Agnire panted heavily as he slid across the ice. His body having been braced for the blow to which he'd blocked with the dagger he'd kept in his possession. Still braced upon his knee he pushed himself up quickly trying to lead the man who'd come to lay claim to the final spirit, the mother of them all. Ahtohallan.

"Should have killed you when I had the chance! Traitorous rat!" Alrik panted heavily himself, his wounds enough to make his vision double and bend but a deep hatred pushed him forward, a life-long quest to seek revenge for his father and conquer all those responsible for his death.

He'd left behind the Bridge, their still forms bringing energy into his heart. The blade he carried at his side gleaming red with the lights that had started to come to life around him. An echo of his darkness. The caverns were maze-like, but sound carried well along their icy walls. Allowing him to track the ragged breathing of his present prey.

oOo

Elsa woke feeling numb, numb to the pain her injuries that had weakened her so. Though she was very certain they still existed, she thanked whatever spirit gave her strength now. Becoming increasingly familiar with waking from the spirit world she took a slow breath and just allowed the rest of her body to come alive. Once she was able to feel her toes inside her boots she pushed herself up cautiously, the sounds of conflict turning her head towards one of the many pathways.

"Agnire..." Another slow blink pushed herself up onto her knees and her head turned down to Anna's still seemingly resting form, "Let's do this, together." Taking an note from Honeymaren's book, she smiled down at her sister before she leaned over to press her forehead against Anna's own. Her breath going still as she felt a warmth spreading out from their connection and bringing life back into her sister.

Anna felt like the entire world was on some weird roundabout. Like her body was moving without her. Her brain slowly sparked to life sending intermittent signals through her limbs to obey its commands. Cautiously, she cracked open her eyes, her time in the spirit realm feeling like nothing more than a vivid dream. As bright crystal blue shined back at her she suddenly felt way too close to her sister.

"You didn't just kiss me, did you?" Anna's eyes crossed as Elsa began to pull back.

"No." Elsa chuckled softly with both relief and mirth, pulling the sleeve of her torn shirt back over her shoulder.

"Okay good. I guess that weird taste in my mouth is just dirt." Anna made a face and licked her cracked lips pulling a lock of her hair from said orifice.

"You would know." Elsa another soft chuckle passed her lips before she pushed herself up slowly, carefully; another adjustment of her shirt bringing her to stand tall. While she couldn't feel her injuries she was still very aware that they could be there. She leaned back on her heels as she gave Anna a hand and together they rose to their feet, Elsa's footing sure along the icy floor while Anna...

"It had to be made of ice..." Anna grumbled as she grabbed onto her sister's arm for support as she wasn't fully prepared for her return from transcendence as she thought she would be. Her foot knocked into the wood board that Agnire must have pulled her into Ahtohallan on causing the broken staff that had been carefully hidden beneath her to roll.

Both of their heads turned to the sound but it was Elsa who reached around to bring up the splintered wood into her grip. Her eyes narrowing as she turned it in ever changing lights around them, "Here, you should take it..."

"No way, I never want to touch that again..." Anna held her hands out in a clear refusal her eyes surreptitiously running down Elsa's sides where the blood from her back had dripped and dried onto her torn shirt, the memory of how it got there very present in her wakening mind.

"Okay..." Elsa took a small breath before taking a tighter hold, "You still need something. I don't think your fists are going to do well against a sword." She turned her gaze down to the shackles that still encased her sister's wrists. The chain between them broken and loose.

"Agreed." Anna took a slow breath but her mind was becoming more concerned with the sounds that were growing further away. They needed to move quicker, "I'll take this." She leaned down to pull the rope that had been wrapped around the make shift sled, "I can trip him or something..."

"Or something." Elsa winced at the idea before she turned completely away from her sister, "Wait...my bag..."

"Your bag?" Anna couldn't stop staring Elsa's back, her heart twisting most painfully, "What do you mean?"

"I came here a few nights ago, I didn't take it back with me." Elsa absently adjusted her shirt again, already on the move, suddenly energized by her turn of thought. With only a small glance back to make sure Anna was following behind she turned down the path she knew led to the small room she'd claimed for herself.

Anna blinked dumbly but quickly moved to follow, a witty retort dying on her lips as she tried to keep from falling on her bottom, "Wait for me!"

Elsa made to turn back to wait, when the smallest of flickers caught the very corner of her eye. Just about to round the corner she suddenly felt a great rush of air and caught the sharp gleam of metal. Without really knowing what she was doing, her arms rose in defense, the broken staff held up between them. A heavy thud pressed against her entire body as the blade sunk in deep.

All mirth left Anna's chest in one fell swoop. One moment she was chasing after her sister, the next she was feeling her pulse race with adrenaline, "Elsa!"

A sharp sweeping kick to her ankles over the slick ice sent Elsa quickly to the floor. Her hand snapping tight so as not to loose her hold on the staff, however, in her attempt to keep her hold she'd completely missed saving herself and her body crashed down hard on her hip and shoulder leaving her breathless.

Anna raced forward, the rope she'd still had in her hands wrapping around her fists. She gave a daring jump widening her grip before she found herself thumping heavily onto the back of man nearly three times her size, the rope between her hands pulling back harshly on his neck as she dangled full weight from the floor.

Alrik let out an animal like growl as he took hold of the rope around his neck, a sharp turn sent Anna over his shoulder and well over her sister. The sharp movement also causing his blade to pull free from the staff with a harsh snap. The blade having dug into one of the arrowheads that laid inside breaking it in half. The resounding wave of wind that came forth took him completely off his feet and soaring without course down a long hallway.

Elsa's eyes widened with realization, her head turning down to look at the remaining arrowheads inside. A heavy breath pushed her back to her feet and she turned towards were Anna had been thrown. The younger woman in question letting out a low groan as she held her head.

"Did I get him?" Her words were heavily slurred as her head swam.

"Yeah, you got him. Let's go." Elsa fearfully glanced over her shoulder but she could no longer see where Alrik had fallen. Instead, she pulled her sister back to her feet and returned them to their original course. Her mind cycling through what they needed to do.

Just as Elsa turned them around the corner that would lead them to where her room lie, a childish giggle echoed from far down the dark hallway of ice causing Elsa to pull them to a stop.

"Wha-"

"Shh." Elsa held her hand up for her sister's silence, her eyes solely focused on the white form that was beginning to take shape before them; the darkness gradually pulling back under a spotlight of sorts.

Anna gave her a not so amused look but when the snow and ice began to move, just like when they'd gone into the forest, she recognized it as a memory; a 'snow-mory' as she'd began to call them.

"Look Papa! Snow!"

"Yes...I see..." Their father's disembodied voice was soft, filled with emotions a child would never understand.

The light slowly went out only to be replaced by another just a touch closer. The glowing light grew in the distance, silent snow flakes falling from an unseen place before a toddler sized Elsa formed under it's spotlight, her eyes wide in awe as she held her palms out in front of her in unrestrained amazement.

"It's you..." She couldn't help but whisper, a goofy grin curling her lips, "You're so tiny."

Elsa gave her a narrowed glance before rolling her eyes, "You were too." Her head turned behind them, to check, to make sure they were alone before giving her attention back towards the memory that had continued. By the time she looked back the light was moving towards them, another memory in its place.

"Up, Mama!" A still small but slightly older Elsa trot along side her another their form still building, her arms raised high as she looked up into her mother's ever tall face.

"I'm sorry Elsa, I can't carry you..." Iduna's voice as soft and kind, her hand running down her rounded stomach, though she did offer out her hand for her daughter to hold.

Elsa's face fell, a pout filling her features as she reluctantly took her mother's hand instead. Her head tilting down to the floor, her mumbled words dejected, "That's okay...I like walking anyway..."

Suddenly, her father was behind her, scooping her up with a deep chuckle that seemed contagious as he pulled his daughter to his chest, "How about, you and I have a bit of chocolate?" Agnarr hugged his daughter tight lowering his voice to a stage whisper and pulled slightly ahead of his wife, "Before, dinner?"

Elsa's face reignited and she threw her arms around her father's neck with great glee, "You're the best!"

Iduna shook her head but smiled at her daughter who beamed back at her from over her father's shoulder. The love in the moment unmistakable.

"Brat," Anna couldn't help but make fun of the scene, her father had used the very same tricks on her when she was young. It was no wonder that the both of them had an odd relationship with chocolate.

"Quiet." Elsa's brow was not held with the same mirth as her sister. Rather it was furrowed with concentration as she tried to understand why they were seeing this memory.

"Your Highness." A man appeared out of the darkness to stand in their path blocking the young women's view, the memory not yet over. Though unable to see his face, his build was enough to decipher his relation.

Agnarr sighed softly, giving Elsa another firm hug before slowly setting her back to the floor. He offered up an apologetic smile and a kiss to her forehead before rising back to his feet.

The memory faded to the footsteps of their father following the man. Their mother's hand coming back to take Elsa's hand, the latter turning her head to watch her father go, before the pair flurried away. The last of the flurry lightly brushing at their toes as it disappeared.

Elsa pushed herself up from their hiding spot, following after her father and the man. She could hear Anna behind her and reached back so as not to lose her in the twisting cavern.

"There has been growing concern, my lord." A small boy came to join them now, no more than seven or eight. His back viciously straight as he came to stand in his father's shadow, a box held tight to his chest.

"If this is why you have called me to court Alrik, I will not listen. It is treason." Agnarr turned away from the man, his hands resting on a table that materialized out of no where.

"If she is unable to bear, due to this curse."

Elsa could see the insurmountable grief on her father's face when the other man spoke, her eyes shining from the emotion held within. Her hand unconsciously rose to her stomach at his words, a memory that seemed to be so deeply locked away she alone would not be able to find it.

Agnar turned slowly, his eyes turning down towards the young boy, "Your son would still be King."

"By what law?" Another voice joined the pair but it held no shape or form.

"The one I shall write on their wedding day."

Elsa felt a small pull on her wrist as she moved forward just one more step and her head turned with confusion, "What's wrong?"

"You...you were going to have an arranged marriage?" She never wanted to believe her father would do such a thing.

Elsa let out a slow breath and shook her head, "No, Father made that very clear." Though she had no way of knowing at the time his reasons for this, she believed in her heart that it had been his nature from the very beginning. The love for him untainted even by what she'd just seen before her.

"The council has considered....other options...." The man took the wooden box from the boy, his palm laying heavily down upon it as though he were debating on sharing what was inside.

Another memory quickly flashed behind Elsa's eyes and she felt her heart beating just a bit quicker. Her hand curled tighter around Anna's so much so that she heard her sister give a small 'Oh,' as though of surprise but she didn't turn her head to look, her focus solely on what was before her.

"If the council wishes to provide alternatives, then it is their right but I am still the King, my decisions are final." Agnarr stood himself up tall, a dangerous feeling growing in the air between the men.

"My Lord, please consider the councils' position..." The High Guard lowered his head before opening a wooden box holding inside two manacles designed to cover the hands. Their intricate steel work and expert design only further showing the resolve of their craftsmen.

"Absolutely not!" Agnar's voice turned dangerous, his eyes sharp and narrowed, "She is my daughter, and your future Queen."

The man closed the lid of the box but stood firm on his footing, that was until Agnar's hand took the box from his grip, hurling it with an anger that neither of his daughter's had ever seen before, "Get out! Get out of my sight!"

The snow seemed to explode with the anger held inside the memory and both Elsa and Anna took a small step back. Anna recovered first, reaching her free hand around to hold onto the shoulder that lined with Elsa's heart, "Now we know where the shackles came from..."

Elsa wasn't sure if she was referring to the ones Hans had used on her in the dungeon or the ones that had been recently removed from her wrists. Either way, it was an answer to one of the many questions that had been begging to be answered, "Yeah..." Her hand went to Anna's the cold metal of the shackles still present on her sister giving her heart a painful thump.

"Come on..."

Anna gave her a weak smile before releasing her hold. The two of them making their way back through the cool blackness. The time spent as they moved held in respective pensive. Though Anna did give Elsa's hand a tight squeeze she recognized the distant look in her eyes. When Elsa pulled them into the small room she'd made for herself Anna couldn't help but gawk at the beautiful carvings in the ice that decorated every inch of space therein.

"Did you make all these?" Her voice lifted the mood between them somewhat, making the cold air much easier to breathe.

"It helps me think." Elsa's words were absent as she'd immediately gone to the bag at the foot of her still blanketed bed. She dug through without thought before pulling free a spare tunic that she preferred to sleep in. The fabric soft and worn, it smelled of someone who at present she couldn't quite place. Her mind in a thousand different other directions but when she slipped the material over her head a flash sparked behind her eyes; a warmth growing in her heart

"Honeymaren..."

"What?" Anna hadn't heard her, she'd been leaning in close to a particularly intricate design, her fingertips lightly tracing one of the lines sending a small chill down her arm.

Elsa's hand rose to her heart, her fingers clawed as though she wished to pull it from her very chest. The memory of her falling in battle twisting it tight, "No-nothing." A long practiced breath pulled her hand back towards her side and she forced herself back on task.

"You need a weapon..." Elsa turned back down to her bag, but her face held little hope. She never carried anything that was even remotely useful as a weapon, anything she'd ever needed she'd just created from ice, especially where they were now.

"Your...powers?" Anna didn't know why she hadn't through about it before now. Perhaps it was her mind's way of protecting her heart from what her body had done. How she'd made her sister scream, the unrelenting destruction she'd caused.

Elsa shook her head solemnly, "No...still gone..." She flexed her fingers out in front of her to show Anna before her brain cycled once again. She turned towards the bed with a dizzying spin before she pulled the staff up to better see it, "Wait..."

Anna's brows rose with hope and if she were honest a touch of fear but before she could ask a loud noise from the hallway behind her made her spin. A cold creeping up into her stomach as she backed away from the doorway towards her sister. Her fists slowly clinching as she raised them in defense.

"Agnire?" Anna's voice squeaked and her hands fell down to her sides before she pushed herself through the space between them. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around the man's shoulders as he pitched forward dangerously, seemingly having the same sort of difficultly navigating the ice as she but when she pulled him up and his arm refused to pull away from his stomach she realized exactly why he was stumbling.

"Bring him here." Elsa too could feel her pulse beginning to race. Dropping the spear at the foot of the bed she rushed forward to help her sister, her arm wrapping up under the man's shoulders as they walked him to the bed. Once he was sat down he gave her a relieved smile before letting out a deep shudder, his breath coming out in a soft wisp of smoke.

"So glad you're okay..." Agnire could see the glow beneath their skin, the power that Ahtohallan had given them to do what needed to be done.

"But you're not..." Elsa swallowed thickly turning back down to her bag to pull out a spare set of pants, she pushed the cloth over his arm where he took it and helped her apply pressure to his wound.

"I will be soon..." Agnire closed his eyes taking a few deep breaths, "Do you hear her?" His brow furrowed as he tried to bring his breathing quiet enough to listen.

Anna had taken her place beside him to keep him from falling backward on the bed, "Just hold on, okay?"

Agnire offered her a weak smile but could no longer open his eyes, his body leaning heavier into her hold, "Can you hear them...?"

Elsa nodded her head despite herself, "Yes...yes I can..." Her eyes turned briefly towards the staff, "I know what to do..."

Agnire's smile ticked just a bit, "Bring them home..." The hand that was curled around his waist opened, one of the missing arrowheads in his palm.