Disclaimer: Don't own Frozen or Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire at all. For those of you who don't already know, there's two constants in the GoT/ASoIaF universe: blood and sex. Any given 'chapter' of the books will have one or the other, sometimes both. This time, there's no sex. Extrapolate.
Anna smiled, flexing her arm as she sat in Star's saddle. Already her muscles were beginning to swell from the work she'd put in to her training with the sword and the bow, though she'd started to slack on working with her whip. She couldn't get the hang of the wrist movements- oddly enough- but the sword was almost like remembering some long lost skill. The fit of the arakh in her hand was natural, its weight perhaps slightly heavy, but that's what her training was for and Chafka was an excellent teacher, once she realized he was gruff and with everyone and not just her. Sure, it left her sore some nights, but Elsa was always willing to offer a massage and the redhead couldn't find it in her to complain about that. She'd come to very much enjoy the attention lavished upon her by the fearsome warlord.
Anna lifted her gaze and swept it across the khalasar, seeking out the blonde hair she'd come to associate with the peaceful softness of a still night, curled up in a bed of snow and furs. As usual, Elsa was riding at the head of the column, her bloodriders arranged around her, probably discussing their next campsite.
The morning after the wedding, the khalasar had packed up and returned to the Dothraki Sea, striking towards Vaes Dothrak to present Anna as the Jesh Khaleesi's wife and the khalasar's new Khal. While the redhead was more than a little nervous about the whole ordeal, her brother was busy complaining about it.
"I don't see why she thinks I give a damn about their stupid rituals," Hans said, continuing his tirade from earlier that morning. "This is a waste of my precious time."
"So you've mentioned." Sir Kristoff drawled, shrugging off the glare sent his way.
"You're rushing this, brother. The Dothraki would be useless if they marched without adhering to their traditions," Anna remarked, sparing him a glance. Chafka was teaching her not only the disciplines expected of a Khal to master but strategies and tactics as well, especially in regards to the Dothraki way of fighting. "They are a superstitious people. If you invite a bad omen, they will not fight with their full strength and will be tempted to break away to escape divine retribution."
"Just because you're the horse bitch's bitch doesn't mean you know what you're talking about, dear sister." Hans sneered, rolling his eyes. "I think I should remind your beloved wife of her debt to me."
"Would you like to speak to her now? I'm sure her bloodriders would welcome another contributing party to the conversation." Anna offered politely, her smile still firmly in place. It was slowly becoming harder not to openly taunt her brother with how extremely misguided his comments were, how untrue. She wanted to rub it in his face that he would never be the 'great king' he claimed- not 'great' because of his character, not 'king' because of his foolishness.
Hans glowered at her, curling in on himself slightly. Elsa's blooriders terrified him and it greatly amused Anna how misplaced his fear was. He thought they were stronger than their Khaleesi but, truthfully, while they were frighteningly talented warriors in their chosen discipline, they couldn't freeze the air in another's lungs the way the Khaleesi could. "You know I don't speak their disgusting horse tongue."
She laughed at his deflection. "You could learn."
"No. I'd rather not sully my mouth like you no doubt have." He shot her a smug look to which her smile only got wider. She wasn't oblivious to his snide attempt to lewdly insult her; on the other hand, she was pleased with it.
After the first few nights in the Dothraki Sea, Anna came to understand Elsa's comment about affection in Dothraki culture. Sex was common out in the open, for all eyes to see, and the sounds of pleasure taken often filled the air shortly after the evening meal was served.
Kisses and hugs? Not so much.
Luckily for Anna, Elsa truly was not one to push. At least, not in the way that would prompt Anna to object. The blonde had dedicated a significant amount of time to learning every curve of the redhead's body and could offer the barest of touches at the right moment to send the redhead careening wildly off the edge and into the welcoming oblivion of ecstasy. That was something she did quite often, actually- usually after lulling Anna into a state of malleable goo with a massage; she was as insatiable as her warriors in that regard- but it seemed unfairly balanced in the redhead's favor. There were nights she would be lying, spent, barely able to catch her breath and too sensitive to even entertain the very thought of another go, and Elsa hadn't climaxed once, hadn't even tried.
Anna had the sneaking suspicion that Elsa gained almost as much satisfaction from her pleasure as the redhead did.
If there was any balance to be found, it was that Anna was the clear aggressor with simpler acts of affection. Her actions weren't always entirely welcomed- a fearsome warrior doesn't exactly take to the idea of public gentle hugs easily, it seemed- but they were learning together. Only recently had Anna taken to learning the contours of the blonde's body, being more forceful in shifting the attention away from herself to attend to the Khaleesi. It often depended on Elsa's mood, seeing as the redhead needed and wanted direction at times and her Khaleesi wasn't always keen- or able, it seemed- to give it. Their relationship was budding, both of them still in the early stages of learning the other, and it was frustrating at times and rewarding at others.
But that was just a fraction of how they spent their time together- or, rather, the subject matters covered.
Truthfully, most of their time was spent learning: languages, stories, traditions, laws. Her Dothraki was coming along well, to the point she could hold conversations with two of Elsa's kos- a sweet eunuch named Olaf, who was responsible for the non-Dothraki members of the khalasar, and a massive Unsullied named Marshmallow, who looked after the herd of horses under Elsa's command. While Olaf sometimes talked too fast for her to understand, Marshmallow spoke slowly and evenly and sometimes refused to speak altogether, depending on the topic. Still, she could communicate with them and understand most of what was said around the khalasar.
Like gossip.
From what she heard, she was making a good impression on the people who followed the Jesh Khaleesi. They didn't view her as their Khal, not yet, but they accepted her as a welcomed addition to the khalasar. Just as she was, they were pleased with her attempts to learn their language and their fighting, how easily she rode now- although the first week or so was a bit rough, none could claim Anna didn't grin, bear it, and triumph, unlike her brother, who still spent most of his time complaining- and with her seamless adaptation to their style of dress. Of course, she didn't wear the painted vests of animal hide, sticking with the ice vestments Elsa conjured for her, but her ease in them was what counted to most.
They also seemed genuinely happy that their beloved and feared Khaleesi was pleased with the marriage.
Granted, things weren't absolutely perfect- Anna's temper sometimes got the better of her and Elsa could be downright cold in her responses to Anna's antics- but conflict was part of life for the Dothraki. As far as they were concerned, Elsa was better with Anna than without her, which won their favor easier than anything else the redhead could even attempt.
Not that Dothraki- and khalasar gossip- was the only thing Anna learned. Elsa was making good on her promise, also teaching her High Valyrian, the dead tongue of her mother's line. She dabbled in the various peculiar dialects spoken in the Free Cities before admitting that Elsa was right- knowing High Valyrian was akin to knowing them all, even if it made the bastardized versions sound wrong and twisted to her ears. At first, the lessons were difficult and caused both parties considerable frustration, but as she began to grasp the language, the redhead would seek out her wife at random times during the day just to initiate a conversation about nothing in particular just for practice.
Well, for practice and because hearing the language of her mother's people always brought a smile to the blonde's face.
It also made Anna feel special, more special than being the Khal ever could. No one else in the khalasar could understand High Valyrian except Marshmallow, who was wise enough to excuse himself quickly when he heard it unless he was being addressed; their conversations in the language were entirely their own. When they spoke, the rest of the world dissolved around them, which was exceptionally fun to do when Anna decided she wanted a little attention from the busy blonde.
Some attention didn't sound so bad, now that she thought about it.
Anna giggled, leaning forward in her saddle and urging Star faster, leaving behind her brother and the knight. She was careful to gallop in a wide arc, so she didn't startle the other horses in the column, something Kristoff had to explain to her after witnessing several others do so when reporting to the Khaleesi. She wondered if Star would even provoke a reaction if she didn't; the stallion seemed to calm the other horses whenever he was near but she wasn't one to test the theory out.
As she approached the head of the column, Elsa spotted her over her shoulder, a smile instantly claiming her lips. That was something the khalasar had noticed during the first week, how easily the Khaleesi smiled and laughed now that she was wed. It seemed to amuse her bloodriders to no end, though they never specified why.
Anna slowed Star, sliding in beside Elsa as Vorsaka carefully steered his mount to the side to give them room. Even though she could tell Elsa was expecting it, the moment the High Valyrian words rolled off Anna's tongue, the blonde's eyes were shining with mirth. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings to you as well. I wondered where you went." Elsa's smile faltered slightly. "You left after breakfast."
"My brother wished to expound upon me the horrible crimes being committed against him." Anna rolled her eyes. "I swear, one of these days I'm going to snap and throw him in front of a cart or something."
"You could always challenge him to a duel and slay him." Elsa offered, offhandedly. "It would earn you a bell."
"Here we go with the bell thing- always with the bell thing."
"You could stand to be a little less sarcastic, Zhavorsa." Elsa shook her head, the soft tinkling of the bells woven through her blonde locks music to the redhead's ears almost as much as the nickname. "I know you're worried about meeting the dosh khaleen."
Elsa's bloodriders raised their brows briefly but shrugged it off; the men were used to the way Elsa and Anna mixed languages together until it's a wonder they could understand themselves, let alone each other.
"About that: isn't it a little late for them to pass judgment on me? I seem to recall our marriage being consummated. Several times, in fact." Anna winked, licking her lips obscenely to coax a blush out of Elsa.
It worked, something that amused the redhead to no end. For all her passion in private, the blonde seemed reluctant about so much as addressing it in public. Her reply was light, but held a cautious edge to it. "Anna."
"I'm just teasing, you know that," Anna replied, her smile faltering slightly. The redhead tried to keep her voice lighthearted, not wanting to admit just yet that Elsa was right; she was very concerned about the trials to come. Sure, she carried the arakh at her side as the other warriors did, the bow slung across her back, and the whip coiled on her other hip, but that didn't make her a Khal worthy of the Jesh Khaleesi. "Elsa… what if they deem me unworthy? Will they… take me from you?"
Elsa reached across the space between them, leaning in her saddle slightly. Luckily, her mount- Ahesh, or Snow- was not so easily confused and continued straight, merely flicking an ear back to chide her rider. One of Elsa's hands firmly grasped Anna's closest wrist, the other taking the redhead's chin and directing their eyes to meet.
"Nothing and no one in all the kingdoms in all the world will ever take me from you, my dragon."
Anna smiled in spite of herself, reaching up to take the hand on her chin and leaning out of her own saddle to press a soft kiss to Elsa's lips. She felt the blonde stiffen slightly but accepted the gesture without complaint. Star flicked one of his ears back but stayed straight, snorting as if to agree with Snow.
She pulled away, just barely, to speak. "As much as I want to believe that, it's not a promise you can make."
"And yet, it's true," Elsa replied softly, smiling. They shared another kiss before settling their weights back into their respective saddles, much to the relief of their mounts.
Anna reached up and patted Star's shoulder, laughing as he snorted again. They rode on for a time without speaking, nothing but the beating of hooves and the tinkling of bells to fill the air. Then, a shout of alarm sounded from behind them and both women turned in their saddles to see what the fuss was. What Anna saw made her blood run hot.
Elsa suspected a rival khalasar would attempt to attack them on their way to Vaes Dothrak. While the blonde was reluctant to talk about why she was so certain there would be trouble, Anna suspected it had something to do with the kos who left the khalasar when Elsa asked to join. There was too much anger from the bloodriders- especially Chafka and Eyelke- whenever the man's name was mentioned for there to be other explanations.
Given the red banner waving near the end of the khalasar procession, Anna guessed her wife was right.
"Vorsaka, remain here and keep the khalasar moving," Elsa said in Dothraki, already pulling her arakh free. "Chafka, Eyelke, with me. Anna-"
"With you," the redhead replied, her bow in one hand as the other reached for an arrow. "You can't make jokes about me killing my brother to earn my bells, then deny me a chance to earn them with the death of your enemies."
Elsa visibly ground her teeth together, forcing the words past her lips. "You need more training."
"I am the King and you are the Queen." Anna shot back, her irritation beginning to rise. "The only thing I need is to be by your side."
From the slight shiver that went through Chafka and Eyelke, Anna guessed Elsa's anger was manifesting as a cold wind swirling around them. Anna couldn't feel it, the fire of her own anger shielding her, heat coursing through every inch of skin.
"Fine. Just…" Elsa sighed, her grip on sword and reins tightening as her anger morphed into concern. "Please, be careful."
Anna nodded, using her knees to wheel Star around. After some shouted protests, Elsa drew up even with her as they raced towards the rear of the procession on one side, Chafka and Eyelke on the other. The redhead rolled her eyes.
"We make a bigger target now, you know," she shouted above the thundering of hooves and the drawing of blades as half of the Dothraki warriors in the main body peeled out to follow their Khaleesi and Khal into battle, the remainder forming a rear guard for the unarmed.
"Anna." Elsa's voice held a peculiar mix of irritation, anxiety, slight panic, and exasperation.
It was a blend the redhead understood completely and it brought a light fluttering to her heart; only she could melt the woman's frigid logic and prompt her to react on instinct alone.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you!" Anna winked as she slipped the bow from around her torso and grabbed an arrow.
She anticipated a laugh, a sarcastic reply, or something along those lines.
What she wasn't expecting was a sincere: "I'm sure you will."
Anna tried looking back to gauge the other woman's face out of disbelief but an arrow splitting the air mere inches from her face reminded her of the situation. She'd have to examine it later, the immediate circumstances a bit too pressing to ignore. Returning her attention to the outriders charging towards them, the redhead notched her arrow and pulled back on the drawstring as Eyelke had shown her. She adjusted for the distance and let the arrow loose, watching it soar through the air...
... and stab the dirt far ahead of the outriders.
Groaning in embarrassment, the redhead started to reach for another arrow but stopped short at Elsa's shout as the blonde drew up beside her.
"Ready your blade, Dragon!" She held her arakh pointed ahead of them, the edge lined with blue ice that caught the sun. "You won't be able to loose another before they're upon us!"
The Khaleesi was right; already her arrow was lost beneath the pounding hooves of the enemy riders. Not bothering to sling her bow, Anna pulled her arakh free and braced herself, mentally reciting Chafka's words about Dothraki fighting. No matter what, she needed to keep her seat. If she was unhorsed, the redhead was as good as dead. No Dothraki would respect her if she fell from her saddle during battle and she couldn't be a burden to Elsa by failing like that.
That thought was surprisingly motivating.
Her world narrowed to the sound of thundering hooves, tinkling bells, and battle cries, the feel of the sun on her skin and the thick dust in the air rushing into her lungs, the sight of men and their mounts becoming larger as the two forces raced together like two powerful waves, and the taste of anticipation on her tongue. Anna, alongside Elsa and at least two dozen others, were the first to meet the enemy outriders as the waves crashed together. The sun flashed briefly off her own arakh before it was coated in blood as she struck out blindly, catching a rider's wrist, his own blade falling from limp fingers.
For her part, Anna had to grit her teeth against the jarring impact that traveled up her shoulder. Tightening her grip, she focused on pushing past the foreign feeling and keeping her mind focused as Star raced further into the oncoming horde, more warriors hiding just behind the dust cloud kicked up by the outriders.
As another arakh was heading for her chest, Anna swung her blade around and met the blow, directing it away in the nick of time. She didn't manage to get it completely clear, however, as the blade bit into her forehead, splitting a neat line by her temple. The wound wasn't deep but it stung horribly, prompting her to flinch away and her eyes to shut tight against the sensation.
In hindsight, not a very good reaction given the circumstances.
Star's neighing forced her eyes open, thighs clenching together as her horse stopped short, reared up, and struck out with his hooves at yet another rider trying to attack her. Everything she had went into holding on for dear life as her mount caved the man's head in. She couldn't lose her seat; she couldn't be disgraced; she couldn't disgrace Elsa.
Elsa.
As Star came back down, Anna lashed out with her arakh quickly, slicing into another man's chest as he came to aid his fallen comrade. The warrior didn't seem too impressed by the wound however, immediately bringing his weapon down to slice into her. A shift of her hips was all it took to get Star to move, pulling them both away from the deadly arc and allowing Anna another shot at the man, stabbing her weapon forward, driving the tip of the curved blade into his neck. Wrenching her blade free, Anna watched for only a moment as the man's eyes widened in surprise, his death cry a bloodied, gargled mess as he clutched at the gushing wound and fell to the dirt, and then swung her gaze around, looking for the blonde. She swiped at her forehead, trying to remove the blood and sweat dripping into her eye, but winced at the renewed onslaught of pain.
Gritting her teeth, Anna wheeled Star around, seeing for the first time the extent of the battle raging around her through her unaffected eye. A number of Elsa's warriors were arrayed around her, punishing any who tried to charge towards her; apparently, she was something of a target to the enemy khalasar.
The redhead cringed. Did she really need a circle of bodyguards in order to survive the battle? When had Elsa ordered her warriors to do that?
Elsa.
She needed to find the blonde.
Opening both eyes and scanning the chaos around her, Anna's gaze landed on a sight she wasn't anticipating- her brother and Ser Kristoff had joined for fray, the knight expertly blocking and returning blows while Hans clumsily tried to keep himself from getting killed using a battered short sword. With a grimace, the redhead realized her brother would never survive the battle if she didn't try to help. What little love she had for the man demanded she do her best to keep him alive and it greatly bothered her that she still clung to that familial tie.
It was possible Elsa's disparaging remarks regarding her brother were finally taking their toll.
Tapping Star with her heels, Anna rode over to them just in time to bring her arakh down on the shoulder of a man ready to slice her brother's other arm off, effectively gaining his attention. He tried stabbing at her with his blade but the wound she'd inflicted was deep, severing muscle, and she was able to deflect his attack with relative ease.
Just as she was ready to deliver another blow that would render the man useless, if not dead, another blade pierced his flesh, sending flecks of blood flying into her face as it was ripped free. As the man fell from his saddle, Anna's eyes fell on his attacker- Hans, wearing the cockiest smirk she'd ever seen on him. And that was saying something.
"Slaying savages isn't so difficult, is it, dear sister?" He laughed, though by the amount of blood on his sword, Anna could tell that it was likely his first solid strike of the battle, and certainly his first kill. She had more blood trickling from her head than he had on his blade! "I mean, if you can-"
Whatever demeaning comment followed was quickly cut off as a Dothraki whip curled around his neck, the line snapping taunt a moment later. As it did so, her brother was jerked violently from his saddle, arms flailing comically as he dropped his sword and fell to the dirt. As his fingers scrabbled uselessly at the whip around his neck, Anna followed the line to the man wielding it, urging Star into motion as the warrior began to back his own horse up to, presumably, drag Hans to death. Anna swung her arakh in a wide arc, leaning out of her seat to cut the whip first. Then, she followed through with a thrust, using all her weight to drive the point of her blade into the man's chest before he could defend himself. She nearly lost her seat with the attack but managed to keep her legs tight around Star, pulling herself back into her saddle as her latest foe slumped to the ground, blood spurting from his beating heart through the new cut in his chest.
Anna wheeled Star around again, watching as Ser Kristoff dismounted and stood over her brother as Hans curled into a ball, the knight protecting his charge while Sven, the knight's mount, lashed out with hooves and teeth to protect his rider. Though more cumbersome in his armor, Ser Kristoff was no slouch with his longsword, the superior reach of the weapon giving him the edge he needed to keep the enemy riders at bay.
With him watching over her brother- and her brother staying still and not bringing further attention to himself- Anna could focus on finding Elsa.
Which was stupid, if she actually stopped to think about it; the blonde was a widely feared warlord with dozens of battles won, a capable warrior. Plus, she had three bloodriders sworn to defend her. If either of them needed protecting, it certainly wasn't the Khaleesi.
Yet, when Anna caught the barest sight of blonde through the dust and blood and bodies, she immediately turned Star in that direction and charged through the fray, raising her blade to deflect the blows directed at her but not bothering to deal with her attackers. Breaking through an invisible barrier of some sort, Star came to an abrupt halt all on his own, Anna pitching forward slightly at the motion.
There, in a cleared out space with the battle raging all around them, stood Elsa facing off against the rival Khal. He was a massive man, shoulders easily three times as wide as the blonde's and a full two heads taller, all muscle. Unlike his warriors, the Khal had skin as gray as ash and yellow eyes, like a cat's. His arakh was a huge, warped blade that somehow was too black to reflect the sun, muting its light instead.
"I will have you on your knees soon enough, Ice Queen." The Khal jeered, readying his blade. "Once I've filled you with my seed, you will be passed to every rider who follows me. Maybe even the slaves, too. And then the horses."
Elsa didn't bother responding, charging forward instead, the light moving with her.
Anna seethed from her place atop Star. She wanted to help- to fight beside Elsa against the huge Khal and protect her, to force him to beg for mercy for daring to make such a heinous threat against someone who had shown her such unrelenting kindness- but this was a one-on-one battle, a duel that could not be interrupted. She would have to wait and pray to the Warrior to give the blonde courage and strength. She'd pray to the Mother too, just to be safe. And the Maiden. Hells, she'd pray to the Seven altogether plus the Great Stallion at this point!
Frustrated and powerless to intervene, Anna swept her gaze around the invisible barrier, keen to any who might stray too close. It was highly unlikely any would do something so foolish but she wasn't about to take the chance, especially if there was bad blood between the khalasars. Movement out of the corner of her eye prompted Anna to turn Star that way, intercepting a rider too distracted by the deep cut in his thigh to watch where he was riding. It was only at the last second that she recognized him as one of Elsa's warriors, staying her blade in favor of jabbing him in the shoulder with the hand still clasping her bow, Star blocking his mount's path.
"Return to battle or leave!" She roared, already setting Star into motion as she caught sight of an archer getting into position. Anna couldn't be sure if he was aiming at Elsa specifically, but it was better safe than sorry. Unfortunately, he saw her coming, twisting around to loose his arrow at her instead.
Her eyes widened, no time to change course between her realizing the arrow was flying and the impact in her shoulder, which was quickly followed by a sharp, stabbing pain traveling the length of her arm. She might've cried out, she wasn't sure; all Anna could see in that moment, as her face twisted in a grimace, was the archer pulling another arrow free.
She probably would never understand or guess what possessed her to bite into the steel of her blade to hold it, reach up with her newly unoccupied hand to rip the arrow from her shoulder, set it on her own bow, and draw the string with all her might- the whole while ignoring the pain radiating from the wound. Whatever it was, Anna was glad, because this time when she shot, she found her mark, the projectile embedding in the soft tissue of the man's neck and piercing through. As he clasped at the wound, Star brought her close enough to take firm hold of her arakh once more, plunging the blade into the man's stomach and jerking it free, spilling blood over his lap and saddle before he fell to the ground. Quickly turning her head to check on Elsa, the redhead felt her jaw drop at the scene that greeted her.
The Khal was bloodied and matted with mud, clutching a wound in his side that was gushing blood. He was panting, watching Elsa with those beady eyes and putting all his effort into keeping his arakh leveled at the blonde, though it shook and wavered in the air. For her part, the Khaleesi looked completely at ease as she circled her prey. With the exception of a tiny line that barely showed red against the skin of her upper arm, there wasn't a mark on her.
Elsa was toying with the man, Anna realized, and that thought was like a punch to the gut. It wasn't that she'd doubted the blonde's abilities or anything, no, of course not, but it was extremely unnerving to see firsthand what a true warrior looked like.
Suddenly, she felt like a child merely playing at the role.
As self doubt began overtaking her senses, the redhead saw a man- she assumed one of the Khal's bloodriders- break through the far side of the clearing, his arakh raised and poised to strike. Behind him was Eyelke, his own blade flashing dangerously as he urged his mount faster. Anna could tell he wasn't going to catch the man before he reached Elsa though, her arakh clenched tightly in her teeth once more as she set another arrow, hastily taking aim. Drawing the string sent jolts of searing pain up and down her arm but she managed to send the arrow flying, relief flooding her system as the arrow flew true- well, close enough, she was actually aiming for his chest- and plunged into the man's eye socket. He writhed in pain, the motion startling his mount to the point Eyelke caught up and quickly sank his blade into the man's side. Shoving him from the saddle, Eyelke then kicked the other horse in the shoulder, forcing the beast to trample his rider as it changed course.
Eyelke looked back to her, raising his arakh in a salute she returned before raking his gaze over the battlefield. Anna joined him, noting for the first time that the fight itself was over, for the most part. Elsa's warriors dominated the field, many herding the riderless horses away from the fallen while others cleaned up the last few survivors. Anna turned her attention to the Khal, blood spilling down his chest as Elsa pulled her blade from it, slumping to the ground once she wasn't holding him in place. The blonde bent down, cutting his braid as she called out for Snow.
The mare picked her way through the battlefield, white coat only slightly marred by dirt and blood, greeting her rider with a soft nuzzle before Elsa mounted. She raised her arakh over her head, powerful voice sweeping out across the battlefield.
"Victory is ours!"
Her warriors answered, their deep baritones combining into a cry that reverberated through Anna's chest.
The redhead almost couldn't believe it. She did it.
She survived her first battle!
As she blinked, her mind caught up with the events of the skirmish and Anna took stock of herself: the wound on her forehead still oozing blood, the hole in her shoulder that still burned and bled, the sweat, dirt, and blood- not all of it hers- covering her skin. Her left arm was shaking, her right too as she sheathed her blade and slipped the bow over her head as best she could. Breathing was an effort all its own, uneven and unable to match her pounding heart as it began to slow. She could feel the exhaustion setting into her bones, far more drained than after a training session, but she did her best to keep her back straight, sending Star forward and searching the field for her brother and Ser Kristoff.
She found the knight wiping his blade with a cloth, standing over her brother's prone form while his mount snuffed at him repeatedly. As Anna approached, he sheathed his sword, directed Sven away, and put his hands up as if in surrender, a small, apologetic grin on his lips.
"In my defense, it was for his own good," Ser Kristoff said as Anna moved close enough to see the discoloration by Hans' temple. "I didn't have many choices."
"You knocked him out?"
The knight nodded, poking at Hans' unconscious form with his boot. "He tried to get up and fight but he would've gotten both of us killed with that blade."
The redhead's face scrunched up. "Then why did you give it to him?"
"To shut him up." The blond shrugged. "He was jealous that you had one and he didn't. I've been training him but... he hasn't picked it up as quickly as you, Your Highness, and the blade isn't suited to fighting mounted enemies from the ground."
Anna nodded, smothering her amusement as best she could. It wasn't hard, given how tired she felt, but her lips quirked up into a smile regardless. It really didn't surprise her, for some reason; it would make it much harder not to taunt him, though. "Thank you, Ser Kristoff, for saving his life."
"I doubt he'll be as grateful when he wakes."
"Tell him he was kicked by a horse. I doubt he'll remember otherwise." Anna took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as her vision wavered momentarily.
"Your Highness, are you well?" The knight stepped closer, a frown on his face.
"I'm fine, thank you. Just..." She looked around, the metallic tang of blood giving way to the sickening scent of evacuated bowels at the same time as her wounds throbbed painfully, nearly robbing her of whatever strength remained in her. "I'm just tired, that's all."
"If I may, Princess Anna." Ser Kristoff raised a hand, placing it on Star's shoulder. "I strongly suggest you find somewhere to rest. This was your first battle; the shock may be wearing on you worse than you can feel."
"Is that common?" The redhead bit her lip, noting the shaking in her arms had worsened.
Ser Kristoff nodded. "Most men go through it at a younger age, as squires, and one becomes hardened to it over time." His gaze softened slightly. "Have you ever seen death so close? Have you killed men before?"
No. No, she hadn't. It hadn't even really registered to her until that moment; she may have sent a few men to the ground, but it didn't really occur to her that she had killed them. That they would never again see or speak or draw breath because of her blade or arrow. If they had families, their passing would be mourned and it would be her their loved ones cursed for taking their lives.
In one battle, she'd managed to commit many of the same crimes as those who took her family's throne.
Before the guilt could get too strong, however, she heard the other Khal's voice- his threat to Elsa ringing in her ears. Again, anger rose in her chest, and she remembered that each of these men would've gladly taken the blonde as a dog takes a bitch, would've relished her protests, and in a blink of the eye, any guilt she might've felt evaporated, replaced with a sense of righteous justification as she glanced at the dead eyes staring blankly ahead all around her. It didn't change the facts of what she'd done, depriving these men of life; it made her feel extremely more at ease with her actions, though.
So... this was war.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Anna nudged Star away. "I'll take your suggestion under advisement, Ser Kristoff."
The blond hesitated before bowing his head. "As you wish, Your Highness."
With her brother's well-being off her conscience, Anna turned her attention to finding the Khaleesi once more, burying her physical weakness and the tumultuous thoughts raging through her mind. Regardless if her reaction wasn't necessarily a bad one, nevermind the fury that was suddenly tearing through her, the redhead had to remain strong as long as she was within sight of the Elsa's warriors. Or, at least, appear strong. Even if they only ever saw her as a pale shadow of what a warrior could be, she couldn't take the chance of embarrassing the blonde or making her look weak for taking Anna to wife. Plus, she still had the dosh khaleen to impress.
But she could focus on all that later. Now, she needed to find Elsa and... receive some direction, something to do and set her mind to, something distracting.
She found the Khaleesi directing her warriors across the field, each order followed swiftly by those still present on the battlefield. Eyelke and Chafka were by her side, apparently waiting for specific direction themselves. Anna couldn't catch what she told Chafka before the man rode off, heading in the direction the rest of the khalasar had taken, struggling to keep herself together, keep her arms from shaking, keep her vision straight.
Only after the litany of orders ceased did Elsa's gaze fall to her.
It was like blowing out a candle; one moment, she was the fearsome Jesh Khaleesi commanding her horde, and the next, she was Elsa the Lamb Girl, worried and concerned as she quickly urged Snow closer.
"Ghost of the Shepard, Anna, are you alright?" The blonde stopped beside her, reaching out to gently take hold of her chin, inspecting the wound on her head.
Anna replied in Valyrian, as Elsa had addressed her. "I'm fine. What about you?" Her gaze shifted, tracing along the thin line of blood decorating the blonde's arm. "Does it hurt?"
"Does it hurt?" Elsa echoed, as if she couldn't understand what she was being asked. The redhead took this to mean the Khaleesi hadn't even noticed the wound, which was shallow now that Anna got a better look at it, so she pressed on. Or attempted to, anyway, but Elsa cut her off, voice no longer the commanding tone she used to address her warriors. It sounded strained, caught between too many emotions to name. "Anna, I'm fine, but you... you're..." Her brows pinching even closer as she saw the wound in her shoulder. There was a war waging just behind those blue eyes, overwhelming concern battling... something. In her hazy state, she couldn't even begin to guess, no matter how well she could read the blonde's mood regularly. Ice began creeping down her reins, frost cracking as it covered the leather. "H-how many men did you kill?"
"Uh..." She bit her lip, trying to think back to the battle; everything was even fuzzier and muddled than before and she eventually shrugged. "A few? I... wasn't really counting." Anna tried to imagine their faces but all she could remember was the blood and the guilt and the bile waiting to rise into her throat and the simmering anger keeping it all down. She forced a weak smile. "I'm not sure." The blonde nodded, struggling briefly before she apparently made a decision. She unexpectedly moved out of her saddle, twisting around and sliding behind Anna on Star's back. "Elsa?"
"After I joined the khalasar, Chafka and Eyelke became like family to me, even before they became my bloodriders. They trained me as they are training you." Her voice was soft, the words meant for Anna alone as Elsa wrapped her arms around her, coaxing the redhead to lean back and rest against her. "I've seen them after countless battles and raids, bloodied and bruised. I've been through almost as many myself and not all as unharmed as I am now." Elsa pressed her forehead against the redhead's neck. "But I have never felt the fear I feel right now." Anna's brows rose in surprise as she felt cool droplets of water hitting her shoulder. "Neither have I been so thankful- Gods above, I'm so thankful you're alive, Anna."
Anna felt her voice die in her throat, hands coming to rest atop Elsa's. As it so often did, the blonde's touch brought peace and stability to her mind, soothing her worries. Was this what it was like to be truly loved? To have someone genuinely worried and concerned, to feel fear because she might be in danger? Slowly, Elsa's hands moved, one to her shoulder and the other to her head, tracing the wounds there gently, the chill of ice following each stroke of the blonde's fingers. Already the pain was ebbing, giving way to a pleasant numbness as a protective layer of frost was applied to the area. Of course her ever caring Khaleesi would tend to her wounds and lessen her pain.
This was not how Hans would've reacted, had he been conscious. The blood that bound them together paled in comparison to the bond between her and Elsa, she realized, and not for the first time glanced at her right hand and the scar running along it, faint though it was. She'd often compared the affection she felt for the blonde to the books she'd read as a child but it was a fruitless effort; nothing could compare to that moment. It was an enthralling feeling to be held in the arms of one who loved her so much, warmth rising in her chest that set her quivering body still as a new strength filled her.
Sighing happily, she turned her head and pressed her lips against Elsa's temple. "I'm only alive because you believe in me, my Khaleesi."
"I will always believe in you and I'm also... so proud."
That caused her to raise a brow. "Proud?"
"This was your first battle and you've emerged victorious!" Elsa laughed, a breathy exhalation of joy and relief. "Gods, I wish I had stayed with you, seen you fight, watched as the dragon within you came alive and struck down those who dared rise to meet you!"
"You had your role to play, and I mine," she said, chuckling nervously; she hadn't done anything to really elicit such awe from such a warrior, really. Plus, she wouldn't want the blonde worrying over her and possibly getting injured as a result. Anna had no doubt the Khal would've capitalized on such an opportunity, had it occurred.
"Perhaps. Still, I would like to hear you tell the story. This was more than a mere battle, Anna." Elsa hugged her, gently cradling her battered body and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "This was your second step down this road, this journey we started together. Today, you chose for yourself to fight, though the enemies were not yours to defeat. And you won. When we cross the sea and retake the land of your fathers, your bells will sing like so many chimes in the wind. They will hear you coming before you ever step ashore and tremble at the sound."
Anna laughed, highly amused by her wife's excitement. She couldn't deny the words were encouraging and empowering; that the blonde was inadvertently bolstering this fantasy she'd created, where she wasn't merely a passive onlooker as Elsa's khalasar swept across the Seven Kingdoms but rather led the charge beside her.
The two were caught off guard when Eyelke spoke, his rough Dothraki a stark contrast to their smoother Valyrian. "Queen Elsa, your wife fights like a dragon, as lethal up close as she is from afar." His gaze slid to the redhead, bowing his head slightly as he spoke. "The council will be honored to meet you, King Anna."
Anna's eyes grew wide, jaw slack.
"Blood of my blood, see that every living horse is herded and take as much meat from the dead ones as possible. I'll send Chafka and Vorsaka to help while the others set up camp. Send the wounded back as you find them." The redhead could feel the Khaleesi's chest rise and fall with a relieved sigh. "Tonight, we feast!"
Eyelke barked out a laugh, turning his mount and tossing over his shoulder before heading off: "It's a celebration a long time coming!"
Anna waited until he was out of earshot before looking over her shoulder. "Did you tell him to say that?"
"No," Elsa replied, her voice firm though there was a tinge of amusement to her tone. "I do call you Zhavorsa often enough that he may have picked up on it on his own, but I have never said why I call you such." She lowered her voice slightly. "Perhaps he can see it like I can, the dragonblood running through you. You could ask him."
It actually wasn't Eyelke calling her a dragon that had caught her attention; it was being recognized as King. Though they were married for over two months, Anna hadn't actually been called 'Khal' by anyone yet. Whenever she was addressed in Elsa's presence, the question was always directed at the Khaleesi in some way, like 'does your wife agree' or something of that nature. When Elsa wasn't around, she wasn't addressed by name or honorific, seeing as the Dothraki found her given name slightly unwieldy and difficult to remember. Anna just learned to respond to a certain inflection Elsa's khalasar tended to use when speaking to her, an almost curious sort of hesitation as if even they didn't know what to make of her quite yet.
For some reason, Anna didn't bother bringing any of this up to Elsa.
"Maybe later." She sighed deeply, no longer in pain but suddenly very weary, her vision once again wavering. "Right now, I think we should... do... whatever you just said you were going to do."
"Right. Chafka should've caught up to the rest of the horde by now, so they'll be easy to find. We'll need to get the huts set up so the healers can properly tend to the wounded." Elsa shifted her knees, as if to guide Star herself, but the stallion staunchly refused to move, flicking both ears back in a display of annoyance. "... Ah."
"Forget something?" Anna teased, rubbing his shoulder to placate him for the moment.
"Not... exactly." The blonde admitted, her voice sounding a tad bit sheepish for a change. "A Khal never shares his mount with anyone, not even his bloodriders. Certainly not with a Khaleesi. Granted, tending your wounds was the more pressing issue..." Beckoning Snow closer, Elsa returned to her saddle, allowing Anna the blissful opportunity to see the blush rising in her cheeks. "But I'm actually surprised Eyelke didn't mention it."
"Elsa, love, why would he?" She laughed, relishing the slightly dumbfounded smile spreading across her wife's face. "He's sworn to the Jesh Khaleesi, the Child of the Mother of Mountains, who will give life to the Stallion Who Mounts the World, commands ice and snow at her fingertips, and married a woman foreigner besides. Do you really think he'd question a silly thing like breaking a tradition to tend to my wounds?"
"I suppose you have a point." Elsa admitted, setting Snow on the path to track down the khalasar, Star close on the mare's heels as they broke into a canter. "It's a good sign, truly; it will be easier to convince them to cross the sea if they are so devoted to me."
Anna grunted in acknowledgment but frowned slightly, her grip on the reins tightening. Sure, that was the plan, to cross the sea and reclaim her family's throne, the whole cause of all of this... but Anna was beginning to wonder about that. Specifically, what would happen after. She pushed it away for the time being, focusing on following Elsa back to the khalasar.
Anna pouted when she later realized Elsa still considered her part of the wounded. Sure, she was looking forward to the rest, but not ahead of anyone else. "But I'm fine! You already took care of me!"
"Hush, Anna," Elsa replied, pushing the redhead back into the mound of furs with one hand while she held a bowl filled with water in the other. "If I don't clean them now, they will fester."
The redhead groaned, rolling her eyes as she complied. After fighting so hard to appear strong, it was only a slight relief when Elsa immediately ordered her into the first standing grass hut that was finished, setting her kos to the task of setting up the rest of camp and preparing for the feast once the sun set. It bothered her greatly that others were probably hurt worse than her and were still out on the battlefield but there was nothing to do, especially once the blonde set her with one of her icy glares when she tried to argue.
She turned her head away from the wound in her shoulder as her wife began gently dabbing at the pierced flesh with damp cloth, trying her hardest to put on a brave front. It stung something awful and she didn't want to think about the cut on her head yet. "Are you sure this is okay? Aren't there others who need help more than me?"
Elsa drew back enough to look Anna in the eye. "Most of my surviving warriors were only lightly injured; Chafka and Eyelke gave me a full report before I started giving orders. Our honored dead will be brought back for their funerals and those who need it will be received by the healers." She raised a brow. "You, on the other hand, have to put up with me tending your wounds, so stay still and stop pouting."
"You just don't want anyone else touching me." Anna playfully accused, feeling slightly petulant over the coddling.
"You're damned right I don't." Elsa muttered in Common, realizing belatedly that the redhead could still understand her and rolling her eyes at the smug grin claiming Anna's lips. "Tease me all you want; it's true and I'm not denying it."
Rather than needling the woman who was tending to her very tender shoulder, the redhead looked at the silver bell lying on the ground beside Elsa's knee. Because she didn't think to cut the braids of her enemies before leaving the battlefield, Anna had only a single bell to denote the victorious day. On the other side was a small pile, three to four of bronze, silver, and gold each, all taken from the braid of the slain Khal. Elsa would jingle all the louder with every step for the victory and while it didn't exactly damage Anna's pride to see the difference in combat experience between them, it certainly made her feel a bit silly for not collecting at least one braid.
Not that she would be able to tell the men she killed from the slew of others; her memory was still a bit foggy, though that could be from the exhaustion that was beginning to sap her strength once more now that she was reclining quite comfortably on furs in the Khaleesi's tent.
"You did far better than your brother, from what I heard." Elsa casually pointed out, inspecting the wound again once it was cleaned.
"Like that was a difficult feat." She mumbled in reply. "I still feel like a fool for getting hurt and forgetting the bells."
"Zhavorsa, don't be so hard on yourself. Even the mightiest warrior must start as a bumbling apprentice." The blonde picked up another bowl, spreading an ointment that smelled awful on her fingers. "Brace yourself; this is going to hurt." She warned before applying it and it stung worse than when the wound was made. Anna couldn't help but hiss and thrash slightly, eyes shut tight against the pain. "It will ease soon."
"What was that?" Anna gritted out, feeling a strong, irrational surge of anger burn its way through her, overpowering the pain as the redhead clenched her hands into fists and thrashed harder, prompting a weight to settle over her hips to restrain her.
"The Dothraki call it dragonfire." Elsa's voice sounded from somewhere above her as ice cold cloth was pressed against the wound, deft fingers wrapping a length of leather around her shoulder to secure it in place. "Most pass out the first time it is used on them."
"I can see why. It's miserable." She groused, blowing out a breath and opening her eyes, feeling her heart stutter as she saw Elsa perched atop her, the weight on her hips belonging to the blonde's own.
The blonde favored her with a gentle smile, reaching out to lightly brush red locks back before tracing the edge of her head wound. "I fear you may succumb to the darkness this time."
"Will you be here when I wake?" She whispered, the ebbing anger taking the last of her strength with it.
Elsa leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. "And while you sleep, Zhavorsa."
"Then I needn't be afraid," Anna replied, eyes closing as her wife began cleaning the wound. When the ointment was applied, she briefly fought against the pain before blacking out.
Anna woke some time later, the sound of camp signalling the return of Elsa's warriors as they cajoled and began celebrating their victory. Already she could smell the cooking horse meat, noting the color of the sunlight as it fell through the open doorway when her eyes opened. The feast wouldn't start for a few hours yet. Not really ready to entertain the idea of sitting up, the redhead turned her head slightly, gaze falling on the blonde beside her. Elsa had kept her word yet again, falling asleep on her side, one arm draped across Anna's stomach and showing no sign of having left.
A smile spread across her lips as she watched the Khaleesi sleep. In slumber, she looked like a child- innocent and care free, even with the light dirt covering her skin. Anna could only imagine what she looked like in comparison, caked in dried blood and mud, reeking of death and sweat. It was a wonder the blonde could sleep at all, lying so close to her.
And yet, she had, likely the whole time she'd been unconscious, just so Anna wouldn't wake alone. With Elsa, she was safe... and loved, oh so very loved.
It was strange. For all their exchanges of affection, for all Elsa's passionate caresses, their lessons together- through all that, they'd never once actually admitted to loving the other aloud. It didn't seem to be a common saying among the Dothraki, unsurprisingly, so she doubted if anyone noticed. She hadn't even truly realized it until after the battle and it felt like she had some catching up to do.
Carefully rolling onto her side, Anna pressed her lips against the blonde's cheek, speaking in Common. "I love you." She moved to her forehead, switching to Dothraki. "I love you." Down to her lips, in Valyrian. "I love you, my Elsa."
She felt her wife shift, the arm still around her waist tightening as Elsa smiled into the kiss, returning it gently. When they parted, Anna watched as her eyes fluttered open, blue orbs sparkling like the brightest jewels. "Well, that's certainly a wonderful way to awaken." Ana just smiled, readily accepting another kiss, this one more heated as Elsa coaxed her onto her back, the blonde looming over her. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, though I haven't tried moving too much," she said, nuzzling into the hand that gently cupped her cheek. The motion didn't send spikes of pain lancing through her head or shoulder, so the redhead assumed the worst of it had passed. "I think I have my personal healer to thank for my speedy recovery."
"Don't thank me yet." The Khaleesi frowned slightly, keeping her tone soft yet adopting a firm edge. "You must allow your body time to rest. No more training until you're completely healed." She opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it, whining low in her throat instead and nodding reluctantly. "Good."
"Queen Elsa." Elsa sat up and turned, looking over her shoulder at Marshmallow, who was standing in the entryway of the tent. In one hand he held a bowl while the other was cupped, palm facing up, and apparently empty. "For the King."
With only slight reluctance, the blonde rose, walking over to the massive Unsullied as Anna carefully got to her feet. Her shoulder stung slightly and her head swam briefly but the sensations passed almost as soon as they came, allowing the redhead to feel significantly better about herself. At least she wouldn't be leaning on Elsa throughout the evening meal, which would likely last longer than usual. At the tinkling of bells, Anna looked up, noting the bowl was deposited on the ground by Elsa's feet while she accepting a small pile of bells in her cupped hands. With a word of thanks, Marshmallow excused himself as the blonde turned, a wide smile on her lips.
"It seems Chafka and Eyelke were very thorough in tracking down your slain foes, Dragon." She held her hands out, showing Anna the bells that were apparently hers to wear. She counted at least twelve and felt herself swelling with pride. "As soon as you've washed, I'll show you how to weave them into your braids."
Anna bit her lip, reaching up to idly touch one of the mentioned plaits. "Can I still wear them? I mean- Dothraki usually only have a single braid, right?"
"You are not Dothraki," Elsa replied, shrugging as she set the pile down, adding the silver bell from earlier and keeping the pile separate from her own. "Truthfully, if I can break such a tenant as sharing your saddle, I see no reason you can't wear two braids." The blonde reached out, lightly grasping Anna's hand. "And I like your braids. They suit you well."
Smiling, the redhead nodded, turning towards the washing basin in the corner of their tent. It was one of her wedding gifts, ridiculously ornate in comparison to their surroundings but a welcomed departure nonetheless. She was actually a little eager to wash now that she had the energy; the dried mud and blood caked on her skin was beginning to make her itch.
Unsurprisingly, Elsa helped prepare her for washing, fingers light as the ice disolved into nothingness and her braids were gently undone. The blonde helped her into the basin, fetching water she'd ordered heated; unlike her wife, Anna prefered her baths to be near scalding and felt her muscles relax as the water was poured over her. She'd thought Elsa's willingness to assist her in bathing odd, seeing as it was typically a role relegated to servants, but the Khaleesi had argued that helping the Khal prepare for anything was a position of honor and her right.
In light of their previous conversation, Anna suspected that was only partially true but revelled in the sensations regardless, barely able to supress pleased moans as skilled hands washed and smoothed away the vestiges of fatigue from her. The blonde was diligent as she worked, amusement tugging at her lips as the redhead couldn't help but respond to her touch. It was clear that her wife was exercising restraint, lingering in the areas she most liked to focus on during their intimate moments, and there was an absolute thrill running through Anna's frame at the promise that would no doubt be fulfilled later that night.
"Anna, Zhavora anni." Elsa's voice was soft, tickling her ear as a hand smoothed down her stomach and the other trailed along her chest, the blonde leaning her upper body against Anna's back. "I love you, too."
The words were reverential, spoken like a prayer, rolling off the blonde's tongue like she hadn't actually said the words in years. Instantly, Anna turned and captured those lips in a passionate kiss. This was love, something deep and moving, that settled in her chest and spread throughout every inch of her, warmer than any fire and engulfing her rapidly.
It was almost impossible to think that barely three months ago, she'd dreaded meeting this woman.
During the celebratory feast, Eyelke lightly teased Elsa about her sharing Anna's saddle, making a rather lewd joke about waiting at least until they were dismounted before mounting her wife. Vorsaka laughed so hard he nearly passed out, Chafka chuckled, Elsa spat out her mare's milk, and Anna nearly choked on the horse meat she'd been eating. As she often did, Anna listened to the conversation between the bloodriders and their Khaleesi, the two men who'd ridden into battle with them relaying Anna's exploits far more coherently than the redhead could, though she felt Eyelke exaggerated the part about shooting the enemy bloodrider. Thankfully, Hans had yet to fully recover, taking no part in the celebration in favor of nursing his wounded pride. Regardless of the disparaging remarks he made about them, her brother wasn't keen on giving the Dothraki opportunity to mock him, even if he couldn't understand their jibes.
Or perhaps it was the crown wrought in ice that set him in a foul mood. After her bath, Elsa had reapplied her magic after examining the wounds once more, expanding her top to cover her shoulders and hide where the arrow struck her. To disguise the wound to her head, the blonde had created a crown with a dragon's head in the center.
Ser Kristoff managed to catch a little bit of what Chafka was saying and tapped her on the shoulder, a small smile on his face. "You really pulled the arrow from your own shoulder to fire back at the man who shot you?"
"It seemed reasonable at the time." Anna shrugged, taking a sip of her wine.
Ser Kristoff nodded, clearly impressed. "A rash decision, seeing as it probably caused just as much damage when it was ripped out as it did going in, but, given the circumstances, very quick thinking on your part, Princess." He waited a moment, chewing a piece of horse meat thoughtfully. "I trust you... recovered from the shock of it all after some rest, yes?"
The redhead glanced to her right, where Elsa sat, the Khaleesi blushing slightly as she threw back sharp retorts at her highly amused bloodriders. "Absolutely."
"Good- excellent actually." The knight lifted his mug for a long pool, scratching at his face nonchalantly. "Some never get over the shock; it plagues them. It's good to see you in high spirits after such a battle."
"You've been in many battles yourself, Ser?" He nodded, but said nothing, prompting her to ask a different question. "Did you... live in the Seven Kingdoms long before sailing across the Narrow Sea?"
Ser Kristoff set his mug down, turning towards her with something strange flashing in his chocolate brown eyes. "All my years, save the past one, and I spent most of them in the Riverlands." He turned slightly, pointing to the bear's head sigil on his shoulder, as if she should instantly recognize it, which she didn't. "I served Clan DunBroch, Wardens of the Riverlands."
The redhead bit her lip, certain the title should invoke some basic understanding in her. It didn't. She could barely recall the realm's map, having glimpsed it only a handful of times. Anna started when a hand clasped her shoulder, pulling her from the deep concentration she'd slipped into in trying to remember.
"Given your only teacher in these matters, I don't blame you." Ser Kristoff shrugged. "From what I've heard, he was never very good at his lessons." Biting back a smart remark, Anna bid him continue; she was pretty sure a knight wasn't supposed to insult the rightful heir to the throne but she could hardly argue against him. "The continent originally had few borders, if any at all, and was constantly at war. When your ancestors conquered the continent, King Adgar the First split the realm into seven kingdoms based on language or social structure- whatever was deemed common enough to bind the people together and rally under a single banner. Then, he appointed a house to bear the banner for each of the Kingdoms, enobling them to become his court, and proclaimed himself King of the Realm. Thus, the realm was born as we- well, I know it today." He spat out a laugh. "I should correct myself; that's how the realm was before Arendelle was sacked."
Anna nodded, slightly distracted as the light of the bonfire reflected off the bells woven through her hair. She didn't have nearly as many as her wife but- given how short her hair was- she still looked a little impressive when compared to some of the younger Dothraki men, those who hadn't been at the front lines during their first battle. "What is the state of the realm now?"
She almost didn't want to know, judging by the look Ser Kristoff shot her.
"It's state is bad, to be blunt," he gruffly responded, shaking his head. "The noble houses have refused to bend the knee to the Usurper. He spent three years trying to coerce their compliance with threats of violence, raising an army of sellswords and peasants at the command of criminals. He forgave those banished from the realm if they fought for him. His army is darkness personified. Then he marched." The knight shook his head. "The past ten years have been hell. He first tried marching south to Dorne, but Lady Maleficent has blocked him somehow in the Dornish Moors; they say even the trees fight under her command. Princess Aurora hasn't sent word from Sunspear since. Even ravens have lost their way. The Usurper then marched on the Riverlands, my home. Former home." Meloncholy tinged his voice as he continued, staring into his ale. "Lord Fergus of Clan Dunbroch was forced to abandon Riverrun and act as a rear guard as the Usurper's army swept through the land, burning fields and slaying whomever they encountered. The smallfolk were sent north ahead of them, past The Neck, and Lord DunBroch took up The Twins as a defensive position to keep them safe. Last I heard, they were still under seige but holding." Ser Kristoff passed a hand over his face. "The Usurper then tried marching on the Vale of Arryn, but Lord Corona had already pulled his people back behind the Moon Door. He was slain during the intial fight to take it but Lady Corona has held the Eyrie in his passing, though she, too, can't be reached by raven or messenger."
"Arendelle was my family's seat, the ruling Kingdom." Anna cleared a space on the low wooden table, trying to trace what she could remember of the Seven Kingdoms on its surface. When her finger failed to make a noticable line, she used her meal knife to etch into the surface, branching off from the blob. "Dorne, to the south, is ruled by the Lords of Sunspear. The Riverlands... aren't their neighbors, though..." Her knife's progress halted as she looked up, frowning. "The Middle Kingdom. It stretches from the western coast to the eastern. What of them?"
Ser Kristoff sighed. "Lord Fa ordered the smallfolk retreat to the Riverlands when the Usurper began his march on Dorne. He retained a battalion at Highgarden to stall but, when the Usurper took the city, he was executed. His daughter, the Lady Knight Mulan, fights beside Lord DunBroch at The Twins."
The redhead's frown deepened. The Middle Kingdom was the realm's primary farmland while the Riverlands provided fish and other sea creatures. Combined, they were the primary food sources for the realm. "So, Dorne and the Vale are closed off, the Middle Kingdom and the Riverlands lost, and Arendelle still under the Usurper's control. What news have you of the North and the Iron Islands?"
The knight barked out a mirthless laugh. "The Islands are the only reason the war still rages. Lord Trident has his fleet capturing as many vessels bearing the Usurper's sigil as he dares let sail and smuggling as much food and wares to the North as the Iron Fleet can carry. Last I heard, all seven of his daughters have taken to the sea, and two have been claimed by their blasted Drowned God. Still, they fight. As for the North... well, Lady Snowrose is doing her best to keep the peace in Lord Snowrose's absence. Although reluctant to take up arms against his brother, The Beast marched his northmen to The Twins and holds them beside Lord DunBroch."
Anna leaned back, examining her crude map of the Seven Kingdoms. Effectively, three of the seven were under seige, two lost, one controlled, and one still free. It was a grim picture indeed. The enemy's host was great but ill prepared, which was probably her people's only saving grace. Though outnumbered, they were better armed and trained... but that could only last so long. One side would be broken and though it logically looked to be the Usurper's army, she wasn't sure if that was an entirely good thing. The Usurper could be killed and the realm would rejoice, especially if he'd resorted to such desperate measures to secure his army. If House Corona or the Princess of Dorne were still strong, though, it could lead to another struggle for the crown before she even reached the Seven Kingdoms. It would be much more difficult to reclaim her family's seat then, for she would no longer be a returning Queen but a late challenger.
"Have any laid claim to the throne?" She eventually voiced, turning her head to watch Ser Kristoff's reaction.
His reaction seemed genuine enough, the knight blinking a tad owlishly at her. "Surprisingly, no. I can't say for sure what's happening in the Vale or Dorne, but the Wardens of the Middle Kingdom, the Riverlands, The Iron Islands, and the North still fly the Firemane colors above their own at The Twins. Lord DunBroch originally claimed that only the Firemanes could unite the realm, so the Wardens of the Kingdoms demanded independence instead of bending the knee to the Usurper, since he claimed all members of the royal family were slain during the sack. About two years ago, word began to spread that the Prince and Princess survived the sack and were smuggled to Essos, so the Wardens again flew the Firemane colors and sent some of their knights to Essos to find the rightful heirs."
"Which is why you're here," Anna said, sitting back and staring at the map she'd drawn, finger tracing over the borders. Her brother was wrong; their people were fighting against the Usurper as hard as they could. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Elsa grow concerned, watching her fingers tracing the borders of her etching.
"Has something displeased the King?" Chafka rumbled, his voice low and one hand twitching towards his arakh.
"No. Bearhead was merely talking about the land from which they hail; a craven Milk Man has brought dishonor upon himself and it displeases her." Elsa explained to her bloodrider, turning her atention to the knight. Vaguely, it amused Anna that the Dothraki called him Hlizifoggo, or 'Bearhead', rather than one of the slurs they used for Westeros knights or his given name, which was more difficult for them to pronounce than Anna's. "Ser Kristoff, could you tell us a bit about the Riverlands?"
The knight didn't even bat an eye at the Khaleesi's request and Anna smirked. So, the man was aware that the warlord spoke Common. Apparently, only her brother had missed out on that tidbit of information.
"Yes, Bearhead, speak of the home of King Anna," Vorsaka said, raising his glass. "Let us hear of the land that bore the world a dragon!"
"Of course, if it pleases Her Highness." Anna nodded, giving her permission without looking at him. Ser Kristoff cleared his throat slightly as he switched to Dothraki, holding the rapt attention of all the Dothraki warriors at the table.
Anna was listening, though distantly, her mind instead painting a picture of the realm she was to reclaim. The cities, the towns, the farmlands... it was no place for a Dothraki khalasar. There was no place like the Dothraki Sea in the Seven Kingdoms, no place for the nomadic horse lords to roam free and she couldn't imagine the dark skinned warriors remaining stationary too long. The Dothraki were born and bred to ride and fight; setting them in the realm and expecting them to bend to the laws wouldn't end well, she felt.
She turned her head slightly, looking at Elsa as the blonde sat beside her, listening intently to Ser Kristoff describe the lush riverbanks and foggy morning air of the Riverlands.
Her right palm burned. Their blood oath only lasted until the throne was won. But if the khalasar couldn't stay in the Seven Kingdoms and the Wardens wouldn't bend the knee to anyone not a Firemane...
... what would happen to Anna and Elsa once the war was over?
Author's Note: So, truth time: I actually meant to set this to 'complete' and not touch it for a while- several months at least. Due to a problem when posting, that obviously didn't happen. I started looking at what I have written for it once I noticed the error and did the second chapter to hammer some things out. Unfortunately, I've misplaced my copy of Game of Thrones (the book) and all my horseback/combat reference books, so I'm basically flying blind over here. (Yes, I have, like, three books I specifically keep for the way they describe mounted combat. I can't find any of them presently, though.) Sorry for (what I feel to be) the poorer quality of this chapter in comparison to the last but I did my best with what I have available. I wasn't expecting this to be well received, so a big thanks to all of you who have faved, followed, and reviewed. I probably have enough of this universe to do another chapter, but I'm not sure when it'll be ready to post. Also, I think it was actually Bronn who used a longsword (or something of the like, maybe a claymore? It's been years...) rather than Ser Jorah, but I think the variable style of fighting would suit Kristoff better than a knight's sword and shield.
... and now, for some reason, Kristoff in Alistair's armor from Dragon Age: Origins has popped into my head. Elsa as Morrigan, Anna as Leliana, Marshmallow as Sten, Hans as Zevran, Sven as the Mabari Hound... Gerda as Wynne and Kai as Oghren. Olaf as the merchant you have in your camp. Just imagining the costumes is highly amusing. Wow, I'm a nerd.
