Chapter 24:

The Aftermath

"I want guards around the perimeter of the castle at all times! We're going to find this man, and bring him to justice," Elsa cried.

Upon hearing of the attack on Leon, Elsa immediately sprang into action in trying to apprehend Gert. She summoned all the knights to her chambers, ordering them to stand watch in case Gert returned. At the moment, Leon was in the infirmary being treated for his cuts. As soon as the meeting was over, Elsa planned to go see him.

"Sir William, Leon mentioned that Gert said he was hired by someone? Do you have any idea of who it could be?" Elsa asked.

"No, Your Majesty. That's what we intend to find out. Whoever it was, he or she obviously wanted Leon dead."

Instantly the thought of Edward came to Elsa's mind. No. Edward was a very aggressive and deceitful man, but he'd never want someone dead. Would he? The seeds of wonder had already been planted in her mind, so there was no avoiding them. After sending the rest of the knights to their duties, Elsa went to the infirmary where Leon had just had his wound bandaged. Elsa hugged him tightly, crying all the while. She was so fortunate Leon was such a skilled fighter. She would have never forgiven herself if something even more terrible had befallen him. Leon could see her worry, and instantly started to comfort her.

"Hey, I'm OK, Elsa. There's no need to cry," he assured.

Elsa wiped the tears from her eyes, smearing a little bit of her makeup on her hand in the process. "I know, but you could have been killed! Who could have done this?"

"I don't know. I'd never seen him before, but he seemed pretty intent on killing me," Leon said.

"You said that he told you that someone hired him to do this?" Elsa pressed Leon for information.

"Yeah, he said he was paid generously to kill me, but he didn't say who."

Leon saw the worried look in Elsa's eyes return. She was hiding something, he could tell.

"What is it, Elsa?"

"I just…I have this idea of who it could be, but…no it's not possible."

"Who?" Leon asked.

"What if it was Edward?"

Truth be told, the thought had occurred to Leon shortly after the fight, but he quickly dismissed it. Like Elsa, he too didn't think Edward was capable of such a deed, but then again, he definitely had the motive.

"We haven't heard from him since you expelled him from the castle," Leon pointed out.

"Well, I have actually," Elsa confessed.

"What?"

"The other day when I was in town with Anna, we ran into Edward. He seemed different; almost like he was a changed man. Of course, I wasn't buying it at all. There was a superficial feel to it all that was very evident."

"What did he say?"

"He congratulated us on being a couple, which really seemed strange. After all, we both know how much he despised you," Elsa said.

This revelation worried Leon. Edward was definitely a deceitful character, so lying is something he would do, but something about what he said to Elsa was troubling. What was he after?

"Why didn't you tell me this?" Leon asked.

"I didn't think it was a big deal," Elsa answered. "It was just a weird encounter in the marketplace. Now I'm starting to wonder if there was more to it than that."

"I'll talk to the captain of the guards. We can go question Edward. Maybe we might learn something."

"I thought about doing that too, but I don't know where he is. I don't think he lives in Arendelle anymore."

"Well, we're sure to find him. He couldn't have gotten too far," Leon pointed out.

"Unless he boarded a ship to another country," Elsa argued.

"That's true. Still, I think it would be worth our while to see what he knows. In the meantime, I'll assist the other knights in patrolling the perimeter around the castle."

"No, Leon! It's too dangerous! I don't want you getting hurt again!" Elsa pleaded.

"Elsa, I'm fine. I can handle myself. This Gert guy may be a good swordsman, but I'm still better than him. You don't have to worry about me."

"Leon, you know how I feel about the people I love. If they get hurt, I will never forgive myself," Elsa said. The memories of all those she hurt in the past came flooding back to Elsa. Her sister, the kingdom, and even the Duke of Weselton's soldiers, even though they were attacking her at the time, all were a tragic reminder of the pain she caused.

Leon knelt down beside Elsa, giving her a long kiss on the lips. When he parted, he gazed into her eyes. The same hypnotic blue eyes that captivated him every time he looked into them.

"Don't worry, Elsa. I'll be fine. We'll get to the bottom of this. You just concentrate on running the kingdom."

Elsa wanted to argue because she still didn't feel good about all of this. To know that there was someone out there who wanted the man she loved dead, tore her up inside. But the look of confidence on Leon's face was overwhelming. She knew he was a strong man. Whatever battle he had to face, he could overcome it.

"Ok, Leon. If you insist."

"Thank you, my love. I promise I'll be careful…for you

Elsa smiled through the fresh tears that formed in her eyes. "I don't deserve you."

Leon took Elsa in his arms, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Against the fabric of his undershirt, he could hear her heartbeat next to his chest. The heartbeat of a woman who poured herself into everything she did. The heartbeat that now beat for him.

"Yes, you do," Leon whispered.