Elsa's eyes fluttered open blearily. Her eyes were heavy, but she'd slept well for the first time in a long time, last night. She felt at peace, secure…warm. As she moved to get up she realised why. She was nestled against Anna's chest, with her sisters arms wrapped around her.

Elsa felt her face flush a little, she wasn't used to being this…close to anybody, or to this much contact. She could feel her heart quicken as her skin tingled, though for the first time she wasn't sure if it was because of her powers or because of the feeling of…security in the arms of her sibling. She was unable to turn, but she was able to hear the light, steady breathing of Anna, and feel the gentle rising and lowering of her chest.

A small voice in her said she could get used to this.

Elsa pushed that thought to the side though. She was still Queen, there were things to do. She sighed, realising there was no way to slip out without waking the other girl.

'Anna.' She cooed, gently. 'Anna.'

Her sister stirred a little, then let out the most adorable half-murmur half-yawn she'd ever heard.

'Whazzit?'

'Anna, it's time to wake up.' She replied, stifling a laugh.

'Why's that?' She yawned again, not really awake.

'I have a kingdom to run, so there's that.' Elsa shrugged, or tried to, Anna's embrace was fairly restrictive.

'I'm very sorry, sister.' Elsa insisted, extricating herself from Anna's arms. 'The council meets soon and I would like to eat something beforehand.'

Anna, feeling slightly aware, finally noticed Elsa trying to get up and let her slip out of her arms. She watched her make her way to a screen in the corner of the chamber. The sunlight shone through the windows, bathing her older sibling in gold. Her hair shone, her light skin shone, indeed her whole body glowed. Anna felt her heart quicken at the sight. She turned away as Elsa slipped behind a screen to change. Her sister was much more like herself this morning. She hoped it was because she felt better, rather than what she feared which was that Elsa was just putting up her Queenly front again.

'Can I still-' Anna couldn't stifle a yawn. '-come?'

Elsa chuckled.

'Are you sure? You sound tired, I'm sorry I kept you up last night.'

Anna waved a hand clumsily.

'S'alright.' She paused. 'To both of those. I want to come.'

Elsa acknowledged with a nod.

'Alright then. I'll see you downstairs?' She stepped out from the screen, clad in the dress she wore from the coronation, which she now used for all formal occasions. She began pulling her hair into a bun as she made to step out.

'Yup…yup. Sure.' Anna blurted, still feeling dozy.

Elsa smiled and made for the door, but stopped just short.

'Oh, Anna?' She didn't turn around. '…thank you for staying with me last night.'

Anna, caught by surprise, managed to utter a garbled noise as Elsa disappeared down the hall.

…

Elsa resisted the urge to bury her head in her hands as the council went at it again. They were split down the middle, rallying between Commander Haagan and Kauffman. This bickering was getting them nowhere, she rarely enforced absolute authority, choosing instead to welcome the opinions of her council, but this was childish.

'Enough.' She cut in, sharply.

'Your majesty, please-' Kauffman interjected.

'Enough!' She slammed a fist on the table. All eyes turned to her; a small squeak from to her left reminded her Anna was present. She breathed in, then out.

'But your highness…'

A prickly silence weighed on the conference room, the temperature noticeably dropped. The council members took their seats.

'Thank you, councillors.' She regarded the somewhat more sullen company. 'Might I suggest we leave this topic for now, till a day when cooler heads prevail.'

The cutting remark was not lost on everybody present.

'What is next on the agenda?'

'Highness.' A woman stood, to her right. 'Within the last year, we have prospered. An offshoot of this, is that our people have spread further into the wilderness. In the last year alone, three new villages have been founded. New roads, inns and outposts are stretched out from the city.'

'Please continue, Minister Yorda.'

'As you know, this means that we are faced with a great many more internal problems. Many of these villages are quite…alone out there. Isolated. In the long term I have a proposition that, with the cooperation of Commander Haagan, will hopefully ensure the creation of a force to patrol the roads. But more on that at a later date, for now, the village of Kolhak is being plagued by a pack of wolves that's strayed into the area. Nobody has died as of yet, but there have been reports of attacks.'

Elsa nodded, the Yorda took her seat. The Queen clasped her hands together.

'Suggestions?'

'I can round muster some men, go out there and see what we can do.' Haagan suggested. 'I'm no hunter though.

For the first time, Anna felt she was up to speed with the meeting.

'Actually, I know somebody who can help.' She interjected.

The entire table turned to the red-headed girl.

'…um…' She trailed, suddenly uncomfortable at all the attention.

'Go on, Anna.' Elsa smiled reassuringly.

'…right…yeah.' She rambled, finding her footing. 'Kristoff, that is Kristoff Bjorgman. He's familiar with a lot of the country around Arendelle, and he knows a lot about hunting.'

Some of the councillors looked dubious, Anna began to regret saying anything, but Haagan nodded.

'I remember hearing of this brave young man in his efforts to aid the Princess, when our Queen was lost. If he would be willing, I should be pleased to have his help.'

'Then it's settled.' Elsa turned to her sister, barely able to conceal her pride. 'Anna, if you could put Kristoff in contact with the Commander, we would be in your debt.'

'Uh…yeah, of course.' Anna nodded, still flustered.

'Councillors, I think that will be all for today, we will adjourn.' Everybody began to file out at the Queens acquiescence. 'Commander, Minister Kauffman, if I could speak with the two of you at your soonest convenience tomorrow, I would greatly appreciate it.' Anna found the firmness in her tone unsettling, Elsa in full-on 'Queen' was not something she saw very often.

The two councillors bowed their heads in respect and then followed the others out. As soon as they were gone, Elsa let out a moan and let her head collapse into her hands.

Anna felt her lips curl into a small smile, her heart filled with sympathy for her sister. She couldn't imagine Elsa having to deal with this alone for the past year, she felt guilty, maybe she should have asked to help sooner. She stepped behind the hunched form of Elsa, giving her shoulders a light squeeze affectionately.

'Holding up?'

'Yeah, thanks.' She sounded tired. 'Light headache, that's all.'

'I could go get Kai or something, t-'

'No.' Elsa blurted. 'No. Just…sit with me for a bit?'

She reached out a hand, which Anna took, allowing herself to be led to an empty chair beside the Queen.

'Are you sure there's nothing wrong?'

Elsa couldn't suppress the giddiness she felt inside at the concern in the girls' voice.

'Yes.' She placed her other hand over her sisters, rubbing it gently. 'I'm okay. I just wanted to tell you I was proud of you today.'

'Oh.' Anna chirped. 'It was…I mean I didn't, I didn't really do anything?' She let out a giggle, with a goofy grin.

Elsa smiled back; her sister was adorable when she was embarrassed. She could see why Kristoff had taken such a shine to her when they'd first met.

'I mean it though.' She assured her. 'It felt nice to know I'd always have the support of at least one person in the room. And it just…it made me think, how grown up you've become. I feel like maybe I should have trusted you with more responsibilities earlier.'

'Hey now.' Anna tried to stop her blaming herself again. 'I never asked either, it's my fault.'

'It's sweet of you to say.'

'I'm not-…it's just-…um, well…yes.' Anna blustered. 'I'd better go and find Kristoff, right? Don't want to let you down after that whole 'I was proud of you' thing.' She laughed nervously.

Elsa flinched at her response a little, but masked it with a grin, letting go of Anna's hand.

'Yes, you'd better. The whole kingdom rests on your shoulders.'

Anna gaped before she could stop herself, causing the Queen to laugh.

'Go on, Anna. Don't mind me.'

'…right, I'll er…' Anna tripped on a chair. 'I'll see you-' Then walked into the table. 'I'll see you later okay?'

Elsa merely let out a contented sigh as her beloved, grown-up and responsible sister walked into the door on her way out of the conference room. As soon as she was gone though, a dark frown settled on her brow and a low groan escaped her lips.

The Southern Isles. What was she going to do?