Responses below! I'm sorry if some of them seem curt, but a lot of you guys are theorizing on what's going to happen next. That's really welcome of course, but commenting on those theories (whether they're right or wrong) may spoil some stuff, so I'm trying not to do that.
After a meeting that had taken over three hours to conclude, Elsa was eager to sit down for lunch. Anna walking beside her, the Queen briskly made her way to the dining hall and requested the servants to begin preparing the midday meal, while also sending a messenger to find Princess Rapunzel.
The monarch took her place at the head of the table, noting with satisfaction that her redhead automatically sat in her usual chair. After over a month in the Castle, Anna was finally beginning to come into her element. Of course, now that she eating with the Queen for almost every meal, the redhead had had a lot of practice at the table.
"Why does Kale hate me so much, Your Majesty?" Anna questioned, evidently being mindful of the presence of the servants that were preparing her meal.
Elsa sighed. "It's not that he hates you in particular. He hates what you represent. For centuries, the Royal Guards have alone been responsible for the protection of Arendelle's monarch. Now you, someone who had never officially been in my service, have been appointed as my personal guard. To Kale, that makes you an usurper of his order's proud duty. Plus, he's an elitist by nature," the Queen explained.
Anna nodded. "Some people here are never going to accept me, are they?" It wasn't a question.
The monarch shook her head, not bothering to deny it. Elsa had been doing her best to help Anna adjust to this lifestyle. But even if the redhead dressed like a noble, ate like a noble, and behaved like a noble for decades, some in the Castle would never approve of her, simply because of her low birth. Even once their relationship became public, many would continue to resent her...although they would likely be more discreet about it. In fact, the announcement of her relationship would probably serve to make some nobles hate Anna more.
Their conversation was erupted by the main door to the dining hall opening. In the doorway stood a familiar brunette Princess, her usual warm smile plastered across her face.
"Anna, I'm so glad you're okay!" Rapunzel said, hurrying over to the table.
"Thanks to you!" the redhead said brightly. "E-Her Majesty told me how you saved my life!"
"I believe you saved mine first. Somehow, you got me out of that burning carriage when I was knocked out. It was only fair that I returned the favor," the Princess grinned as she took her own seat.
Given the commotion that had occurred last night, Rapunzel's return to Corona had been delayed until tomorrow. As the three women began to sink into lunch, Elsa noted with a twinge of sadness that this would be one of their final meals together. Over the last week, the Queen had grown very accustomed to spending time with her cousin, and there was no telling when they would see each other again.
As usual, the conversation between them was amiable, but Elsa couldn't help but notice that Anna seemed a bit more distant than was typical.
"Something on your mind?" the Queen questioned as they finished eating.
Anna pursed her lips. "I was just thinking about what you..." she paused. "Maybe this isn't the place," the redhead murmured, motioning towards the room's servant's entrance.
\
A half hour later, the three women found themselves in Elsa's study, sitting in their usual chairs.
"So..." Anna began once they were seated.
"Yes?" Elsa prompted curiously. She had no idea what her personal attendant wanted to talk about. It didn't appear to be too urgent, but Anna obviously thought it sensitive enough to not be spoken of in front of the servants.
The redhead bit her lip. "During the meeting today, when we-you were talking about magic, for a moment it looked like you were about to say something, but then you stopped. Do you know something you didn't want to tell the Council?"
Elsa stared at her for a moment. Then she laughed lightly.
"Seriously? That's what made you ask for a private meeting?" she chuckled.
Anna's face flushed red. "I'm sorry, I just..." she stopped. Suddenly, a distinctive flash of anger appeared on her face. "Wait, no I'm not! Here I am, all worried about you, and your only reaction is to laugh at me?"
"You're worried about me?"
The redhead's mouth gaped open. "Worried about...of course I am? Do you think I've already forgotten about last night? What I am supposed to think when, less than a day after we're all nearly killed, you suddenly remember some sensitive piece of information so troubling that you won't even confide in it to your Council?"
Elsa frowned. True, Anna was overreacting to the situation, but her concern was endearing. And no one could inspire guilt in the Queen like Anna could.
"Anna...I apologize. I didn't mean to worry you. Yes, I thought of something during the meeting, but I decided not to mention it because it was too ridiculous, not because it was frightening."
At her words, both Anna and Rapunzel raised their eyebrows.
Elsa sighed. "Talking about magic reminded me of something I once read in my father's journal. He talked about...it doesn't matter. It was so ludicrous, it was probably just a story he decided to write while passing the time during some of his travels. Or a recounting of a strange dream he had."
"What was it?" Rapunzel asked curiously.
"It doesn't matter," Elsa repeated. "My father didn't write in his journal often; it was left behind before my parents' last voyage. He wasn't exactly a dutiful writer. It was probably just a story he made up for my mother."
Anna glared at her. "You mean you might know something that could help us learn about the people who attacked you, and you're hiding it because you think it's too ridiculous?" she demanded.
"Anna I-"
"After all that talk about how we have to do everything we can to find answers?" Anna continued firmly. She rose to her feet, hands clenched at her sides. "How crazy can it be, anyway? Rapunzel has healing tears she got from a golden flower! I'm stronger and can run faster than any man in the kingdom. And you...look at what you can do! Compared to all that, what can be considered ridiculous?"
"Rock trolls."
Anna stared at her dumbly. "Rock trolls?" she asked.
Elsa nodded. "My father wrote that he knew of small purple trolls, made of rock, that lived in the hills of the North Mountain. Apparently, they had great knowledge of magic...and could do plenty of it themselves. According to his journal, when I was little he intended to travel to where they were located and obtain answers on my powers. Whether he ever did or not...he never wrote it down."
"So let's go find them!" Anna declared, raising her arms into the air.
Despite herself, Elsa couldn't help but giggle at her attendant's misguided enthusiasm. "Anna...they probably don't even exist. I know we all have strange powers, but...rock trolls? It seems a little hard to believe."
"Maybe," Anna admitted. "But it's worth checking out! Maybe your father was writing truthfully. Just send out some soldiers to the North Mountain and see if they can find anything!"
"Anna," she began, exasperation now leaking into her voice. "The North Mountain is over one hundred miles away. I can't send a group of soldiers in the dead of winter to go searching for a pack of rock trolls. With the weather as it is...it'd be extremely difficult for them to search anyway."
She paused. Maybe Anna had a point, after all. They were desperate for leads...any leads, and her father's writings were probably more credible than other information that her agents would be following up on.
"Maybe in the spring," Elsa consented. "When it's warm enough for them to remain outside for extended periods and easy enough to travel. But right now, anyone I sent would barely be able to search, and the cold would be so discouraging that they probably would barely even try."
Anna's eyes widened. "Not me!" she declared.
"No!" Elsa reacted automatically.
"But-"
"No," the Queen repeated. "I am not sending you out in the middle of winter to look for rock trolls over a hundred miles away. Either with a group of soldiers or by yourself!"
"We need any information we can get!" Anna argued, a fierce light in her eyes. "With your life at stake, we can't afford to wait until spring! If they exist, there's a chance these trolls might know something that will help us protect you, and that alone is worth it!"
Elsa concentrated, willing her power to not seep out and begin to chill the room. After just having come so close to losing Anna, the last thing Elsa was doing to do was send the redhead out on a dangerous mission in search of a fool's errand.
"I said no, Anna!" she repeated, nearly shouting now.
Her personal attendant stared at her, the look in her eyes reminding the Queen of the stubborn gaze of a spoiled child who wasn't getting her way.
"Elsa, I can handle the cold. Maybe not as well as you, but way better than your men. With all the energy I have now, I could search for hours each day. Please...I can do it!"
The monarch shook her head. "I trust no one more than you, Anna, but this...search...would be dangerous to anyone. Even me, with all my power and immunity to the cold, would be at risk. The area around the North Mountain is within our borders, but it isn't civilized, especially during the winter. Anything could happen, and I'm not about to gamble your life in the vain hope that there might be living rocks who know something about magic!"
"Elsa-"
The Queen cut her off with a firm glare. "I know you want to protect me, Anna. I know you want what's best for me. But I'm the Queen. It's my job to make the decisions. I know you don't agree with this choice, but I've been ruling a kingdom for five years now, and so far my decisions have turned out fairly well. So please, trust my judgment and do as I say. You're more valuable here, and this mission wouldn't be worth it."
Anna sighed, the redhead's eyes tinged with defeat.
"Fine," she huffed, falling back into her seat.
Elsa smiled. "Good," she said. "Now if you'll excuse us, dear cousin, I have a meeting concerning Vlora's funeral. My personal attendant will be joining me, of course, doing her job of guarding me. It is a job she is very skilled at, though I feel that her performance would suffer if she traveled over a hundred miles away. Come along, Anna," she ordered.
It was petty, she knew, but Elsa couldn't resist the opportunity to hit Anna with a few verbal jabs after their heated argument. Besides, that was one of the perks of being Queen, after all. She always got the last word.
Rapunzel, who had wisely kept quiet during the couple's debate, offered her a soft smile.
\
It was midnight by the time Anna finally returned to her rooms. Elsa's schedule had been busy throughout the day, and that meant that her schedule had been busy.
It was pitch black outside. The redhead was eager to climb into bed, close her eyes, and allow her dreams to take her.
But Anna wouldn't be sleeping in this bed tonight. Or for the next several nights, for that matter.
Instead of changing into one of her silken nightgowns, Anna merely placed on her winter coat over her usual uniform, checked to make sure her sword was still in its proper position, and added on the newest addition to her wardrobe.
After their argument, Elsa had gifted her with a double knife scabbard already filled with two sharp daggers. It was meant to give Anna more methods to defend her Queen, and also (though the stubborn monarch hadn't admitted it) intended as an apology of sorts for their verbal spat earlier.
Anna was going to use it sooner than intended.
She packed a light bag with an extra set of clothes and thought over her next move. Climbing out of the window could work, but it would look to suspicious if she was spotted. Better to take her chances and simply walk out of the door. Most of the guards knew who she was now, and since they knew Anna was able to walk anywhere she pleased within the Castle they would probably not even question where she was going.
Sighing, Anna placed a letter on her dresser, the front of the envelope emblazoned with Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elsa in Anna's inelegant script. Elsa would be enraged by her departure, she knew, but at least she would be certain where Anna had gone off to.
She took a last, longing glance at her bed before walking out the door.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?"
Anna whirled around. There, standing in the hallway not five feet behind her door stood Rapunzel, arms crossed and her back slouched against the wall.
"Oh!...Hi Rapunzel! Yeah, I'm just headed down to the kitchens for a midnight snack. I'm still a little hungry after all those meetings after dinner," she explained desperately.
The Princess rolled her eyes. "Please, just don't give me that crap. We both know where you're going. You don't exactly need to bring a sword and two knives on your long and perilous journey to the kitchens.
Anna's face burned bright red. "How...how did you...?"
"Know you were going to leave?" the Princess smirked. "I married a former thief, Anna. I know the look in someone's eye that appears when they're about to go against orders. He may be reformed, but Eugene still..."
"Fine, you caught me." Anna admitted, cutting her friend off. They were too far away from the guards' posts to be overheard, but Anna didn't want to waste more time than she had to. "I'm going to the North Mountain. If there's something there that can tell us about Elsa's magic, than I'm going to find it."
The Princess frowned. "I thought you were loyal to Elsa above all else? That's what you've sworn anyway," she pointed out.
Anna's eyes narrowed. "There's a difference between loyalty and obedience. I have to protect my Queen, even if it means going against her orders."
"But why? Why can't you just accept her judgment? Making the decisions is her responsibility."
The redhead scowled. "So you think I should just follow the rules?" she demanded.
Rapunzel sighed. "Anna, I-"
"Do you know where I'd be..." Anna interrupted, "If everyone followed the rules? I'd be in a prison, shivering in the dark and dressed in rags, sentenced there for life for the crime of attempting to rob the Queen. That's what would have happened to me if Elsa had followed the rules. Instead, I'm living like a noble inside Arendelle's Royal Palace, happy and warm and fed!" the redhead hissed. "She could have killed me. Even after I saved her, Elsa would have been free to just let me out back into the world, back to a life that I would have managed to survive in for maybe a decade at most! But instead, she gave me a home. A job. A future. And I am going to save her, even if it means disobeying her direct orders. Don't try to stop me."
Rapunzel sighed. "You owe her your life, Anna," the Princess agreed. "But she owes you hers too, twice over now. If you hadn't been there yesterday-"
"I know!" Anna cut her off. "This isn't about repaying a debt...trying to get even. I don't care who owes who at this point. All I care about is that...I love her. I can't stand by and watch as she doesn't do everything she can to prevent another attack. My instincts tell me she's making a mistake, and I'm not going to let it be one that destroys her."
"And how do you plan on getting there?" the Princess demanded. "The North Mountain is two day's journey on horseback in the winter. Do you have a horse. Do you even have money?"
Anna shook her head. She knew she was being rash, but she couldn't bring herself to steal something from the Palace, even for a noble purpose. Normally, she would have asked Elsa for money, but that obviously wasn't a good idea in this situation. She'd be confined to her room by a battalion of ice soldiers before she could blink.
Still, Anna had plenty of experience walking through the countryside, and she hadn't been practically superhuman before. It wouldn't be easy, but she would make it. If worst came to worst, she would sell her extra clothes in order to buy food. Elsa had made it clear that the clothes were hers, so she felt no guilt in pawning off the fine silks.
"Then you'd better come with me," the Princess declared.
Anna stared at her. "What?"
"Obviously, I can't let you go off to the North Mountain without money and a horse. Luckily, I know someone who has both. Follow me," she turned and started down the hall. The redhead's mouth gaped open in shock.
"You're helping me?" Anna sputtered as she raced after Rapunzel.
The Princess smiled at her. "Of course. Anna, If I myself had always followed the rules, I'd still be a prisoner in Gothel's tower. Sometimes we have to do what's right instead of what's expected. These trolls might not exist, but Elsa can't afford to not look into it. The Queen should be sending you, you're definitely the best woman for the job, but she's too concerned with protecting you to admit it."
"Then why did you let me go on for so long?" Anna demanded. Still, a rush of gratitude raced through her. Rapunzel really was something.
The Princess grinned. "Honestly? I thought your rant was pretty adorable. It was so sweet...too bad Elsa wasn't there to hear it."
"Don't worry about that," Anna grimaced. "I'm sure I'll be repeating it when I get back...in the process of begging Elsa not to stick me through with an icicle. Gods, she's going to be furious..."
Rapunzel nodded. "That's love for you."
\
Making it out of the Castle with ease thanks to Rapunzel's presence, Anna was quickly led to the Royal Stables. Any guards who saw them immediately bowed to the Princess and went about their way.
"I never really get a chance to use her, but as the heir to Arendelle I've been given a horse here for my personal use," Rapunzel explained as they walked through the stables. She stopped the redhead at the end of a line of horses, showing her to a mare.
Anna's eyes widened as she perceived the horse the Princess had indicated. It was of medium build, the perfect size for a slim Princess. A smooth leather saddle hung around his back, complete with a set of reins. But what caught the redhead's attention was the horse's skin. It was pitch black, so dark that Anna doubted she would be able to see the mare were it not for the flickering lamplight.
"Easy, Shadow," Rapunzel cooed as she stepped over to the horse and patted its flank. "This is Anna, she's going to be riding you for a few days."
"Wait, what?" Anna stepped back, holding out her palms in front of her as the horse nickered in her direction.
"Well, why did you think I was showing you my horse?"
Anna took a moment to process the information. She was being offered the personal mount of the Princess of Corona, Heir Presumptive of Arendelle.
"Rapunzel, you're amazing...but I couldn't. I'm not that good of a rider. What if something happens?" she protested.
"That's why you need to take Shadow. She's the perfect size for you, fast, easy to handle, and sturdy. You won't be falling off anytime soon," Rapunzel promised.
She moved to argue again, but Rapunzel cut her off. "You still owe it to Elsa to do everything you can to get back safely," the Princess added. "Shadow's your best bet." At her words, the horse seemed to raise her head proudly, although that might have been Anna's overactive imagination.
"Alright," Anna agreed reluctantly. "I mean...thanks!" she amended, not wanting to sound ungrateful. And she was grateful. Just nervous.
Rapunzel nodded. "Take this as well." The Princess reached into her pocket, pulling out a blue pouch that jiggled as it was pressed into Anna's hand.
The redhead thought to protest, but immediately thought better of it. Rapunzel was right. She had to get back to Elsa. Money would make that a lot easier, and Anna knew the Princess had plenty of it.
Besides, she had grown accustomed towards sleeping in a warm bed every night.
As she slipped the bag into her own pocket, Rapunzel lunged forward, pulling her into a hug. Pleasantly surprised, Anna returned the embrace, realizing with sadness that this would be the last time she saw her new friend in a while. By the time she returned, the Princess would be long gone. They hadn't know each other for too long, but Anna knew she would miss her.
"Thanks for everything," Anna whispered.
Rapunzel hugged her tighter. "Be safe out there," she implored as her head rested against Anna's shoulder. "Elsa had a point; it's dangerous out there."
"I will."
Pulling apart, Anna smiled at Rapunzel once more before grabbing the reins and easily leaping onto the mare's saddle.
"Do try and bring her back. Good horses aren't easy to find these days," the Princess requested.
Swallowing nervously, the redhead nodded.
"I'll see you soon. Good luck Anna," the Princess said. She stepped to the side, allowing Shadow free passage out of the stables.
She nodded at Rapunzel one last time before cracking the reins, urging the mare forward. Suddenly, they were racing out of the stables. Within seconds, Shadow was thundering across the Castle grounds. As they were coming from inside the walls, the guards posted at the gate heard their approach and let them through without even bothering to stop her.
Anna couldn't help but bask in the thrill of it as they made their way down the main road of the Royal City, now deserted at this time of night. Rapunzel was right; Shadow was easily controlled and very fast. The air whipped past her face, ruffling her hair. She felt good. She felt alive.
The allure of adventure beckoned.
\
"Who is that?" one man demanded.
They were sitting together for a late meeting, lodged in their temporary headquarters. The man in question had shot up out of his chair, pointing out of the room's spacious window. What almost appeared to be a black speck was racing down the road, a flicker of red hanging above it.
All heads in the room turned towards the scene. They were only on the second floor, and the candle-lit lamps outside on the main street provided plenty of illumination. As the shape approached their dwelling, it was obvious what it was.
"Just some stupid girl going on a joyride," a woman declared. As the horse sped alongside her dwelling for a moment, it became clear to all that her words were correct. It was a young woman with red hair and a splattering of freckles, riding atop a black horse.
Only one man seemed affected by the revelation.
"It's her," he breathed in shock.
The leader turned to him. "Who?" he demanded roughly.
"That bitch...I would recognize her anywhere," he snarled. Having been stationed in the Castle, he'd been called out to attend this night's meeting and report what he knew. And his knowledge was about to come in handy.
"That was Elsa's new lapdog."
Everyone in the room stared at him.
"Are you certain?" the leader questioned. His voice was hesitant, but there was an undeniable hint of anticipation contained within his words.
"Completely," he promised.
For a moment, their leader was silent. He stared out the window, contemplating their next move.
"Gentlemen," he began. "An enormous opportunity has landed upon our shoulders. It appears as if our target is riding outside the city alone, equipped for a long journey. It doesn't matter why. I want six of our fastest riders after her in ten minutes."
The room was instantly consumed by a rush of activity, men and women acting quickly to relay the orders. But their leader had one final directive, and his voice was so commanding that they all heard it.
"And make sure the crossbow bolts they use are poisoned," he added. "I don't want any chances taken with this one."
Responses:
Snowboardgurl: Hopefully the tension keeps building, but the villain's plans remain secret for the moment.
Robthezombie: Thanks! Yeah, ITSOTQ is definitely one of my favorite stories.
Malekoydaerb: Yes, Anna definitely has some guilt/trust issues. Even she couldn't survive that long on her own completely unscathed emotionally.
Marblelights: Great! Exactly the reactions I was going for. More mystery to come!
No.18: Yeah, people are going to start catching on soon.
SakuraAyanami: The plot thickens? You haven't seen anything yet.
Master Kosa: I'm sorry, but I can't promise anyone a perfect ending. Not only would I probably be lying, but that would be pretty spoiler heavy.
That being said, I can promise that this will be a journey you won't regret taking, even if the road is often painful.
Claire Cooper: Hopefully I don't have any problems with CU in the future. For the moment, I've been fine. Let's hope that sticks!
Obsessive Imagings: Thanks for the response! All will be revealed in time.
Magic3434: Yeah, Elsa's protective like that. It's adorable!
WinterWolfDragon: Thanks! But her defensiveness might cause problems down the road…
Shalifi: That's definitely something that will eventually be addressed.
Natureboy3: Hopefully everyone got their dose of fluff for now, because it's time for action.
Guest 1: Will do!
Tomlong75210: Yeah, powerful Elsa is something I always liked (we got a glimpse of her at the end of the movie, but not really) so it's hopefully refreshing to see her with more confidence.