A/N: Hopefully this chapter will fulfill some of your fuzzy/heartwarming needs.
The captains of the Watch assembled in meeting hall of House One. One week had passed since the princess had been taken hostage by the gang responsible for the targeted murders of watchmen and Captain Torvigg. While many had accepted that as an end to it, Nestor found little satisfaction in the conclusion of the affair.
While they had arrested many of the gang, the only one who could have given them answers was Kartis, and he had been killed. Admittedly, he had been holding a blade at the princess' throat, but something about it rankled at the young captain. Haust had given the order to shoot, putting the princess' life in jeopardy. Something seemed…off.
The Watch was…tense..these days. Things were happening on the streets. There had been some injuries, and deaths in the raid on the warehouse, coupled with the losses due to the murders, which had resulted in the swearing in of a large number of new officers. The screening process had been loosened somewhat, they needed the numbers. Nestor had been against it, choosing not to lower his recruiting standards, as was his prerogative as head of Watch-House Seven.
There were alarming reports though, and talk spreading like wildfire on the streets of harsh arrests, brutality and beatings for seemingly no reason. Those responsible had not been found out, or turned in. Nestor suspected somebody was protecting the perpetrators, for some reason he could not fathom. If he ever discovered one of his own was guilty of such acts…
He took his seat with the other captains, at the long table. The entirety of the Watch had a vote in electing the next Head Watchman. Today was the day the victor was named. Nestor had few issues with most of the captains. Apart from Haust, and his close 'friend', Captain Baden.
Baden, of House Four, was cruel. He'd always been cruel. He was as cruel as he could be without crossing the line. He knew there was little chance of him winning though, everybody knew Baden was a bastard.
He hoped it was one of the others. Somebody steady, to ease the tension in the city. His last few patrols had been anxious affairs. He still insisted all his officers patrolled in twos or threes. The mood on the streets was grim, the atmosphere getting so…thick you could cut through it like a knife through butter.
Across the room, an officer brought in a heavy sealed casket. He placed it on the table. The officer chosen to read the name was always randomly allotted, to avoid accusations of foul play. Every captain fell still as the man opened the box, expressions plain, masked.
The watchman withdrew the name. Nestor's blood ran cold as he failed to suppress a brief pained expression on his face.
Damn.
He was already feeling numb as the name managed to read the name.
'…Haust.'
Damn. Damn.
He had the strangest sensation, as of two futures presented before them. As of one of the doors slamming shut, leaving them no choice but to go through the other.
It had to have been tampered with, Haust was a fool, they all knew it. With all that had been happening, he should have...anticipated this. Or if not this, something.
Haust stood, inclining his head through some attempt at false modesty.
'I shall do my duty to the city and the Watch. Now if you will excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.' He marched out, followed by Baden and…the new captain of House One Torvigg's replacement.
It was a woman with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair. Her name was…Giula…Giulana DeMolais…or something. She wasn't native to Arendelle, she hadn't even been in the Watch that long. He thought she had joined around the time he had, maybe a bit before, perhaps three or four months back.
She turned, matching his stare. There was something behind her eyes, alive, dancing, she was playing a game.
Well, he thought, as the remaining captains glanced at each other ominously, if this was a game it was time he started playing too.
…
'I'm worried about the Watch, it's changing. Since Haust became the Head the violence has only gotten worse. We're arresting people for…for no reason. I've seen people I know for years fighting in the streets. Watchmen beating civilians, civilians ganging up on our patrols, watchmen retaliating…'
It was a week after the election. There was a barely contained air of violence, spreading through the streets of Arendelle. Brynn and Kristoff were sat on the edge of a stone dock, legs dangling over the side.
He nodded as he listened to her. She'd found comfort in Kristoff's easy-manner, she often turned to him to talk when her concerns grew too heavy.
'I think it's only going to get worse yet…' She trailed off.
They watched the loading of the ships in silence. The sun was setting, bathing everything in gold.
'How is Nestor?'
'He's…struggling. He clashes more and more openly with Haust and his supporters. The other Houses, Two, Five and Six are lining more and more against them.'
'You're talking like there's going to be a split.'
'…there might be. With the right push, that's all it'd take. One spark.' She sighed. 'What's Hans been doing, haven't seen him since the raid on the warehouse.'
'He's not in prison anymore, though he is under a sort of house-arrest at the palace. He's always watched, he's got fairly restricted access, but he can leave as long as he's got an escort. I guess his part in rescuing Anna earned him some breathing space.'
Brynn nodded.
'Everybody deserves a second chance.'
They lapsed into silence again. Kristoff couldn't shake the feeling she was driving at something.
'I…I want you to be careful, out there.' Kristoff ventured, after a time.
She turned to him, his expression was pained.
'I'll be fine, don't worry about me.' She smiled.
He turned away, clearly still worrying. She placed her hand on his.
He looked down at it, momentarily confused.
'I…uh…'
'Thanks for caring, Kristoff.'
'That's…um…no problem.' He smiled weakly.
She rolled her eyes. Men could be so slow.
She leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.
His eyes widened in shock, a buzz running through him. The kiss was brief, but took him by surprise.
She leaned into him.
'Well?' She grinned.
He managed a noise between a sigh and a laugh.
'Close enough.'
She let out a contented sigh as his arm found its way to her shoulder.
…
Hans was close to tearing his hair out. Time was running out. He knew what was happening in Weselton. He knew it was happening here. He didn't care what people thought of him, whether they thought he couldn't change. The hell with it. He had changed. What he'd seen the year he'd travelled had…
There was a knock at the door.
'Come in.' He growled, knowing it was a formality. They'd enter anyway, if he didn't reply.
He masked his surprise as Commander Haagan entered. He inclined his head as a greeting, sitting in a chair opposite Hans' desk.
'Please, take a seat.' Hans offered sarcastically.
'I wanted to thank you for the part you played in saving the prin-'
Hans raised a hand dismissively.
'No it isn't.' He looked at the Commander. 'You've been talking to Kristoff and Brynn. You want to know what I know. It won't do you any good though.'
Haagan smirked, impressed.
'Why's that?'
'Because I haven't got any proof. Evidence. Kartis might have fit the bill, but as the new Head Watchman saw to his demise, that avenue has closed.'
'You suspect something about his election?'
'Are you saying you don't?'
'Just sounding theories.' Haagan rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. 'What would you say if I offered you a job?'
Hans laughed.
'I'm sorry, I attempted to murder your Queen, her sister and tried to take over your country once. I think I'm quite distinctly unhirable.'
'By all means, joke away, ex-prince. Continue to feel sorry for yourself in your one-man crusade to find the truth.'
'I'm not-' Hans scoffed.
'Yes you are.' Haagan interrupted. 'I offer you a chance to pursue your investigations, but with resources, support. I offer you a cause. I offer you the chance to move forward.'
Hans paused, stunned.
'You don't trust me. Nobody does.'
Haagan's expression softened.
'Trust may come, in time. Give me reason to. Your actions so far are what convinced me to make this offer, I do not do so lightly, I assure you.'
Hans felt…well, Hans felt. He hadn't felt anything in a long time.
'I'll…I'll think about it.' He stuttered.
Haagan nodded.
'Please do.' He rose. 'I firmly believe the safety of our people is threatened. If we can bring to light whence this threat comes…maybe we can act.'
He left.
Hans leant back in his chair, feeling for the first time in a long time that he had a choice.
…
Anna crept into Elsa's study. It was nearly two in the morning. She had woken up to find her sister had still not come to bed. It had been nearly three weeks since she'd been taken hostage, and Elsa had been working so hard in that time. There had been many nights where she simply hadn't crawled into her bed, half conscious as the sun was rising at all.
Elsa had fallen asleep at her desk, face buried in a mound of papers and open books. Her heart went out to the poor girl. A pencil was still clutched in one hand.
She padded quietly as possible behind her sister, gently resting a hand on her shoulder.
'Elsa…Elsa.' She whispered, insistently.
'…mmmnnnn?' Elsa shrugged her off.
Anna placed her hands on her hips. Fine. The hard way. She took a deep breath.
'Elsathepalaceisonfireyou'vegottodosomethingheeeeelp!'
Elsa leapt to her feet as a cloud of fine, powdery ice exploded in the air.
Anna shrieked as it hit her.
'Anna!' Elsa yelled.
'COLD!' Anna squeaked.
Elsa slumped back into her chair, gasping for breath, descending into a fit of laughter as Anna patted herself down all over, shaking ice out of the more…intimate parts of her attire.
'Serves you right.' Elsa smirked, yawning.
'Well I'm glad you find all this so amusing.' Anna pouted. 'And there was me concerned about what was keeping my beloved sister from me and her bed.'
Elsa's brow furrowed.
'I'm sorry my love, there's just…so much to do. The summit is next week. And with the reports we're getting out of Weselton…I...I don't know.' She groaned, flinging her hands into the air uselessly. 'And now there's the trouble in the Watch… We need to be able to guarantee the safety of the ambassadors and dignitaries, and we can't do that if the city is like a powder keg just…waiting to go off!'
Elsa buried her head in her hands. Anna knelt at her side, ignoring the tingling she felt whenever Elsa called her that, pulling her sisters hands into her own.
'There's nothing you can do now, come with me, get some rest. Please?'
'Anna, I…' She trailed off, staring at the mess on her desk.
Anna didn't move, as if in thought.
'Okay.' She said suddenly, getting to her feet. 'I'll be right back.' Elsa watched her hurry out of the study.
She sighed. Once again circumstance pulled her away from her sister. She tried, but Anna was always the one who suffered. And yet, her younger sibling never gave up on her. Ever. Her resilience knew no bounds it seemed, sometimes. She loved her for it. Again, she felt something behind the words, not uncomfortable…just…unfamiliar.
The door swung open and Anna bustled in buried under a mound of bedsheets and blankets.
'Here.' A muffled voice managed, from somewhere behind the pile.
'Anna, what on…' She chuckled.
'Elsa will not come to…bed!' Anna dropped the pile with a whump. 'So I have brought the bed to Elsa.' She grinned, looking immensely pleased with herself as she shut the door behind her.
'I'm…touched, my love, but where am I going to sleep, the floor?'
'No.' Anna replied, piling the sheets and blankets into a makeshift bed in the corner. 'We are going to sleep on the floor.'
'Anna, I can't let you-'
'Stop me.' She stuck out her tongue.
'I'm not even, I mean, I can't sleep in these.' She gestured to her attire, only to be hit in the face by a large shirt.
'Do you think so little of me, dear sister?' Anna grinned. 'I filched one of your long blouses, that'll do, right?'
Elsa smiled, knowing Anna wouldn't be defeated.
'Alright.'
Satisfied, Anna stepped out of her robe, leaving her in the long green shirt she always wore to bed. Elsa found herself admiring Anna's body as she set about climbing beneath the sheets. Her sister had grown into a beautiful young woman.
As Anna settled she looked away quickly, realising she'd been staring, feeling the blush heat up her cheeks.
'Come on then.'
'Um…right.' She replied, flustered. 'I'll just…er…' She looked around.
'Oh…Oh!' Anna chimed, clapping her hands over her eyes. 'Better?'
Elsa felt the guilty voice inside reminding her she'd looked. She got up, slipping off her shoes and sliding out of her dress and underclothes. She turned back to Anna, who was busy looking the other way, resolutely. She pulled on the blouse, buttoning it up and slipped under the blankets in the nest Anna had constructed.
'Are you decent?' Anna said in a sweet sing-song voice.
'The word sticks in your throat, dear sister.' Elsa drawled.
'Hey!' She shoved Elsa playfully, under the covers.
'Guilty conscience?'
'I…no!' A blush flared on her sisters freckled cheeks. 'Of course not!' She squeaked.
Her behaviour made Elsa curious. She wouldn't. She couldn't have…
'What are you looking at?' Anna whined, fidgeting. '…okay, I peeked. A little bit.' She held up a hand, pinching her thumb and forefinger together.
'Anna!' Elsa gasped.
'I'm sorry, I was…curious!' She wailed, looking everywhere but at her sister.
Elsa burst out laughing, unable to hold it back. Anna only felt more embarrassed. She loved the sound of Elsa's laughter, her sister so rarely laughed anymore.
'Should I be…flattered?' She chuckled, resting her head on one arm.
'Oh-…ooooh…you-…that's….Elsa!' She huffed, staring at the ceiling. 'You play dirty.'
'You know.' She managed, getting her breath back. 'I have been dreading the day you became curious, the day you…got to that age. It's one of the things I wish mother and…and father, were still here to…' She fell into silence.
Anna instinctively reached out and pulled Elsa into a hug.
'I miss them too.' She whispered.
Elsa let Anna nuzzle her hair as she wrapped her own arms around her sister.
'I couldn't live without you.' She mumbled from the recesses of the embrace.
'You'll never have to.' Anna gently rubbed her back.
'Promise?'
'Promise.'
Anna held her until she felt the older girl slip into a deep sleep. She didn't let go.