A/N: Oh my gosh finally. This chapter was sooo hard to write and too small for the long wait. This chapter is mainly fluff and romance. I think that's why it took so long. I really wanted to get it right.

So anyway, make sure to review! Feedback is always important :33

Rating: T+ for mature themes

Enjoy! xoxo


Captain Arnbjorn had been very busy ever since the queen had settled a trade agreement with Corona. The two kingdoms already had a very long lasting alliance so asking for an extra supply of iron and steel in exchange for the best wood up north was a fair and easy agreement.

So he had not rested a moment after Princess Rapunzel's departure back to her homeland and he was very pleased. Tired but pleased. (He's not as young as he once was.)

Only now, in midsummer, was he allowed enough space to breathe.

So, he went back to his usual routine of supervising the patrol of the castle. Keeping a close eye on the newly trained recruits.

He payed even more attention, however, to the thief girl the royal sisters had taken such a liking to.

True, she had saved the queen's life but Arnbjorn was never of the trusting kind and he'd be damned if he failed to keep his oath of protection to the monarchs of Arendelle again. He had been careless once before and was not looking forward to repeat his mistakes.

He even made sure to contact the spymaster to find out who it was that had ordered the Snow Queen's assassination, but as of now there were no leads.

So when the peasant girl started to spend occasional nights in one of the castle's spare rooms he made a habit to conveniently patrol the adjacent corridor. He would stay up all night if he had to but he would find out her true intentions.

The door creaked as a figure began tip-toeing her way out into the hallway.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cora froze midway out her door.

"I-uh... I was thirsty."

"No you weren't." The girl paused in brief confusion before turning around and retreating back into her room. Hey, I can take a hint.

So going through the door is not an option. Cora looked to the window and smirked at the irony. She locked the door behind her. Just like old times.

Elsa swirled her wine impatiently in her slightly sweaty hands. Where is she? Her question was answered when she heard a knocking sound on glass. She quickly put down her half empty glass to unlock the window.

"I see you've started the party without me." Cora said, eyeing the opened bottle of wine.

"Are you insane?" In truth the endeavor had been harder than she thought. It was still slightly wet from today's earlier summer rain.

The things I do to get laid. Cora quickly bit her tongue. She wasn't sure that was what Elsa had in mind. (She hoped it was though).

"I trust that was rhetorical."

"Still sharp as a needle, I see." Elsa responded smiling slyly. Cora sat down on the edge of the window, feet dangling a bit inside the room.

"Nothing less for my queen." She said, pressing her lips onto the blonde's knuckles. Elsa blushed in response and tentatively rested her elbows on the ledge on either side of Cora, her body in between her legs. Cora ducked her head a bit to meat Elsa's lips halfway. It was disappointingly short and chaste but it was still underlined with deep fondness. Elsa parted and took Cora's hand, pulling her into the room. Cora locked the window behind them and took a seat on the love-seat in the corner while Elsa poured her a glass of wine. Cora took the time to observe her. She was wearing a simple sleeve-less white nightgown that went down to her knees. It was unnecessarily intricate for sleepwear, the girl thought. She felt a bit ashamed looking at her own. They were simple cloth bloomers she had all but outgrown and a large sleeping blouse. One was too tight and the other too large. She felt out of place.

Cora started innocent, truly. Admiring Elsa's loose blonde hair cascading past her shoulders, her beautifully thin waist, the way her back curved when it reached her...

Elsa chose to turn around at that moment. Cora's eyes instantly shot up to look at the other girl's very amused face. The blonde gave her the cup now filled with wine.

"Thanks." She mumbled, scooting over to give space for the queen. Cora sipped at her wine and crinkled her nose at the bitter taste. Elsa looked amused again.

"I thought you were going to be used to the taste of alcohol by this rate." She sipped her wine as well. "I've lost count on how many stories you've told me involving your drunken mishaps."

"I'm used to poor people alcohol." She crinkled her nose at the glass again. "Not this posh stuff." Elsa just giggled and rolled her eyes.

"I mean... I guess I've had worse." She sipped at it again, this time with no complaints. "But I guess I was already too drunk to even notice." They laughed and fell into a comfortable silence.

"So, how did you end up in the Circus?" Cora winced internally. Calm down, Cora. It's just Elsa.

"I.. ran away from home." It wasn't actually a home. Just the place she used to sleep in.

"Oh... Why?"

A series of unwanted and very carefully buried memories flashed in front of her eyes. The beatings, the shouting, the pain... sometimes the emotional hurt even more than the physical. Cora shoved the tears down and exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"It's.. my parents... they weren't the most... caring, you could say. I was born by accident." It was an understatement at best.

Cora was born in a brothel from a raped prostitue and an easily angered pimp. Her mother had tried to raise her the first years of her life but almost never had the time or the emotional energy. Always half conscious on booze and barley alive because of her slowly crippling, agonizing depression, which only got worse as Cora grew.

She was the spitting image of her father.

Her mother tried, yes, but not nearly hard enough. However, looking back after all those years? Cora didn't blame her at all.

Her true resentment was all reserved for her father. If she could even call him that.

He beat her almost everyday since the ripe old age of 5. He made her work day and night, cleaning up filth and anything else that needed to be done around the brothel, never allowed to leave. The other whores did not mistreat her, though. On the contrary, they always secretly gave her food and water and entertained her in their free time with funny stories. One of them (Natasha, Cora remembered.) had even taught her how to read. But unfortunately, none of them had ever stood up against her father. She didn't blame them, either.

Her mother died when she was 8. Not that it made much of a difference. She was unceremoniously dumped into the canal nearby. Cora had followed the body flow all the way down to make sure she reached the sea (in secret, of course). The little girl sat down on the rocks watching what was left of her woman who birthed her sink into the sea. Her mother had always loved the sea. From the coral of the sea was the meaning of Coraline after all. She stayed there for a few hours watching the seagulls and trying to cry.

"My life was always so dark and grey... When I saw those glowing lights and colorful faces..." Cora smiled and closed her eyes, remembering the first time she saw people fly just like the birds. "It just called to me." She turned to look at Elsa, whose blue eyes were filled with an emotion neither of them could describe.

"That's beautiful."

"I make it sound a lot more poetic than it actually is, really." Cora shrugged it off nonchalantly. Elsa chortled softly but her look was apprehensive. She set her goblet down near her.

"My parents were... misguided but... at least I always knew they cared." She said. Cora just nodded and took a very big gulp of her wine, feeling the pleasant burn of the beverage.

"It's not that bad once you get over it." She shrugged and also set her now empty glass of wine on the table beside her. "If I was born into a happy family I would have grown up to be something much more boring. Like... a florist, or a baker or worst of all..." she made a dramatic pause and shuddered theatrically. "A housekeeper." Elsa laughed and rolled her eyes, making Cora smile, satisfied. "I wouldn't have become an awesome acrobat, I wouldn't have found a real family at the circus and..." She turned again to Elsa who was starting at her with admiration. "I wouldn't have met you." The blonde blushed a bit in surprise but a mischievous glint shined in her blue eyes.

"Now that would be..." She started. Cora leaned in before she could finish, smirking when she stopped talking, and stopped dangerously close to her lips, eyes half closed. "by far the worst thing that could possibly happen." She completed, just before closing the space between them.

Cora added kissing Elsa to her list of favorite things, right next to flying.

Their lips moved in unison as they felt their contrasting temperature against each other. Elsa felt her head spin, not sure if it was the overwhelming feeling of everything at the same time or the wine.

Cora's hands circled her waist, tugging her gently closer. Elsa responded by taking a fistful of her blouse and tugging her back, a lot more forcefully. She wondered when she got so bold. The blonde smirked against their connected lips when Cora's breath hitched.

This girl will be the death of me.

The brunette broke the kiss and pressed softer ones down the other girl's neck. Slowly she opened her mouth against her and let her tongue softly trace her milky white skin, accompanying her lips. Elsa grabbed on tighter on her shirt and held back a soft moan. She wanted -needed- to be closer. So after a few moments of neck-torture Elsa climbed on top of Cora and pushed her against the small sofa, both hands on the head rest and her legs straddling Cora. They looked in each other's eyes for a split second before Cora's hands brushed Elsa's loose hair behind her ear and pulled her in again. Her hands traced her jawline, her neck, her exposed collarbone, dangerously close to her breasts, her ribs and all the way down to her exposed thighs. Elsa's own hands grabbed at the back of Cora's neck, gripping more tightly as she felt hands descending down her body. Cora hesitated for a moment before maneuvering her hands up the sides of Elsa's thighs, slipping underneath her night gown. She waited for a sign of protest but it, obviously didn't come. Now granted permission, her hands travelled up to her waist again this time, with no barrier of clothing.

Elsa was officially losing it. Her hips began moving on their own accord. Cora felt the familiar sensation of a slow burning below her stomach as Elsa moaned against her mouth.

holy shit holy shit sholty hit oh my fucking gods. Cora's hands stopped moving against Elsa's body for a moment. She was embarrassed about how flustered she was. Usually she was the one that made the other person get flushed in the face, not the other way around. But as always, Elsa had never been other people.

Any remaining coherent thoughts were evaporated when Elsa breathed into her mouth panting slightly. "Please don't stop touching me."

Somebody send help.

Cora responded by scrapping her nails -not too forcefully- down her back and all but attacked Elsa's mouth. The other girl's breath hitched when Cora bit down on her lower lip and tugged. It was starting to get out of hand. It started to snow in the room but they felt way too hot to even notice.

Elsa suddenly broke the kiss and got off of the other girl's lap.

"Wh-" Cora didn't have time to respond before Elsa grabbed her by the collar of her shirt again, pulling her up off the love-seat as well.

Well, ok then.

Elsa pushed the younger girl down on the bed and hovered above her, straddling her again. Cora lifted herself up a bit so she was in a sitting position, her hands traveled up Elsa's thighs again but this time, she decided to be a bit more forward, and rested her hands just above her bottom, nightgown riding up as they kissed even more aggressively. Cora's lips migrated from her lips to the other girl's neck again in sloppy open mouthed kisses. She sucked and nibbled and licked hungrily at her translucent skin, feeling her heart burst as Elsa bit her lip, withered and whimpered above her. Elsa's neck began to bruise. They were probably gonna regret leaving that mark in a place so visible but for now, they were content.

Well maybe not completely content... Not yet, that is.

Cora began lifting Elsa's nightgown. The blonde only realized the implications of this act as it was lifted completely off above her head and discarded on the floor. Cora instantly noticed her hesitance.

"I'm sorry. Is this okay?" She asked. Elsa just nodded quickly before kissing her again but Cora pulled away.

"Elsa." Her voice was thick with poorly concealed lust but also with tremendous caring. She touched Elsa's -now- warm and flushed face with so much tenderness, the blonde melted under her touch even more than she had just a few moments ago. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. I... don't want you to feel pressured."

Elsa just started into her eyes, letting the words sink in. She knew what she wanted.

"I want this." Their noses brushed slightly. "I want you."

It was snowing indoors in the middle of summer and frost covered the glass of the window. But they couldn't feel any warmer.


Elsa awoke sore, bruised and warm.

Wait what?

The source of the mysterious warmth was rested just above her bare chest, arm lazily draped around her waist and auburn hair all over the place. Elsa took the time to observe her.

Her facial expression was one of complete relaxation. It seemed she didn't have any of those recurrent nightmares she sometimes spoke of. Her lips were half parted and her fringes covered a bit of her closed eyes. Elsa admired how they fit so perfectly against each other and how their skin colors contrasted.

I could stay here forever. She thought. Suddenly her eyes widened and turned to look out of her window. What time is it? Elsa instantly relaxed as she saw that the sun was only beginning to rise over the horizon. She had some more time to kill. She fought the urge to blush remembering the night before.

Elsa didn't know it was possible to feel so exihlirated and so vulnerable at the same time. It was the most intense expirence she had ever felt, especially since she had been depraved from contact for so long. Being that close to someone had been almost unimaginable to her until now. It had been scary at first but amazing all the same.

Turning her head to rest on the pillows again, she felt Cora stir against her, groaning softly. Brown eyes opened groggily as she mumbled something unintelligible. She turned and caught Elsa's blue eyes starting down at her.

"Mornin' beautiful." She said, kissing her neck softly. Elsa slimed back at her.

"Good morning."

They stayed in silence while Elsa played with a strand of auburn hair and Cora's fingers traced idle patterns on her thigh. They snoozed off for a good half an hour but Elsa had to get up to get ready for the day. Cora whined in protest as she got up from the bed.

"It's too early, come back 'ere" she said, muffled by the pillows.

"I gladly would but the kingdom can't run itself, can it?" The tone was playful and Elsa didn't pay any mind to it, but the reminder of who exactly Elsa was made Cora have mixed feelings.

"And I can't cuddle with myself, either. And, by the way, I'm way cuter than the kingdom." Elsa rolled her eyes and made her way over to the bed again, this time with underclothes on. She pecked Cora's pouting mouth quickly.

"Stop being such a drama queen." Elsa made her way to the wardrobe, giggling as Cora huffed in mock indignation.

"But yes, you are cuter than the kingdom." Cora smiled, satisfied and changed her position on the bed. As she was about to drift into sleep, she felt cold hands shaking her awake.

"What the fuck, El-" The snow queen -now fully dressed- quickly put her hand over Cora's mouth and shushed her.

"You have to leave. Gerda's at the door." She whispered pointing to the window.

"Elsa, I'm fucking naked." The blonde huffed in frustration. Before she knew it, Cora was being pushed inside a freakishly big wardrobe.

"Good morning, Gerda." Elsa said politely with a fake calmness in her voice.

"Good morning your majesty." She responded. "I've come to bring you your fresh laundry." Gerda was already making her way to the closet when Elsa yelled.

"No!" Gerda looked startled. "I mean uh.. You can just leave it on the bed." The older woman looked at her questioning but her face softened into amusement as she saw the rather large love mark on the queen's neck.

"Alright then." She did as she was told and just as she was reaching the door she turned around again.

"Your highness, I don't mean to be a bother but I suggest you rethink your outfit for today." Elsa furrowed her brows in confusion. "Preferably to a high necked one."

Elsa's face paled in realization and her hand shot up to her neck. Gerda held back her laughter as she exited the room.

I wonder who it could be.


"Elsa, I know you want to surprise me and all." Cora said, atop of a royal fjord horse. "But I didn't realize we would have to climb a mountain."

Elsa hopped down from her own horse and tied it's reins to a tree. Finally, she looked back at Cora and responded.

"Relax." She giggled at the irony of her words. It was usually Cora who told her to lighten up. "I know what I'm doing." Cora snorted and dismounted her horse as well and tied it next to Elsa's. The blonde laced her fingers in Cora's and led her down a small path through the trees. Cora admired how Elsa looked in her riding gear. She needs to wear pants more often.

After walking a bit Cora understood how they would scale a mountain without the proper gear.

"Magical ice stairs. How convenient." Elsa just smiled smugly and led her up into the mountain. As it began to get colder, Cora put on her winter coat. She furrowed her brows at Elsa who was still wearing normal clothes.

"You don't feel the cold?" Elsa shook her head.

"No, I do feel the cold. It just doesn't bother me."

"That's interesting." Cora paused. "How does the cold feel to you, then?"

"I don't know how to describe it exactly…" Elsa opened her palm and made small snowflakes burst out of them. "It just feels like it's a part of me." Cora nodded as they continued climbing. The rest of the small journey was pretty much silent.

When they got to the top, Cora couldn't believe her eyes.

It's a palace. Made of ice.

"Wow. Elsa it's… the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Cora turned her head to look at Elsa who looked bashful at the compliment.

"Thank you."

Cora approached the other set of ice steps and frowned seeing it was half broken.

"What happened?" The younger girl didn't miss the shudder.

"I… people came after me. Some of them thought killing me would bring back summer." Elsa approached the stairs as well. With some movements of her hands, the stairs were reconstructed.

Inside was almost just as spectacular as outside, Cora thought. Everything was impeccable, it was mind blowing.

"This is just... Wow."

They went up two other sets of stairs. The ice chandelier was still broken in pieces on the floor and the balcony was in ruins. There was a large clump of snow on the left side of the big room. Cora let out a shriek when it moved. Elsa also looked surprised but softened as she recognized the shape.

"Marshmallow?" She called quietly, lips curving into an elated smile. The giant snowman perked his head up.

"Elsa?" He spoke. She approached him tentatively. He crouched down so he could see Elsa better. The blonde awkwardly hugged her creation with slightly teary eyes.

"I thought you were gone." She said.

"I never leave you."

Cora stared in awe at the exchange. She snapped out of it as the snowman directed his attention to her.

"Who is this human? Come here for hurting Elsa?" He bared his icy fangs and Cora widened her eyes at Elsa. Who just laughed.

"No, that won't be necessary." She beckoned Cora over and took her hand. "She is... a friend."

"Marshmallow, this is Cora. Cora, this is Marshmallow."

"Uh... Nice to meet you?" Cora said. The snowman glared a bit and huffed. Elsa then noticed something on his head.

"Is that..?" Marshmallow widened his pseudo-eyes and quickly took the crown off and handed it to Elsa. But it looked like he was conflicted. Like he didn't want to part with it.

"Sorry." He mumbled.

"It's okay." A pause. "You can keep it if you want." His eyes lit up instantly. Elsa gave him back the crown and smiled as he eagerly put it back on.

"See? It suits you better than it does me." She patted his big arm. "You look beautiful." The snowman's face twisted into something that resembled a smile. Cora resisted the urge to giggle like a little girl at the sheer adorableness of the scene.

"Now, can you do me a favor?" He nodded eagerly. "Can you keep watch outside while I show Cora around?" Marshmallow nodded and obidently made his way to the door.

Cora stared at Elsa with adoration in her eyes. The blonde shifted uncomfortably. The blonde felt a warm hand lift her chin up, making her blue eyes lock with chocolate brown.

"Remember when I said this place was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen?" Elsa nodded.

"I lied." She pressed their lips softly together.

"You are."

Needless to say, they ended up staying in the castle a bit longer than they had originally planned. Because a huge ice castle all to themselves in a mountain away from everyone was just too good of an opportunity to pass by.