A/N: Please be advised that this chapter contains sexual content and be mindful of the M rating.

As always, many thanks to my Beta reader Fericita. She isn't on FFN, but I highly encourage everyone to go check out her work as she's an awesome writer. This is the end of the first story in the Bound series. Tomorrow, I will post the first chapter of the next story which begins when Elsa is 12 and Anna is 9 because, really, do we need a detailed decade of Runeard being a dick? Thank you for reading along.


Agnarr could not remember the last time he had slept so soundly.

The invasive and persistent thoughts that came with running a kingdom, the ones that left him alert and anxious in the small hours of the morning, were silent. The dreams that wrenched him from sleep feeling frustrated and aching in a way he hadn't been since adolescence – gone. He knew he was a fitful sleeper, restless and only lightly disengaged from the world during the moonlight hours, prone to bouts of mild insomnia. But as he slowly woke, he was dimly aware that he felt thoroughly rested in a way that he had not felt in a long time. There was a comfortable weight spread across his body.

Agnarr cracked one eyelid open, nearly blinded by the sunlight streaming through the window. He yawned. That was fine. With the ball last night, nothing had been planned until late afternoon. As his vision adjusted to the light, he saw Iduna's messy crown of hair just below his chin. She had one arm draped across his chest, clinging to his shoulder, and one of her legs half way across his mid-section. He could hear and feel her breathing peacefully against him. He reached out and rubbed her back, trying to recall through the faint, muzzy headache of last night's drinking binge just what-

His eyes widened and his hand stilled.

Oh.

That had happened.

More than once.

That was . . .that was real.

Iduna stirred and nuzzled her face against him, but her breathing remained regular. He wondered if she was reacting in her dreams to the sudden hammering of his heart. The memories flooded him. She had been true to her word. At some point, he had helped to unlace the stays of her corset and she had removed it and her chemise. He had undone his belt and wriggled out of the tight confines of his dress pants, but everything else had mostly remained in place. True to her promise she hadn't . . .taken advantage of him. What they had done, exquisitely pleasurable and transcendent as it had been, did not technically constitute the consummation of their marriage. Even though he would not have stopped her at any point during their frantically enjoyable activities the previous night regardless of what she wanted to do to him. With him.

"Don't you want to see if I do what you imagine me to do?" She had asked. Iduna, all that she was, and how she had felt against him in the flesh was incomparable to the pale imitation of his lustful imagination. And she had wanted to show him. What she thought about him. When she thought of him. That had been a revelation. An epiphany in the form of her moving above and against him over and over. She had made a believer of him, at least for last night.

But in the light of day, he shifted uneasily as he held her and wondered. She was so grateful to see her parents. She had been so eager to talk to them and the other Northuldra. Her people. To explain and review all the intricacies of their plot to circumvent Runeard's plans to seize the land and children. She had been giddy with excitement when she happily told him that she believed it was going to be a success, just before they had gone to sleep in the kota. And how none of it could have been done without him. And how wonderful he was.

How obligated did she feel to him?

As the tell-tale pangs of regret and shame began to well inside his chest, Iduna stirred with a soft groan. She raised her head and blinked sleepily at him before breaking out into a wide and dazzling smile. He couldn't help but return it immediately. It was reflexive.

"Good morning," she murmured and tightened her hold on him, burying her face against his chest. He stroked her hair.

"Good morning. Sleep well?"

"Mmhmm." She squeezed his arm and rolled over to stretch her arms above her head before propping herself on one elbow and grinning at him. "You?"

"Very well, thank you." She seemed content enough. Iduna had never been one to conceal her displeasure from him. Nonetheless. What if she regretted last night? He drew a breath and tried to assemble the proper words to frame his question without offending her, but she was already sitting up and throwing a leg over his hips. As she settled against him, all heat and lascivious smiles, she leaned forward, hungrily taking his mouth in hers as she moved against him just as she had last night.

His question was lost in the slightly surprised moan he managed before he turned his attentions to responding to the pressure against his lips in kind. The smooth fabric of their undergarments was gliding with a deliciously slick friction along his skin. And when he thrust up against her, she managed to somehow use his momentum and her weight to roll him, as quick and dizzily as the Wind Spirit ever had, so that he ended up above her. They both laughed for a breathless moment before she reached up and put her hands on the back of his head, drawing him down into a gentle kiss. Her expression had been so content and affectionate, it banished any lingering doubt about her intent away for the moment.

And he loved her.


Although they spent the better part of the day entwined in one another and the bedsheets, learning exactly how far they could explore one another without 'taking advantage' as she kept teasing him, it had seemed to pass entirely too quickly. The relatively brief trade meeting with Weselton and the private dinner with the Duke afterwards had seemed tediously endless. Finally, after several polite attempts on Iduna's part to disengage from the Duke after dessert, Agnarr 'accidentally' spilled the better part of his brandy on the man's jacket and they managed to retire in peace.

"What a strange man," she remarked as they prepared for bed. Agnarr smiled and lay down, arms behind his head, as he watched her put on her nightgown. "I don't know where he gets all that energy from. You know he almost crushed my foot dancing last night?" She slipped under the covers next to him and slid her arm across his stomach and kissed him on his neck, just below the jaw. He shuddered in pleasant response and wrapped his arm around her.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "As long as you don't ask me if I have any regrets about last night. Or this morning. Or again in the early afternoon. Or if I only did it because I feel obligated to you for everything you've done for my people. Because I swear, Agnarr, if that's your question, you're going to die a virgin. Possibly tonight."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and a small, one-shouldered shrug. "It's just . . ." He felt his smile fade away and sighed. "I told you before. It's hard." He swallowed and stared at the ceiling. "For me. With the Iduna the Adoring act . . ."

She seemed to wait until she was certain he wasn't able to find the words to articulate the unsettled heaviness that had been plaguing him. She turned so that their faces were so close their noses were nearly touching. Her hand settled against his heart and she gently tapped her fingers in the cadence of his heart beat.

"I do adore you, Agnarr," she smiled, blushed, and rolled her eyes as he chuckled.

"You do adore me?"

"Quiet you," she tweaked his nose. "I do. It's not . . .I've told you. You've been so good to me." She dropped her gaze and bit her lower lip. He covered her hand with his and squeezed gently. "And the past few months . . .just . . ." She shrugged. "You're a kind man. A good man. I don't feel obligated. And I don't feel guilty anymore. I'm happy that you're my husband and I'm happy that we're married, even if I'll never be happy about how it came to pass."

She glanced up at him and he rested his forehead against hers. She closed her eyes.

"And I'm not pretending just to have a child," she continued. "But I understand why that worries you. I'm fine waiting until you're ready to . . . you know, consummate the marriage. It doesn't bother me."

"I don't need to ask?" He said wryly. She surprised him by letting out a loud snort of laughter.

"Honestly? Based on last night I don't know if you're going to be able to ask!" She covered her mouth as she giggled and gave him an amused look. "Verbal skills didn't seem to be your forte while I was –" He covered her mouth with a kiss and, minutes later, when she moved to blow out the candle, he stopped her.

"Leave it," he murmured, caressing his hands over her thighs and slipping them under her nightgown. "I want to see all of you."


"Can I really touch you anywhere?" Agnarr's voice broke and the love and awe in his tone and gaze took her breath away. Iduna reached up to stroke his cheek gently, feeling both shy and bold at his question.

They had been learning all that they could about one another's bodies for the past two weeks, although her husband had been content to let her lead and set the pace for their studies. She could command him and he was ever her willing supplicant. She knew he trusted her not to ask anything that would make him doubt either of their intentions. His only request had ever been to let the candle burn so he could see her. He wanted to worship her beauty properly, he had told her.

But tonight, Agnarr had haltingly asked if he could discover her own his own terms. Learn what he could initiate to elicit a pleasing response. And then so penitently ran his tongue along her neck as he asked, that she would have felt compelled to grant him permission even if she hadn't been waiting for such a request with increasing impatience every time their bodies met.

"Please," she breathed, lacing her fingers through his hair. "Touch me everywhere."

His eyes darkened as he dipped his head forward, smoldering with a hunger and need that sent a thrill through her body. She shuddered as though he was already raking his hands and mouth against her skin. The heat of his body set hers aflame as he partially settled his weight atop her and captured her mouth with an urgency that left her breathless. Iduna felt cocooned in the warmth of him, safe and separate from the world surrounding them with its plots and misery. She liked that he could make her forget, to shrink the whole of their existence just to the two of them. He braced himself on an elbow to keep from crushing her and stroked her hair with one hand as the other mapped the contours of her curves.

Perhaps, she later considered, she should have waited. She shouldn't have said it in such a moment of passion when he was steadily overwhelming her senses with his reverent touch and she was half-dizzy from his kiss, but when he broke it and her eyes met his, nonetheless she had gasped,

"I love you." It was the truth. She lay under him, far too warm and nearly coming out of her skin with the desire to ignore his dammed request to set the pace tonight when he had just done that and then stopped. In the candle light, she watched as the hunger in his eyes soften. His mouth curled into a smile and he rested his forehead against hers.

"Do you?" His voice was so gentle.

"Yes," She panted. "I do." She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him tighter against her.

"I loved you first," he murmured and cradled her cheek as he smiled shyly. "So let me love you now." He took her mouth in his once more with an eagerness that led to anything but a church kiss. And yet, she couldn't help but feel that their exchange and what followed was a vow they made to one another on their own terms.


"Your Highness?" Iduna glanced up from her desk at Mattias' voice. She had been pressing the first crocus of the spring between the pages of a book. "His Majesty would like to see you. He's in with Agnarr right now."

"Oh?" She frowned and crossed her arms over her waist. "Any cause for concern?"

"Honestly, I couldn't say." He held the door for her. "But Agnarr didn't seem too worried when I was called in. They were looking at some maps. And Minister Gundersen was with them earlier."

"Marte was there? Then they were probably discussing the Northuldra Land Reform."

"That'd make the most sense."

"I'll be sure to try and act surprised. Will you and Halima be joining us for dinner next week?"

"We're hoping too. It's just that her father is getting on in years. He's not sure if he's up to watching our boy."

"Oh, don't be silly. Bring Destin too! He's been so cooped up with winter. It's so sweet to see him running through the halls." Mattias laughed.

"You think it's sweet. The staff thinks he's a menace."

"Oh, they're just stodgy. Children are supposed to get into a little bit of trouble now and then."

"Oh yeah? Just wait until they're yours getting into 'a little bit of trouble'." Mattias grinned. "Although knowing you two, you'll both spoil your kids rotten."

"I'm told that's called 'doting' in royal circles." She grinned. "And I've gotten plenty of practice slipping your son all of those cookies."

"I know," he groaned. "You and Agnarr need to give us the chance to get you back. Sugar up your kids and then set them loose on you." They had reached the door to the King's Office. Mattias nodded to her as she assumed an expression of attentive interest. He knocked and opened the door and she went in. Runeard was sitting behind his desk with Agnarr across from him. Her husband smiled warmly at her and she relaxed. They had long ago developed signals to warn one another if Runeard was ever in a foul mood. She curtsied.

"Your Majesty."

"Iduna," he gestured towards an empty chair. "Please, be seated."

"Thank you." She stopped to kiss Agnarr on the top of his head before sitting. He reached out to take her hand. Runeard seemed to be suppressing a smile. She knew, from eavesdropping on the castle staff, that the King was pleased they had continued to behave like newlyweds nearly a year into their marriage. He glanced at his son.

"Would you like to tell her?"

"Tell me what?" She turned to Agnarr expectantly. He grinned and clapped his hands.

"We're going north to visit your parents. Father knows how much you've missed them. And not just your parents, but a three-week tour of the north."

Iduna brought her hands to her face and covered an elated smile. No wonder Agnarr had looked so pleased. They had been trying to figure out for the past few months exactly when the tax collection was going to take place and how Runeard was going to try and frame it. Here was their answer. She looked at the King.

"Your Majesty, thank you so much!"

"It's nothing, my dear," he waved a hand and leaned back in his chair. "You've done well here by my son. I'll admit, I had my doubts at first but you've become the very exemplar of assimilation. It gives me a renewed sense of hope for the Northuldra. Perhaps in the course of your lifetime, we'll see them as productive and contributing citizens of Arendelle." Iduna had become so accustom to socializing with the upper crust and aristocracy of Europe and their boorish comments that her smile didn't even go wooden.

"I would like nothing more than for that to happen," she said, ensuring that her tone dripped with sincerity. Runeard wasn't one for subtlety. "Still, your Majesty, it is most gracious of you to allow me to travel to see my parents. I know there's always a cost associated with any royal outing. And especially one of this magnitude."

"It's going to be a bit more than a pleasure trip, dear," Agnarr squeezed her hand. "We can take a few hours, maybe even a day, to spend time with your family. But we'll both be conducting quite a lot of official business as well."

"Official business? In the north?" She cocked her head. Runeard liked her innocent. Or ignorant. Or both. "What kind?"

"Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about," the King smiled.

"Well, father, that's not entirely true," Agnarr patted her hand. "Father has designed a new system of taxes so that the Northuldra can contribute their proper share to the kingdom. You know, in return for the protection and resources that we've provided. Like that dam."

She wrinkled her forehead and looked at Runeard. "But I thought my father paid you every season to help with the upkeep of the troops in the north to protect us?"

"He does. And your father has been very good about all of that, I'll be the first to admit. I won't disrespect him – he always pays on time and in full. Your father is a responsible man." He wanted something from her very badly if he was being this solicitous. "But what my son is talking about is different. A tax wouldn't just be coming from your father, but from all the Northuldra. Every family pays just a little bit. Everyone contributes. It's fairer that way."

"I see . . .I know that the traders were familiar with taxes when they would come here to buy and sell goods, but I don't know if anyone else really understands them."

"That's one of the reasons it's so good that we're going," Agnarr said. "They're your people. They trust you and they see everything that Arendelle has done for you. You can help explain it to them. And, of course, as with any new system there are going to be problems. Bumps in the road." He shrugged. "It's only human nature to resist change. Father and I are sure there are going to be some unhappy people who don't understand why this is for the best. You can help them understand. Or at least help to soothe their nerves."

"I would like to help."

"You would be doing Arendelle and my son a great service by going and helping to keep people calm and open-minded. There are great opportunities to be had for business and education," Runeard stroked his moustache. She bristled internally. Education. He honestly thought she was so broken or dim that she would be complicit in the theft of a generation of children from their families. It had been difficult enough to be taken at the age of twenty. She wouldn't wish it on any child.

"But Agnarr, we will get some time with my parents?"

He smiled warmly. "Of course we will."


"I don't know whether I should feel more insulted or relieved that your father thinks I have nothing but air between my ears." Iduna slouched in the chair, staring at the fire crackling in Agnarr's study.

"He doesn't think you're stupid. He just thinks you're cowed and compliant," Agnarr handed her the guksi. "His words," he added hastily at the look she gave him. "Not mine."

"I know," she sighed and took a sip of the tea before handing it back to Agnarr. He settled into the chair next to hers. "And I suppose I should be grateful that it's made all of this easier." She watched as he took a drink. "He'll be livid when we return."

"I know," Agnarr sighed. "But once he sees how many merchants and council members support this, he'll come around. I won't deny that father loves power. He does. But he loves Arendelle even more than power. And our plan is what's best for Arendelle and the Northuldra. There's no reason that everyone can't benefit from this arrangement. He'll calm down once he sees the wealth this will generate. Trust me."

He smiled reassuringly at her and she reached out to rub his forearm. She did trust him. Iduna simply believed that he underestimated how petty his father could be. Agnarr was not an egotistical man. But she had seen first-hand how Runeard could be as stubborn as little Destin when he didn't get his way. And that could be dangerous.

"I do," she leaned over to kiss him. I won't let anything happen to us, she thought as their lips met. She had discussed contingency plans with her mother that past autumn, when Agnarr had surprised her with a visit. If they had to leave, they had places to go. Her father shared Agnarr's belief that Runeard wouldn't take any actions that were too drastic, but men could be . . .illogical about these things. It was best to leave long-term plans to the women.

The clock struck a quarter to four.

"Well, I'm off for an archery session with Marte," she smiled and ruffled his hair. Agnarr grinned. "We're going double or nothing today."

"Try to lose convincingly? We still need her support."

Iduna laughed. "No, she's far too honorable and competitive to want to win like that. And she's gotten the better of me a few times." She bent down and kissed him once more. "I'll see you for dinner. Love you."

"Love you too."


King Runeard had sent them off with quite a nice speech emphasizing the need to embrace the union between the Northuldra and Arendelle. To forgive the past sins of aggression and extend the olive branch of peace. The townspeople had clapped and cheered, waving to the young royal couple as they descended from the stage and into the waiting carriage. A cavalry troop was accompanying them, as were several wagons filled with gifts that Iduna had personally selected to foster good-will. They would be useful when it came time to haul the goods back from the north. And every soldier and trooper going with them was under a commander who backed Agnarr's plan to facilitate peace. After seven years, the Arendellian Army was tired of constant deployments. They wanted to be with their families. Not wandering large, empty expanses of land that were far from home.

Once they were out of the town proper, Iduna rested her forehead against the cool glass of the carriage window and watched the woods roll slowly past. This was her first opportunity to see the landscape change as she travelled from Arendelle to her homeland. When she and Agnarr had visited, discretion had not allowed for a view and she had no idea where they had been headed. And when Runeard had brought her back – well, she hadn't been in shackles, but she had been in the same cart used to transport prisoners with its iron lock on the door and thick wooden walls. She shook her head to clear her mind of such thoughts. That was the past. This was her present.

"Are you alright?" Agnarr frowned and took her hand. "You look a bit flushed." She straightened up in her seat and smiled reassuringly at him.

"I'm fine, just excited to see everyone."

"They're excited to see you too," he grinned. "Half the letters I've had are our contacts telling me that things are ready and in place. The other half are them saying how happy they are you'll be home for nearly a month. They've missed you!"

"I've missed them," she said softly. Agnarr's face fell slightly, but she leaned forward and kissed him. "That doesn't mean I regret you." She smiled and reached into her travelling bag. "I have a gift to prove it."

"Oh? For your parents?"

"For them too," she handed him a small, slender package wrapped in delicate green paper and tied with a golden ribbon.

"Sigil green?" He turned it over in his hands with a small smile. She gave a slight shrug and watched as he pulled the ribbon and unwrapped the paper. He looked at her. "Your shawl? You're giving me your birth shawl?"

"No, that's for you to give to me," she grinned. He laughed and started to hand it to her, but she waved him off. "Unfold it, Agnarr." He raised an eyebrow. "Carefully." Agnarr carefully unfolded the shawl until he came to several pieces of thick parchment that had been meticulously glued together. A pressed crocus had been set in the middle, under a clear sealant, and the crest of Arendelle had been painted underneath and a stylized Northuldra sun above. He frowned at the Northuldra characters and tried to sound them out. Iduna suppressed a smile as he looked up at her in appeal.

"I can make out flower . . .joy . . .and life? I want to say? Happy spring?"

"A flower blossoms for its own joy," she said as she reached out and took her shawl from his unresisting hand and draped it over her waist. "And so it is with new life."

He blinked and stared at her for a long moment. Then she shrieked as he threw his arms around her with a cheerful shout.

The future was bright and it was theirs.