Elsa rarely left Anna's side for two days. She had insisted on personally taking care of her and nothing Esmeralda said would convince her to stand aside. She soothed her fever when it grew too high and spoon fed her broth anytime the younger woman was conscious enough to drink. The queen's headache and weariness persisted as much as the storm that battered the city above them, but she could not be bothered to worry about her own minute discomfort when Anna was still in danger. They had at least managed to move Anna to a bed, but despite anyone's insistence, Elsa refused one of her own, choosing instead to curl up in an old armchair in Anna's room when the call to sleep became too strong to fight.
"Queenie," Esmeralda's voice startled Elsa from her near sleep.
Elsa covered a yawn with the back of her hand, "what is it?"
Esmeralda laid down a smile pile of clothes and placed a pair of boots on top, "you've been cooped up in here too long, and you need some fresh air."
The queen frowned, "I've spent my whole life cooped up inside my castle. A few days underground won't kill me. Besides, Anna needs me here."
"If she hasn't kicked the bucket yet, she isn't going to anytime soon, now get dressed," Esmeralda's voice left no room for argument. She sighed, "And if it makes you feel better, I'll leave a few guards."
Elsa dressed quickly in the long blue woollen skirt and simple white blouse, lacing the boots quickly. She pulled on the matching jacket before turning to Anna.
The woman's breathing had finally evened out but her face was still flushed with fever. Elsa adjusted the thin blanket over Anna's form, tucking her in snuggly, "I won't be long, Anna," she promised before she tugged on her gloves and followed Esmeralda.
The gypsy was waiting for her in the street, dressed in warm winter clothing. She smiled at Elsa before leading her into another tunnel. This one was steeply sloped and spiralled tightly, Elsa struggled to keep up. At the top was a large trapdoor which Esmeralda pulled open with ease. The two women climbed up into a worn down house, its walls crumbling and it's floor in shambles. A cold wind blew through the gaping holes that had once been windows, and on that wind came that voices of townsfolk in the streets and the laughter of children. The storm had finally lessened to a gentle snowfall and the people of the Beggars Kingdom were out and about, digging out their homes.
Elsa stepped out into the street and looked around, eyes wide in a mix of horror and amazement. "I did this," she murmured.
"That you did," Esmeralda replied simply.
"I... I'm so sorry. I never imagined I could be capable of this," Elsa was shaking, her eyes darting about, waiting for the first stone to be cast at her.
"Don't worry about it," Esmeralda assured her, "this impromptu winter that you've plunged the city in is really quite helpful. Really, we should be thanking you for it."
Elsa's jaw went slack a moment before she managed to compose herself, "wait, what?" She moved in front of Esmeralda, stopping her from walking, "I'm confused. Did you say you should thank me?" Her confusion only deepened when the gypsy nodded, smiling at the queen. "Can you not see what I did to your homes? Your people could freeze!" Panic inches its way into her voice, "or starve. Crop could die, animals, children!" Still Esmeralda smiled at her. "How can you thank me for putting an entire city in danger? Why aren't you running me out of town or throwing me to the church?"
Esmeralda tried not to laugh at the young queen's panic, "Would you prefer it if I gathered a mob and ran you out or let you face the stake?"
"No," Elsa replied in a rush.
"Good," Esmeralda stepped around Elsa and continues down the street, "walk with me, your majesty." She waited for Elsa to catch up before she spoke again, "I take it you have never really walked the streets of your cities in Arendelle?" When the queen shook her head she nodded, "the summer months can be hard on the poor just as much as the winter. People hold for tightly to their coin and take less pity on us, not that we want their pity but it does make those with a little gold to spare more willing to part with it. Now mind you, we don't starve. There is plenty to eat and we can gather food from beyond the walls, but we still need the money. It pays for the things that we can't find or make. Even in these past two days we have seen an increase in coin." Esmeralda's face turned serious, "moreover, it has given Judge Frollo something else to worry about and he has stopped his hunt for my people, for the time being. My man on the inside has told me that he is busy trying to dispel panic," she grinned before laughing, "People are saying that this is God's wrath. If only they knew, right? So, yes, we should thank you."
Elsa flexed her hands, lost in thought until Esmeralda spoke again, "it really is quite remarkable," she mused, reaching out a hand to catch a stay snowflake, "this gift you have been given."
Elsa scoffed, "this is a gift?" she shook her head, "this ice I feel racing beneath my skin is no gift. It's a curse. A curse that I can't control."
"Well," Esmeralda began, "if it weren't for that so called curse, Anna would be dead by now. A fever can kill just as easily as the most potent of poisons. I may have patched her up and put her on the right track, but it was you that saved her life. Just remember that."
Elsa thought hard on the older woman's words, and for the first time in forever she was glad for her powers. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. She had thought the cold and ice a curse for so long, she had forgotten what it was like to be glad to have them. And why shouldn't she? They had saved Anna's life. As they continued their walk, the air grew marginally warmer.
They walked in silence, Esmeralda glancing over to the queen. "What?" Elsa snipped.
"You care a lot about her, don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"About who?" Elsa blinked.
"Anna," Esmeralda replied simply.
A light blush rose in Elsa's cheeks, "of course I do. It's a queen's duty to care for her subjects," she defended quickly.
Esmeralda grinned knowingly, "Not as much as you care for her. You like her, don't you?" She laughed when Elsa's face grew impossibly redder, "it's perfectly natural, you know. And no one could blame you, Anna is a rather attractive young woman."
"I- well- that is- she is-" Elsa was at a loss for words, but she couldn't deny the way her heart fluttered.
"Elsa!" A voice called from ahead of them, ending the conversation as women looked to the source of the call. Heading towards them was Prince, hooked up to his wagon and two men flanking him and either side with a fifth sitting atop his back. On one side was Kristoff and Sven, both dressed lightly despite the cold weather. On the other side was a man in golden armour and short, shimmering blond hair, and next to him a man that dwarfed even Sven. His head was bald but he made up for it was a thick black beard, his were such a dark brown they were almost black. His armour gleamed beneath his thick cloak and he kept a firm and on the pommel of her great sword. The grimace on his face helped to settle the image of ferocity he displayed. The smaller man who sat astride Prince looked warm and inviting by contrast. He had messy black hair, sticking out at odd angles.
Elsa hadn't realized how much she had missed the two mountain men. As awkward as they had been, they had made her time in the village pleasant. She was glad to see them, but when the man riding Prince called out to her again, the queen felt tears spring to her eyes, "Olaf," she smiled, "and Sir Marshal," she greeted once they were close enough, wiping at her eyes. She smiles when Esmeralda rushed past her and wrapped her arms around the man in the golden armour. Her face scrunched up in confusion, "what are you two doing in Paris?"
"These two Sven's here," Olaf started, ignoring Kristoff's protest that his name was not Sven, "took us to their village to get us out of the city. Then they brought us here."
"What my big brother means, your majesty, is that these assassin savages broke into your castle and abducted your royal knights," Marshal corrected, his voice gruff and gravelly.
"Details, little brother, details. You see abduction, while I see a chance to make new friends," Olaf happily chimed.
Elsa chuckled. She had known the two brothers for as long could remember. They had been there for her through everything, even when she pushed them away, they came running back, ready to help her when she was ready to accept it. It had been the reason that her father had knighted them, despite their low birth.
"Actually, Grandmaster Pabbie sent Sven and I to collect them," Kristoff explained. "They're here to finish Anna's job and take you to your allies."
Elsa blinked, "What do you mean, finish Anna's job?" she asked, "What's going on?"
Olaf looked away, "well, you see, the thing is-"
"The kingdom's been taken over by a Southern prince and his rag tag army," Marshal finished bluntly.
"Prince Hans," Kristoff spat, crossing his arms over his broad chest, "he swooped in not long after you and Anna left and took control. Claimed that he had a right to the throne through some long distant relative. No one's buying it, but he has the numbers behind him so no one is in a position to challenge him."
Elsa shook from shock, "my kingdom. I failed it," she glanced at Olaf, "are my people alright?"
"Nope," he shook his head, "he has been locking away anyone who dares speak against him. Advisors, generals, castle staff. Everyone"
Marshal walked forward and punched his brother, nearly sending him flying off the horse, "you are not helping," he grumbled.
Kristoff sighed, "look, things are bad back home now, but I'm sure that once you return with your allies, you'll be able to set things right." he tried to give the distraught queen a reassuring smile, but it came out more as a pained grimace. Sven groaned at him. Kristoff scratched the back of his head, "sorry, comfort isn't my strong suit." He shook his head, "we're taking Anna home, she is needed back in the village," he looked around slowly, looking for the redhead, "where is feisty pants anyways?"
Elsa frowned, curling in on herself slightly, "Anna….. Anna was…. she was doing what she promised and protected me. She saved my life but she was struck. But, Esmeralda patched her up," she smiled at the woman next to her, "if it weren't for her, Anna would be dead.
Kristoff's face was shadowed with worry, "where is she?"
"She's underground res-" Elsa was cut off by a gentle clinking sound from behind her, like metal on stone. She spun around to see Anna struggling her way towards the group through the snow, supporting her weight. Her hair was wild and disheveled, her eyes her glassy and her face was flushed red from her fever. She wore nothing but a pair of ragged trousers and her bandages. The fire crystal around her neck glowed brightly, like it was struggling to keep her temperature stable. Elsa beamed and began moving towards her, "Anna, you're awake!"
"Queen Elsa!" Kristoff snapped suddenly, when Elsa looked back at him, he was shaking and Sven was practically bristling, "get away from her!"
Anna put herself between Elsa and the knights, swaying as she raised her sword, her eyes turning wild, "traitorous knights," she wheezed, "I won't let you hurt her." When Olaf made to get off of Prince, Anna swung the sword towards him, "one move towards her and your wretched lives end here."
Marshal was having none of Anna's nonsense and swiftly drew his sword. Anna let out a growl and raised her sword, ready to dash forward, but she was stopped by Elsa's thin arms being wrapped around her bare stomach, holding her back. She struggled weakly in Elsa's hold, trying, and failing, to break free. "Let me go, your majesty! I'm trying to save you!"
Elsa held fast, motioning for Martial to stand down. She could feel the heat radiating off of Anna. Slowly, she pulled off her gloves, letting them fall to the ground, "Anna, please calm down," she pleaded, "I'm fine, they aren't going to hurt me. These knights are friends of mine. I'm safe." She smiled as Abba lowered the sword, allowing her arms to hang loosely at her sides, "but you are sick with fever, you aren't thinking straight," she brought one of her hand up to rest on Anna's forehead, "let me help you."
Anna whimpered softly when Elsa began to chill her forehead. It felt pleasant and both women could feel her temperature falling. Her eyes fell shut as what little strength she had mustered to make it to the group left her, causing her to fall back against the queen, her sword clattering to the snowing ground, asleep once more.
Elsa let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. Her arms shook from the effort of supporting Anna's weight. She scanned the group, picking out Sven as the calmest, "Sven, can you come and take her from me? And Sir Marshal, help me stand?"
The mute was the first to move, scooping Anna up in his arms, smiling when she unconsciously reached out for the queen. Once the assassin was out if the way, Marshal picked up the gloves and held them out to Elsa. She took them, but to everyone's surprise, she clutched onto the knights arm with her bare hands. Marshal blinked in shock before smiling, ruffling Elsa's bangs, "glad to see you're finally getting better," he rumbled.
"Well, that was certainly interesting," the man in the golden armour spoke up finally, "you and your entourage should come to Paris more often," his Nordic was horrendous and made Elsa cringe.
"Phobos, be nice," Esmeralda scolded him.
"Captain Phobos," he corrected her, earning him a swift smack to the side of his head, "but just Phobos is fine," he hurried.
With a slight grin, Esmeralda gave the man a kiss on the cheek, "we'll go on ahead and obtain a place for these for. Your majesty, would you like a bath?" The look on Elsa's face must have given away how much she would love a warm bath for Esmeralda laughed heartily, "I'll draw one for you upstairs."
Kristoff stayed behind while the others made their way back to the shack, "I'll find a place to shelter this fella," he gave Prince a hearty pat, "I'll see you all later."
"Bye Sven," Olaf cheered as he hurried after his brother.
The group was halfway through the tunnel before anyone spoke, but it was Olaf to break the silence, "Why didn't you tell us you were leaving?" he asked, sounding hurt.
Elsa clung tighter to Marshal, "I didn't want to put you two in danger. I didn't think that my leaving you out of my escape could put you in even more danger."
"Well, we're here now," Olaf smiled up at her, all feelings of hurt gone, "and soon we'll be on our way home, right Elsa?"
The queen looked thoughtfully at Sven's back as they finally entered the chamber, "I'm not leaving without Anna," she stated simply. When the knights stared at her in confusion she explained, "She didn't abandon me at any point in our journey here, I will not abandon her." That was the end of that. Childhood friends they may have been, Elsa was still their queen and they were duty-bound to obey.
The small group was stopped at Esmerelda's door, "sorry, I can't allow the two of you inside," she stated, "kings orders." a smile twitched at the corner of her mouth at the look of anger on Marshals face. "Phobos will show you boys to your tent."
"It's okay, Marshal." Elsa soothed, "I'll be fine."
With an angered grunt, Marshal stormed after Captain Phobos with Olaf at his heel.
Once they were gone, Esmerelda allowed her and Sven inside. Sven lead Anna down in her bed as if she were made of glass and smiled at Elsa as he tucked the redhead in before sitting on the floor next to the bed. "She's like a sister to you and Kristoff, isn't she?" Elsa asked quietly, listening to the sound of water hitting metal upstairs. Sven nodded, rubbing his thumb along Anna's cheek. The queen bowed her head, ringing her hands together, "I am sorry for endangering your sister then. Please forgive me." She flinched involuntarily when she heard his heavy feet on the floorboards and let out a gasp as she was lifted off of the ground in a tight embrace. Her arms pinned to her side, Elsa could do nothing but marvel at how warm the mute was, not cold and dead and frozen at all, but alive and breathing, and reeking of reindeer you noted. When he finally set her done, he smiled toothily at her. Elsa laughed, "I guess that means you forgive me?"
Sven nodded swiftly.
"Thank you," Elsa said.
"Your bath is ready," Esmeralda informed her, "Best get in before it gets cold. Not that you'd mind the cold," she forced a laugh before looking to Sven, "can I take to you outside?" Sven snorted at that and followed her outside.
Once alone, Elsa approached Anna bed. Once again, she was struck with how small she looked. Nothing like the woman who had challenged two knights not that long ago. Anna was dangerous, no one could deny that, but she was also kind and protective and filled with the same caring warmth as her brothers. She turned away and hurried up the steps, down the small hall, and into the bathing room.
A metal tub sat in the middle of the room, steam rolling off of it. It looked so inviting. Slowly, she stripped off of her cloths, folding them neatly and setting them near the tub before climbing in. The water did wonders at soothing her aches and pains, but did little to stop her wandering thoughts. In front of Esmeralda, she could deny her thoughts and feeling all she wanted, but alone in the quiet of the gypsy's house, she couldn't hide from them. Anna was kind, precise and beautiful. Deadly, elegant and stunning. An assassin, the dreaded Sparrowhawk, and Elsa, queen of Arendelle could not deny to herself what she could to others, she was falling impossibly for her.