A/N: Sorry about the wait people, here we go!

A month passed. Arendelle saw the return of a sort of normalcy. It was a strained peace, however. A period that felt all too…fragile. Elsa couldn't help but think of it as the calm before the inevitable storm. She knew something of storms, and she knew it would either swallow them or…

'Your majesty.' One of her councillors prompted. 'We must discuss the situation in Weselton.'

'Why must we, what is it to do with us?'

'You think the King Reinhard will stop there?'

'Weselton may hold out, they-'

'They've lost the last three battles, how many more till-'

'So Weselton will lose, it isn't our-'

'What about Corona?'

'What about them?'

A hand slammed the table. Elsa glanced at Haagan.

'Arguing amongst ourselves achieves nothing.'

'This is not an argument even worth having!' A councillor exclaimed.

Haagan stood. He cut an imposing figure, when he needed to.

'It is time we did something. We all know that the Southern Isles have had more than a passing role in our recent troubles.'

'Pure specula-'

Haagan glared at the source of the objection.

'Most of us…' He corrected himself. '…are aware of the Southern Isles' interference. I ask this council to consider, how long before they turn their full attention to us?'

'I will not see this kingdom go to war to satisfy the paranoia of one man.'

'Nor will it.'

Every head turned to Elsa.

'We were not discussing going to war. We were discussing what we can do to assist the beleaguered state of Weselton.'

Haagan took his seat again. The other councillors followed suit.

'It's true that Weselton is losing the war. While they are putting up a stiff fight, they are losing ground steadily. A by-product of this is that there are a great number of wounded, sick and displaced refugees fleeing or otherwise being evacuated. I called you here to inform you I was approached by Weselton's ambassador, with a request that we offer Arendelle as a sanctuary to the victims of the conflict.'

Instantly, flurry of debate exploded among the council. Elsa suppressed a groan, morbidly fascinated about hearing what was so disagreeable about aiding the innocent.

'Your majesty, any act on our part favouring either side would break our neutrality!'

'You mean that any act on our part aiding the refugees will invite the ire of the Southern Isles.' Haagan spoke up. 'But you're not worried about the ire of the Southern Isles because we're just paranoid, after all.'

'You twist my words, Commander!'

'Indeed?' The military man grinned.

'Enough.' Elsa looked around the table. Kauffman had been far more reticent at meetings, in recent weeks.

He was a forthright man, and she suspected the failure of the summit, a month ago, still weighed heavily on him.

'Councillor Kauffman, what do you suggest.'

All eyes turned to him, but he didn't flinch.

'I think…' He exhaled, staring fixedly at the table. '…that we would be remiss in our responsibilities if we allowed innocents to be harmed in King Reinhards war, especially if we ignored an opportunity to help.'

'Kauffman, you of all people-'

'Would allow innocents to suffer for my own principles? I think not, sir.'

There was a general murmur of approval from the rest of the council, despite the objections of a few.

'It is settled, then. We will open Arendelle to refugees of the war. I will require the attendance of the relevant councillors for a further meeting discussing the allotment of supplies, resources and living space for our temporary visitors. Good day, ladies and gentlemen.'

As they filed out, she concealed a small smile as Kauffman and Haagan nodded to each other respectfully. It was almost worth seeing the world as she knew it crashing and burning around her to see two of her most…dynamic councillors getting on.

She sighed, totally at peace with her decision, already hearing Vickers blustering protests already.

…

'Damn it!' Hans cursed, flinging aside the dusty tome.

For the past month he, and occasionally the Queen, whenever she had the time, had spent hours at a time searching and poring through old volumes on the history and lineage of the royal family, the history of Arendelle itself, even falling back on collections of old myths and tales.

Nothing, Hans thought bitterly. Dead ends, unwoven leads, the barest of allusions to things not directly referenced.

There was so little knowledge of the Queen's family history. Her father's family was not native to Arendelle. Though the old King had been born here, his father had come as a prince to marry the Queen before that from some faraway kingdom that wasn't mentioned. Of Elsa and Anna's mother and her family, however…

Nothing. Nothing but a sentence referring to family somewhere outside the city not specified. It wasn't even clear if she had any noble blood or claims to royalty, had the girls' father married a commoner? All he knew was that the old Queen's family was native.

And then there was the locket.

More than anything else, it confounded him. Elsa kept it with her at all times, now. She feared it, he thought sympathetically, keeping it close to remind her that there was something in her past she didn't understand.

The old Queen did once have the silver-white hair of her daughter, and then she no longer did for some reason. How old was that painting? Or the locket? And then there was DeMolais. Ageless DeMolais.

She was the key, he was sure of it. If she didn't know everything she certainly knew something. He had to talk to her again, soon.

He heaved open another book.

The stories frustrated him too. Old stories, told and retold about the Snow Queen. Minor differences and revisions as it was rewritten over time, but always the same character.

The Snow Queen.

It was almost more than just a story, it was so woven into Arendelle's past it was…was…history. But that was ridiculous…wasn't it?

His thoughts turned to Elsa, and her powers, a chill running up his spine.

Maybe it wasn't.

…

'Your majesty?' Haagan asked, curiously.

He had been summoned to her private study this afternoon. He stood calmly, though inside he was wary.

'Commander.' She greeted, looking up from her desk. 'I've asked you here to discuss a few matters best left…low key.'

'Of course.'

'Given what happened a month ago, I think we should be more proactive in regard to Vickers' schemes. We know he smuggled in a force of mercenaries under the guise of the Weselton entourage and…' She trailed off.

'You suspect he may try something similar again, among the refugees. But if that's true, why risk accepting them at all?'

'You think we should turn them away?'

'Of course not, your majesty, I merely-'

'Then it is a risk worth taking.' She finished.

He yielded, with a nod.

'What would you have me do, your majesty?'

'Nothing.'

'…nothing?'

'Nothing.'

'…but-'

'He will expect us to tighten security. He will expect us to post armed soldiers at the docks, screening every refugee. Then his mercenaries will attack among the refugees, our soldiers will retaliate and dozens of unarmed refugees will be hurt in the middle. No, we will do nothing.'

'We can't-' He insisted.

'Nothing will happen. Vickers is no fool, he won't try the same trick twice unless we give him the opportunity. We must work to discover what he is really planning. I don't doubt by now he is aware of our decision to allow the refugees.'

'That makes sense.'

'I know you've had Hans doing…odd jobs for you, Commander. I want you to task him to finding out what he can about Vickers' plans for the coming weeks. I have all but quarantined him to his embassy, but his ability to travel has little impeded his achievements thus far.'

'I will, majesty.' He bowed and left.

Once he was gone, she let out a quiet moan. She had to appear calm, confident to her council and court…but in the privacy of her own thoughts…

Elsa hadn't the faintest idea what would happen, could happen or might happen. And now she was gambling with the lives of innocents on the most fragile basis that Vickers would be too proud to resort to the same trick twice.

She clasped her hands before her, flexing her fingers nervously, running through her thoughts.

Elsa had isolated him, offended him, left an opening for him. She knew she was playing with fire but she had to force him to act, he was too much of a threat to be allowed to continue with his endless schemes and plans.

Her people had suffered because of Vickers. The time had come to do something about it.

She was playing with fire. Elsa hoped those burned would forgive her.

…

Anna sat awake in bed, watching the door. The gloomy light of the moon cast streaks of light across the darkened bedroom.

The past month had been rough. Elsa obviously had even more work and responsibilities to see to now, with the war in the south and everything else and it meant there was little time for…them.

They had tried, though. Elsa was still troubled by their relationship, at times, but Anna was patient with her. She loved Elsa, she cared for the sister she'd known all her life and she was willing to wait. Elsa was just…Elsa. Anna knew she loved her, but it was in her own way. She wouldn't wish her different or she would no longer be the sister she fell in love with.

She snapped out of her daydream as the door quietly swung open a little. Elsa slipped in, obviously assuming she was asleep and trying not to wake her.

'Hello, sister.'

Elsa jumped, latching on to the door in surprise.

'Anna!' She hissed, clutching her chest, heart thumping. 'I thought you were asleep.'

'Dozed off for a bit, woke up and you weren't here.' She shrugged as if it was nothing. 'Thought I'd wait, I was thinking about coming to find you again.'

'Were you going to build us another nest, my love?' She smiled at the memory as she crossed to the closet, sliding out of her dress.

Anna watched it slide softly down her sisters' flawless skin. It was nearly silver, like her hair, in the low light. She felt herself…stirring at the sight.

'Elsa…' She breathed, before she could stop herself.

Her sister turned, as she let her hair fall loose about her shoulders, eyebrow raised. Anna blushed.

'Are you just going to ogle at me now? And I thought you were such a romantic.' Elsa laughed softly, slipping a simple nightshirt over her shoulders, hanging midway down her thighs.

Anna managed a wry grin.

She shuffled to one side as Elsa slipped under the covers with her. She rolled over to face Elsa, who did the same.

'I did think you might just sleep in your study again, tonight. I know sometimes you do want to be alone.' Anna said quietly.

Elsa clasped her sisters hands, raising them to her mouth she kissed them one at a time, softly.

'Sometimes.' She murmured. 'I'd rather be with you though.'

Anna smiled, warmth tingling inside her.

'I…had another nightmare the other night, anyway.'

'Elsa, you didn't say-'

'I know, I'm sorry.' Elsa shut her eyes. 'I just…didn't want to worry you. I don't like burdening you with…well…'

Anna gently pulled her hands free, reaching out to her sister and snuggling up till they were pressed together.

'You're not a burden to me.' She leaned forward slowly, pressing her lips gently against her older siblings. 'I love you.'

'…I love you too.' Elsa replied, after a slight pause.

Anna shut her eyes, nestling her head under Elsa's chin as the older girl wrapped her arms around her. It was enough.