Chapter 2

King

I don't trust her. I would imagine that is blatantly obvious but what kind of a king, even yet, what kind of a father would I be if I believed every wretched creature's tale of woe? A long since deceased one, for certain. Our kingdom is known for its' peaceful nature, my people agreeable and kind, but all monarchs strain under the weighted threat of assassination. I remain placated that the attempts have been rare, even more so that the conspirators have never gotten past the gates. Yet, against every effort I made at disputing it, we have a mongrel sheltered under our roof that could very well be planning on tearing my throat out tonight! This thought does not make for a peaceful slumber. Correspondence from our southern neighbors tells of more cleverly disguised killers, cloaks and veils no longer the only sign of an early grave. So, why shouldn't I suspect her? Gods above know that my wife melted absurdly easy at the scrawny hide, but the icy hardness I see in her eyes unsettles me. A snake that lies at your feet waits until it's wrapped around your neck to strike.

I could see that venomous look in her eyes tonight across the dining table when she spat a rehearsed apology in my face. Such a struggle it was to keep my anger veiled as I heard of another folly that had left my only daughter in harm's way. Arendelle's only heir being handled so carelessly makes my rage boil shallowly under my skin. Retiring to the quiet of my study has dampened any of my remaining anger for tonight. FWAM! If only I could say the same of the Queen. Please slam the door harder dear, hinges are a common commodity.

"WHAT is the matter with you!?" I do not turn to face my wife; I have found that the rolling of my eyes does nothing to curb the woman's fury. Neither does pretending I'm ignorant of what makes her so incensed. Damn blonde witch, putting my family under some sort of spell.

"She put Anna in danger. I thought I restrained myself quite well."

"There is more horseshit lining your mouth than the stables!"

"We do pay the stable hands well to keep them clean." I suck a breath of air through my teeth. Oh, that retort should have stayed out of my mouth; too much wine with supper has loosened my tongue. I would imagine her face is close to puce by now.

"Obstinate MULE! You know as well as I that Anna has the troublesome bone, we should thank Elsa for keeping her alive thus long!" I'm so glad she's screaming. The servants in the lower corridors wouldn't be able to hear any other way. I let out a breath, another mistake I realize too late. "Don't you huff at me! Anna's life before Elsa can only barely be called living! How can you not see how happy Anna is to finally have a friend?!"

"Oh, I see it. I can't say that I'm pleased!" I holler back, my displeasure at this topic drawing my own voice louder.

My poor child is so foolishly preoccupied with the older. Her behavior has altered so entirely since the heathen began living here, it's as if my perfect little angel is gone. I can easily recall the first time I found them together, Anna cross-legged on the floor across from the rabidity huddled in the corner. My queen had informed me of Anna's visits but I saw no harm in it, as it surely it wouldn't continue to the next quarter moon. It almost saddened me, how attached they both were to the pale thing clinging to existence. Then, one day, a howl had echoed up and down the castle's halls beckoning every able body to the same room. My first instinct was to drag Anna, perhaps screaming and thrashing, out of the room immediately. I should have dragged her away from the shrieking hell beast cohabitating the space. However, I was so completely disconcerted by the scene that I acquiesced to my wife; I allowed it to continue uninterrupted. The feral creature had plastered itself to the wall, trying to meld with the horse hair plaster it seemed. The monster's face was hidden by a greasy sheet of blonde hair and Anna, unrivaled in bravery, was inching forward. Her hands were stretched out, palms up, beckoning softly.

"It's ok, really. Nobody's going to hurt you." She cooed lightly, as if she was speaking to one of the more timid ducklings from the garden. She gleaned no response. The curtain of quaking blonde was too absorbed in staring at the plaster to answer. Pure insanity was all I could imagine. Great, a raving lunatic. We haven't had one of those in a few years. A second previous she had been wailing like her innards were being used to wrap the Maypole and abruptly she was ominously quiet, running her hands up and down the wall. The shaking had stopped and the ragged breathes belaboring her wretched frame had slowed. Anna, having scooted near enough to touch, had then rummaged around in the pouch that adorned the front of her dress. Her hand shot out, a small mud colored chunk settled in her palm. Chocolate. I could see Anna with the ducklings again, offering small bits of bread and meat to their bills. I could also remember quite clearly the scratches that covered her arms after the peeps mother had taken after her.

"Here, try this. It's really good!" Anna had implored, and in response, icy blue eyes had turned to meet teal. They flicked down to identify my daughter's offering, only breaking eye contact for a second. Making no movement toward or away from her, the grubby blonde had studied Anna. Assessing, calculating, I have never hated more how someone has looked at my offspring. My breath had seized solidly in my chest when her hand had sprinted out to gain the presented treat. A physical pain then bloomed past my stolen breath at the sunny smile that graced Anna's face at the response. This must cease before- "I'm Anna! What's your name?" Still gripping the melting chocolate in her hand, the girl had an insane smile glistening on her lips.

"E-e" she started, stumbling over the word. "Elsa." If Anna's smile was sunny before, it had positively shone then.

"Are you even listening to me?!"THUMP! Something skids across my desk, drawing me sharply out of my memories. What has possessed her tonight?!

"Did you THROW something at me?!" I do turn now, brows raised high. "I am the king! You do recall that fact yes? An attempt on my life is rather serious dear!" She sputters at me, hands waving about her head.

"My how dramatic! An old tome is hardly going to kill you darling," she manages to drip more bitterness in the nicety than I was able to muster, "But perhaps it would strike some much needed sense into your thick head!" My pride swells up, stung by her barbs.

"My sense has always been the solid one! I never would have let the little witch stay!" I yell back. Silent indignation settles over her features and I inwardly wince. I let my mouth get ahead of me, yet again. I am the King of Arendelle, controller of navy and trade, overseer of an entire country, and still the thought of my wife's unbridled rage pointed solely to me is unsettling. I can feel the tirade coming, almost read the words as they bubble up inside her throat. Her eyes are piercing into mine, daring me to add more insult. They remind me of Anna. One of the best things she inherited is my wife's eyes. So wonderful they are with their ability for different swirling colors as the light dances through them. However, where there was almost murderous intent in my queen's eyes presently, Anna's held innocence, kindness and trust. So much trust for one so little and aimed at such a worrisome target. Trust should not be easily given; it should be earned, not just thrown at every stray that wanders inside on a cold night. How many times must I repeat- THUMP! Another thick bounded book smacks into the wall behind me.

"I MISSED! That one was an attempt on your life!" Another hardback is already loaded in her hand for assault. Do the servants never put these things away?!

Enough. Any more damn cacophonous racket and the guards are sure to turn my entryway to splinters, swords drawn to eviscerate an intruder. My hands come up to pacify, palms forward, humbly requesting mercy. I will bare my humility to conclude this tiresome brawl, and to protect my door from any further brutality.

"I'm sorry," Not that I am, but the apology hopefully will sooth her fury. "My mouth got ahead of me dear." That much is true; I didn't purposely turn her into an incensed mother badger defending her pups. The book is still held aloft over her head, intent to throw clear on her face. Unexpectedly her anger vacates, like a summer breeze blowing away a winter storm. The tome thuds as it harmlessly smacks the floor, her hands wrapping protectively about her middle.

"Why?" Her voice is small. "Why do you hate her so much?" Shining tears begin welling in my wife's eyes and a boulder sinks heavy in my gut.

"Helena," I step closer, my arms outstretched to console. As quickly as it departed, indignation strikes again and her voice is shriller than before.

"NO! Tell me! Explain to me this resentment you have for a child!" Her foot stamps impatiently. My arms drop to my side as a puff of breath swells my cheeks. I pinch the bridge of my nose, desperately trying to think of a way out of this. Unfortunately, no angel swoops down to bestow me with an acceptable topic change. The time to deflect this conversation has ended. We have belabored this issue at least once a week for the last several months.

"I'm… I'm just trying to protect us." There. Will a modicum of the truth suffice? Her snort of laughter enlightens me to yet another shift in temperament.

"You're afraid of her?" Another unattractive hog-like sound bursts from her followed by laughter of the most uproarious kind. "A girl barely 13 winters old!" She enjoys more hilarity at my expense. As much her display goads my temper, I suppose, mirth is preferred to the previous vehemence.

"Are you finished?" I growl through gritted teeth. Her amusement doesn't diminish but at least she gains the decency to veil the rest of her snickers behind her hand. "I'm so glad you find our safety such a hilarious matter." I snap before I can swallow the scorn, tired of seeing her so entertained. Turning away, I kneel down to gather the innocent books off of the ground. Warmth settles onto my shoulders and back, her chin nestling into the crook of my neck.

"My valiant king," A light giggle follows, her breath wafting against my ear. My shoulders roll halfheartedly attempting to dislodge her.

"Don't patronize me." I grumble as she continues to remain my living cape.

"I wouldn't dare." Another giggle followed by an affectionate nuzzle of her petite nose against my cheek.

"I just… "In weakness I wouldn't show to any other, my voice fails me for a moment. "Just want to keep us safe." Her pleased hum reverberates against my spine.

"I know, darling, and I love you so much for that." This time the endearment is genuine. Her arms tighten lovingly around my collar. "But your suspicions are misplaced." I want to argue, inform her of all the evidence to the contrary, but I don't desire to quarrel anymore tonight. I lean back slightly, enough to enjoy her warmth but not so much as to topple both of us backwards.

"I hope so, dear." But I fear the opposite.

A/N: Hey awesome readers! Thanks so much for the favs and follows and reviews! You guys are the absolute best! I'm really in love with this chapter, the king is just crazy fun to write even if he can be a jerk :P I hope everyone's enjoying this, I've got a long heartbreaking ride planned. ;) Reviews make me very happy!