Disclaimer! I do not own Frozen/Disney

Greetings to all Lord and Ladies! I am aware I haven't updated for a long time, many things happened lol. I got sick while finishing this chapter hehe.

Anyways, thank you for your reviews, follows and favorites! They are highly appreciated.

I know many of you wanted more EA moments (believe me, so am I XD) so I am giving you this chapter as a treat! Hehe.

Please enjoy and let me know your thoughts on the review section.

Once they were back from the cliffside, Wendy immediately went to assist them with their breakfast with Mister Olsen and his grandchildren. Mister Olsen and Philip were conversing with the Queen, while Anna and Aurora were having their own conversation.

"This breakfast is delicious." Anna wipe her mouth with the table napkin. Their breakfast was composed of freshly baked bread with different jams and spreads, paired with fruit juices and tea, for the Queen.

"Thank you, Your Highness, I was quite nervous that it might not up to Her Highness and Her Majesty's standards since it's not that lavish and-"

"It's perfect." Anna cut her off and smiled as she placed her hand on Aurora's. "You don't have to worry about it. I never tasted something so fresh such as this. Sure the castle prepared delicious meals but this is exquisite, especially the jams, despite being simple. I would very much like to thank the person who prepared it." her smile was wide and warm.

Unknowingly, her words made the latter blush with her compliments.

"I- prepared them Your Highness, the jams."

Anna's eyes brightened in amazement. "Really? That's incredible. I never could've guessed since. . ." she trailed of.

"Since I was a noble man's daughter." Aurora finished.

Anna nodded and feeling tad guilty for bringing up Aurora's noble blood.

"It's alright, Your Highness." Aurora smiled. "When I about nine or ten, I used to help our kitchen maid, whom I fondly call Aunt Fauna, in her cooking. My mother allowed it despite my father's protests, saying I would outgrow it and be a proper lady when the time comes but I didn't. I didn't stop wearing simple clothes as I helped them but my father had enough of my 'childishness' , as he put it, and banned me from entering kitchen and the servant's hall. It turns out one noblewomen saw me scurrying around with dirtied apron and it hurt my father's pride. He said a nobleman's daughter shouldn't be doing a servant's job because it's not proper for lady and it would only bring shame to our noble house." her purple colored eyes glistened. "He threatened to sack Aunt Fauna, the poor woman was terrified and I couldn't just let her lose her job because of my so called 'childish whims'."

Anna listened attentively. She could relate to it, the only difference was she born into a minor branch of the royal family and was allowed few privileges' even when they became the ruling family. A lady's main duty was to marry and bear children, preferably sons. However, Aurora's standing as a Viscount's daughter gave her limited influence in high society since House Costa was a relatively new noble house, the title was given by Runeard.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up." Anna squeezed the latter's hand gently.

"It's fine." Aurora smiled. "But I am happy now, though there were times I miss them, especially my mother but I knew I wouldn't be able see her again because of my choice." her purple eyes drifted to Philip.

"You love him."

"I do more than anything." she could see Aurora's eyes were filled with love as she gazed at her husband's form.

"I'm happy for you." Anna gave Aurora a bright smile, then for moment she felt someone's gaze on her. Her teal orbs found the Queen's glacial ones. It was fleeting. The Queen then looked away and turned her attention to the men with them.

Her hand found it's way to her chest, she wasn't sure what made her heart beat as if she ran miles.

"The Queen cares for you. "Aurora's voice snapped her away from her thoughts. "I've encountered a lot of entitled noblemen and women who wouldn't do what she did for you."

"I do not follow." confusion etched Anna's face.

It was then Aurora's turn to hold her hand and gave her an encouraging smile. "We heard what happened in the capital. The news of a new Queen and the rumors about her, and you. Alive. The rumors consist of Her Majesty able on siring a child, I knew it was only a matter of time for you to be considered one of the candidates as consort for the new monarch. And I was right, well partly, since you weren't one of the candidates. You alone is the candidate for the position of consort."

Aurora was right and wrong at the same time. It was true, she was the only one for the Queen if she would bear an heir or heiress for the throne, but if she didn't her position would be in peril so does her life. She knew she would be considered useless if she wasn't able to produce an heir, her supporters would see her as a failure, so does the Queen's retainers. She was well aware of the noble's desires of keeping her at the Queen's bed for the union of both houses.

"Surely, the Queen would have no other reason for not considering other women as a possible consort other than she was taken by you. I saw the way she looked at you."

If only you knew the true reason for my presence. Anna thought.

"I would hope so. . ." she responded softly as her teal eyes were on the Queen.

"You two look great together."

In political sense maybe, Anna didn't dare to say that one out loud.

The two shared more stories to each other, making them fast friends in a short period of time.

After the breakfast, the entire retinue was ready to continue the royal progress, the Queen had thanked the people in the forest village for their hospitality. Anna shared a brief hug with Aurora and had promised to write to her soon as she was able. Anna would like to consider her as a friend because Aurora was different from any other noblewomen she encountered before. Being a princess had shown Anna how shallow and greedy the other nobles were and would do anything just to win royal favor under the rule of Runeard. Unlike Aurora, she sweet and genuine.

The Queen and Anna were on horseback right next to each other, at first they were silent but then Anna randomly mentioned Elsa's offer to Philip.

"I'm glad you offered Philip to be one of your knights." Anna stated while her gaze was fixed on the road in front of them.

"His skill would be invaluable with proper training and it would certainly help their current situation." Elsa said.

Anna's eyes furrowed. "Their situation? Do you mean living in the forest?"

"No, not really. As you know Philip and his wife are . . . different." the Queen paused and glanced at Anna's direction. "Philip is a commoner, while Aurora was the heiress of house Costa since she was an only child. Due to the changed in the Succession Act, they had to rectify the inheritance law as well to be fair to the nobles who had no male heirs."

"How did you know she was an only child?"

"I know each and every noble houses in this kingdom, the Duke made sure that I know the people who I will rule over when the time comes." the Queen explained. "Anyway, as I was saying. Those two defied the odds because their feelings are much stronger than the social division and tradition. If Philip would accept the offer I gave him, I'll allow you to make Aurora as one of your ladies-in-waiting." the Queen casually said.

"Would you really?" surprise was evident in Anna's voice.

"I've noticed how comfortable you are in a short period of time with her. I can assume she wasn't like those spoiled ladies since she chose love over her house and inheritance."

"Yes, she's different." Anna affirmed with a smile.

"That settles it then. Once they took my offer, I'll provide lodgings for them in the capital and Wendy would train her as your lady-in-waiting."

Anna frowned. "She's already a well trained lady and have had the education of etiquette." she saw the Queen turned her face to her and smiled.

"Anna, let me handle this please." her voice was soft and gentle.

Anna's heart felt a tug because of the Queen's smile, she agreed. "Alright."

"I'll try to be good to you Anna. As I've said before, I want us to have fresh start and I would like to return what I took from you." the Queen gently squeezed her hand. "I took your ladies before and now I'm giving you new ones."

That's true, those ladies were provided by Runeard and would only follow his instructions regardless of her choice. However, she was still concerned about their whereabouts, she didn't had chance to ask since a lot of things happened after being held inside the castle. Now the opportunity revealed itself, she might try to coax an answer from the latter.

"Elsa, about my former ladies. Are they. . ." Anna hesitated for moment but the look of encouragement from Elsa gave the push she needed. "Are they alive or . . . dead?" she almost squeaked the last word.

The Queen only snickered and chuckled. "Of course not."

Which between the two she answered? Were they killed or not? Elsa's next words had terrified her.

"Naturally, those women had to be disposed-"

"You had them killed?" Anna was appalled to the fact Elsa chuckled as she answered, but her last question made the Queen raise her impeccable brow.

"Goodness no. Why would I?" the Queen's furrowed eyebrows confused her.

"Then where are they?"

"I had them shipped to Corona. I know I shouldn't leave them unchecked since they were appointed by your grandfather, I am sure they would become a nuisance sooner or later." the Queen's tone was dismissive then she caressed her cheek. "They could endanger you since they would be close to your person almost all the time. I fear that our enemies would use them to get to you. Anyone could bribe them or threaten them to go against you. I hope you understand." she smiled faintly.

Anna never considered that possibility since they were with her since she was a child but now things were different from before. She completely agree with Elsa, surprisingly. Also she never thought Elsa would do such thing for her safety, then again this was added on the list of things Elsa did for her just to keep her from harm without her knowledge.

"I understand. Thank you."

The Queen smiled at her and took her hand away from her face but not before tucking stray strawberry blonde locks behind her ear. "Despite our rough start, you are my wife so your safety became my priority."

Anna blushed at the gestures and did her best to calm herself.

"Then what about the time you raised your sword against me? Surely you were equally dangerous as any other assassin since you loathed me." there was bitterness on her tone.

"I won't gloss over it. Yes I was, but I swore that I'll take you as my wife. Now that you are, I will uphold my duty to protect you unless you go against me of course."

That was straightforward, Anna thought.

"Also it was refreshing whenever my opponent was not afraid of me. You certainly surprised me Princess." the Queen had an amused smile as she turned her attention to the road in front of them .

Anna looked away shyly while her face started to get warm again.

Get a hold of yourself Anna. She mentally chastised herself.

The royal retinue passed by small yet welcoming villages, the guards were on high alert since they didn't want to repeat what happened back in the forest village. The Queen received cheers of welcome and adulation from her people. Hope etched on the people's faces despite their current situation.

The houses were on state of disrepair, gaunt children dressed in shabby clothes, the older ones tried to look decent and there were beggars at the side of the road. She knew there's no such thing as utopia but this was too much for her eyes to see. Arendelle was a rich kingdom for centuries but now the treasury was completely empty, the nobles controls too much lands and businesses and yet they didn't think to help the poor?

Despite the smile on her face, inside she was angry. She was angry how these people were treated as if they were less than animals. She turned her attention to Anna, who has having a hard time to conceal her appalled expression. This was one of her reason why she considered taking Anna in the royal progress, to make her see the result of her grandfather's work. To make the former princess realize the harsh reality outside the walls of privileged royal life.

"This is so far the worst thing I've ever seen." Anna quietly stated.

"It is." she responded in the same manner. Elsa then turned to General Mattias. "General, give them all the food we can spare, also give one gold piece each person."

General Mattias immediately obeyed her command and had ordered the soldiers and servants to do her bidding. The progress halted to distribute food for the villagers.

"Your Majesty, we'll ran out of food before we reach the next town." said Lord Oaken said the moment he reached the front.

"I am aware." Elsa paused then a small smile graced her lips as she watched the people's smiles. "It would be the least of our worries."

"Your Majesty?" Lord Oaken was puzzled.

"Just do as I say, please."

"As Her Majesty wishes."

The poor people received food and money from the royal progress, they couldn't contain their gratitude and praised her and the princess, Anna. They didn't stay long and went on their way.

It was already sunset when they reached a vast field and decided to set up camp there. Marshall had noticed a rather unpleasant change after escorting the Queen and the Eldr woman from the cliff side earlier in the morning. His Queen became quite attentive to the Eldr woman, he started to take notes of these things when he saw Anna pulled out a dagger under her jacket, the very same dagger Queen Ariana of Corona gave to Elsa as present for her ninth birthday.

The sapphire on the pommel was once part of Queen Ariana's personal jewel collection. It was said the sapphire was given by the first Duke of Vinter to Queen Sophia of Corona, Elsa's maternal great-great-grandmother as a gift. Due to the connection of the said jewel, by extension the dagger, to the founder of the Vinters. Elsa hadn't let anyone touch it, much less used it since it became one of the only two links she had to her home, first the book she was carrying when they were attacked and then the dagger.

He stood outside the Queen's tent as the pair were having dinner. He couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"You can take the carriage tomorrow if you like." said the Queen.

"No, please I'll be fine. I hadn't been outside for years, I'll let you guess why." the Lady stated.

"Speaking of, how long were you confined inside the castle?"

"After my coming of age. I thought my gran- Runeard would marry me off to the first person who would make a good offer for my hand." the Lady trailed of. "I was quite disappointed actually."

"Why? No one offered? I think being Queen of the Valley wasn't a bad offer." there was a something in the Queen's tone Marshall couldn't figure out.

"Oh surely but I can never be the King of the Valley's wife for all gods' sake. I would look like his granddaughter next to him!" There was a snicker from the Queen.

"But now you are married to a usurper, me."

Silence.

"Apologies."

That word made Marshall turn to the tent with his eyes widened in shock. He doesn't want to believe it, his ears must've been deceiving him, but he was sure it was Elsa who uttered the word. He curled his hands into fist, they were shaking but he knew he shouldn't cross the line and barge inside to make a demand why the Queen was apologizing to the lowly woman of the shamed house. A hand tapped his shoulder, and on an impulse he drew his sword then a hand stopped him midway.

"Are you alright, Cousin?" it was Eric.

"I-" Marshall faltered. "Yes. I am." he straightened up. "Do you need anything?"

"Not really, just letting you know that our guards are on their posts."

"Excellent." Marshall responded. His cousin left to his post, he let out a sigh.

His cousin had distracted him long enough for his Queen and the Eldr woman to delved into another subject. He knew Elsa was just doing it for the nobles to see, she told that him after they sparred before, but what he heard inside the tent was not part of the charade. He was sure of it. He kept his eyes and ears on them the whole time, they were conversing, the difference this time as the Eldr woman was smiling and to his surprised Elsa was too. He and Elsa grew up together, that kind of smile was something Elsa only showed to those who she cared for. His grip on the handle of his sword tightened, he couldn't stand it. He hated seeing the blood of Eldr next to the Vinter Queen, she doesn't deserved to be with Elsa after all the things that happened. He felt dread creeping in his chest, if anything there must be an explanation to whatever was happening to his Queen. Marshall despised the Eldr woman and now even more so.

Inside the tent Wendy was helping her change her clothes behind the changing screen while Elsa was busy on writing letters on the other side. Her thoughts were always drifting to the poor people they saw on the way. She wondered if she could do anything to help them, but she knew her current position doesn't give her any power nor influence, and was aware she won't be queen unless she gave birth to her first born.

Anna was watching the Queen silently from the cot she was sitting on after Wendy finished her task of dressing her for the night. She couldn't help but to notice Elsa's blank expression as she write. It was the face she got used to, giving her a hard time to figure out what the latter was feeling or thinking, though recently she saw her smile but her glacial eyes were saying something else.

When she first saw her she thought the latter was stunningly gorgeous, she never saw anyone like her before. Anna remembered the portraits she saw in the gallery, the previous Duchess of Vinter was a great beauty, so does the previous Queen of Corona.

Her family boasted women of great beauty.

"Who?"

Anna snapped from her musings and blushed as Elsa was giving her a questioning gaze. She realized too late her mistake of saying her thoughts out loud.

"No one!" she exclaimed in embarrassment.

"Should I be jealous to a person whose family boasted great beauty?" the latter's perfectly sculpted brow rose and that smirk made her cheeks feel a lot hotter.

"No! Why should you?!"

"Was it me you're talking about?"

"W-What? No of course not! What gave you that idea?" Anna stammered, the way she spoke made Elsa's smirk grew.

"If you say so." Elsa said while sporting a mischievous smile before going back to her work.

Anna covered her face with her hands because of too much embarrassment, she wanted the ground to split open and swallow her whole. Once she regained her composure she watched Elsa once more. They were silent but not awkward as before. She couldn't help but to feel light at their current status, they weren't friends but still much better than being at each other's throats. She smiled.

"May I inquire what are you writing?" she asked.

"Notes, so I could properly plan what to do with our people after seeing them in their poor living condition."

Our people.

Anna's heart skipped a beat at those words, then an idea came to her mind. She might as well see if she could somehow be part of it.

"Is there anything that I can do to help?" she asked, almost innocently.

"You can tell your councilmen to not to stand in my way and be docile as they should be." Elsa offhandedly responded.

"You know very well I am not in the position to demand such notion, much less stop those men with power and influence." Anna grumbled.

"Are you sure about that?" Elsa asked while giving her a knowing look.

"Yes, you stripped me off of my titles and my properties to begin with." her words wasn't meant to offend, she was just telling the truth.

"With or without titles, your blood will always have influence. The blood in our veins can give us power and influence if you know how to use it." the latter left her work and walked across the tent. Her glacial eyes looked straight to Anna's own. "You saw how those people lived their lives even just for a moment. Surely somewhere in your heart you wanted to help." she nodded. "Good, we have to make sure to assert our will to help our people but the council will always moan over the lost of money coming from the royal treasury."

"H-How could I? I mean I am not part of the council meetings, also who would listen to me?" Anna was sure they would just give her a condescending gaze and would tell her it was not her place to say such things.

"That's easy, if they won't bend through pleading then we have to use force." Elsa sat next to her. She didn't flinch at the proximity for once.

Anna watched the latter. "Is force really that necessary?"

"Do you think I'd be able to come here without it?" Elsa said softly. "Do you think we will be married without it?" the latter sighed.

Elsa was right, none of these would happened without force. Anna bit the inside of her cheek, there's a question in her head that bothered her since their conversation about marriage proposals at dinner. For a long time she thought no one like nor desire her because she hadn't received any proposals for her hand, except for an old man, then the chosen spouse for her never chose her in the first place.

"Elsa may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

She took a deep breath and asked.

"Am I that worst of a prospect?" her tone was soft and hesitant.

"Honest answer or political answer?" Elsa asked as she looked up the canopy above them, as if she wasn't that interested on answering.

Anna did her best not to cringe at those question directed at her "Both please." she looked away when she heard a sigh escaped from Elsa's lips.

"Politically, you are not the worst, in fact you are the most suitable than your bastard relatives. You have the right pedigree, you are educated, and I can't deny that you are quite a beauty. Sometimes I forget that you are. . ." Elsa trailed off.

Anna looked in Elsa's way, waiting for her to continue but to her surprise the latter's face was few inches away from hers.

"What?" Anna whispered and unconsciously gulped. She was telling herself to pull away but her body wasn't obeying her.

Elsa was looking into her teal eyes, while she felt the latter's soft fingers brushed against her jawline down to her chin. Her eyes couldn't get any more wider when Elsa started to lessen the distance between them, her heart was making cartwheel inside her chest. She could hear the loud beating of her heart pounding in her ears, she desperately hope Elsa wouldn't hear it to save herself from mortification.

She could feel Elsa's warm breath on her lips, she wanted to pull away but she was stupefied in her place. She let out a soft whimper as Elsa continued.

". . .forget that were in fact related, distantly related." Elsa paused and slightly scooted away from her while taking handful of her strawberry blonde locks "And as for my honest answer. It didn't matter to me if you are the best or the worst prospect for a spouse because you are you, Anna." Elsa placed a kiss on her tresses while looking straight to her eyes. "Someone who I got to know as days passes by."

Anna's gripped the sheets tightly as she tried to calm her wild heart. It was utterly disturbing, she shouldn't feel like this. Normally she would push Elsa away after everything that happened between them but she didn't instead she felt ridiculously warm to the point she was sweating in a cold night.

"You should rest. We'll have a long day tomorrow."

Anna could only nod because she feared she might let out a squeak if she dared to say something.

Days later in the Southern Sea

The royal flag of Corona was waving proudly at the mast of the ship. The large warship was chosen by the Queen herself since she was wary on sailing to a once enemy territory, they wouldn't know who were lurking in the high seas. Beside the royal flagship, was another warship filled with horses for the cavalry, foot soldiers and weapons, these people were under the command of General Cassandra of House Hofmann, her father was General Karl Hofmann, the highest ranking General in the kingdom of Corona.

Cassandra was Elsa's former right-hand in military and after the latter's ascension to the Arendelle throne, Cassandra took on the mantle of one of the three Generals of Corona.

The General was at the crow's nest, surveying the surrounding waters, looking for an enemy ship before going down to the Queen's quarters.

"Anyone there would like to taste our weapons?" the Queen drawled while fixing her coat. "I almost forgot how frigid Arendelle can be since winter is just around the corner."

"No one is unfortunate enough to be on sight, Your Majesty." Cassandra chuckled. "If there's anyone who can stand Arendelle's cold weather, that would be Queen of Arendelle herself." she offered her Queen a steaming cup of tea, which was graciously accepted by the latter. "Her northern blood will always look for the cold, no matter how she hated winter."

The Queen only hummed in response.

"I hope her future bride will be able to handle her frozen heart." Cassandra casually stated.

"That's what we're going to find out, unless my own daughter managed to scare the girl to death with her intimidation." the Queen chuckled. "Her protective instincts got worse when you and Elsa taught her how to wield a weapon. She's a walking assassin in finest dresses and jewels."

"Elsa insisted on that. I would like to find out if she improved while staying there, I do hope she hadn't gone rusty."

"Knowing my daughter, she'll surely support her cousin's endeavors in all the political intrigues Arendelle had succumbed into." the Queen laughed. She sighed and put down her empty cup. "It has been months since she left Corona to accompany her cousin in the later part of the war. I'm so proud and scared of what she did." she smiled. "Proud, now I know when her father and I are gone, she will lead and protect Corona in the best of her abilities and scared for her safety especially she will be the first Queen of our great kingdom. I only hope she'll find someone who could help her bear the burden of ruling a kingdom and love her more than anything." the Queen's eyes were on Cassandra. "Don't you think so?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. Her Royal Highness only deserve the best and of course her cousin, the Queen, will surely be there by her side in the time of need." Cassandra smiled.

"Well said. Let's just hope my niece's future wife won't be a controlling and manipulative bitc- person."

Cassandra was now more intrigued on Elsa's future wife since she managed to make Queen Arianna break her royal façade and brought out foul word, and she haven't met her yet. She could only feel pity for the poor unsuspecting lady, she doesn't know what's in store for her.

Thunk.

Thunk.

Thunk.

Thunk.

"Excellent Princess!" a massive muscular man applauded his princess' impressive knife throwing skills against a wooded target, all of the knives hit the center.

"Thanks Vlad, I have a feeling I might need it." Rapunzel smirked then looked around her surroundings. "Are the dreamers ready?" she asked.

"Of course, Your Highness, they are singing about."

"I would like see them." Rapunzel grinned before accepting the knives from her personal guard.

"Soon, Your Highness." her personal guard assured her.

"What about the red foxes? Are they behaving well in their new home?" Rapunzel pertains to the Eldr soldiers.

"Yes, the other dreamers are monitoring them."

"Perfect, we wouldn't them going feral with the Queen's absence and that. . . lady."

Rapunzel continued to hone her skills, then a soldier dressed in Coronan armor went to approach Vladimir before going back to his post. Without looking she held out her hand towards her personal guard after throwing her last knife. Vladimir wordlessly handed the letters to her and a paper knife, she looked at the two familiar seals. She opened the blazing sun seal first.

"My Darling Daughter,

How I miss you, it has been months since we last seen each other I hope you are well, so does your darling father. I would be only days away once you received this letter, I had decided to set sail there after I received your father's missive. I was informed about your cousin's wedding, and I would like to get to know your cousin's bride before anything else is spoken, as you know I treat Elsa as my own and I wouldn't want her to be miserable in the arms of someone who do not deserve her.

I need you not to worry about me sailing from our home since I have brought our kingdom's finest warship along with the elite knights and your best friend with me . Kindly make sure my room will be warm enough once I arrived, you know how your poor mother wasn't built for cold weather. I'll see you soon my heart.

Your Loving Mother,

Arianna "

A rare sincere smile bloomed on Rapunzel's lips after reading her mother's letter.

"I miss you too , Mother."

She opened the second letter with a six pointed snowflake seal. A frown immediately formed on her brows as she read the things written on the parchment. Her green eyes flickered from the letter to her personal guard.

"Vlad, please send some dreamer to the northern border discreetly as possible."

"Of course Your Highness, at once."

How was it? Let me know your thoughts on the review section!

Thank you!