"You know I'm not sure how any of this works," Kristoff said, scratching his head as he squinted at a rule-book.

Anna smiled at her husband, and pointed at the board. She'd been excited to try this game since she'd first seen people playing it in the city. "Okay, so each area represents a country and the person that holds the most countries at the end of the game is the ruler of the world and I win."

"A little confident there, aren't you, feisty pants?"

She stuck her tongue out at her sister, plucking the rules from Kristoff. "I'm going to kick all of your butts." She paged through to a section about negotiation and frowned. That might give Elsa a distinct advantage…

"Don't be so sure about that." Elsa stole the rules from Anna. "So we have the option of warfare or diplomacy."

"Suddenly I'm glad you didn't invite Jaina." Kristoff settled in next to Anna, with Iduna in his lap. "Because I'm not sure which option she'd be better at."

"Why didn't you?" Anna shoved her sister over to sit next to her.

"I uhm…" Elsa fidgeted with the rule book, "This is family night… It's always been for us. I didn't know how you'd feel about inviting someone else to join us."

"Elsa." Anna stared at her sister in disbelief. On the one hand, she really was touched, but on the other she knew exactly what Jaina had come to mean to Elsa and in Anna's book, that made Jaina family too. Unless… "What, is Jaina going to like leave or something? I'm going to kill-"

Elsa put her hand on Anna's arm. "No! She's staying!" It was as though the words only just now seemed to sink in for Elsa, "She's staying…"

Anna put her arm around Elsa, her sister sagging against her like a doll. "Do you not believe it or something?"

"I guess I didn't really accept that it was true until now." Elsa set the book down in front of them, "I spent so long expecting to say good bye that I don't know how to react knowing I won't have to. She's not going to Dalaran, or Plagueholm, or the new World Tree or anywhere else. She's staying in Arendelle with us. With me."

Delighted, Anna hugged Elsa with one arm, and then with her other arm and then with her whole self. Elsa flailed as they both toppled over laughing, sending the board and pieces flying just as Kristoff had just finished setting them all up. He looked down at Iduna and sighed dramatically. "It's going to be one of those nights. Want some ice cream?"

Iduna's eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically. Kristoff got to his feet and Anna poked her head up. "Bring us back some!"

"Chocolate," Elsa clarified.

"Chocolate or vanilla with chocolate - oh who am I kidding." Kristoff laughed to himself, and Anna could hear him talking to Iduna as he left the room, "Why would I get your mama and aunt anything but chocolate ice cream covered in chocolate syrup?"

"You married the right man," Elsa quipped.

"Damn right," Anna giggled, then picked herself up. "Stay here, I've been saving something for you."

Elsa sat up, looking at her quizzically. "You have?"

"Yep." Anna put her finger over her lips, then darted out of the room. She ran down the hall, and then opened a little used door and stepped into the treasury. The guard on duty nodded at her, and she nodded back. "Just here for something for the Queen."

He shrugged, because she was the Princess and It wasn't his job to tell her whether or not she could enter the Royal Treasury and take something. With a few exceptions typically reserved for specific functions she was welcome to take almost anything out.

Anna winked at him and made her way through past a variety of treasures, but what she was looking for was a very special collection. The box was exactly where she remembered and she picked it up with a wave of nostalgia. Pausing only long enough to sign it out, Anna ran back to where she was keeping her sister waiting.

Elsa had picked up the board and set it back up, then moved to the window to stare out it. "Do you think it's too late to invite her?"

"Of course not," Anna said. "We can do couples. But before you send for her, I've got something for you. Or rather, Mother does." She held out the box, and Elsa turned to stare at her, and then at the intricate designs carved into the wood.

"I'm sorry? Mother?" Elsa stepped away from the window, approaching both Anna and the box with trepidation.

Anna nodded, holding the box close to her chest, remembering that day eight years ago. "Yes. When I was sixteen she pulled me into the treasury and showed me this box."

Elsa swallowed, reaching out and stroking a crocus carved into one side.

"'Anna,' she said, 'there's something in these boxes for both you and Elsa.'" Anna gazed down at the box as well, fondness on her face and in her voice, "You were still … you know. But she'd hoped that one day you'd let us in again, and then she could give you this, just like she was going to give me its sister."

"I don't understand, Anna…" But Anna could see comprehension dawning in her face.

So she opened the box. Inside was a silver ring engraved with snowflakes, with a sapphire set into it. The sister to the gold ring Anna wore on her left hand below her wedding band and engagement ring, with crocuses for engravings and a ruby setting. "Mother isn't here to give this to you, but I promised myself if you ever found someone, I would, so you could wear yours just like I wore mine when I married Kristoff."

She held out the box. "So whenever you're ready, you wear that with Jaina, and we'll have the biggest wedding Arendelle has ever seen." Anna smirked, "I also kind of saw something in the treasury that would suit Jaina well. You know, for a proper proposal and all."

Elsa's mouth dropped open, then closed, then opened again as she mimicked a fish with precise accuracy, before picking the ring out of the box and studying it. "I always wondered where you got that ring. I can't believe Mother had these…"

"She said they were something she had made when we were little," Anna explained. "I don't know what she would have done if one of us had never met anyone. I figured she'd eventually give them as a present or something in that case, but also you'd have to marry eventually anyway."

The thought made Anna frown. "That doesn't really seem fair, does it?"

"Queens sometimes have certain duties," Elsa replied sadly. She placed the ring back, then took the box from Anna. "However, the laws of Arendelle allow for alternatives should I be unable to have children for whatever reason."

"N-I-E-C-E?" Anna spelled out.

Elsa's eyes twinkled, "You saved me a lot of grief, falling in love with a good person and giving me the best niece ever because there are a limited number of women who could give me an heir, and Jaina isn't one of them."

"Do you think I'd make a good queen?" Anna asked, suddenly curious. If Elsa died or abdicated, she was next in line. Setting aside losing her sister, the thought was a daunting one for Anna and she didn't think she'd ever be prepared.

"Remind me again who's the Keeper of Arendelle?" Elsa asked, quirking her eyebrow.

"Oh yeah."

"AKA the person who's officially in charge when I'm away or indisposed?"

Anna chuckled. "Me." Elsa held her arms out, and Anna stepped into them, hugging her sister tight.

"There's no one I trust more, Anna. Even in this strange new world, with Orcs and Elves, I wouldn't trust anyone but you to steer Arendelle through it."

Sniffling Anna smacked Elsa lightly in the shoulder. "Okay, okay. I get it. Now, you need to hide that ring."

"I still need to pick out one to give to-" Elsa cut herself off, "I mean, I should at least look."

"Tomorrow," Anna giggled. "But hide box. Go find Jaina. In the meantime I need to go see what kind of mess the children have made getting our ice cream because it's been way too long."

❄️

It had taken all of Jaina's considerable willpower to not cry when Elsa had invited her for game-night. It wasn't the game, as interesting as it was, but the fact that Elsa considered her enough a part of the family to include her.

Jaina hadn't felt included like that since before the Third War. Maybe since before she'd left to study in Dalaran, back in the days when she'd been Daelin's little girl and not a pariah among her family and Kul Tiras for nearly fifteen years. But here, on this distant shore, she'd found home again.

They'd won, of course, though Anna had proven more adept at both diplomacy and warfare than Jaina originally gave her credit for. That woman could be shrewd when she wanted to be, and had a competitive streak that Jaina could appreciate.

The next few days were a flurry of activity as Arendelle prepared for a party. More than just a diplomatic dinner, Elsa and Anna had wanted to have a proper celebration, with dancing and food and games and less diplomatic talk than Jaina was used to and probably more diplomatic talk than Elsa would want.

Sylvanas was among the first to arrive, and Jaina, against all logic, found herself seeking the banshee out. "Good morning, Warchief!"

"Ugh, you sound as chipper as Rapunzel."

Jaina smiled. "Just in a good mood. And you almost smiled."

She was rewarded with a scowl. "What do you want, Proudmoore?"

With her Lord Admiral title effectively nullified, the only others would be Ambassador or Archmage, but Jaina didn't mind. Honestly, she'd prefer her name these days. "I wanted to talk to you. Bury the hatchet in the ground rather than in each others' backs."

Sylvanas sneered. "You got laid and you're in a good mood because of it, don't pretend otherwise."

"That has nothing to do with it." Jaina rolled her eyes. "Stop being impossible. I read the reports, you know. From Corona. How well the Forsaken have been integrating. I think my favorite one was from a former Alliance Death Knight who resigned her commission to move to Plagueholm. Something about how welcoming the people were, going so far as to let some of your people stay in their homes while the towns are built up."

Ignoring the irritation on Sylvanas's face, Jaina continued, "And how even the Banshee Queen herself is greeted in the streets like a friend."

Sylvanas tensed, as though she were waiting for a barb or some insinuation or reminder of the past. A dig about Teldrassil or the Blight. But Jaina fell silent. Maybe it was the distance between them on this larger world, or the distance between the both of them and the bloody fields and seas of Azeroth.

But she could step back now and look at Sylvanas and see someone who could be, if maybe not a friend, at least not an enemy. And part of making people not be enemies is to hold one's tongue.

"You confuse me," Sylvanas said, cautiously accepting the wordless olive branch. "But what you've heard is true. Both the Sin'dorei and Forsaken will thrive, alongside the people of Corona."

She looked off to the side, not directly at anything in particular. "I have forgotten what it felt like to feel certain of my footing. I am not yet sure I can trust it. Not too long ago, you asked me about how I felt. About my anger and my rage. I told you it was lesser and that remains true."

Her eyes swiveled towards Jaina. "It will never burn out, Jaina. It will always be a part of me, a fire burning low, ready to be stoked under the right circumstances. Much like that which still burns deep within you."

"Anger can be healthy," Jaina pointed out. "When pointed in the right direction and when you don't let it consume you."

"If you can learn that lesson, perhaps anyone can."

A compliment. Backhanded, but still a compliment. Jaina nodded, then stepped past Sylvanas, leaving her back exposed.

A long time ago, that had gotten her an arrow in her shoulder. Today, she continued on unmolested, quietly opening the door to the kitchen. Jaina started to step inside, spied the familiar silver hair of Vereesa Windrunner, realized Rapunzel's bodyguard had her pinned against the wall, and then Jaina quietly closed the door to the kitchen.

If anyone deserved a little happiness, it was any one of the Windrunner sisters.

"Jaina!"

Jaina held her finger to her lips when Elsa approached. "Don't go into the kitchen."

"Do I want to know?"

"Just trust me on this."

Elsa laughed. "There's something I've been wanting to show you for some time now anyway, so now is as good a time as any. It's a place I like to escape to now and again."

Jaina frowned. "Are you sure you want to share this with me? Everyone needs their sanctuary."

"Trust me, it's a perfect fit for you too, and I trust you to know when I need my space and when I don't."

She gazed at Elsa for a moment, then boldly kissed her, right there in the hall in full view of anyone who might come across them. "Okay. Show me then."

Elsa giggled, face reddening, before she took Jaina's hand and started to pull her in the direction of the library.

Jaina didn't get scolded, a grin spreading across her face as she tried to imagine what that meant. She'd never been one to hide her affection in public, though she never went out of her way for it either. But Elsa was a very private person.

"Was that okay?" Jaina asked, once they were in the library.

"Was what okay?" Elsa moved towards a large statue of a horse in one corner.

"Kissing you like that."

Elsa's hand was half extended towards one of the front legs. She glanced over her shoulder. "Jaina, love, you can kiss me almost anywhere you want. I trust you to know when a situation is inappropriate."

"So no kissing you on the throne?" Jaina teased.

Elsa looked back at the statue, calling back. "I didn't say that. Just not when anyone is around."

Somehow, Jaina could see Elsa blushing even though her back was turned. And she knew that her own face was heating up at the thought of having Elsa on her throne. "You continue to surprise me."

"I have to keep you on your toes." Elsa pulled down on the leg. Gears ground somewhere nearby, and then one of the book shelves swung open like a door.

Jaina stared at it a moment, a grin spreading on her face as excitement rushed through her. She started bouncing on her heels. "You've got a secret library!"

"We found this a few years ago," Elsa said. "Anna fixed it up as sort of an escape for me." She held out her hand. "Come on!"

She grabbed Elsa's hand and let herself be led into the secret room. The shelf closed behind them, but Elsa lit a candle to give them light.

"Let me," Jaina said, quickly casting a spell that sent spheres of light dancing around the library, casting a warm glow everywhere.

Smiling, Elsa blew out the candle. "Can … those be permanent?"

"Yes. I'll do a proper spell later. We use magical lights in Dalaran for just this purpose. Less chance of burning all the scrolls and books up…" Jaina spun around slowly, trying to take everything in at once. All the shelves were carved out of the stone walls and filled with books and devices that Jaina recognized as something that would fit just as well in her own studies. The ceiling was painted with constellations, and there was a painting of a man with a sword.

Comfortable chairs and an antique work desk rounded out the rest of it.

"It's beautiful, Elsa."

"We believe it was built when the castle was." Elsa leaned against the work table, "We've found books with my mother's handwriting, translating some kind of ancient runes, and there are notebooks and drawings in my father's hand everywhere."

"What do you think they were doing?"

Elsa's smile faltered, and she twirled her fingers, causing icy sparkles to spin around Jaina's magelights. "Trying to understand my magic. Maybe find a way to help me control it."

"Or take it away," Jaina mused, picking up a piece of metal that belonged to some larger invention.

"I've wondered about that myself." Elsa wrapped her arms around herself. "Concealing my powers, my emotions, my whole being didn't work and it just made everything worse. I wish I could go back and tell my eight year old self there was nothing to be afraid of, that the secret was love and kindness. That it was all just an accident…"

There were a thousand things Jaina would wish to tell her younger self if she ever had the chance.

Jaina nodded. "Fear is the most dangerous of emotions. It can hurt people because you fear they are different, it can hurt people because even if you love them … from fear comes hate."

Jaina stepped beside her as Elsa flipped through a sketchbook and stopped on a page with a sketch of what looked like magical manacles, designed to cover a person's entire hands. Elsa looked angry, with an undercurrent of sadness, before she dropped the sketchbook back onto the desk. "My own father tried to make the bindings that Hans used on me."

She turned in against Jaina, "And I know why. He was the King and Arendelle is supposed to come before even your own family. I know it was to protect our people in case I really was a monster."

Elsa squeezed her eyes shut. "It still hurts, and I can't even yell at him for it. To hear in his voice and his words why he made them." Elsa swung her hand out towards the rest of the library. "There are thousands of books and scrolls. Treatises on magic and science. Scribbled notes trying to understand my powers. Was that really the only solution he could find? Or was he just thinking like a king and not a father."

She lifted a hand to her face with a full body sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't - I saw that sketch and every time I do I just…"

"Fathers are complicated," Jaina said, pulling Elsa into her arms. "We want to remember the parts of them that were good. The singing, the adoring smiles."

"What did yours do?"

Jaina snorted at Elsa's immediate assumption. "He sailed an entire fleet to Theramore in an effort to 'save' me from the Horde. His hatred and bigotry were so great he wouldn't listen to reason. I was just a young girl in his eyes, what did I know? Oh, it was the big green orcs somehow perverting me."

She dropped her eyes, looking past Elsa and into her memory. "Theramore was a neutral port. The Horde were my friends, at the time. So I stayed back, and he was killed and most of the fleet sunk. I sentenced my father and hundreds of my people to death in the name of peace. Yeah, I know. Me defending the Horde."

Elsa swam back into view, and Jaina followed the chain that was around her neck. Gently, she fingered the anchor. "For so long now, I questioned what I did. I felt as though all that death had been for nothing, but now, I remember why I acted as I did. Hope. Hope for peace, hope for a better world. I became my father, but you saved me."

"Sometimes, I like to pretend they sailed off trying to find a better way to help me," Elsa admitted. She reached back to undo the clasp on the pendent. "I should give this back to you."

"No." Jaina caught her hands, "Keep it. I'd much rather see it as a symbol of the future rather than a reminder of the past."

And as she said that, she picked up King Agnarr's sketchpad. With little fanfare, she ripped the page with the bindings out and held it aloft as it started to burn. She didn't ask if Elsa had thought about doing this; she probably already had. But it was still a link to the past and the past was so hard to let go of. "There will never be a need to put you in shackles, Elsa. There never was."

Elsa watched until the magical fire had consumed the entire page. Her watery eyes slid to Jaina as her fingers closed around the anchor pendant. "Here I was, excited to show you this place, and I dredge up bad memories for both of us."

"There's never anything wrong with sharing with each other." Jaina grinned, raising both of her eyebrows. "This place reminds me of my old study in Theramore. And those are good memories."

"So maybe we can make some good ones of our own in here," Elsa decided. She pulled out of Jaina's arms, and then guided her over to one of the shelves. "I've been dying to know what your opinion is of this."