The next morning at dawn, the pirates roused their captives and herded them up to the deck. Elsa had to hide a smirk as she noticed the captain's momentary glower in the direction of the redhead, who was pointedly ignoring him. His irritation was lost to a wide grin when the prisoners stood on deck, all nervously watching him. "Good morrow, gentlemen!" he boomed to the captives. "I am Captain Kristoff Bjorgman, of the grand ship the Walküre!" He bowed mockingly to them, and a few of the pirates snickered. "And on behalf of my men, I wish to thank you for your generous hospitality." Laughter broke out amongst the pirates, their faces breaking into large grins at the captain's antics.

By god is it all just a game to them? Some grand play? Elsa's face was carefully composed so as not to betray her disgust. The rest of her crew were shifting about nervously, the fear evident in their expressions and the way they cringed whenever Bjorgman would move a bit too close. With Olaf tucked snugly at her side, the blonde woman could feel no emotion other than anger. Voices taunted her as the captain put on his façade, moving about the deck in front of them like a king.

He threatened Olaf, he hurt your crew, he took your pride. He almost hurt her.

A brief expression of shock passed across Elsa's face before melting into her stoic mask. Where had that thought come from? What allegiance had she to that woman turned pirate? True, the redhead's eyes had not left her face all morning- try as she would to ignore it, that gaze was too intense. And, she had to admit that the girl had quite a pretty face, though it was hidden beneath a layer of dirt and grime…

No! Conceal it, Elsa. Don't feel it. You know this.

"When we did strike up our black flag," the Captain had continued, "you people had run from us. Such cowardice don't answer to the Brethren. Our laws would have you struck dead at this very moment, but perhaps…" His smile stretched mockingly as he touched the scabbard slung loosely around his belt. "Perhaps ye may be of some use to us yet. Attend me: our ship be in need of good strong men, and men such as that is hard to come by in these parts. So, I shall give you a choice. If there be one among you willing to join my crew, I will let the rest go free. Nary a hair will be harmed on their precious heads. But the man must come aboard willingly, and must sign the Articles. And if none of you dogs should join me, then the consequences will be… grievous." Silence fell, the lapping of the water against the ship's hull permeating the tension like a drum. Kristoff cast a grand hand over the merchants, all of whom except Elsa cringed. "Come now," he boomed, "surely one of you must think himself man enough to turn Pirate!"

The blonde shifted her grip on Olaf's shoulder, mind warring with itself. If no one agrees, then we will all surely die. But if I agree, Olaf will be left without a protector. What if the ship is taken again? I cannot allow any harm to come to him, though, and he has a better chance should I agree to the Captain's demands myself. What of the girl though? Pray, I will not put myself through that again. I have come too far in this life to allow it- was that not the reason behind playing the man? To avoid all contacts with women who may cause me to betray my heinous desire? But Olaf… I cannot allow my selfish, fool insecurities to ruin the boy's chance at life. Oh, God, how can you have forsaken me as such? What have I done to deserve such cruelty?

"Well?" Elsa's eyes snapped to Kristoff, who was scanning the crowd before him, boredom written across his face. "No one? Very well then… Mister Killingly, if you please-"

"W-wait!" Her neck heated as the eyes of every man- and woman- fell upon her. The outburst was unexpected by her own crew, who were staring at her with wide eyes. Not one of them could fathom the selflessness that would drive an honest man to piracy, all for the lives of a crew that would not do the same for him. "I will."

Kristoff's eyes narrowed, his face betraying a scowl. Elsa was sure he remembered her from last night, the sailor that dared to speak to the woman pirate. Oh but if you only knew my secret, she thought, her blue irises focused confidently on his. "Say again?"

"I wish to join your crew, Captain."

"Oh, he is a pretty one, Kristoff." The eyes of both blonds snapped to the redheaded woman, who was leaning against the rail and looking smug. "He's too handsome for the likes of us."

"That's for me to decide." Hostility laced his voice as he turned back to Elsa, examining her expressionless, soldier-at-parade-rest face. "And what is it that makes you so special, hmm? Carrying it a bit high now, are we?"

"He all but bested Ahn- er, Andrew." The pirate with the sad brown eyes now spoke, leveling the captain with his gaze. "Right fine swordsman."

"Not a bad shot either. Took my ear off, didn't he?" Admiration tinged the elder sailor's words as he grinned over at Elsa. "You'd be a right fool not to take this one, Kristoff."

Anger flashed in the captain's eyes, but it quickly shifted to calm superiority. "It seems you've won the admiration of my Quartermaster and my First Mate, boy." The slight to her status did nothing to shake Elsa's stoicism, and after a moment, he continued. "Very well. I give you leave to board my ship."

It was hard to miss the triumphant smile of the woman-pirate as Elsa nodded curtly. She turned to take her leave of the Urðrs, who were all looking at her with expressions ranging from grudging approval to outright admiration. The only one she wished to truly say goodbye to was Olaf, but when she looked down to smile at him, she found the boy had slipped away.

"If Elric is to be a pirate, then I shall be one as well!"

"No!" Elsa turned and grabbed the boy's wrist, dragging him roughly away from the pirates. The First Mate looked between the two curiously, while Kristoff simply stood stock still, his face a worrying mixture of shock and interest. "Pay him no mind, Captain. 'Twas a fool statement, a child's whim."

"See he- ow!" Olaf glared up at Elsa as she cuffed his head sharply. Her eyes bore down on him angrily, which under any other circumstances might have elicited a tearful outburst. Surprisingly, though, the boy stood his ground defiantly.

"And who is this boy who dares pledge himself to a pirate?" The captain's voice was careful, but Elsa detected a certain malice behind his words that she did not wish to hear directed at the boy. "Regular shit-fire, eh?"

"Just a cabin boy," Elsa replied quickly, forcefully holding Olaf back and cutting across him. "Useless really. We've only kept him for light labor we was too busy to do. He's a bit dim as well, can't do much." She was struggling to keep a disinterested expression, a casual tone. They must not know, they cannot let him sail with them…

Olaf finally removed himself from her grip, hurrying over to Bjorgman. "T'ain't true! I can be a proper pirate!"

"Why, pray tell, are you so eager to go on the account? The punishment for such a crime is death by hanging, and you still a pup barely weaned." Kristoff was looking at the child skeptically now, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to discern some ulterior motive.

"I'll not allow Elric to go off alone," Olaf said, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly. "He is my brother, and the only family I've left. Gallows be damned- I would rather face them a hundred fold than lose my kin."

The Quartermaster, who had been fiddling with a rope through the entire encounter, looked up sharply. His eyes were pained as they watched Elsa, who was too stunned to speak, or to move. Olaf thought of her as a sibling, as family. She had cared for the boy, of course, and knew he was fond of her… but never in her time with him had she imagined the attachment he might have to her. The weight of the situation made her uncomfortable- no one had been dependent on her, had cared for her in years. Not since she'd left the only family she had ever known.

"Well, lads, what say you?" Kristoff turned to his crew, motioning vaguely toward the dark-haired boy. "Shall he sail with us?"

"I say nay." The Quartermaster was the first to speak, his voice quiet but authoritative. "A pirate ship is no place for a boy. He'll only be underfoot, causing hell. Reckon he's more trouble than it would be worth to take him aboard."

"I disagree. He could make use of himself, provided he was trained properly. An' it would be a might easier to work the ship if we didn't have to split the cleaning amongst ourselves. Let the boy prove himself- if he ain't improved afore the month is out, we'll just leave him when we're next in port. 'Tis not so inconvenient, and who knows? He might make a wicked villain yet."

Most of the other pirates laughed and nodded their ascent, quickly overwhelming the majority of the vote. The only one who didn't voice an opinion was the woman- Andrew, she had been called, but that was clearly a false name. Her eyes were fixed on Elsa's face, brow furrowing in concentration.

"I believe the 'ayes' have it," Kristoff announced, clapping Olaf's shoulder with a merry chortle. "Welcome aboard the Walküre my boy!" The captain's gaze found Elsa's, and his smirk twisted into something dark, dangerous. There was a hint of satisfaction in his brown eyes that had Elsa wishing she had not agreed to his demands. It scared her.


Anna drunkenly stumbled toward the helm, her mind already hazy with the drink. Night had fallen over them, though she'd only just woken from her sex-induced sleep, picked herself out of the bed she was sharing with Kristoff, and grabbed a bottle of rum that, between the two of them, had almost been drained of its sweet nectar.

She had been glad to find that, high off the acquisition of the merchantman's goods and two new crewmembers, her coupling with the captain had been bearable, if not outright enjoyable. The rum had probably helped the matter as well. Either way, she was relieved. Kristoff had been ordering the new hand about harshly since the day previous, and had even become curt with her on more than one occasion. But after their romp that afternoon, the blond had relaxed considerably.

"You are a beauty, Anna. My greatest treasure."

Her face broke out into a grin as she remembered the words, whispered softly in her ear after their session. "Oh? Perhaps that is why you boarded me as fiercely as you had the merchantman."

"I would have been glad had the merchantman been as easily boarded as thee."

"Are you implying that I am a harlot, good sir?"

"Aye, but you are my harlot."

That was the Kristoff Anna loved to see. Playful, coy. Like he had been in the early days, before they had gone to sea, in the month they'd had before her oaf of a husband had ruined their paradise. Nowadays, this version of her Captain was becoming harder to find, hidden as he was beneath the timid, fearful creature that wore his skin.

She paused for a minute, leaning against the rail and frowning at herself. It really wasn't fair of her to be thinking of him like that. After all, it must have taken its toll on him, running about and leading a band of rogues to plunder merchantmen. Always the threat of hanging should the Isles catch them, and burning at the stake if they were to be captured by Arendellians. Then there was the responsibility to his crew, and to her. Such a great stress was bound to drive any man to madness and fear. If anything, Anna should be standing by her man, a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold.

And yet…

Her eyes drifted blearily to the young man now stood at the helm of the ship, his icy blue eyes watching the horizon. Since Elric had boarded the ship, had signed the Articles declaring him a rogue and a villain, a slight change had occurred in him. For one, he now wore his hair- which was a rather beautiful blonde, almost white- in a think braid that fell over his shoulder, rather than the queue he'd had it in while aboard the merchant ship. Tendrils of yellow hair would occasionally fall in his eyes, though they were almost always immediately brushed back, creating a wild look to frame his grimy, youthful face. A dark blue sash was now tied at his waist, the signature look he had chosen for himself, much like she had chosen her red vest. Indeed, most of the pirates had little things added to their wardrobes- Kristoff had his fur vest, Sven the bit of rope he slung over his shoulder, Kai a green bandanna that clashed horribly with his grayish trousers. But something about the blue sash was regal, refined. It belonged more in her father's court than it did on that ship.

Anna continued to study the newcomer as she shuffled closer, her eyes searching his face. There was something… soft about his features. He couldn't have been much older than her, with his smooth chin and almost dainty proportions. Yet his eyes seemed to hold a world weary sadness, while betraying none of the childish confidence she would expect in a younger man.

She was now a mere foot away from the helmsman, her eyes glazed with drink and thought. Elric glanced her way and gave a curt nod, before turning his gaze once again to the heading. "How is she handling?"

"Feels about right."

Silence fell over them for a minute before Anna continued. "You look so very serious."

"Hmm?"

"Most of the men are drunk at the helm," she elaborated, watching the young man carefully. "Yet you seem content to sobriety."

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

"Why?"

"It would not due to exhibit such behavior around my brother." Elric nodded over to a barrel, just aft, which supported Olaf in his slumber. "Youth are impressionable."

"Aye, I suppose. But will the other men aboard this ship not exhibit the same behavior you are wont to partake in? And will the boy not learn from them as well." Anna delighted in the small quirk of Elric's mouth that hinted at his amusement.

"I am afeared he may take to it sooner if I was to promote it."

"Whyever would you fear that?"

"Because he sometimes idolizes what should not be idolized."

"And what should he not idolize in you?"

The blonde sighed and ran a hand through his fringe, pushing it back out of habit. "Why must you ask so many questions?"

"You intrigue me. And," her voice dropped an octave, turning sultry, "I have noticed you watching me, Elric Skadi. I think I intrigue you as well. Why might that be?"

There was a short silence, before Elric replied in a careful tone. "I believe you are a singular pirate, Andrew Christensen."

Singular indeed. If you only knew the half of it. "I believe you may be a singular man, Elric."

"No, I fear I am not. You mistake me for an enigma, sir, but I am nothing more than an ordinary former soldier."

"A soldier, eh? Pray, tell me of the campaigns you were on."

"It is not a matter I wish to discuss."

"Why? Did you do something horrible?"

"No, but I do not wish to discuss it any more than if I had."

Anna's lips curved into a smile as she took another swig of the rum. "A woman would find such a statement tantalizing."

"Alas, with no women aboard, your point is moot."

"Then I shall be tantalized in their absence."

The bells signaling the end of the watch tolled, and Anna watched with a certain sadness as Sven took to the helm, relieving Elric of the post. He smirked a little at the redhead, who had to resist a decidedly feminine pout. "And tantalized you shall stay." The blond quirked an eyebrow as he grabbed the bottle of rum, drinking deeply before handing it back. "Good night, Andrew."

"Good night, Elric," Anna whispered, watching as the man scooped a still sleeping Olaf into his arms and walked toward the bowsprits, stride confident and fluid.

One thing was for certain- there was something mysterious about this man, and she was going to get to the bottom of it. Her mind strayed momentarily to Kristoff, and the possessive way he behaved whenever she showed interest in another man, even in a platonic manner. I can only hope that this does not end badly.


A/N: Decided to save this for last, since it's a long one. First of all, thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing. To the two Guests that reviewed, I'd like to personally thank you as I try to respond to all of my reviews post-haste. That being said, this chapter as well as the ones previous, have not been Beta'd- so please, if you notice any errors, feel free to PM me. I appreciate any and all help.

Now, just a few things. Firstly, how would you all feel about a chapter from Kristoff's POV? In TOLTM, Calico Jack received just as many passages as Anne and Mary- but since this is an Elsanna fic, I wanted to see what you all thought. I want to stress that I'm not trying to bash Kristoff as a character either. There's a method to my madness, I promise. He really isn't a bad guy, even though he may seem like it.

Next... how many of you have OC's you'd like to see cameo'd? I'm getting sick of writing only about Sven, Kai, and Olaf (Oaken and Gran Pabbie are being saved for later, so I can't use them), and my own OC's don't fit well. So if you want to see a character of yours briefly featured as a pirate, or later a villager, let me know! I'll do my best to include every suggestion I get.

Thanks again for reading, and don't forget to weigh in!

~Mo