The title of this chapter gives you an idea of what's going to happen. Be warned, this isn't a very fun chapter.


"The training of the newest recruits has been going smoothly. I'm quite pleased with the number of people willing to enlist. From these first two weeks, I can't complain about the level of skill they are showing," Sir Devon was speaking in front of the council of Arendelle, along with Queen Elsa.

"Thank you Sir Devon,"

"Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?" Elsa asked.

"There was a letter from Lady Nyarai, a request to enter Arendelle for trade," Of the council members said.

The barest flicker of a smile graced Elsa's lips, "Ever the formalities with that one," She said more to herself than to anyone in the room, "Send the reply at once, Atnonians are always welcomed. If there's nothing else I bid you a good evening,"

Those in the room stood and bowed to her, before all heading to the exit.

"Sir Devon, if you could remain a moment more," She called before he could leave.

"Of course your majesty," He stepped to the side as Elsa waited for the room to clear, "What can I do for you, my queen?"

"How has Erian been faring with his training?"

"He's doing as well as to be expected. I can't honestly say he's anything remarkable, not like his friend, Miss Halle,"

"Oh?" Elsa arched an eyebrow.

"She's been joining in his training with him,"

Elsa nodded. She'd been aware of that much.

"She's shaping up to be the quiet the protégée. The pace at which she picks up the skills and techniques is almost terrifying. And it's only been a couple of weeks. She reminds me very much of my two best students when I first met them. I think, if she so desires she could become an excellent knight,"

This was mildly surprizing to Elsa. Thinking about it, she did suppose Halle had always shown high athleticism. She wondered how Erian felt about it.

"I've been keeping her instruction in pace with his highnesses. Once he's fit enough to join us again, he will be caught up in no time,"

"Pardon me," Elsa blinked in confusion.

"My apologies your majesty," He bowed, mistaken her confusion for irritation, "I didn't mean to suggest that his friend's performance was progressing a head of his highness. It just seemed rude not to show her a new form when she'd picked up on the first one I taught her so quickly, just because his highness has been ill and absent these past days. I was even surprised when she showed up to train without him,"

"That's not what I meant," Elsa said, frowning slightly. "If Halle is showing the ability, and progressing as fast as you say don't hinder her instruction for Erian's pace. Give them separate training if that's necessary. They'll both learn at their own pace… And I'm sure Erian will be feeling better soon enough," She added the last part as an afterthought, her mind deep in processing other thoughts.

"As you wish your majesty,"

"Thank you for your time Sir Devon,"

He bowed and walked from the room.

Elsa called for Gerda once he'd left.

"Where's Erian?" She asked, her voice holding a sharp edge.

"He would be at training, wouldn't he? He hasn't returned to the castle as yet,"

"Please send someone to the training ground to collect Erian's friends,"

"Just his friends? What about Erian?"

"I'm almost certain Erian won't be there," She looked out the window, frowning, "I'd like to know where he is,"

"I'll send someone to collect them at once your majesty,"

A short while later Erik opened the door to her study, bowing, "Your majesty, I have Miss Halle,"

Elsa nodded putting down her quill. Halle entered the room. "Where are Jenz and Niklas?" She asked.

"They weren't at the training field," Erik said.

"Jenz had to help his brother at the bakery, and Nik's father and brothers are due to return with the tides today so he went to help them unload," Halle said.

"If you wish to see them as well I could go collect. With a horse I'll return in no time,"

"No thank you, Erik, I'm sure Halle can tell me what I want to know. That will be all,"

"Very well your majesty,"

Halle was left alone in the study with Elsa, and suddenly she was feeling nervous. Elsa's stare was piercing and cold. It was a look she'd only seen a few times, and never had she been on the receiving end of it.

"What can I do for you, your majesty?" She asked, forcing herself to stand straight.

"Please tell me where Erian is,"

She paled but wasn't really surprized. She'd warned Erian someone would figure them out soon enough.

"I don't know your majesty,"

"Halle, I know you know where he is,"

"But I really don't,"

"You're not protecting him,"

"I… I suppose he could be in the mountains,"

"You suppose?"

"I honestly don't where he's been going. I just know he goes somewhere to paint. I didn't think to ask him where he was going when we said goodbye,"

"How many days?"

"Three so far,"

Elsa sighed, rubbing her bridge of his nose, "Why?"

"He doesn't want to learn swordsmanship. He doesn't like it,"

"It matters not if he likes it. It's something he has to learn,"

"Please, Queen Elsa, I could take his place, and learn in his stead. I really enjoy it. I think I could be good at it, and Sir Devon says-"

Elsa held up a hand and Halle stopped talking, "Halle, I'm pleased you're enjoying training, but this isn't something you can do in his place. This is something he as to do for himself,"

Halle looked conflicted, liked she wanted to say something but didn't know how.

"Say what's on your mind," Elsa said.

"Your majesty… could I still attend training?"

Elsa sighed but nodded, "I don't see why not. If you want yes, you may continue. I think it would benefit Erian to at least have you with him, even if you won't be doing the same thing,"

"Why wouldn't we be doing the same thing?"

Elsa smiled, for the first time since Halle had entered the room, indeed, for the first time since she'd learned Erian had been skipping his training.

"That's a question to be answered at another time. You'll learn soon enough, I'm sure. Now, please get home safely,"

"Yes, your majesty,"

"Oh, and before you go, one more thing,"

"What is it?"

"You don't always have to cover for Erian. He is fallible and if you think what he's doing is wrong you shouldn't encourage him,"

"I know, I just… I'll try not to do it again,"

"Thank you, Halle,"

Later, when Erian did return to the castle Elsa was waiting for him. He gave a little jump when she greeted him in one of the sitting rooms she knew he'd pass through to get to his room.

"Good evening Erian,"

"Oh Aunt Elsa, I didn't see you,"

"How was your day?"

"It was fine, but I'm a little tired, so if you'd excuse me…"

"Tired? From training?"

"Uh… yeah,"

"Oh? So what did you learn today?"

"We just practiced the basics Sir Devon first showed us. I think it will be a while before we start learning more advance things,"

"Is that right? And Sir Devon was there is afternoon,"

"Yeah. Can we chat later aunty? I really want to go take a shower," He turned, starting to walk away from her.

"You know it's interesting because this afternoon was a council meeting, where Sir Devon gave a report on the new recruits being trained,"

Erian froze mid-step.

"He also asked about your health, seeing as you were too sick to attend the last few training sessions. And I had the opportunity to chat with Halle after her training session today. She told me about the new forms she was learning,"

The prince looked all the blood had drained from his body. He wasn't sure if he suddenly felt colder, or if his aunt had made the room colder. Her voice the entire time had remained unnaturally steady. When he turned to look at her, her gaze was like steel. He shivered and he knew that wasn't because of her abilities.

"I can explain,"

"Lying. Really Erian? Skipping your training. I know you were raised better than that,"

"You don't understand," He started quickly, "I don't want to do this. I'm no good at it. Why do I have to learn this?"

"Erian, we've been over this,"

"No, I was told I had to do this,"

"And you have too,"

"No, I don't! You're the queen, you can do anything you want. You can make it so I don't-"

"Stop right there. For one, you know that isn't true. And I'm not getting you out of this,"

"Why? Because tradition says I have too? Do the twins have to learn this? Did you?"

Elsa's eyes narrowed, "Erian, watch your tone,"

"Well, did you?"

Elsa shook her head, "I never learned," She put up a hand when Erian opened his mouth, "Because of my powers. Your grandparents didn't want to risk me losing control in front an instructor. Your mother, on the other hand, is quite proficient with a sword,"

Erian paused, "She is?"

"Yes, she even taught the prince of a far off kingdom his sword skills,"

"What prince?"

"You don't know him, and I doubt you'll ever meet him. He's now in a… far off land,"

"But what about the girls?"

"Do you expect two ten-year-olds to start learning swordsmanship? And both of them have taken to archery as you never you did, so I don't know why you think that's a valid argument,"

"But I still don't get why I have to do this. Anyone would be better than me. Halle's a hundred times better,"

"Erian, you are just not anyone, you're the prince. One day you'll be King,"

"That still doesn't explain why I have to this. You say it's because I'll have to fight in war, but what good will I be in a war if I get myself killed,"

"That's why you're training, so you won't be killed,"

"You don't know that! I could still be killed at any time, no matter how good I get, but I can tell you I won't get any good. Being royal doesn't make me immortal, looked at what to grandfather and grandmother. And mom almost died,"

Elsa's eyes flashed, and this time, when the room grew colder Erian was almost sure it was because of her and suddenly he was scared.

"You're, being royal doesn't make you impervious to harm. In fact, it's the opposite. But you are still the prince of Arendelle, and your presence on a battlefield is worth more than most. But not because your skills, but because of who you are. You're not a child Erian, and you have to understand what you represent. If war were to break out, our people will look to us, and what do you think would happen if they see cowards? If we were to hide behind an army, instead of standing alongside them,"

Erian looked away, mumbling something under his breath.

Elsa's eyes narrowed again. She'd heard what he'd said, and it cut her deep. "Fine, you want to behave like a child then you shall be treated as such. Someone will accompany you to training every day from now on. And you won't be allowed to train with Halle,"

"What?! You can't do that!"

"Well, according to you, I'm the Queen, and I can do whatever I want,"

"This isn't fair!"

"Erian, you are the prince, and you will have to start taking the responsibilities that come along with that,"

Erian turned on his heels and staked off to his room without another word.

Elsa sighed, falling back into her chair. She looked at the other door to the room, and called out, "So how much of that did you hear?"

The door opened a fraction and Beni stuck her head in, "Not much your majesty,"

"Beni, I just had to reprimand my nephew for lying. Please don't make me do the same for you," She breathed.

"I'm sorry your majesty. The little lord is just at that age, I'm sure he'll see reason soon enough,"

Elsa sighed again, kneading her head, "I hope you are right,"

"Would you care for some hot chocolate?"

"Very much so, thank you. And have some set to Erian's room later. I imagine he'd turn it away right now, so give him some time to cool down,"

"Of course your majesty," Beni bowed and left the room quietly.

Elsa leaned back in her chair, "Anna, Kristoff, you can't return from Corona soon enough,"


Ten awesome points to the person who spotted, and knows the reference I hid in this chapter. Hint; Once you know where's it's from you'll know who it's about. Take your time to think upon it.

In other news, Erian is definitely hitting those troublesome teenage years, and with it comes a troublesome teenage attitude. Anna and Kristoff sure picked a good time to be out of the country.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Nardragon~ until the next page.