CHAPTER EIGHT: AYLA'S SECRET

The guests at Ugar's retirement were speaking one another with excitement over being graced by the visit from the Royal family. Their words were muffled to Ugar, because his focus was all on the beautiful commemorative plack that thanked him for his many years of service. Hard work and serving Arendelle was all he wanted, but to be honest, in the later years he slowly became vulnerable to bitterness. He gave his all for Arendelle yet was never shown any recognition for it. Until now. Never in all his years did he hear of the monarchy of Arendelle doing for others what Queen Elsa did for him. The unexpected recognition from her started to bring tears to his aged eyes and run down his wrinkled face.

Everyone's attention shot to the door when the neighbor entered, "Was that the Royal Family?!"

"Sure was."

The neighbor put a hand on Ugar's shoulder and smiled at him, "You deserve it, Ugar." The neighbor looked up at the others, "How does that even happen? How did you guys meet the Queen?"

Ayla's grandfather smiled and pointed out the door at Ayla, "My granddaughter is friends with the Queen. She can tell you all about it better than me."

Ayla was glancing at the nearby buildings. She knew that someone was watching her. "Hello? Is anyone there?" Her heart stopped when she saw something in the shadows of the nearby alley sprint off like an evil spirit. "Ayla, darling!" She turned back to her home, hearing her grandfather call for her. She took one last glance at the dark alley before heading back inside. The figure stepped out into the moonlight briefly, watching her go back inside before leaving Her mind was still trying to process her conversation with Elsa, oblivious to the several eyes locked on her.

You tell me.

I- I don't know what you're talking about!

Ayla. I have been watching your behavior around Aesir carefully. Is something going on between you two that I should be aware of?

Very well. You are to report to the palace tomorrow for your first job as a Royal Artist.

Are you the client?

No. Anna and Aesir are. They just don't know it yet. Since I have given Aesir my blessing to court my sister, I want you to paint them together. Will that be a problem?

No.

Ayla?

No, that won't be a problem. I'll arrive after breakfast. Thank you, Queen Elsa for the opportunity.

"Ayla, sweetheart? Are you okay?" her grandfather whispered after coming over to her with his cane, noticing her teared-up eyes.

She quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile for her grandfather, "Yes, Grandfather. I'm just tired. I think I should head to bed. I have an early commission tomorrow for the Queen."

He smiled. "Head to bed then. I'll tell them what you shared with me. Sweet dreams."

Ayla began to tear up again after closing her small bedroom door behind her. Aesir's smiling face when she talked to him in the park kept popping in her head. Stop it, Ayla. Stop crying! He belongs to Princess Anna. You have to let him go. She looked through her sketch book and found the sketch of Aesir from years ago and attempted to rip it in a desperate attempt to purge herself of her feelings for Aesir, but she couldn't and fell on her bed crying.

The figure that stalked Ayla from the shadows outside her home returned to the lair of their Order, concealed in his dark cloak. A black leather bird mask with goggles protruded from his hood. Upon returning, another assassin, a nosey rival, spoke up, "The Master wants to see you. Apparently, someone saw you stalking a civilian…or so the rumor goes."

He froze. This angered him greatly, but no one could tell due to the bird mask he always wore. The rival chuckled to himself as he came to his side and whispered, "Ayla. Such a beautiful young woman. I wouldn't mind bedding such a perfect dame. I'd ride her till the sun came up."

As he began walking away, the masked figure instantly snapped the rival's neck and slicing it with his knife at the same time. He acted with such speed and intensity that the rival didn't even have time to blink and laid at the figure's feet with wide eyes and his head twisted on his dead corpse. The fire entered and the Master turned seeing the dead body and smiled proudly at the assassin before stepping closer to him.

The figure bent his knee and bowed his head, tensing as the Master's hand gently touched his shoulder. "You are my perfect creation…but was that really necessary?" the Master asked removing the figure's hood and his mask to look the young man in the eyes

"Is it not the will of Runegar the Merciless, our founder…to conquer and take what we want?" the young man asked. The Master smiled as he continued holding the young man's face in his hands, pleased his teachings stuck with his student. Pride came across his face as he marveled at the young man's lifeless grey eyes. "It is indeed." He rose and faced the wall that showed an ancient painting of their order, similar to that of cavemen art. Arendelle was once the home of warriors. We were Vikings. We slayed our enemies, conquered lands and took what we pleased. This was all before the monarchy was established when Aren opposed us and put our ancestors to the sword. Proof of our existence was lost to legend and myth while the monarchy shined in the sun, establishing order. It is our duty to restore Arendelle to its former glory…and after that? The world."

"I will finish what our founder started, Master," the young man vowed in his bowed stance.

The Master smiled, "I know you will…but…your secret trips are concerning me. What is your interest in Ayla? You stalk her like a hungry predator, ready to pounce. Are you that thirsty for blood that you can't contain yourself?"

The young man was silent. His reasons were his own, no one else's.

"I see…" the Master grinned.

"She serves the Queen of Arendelle. She, like Aesir, could be a threat," the young man quickly replied.

The Master chuckled. "She's just a woman who has a passion for art. How can she be a threat? Remember the mission. We don't kill civilians, only the monarchy of Arendelle."

"Yes, Master," the young man replied before placing his mask back on and his hood before rising and leaving his Master's presence.

Ayla woke up early the next morning. She didn't give what she thought she saw a second more. She was just tired and emotional. Her mind was just playing tricks on her. She took her equipment to the palace. She froze before entering the palace gates. Aesir was all she could think about last night, but after burying her feelings for him, she took a deep breath and confidently entered. She went to the room Queen Elsa instructed her to set up and waited patiently.

Aesir and Anna followed Queen Elsa after being summoned to her office after breakfast. Aesir asked Anna with a whisper, "Did Elsa tell you what this was about?"

"No. She's being tight lip about it," Anna replied.

Elsa guided them into one of the beautiful large rooms that was never used. From how it looked, it could have easily once been a library or a meeting room. Aesir and Anna froze when they saw Ayla with her easel set up. "Elsa? What's this?"

Elsa sat in a nearby chair with a smile, "Isn't it obvious? I have hired Ayla to paint your portrait since you are now a couple. Why else did I ask you to dress nicely? My little sister is in a relationship. I wanted to capture this and hang it up next to our family portrait."

Elsa's behavior seemed off and Anna was about to say something, but Ayla spoke up, "Thank you for granting me the honor of painting you Princess Anna. I work fast so I promise this won't take long. If you two could stand in front of that large open window…?"

Anna looked at Aesir who was smiling at her and smiled back before taking the spot. Ayla stood in front of the large canvas and eyed them, using her pencil to accurately measure their proportions before she began drawing them. Ayla suggested the open window to Queen Elsa, explaining that no only could it make their painting's composition more beautiful and the breeze could help vent the room of her paints' smelly odor.

There was a reason why Elsa wanted Ayla to do this. She wanted to carefully observe Ayla's behavior. She expected Ayla to not show up but to her surprise, Ayla arrived with a smile and looked like she got her sleep. Maybe I was wrong. I should apologize afterwards.

Ayla quickly finished the sketch before quickly blocking in the base colors. Ayla was secretly afraid of doing this, afraid she would mess up once she saw Aesir and Princess Anna together, but she was surprisingly calm and professional. After the base colors, she began to create detail with shading and the use of a smaller detail. Ayla glanced from the two to the canvas. She looks so beautiful…just like her sister.

Why would Aesir want you when he could have a princess? Ayla tensed up briefly at that thought and struggled to compose herself as she continued working. Did you really think you could make him happy? What can you offer him that she couldn't and more? She began to tear up and shake, because the thoughts were right. She was just a commoner and Aesir was a royal guard. She wasn't important like Princess Anna. You should've acted on your feelings sooner. You lost him, Ayla. Elsa noticed Ayla's growingly emotional behavior, but Aesir and Anna couldn't because she was shielded by the canvas from their eyes. "Ayla?"

Ayla dropped her palette of paint and messy brush on the floor and shakingly knelt to pick it up but her hands were shaking so bad, they kept falling out of her hands. The mess on the floor was just getting worse, making her become more emotional. Elsa rushed over and Anna and Aesir came over with alarm when hearing her crying.

Elsa knelt by her to help her, "Ayla? It's okay. The maids can clean it."

Look at the mess you made! You're so useless! Ayla began to cry more and Elsa hugged her, regretting putting Ayla in this uncomfortable position. As soon as Ayla's eyes eyes met Anna's and Aesir's, she stood, turning her face from them, "It was my fault. I'll clean it up. I need to get some fresh air." Before the three could say anything, Ayla excused herself and quickly walked out.

Elsa walked after her, leaving Anna and Aesir just as confused. "I wonder what's wrong. Something definitely upset her," Anna said. "Do you know, Aesir?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Anna," Aesir replied, just as confused.

"Well, we should find out," Anna said and the two followed.

Elsa saw Ayla go out the front door to the courtyard and quickened her pace to catch up with her. She found Ayla sitting by the fountain, hugging her knees that were drawn close to her chest. Elsa's face became twisted with regret before she casually walked over to Ayla and knelt by her. Ayla noticed her and apologized, "I'm sorry, Queen Elsa. I've never been so embarrassed in my life."

"You're in love with Aesir…aren't you Ayla?"

Ayla reached up with one hand to wipe away her own tears before nodding.

"How long have you felt this way?" Elsa asked.

"Since he and I were little. He used to work at the Wilkerson's chocolate shop. I'd go there to treat myself and sketch random people or things. I noticed him one day and continued going to see him again, but I was too scared to talk to him. One day he came to me," Ayla explained. Elsa smiled as she continued to listen. "We became friends, but that was the last time I saw him since he joined the Royal Guard. I thought I moved on, but when we saw each other again in the park, all those old feelings just rushed back."

Ayla looked up at Elsa, "Queen Elsa. I swear I didn't know he was already involved with Princess Anna. If I known-"

"It's okay. These things happen. I'm the one who should be sorry. At first, I thought he wronged you in some way, but the more I saw, the more I knew you were in love, but I wasn't quite sure. I shouldn't have put you in that position," Elsa replied. "If you don't want to finish the painting, you don't have to-"

"No. I have to finish. I have worked too long and hard to get to where I am. I'm not going to quit now," Ayla said standing up composed and headed back inside only to see Aesir and Anna standing right there. They heard everything. She avoided looking at them as she passed and went back inside. Anna tried to say something but Elsa shook her head.

Elsa walked over to them, "She's in love with you, Aesir. For a long time. She was no doubt wooed by your smooth tongue. She's willing to resume the painting for the sake of being professional."

"I should speak with her-" Aesir tried to say, feeling guilty. His personality was always like that. Smooth. Charming. He hated himself, seeing the pain he caused another woman.

"I think you've done enough, Aesir," Elsa replied. "What she needs is time and space so she can move on."

"Maybe I should talk to her. I don't want her to stop being friends with you because of my relationship with Aesir," Anna spoke up. "If there's one thing she and I have in common, it's a broken heart."

Elsa was silent but nodded, "But not now. Let her heal, then you may."

"But, Elsa-"

"Anna, please," Elsa replied and Anna nodded. They all returned to the room. Ayla had already cleaned the mess and quickly finished the painting before grabbing her things and leaving without a single word or smile. Elsa studied the completed painting. The realism was perfection. Elsa smiled, knowing she chose the right person. However, she frowned as she looked at the door again where Ayla quickly left to escape their concerned glances and the heavy awkwardness in the air.

Anna understood why Elsa urged against speaking with Ayla, because Elsa believed isolation was the answer. That was something Anna disagreed on and secretly went to Ayla's house later on that day. Ayla was painting something to calm her nerves. The more she lost herself in the pure joy of creating, the more she forgot of that morning. That was exactly what she was hoping for. Painting was the perfect escape for her in a life filled with one disappointment after the other. Her brush stopped when she heard a knock at the door and she looked at it with confusion. I wonder who that can be. She put her things down and walked over and opened the door.

She froze with shock when she saw it was Princess Anna smiling nervously, "Hi, Ayla."

No! I can't face the princess now. Not after what happened earlier! Ayla panicked and closed the door on Anna who spoke up urgently, "Ayla, wait! I know I am probably the last person you want to see right now but I couldn't let the sun set without speaking with you about what happened earlier. I had to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine, Princess Anna. Thank you for coming, but please…leave," Ayla's voice said on the other side of the door. Anna's memories took her back to Elsa shutting her out. She stepped closer to the door, resting her hand and forehead against it.

"Elsa told me the same thing once," Anna said. "It was shortly after the accident years ago when we were both little. Elsa was afraid to hurt me again with her magic and she just shut me out…literally. I never understood why. Since Elsa wouldn't let me in her life, I wasn't very understanding the day of her coronation and caused a big mess. You are Elsa's first real friend. I don't want to be the reason you two stop being friends. I'll never be able to forgive myself. Please, Ayla. We need to talk about what happened."

For a few seconds, there was nothing. No reply. No sound of any kind. Anna grimaced in pain and sadness as she started turning from Ayla's door but turned back when the door opened and Ayla peaked out shyly at the Princess who smiled warmly and asked, "Will you walk with me?"

Ayla's pain was soothed by the Princess's warm and loving demeanor, which she found surprising. She thought she would be furious with her for liking Aesir. It was one of the reasons she was so scared to see Anna at her door. During the Great Thaw, a story about Princess Anna caving in the face of a Princes of the Southern Isles quickly spread across the kingdom, but it was quickly debunked since Anna was such a warm and loving person to the people. A few still believed the story though, like Ayla. She nodded and came out walking with Anna. At first, her paranoia was in overdrive, believing the smiling Princess was leading her somewhere secluded to kill her and hide her body. Boy, was she wrong. Anna took her around the kingdom and the two had fun and Ayla got to see more of Princess Anna. The finally stopped at the park and enjoyed some treats from the Wilkerson's Chocolate Shop.

"Hmm," Ayla moaned a bit too loudly as she bit into her chocolate. She visits the shop often, but never gets tired. The owners keep the taste of their product fresh and new to keep customers interested. "So good. Yes…hmm."

She looked at Anna who was smiling with a very red face. "What?"

Anna's smiled more and arched an eyebrow, "You want to get a room so you and your chocolate can be alone?" Ayla blushed at the Princess's joke but laughed when Anna laughed.

Ayla was silent briefly, anticipating the conversation Anna wanted to have with her, but Anna never brought it up so she started. "When did you and Aesir meet?"

Anna was caught off guard briefly, but answered, "It was right before the Rebellion a few years back. I was struggling to find my place in the kingdom…in my sister's life. Aesir stumbled upon me and we got to talking. He was such an arrogant flirt."

Ayla giggled, "And you were captivated by his charm?"

"Not at first," Anna replied, "My heart was just broken by Prince Hans Westergaard of the Southern Isles. I put up walls for some time after that. I couldn't open my heart to anyone else and that was just fine. Helping Elsa find love and happiness with Kristoff meant far more to me. When I met Aesir, I was always guarded and keeping my distance with him, but he always found a way to conveniently be where I was, which infuriated me, but he kept insisting I was the one stalking him. He had a way with words that would leave me speechless and at his mercy as he got under my skin and left me flustered."

Ayla smiled and joked at her last sentence, "Sounds like every woman's fantasy."

Anna shot her a smile and gently hit her shoulder, which Ayla rubbed when the Princess wasn't looking. "One thing led to another and before I knew it…he had stolen my heart and wasn't going to give it back."

"I know things this morning was…awkward, but I'm happy for you two. Aesir is the kind of man that needs a strong and confident woman to keep him in check. I couldn't be that kind of woman for him. Today helped me realize that and…I'm glad you two found each other. Truly." If Anna was feeling down because of Ayla being hurt, she was now feeling more at peace hearing how sincere she was with her words.

"I'm not as strong and confident as you think. I need my sister by my side to be that, but you ARE. You just need to believe in yourself more," Anna spoke up regarding what Ayla said.

Ayla was stunned by the Princess's praise and looked down at her hands in her lap. "You…give me too much credit, Your Majesty."

"No. You worked multiple jobs to help take care of your grandfather since you were young. You are an amazing artist as well," Anna replied, "Next to my sister, you are the strongest woman I know, Ayla."

Ayla was speechless and Anna just smiled and gave Ayla a hug, which made Ayla tense immediately but was calmed in her arms and hugged her back. "You're nothing like the story."

"What story?" Anna asked, pulling away.

"Shortly after the Great Thaw a story spread through the kingdom that you caved in a man's face in the fjord."

Anna began laughing, "Oh, that story! That was Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, my ex-boyfriend. After he betrayed Elsa and I," she stood up quickly and threw a few punches in the air, "I punched him in the nose so hard he flew out of the ship and into the fjord. Best day of my life." She glanced and saw Ayla was now horrified and quickly finished, "He's still alive. He's imprisoned back at his home." Hearing that calmed Ayla's nerves.

"I should head back home. It's getting late," Ayla excused herself, "Thank you very much for today. I had lots of fun."

"Me too, Ayla. Next time, we'll bring the others," Anna smiled.

"Sounds like fun," Ayla agreed and headed home.

As soon as Anna entered, Elsa stood up from a nearby chair and asked, "Where have you been all day? I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I spoke with Ayla. She's doing MUCH better now since she and I spend the day having fun," Anna smiled, despite Elsa's scowl.

Elsa was speechless and Anna gave her a hug, "You were right, but people who are hurting need to surround themselves with family and friends. You're welcome."

Elsa was finally able to find the words to describe how angry she was that Anna defied her. She could've made things worse with Ayla, but hearing that Ayla was okay now with Anna and Aesir calmed her down. She went to her chambers, deciding to turn in early after the stressful day and found Kristoff doing HER paper work in HER seat. She just smiled at watched her husband look through the documents. She remembered what she insisted to him before, but she began to feel a stirring inside seeing her husband help her. She quietly snuck in and behind him. He was oblivious to his wife as she crept behind him with that smile that only meant one thing.

Kristoff laid down the document and rubbed his tired eyes with a hand. He flinched when Elsa unexpectedly hugged him from behind and sucked on his ear with her soft, tender lips. "Elsa, when you do that I-"

He stopped when her teeth seized his ear and threatened him to be silent before whispering., "What are you doing in my chair and doing my paperwork?"

Her calm yet threatening voice was chilling but he stayed firm, "My job as King."

"Hmm," she cooed, aroused by his bold tone, but replied, "But the paperwork was my job, Troll boy. Do I have to remind you of the consequences…of defying the Ice Queen? Punishment…is death."

Kristoff smiled grabbing her hand and pinning her againt the wall, using his other to pick up her perfect thigh and rubbing the skin with his hand. His lips grazed her neck and hear as he boldly whispered, answering her threat, "Do your worst."

"Kristoff-" she groaned as he kissed her neck. She was trying to prank him, not turn him on. She tried removing his grip on her thigh and push his chest away, but he pinned the other hand above her head too.

"Did you know that making a threat against a King is also punishable by death?" Kristoff shared with a smile.

Elsa smiled in her subdued position, "What will you do with me, Your Majesty?"

Kristoff's lips traveled close to her and in between soft kisses on her forehead, bridge of the nose, chin and her lips he replied, "Something really…really…really…bad."

"No, anything but that," Elsa giggled. "I throw myself at the mercy of the King of Arendelle."

Kristoff smiled, an inch from his wife's perfect lips. "The King of Arendelle has no mercy for the likes of you." He kissed her deeper. As his lips feasted on her as he lowered, her body was reaching its climax. Before she could, she pushed his face away from her waist with her now freed hands, "Easy, Reindeer Man. I'm already pregnant."

Kristoff's face broke out in a small smile in her hands, "I know. I'm getting started on the next five."

Elsa looked at him with surprise, "Next five?"

"Mm-hmm," His grin grew even more mischievous as he picked her up, making her laugh as he went back to kissing her neck while carrying her to their chambers. She rolled her eyes when he fell onto the mattress with her. Oh, well. She noticed packed backs against the walls. "What are those doing out?"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you since you wanted to get naughty with me. I met with Henrik and the guys at the lake up north and he reminded me of the upcoming Ice Harvester event at the lodge."

Elsa looked at him with surprise. "That's coming up? I can't remember the last time we've attended that."

"Four years ago. The second year you were pregnant and wouldn't risk something happening to Joseph and the next three years after that, you were- WE were busy with royal duties," Kristoff explained, careful not to make Elsa feel guilty for not attending.

"Has it really been that long?" Elsa asked amazed at how fast time as passed. The fact she let herself get so distracted that she didn't attend the last few years with Kristoff made her feel down. "Let's go then, but first…let's see what my little king packed for his queen?"

Kristoff sat and watched his wife critique what he had chosen. He laughed and rolled his eyes when Elsa shot down all the dresses, he chose for her. Note to self…let Elsa pack her own bacg next time. "Henrik introduced me to some young men who have joined the Ice Harvester Guild. They seemed like decent young men."

Elsa froze at this, "Young men you said?" She thought of Ayla. Since according to Anna, Ayla is okay with them dating and at peace, now would be a good time as any to perhaps introduce her to someone new.

Oblivious to what his wife was thinking about, Kristoff's smile faded and he cleared his throat and had an angry expression, "I'm not dead yet, Elsa. At least wait until I'm dead and buried please."

Elsa turned and smiled at Kristoff's jealous demeanor, but her smiled faded seeing how upset he actually was and not looking at her. She jumped onto his lap, making him fall back onto the mattress. "I'm not in the mood, Elsa," he grunted, trying to move her and stand up.

He looked up at Elsa with shock when she slammed him back down on the mattress where she had him. For a few seconds, she stared down at him with a regal look in her eyes. He looked away. "Kristoff, look at me."

He regretted his attitude. He wasn't sure why he reacted the way he did. Of course, she wouldn't have an affair. He didn't look at her, because now his expression softened and he felt stupid over his attitude.

Her expression softened and her hands gently readjusted herself on top of him before slowly guiding his hands to the front of her body. "If I was some snotty immature woman, Kristoff, I would be throwing a fit, but I'm not going to. You know why? Because you mean more to me than ANY man ever could. If you doubt my sincerity…than there's only one thing I can do to prove my faithfulness? Ask what that is."

"What is it?" Kristoff asked obediently, completely under the spell of his beautiful wife.

She let go of his hands, allowing them to feel the firm slenderness of her body as she reached behind and unzipped her dress and shaking her shoulders free so it could fall off her body. She leaned in close to her husband's ear and whispered, "I rock his world." Before he could say anything else, she kissed him. In between her kisses, he laughed, "I see…just…be gentle…with me…today…has been…very hard."

Elsa giggled, "My poor baby…but you don't command me. Understand?"

Somewhere else Anna captured Joseph who didn't want to go to bed but was cleary showing signs he was ready for bed. She walked to the Royal Chambers, carrying a sleepy Joseph. "Let's go tell your mommy and daddy goodnight and I'll finish my story of the queen and the handsome knight." Before her hands touched the doorknob, she froze hearing loud noise and her eyes widened with shock and she quickly walked Joseph away to his room with disgust. Gee whiz, Elsa and Kristoff! You're not the only ones living in this palace!