I press my gloved hands over my mouth, trying to muffle my sobs. My heart is broken and battered at Anna's feet.

I mean every word I said.

Our parents are gone and I have no one else. Anna means the world to me. I will give up anything for her. I no longer care if I have to train with Jack for the rest of my life. I will even find the needle and get rid of my power.

The one thing I refuse to give up is my sister.

Soft, gentle fingers wrap around my gloved hands. "Elsa, you are never going to lose me. I know I haven't shown it today, but I love you and nothing will ever change that."

I close my eyes as her words wash over me, destroying the fear left in the corners of my heart. Her words unite the pieces of my heart.

"If you're lost, I will find you, like I did when you ran away. If you are hurting, I will help you. Trust me, Elsa. That is all I ask. I'm not a little girl anymore. You don't have to be strong enough for both of us. Let me help you. We can work together. That's what a family does."

I nod. Thoughts scream in my head, but I don't say a word. I can't. I've already said too much.

My entire life, I have kept everything hidden under the surface. I've tucked my emotions deep inside. Now there are no walls, no barriers between our hearts and I feel free.

I thought I tasted freedom when I danced and sang on a mountain alone. But that wasn't true, guiltless freedom. This is. The freedom to love and trust without fear.

I slump forward in my chair, tears still streaming down my cheeks. Anna kneels in front of me and wraps her arms around me. She rests her head against mine.

Anna hums softly. She whispers, "For the first time in forever...I will be right here."

I sit up. "You've always been here for me."

"And nothing will change that." Anna smirks. "So...training with Jack starts tomorrow after breakfast."

I groan, but manage to turn it into laughter. "It will be my pleasure." I choke on the word.

"Oh, come on." Anna pulls me to my feet and brushes my hair out of my eyes. "He isn't that bad." She raises both eyebrows and twists her mouth to the side. "Besides, he is rather handsome."

"Ugh." I shake my head. "He's an immature, disrespectful boy who-"

Anna cuts in, "-who has amazing ice powers like your, but he can control them. Arendelle needs a queen who does not fear her own strength."

"Does that mean I am still queen?"

"Of course." Anna links her arm with mine and skips out of the library. "You didn't think that I would want such a stressful position, did you?"

It is my turn to nudge her. "You will still get the 'stressful position' if you marry Prince Hans."

"I doubt it." Anna giggles, but she eyes me warily. It is the first time I have acknowledged Hans without rolling my eyes. "You see, he has impressive collection of brothers. He'll probably never be king."

I narrow my eyes. "Hmm...I didn't realize that."

"Does it matter?" Anna grins and bounces down the hall. "Rapunzel has probably given up on me by now. We have to find her and explain. I know we just ate dinner, but I'm hungry already. I wonder if Rapunzel likes chocolate too...I mean, she has to, right? Who doesn't? And she is related to us..."

I quicken my pace to keep up with her, then give up and turn my dignified walk into a full-out run. "Anna, wait up!" I laugh and race after her.

My heartbeat quickens inside my chest. A fleeting prayer forms inside my head.

Thank you, Lord, for my sister. I don't know where I would be without her. Probably somewhere in a dark, cold castle alone.

But as long as Anna is here, that won't happen.

**

"You should take my threats seriously." A voice warns behind me.

I tense and remind myself that it is only a dream. He can't really hurt me, can he? But I know that he will, if provoked.

"What do you mean?" I turn around, but see only shadows.

"I told you who I want. I gave you summer, now you must give me him."

I swallow. "I will. I just need some time. He's powerful, like you said. I have to convince him to come with me."

"You are right, I suppose." Pitch materializes next to me. He taps his chin with his long fingers. "I have been patient for almost two decades. I can wait a little longer."

I nod, relief pouring through me. If I can distract Pitch long enough, than perhaps I will have time to undermine his plan. I don't particularly like Jack, but I just met him and shouldn't judge him too harshly...yet.

Whether or not I like him doesn't matter, I wouldn't wish Pitch Black's wrath on anyone.

I wonder if the guardians know of him as he knew of them. What would they say if I told them what happened to me during the storm? Will they believe me or will they think that I am on his side?

It is safer for everyone if I keep it to myself...for now.

Two golden eyes burn into me. Pitch's cloak brushes against me. "For Anna's sake, I hope that you don't disappoint me."

 I shudder. "Leave her alone."

"Oh, I will, if you deliver on your part. I am a patient man. I will give you until the end of the month. It is almost morning. Anna will wake you soon." Pitch laughs as he steps away from me and fades into the shadows. "You have a busy day, starting with a training session with Jack. Smart move, my little queen. That is good way to find out his weaknesses."

"That's not why I am doing it!"

The darkness lightens to gray, but in the last second before I wake, Pitch's voice echoes through my mind, "That may be true for you, but not for him. Why else would he agree to train you?"