>>On a bleak Midwinter's Eve, hundreds of people stood in the square, warmed only by the candles each sheltered from the cruel wind. A loving vigil for the tender queen.
>>Anna glared from under the mountain of blankets the servants had heaped on her. Frustrated at the fuss, bothered by all the bother, she'd have told them to go home if she could. Candles in the street wouldn't keep her around any longer. But they never did listen to her, did they?
>>A fit of coughs racked Anna's frail form, and she fell Gerda's soft sweet hands rub her back, heard Kai fussing with the fire again. Poor boy didn't know what to do with himself.
>>"Gerda" she croaked, mentally scowling at how feeble she sounded.
>>"Yes Grandmama? Do you need something?" Sweet thing. So brave.
>>"Open the door dearie. There's someone who wants to come in." She saw the look Kai gave her, and shot him a glare that made him push the logs around some more.
>>Hesitantly, she opened the balcony door, giving a shriek at the guest on the other side. Anna smiled mischievously as he waddled across the room to the bed. She felt his weight as climbed up, like a chubby toddler made of snow.
>>"Anna!" He gasped, his cold breath like a pleasant breeze. "You're so old now!"
>>"Yes Olaf. I'm very old, thank you for noticing and commenting on it. Did you meet my grandchildren?"
>>"Oh yes Anna. The girl smells like flowers and you! And the boy smells like ashes and wood, but he doesn't smell like you at all! Are... you going to die Anna?"
>>"Olaf, when I am gone, I need you to take them North. Take them to Elsa. I think that they should meet her. After all, they already met you."
>>"But I don't want you to go." He sniffled as she pulled him close, grasping his scratchy twig in her hand. In the stuffy heat of the bedroom, his coolness was comforting. Already she felt her eyes getting heavy. Dimly, she felt Gerda's hand holding her other.
>>"Don't be sad Olaf," she whispered softly. "I'm always with you..."
