces her tight. Anna starts to cry, as she fights to get lose.

"Let me go, Kristoff! Let me go!" Anna demanded. Soon, she stops resisting, and just cries on Kristoff's arms. Anna falls asleep after hours of hysterical crying. Kristoff tucks her to bed, and rests for the night. There was no telling that Anna greatly suffered through these perilous times. She endured three wars during her reign as queen. She endured all of it. But this is the one exception.

The next day, the castle was still a mess. But the maidens got on it quickly, and in an instant, the castle was spotless. But the day was a gloomy one for both Kristoff and Anna. They got up, and get themselves fixed up. Wearing a black dress with a veil on her head, she refuses to look at the mirror, and refused to wear the crown.

They both head to the hills up north, secluded from the people. They are there to bury their child. The bishop of Arendelle delivers his prayer for the lost heir.

"May the Heavens let Her Highness, Princess Elsa II of Arendelle to be laid in the ever-lasting light, and eternal peace. We ask the Lord for her soul to be welcomed with open arms, and be redeemed for her sins.

Lord, we return this servant of yours to earth; for we are of earth, and we will return to earth. May Her Highness, Princess Elsa II of Arendelle rest in peace." the bishop solemnly prayed.

The bishop pours dirt into the grave, followed by Anna. She stops and kneels in front of the grave, and weeps. Kristoff joins her in mourning. The only people present are Bulda, Kai, and Matthias. The nobility is not present, nor the citizens. Anna throws a crocus flower in, and the diggers went on to fill the hole. Their daughter is buried in the family mausoleum, alongside the cenotaph of their parents; King Agnarr, and Queen Iduna.

Anna hugs Kristoff one more time as they look on at their child.

"I'm here, Anna. We will get through this, I promise. If you would just let me help you." Kristoff whispers to her.

"Thank you... for not giving up on me. It just hurts me; my sister is not around, and our bundle of joy is gone too...

I... I'm lost, Kristoff." Anna replied.

"I'll be your light in the dark. You always have me no matter what." Kristoff assures to Anna.

The pair leave the mausoleum, and head back to Arendelle through the secret passage. Anna finally got a decent sleep after the ordeal. Kristoff watches on as she sleeps, hoping for her eventual return to her usual self.

The next morning, Anna got up early. Looking out, she reminisces her memories with Elsa, as today is her birthday; Elsa's first birthday that she is not in Arendelle. Almost a month passed, and Anna hasn't heard from her sister, not even a single letter. Though she consents to her leaving the kingdom for good, she is still worried for her sister. With her child gone, she worries that should anything happen to Elsa, or to her, Arendelle's monarchy will collapse.

For the first time in nearly a month, Anna joins the chamber of representatives in the parliament. The men are suits are stunned to see her. They were not expecting her to be present.

"Her Majesty, Queen Anna of Arendelle!" The royal guards shouted, and the representatives stood up, and bow to her as she is seated on the Autocrat's Chair.

"Ministers, be seated." Anna commanded, and the members took their seats, and Anna personally presides over the parliament.

"How are you feeling, Your Majesty?" Sir Matthias asked.

"Still recovering. But I will be honest to all of you. There is a reason why I was gone for a long while." Anna said, she stands up and goes to the rostrum.

"I lost my child during birth. Our kingdom will not be having an heir... for now." Anna spills to the entire parliament members, causing an uproar of sympathies to her. The members removed their hats as a sign of respect to the infant monarch.

"Thank you. But as what's been said to me; life goes on no matter what. I don't want our people to be stagnated. So, I wish that you would continue to serve our people, and the kingdom.

This is a sad day for our kingdom. Yet, every problem that we faced, we faced with no fear. We will see the light of day, always. Despite the tragic occurrence, I am happy to announce that well-being of our kingdom is strong!" Anna stated to the parliament members.

The parliament erupts in cheer with Anna's announcement. The kingdom is intact, and secured from within, and on the outside. The representatives voted full confidence to Sir Matthias, securing his position as State Autocrat for another three years.

The holidays have come to Arendelle, and the people are enjoying themselves. Anna organized activities and games for the people to participate in. The annual Winter Festival was very different. Anna organized the entirety herself. Somehow, it felt different, since it was Elsa who plans every aspect of the festival.

"Your Majesty, may I have word?" Erik, Arendelle's resident scholar tells her.

"Of course! How can I help?" Anna asked.

"I don't know if you find it odd, Your Majesty. But it is the winter solstice, and Arendelle is yet to have its first snowfall. Does it have anything to do with Queen Elsa's departure?" Erik points out to Anna. Now that she thinks about it, Arendelle haven't had any snowfall for almost a month now.

"Get me a horse. Now!" Anna tells Erik. Moments later, he returns with a horse. Anna rides out to the north. She reached the North Mountain. There, she sees a horrifying sight.

Elsa's ice palace has collapsed on the mountainside, only one of its towers is still standing. Marshmallow, and the Snowgies are gone. The snowflake-shaped floor begins to break, and pieces of it fell into the valley below.

Anna rides further north. At sunset, she reached the Enchanted Forest. The entire forest has burned down, and is now a wasteland. The four pillars that adorn the entrance to the forest are in ruins as a result of Elsa vanquishing the four elements almost a year ago.

"Oh no, what happened here?" Anna asks herself as she inspects the burnt forest. There were no signs of it being intentionally burned down. Anna suspects that magic is behind all of this. The north river that connects the fjord facing Arendelle has dried up, and the remainder of the Northuldra are gone, only their settlements remained, but all of it are burned down as well.

As Anna delves deep into the forest, odd things begin to occur. She begins hearing Elsa's laughter, and in distant talking. She can hear cannons firing, and feet marching heavily. Anna is starting to suspect that a battle occurred within the Enchanted Forest involving Elsa, the Northuldra, and others. But there are no signs of any battles, just the burned down trees, and shrubs.

Then, her sorrowful memories, her still-birth returns to haunt her. She shrugs it off eventually, and she breaks down. After her unexplained breakdown, Anna felt that magic has to be responsible. She rides back down to the path. But it seems that she is riding on circles, and cannot find the way out of the Enchanted Forest. Given the forest's size, it was likely for anyone to be lost in it. Anna retraces her steps, only to wind up on the exact spot where she started.

"Help! Is anyone out there!? Help! Okay, I'm lost. Oh, no, this is not good. This is not good!" Anna shouted. Only the echoes of her yell responded to her. With no food, or anything to protect her against the threats of the forest, the Queen of Arendelle finds herself trapped in the Enchanted Forest. She suspects Yelena. But Yelena has been executed almost a month ago, and she examined the remains to identify that it was indeed her. Anna thinks that there is someone, or something causing all of this.

With Elsa gone, Anna worries about Arendelle's fate. She immediately regrets letting her leave. Despite her failings, and misdeeds, Elsa has been the bulwark that protects Arendelle from the threats of magic. With her gone, Arendelle is exposed in all directions. All of her concern points on one task; she has to get out of the Enchanted Forest, and protect Arendelle.

Back in Arendelle, Kristoff looks for Anna, only to fail at looking for her. He confronts Matthias about the matter.

"Sir Matthias, have you seen Anna?" Kristoff asks him.

"She was in the opening of parliament today. I don't know where Her Majesty went next." Matthias replied, "Why?" He asks back.

"She hasn't returned yet, and it is almost sunset. Can you please have some guards look for her? Tell me if you find her." Kristoff tells Matthias.

"I will, Your Highness." Matthias replied. He called upon a regiment of guards to look for Anna around the kingdom proper. They searched everywhere, but there was no sign of her. Anna, on the other hand, sits under a burnt trunk, only her horse accompanies her as the sun goes down. The lifeless forest was enough to send chills up Anna's spine. There was no breeze, no other noises. The forest was too quiet, she can clearly hear her heartbeat.

Kristoff, Matthias, and the royal guards fail to locate her. Matthias calls upon an emergency meeting regarding Anna's whereabouts. With Anna having no heir, and her immediate successor, Elsa being gone. Arendelle looks upon Kristoff. He is proclaimed regent until Anna is safety returned to the kingdom.

A massive search for Anna starts. Kristoff worked day and night to search for her. Anna waits, and waits, she is starving, and cold. She takes off her crown, and talks to it to keep her sanity intact.

"Oh, Elsa. Where are you? I... need you right now." Anna said to the crown. She placed it on the ground, and huddles herself as she sleeps beside her stead. Her heart is broken. Now, she is the one who is lost in the woods. Anna has seen better days, and this is not one of them. She thinks of her daughter, her sister, Kristoff, and the kingdom. Without her, no one is taking care of Arendelle. Kristoff is losing against time. He has to find Anna soon.

To be continued...