Hello everyone. I am sorry about my very, very late update. I have no excuse about it. The only thing I can say is, I needed to take a little break from my writing. It won't happen again. I hope. I have just finished another chapter and it's a looong one. Hope, you'll like it.


Chapter 29:

Royal gambit

Elsa was standing in front of her tent, watching the men preparing for leave and thinking about the upcoming battle. Battle was not the right word. When everything goes according to the plan, there will be no fight, no injured. The only thing, she had to do, was play her role to the end.

„Your Majesty?" A man's voice from her left disturbed her thoughts. She turned to the approaching man.

„Captain?"

He stopped a few steps from her and bowed. „The men are almost ready. We can leave the camp in an hour."

„Make it faster, captain," Elsa responded resolutely. „Leave all our stuff behind, if needed. We have to reach the city before dawn."

„My apologies, my queen, but if we are to attack the city, we should…"

„You won't," Elsa interrupted him. „Captain, the only thing you have to do is to attract their attention so my friends could slip inside the castle. I will enter the city alone."

„But… Your Majesty…"

Elsa raised her hand to silence him. Then she smiled. „I understand your concerns, captain. But this battle cannot be won by force. Do not worry. I am not going to surrender to prince Hans."

„But the Snow Queen…" the captain tried again.

Elsa looked at him in consideration. The captain was young. How much could he know about her? „Captain… Jonas, was it?"

„Yes, Your Majesty," he bowed again.

„How much do you know about the Snow Queen?"

„Only rumours, Your Majesty," the captain replied hesitantly. „She arrived in Arendelle two days ago and joined prince Hans's forces. They say she's very powerful."

„Do you know her name?"

The captain blinked in confusion. „No, Your Majesty. But how does it matter?"

Elsa looked deep into his eyes, watching closely his reactions. „How about… Viviana?"

Elsa couldn't resist a faint smile, watching the young man trying to hide his surprise. „So, you've heard the name…"

„How…?" he opened his mouth, unable to say a word. For a moment, he was moving his jaw without a sound, before he finally pulled himself together. „I… I have, Your Majesty," he stammered out, avoiding her gaze.

„Don't worry, captain. I have already learned the truth and I understand, why no one told me. The truth is that my sister isn't dead." Captain Jonas's jaw fell down in shock. Elsa couldn't help, but smile in amusement, before she continued. „The Snow Queen, we're talking about, is my sister, Viviana. She isn't our enemy, captain. She's risking her life to help us."

Captain Jonas was standing in front of her, trying to find the right response, but without a success. Elsa was watching him in amusement for a while, before she decided to help the poor man. „That's all, captain. Inform the men and make everything ready for departure."

„I will, Your Majesty," captain bowed and hurried back, shouting his orders on the men and rushing them. He did a good work. Not even a quarter of hour later, he came back to Elsa. „The men are ready, Your Majesty," he informed her with a bow.

Elsa overlooked her army. The two thousand men were standing in front of her in alert, ready for her orders. She inhaled slowly to calm her mind and nodded. „Very well, captain. Order the men to march."

They have left the cliffs above Arendelle, where their small camp was located. It didn't take long, before the walls of the city appeared in front of their eyes. Elsa was walking in the lead of her army, trying to look as much confident as she could. She felt like an idiot. Like she could ever order an attack on a city. Like she could ever lead her men to battle. She was no general.

Not even a minute later, a sound of the alarm bell reached their ears. They have been spotted. Elsa bit her lip. There was no turning back now. She forced her legs to keep the same pace although her mind was rushing her forward. Both hurrying and hesitation would reveal her nervousness. She could not let them see. 'Conceal, don't feel', she said for herself. Elsa couldn't resist a chuckle. Her most hated mantra, she had been taught to repeat over and over in recent thirteen years, now proved to be useful.

They had reached the city walls in another ten minutes. Elsa stopped and her men formed the line just a few steps behind her. Everything was quiet. Elsa overlooked the men, gathered on the walls. There were so many… What had she been thinking? She was no invincible queen they thought she was. She was not like Viviana. If anything went wrong, what she could do to protect her men? She clenched her fists, digging her nails deep in her palms. She couldn't afford to weaver now.

With a confident face, Elsa stepped forward. A group of her men did the same, prepared to form a protective wall around their queen, but she stopped them with a gesture. Then she approached the gates, stopping halfway. Then she called in a strong voice. „I am queen Elsa of Arendelle. The rightful ruler of the kingdom. You have invaded my city and I have come to take it back. But I wish no bloodshed. I am willing to negotiate. Let me into the city. Let me talk to prince Hans."


Viviana was walking down a hall to the throne room with a confident smile. This time, she didn't mind the frightened looks. She was enjoying them. For she knew, it was about to end. Viviana couldn't wait to see all those shocked faces, once people find out it was only a game. She reached the door, leading to the throne room and flung it open. The whole room fell silent.

The throne room was full of people. All the noblemen of Arendelle gathered here on an order of king Hans, so they could witness queen Elsa's demise. They were guarded by Hans's personal guards along the both sides of the room. They were watching her in silent hate and fear. Viviana smiled arrogantly, not paying them a single look and headed straight to the throne.

Hans was already awaiting her. When she entered the room, he stood up and went to meet her. „My lady!" he greeted her with a gracious bow and offered her his arm, which she ignored completely, continuing on her way to the throne. Hans didn't let her behaviour throw him off balance and caught up with her. „Everything is ready. I have let all the important people gathered here to witness your glorious victory. This day will go down in history of Arendelle."

„Sure, it will," she smiled smugly and looked around the gathered faces. Only a few returned her the glance. For a moment she stopped on the face of lord Stefan, who gave her a faint smile back. She still wasn't sure, whether she could trust him, or not, but it didn't matter anymore. She couldn't back away from her plan now. There were only two seats left at the front stage, waiting for her and Hans. The throne and the seat to its right. With a smirk, Viviana decided to push Hans a bit more. Without any hesitation, she sat straight on the throne.

Hans froze in the middle of his step. He was watching her, completely paralyzed by indecision. Viviana crossed her legs elegantly, watching him with an innocent smile, like she was bidding him to react. A moment later, Hans lowered his gaze in defeat. Like nothing unusual happened, he walked to the throne and stood to her right side, putting his hand to a backrest of the throne. Viviana would swear that she caught a sound of wood cracking under his fingers.

To Hans's luck, they didn't have to wait long. In the next moment a sound of an alarm bell cut through the silence. A few minutes later the door swung open again and one of Hans's guards stormed in, breathing heavily. „Your Majesty. The queen. She's here. And she has brought an army. She demands to talk to you."

„An army?!" Hans exclaimed. „Where did she get an army?! Ready our men! If anyone nears the walls…!"

„Don't worry, my dear Hans," Viviana put a soothing hand on his. „Elsa will not endanger the life of her dear sister. She will not attack." Then she looked to her left, setting her eyes on two soldiers standing nearby. „You two. Go get princess Anna and her lover. I am sure the princess wouldn't like to miss meeting her sister for the last time."

The guards shifted nervously and looked questioningly at Hans. When he nodded in agreement, they bowed and hurried to carry out the order.

„Very well then," Hans nodded with an angered expression. „Show queen Elsa in. We will show her, that she has no longer any right to demand anything here."


„This way, dad. It's not far from here," Lieta was rushing her father forward. They were climbing over rocks right under the castle walls. Elsa's distraction did its part of work. Most of the guards had left the castle and those remaining had no interest in happenings inside the city.

„There's no need to hurry," king Arthur mumbled in response. „No one can see us here. All the guards are out." Although he was trying to keep up with his daughter, he had a very hard time. The rocks were slippery thanks to the sea water and even if they weren't, Lieta could hardly be matched in running over obstacles by anyone. „How have you learned about that way to the castle?"

„It was Anna," Lieta chuckled in response. „She told me she was using it to get out of the castle, when she wanted to avoid her lessons of Latin. And Elsa used this way to run to the mountains after the ballroom incident. Although she took a shortcut directly over the fjord…" Lieta got finally over the rocks and jumped down on a small, hidden sand beach. There was a short staircase carved into the rock, leading to a small door. Lieta headed straight to the door, listening to any signs of anyone's presence behind.

When her father joined her, they exchanged quick looks. Arthur tried to pull the handle, but the door was locked. „So, what now? I don't expect that Anna gave you the key?"

Lieta smiled. „What fun would be in that?" She reached in her pocket and took out a piece of copper wire. She leaned to the lock and started to pick it.

„Are you doing what I think you're doing?" king Arthur breathed out, watching his daughter picking the lock.

„Shush, I need to listen." With an unconcerned expression, like there was nothing strange on the situation, she pulled the wire out and bent its tip to a desired shape. Then she stuck it back, continuing in her efforts.

„I am not even asking, who taught you," he growled, but Lieta knew, he was more amused, than angry. She smiled. „What? You knew, when you married her," she said, still focused on her job. „You can't blame me that I'm like my mother."

„I just hoped she would skip some details of her previous life. And I don't mean telling you that she can do it, but telling you, how you can do it yourself," he sighed and folded his arms, looking around for any sign of danger.

„Oh, come on," Lieta chuckled. „Everyone knows you love her for what she is."

The king sighed again, but this time a faint smile appeared on his face. He couldn't deny it. His decision to marry a common woman had surprised many people back then, but no one had ever questioned his choice. If only they had known that the queen was a former thief. He had never regretted. He knew what had led his wife to the path of a thief. Some people simply had no other choice. And she was damn good in it. Arthur's smile widened. No. He didn't mind. And he knew that Gil would never incite Lieta to steal from other people.

„It's not like I use it to get into the royal vault or something," Lieta continued, when she got no response. „Sometimes it can serve a good purpose. Like when someone gets stuck in his room, or…" suddenly, the lock, she was working at, clicked open. Lieta's eyes widened in surprise. Se cast an urgent look on her father. „Dad, it wasn't me!" she whispered.

Arthur drew his sword and dashed forward past his daughter, before the door could open. He hit the door with his shoulder and the door struck the man in a uniform of Southern Isles, standing behind it. Before he could regain his balance, Arthur pinned him against stone wall, pressing his blade against the surprised man's neck.

„Whoa, whoa! Take it easy!"

Lieta gasped, when she recognized the voice. „Dad, stop. He's a friend!"

The king looked at her in surprise, but he lowered his sword a bit. Lieta slipped inside and shut the door behind her. Then she smiled at the poor soldier. „Hi, Mathias. How's it going?"

„Uh… Hello, Lieta," sounded the man. „We could do worse, considering the situation." Then he shot a quick, nervous look at the king. „And you're Lieta's father, I presume?"

Arthur smiled and sheathed his sword back. „Indeed," he nodded. „I am sorry, for the sword. We weren't expecting a help from inside. Which reminds me… how come you knew about us?"

„Princess Viviana told me," Mathias replied with a nod. „She sent me here to help you get in." He reached in his pocket and took out a massive keyring. „Here are the keys from the dungeons. There are not many guards left down there. They're all busy with the queen's arrival."

„Wait. She… told you?" asked Lieta in surprise, before she took the keys. But a moment later, she realized. She aimed an accusing finger at him. „Your dead girlfriend!"

„She wasn't my…" Mathias tried, but he gave up with a sigh. „Yes."

„Does Anna know?" Lieta narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

„Not yet."

„Ooh," there appeared a gleeful smile on the girl's face. „She won't be happy about that."


„Anna, did you hear that?"

Anna twitched in surprise, waking from her slumber. She was tired. Despite she wasn't really cursed and she wore her winter dress, she wasn't used to sleep in a cold cell, chained to the wall. She didn't need Viviana's curse to feel cold now. So it wasn't surprising she hadn't caught the sound of an alarm bell. If it wasn't for Kristoff's alarmed call, she wouldn't even notice. Now, when she knew, what to listen to, she caught a distant metal sound of a large city bell.

„Yup," she smiled contentedly. „It must be my sister."

Kristoff shook his head in disbelief. „Anna, what's gotten into you? She's walking right into a trap! We have to do something!"

Anna's smile widened into a sly grimace, leaving Kristoff's burst of anger unnoticed. „Wow, you really care for her, don't you? And here I thought you were scared of her when I left."

Her question caught Kristoff unprepared. „Well, your disappearance helped us to get to each other," he replied hesitantly, sitting back on the ground. „When you get over her protective walls, she is a nice person. At least when she's not threatening me because of you." He smiled, when he heard Anna's amused laughter caused by his last sentence. „Elsa may not be a sister-in-law of my dreams, but I like her. She's merciful and caring queen… and she's strong in many ways. But she's no fighter. If she encounters the Snow Queen all alone, then…"

„Kristoff," Anna interrupted him, though his worries about her sister were stirring her. „How many times do I have to tell you, that I have a plan? I would never let my sister endanger herself for me. She won't be alone, I swear. But you have to believe me."

Kristoff breathed in, ready to argue, but eventually he gave up with a sigh. „Okay… I just hope you know what you're doing."

Anna let out another chuckle, but she didn't answer. She enjoyed teasing him and she didn't intend to tell him anything about Viviana until the last moment. She didn't want to rob herself of the sight of Kristoff's shocked expression, when he finds out.

They didn't have to wait long, before they caught footsteps coming closer. In the next moment a key clang in the lock of their cell-door and it opened, letting four guards in a uniform of Southern Isles in. „Get up, you two," said one of them. „King Hans is asking for your presence." He approached Anna and loosened the chain binding her to a wall.

Anna gasped in surprise, when she looked at him more closely. Was it…? „Move!" the guard pushed her forward, before she could say a word. Anna gave him a defiant frown, but she obeyed his order.

As the guards were leading them through the dungeons to a guard post, Anna was watching them subtly. It seemed the guards weren't paying them much attention. She reached for her ice key in secret, pretending, that she was drawing her cloak closer and started to work on her shackles.

„We're here," said one of the guards to the other, when they reached the post. „Do you want us to accompany you, or will you handle it alone?"

„We'll handle it alone," said the guard, holding Anna's chains. „I don't expect any troubles from them. They're shackled and the girl is barely able to stand. We should better go, or the Snow Queen goes angry."

„I can imagine," laughed the other guard, putting his sword aside. „Too bad, I cannot see her fight with the queen up there. I just hope she gives her, what she deserves."

„You bet," the guard replied with a smile and tugged at Anna's chains again, pushing her towards the door leading outside. „Maybe once it's over, I will bring you a souvenir. The queen's frozen leg perhaps?"

They all laughed at his joke and they parted. Two guards remained in the post, meanwhile the other two led her and Kristoff upstairs. Anna finally caught a silent click of the lock of her shackles and smiled. She was free. Right in time. They have reached the servants' quarters. With everyone expecting Elsa's arrival, no one should be around to hear them. The guard, leading her, stopped and turned to her, but she didn't give him a chance to speak.

With a sudden move, quick as flash, she kicked her leg to the left, digging her knee in the other guard's groin. He bent over and slid on the ground, his muffled moan drowning by the sound of Anna's shackles, clanking against the wooden floor, but she was already aiming for her second victim.

„You traitor!" She lunged forward, attacking the shocked man with her free hands in a furious assault. „How could you?! You betrayed us! I will...!"

„Ouch! Anna, wait! What are you doing?!" cried out the man, desperately trying to protect his face.

Finally, Kristoff pulled himself together from his shock. „Anna, stop it!" He grabbed Anna from behind, pulling her back from the poor man. Even though he was much stronger and Anna weighed nothing for his arms, he had a hard time holding the fighting princess back. „Don't you recognize him? It's Mathias!"

„I know, damn it!" she shouted, still trying to break free. „And he's in the uniform of Southern Isles! He sold us to Hans!"

„No!" Kristoff raised Anna from the ground and turned her around, so she couldn't kick Mathias, although it had cost him a few painful hits. „Anna, will you stop, please? I told him to do so! He's trying to help us! And how did you get rid of these cuffs anyway?"

„You…" Anna stiffened in surprise, finally calming down. „You told him?"

„Yes," Kristoff breathed out in relief and put her slowly down. „When Hans arrived, I realized we could need help, once Elsa returns, so I told Mathias to gather a few men and hide in the castle."

„And… him?" Anna pointed at the lying and moaning man.

„It's Kurt," Mathias responded, trying to recuperate from Anna's assault. „He's one of us."

„Oh," Anna made a painful expression and looked at the man in worries. „Sorry," she uttered.

„It's nothing, Your Highness," moaned the second man with a grimace of eternal suffering. They all looked at him in a moment of awkward silence.

„So…" Anna started, but Kristoff interrupted her. „Mathias. You have to get us out of here. We have to find Elsa and flee, before…"

„No," Mathias stopped him. „We have to get you to the throne room. Don't worry, everything is set up."

„Everything?" Kristoff shook his head in confusion. „What everything? Why am I the only one, who doesn't know?"

„You haven't told him?" Mathias looked at Anna in surprise.

„Nah…" Anna smirked. „What would be fun in that?"

„What haven't you told me?"

„I won't tell you!" Anna stuck her tongue out with a sly smile. „Just stay calm and enjoy the show. But… hey and who actually told you?" she turned back to Mathias in wonder.

„Your sister, of course," he replied.

„Wait! Elsa is here already?" Kristoff exclaimed.

„No, she's…"

„Shush," Anna stopped him with a smile. „He doesn't need to know." But then, she stiffened. „Wait, how do you know…" she looked at Mathias in suspicion. „You knew?" She was watching his nervous face for long seconds, when she finally realized. „YOU KNEW!" She pounced on him again, but this time, Kristoff was prepared and he grabbed her waist soon enough. „You knew all the time and you haven't bothered to tell me!"

„Anna, calm down, I didn't know…"

„It's 'Your Highness' to you!"

„Anna, I thought she was dead as much as everyone," Mathias tried again. „Believe me. I had no clue about what had really happened. Until she told me two days ago."

„Anna, please!" Kristoff begged, trying to hold her on place. „We have much more important work to do, than tearing each other apart!"

Finally, Anna calmed down. „Fine," she growled and pierced them both by a murderous gaze. „But once this is over, we're gonna have a looong talk about it, young man!" She lifted her cuffs and put them back on her wrists. „Now lead the way!"

Mathias gulped and nodded. Oh man, their family sure was crazy. All of them. He helped his friend on his feet and straightened. „This way, Your Highness."


Elsa was walking towards the castle accompanied only by Hans's personal guard. They were watching her attentively all time, their hands on the hilts of their swords, but they weren't threatening her, only making sure, no one would try to get close to her. People were watching her from their houses and on the streets in worries and shooting hateful glares at her company. She caught a cheering call from the crowd from time to time, but she could feel their fear. Of course, they were afraid. She was afraid herself and she knew much more, than them. So many things could go wrong. What if they revealed the truth? What if they hurt Viviana? What if they threaten Anna to make them surrender? This plan was absurd. But the only thing, she could do now, was to have faith. They had to win. Elsa clenched her jaw and forced her doubts away. She could not let them know.

They reached the castle and the gates opened for them. As they were walking through the courtyard, she could see how very few men have stayed in the castle. At least one good news. If king Arthur succeeds, they will have easy work here. The guards led her to the castle and straight towards the throne room. Elsa stood in front of the massive door and breathed in deeply to calm down. 'Here it goes,' she thought.

The door opened and they came in. The room filled with a murmur of people, gathered around the walls, but she didn't care. Her mind was focused on the only thing. Her sisters. She found them in a second. Viviana was sitting comfortably on the throne, watching her with a wry smile. Anna was standing nearby, to her right, together with Kristoff and two soldiers, guarding them with their swords drawn. When she caught her look, Anna greeted her with a happy smile. Elsa couldn't resist a heave of relief, seeing them both sound and safe. Everything was alright.

Only then, she started to perceive the rest of the room. There were all the noblemen of Arendelle gathered around the walls, watching her in worries, guarded by a row of soldiers at each side, so they couldn't interfere. In the front, there were another five people gathered around the throne. Four people, from who she recognized only the former duke of Wesselton, were sitting on their seats at both sides. Hans was standing right next to the throne and watching her with a hateful stare. Elsa bit her lip. She found the fact, that Viviana managed to hound him out of the throne without efforts and almost willingly, very amusing. Elsa walked further to the throne and stood in the centre of the ballroom. She could only hear her company to form a line in front of the door and block her path if she decided to flee, but she didn't pay them a single look.

„Well, well, well," Hans put on a dangerous smile and approached her. „We meet again. The mighty Snow Queen of Arendelle herself has honoured us with her presence."

„Hans," Elsa put on a strict expression. „You have dared to threaten my kingdom again. This time, you will not avoid the consequences. Your father…"

„Silence!" he interrupted her angrily. „I won't let you threaten me, Elsa. My father will not help you. He is on his deathbed and my brothers are fighting for power. You have no allies, no kingdom. Tell me, Elsa. Are your own powers enough to stop me?"

„Oh, Hans," Elsa gave him a lenient smile. „We both know that you are not brave enough to face me alone."

Hans's face darkened. For a moment it seemed he would draw his sword and attack Elsa on his own. But as always, his self-preservation was stronger. „True," he replied. „But luckily, there are others, who will gladly take the privilege themselves." With a sly smile, he gestured towards Viviana. „Queen Elsa. Let me introduce you to queen Evelynn. The true Snow Queen of Misthaven."

Elsa looked in expectation at Viviana. She expected Viviana to reveal the truth and freeze Hans on place. Instead, Viviana stood up and approached her with a dangerous smile. „So, you're the Snow Queen, people were singing about so much?" She continued in her role. „I am disappointed. Look at yourself. How can someone, like you, dare to claim the title of the Snow Queen?"

Elsa was confused. Why was Viviana continuing in the game? What was she up to? Could she turn against her? No. Viviana wouldn't do it and even if she did, why would Hans call her Evelynn? Whatever she was up to, Elsa decided to play her role as well. She frowned and straightened. „Who are you? You're the one, who attacked Arendelle a few weeks ago?"

Viviana smiled „Indeed I am. I was expecting some resistance from you, but you were too weak. You cannot protect them." Elsa's eyes shot wide open in realization of Viviana's intents. Viviana just wanted to make sure of the peoples' safety. If they tried something right away, the guards could attack the people. Elsa gave her a short not as a sign she got it, letting her continue. „But your people seem not to understand. So, I decided I have to give them a proof. I am going to kill you, my dear Elsa."

„So… how are you going to do this?" Elsa asked. It wasn't only about playing her role. She needed to understand her plans and she hoped Viviana to give her a hint. „Do you think it will be that easy?"

„Easy?" Viviana laughed. „Oh, yes, Elsa. It will be easy. You don't stand a chance. You…" she pointed at her, „didn't even stop my storm. You couldn't protect your sister. How can you hope to protect your people?" she pointed at Elsa's right. „I…" she pointed at herself, „have fought many battles. I am much stronger than you. Than any of them," she waved her arm to Elsa's left. „We were destined to fight, Elsa. There can be only one true Snow Queen at a time. And no matter, how it ends, it ends here and it ends now." She gave Elsa an urgent look.

Elsa raised an eyebrow in a silent question. „Now?"

„NOW!"

On her order, they both turned to the sides Viviana had chosen and cast their spells on the soldiers around the walls. They didn't have a chance to react. Elsa created an ice prison around them and trapped them inside, before any of them could draw their swords. Viviana chose less elegant, yet much faster and effective way and froze them all in a huge block of ice. Everything went so fast that no one had a chance to react to the sudden turnabout of the events.

Elsa breathed out. They did it. She smiled brightly and turned back to Viviana.

„Wow, and I thought for a moment you won't get my point," Viviana smiled back. Before Elsa could reply, she raised her arm again and shot an ice blast over her shoulder.

Elsa yelped in surprise and looked back. One of the guards was standing frozen right behind her, with his sword prepared for a slash. The others were frozen still at the door. „Oh… thanks," she turned back to her with an apologetic smile. „I almost forgot about them."

„What's the meaning of this?!" Hans shouted, bewildered.

The sisters looked at him slowly. Viviana gave him a happy smile. „Why? I'm betraying you. Isn't it obvious?"

„GUA…!" he turned around, but before he could finish his sentence, he got a punch to his face. Hans stumbled backwards and fell off the pedestal on the ground.

„That's, what I call a punchline," Anna commented, smiling from ear to ear and rubbing her aching fist, meanwhile Mathias and his friend were securing the shocked leaders around the throne. Only lord Stefan was smiling and watching by, like it didn't concern him.

Hans was moaning on the ground, holding his bleeding nose. Through his blurred vision, he found Viviana. „Why? Why have you betrayed me? You could have been a queen of Arendelle!"

„You mean a puppet in your hands," Viviana corrected him, unconcerned. „Thanks, but no. I have been trying to be a queen and it went poorly. I think, I can get by with the second place for a while," she put her arm around Elsa's shoulders with a smile.

„Wait," Anna flitted her eyes between them and Hans. „Does that mean, he…?" she chuckled, unable to finish her question. The sisters spread out and surrounded him slowly.

„Proposed? Yes, he did," Viviana smirked. „It seems he cannot resist his urge to propose to any woman, he gets by, in a matter of the first few hours."

Anna started to snigger and she couldn't stop. „See? And I was supposed to be the keen one, when it comes to a marriage. And I see I'm not the worst case here. But just to be complete… Elsa? Will you marry him?" Hans shot an angry glare at her.

„No, I won't," Elsa chuckled in response.

„But you shouldn't give up yet, Hans," Viviana was watching him with a smile, as he was trying to stand up. „You can still win."

„That's right," Anna cheered, making fun of him. „We're just three defenceless women…"

„One more defenceless, than the other," Viviana smiled and flexed her fingers. A spark of cyan light zipped through the air around Hans's head. „Oops, my bad."

„If you can capture one of us, the others will surrender," Anna smiled innocently.

Hans was watching them with a hateful grimace. They were just mocking him. He couldn't win. It was clear that if he tried to do anything, Viviana, or Elsa would stop him. He sighed and stooped his shoulders in defeat. But suddenly, he drew his sword in a lightning move and attacked Anna.

Anna wasn't surprised by the attack. She was expecting it. She was watching him as he was drawing near with his sword above his head and she couldn't resist a smile. It was too easy. Anna was waiting patiently to the last moment and then, when he swung his sword down, instead of backing away, she made a quick step forward, catching his hand in the air and as Lieta had done to her before, she directed the sword to the gap between them, using the force of his swing to throw him out of balance. Hans landed on his back with a thud and before he could do anything, a tip of his own sword rested on his throat. „Bad choice," Anna commented with a smirk.

Mathias approached her with a calm smile. „Let me take care of this trash, Your Highness," he said, grabbing a collar of Hans's tunic, making him stand up roughly. He grabbed Anna's shackles from the ground and cuffed Hans's hands behind his back. Then he pushed him to the others.

„So, this is it?" asked Elsa, almost in disbelief. „We've really done it?"

„Were you doubting that?" Anna chuckled. „They had no chance from the very beginning. Not when we were sticking together. There's nothing, we can't do, right, Viviana?" she looked at the place, she had seen her sister for the last time, but she didn't find her. „Viviana?" She looked around in confusion. But then, she caught her voice from behind.

„So… You're the Kristoff, Anna has told me so much about, hmm?" She was scrutinizing him thoroughly with her arms folded and a sly smile on her face. Poor Kristoff was absolutely out of words. His jaw was moving soundlessly up and down and he was watching her with a blunt look. He still couldn't understand, what had just happened. All the people in the ballroom were watching them in an absolute astonishment, as their minds weren't keeping up with the pace of the events.

„I am Viviana," she continued as if it was absolutely normal. „Nice to meet you," she raised her hand. She couldn't resist a smile, when Kristoff flinched back. „Oh. He's still scared of me? So cute," she commented.

Anna chuckled and leaned against her shoulder. „And you're surprised? Not knowing our plan from the beginning, I would be shaking in a corner and trying to pretend that I am a curtain."

„Well," Viviana smirked by a look on her cloak, matching almost perfectly the purple colour of the curtains in the room. „Considering your clothes, you would have a fair chance."

„Hey," Anna chuckled and poked her in her ribs. „It wasn't nice." Then she turned to Kristoff and gave him a warm, soothing smile. „Kristoff, you don't have to worry. Viviana isn't evil. She's our sister."

She was watching him in expectation, giving Viviana only one brief glance, when she caught her silent counting.

„One…"

Kristoff finally breathed in and forced himself to speak. „I… I got it, I just…"

„…two…"

„Couldn't you tell me something before? I mean…"

„…three…"

„Who wouldn't be surprised? She was trying to kill us a minute ago…"

„…four…"

„And now you just come and tell me, that…" his words got stuck in his throat.

„…fiv…"

„WAIT, WHAT?!"

„Viviana's smile widened. „Wow, he finally got it. It didn't take him as long as I expected."

Kristoff's eyes were about to fall out of their sockets. „You're… you're sisters?"

„See? I told you, he would be happy," Anna chuckled. Then she approached him and gave him a long kiss. „I know you're confused. I should have told you, but I didn't want to miss all the fun. I will explain everything later, I promise."

Kristoff looked at her, trying to find a right answer, but he was interrupted, when the main door to the ballroom broke open and one of the soldiers from Southern Isles stormed in with his sword drawn. „Your Majesty! The prisoners. They broke free and they're attacking us from… inside…" He hesitated, when he finally noticed the situation in the room.

All eyes set on him. The soldier quickly assessed the situation and without any other word, he dropped his sword on the wooden floor.

„Wise boy," Viviana commented with a smile. „Okay, let's finish this properly." She walked to Hans and grabbed his arm. Hans couldn't do anything but shoot a hateful look at her. Viviana smiled back. „Now, you and I will take a short walk around the city. It's time to tell your men that this game is over." And with this, they both vanished in a snow cloud.


At last! Arendelle is free. Now finally can Viviana live a happy life with her sisters. Or can she? :) I'm sorry again for a long delay and I hope this chapter was worth waiting. Stay tuned. There's at least one or two chapters left. See you next time.