Sure, he’d acted like the snow was no big deal, but even an ice expert like him could see it was getting too cold to survive. When he’d last looked at the fjord, he’d seen the ships leaning and cracking. Soon buildings would do the same. There would be nowhere safe to shelter.
What would happen to Anna?
“So where is she now? What did you tell Anna?”
Grand Pabbie’s brow furrowed. “Anna? You mean Princess Elsa. She’s the one that came to see me.”
“Not Anna?” Kristoff asked, feeling weak.
“No. Princess Elsa. I tried to help her—in what little way I can, given the curse.”
“Curse?” Kristoff repeated. This was a lot to take in.
“She’s in grave danger,” Grand Pabbie said. “You must find her, Kristoff.”
“Princess Elsa?” he asked. Grand Pabbie was confusing him. “I tried! No one knows where she is—although I met this talking snowman who knows the princess. And Anna and Prince Hans—Elsa’s prince—were headed here.” He looked at the valley opening again. “I thought they’d be here when I arrived.”
“Anna isn’t coming,” Grand Pabbie said. “She’s on her way back to Arendelle.”
Kristoff stepped back in surprise. “You know who Anna is?”
“Anna’s heart must be protected,” Grand Pabbie said. “This is a precarious time for her.”
“I know,” Kristoff agreed. “I’m worried she’s getting sick, but she’s determined to keep going and find Princess Elsa.”
“Kristoff, you must listen to me,” he said. “There is a reason Anna feels drawn to Elsa and is fighting so hard to find her. Their connection is stronger than you think.”
“I’ve sensed that,” Kristoff admitted. “Ever since we journeyed to Arendelle, Anna’s been feeling things…having strange headaches, and this talking snowman of Princess Elsa’s knows her. None of it makes sense.”
“Is she?” Grand Pabbie scratched his chin. “This is good. She’s starting to remember a past that has been hidden from her and Elsa for far too long.”
“Past?” Kristoff asked, a new recollection dawning on him. It was as if he were awakening from a slumber himself, one that had kept him from knowing exactly how Anna and Elsa were connected. “Wait a minute.…”
Grand Pabbie patted his hand. “Yes. Anna and Elsa are sisters.”
“Anna is a princess?”
“The curse that has prevented the sisters from being together is fading! Elsa already remembers who Anna is, but Anna’s path has not been so simple. Love can thaw any curse,” he insisted, “but until she regains her memories, Anna and Elsa cannot be near each other. This is very important! She must remember Elsa before they ever come face to face.”
Kristoff felt his heart practically stop. Anna wouldn’t quit till she found Elsa. “Why?”
“We don’t have much time together, so I won’t waste it trying to explain the past, but it has to do with the curse,” Grand Pabbie explained. “If Anna gets near Elsa before she remembers their connection, Elsa’s powers will turn her to ice.”
“What?” Kristoff’s voice sounded hollow to him.
“Their love for each other is so strong this curse is already fading. Elsa remembers her past, but Anna is not there yet. Until the spell is broken, Anna must be kept away.” Grand Pabbie frowned. “Elsa knows this. It is why she has kept her distance. But I fear someone else knows the truth, and is leading Anna into danger. Kristoff, Anna is headed to Arendelle, and Elsa is there too.”
Kristoff paled. “Which means…I have to stop her!” Sven started to snort wildly and jump around. “Sven!” Kristoff shouted, climbing the steps double-time as he started running toward the valley’s hidden exit. Sven galloped to meet him.
He didn’t even think to say goodbye to Grand Pabbie, Bulda, or the others. Only one thing mattered now—saving Anna at all costs.
When Anna, Hans, and the guard arrived back in Arendelle, the kingdom was almost unrecognizable. In just two days, snow had drifted to the second story of the castle. The fire in the castle courtyard was long gone, and the fountain with the statue of the royal family was completely buried. They had to fight the wind to reach the castle doors, which were frozen over with ice. The guard had to pry them open with a pickax to get them inside.
A group was gathered in front of the fireplace, trying to keep warm, but it was clear they were shivering. The fire was almost out. Hans and the guard rushed to a group of guards and started talking while members of the castle staff busied themselves getting them blankets and warm clothes. Anna couldn’t move. Being inside