Authors Note: just a note, all the quote in italics are being spoken in French.

For a whole week Elsa remained in her room, writing letter after letter to who she hoped would be her allies until her hand cramped. She left only when she needed to stretch her legs, wandering around through the inns small courtyard until the leering eyes from the bar scared her back up to her room through the backdoor.
She saw very little of the Sparrowhawk, and spoke to her even less. It was, odd to say the least, and she found herself missing the redheads presence. She groaned at the thought and set aside her quill, massaging her left hand while she read over her most recent letter.

Dear uncle Adam,
Things at home have become inhospitable, and I now find myself wandering France with no one left to turn to and in questionable company. I beg of your help in my time of need and ask to talk to you you in person as soon as possible.
Please send your response via the swiftest of couriers.
Your niece, Ellie Aren.

Her father has always taught her the importance of coding letters and she had been never more grateful for it.
There was a knock on the door and Elsa froze. "It's me," came the Sparrowhawk's voice. When she didn't open the door the assassin knocked again, "it's important, open the door," a pause, "look, my courier just dropped off a letter for an Ellie Aren, very subtle name I must say. It's sealed with a sigil of a," Anna squinted at the wax, "a really ugly bull. Seems official."
An ugly bull? The blondes mind raced through the royal embalms she had learned as a child before she hurried to the door and released the locks. "It's a beast!" She blurted out, taking the letter excitedly.
"A beast? I'm sorry, I'm confused, what's a beast?" Anna followed the queen into the room, closing the door behind her.
Elsa rolled her eyes, " the sigil, it's a beast not a bull. It's the personal sigil of Prince Adam. He was very close to my father and I hope that that bond extends to me," she said, breaking the seal and opening the letter. She sat on her bed and read the letter over and over, her smile falling to a worried frown. "Well that complicates things."
Anna tilted her head, "what is it?"
"He can't come and speak to me personally, but he sent two of his servants ahead of this letter."
"Well that's great, right? Problem solved and we can go home."
The queen shook her head, "no, he does not wish to be too open about this, things must be bad at home. We are to meet in secret."
The assassin nodded slowly, "alright, I'm good with secret. Where are we going?"
"A high profile gala for the lesser nobles at a villa in the east side, invite only. Tonight."
Anna groaned loudly and pulled out her small satchel of coin, counting its contents quietly before nodding slowly, "it'll be tight but I'll manage it."
With eyes narrowed, Elsa rose from her bed and moved closer, "you'll manage what, exactly?"
She shrugged, "well I'll need to pay off a forger, get you an invitation, with a plus one, and" she motioned to the queen clothing, "you can't go to a high profile party dressed like a peasant girl, now can you?" She made to leave but when she noticed the queen wasn't following she spun back around, "well, are you coming or not?"
Hesitantly, Elsa followed the other woman out of the inn where a stable hand was waiting with Prince, and onto the busy Paris streets. It was slow going, navigating their way to the booming market district, and it was well past midday when they arrived at their destination.
Le Mode was a small dress shop tucked away on a side street. The front bricks were cracked and crumbling, and the large wooden sign looked ready to fall at a moment's notice. The queen wrinkled her nose as the redhead helped her off of the horse. "This is a dress shop?"
"Of course not," Anna beamed, "it's THE dress shop." She led Elsa through the main door to the chime of the little silver bell above it.
The inside was nothing like the exterior. The room they had entered was bright, almost glowing. The floor was wooden, polished to a near mirror finish and the walls were painted a plain white, or at least Elsa assumed they were from what little she could see of them. Dresses and jackets covered one wall while shelf upon shelf of rolled fabrics covered the other.
From a door at the back, a man in a simple suit entered the main room. He was a little taller than Elsa with a bald head almost as reflective as the floor. He looked the pair up and down with his small black eyes before wrinkling his nose in distaste. He took a small breath before forcing a smile. "Are you two madams lost?" He asked in French, his voice a low monotone.
The assassin looked about, puzzled, "this is Le Mode, is it not?" When the man nodded Anna beamed, "wonderful! You had me worried there a moment. Would Madam Edna be in?"
He was turning to leave when a shrill voice called, "Gustave, who is there? I told you to keep the riff raff-" the door opened and for a moment Elsa thought that there was no one there until she looked down. Standing in the doorway was a short woman wearing glasses too large for her face. Her black hair was cut short and the dress she wore matched in colour and had a slight poof to it. She wasn't there long before a grin broke out on her face, "Anna, darling, it's been too long, I didn't recognize you," she paused and her face mirrored Gustave's, "why are you dressed like a peasant? I thought Pabbie had taught you better than that?"
A light blush bloomed across her face as she coughed indignantly. "I'm not here about me, Edna, I'm here for my client," she pointed to Elsa who waved meekly, "we are attending the gala tonight, and she needs a dress fitting the occasion."
"Such short notice, it will be a challenge, and it will not be cheap," Edna paced slowly around Elsa, picking at her dress.
"I can pay," Anna assured her, "in advance if need be."
Edna simply tutted, "nonsense. I accept your challenge silly girl. Now shoo, I have work to do."
"I'll be back by dusk," Anna promised as she hurried out the door. Elsa made to follow but was promptly stopped.
"Where do you think you are going? Do you think your dress will wear itself?" Edna snipped as she snapped her fingers. Gustave was at her side in moments with a stool and a lengthy tape measure. She hopped onto the stool, snatched the measure and began to size the young queen up.

Elsa stood stock still, all but trembling as this tiny yet intimidating woman forced herself into her personal space. Her mind was racing to the worst possible outcome, and, unwillingly, the image of the bandit impaled on her ice drifted to the forefront of her mind. She clenched her fists, hoping to contain the ice she felt rolling just beneath her skin. She felt the thick leather of the Sparrowhawk's gloves, she had almost forgotten that she still had them, and felt herself grow marginally calmer and more at ease. "The gloves will have to go,"

Hers eyes widened with a sudden fear, "no!" Her voice cracked slightly with her outcry.

Edna rose a questioning eyebrow, "no? What are you talking about? They will clash with everything!"

Mind racing, Elsa desperately searched for an excuse. Any reason to get this terrifying woman to allow her to keep her gloves. Finally, something clicked and she blurted out, "I have a thing about dirt!"

"Dirt," Edna said slowly, eyebrows raising impossibly higher. Then, much to Elsa's relief, she smiled. "Why didn't you say so? Keep them for now," she nodded knowingly, "I know how you royals can be when it comes to common filth."

"R-royals?" Elsa's eyes darted about, now on the alert for possible threats and found herself wishing that the assassin hadn't left.

"But of course. Darling, one is not in this business as long as I have and not be able to tell the difference between a royal and a merchant's wife. It's in the way you hold yourself. Your posture, your way of speech, your very aura," Edna smiled, "it has been a very long time since I have dresses a royal!" Then she was angry, "and she brought you here on such short notice! I have no time to make you something new!" She waved to a slatted door in the back wall, "go and wait in the change room, I will bring you what will suit you."

On each of the three walls of the small room, closet really, was a mirror. Elsa looked at her reflection, regarding herself harshly. She looked nothing like she had when she had first fled from her castle. Her hair was dull and disheveled from lack of care and her skin was, if it was even possible, paler. She placed her hand upon the surface, quickly pulling it back when a thin sheen of frost crawled out from her fingertips. Her momentary panic only spiked when the door was pulled open.

Edna looked her up and down, "you're still dressed in those rags," she stated. When Elsa only nodded, she gave a huff and held out a folded bundle of cerulean fabric with simple black bodice. "Well, hurry and change girl, I wish to ensure that my choice was right." With that the door was closed and Elsa left alone with her dress.

It was simple, its fabric soft, sleeves long and collar high. She smiled as she laced up the bodice and began undoing her messy braid.

She was in the process of putting her hair into an intricate bun when Edna knocked on the door. "Darling, are you quite done in there?" she called before opening the door. She clasped her hands together, "it looks wonderful." she said as Elsa stepped out of the room. "Turn, I wish to see it."

Elsa blushed as she turned slowly. When she came full circle, Anna was standing in the doorway. She let out a started gasp, drawing her hands to her chest.

"Wow," Anna breathed, shifting the small box she was holding in her hands, "You look, just wow. I mean you look like your old queenly self. Not that I have seen you many times looking like your queenly self. I mean there was the night I technically kidnapped you and all, and at your-"

"Anna," Edna snapped, "please, be quiet. You ruin the moment."

She snapped her mouth shut, "yes madam," she shifted the box again before holding it out for Elsa to take, "I thought you would like a new pair, since you lost yours and mine are probably dirty and rough and not suited for a queen at all and I think they'll really go with your dress and-"

"Anna" Edna's voice sounded out again.

"Sorry, I'll be quiet."

"Not your mouth, darling, your outfit. Are you really wearing that?"

Anna looked down at her tunic and her dingy trousers, "well, yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought you were to accompany your client to the gala?"

She nodded, "I am, but you know, as her bodyguard."

"Unacceptable," Edna grabbed Anna's hand roughly and pulled her towards the back room, "be back in a moment," she called before the solid door canceled out all of Anna's feeble protests.

After a moment, Elsa sat down on the stool that had been left. She turned the box over in her hands a few times, examining it. It was a simple brown box, slim and plain and tied up with string. She pulled the string and removed the lid, eyes widening at the contents of the box. Ever since she was little, receiving a pair of gloves had left her feeling both relief at the control they granted her, and shame at the control she lack. But as she reached into the box and pulled out a elegant pair of teal velvet gloves, she felt neither, only a small bubble of joy, and a tinge of regret as she pulled off the Sparrowhawk's leather gloves, finger by finger, before replacing them with the new ones. They were the softest gloves she'd had since she was a child.

"Do you like the gloves, Lady Aren?" came Anna's voice as the door opened and closed again.

"Lady Aren?" Elsa chuckled as she turned, before freezing when she caught sight of the Sparrowhawk. She was dressed in a simple black suit, with a tailcoat and vest. Her bright hair was done up in a bun and she wore a pair of white gloves. While at her hip, a dagger hung in a decorative sheath.

She must have been staring because a blush slowly covered the assassin's cheeks and she dipped her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Anna nodded, "it's the-the name I picked for you. For the invite," she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, "since it was the name you were using for your letters. I thought it would be easier if they recognized the name." When Elsa made no response, Anna clapped her hands together, "well we should be on our way!" She hurried to the door, holding it open for the queen.

Outside, stood a freshly brushed Prince, hitched to a carriage. "You got a carriage?"

Anna nodded, "a noble can't arrive at a gala on horseback." She opened the door and ushered the queen inside.

"Now presenting, Lady Ellie Aren of Corona!" the herald called as Elsa and Anna made their way down the stairs and into the party. There was music and people dancing and just an overwhelming aura of merriment. Elsa drifted closer to Anna as they walked. "So, this is what a party looks like," she stated.

Anna cocked an eyebrow at the taller woman, "You've never been to a party? Come on, even I've been to a party… mind you I've never been invited but, I've been."

"It's not that I haven't," she clarified, "I just never stayed. Showed my face, played the dutiful princess for my parents, but," she looked to her gloved hands, "I never stayed. For everyone's safety." she finished as they reached the wall.

They were silent for a long while, scanning the crowd for the prince's servants. Anna stifled a yawn and stretched. "Do you see them yet?" she asked, sounding rather bored. When Elsa shook her head, she pushed away from the wall. "You need to get a better view of this party," the redhead grinned, "and I know just the way to do that!"

"Oh? And that is-"

"Dance!"

"I don't dance. Haven't danced," Elsa murmured.

"You have never danced?" Anna questioned.

Elsa shrugged, "Not really. With my father when I was little. When I had control… but now I'm too dangerous. I could kill someone, have killed someone. I don't want to hurt anyone."

Anna frowned a moment before smiling and extending her hand to the queen. "You won't hurt me, so, may I have this dance my queen?"

"But you're a woman!" Elsa said in a hushed tone, "It's improper, I am a queen!"

Anna smirked at that, "I'm dressed like a man, am I not, and I would be crazy to pass up the opportunity to dance with a queen. Besides, tonight, you aren't a queen, you aren't even Elsa. No duty, no worries, no ice. You can try to enjoy yourself. Come on. One dance."

Elsa was hesitant, reaching out and retracting her hand several times before Anna grabbed it. "Trust me," she smiled, her teal eyes shiny with the warmth of it, "consider it repayment for at least one of the times I've saved your life." With that said, Elsa was being dragged into the middle of the dancefloor as the band began a new song.

The queen fidgeted with her gloves a moment, looking down at the assassin, "I've never, properly danced."

"Don't worry about it, just follow my lead," Anna took Elsa's hand and put it on her shoulder while she put one of hers onto the queens waist. She could feel a chill through the layers of fabric and smile reassuringly, "I don't you not to worry." With that, Anna was leading them in a circle around the small ball room with the other dancers. It was awkward at first, mainly with the shorter of the two leading, and Elsa being stiff as a board. But soon, Elsa began to relax. The gentle turning and twirling began to lull her into a state of relaxation. A lazy smile spread over her face and a laugh bubbled forth, which in turn pulled one from Anna and soon the two were dancing without a care in the world.

One dance turned into two, and then three and more until they were stumbling over to the refreshment table, giggling like a pair of children. Their giggling subsided as they scanned the table. "What is that amazing smell?" Elsa's eyes widened as she and Anna both inhaled deeply.

"Chocolate!" came their duel reply followed another bout of giggles from the two woman. Anna's came full and stretched her face with a grin while Elsa hid hers behind a hand.

As Anna laughter subsided, she placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder, smiling wider when she didn't recoil from her touch. "This has got to be the most fun I've ever had," she glanced back around at the party, "and you, you aren't the stuffy frigid queen you make yourself out to be," looking up at Elsa she add, "I like this, not having to be an assassin, just enjoying life, and seeing you smile. I wish it could be like this forever."

"Me to," Elsa's smile faltered, "But-"

"Lady Aren!" chimed a pompous sound English voice. Elsa quickly moved away from Anna as two men hurried towards them. They looked like polar opposites, one was tall and thin as anything with light brown hair, dressed commonly, while the other was short and portly with dark auburn hair, wearing a red suit. "Lady Aren," the portly one wheezed, clearly out of breath, "we have been looking for you all night! Oh! But where are my manners!" he bowed lowly, pulling the other man down with him, "your, um, uncle sends his regards."

"Cogsworth, Lumiere," Elsa inclined her head to each in turn, "it's good to see you both again."

"And it is good to see that you are well, Madam," the taller one, Lumiere, said, his accent thick.

The other man, Cogsworth, nodded, "yes, from your letters, you had the Master quite worried. We all were. Well, shall we get to it? We have a solar here in the villa, if you wish to speak in private." It was then that his attention turned to Anna, "and who might this be?"

Elsa looked over to Anna who, despite their interruption, was still smiling. Who was she, really? To Elsa? Assassin turned saviour? Bodyguard? Escort? Friend? Something more? The thought of the feisty redhead being anything personal to her almost made her grin giddily, but she forced that aside. "This, gentleman, is An-" she cut herself off. Not Anna, "This is Sparrow. She is my bodyguard and travel companion." from the corner of her eye, she could see her smile faltering.

"I see, your questionable company, I assume?" Cogsworth asked, the smile falling from Anna's face.

Elsa thought about correcting him, telling him that she might have been wrong in her assessment, but she didn't, she merely nodded once and watched as all traces of previous joy vanished from Anna's face.

Anna bowed deeply, her hand covering her heart to the two envoys and then to Elsa, keeping her eyes down as she straightened up. "Well, I trust that you gentlemen will see to Lady Aren's needs and safety, then my services are no longer needed," she turned to Elsa, hurt clear in her eyes, "I shall depart now so that you may conduct your business." She pushed past the two men, "gentlemen," and began making her way swiftly to the door.

Cogsworth huffed hotly, "I can see why she would be such questionable company. Your bodyguard lacks training."

Elsa watched Anna's retreating form until it got to the door. "I'll only be one moment, gentlemen," she made to follow after the assassin, but Lumiere stood in her way.

"Time is of the essence, You Majesty" he whispered.

"Yes, yes of course. You're right. Shall we?" Elsa kept her hands close as she followed them away from the party to talk about the detail of her journey to the Prince, while her thoughts kept drifting back to the look in the assassin's eyes.