Anaea had been consistently dining with the royal sisters every night for the past week now. Occasionally their meal would be joined by Kristoff and just like the first night, Anna would excuse herself relatively early to leave Elsa and Anaea alone in the hopes that the two would grow closer.

The two women had indeed been growing closer in the past week, they spent hours after dinner talking to one and other and had grown to know each other very well. The two women also could not deny to themselves that what had started out as a simple attraction had grown even more. They seemed to crave time together and looked forward to their evenings together more than any other part of their day.

Anaea stood on the hill overlooking the training ground and watched as her men showed the Arendellian recruits how to execute simple drills and commands. Anaea was very pleased with the progress so far and was proud of her men and their dedication to training the new men into the army.

Lieutenant O'Neil was currently in command of the training for the day as she supervised the proceedings. O'Neil was a capable officer and a close friend and she was extremely proud of her Lieutenant and his efforts in the training procedures of the past few days. The new recruits had taken well to the Albionium command and were showing the foundations of becoming excellent soldiers in Arendelle's quickly growing army.

Captain Nilsen had also come to warm to their presence in Arendelle and had become to show his gratitude to their much-needed help.

"They look amazing." Anaea was startled out of her thoughts by the sudden presence of the Queen at her side. She couldn't help the large smile that spread across her features at the other woman's presence and held her head up higher.

"Indeed, your people are coming along nicely, in a few months they should be ready to join your military properly and it would be doubtful that you would need our continued assistance."

Elsa looked disappointed in her answer. Anaea knew why, in a few months when Arendelle no longer needed Albionium support she would have to leave with the rest of the Albionium military and it was doubtful that she would be able to see Elsa for a very long time.

"Let's not think about that just yet shall we, whilst I still have you here I intend to cherish every moment I have with you."

Anaea looked over at the Queen, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. The two women had never really broached on the subject of either how they felt for one another or what would become of their connection once Anaea had to ship out.

"And I shall cherish every moment I have with you, Elsa."

Elsa looked into Anaea's eyes, a serious look on her face. She had grown very fond of the other woman in the past week and her feelings for the Captain had grown immensely. She glanced down from Anaea's eyes and to her lips, they were so close, if she leant just a few inches in then she could capture the other woman's lips with her own. It all seemed so simple.

Without thinking the two women moved closer together, their gazes switching from their lips to their eyes. Just as Anaea was about to finally close the distance between the two a loud shout was heard from the training ground, dragging the two back to reality. They were still outside, still where everyone could see them.

Elsa looked away from Anaea and back to the training ground to watch the men in their drills.

"So, Elsa, what brings you down here?" Anaea wanted to break the tension that surrounded the two women since their almost kiss, it was unbearable to be so close to what she wanted more than anything and not be able to claim it.

"I needed a break and I thought why not be productive and look how the men are improving at the same time," Elsa looked in thought for a moment before finally saying what she wanted to without fear, "and I wanted to see you."

Anaea was taken aback by the Queen's honesty, she wasn't expecting the Queen to admit that she had wanted to see her specifically. "Was there something you wanted to see me about?"

"Cherished moments before they are so rudely ripped from us."

"Elsa…"

"I know, we have such little time together, and we've never discussed it, I just, I feel as though it is cruel how little time we are allowed. I spent years pushing the people I cared about away from me, only recently have I been able to accept those people back into my life. I don't want to waste a moment I have with you whilst we have it, Anaea, I care for you, probably more than I should. Is that so wrong?"

Anaea was shocked at the Queen's admission. She could hardly form any words to respond to the other woman, who suddenly looked so vulnerable as she looked at her with worry in her eyes that she had over stepped, that she would be rejected. Anaea managed to slightly shake her head in agreement with the Queen as her brain tried to catch up with what had just happened.

"I suppose you're right, if we have so little time together why dance around this feeling as if it's not there when we clearly both feel it."

Elsa looked as though she was about to respond but their moment was broken by Captain Nilsen approaching them, "Your Majesty, such an honour for you to come and see the progress."

Elsa looked momentarily annoyed at the other man's presence as he disrupted a conversation the two women desperately needed to have, "Captain Nilsen, I must say I am impressed at the progress our men have made in the past week. Which reminds me, as an act of gratitude to the Albionium officers and men who have come here Her Highness and I have decided to throw a ball in their honour on Friday night, please make sure that all of our own officers as well as the Albionium ones are invited. Of course members of the gentry and nobility will be in attendance."

The Captain looked very pleased at the prospect and thanked the Queen for her generosity, "Captain Forest, I apologise for cutting your conversation with Her Majesty short but you are needed in the training ground. It is time for you to keep your promise and show the men how an experienced officer fights with the sword."

Anaea nodded to the man and made her apologies to the Queen before heading down to the field. Elsa watched as Anaea took off her red officer's jacket and admired the way her white shirt accentuated her muscles and obvious curves.

Captain Nilsen, as her equal in rank, joined her on the field and undressed similarly. The two captains unhooked their swords and scabbards from their belt before they unsheathed their weapons, ready to fight.

Lieutenant Berg stepped in between the two, ready to start the show for the men to watch, "remember, the first to draw blood from the torso wins, no unnecessary blows or injuries, let's keep this gentlemanly shall we." The two captains nodded their agreement, "en garde!"

The two captains circled each other, both studying for any signs of weakness. Finally, Nilsen had enough and started the contest by swinging at Anaea which she easily blocked.

Elsa watched in astonishment as the two fought, Anaea was incredibly skilled and graceful with her sword, and it was easy to see that she was by far the better swordsman of the two. It appeared as though Anaea was 'taking it easy' on Nilsen, Elsa suspected she didn't want to humiliate him in front of his own men and thus undermine his authority.

The two fought for several minutes, Nilsen not once being able to come close to Anaea's body. It was clear that Nilsen was getting tired and changed his tactics to throw all he could at the other Captain. Elsa watched with baited breath as Anaea blocked and dodged the blows coming her way, narrowly missing some.

Nilsen managed to clip Anaea with his sword, slicing into the skin of her forearm as she blocked his latest blow. Anaea had had enough of the cat and mouse game they were playing, she quickly ended the match as she could have done a while ago by giving the Captain a slight scratch to the chest, drawing the blood to end the match.

The Albionium soldiers all cheered for their captain as she shook her components hand sportingly and was led off the field to stitch the large cut in her arm. The Queen followed the Captain to the medical tent and sat with her in silence as she was stitched.

When the attendant finished and left the two women to have some privacy Elsa turned to Anaea, "you could have finished that way before you did, and now look, you've ruined your shirt."

Anaea chuckled lightly, moving slightly to hold the Queen's hand in her own, "it's fine, I've had worse, and besides it'd be unsporting of me to finish the poor man off in a matter of seconds don't you think, at least this way the men have had a proper demonstration of sword fighting techniques."

Elsa still didn't like how Anaea had put herself in unnecessary pain but knew the other woman had her reasons. She ran her thumb across Anaea's hand softly, "yes well I'd rather you didn't get hurt at all."

"Well, glories of being a soldier my dear, I have many a scar to show for my service, pain is part of the job, albeit not the most appealing I will admit."

Elsa looked at the woman next to her, the Captain never ceased to amaze her, "you looked very beautiful out there you know, I couldn't help but think about how I…"

Anaea looked at her quizzically as Elsa drifted off from her sentence, "how you what?"

Elsa took a deep breath and looked the other woman in the eyes, no more hiding how she felt, she had promised Anna that, "how I want you."

The air between the two women changed, their gaze became heated and for the second time that day Anaea found herself leaning toward the Queen. Elsa leant in to the other woman, their lips a breath apart.

"If you want me Your Majesty, I suggest you claim me," it was spoken as a mere whisper, her breath tickling Elsa's lips.

Elsa smiled slightly and closed her eyes, she closed the final distance between the two and softly pressed her lips against Anaea's. Neither knew how long they stayed there, their lips gently caressing each other's, they were broken apart by noise from outside the tent.

Elsa rested her forehead against Anaea's laughing gently, "why does this always happen to us?"

Anaea chuckled with the Queen shaking her head slightly, "I don't know but I swear I'm going to find whoever made that noise and have them run laps around the castle until they pass out."

"Unfortunately, my darling, I do have to go, I've neglected my duties for far too long now. However, I look forward to seeing you tonight, and perhaps we could continue where we left off."

Anaea nodded slightly moving to kiss Elsa one last time before she had to go, "until tonight then my Queen."

Elsa gave the other woman one last peck before she stood to leave, "until tonight my Captain."