The cold gnawed at them as they descended the mountain path. Anna leaned heavily against Kristoff's side, her steps growing weaker with each passing minute. Sven trotted ahead, Olaf bouncing beside him with a bright smile that never dimmed, even in the worsening storm.
Trailing behind and beside Anna were two Naruto clones, alert and steady. One scouted the trail ahead. The other kept close, eyes flicking between Anna and the snow-covered woods.
"Man, this blizzard isn't letting up," the scout clone muttered, shaking snow from his blond hair.
The one beside Anna nodded. "We gotta move faster. She's getting colder."
Anna forced a small smile as she stumbled. "I'm fine," she said, even though her voice trembled with the effort.
The clone caught her arm gently, steadying her. "You're not fine," he said with a quiet grin. "But that's okay. We've got you."
Kristoff glanced down at her, concern tightening his brow. "Come on. It's not far now."
Anna pressed a hand to her chest. The chill inside her had deepened — not sharp like the wind, but slow and heavy, like frost forming where warmth should be. She could feel it climbing — spreading.
Olaf peered up at her, blinking. "Whoa! Anna, your hair's all... sparkly!" he said, cheerful as ever.
The clones exchanged a brief look. Worry flickered between them. They needed to hurry.
---
Kristoff urged Sven forward, carving a path through deepening snow. The group followed in his tracks. Olaf occasionally hopped onto Sven's back when the snow got too deep for his tiny legs.
The clones moved with quiet efficiency — clearing low branches, lifting Anna over icy rocks, even carrying her for short stretches when her legs refused to hold her. Despite the growing urgency, they kept things light.
"So, trolls?" one clone asked, raising an eyebrow at Kristoff.
"Yeah," Kristoff said, managing a grin. "You're gonna love them."
"They're really nice!" Olaf chimed in. "And they roll!"
Anna gave a faint laugh. Even that hurt — her breath caught sharp in her chest. But the warmth from the clones — their kindness, their steadiness — helped more than she could say.
They didn't treat her like she was broken.
They just stayed close.
The trail opened into a quiet, stony clearing surrounded by ancient rocks dusted with snow. The air was still, almost expectant.
Kristoff slowed Sven to a halt and helped Anna slide down. She staggered — nearly fell — but a clone caught her quickly, one hand steady on her back.
"Easy," he said softly.
Anna nodded weakly, holding onto his arm for balance.
---
At first, the valley seemed silent.
Just snow. Rocks. And air cold enough to sting every breath.
"Where's your family?" Anna asked, teeth chattering.
Kristoff smiled. "They're right here."
He crouched and placed a hand on one of the stones.
The rock shifted beneath his fingers — then rolled and unfolded into a small, round creature with mossy hair and gleaming eyes.
Anna gasped.
Even the Naruto clones stiffened, half-raising their arms out of instinct before realizing the little creatures weren't a threat.
Olaf squealed. "They're alive!"
"Told you," Kristoff said proudly.
The trolls surrounded him instantly — tugging at his cloak, patting his arms, beaming with joy.
"You're back!"
"And you brought friends!"
"And a girl!"
Kristoff turned bright red. "It's not like that," he muttered.
Anna managed a weak smile. It was almost funny — or it would've been, if the cold weren't clawing at her from the inside.
The clones relaxed, watching the reunion. For a moment, it felt almost like safety.
Then the crowd parted.
From deeper within the stones, an older troll emerged — slower, more serious. His eyes were wise and kind.
"Grand Pabbie," Kristoff said, his voice shifting instantly to respect.
The elder troll approached Anna and placed a gentle hand on her arm. His smile faded.
"Oh, my dear..." he whispered.
Anna swayed. Both clones stepped in without hesitation, keeping her upright.
Grand Pabbie looked up at the group gravely. "Her heart has been frozen," he said. "If not tended to soon... she will freeze completely."
Kristoff's face went pale. "Is there anything you can do?"
Pabbie's expression grew sad. He shook his head.
"Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart."
Anna stared at him, her vision blurring slightly.
True love...
One of the clones quietly pulled off his scarf and wrapped it around her shoulders. His voice was gentle but certain. "Hang in there, Anna. We'll figure it out."
Pabbie gave a slow, solemn nod. "You must hurry. Time is slipping away."
Kristoff looked down at Anna, heart pounding. He didn't know what the answer was. Not yet.
But he knew one thing:
He wasn't going to let her slip away.
Not now. Not without trying everything.
---