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Kristoff was still heading into the mountains. Arendelle was a long way down by now. Not wanting to follow, Sven lagged behind. He looked back at the kingdom and decided that he’d had enough. He ran past Kristoff and stopped, looking right at him, snorting and grunting.

“What is it, buddy?” Sven nudged Kristoff with his antlers. “Hey, watch it. What’s wrong with you?” Sven mooed and brayed with more conviction. Trying to avoid him, Kristoff told, “I don’t understand when you talk like that.” Kristoff tried to walk ahead, but Sven used his antlers yet again to lift him off the ground. “Ah! Stop it! Put me down!” Kristoff cried. Sven dropped him hard on the ground and seemed to ‘yell’ at him.

“No, Sven! We’re not going back.” asserted Kristoff. Sven shook his head angrily. “She’s with her true love.”

He returned an ‘of course-she-isn’t’ face. Kristoff got it; he had made his point. Just then, the wind picked up. Kristoff looked back at the kingdom and saw a violent winter storm swirling over Arendelle. Sharp ice clawed up the castle, encasing it.

“Anna.” voiced Kristoff, gravely concerned.

Without hesitating, he darted back down the mountain. Sven ran after him and caught up. Kristoff grabbed Sven’s harness and jumped onto his back.

Meanwhile, within the closed room Anna was abandoned in, she shivered by the door. She glanced up to see the ice overtaking the ceiling. The door handle suddenly jingled, stopped, and then jingled again. The door swung open with a carrot in the lock. A giggle of victory was heard—it was Olaf. He took the carrot and put it back on his face. Anna was lying before him, crippled.

“Anna. Oh no,” he ran to the fireplace and threw in some fresh wood, including one of his arms. He quickly rescued it before striking a match and relighting the fire.

“Olaf, get away from there!” alerted Anna as she regained her senses.

“Whoa! So, this is heat… I love it.” He reached a twig finger toward the flames, and it caught fire. “Ooh! But don’t touch it!” he told himself, blowing the flame off with a jerk. He then rushed over to help Anna get to the fire. Olaf continued inquisitively, “So, where’s Hans? What happened to your kiss?”

Anna accepted, heartbroken, “I was wrong about him. It wasn’t true love.”

Olaf went on with confused innocence, “Huh. But we ran all the way here?”

Anna grew troubled with his proximity to the flames.

“Please, Olaf, you can’t stay here. You’ll melt.”

Olaf declared stubbornly, “I am not leaving here until we find some other act of true love to save you.”

Saying so, he sat down behind her and leaned his back against hers. He thought hard but eventually gave up. “… Do you happen to have any ideas?”

Anna replied, “I don’t even know what love is.”

Olaf smiled and said confidently, “That’s okay, I do…”

Olaf hopped back up and put a soothing arm over her shoulder.

“Love is… Putting someone else’s needs before yours, like, you know how Kristoff brought you back here to Hans and left you forever.”

Anna realized and asked, “Kristoff loves me?”

Olaf was astounded. “You really don’t know anything about love, do you?” His face started to melt.

“Olaf, you’re melting!”

He answered, sweet and reassuring, “Some people are worth melting for.”

But then, his face actually started to sag and began to fall apart. He panicked, pushing the snow back in its place. “Just maybe not right this second.”

The window blew open and a cold wind swept in. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it,” said Olaf, as he flittered to the window. He managed to pull one panel shut but struggled with the second.

“We’re going to get through--” Suddenly, he was distracted, “Oh, wait. Hang on. I’m getting something.” He broke an icicle and used it as a telescope. Through it, he saw Kristoff and Sven running down the mountain. “It’s Kristoff and Sven! They’re coming back this way.” exclaimed an excited Olaf.

“… They-they are?” Anna asked.

“Wow, he’s really moving fast. Huh… I guess I was wrong. I guess Kristoff doesn’t love you enough to leave you behind.”

Anna tried to get to her feet, “Help me up, Olaf. Please.” He hurried over, tumbling over the couch, knocking over the chess set and water jugs.

“No, no, no, no, no. You need to stay by the fire and keep warm.”

“I need to get to Kristoff,” she demanded. Olaf was clueless.

“Why…?”

It struck him in an instant, “Oh, oh, oh, I know why.” He hopped around in a display of hope, excited, “There’s your act of true love, right there, riding across the fjords like a valiant, pungent, reindeer king! Come on!”

The walls began to crack under the ice pressure. “Look out!” cried Olaf as they rushed out of the room, and the ceiling collapsed. Anna and Olaf struggled down the hall. Ice spikes grew and blocked their path. “We’re trapped.” accepted Olaf, worried. Anna looked desperately for a way out.

Away, in the frozen fjord, Elsa was running, nearly blinded by the snow and wind—she wanted to get away from all that was happening.

Back in the castle, Anna and Olaf busted open a window. The storm had run riot. The untamed winds swept the window panes away. “Slide, Anna,” told Olaf. It was a long, snowy way down. But what choice did they have? With all their courage, they slid down the roof, inclined at an outrageously steep angle. Olaf gathered snow all along the way, and he arrived at the bottom as a giant snowball. “We made it!” he shook off the snow. Anna struggled to her feet.

Kristoff and Sven bounded off the mountain, sprinting across the fjord and right into the heart of the storm. Its white-out wind pushed them back, but they fought through. “Come on, buddy, faster!”

“Kristoff!” Anna called out, walking through the storm. A gale lifted Olaf and pulled him apart. He went swirling into the storm.

“Keep going, Anna!” he encouraged before being blown away like autumn leaves.

“Kristoff!” cried Anna once again.

Kristoff and Sven struggled to maintain direction through an alley of iced ships. “Come on! Come on!” Kristoff prodded his reindeer friend.

Anna endured the winds and kept moving forward with all the energy she had left. She looked in disbelief at the ship that towered over her head, about to fall—but it didn’t. She stared at her hands; they were turning to ice!

Anna felt like the end was near. However, she wasn’t one to give up. Anna clasped her hands to her chest and stumbled on.

Kristoff and Sven dashed toward the kingdom at full speed. The path was foggy but clear of obstacles—not until a mangled ship, risen by ice, capsized over them. They darted right through, like surfers through a crashing wave as the debris shattered. As Sven made it past the entire ship, it looked like they were safe. But the impact produced a vast crack in the ice that raced them. Kristoff hung on in terror. Much to his dismay, the ice opened up. Sven barely jumped over a gap, but it was too broad. He bucked Kristoff to safety but landed in the glacial waters below.

“Sven? Sven!” he shouted, bouncing to his feet. At first, there was nothing, but then Sven surfaced. He clawed his way to a floating ice chunk. He called out, signaling for Kristoff to go on. “Good boy,” he told Sven and pushed on by himself.

Anna moved blindly across the fjord; her hands frosted blue. The wind pushed her, and she fought back to keep on course. The color in her eyes faded; the inevitable was coming.

Kristoff was still in the white-out. He didn’t know which way to turn.

“Kristoff…” he heard a faint cry.

“Anna…? Anna!” he called out, searching for her.

Within the dungeon corridors of the castle, soldiers merrily celebrated the liberation of Arendelle. The officers were exclusively imprisoned at different places within the castle. This was done to lower morale and prevent retaliation among Arendellian soldiers—something Hans’ and the duke’s guards had failed to do.

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Two officers moved through the corridors, searching for Alex. One was the Captain of the Royal Guard, and the other was the same ensign who stopped Alex from meeting Elsa before the coronation. The captain was a short, old gentleman. His chest, bedecked with medals, was an open testimony to his long service. His fitness and love for discipline had stood the test of time, but not his charm—he seldom wore a smile.

“That prince was smart! He locked me and Sergeant Major Emil in the Queen’s chambers.” The captain told his junior.

“That’s nothing, sir! I was locked up in a peculiar attendants’ room by the kitchen!”

As they advanced, celebrating men and women made way. The ensign noticed Alex, who wasn’t standing very far from Elsa’s devastated cell.

“Look, sir! There’s the sergeant,” informed the younger officer.

Recognizing them, Alex came to attention and saluted. The captain returned.

“Sergeant Alex of the Royal Guard reports that the castle has been retaken, sir!”

“Sergeant Alex--” he ate his desire to commend him whole. “We will take it from here.” He didn’t have a reputation for openly complimenting soldiers.

“Yes, sir!” acknowledged the sergeant with a salute. The captain received it and walked away. A minute after he passed, the ensign still remained there.

“Bravo, Alex!” he began nervously. “And… I’m sorry for not letting you through that day. I didn’t know things were this serious.” he motioned toward the wrecked cell, from which strong wind and snow now blew in. At ease, Alex smiled,

“You were only doing your duty, sir.”

The young officer beamed. Alex briefly turned around to study the destroyed cell. Altogether, something struck him.

“Sir, I… I have to go. May I?” begged Alex.

“Well, I won’t make the same mistake twice. Go; do what you must.”

Alex stepped back and saluted, “Thank you, sir!”

Not wasting a second, he hurried out the hole in the dungeon and vanished into the white.

Farther into the fjord, Elsa struggled through her own storm. Her fear was consuming her. The strong gales were pushing against her, and she almost lost her footing multiple times. The winds were nearly enough to take her with them.

But not nearly enough to break her determination to keep everyone safe—even if it meant leaving Arendelle.

Just then, a dark shadow approached. “Elsa. You can’t run from this!” Hans shouted as to be audible. Backing away, she replied,

“… Just take care of my sister.”

Hans started his act just once more. “Your sister? She returned from the mountain, weak and cold. She said you froze her heart,” he narrated aloud.

“What? No.”

Hans continued, “I tried to save her, but it was too late. Her skin was ice. Her hair turned white…”

Elsa’s expression went numb as she realized what she had done.

“Your sister is dead… because of you.”

Elsa dropped to her knees, her spirit breaking. And with that, the storm ceased to rage. The snow froze in mid-air and hung suspended in grief. It seemed the air around matched Elsa’s numbness. Soldiers and dignitaries rushed to the wall’s edge to watch what happened next.

Anna was not very far, but she could barely move. When the storm disappeared, she could finally see Kristoff across the fjord.

“Kristoff,” called Anna, now barely a whisper.

“Anna.”

Anna pushed toward him. He ran as fast as he could toward her. Although there was a lot of ground to cover, it was evident that he would make it. But then, Anna was distracted by a disturbing scene unfolding at a distance: Hans stealthily took out the stolen sword that he carried between the back of his belt and coat, raising it over his head. He aimed at Elsa.

“Elsa,” Anna tried to warn feebly. She looked back at Kristoff as he ran for her. She gave him a longing look but then turned away. Using all her remaining strength, she ran toward her sister. As Hans brought down his sword, Anna threw herself in front of Elsa.

“No!” she screamed, blocking Hans’ path.

She froze to solid ice at that instant, and it came down on her instead of Elsa. The sword shattered. Hans was sent flying back by its force and hit the ground. The ghost of Anna’s last expression stayed frozen. Quietly, her last breath escaped her lips.

When Elsa didn’t feel any movement or noise from behind her, she looked up. She took one glance at Anna’s frozen figure.

“Anna!” cried Elsa as she rushed to her sister and touched her frozen face. “Oh, Anna… no… no, please no.”

Elsa wrapped her hands around her sister, sobbing. She sobbed even harder as if Anna would shatter at any moment. Olaf walked up to have a look at her. Confused and bewilderment evident on his face, he voiced, “Anna?”

Kristoff watched in shocked despair while Sven stepped up to his side. Just then, Alex rushed to the scene.

“Elsa!” he called out as he reached her. But he soon recognized the ice figure. “Isn’t that--?” he gasped. “Oh, Anna.”

Alex felt a silent scream reach him. He panted heavily, his vision blurring. He thought he had failed to fulfill his royal duties. The people, dignitaries, and guards bowed their heads. Just then, Hans got up, exasperated. He had lost his power, soldiers, and now even his reputation. He picked up whatever was left of the broken sword and gave one final, desperate effort to put an end to this winter and emerge a hero.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” Alex drew out the royal sword, and with a jolt from the hilt, he pushed him to the ground. Hans finally accepted defeat at sword-point. However, the damage had already been done. All of Arendelle joined in somber silence.

Elsa’s whimpers and sobs rang out in the deafening stillness. She gripped her sister tighter.

Suddenly, Anna started to warm—she began to thaw!

Olaf looked up, gaping. Taking notice, Sven nudged Kristoff. Alex took his attention off the prince and stared in awe.

“Wha-? Anna?” wondered Elsa, confused. Anna opened her eyes and smiled at her, relieved. “Oh, Elsa,” Anna warmly embraced her sister.

“You sacrificed yourself for me?”

“I love you.”

Olaf realized what had happened. He was so excited about it that he lifted his head right off his body and shouted, “An act of true love will thaw a frozen heart!”

Elsa thought out loud, “Love… will thaw…”

She looked at Anna with confidence, “Love… Of course.”

“Wha-?” Anna was slightly puzzled.

“Love.” Elsa lifted her arms, and the ground shook and cracked. The ice and snow broke and rose high into the air—she lifted it off the streets, the roofs and balconies of astounded townspeople and children. The ice moved up and away from the towering roofs of the castle, easing the load on its structure; it carried the burden off of Elsa’s shoulders. Beneath their feet, the bow of a ship unfroze and floated up onto the surface of the sea. Elsa drew all the snow into a giant snowflake in one final wave, leaving only a warm summer day.

“I knew you could do it.” Anna congratulated her.

Olaf was melting, “Hands down, this is the best day of my life… And quite possibly the last.”

Elsa acted quickly, “Oh, Olaf. Hang on, little guy.”

With a wave of her hand, she surrounded him with a swirl of air. Above his head now hovered a perpetually-snowing storm cloud. Olaf was overjoyed, “Hey, my own personal flurry!”

Kristoff and Alex both noticed Hans trying to get to his feet. Both of them marched toward him, prepared for a fight. But Anna put up her hands and barely stopped the two men with her arms. She almost fell over. Holding herself, she forced them to halt.

“Uh, uh, uh,” she wanted to handle this herself.

Kristoff looked worried as she stomped her way to Hans all alone, but Alex smiled confidently. She stood before him, glaring.

“Anna? But she froze your heart--” he was thoroughly confused.

“The only frozen heart around here is yours.” she turned away from him, proud of her words. Feeling that she owed him a little more, she spun around and punched him right in the face.

“Ah! Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Hans tripped and fell overboard.

Kristoff stared on, open-mouthed. Alex nudged him and shrugged,

“ That’s Anna.”

Elsa came over to Anna and hugged her. Over her shoulder, Kristoff met Anna’s eyes. She sparkled brighter, happily. As her eyes turned to Alex, that disappeared and was replaced with unease and urgency. Breaking away from her sister, Anna informed hastily,

“Alex! Hans’ guards took over the castle!”

Taken aback, Elsa exclaimed, “What?!”

Alex only smiled calmly, “And we took it back, princess.”

The anxiety vanished from their faces. They looked up at the balconies of the castle, where soldiers and attendants celebrated. The happiness made them smile sincerely at Alex.

Later that day, guards from the Southern Isles and Weselton were returned to their ships, escorted by Arendellian guards. Their hands were tied and combat arms confiscated. All of Arendelle watched as they were moved through the streets—all the foreign soldiers could do was hang their heads in shame. Prince Hans and the duke were not far behind. They, too, were escorted to their ships. First, Prince Hans was thrown into the hold of a ship, where all the soldiers from the Southern Isles were seated, their hands tied. Hans fell facedown before them, his hands tied at the back.

“Hey, guys! Look, here’s Prince Hans!” a soldier mockingly commented.

“Hey! Am I not the prince?! Why didn’t you report to me first?” teased another soldier.

“Ha, pathetic.” added yet another. As Prince Hans got up and sat himself down, an older man admitted, “We should have never listened to him.”

Outside on the docks, the ships were being repaired. The last of the soldiers from Weselton boarded another ship. The French dignitary conveyed to Kai, “I will return this scoundrel and his men to their country. We shall see what his twelve big brothers think of him. I will also inform General Brendan of the conduct of these men.”

Kai was satisfied. Indebted, he expressed, “Arendelle thanks you, my Lord.”

Down on the dock, Arendellian guards led the duke to his ship. As usual, he went on with his cavil, “This is unacceptable. I am innocent. I’m a victim of fear. I’ve been traumatized.”

His lousy acting was all but clearly seen, “Ow! My neck hurts. Is there a doctor I could…? No? And I demand to see the queen!”

Kai stepped down from the gangplank onto the dock.

“I have a message from the queen.”

Reading a scroll, he continued, “Arendelle will henceforth and forever no longer do any sort of trade with ‘Weasel-town’.”

The duke cribbed like a child when his hands were being tied, “Weselton. It’s Weselton!”

He, too, was thrown into the hold of the ship. He got up and looked at his men. They didn’t utter a word but only scowled at him with their hands tied in front. He attempted to throw one last tantrum, “This is incivility! I did nothing wrong! And my neck hurts, I need--”

Hearing this drivel, some men grunted. The duke understood he was getting nowhere. Sitting down, he smiled plainly, begging for their forgiveness. The men returned frustrated looks.

People cleaned up the water at the village square and removed all the wood they desperately used to start little fires. Anna ran through the crowd, tugging a blindfolded Kristoff along.

“Come on, come on, come on, come on,” she demanded persistently. In her excitement, she ran him right into a pole.

“Pole,” said Kristoff. He was completely fine—no doubt he had a thick skull.

“Oops. Sorry.” By the docks, she skipped to the perfect spot and stopped. “Okay, okay. Here we are.”

She took off the blindfold; Kristoff opened his eyes. And before him sat the most beautiful, awe-inspiring sled. Sven posed in front of it, playing a magnificent stag. “I owe you a sled.” continued Anna.

Kristoff was blown away, “Are you serious?!”

“Yes. And it’s the latest model.”

Kristoff found it to be much more than a repayment. “No, I can’t accept this…”

Anna was determined. She said clearly, “Queen’s orders. She’s named you the Official Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer.”

Kristoff found that ridiculous. “What? That’s not a thing,” he said, looking at the medal around Sven’s neck.

Anna asserted, “It sure is. And it even has a cup holder… Do you like it?”

“Like it?” asked Kristoff. He swept her high overhead and spun her around. “I love it! I could kiss you!” He dropped her, suddenly embarrassed. “I could. I mean, I’d like to. I’d… May I? We me… I mean, may we? Wait, what?”

Anna gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, “We may.”

He smiled and went for it. It was a true love’s kiss, alright!

At the marketplace, Olaf was enjoying the summer. With his snow cloud overhead, he was free to smell the flowers. But as he did, he sneezed, and off came his nose. Sven caught it instantly between his teeth and sucked the whole carrot into his mouth—it was gone!

Olaf’s face sank into sadness. To his surprise, Sven brought out the carrot just as quickly and jammed it back onto Olaf’s face, where it belonged. Although it was covered in reindeer spit, Olaf didn’t seem to mind. He hugged Sven tightly.