"I promise we won't be gone long." I press my gloved hands around Anna's.

"Do not worry, sister. Jack told me that this was entirely necessary. I am sure that you will find something to help you yield your magic. In the end, this short journey will benefit both you and our kingdom." Anna sighs. Her eyes soften and she hugs me. "But I will miss you."

"Goodbye, Anna." I pull away from her and look at Hans. "Take care of my sister."

He wraps his arm around her shoulder. "Do not worry about her. I love Anna and I will be sure to watch over the kingdom while you are gone."

He loves her...I push away the uneasy feeling in my stomach. If Anna approves of him, then I should too. And at least by now they have known each other for longer than a day.

I have no right to stand between them and true love.

I step toward them, pulling away from the cluster of guardians standing outside. "Hans...Anna, I want to apologize again for getting upset the night of the ball. Clearly you too love each other. If you still wish to wed, you have my-" I close my eyes briefly. "-my blessing."

Anna's mouth falls open.

Hans' eyes widen. He tightens his grip on my sister. "Thank you, Elsa."

"I merely ask that you wait until Anna comes of age, if that is possible."

Anna blinks. "Um-" Her eyes skitter past mine. "Thank you, Elsa. That is very kind-and, uh, reasonable of you."

Why is she so civil...and calm? I expected screeching giggles of ecstasy.

Hans talks on, but Anna continues to stare past me. I frown and turn slightly to see what-or who-she is staring at.

A tall, broad-shouldered man leans against the doorway. He crosses his arms across his chest and looks down at the ground. His blond hair slants across his forehead.

Kristoff?

My mouth falls open. I turn back, but Anna has already dropped her gaze away from him.

Was I mistaken? Why would she stare at him? Well, they did go on a short journey together when they were trying to find me.

I never did ask Anna about it.

Perhaps something happened between them, even if they were only together for a few days.

I like Kristoff. He's kind and sweet and cares for Anna.

But it is too late for matchmaking, especially since I just gave Hans and Anna my blessing.

North walks up and drops a heavy hand on my shoulder. "Are you ready, Queen Elsa?" He smiles down at me, his cheery blue eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Yes." I step away from my sister and Hans. "See you soon."

North walks me towards the guardians.

Jack stands at the fringe of the group. He nods his head at me. This was his idea and one of the only reasons why I am going along with it.

I understand the importance of being in complete control of my power. I just wish I didn't have to leave my kingdom so soon after my promise to stay.

But this is necessary and it shouldn't take long. I just need to visit North's home and find my item. It could be a staff or wand or anything.

North pulls a colorful ball from his bag. It looks like the one Jack used during our second training lesson.

North whispers something into the ball and tosses it into the air. For one second I see Anna and Hans standing hand in hand, and behind them, Kristoff watching quietly.

Then they disappear.

**

The guardians and I stand in a large, crowded room.

"All right, time to get to work." North rubs his hand together. "Start looking for something that Elsa could use to channel her power. Everyone spread out and do your best."

Sandy nods and turns away from the group. Bunnymund follows him, muttering under his breath as usual.

Tooth grabs my hand and drags me toward a table overflowing with toys and gadgets and who knows what. "Perhaps we will find something in this mess." She smiles at me. "This was such a good idea."

"It was Jack's idea."

Jack joins us. "I hope that it works. It would be disappointing if we didn't find anything."

I nod and look down at the pile of toys.

Tooth and Jack work their way around the table. They lean towards each other, whispering quietly.

I fidget. My stomach drops. I step away from the table and wander through the colorful room. Banners hang from the high ceiling. The furry creatures-Jack called one a 'yeti'-grunt as they move around me. Some paint toys and others lug around heavy objects.

Little elves hop around the room. These helpers are small and round, with bells on their hats that jingle every time they move.

One in particular climbs onto the table in front of me. His small hands rift through the stacks of toys.

"Are you going to help me?" I smile.

He jerks his eyes up and tilts his head to one side, his bells ringing as he nods.

"Well, thank you." I push aside a colorful spin-toy and pick up a porcelain doll. The pretty, well-dressed doll reminds me of the days when Anna and I used to play with our own dolls.

I wonder if we still have them somewhere in the castle. Father had dolls made that looked like us.

He was most thoughtful man I had ever met.

My little elf friend buries his head into the pile of toys. His skinny legs stick out and wiggle under his red-belted outfit.

I laugh and tug on one of his tiny boots. "Are you stuck? What are you doing?"

The elf wriggles out of the pile and plops onto the desk. He holds up a silver object that is almost as long as he is.

My mouth falls open and my heart stutters to a stop.

It is a needle. A beautiful, perfect needle.