Chapter Thirty-Six

No one dared to disturb the scene in front of them. Perhaps the men knew that there would be hell to pay once Elsa finished fretting over Alexis. For now, Elsa took advantage of the silence as she petted Alexis's hair, rocking her gently. Her heart broke at the sound of Alexis's haggard breathing. She wanted nothing more than to hear the events that had led to her girlfriend beaten in a prison cell, but Alexis needed to recover. Something touched Elsa's shoulder, causing her to freeze. Fighting the urge to enclose the two of them in a protected ice dome, Elsa swallowed her anxiety, breathing slowly to calm herself. She peeked through the corner of her eyes to see the General squatted by her side. His left hand rested on her shoulder.

"She needs to go to the infirmary," Bennet spoke softly. His right hand stretched toward Alexis.

Instinctively, Elsa attempted to block his touch, covering Alexis with her body, holding on tighter. Bennet stopped and pulled his hand back. She knew his intentions, yet she couldn't shake away the belief that Alexis would only be safe with her. They've been apart for too long.

"I'm—I'm sorry," Elsa whispered.

"Take your time."

"I don't want them to touch her again."

"I've dismissed everyone. It's just us." Bennet held up a ring of keys. "Let's get those chains off of her."

Elsa looked over her shoulder to confirm that they were alone. No soldiers. Just a cold cell and an open door that promised freedom from this hellhole. The sight made her breathe easier, relaxed her muscles. She accepted the keys, but her hands shook when she tried to unlock the cuffs. Bennet cautiously moved his hands towards Alexis. Nodding, Elsa allowed him to hold her in a sitting position while she focused on removing the chains.

"With your permission, I can carry her," he offered.

That was the easiest solution despite Elsa wanting to stay in control. Elsa pressed a gentle kiss to Alexis's head before she helped her into Bennet's arms. They walked back up to the surface level of the fort with Elsa hovering by his side. Her eyes darted back and forth from the path ahead to Alexis's face, watching for any sign that she needed her. So focused on her girlfriend, Elsa almost crashed into the wall when they arrived at the infirmary. Bennet barely placed Alexis on a bed when Elsa knelt by her side, taking her hand. She squashed down the temptation to lay beside her, knowing she'd be exposing too much of their relationship to the General.

"I'll go get the nurses," he said.

Her gaze remained on Alexis. "Thank you."

Elsa refused to move a muscle until the nurses arrived. As much as it pained her to tear herself away, she rose from the floor and stepped aside for the three women. No number of tears and hugs could heal her properly. She stood in the corner of the room on her tiptoes, watching the nurses examine Alexis and tend to her wounds.

"Will she be alright?" Elsa asked.

"Doesn't look like anything too serious, Your Majesty," the eldest nurse reported.

One of the younger maidens broke away from the group to approach her. "My Queen, why don't we sit outside. I can find tea or anything you like."

Wincing at the sight of bruises on Alexis's wrists, Elsa shook her head. "I don't think I should leave her."

"She's in good hands, but I understand if you don't want to leave."

Elsa turned her head at the sound of something scraping the floor. The nurse brought over a chair, gesturing to sit. Slowly side-stepping towards the chair, Elsa watched as they removed Alexis's cloak and slightly lifted her shirt, exposing more injuries. She felt the woman take one of her arms and lead her into the seat.

"I'm Melinda. Are there any questions that you have?"

Finally, Elsa tore her eyes away to look at her helper. The young woman had crouched down to her level. Melinda had a gentle smile and warm hazel eyes that showed her genuine understanding rather than annoyance. Her skin tone resembled Alexis's, maybe just a shade or two darker. The familiarity made Elsa feel more comfortable to be honest.

"I wish I could do something," Elsa confessed. She returned her attention to the other nurses, but they blocked her sight from their work. "I don't know how this happened, and I feel so helpless just sitting here."

"It may not seem like much, but your presence can be enough."

Could she sense her? Did she know she wasn't alone? Elsa gripped her skirt, twisting the fabric between her fingers. She stopped when Melinda placed a hand over her hands.

"What's her name?" Melinda asked.

"Alexis."

"Do you have any of Alexis's belongings? Perhaps fresh clothes?"

"Yes. I have a few of her things at the castle." Elsa bit the end of her thumb, eyes falling to the floor. That meant Alexis could wake up while she was gone. She hated to think of her surrounded by more strangers after such a traumatic event.

"If you feel comfortable leaving, you can help us by bringing some." Melinda stood up straight. "Or I'd be more than happy to do it, Your Majesty."

While that option sounded pleasing, she knew she'd drive herself insane watching the nurses work. At least, this little errand could distract for just a moment. Elsa stood up, heading to the door.

"Thank you, but I'll go. Alexis needs you here. I'll be back."

The nurses bowed their heads to her as she darted out of the room before she couldn't leave at all. When she marched out of the fort, Elsa found Midnight tied to a nearby tree. Good. It saved her a trip to the stables. When she reached out to him,Midnight sniffed her hand and shook his mane like he recognized the scent. Bobbing his head up and down, he stomped his hooves, almost knocking Elsa down as he pushed forward.

"Woah, easy. Sh, it's okay." Elsa shushed, petting him into a calmer state. "You will see her soon."

Grabbing his reins, Elsa guided him to the path back home. At first, he resisted, turning his head toward the fort. His big soulful eyes stared at the structure as if he knew they were leaving something behind those stone walls. Elsa grounded her teeth to stop herself from crying again. If only there were some way to communicate that she felt just as guilty. She pulled on the reins once more. This time, Midnight obeyed.

Their ride to the castle felt like a leisurely trot compared to their flight to the fortress. If Elsa stole enough time on her mission, she might return to find Alexis alert, to see those brown eyes without the presence of pain. That would be enough. Upon their arrival at the gates, a chittering audience, who quieted at the sight of her, crowded the courtyard.

"Your Majesty, is everything all right?" One servant called out.

"You bolted out the gates as if something chased you! Are you hurt?"

She raised a hand, silencing their concerns. "Everything is fine. I had an urgent meeting with the General. I apologize if I'd frightened any of you."

Most of the staff seemed understanding, nodding at her statement. Though Elsa did her best to keep the news of the resistance quiet, she knew details had been whispered around the castle. She trusted that her staff knew better than to make those rumors public. Chaos was precisely what Ulfhedinn wanted. However, Elsa avoided the eyes of Gerda, who would notice the finer signs of distress on her face. A faint breeze across her face reminded her of the tear-stained cheeks she forgot to clean. They dried into uncomfortable sticky patches.

"Are you sure you do not require anything, Your Majesty?" Gerda inquired.

Elsa handed the reins off to the closest person. "Take Midnight back to the stables, please."

She hurried inside the castle before anyone else could continue to question her. Making a mental checklist in her head, she made her way to the second floor. A change of clothes, something to write on just in case Alexis couldn't speak, and perhaps something to eat. Oh dear, Elsa hadn't taken the time to check what items the soldiers may have recovered when Alexis was arrested. Elsa rubbed her temple with a groan, trying to quiet the thousands of questions that kept piling up. Alexis's surprising arrival left her scatterbrained, making it hard to flesh out a solid plan.

Without realizing, Elsa opened the door to Alexis's old bedroom. One step inside, she froze as all the memories and emotions she forced in the deep abyss of her brain rushed out like a river. Elsa then took two steps back. It seemed ridiculous to feel forbidden from this room when Alexis was here. However, the last time she had visited led to a breakdown. Over the past year, she had only allowed herself to press a hand on the closed door, never entering like it was some sacred space.

The image of Alexis's current state drowned out the other concerns. Gritting her teeth, Elsa propelled forward, heading straight to the closet. An old wood scent greeted her as she opened the doors. The handles left a smudge of dust on her hands, reminding her to have this place tidied up before their return. Quickly wiping it away on her riding pants, Elsa eyed the various hanging items. Alexis needed something comfortable to wear while she rested. Had her taste in clothing changed since she left? Elsa grabbed some nightgowns, leisure dresses, and a blouse with pants to cover all her bases. She sniffed at the clothing pile, hoping the closet's scent hadn't affected them after hanging for so long.

"Elsa? What are you doing?"

She jumped, clutching tightly to the items she held. Next time close the door. Turning to Anna standing in the doorway, she saw her sister's soft smile. Cradled in her arms, Cyrus slept with his head resting on her shoulder.

Anna took a few delicate steps into the room. "I can't remember the last time I've seen you in here."

"Well, I do my best not to get caught." Elsa laughed half-heartedly.

"No need to be embarrassed. You miss her."

"Yes. Of course. I mean, I'm sure we all do." She rambled. Stop talking.

"Are you taking some souvenirs?" Anna teased her, glancing at the collection of clothing.

Elsa didn't want to lie to Anna, honestly. A new baby occupied every minute of her time, her mind. How could Elsa drop this overwhelming discovery on Anna's filled-up plate? Alexis's condition would only worry her and Kristoff. Elsa could skip the dramatics by bringing home Alexis when she was back on her feet. Surely, they'd understand why she kept it a secret.

On the other hand, the selfish part of herself admitted that she wasn't ready to share Alexis. They deserved some sort of intimate reunion after such a long separation. Everyone would have questions about Alexis's journey that brought her home, especially General Bennet. Elsa wanted to steal as much time as she could for the two of them.

Outwardly lying wasn't Elsa's specialty, but she reached inside for a piece of truth and stretched it. "Being here reminds me of the memories that we shared. It soothes me when I'm facing troubling things."

"Something happened at the fort." Anna wanted confirmation. Apparently, the scene Elsa had caused spread through the castle like her powers on coronation day.

"Yes."

She pressed her cheek against Cyrus's head, sighing. "Is it bad?"

"We've secured informants from the Ulfheddin. There haven't been any interrogations, but it was an overwhelming meeting with the General. I came back to collect my thoughts before I return to strategize with him over this development."

"Do you need me to come along?"

Elsa shook her head. She ran a finger over Cyrus's chubby cheek. "He needs you more."

"I know, but Kristoff is here. They'd be fine for a few hours."

Well, one more person to support Alexis wouldn't be a terrible thing. Elsa knew her sister would respect their privacy if requested. She began to accept Anna's offer when a sharp whine cut her off. Cyrus's pudgy face wrinkled and reddened. Anna hurried to bounce him back to sleep, swaying side to side.

"I need to lie him down," Anna said over his whining.

"Don't worry about the meeting. If I truly need you, I will tell you."

Although she moved toward the door, Anna looked back at her. "Promise?"

"Promise." Elsa smiled.

She waited about five minutes before she darted down the hall to the safety of her room. One of the suitcases that Elsa used for her diplomatic travels would be big enough to pack away all the necessities. As she opened her closet to retrieve one, she stared at her own outfit for a moment. Trekking back and forth between the castle and the fort sounded exhausting. More questions would arise once her family noticed how often she kept disappearing. Besides, she couldn't imagine herself leaving without Alexis again. Elsa pulled a few outfits off her hangers, not knowing how long she'd be away.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Elsa announced as she began hastily folding the clothes.

"Your Majesty," Gerda's voice entered the room first. "Is everything alright?"

"It's fine." Elsa surveyed the room for other things she may need. "I'm fine."

"Is there something you need?" Gerda tried to follow her line of sight in an attempt to help.

"Actually, yes." Elsa made her way to the vanity, rummaging through her drawers for a hairbrush and other items she needed for the morning. "Could you get the carriage prepared? Let the driver know it will be an overnight stay."

"Carriage?"

Elsa nodded but focused on the make-up in her hand, flipping and studying the containers. It wasn't a necessity. Although, it wouldn't hurt to look presentable for Alexis, or would that be taking it too far? Shrugging, Elsa took it to the bag.

Gerda blocked her way back to the suitcase. "My Queen, if it does not offend you, may I ask where you are going?"

"The military base." She side-stepped Gerda, going back to packing. "Hopefully, I won't be gone too long, but we have some business to discuss. Oh! Could you also prepare a basket of food? Nothing extravagant. Something like sweet bread, perhaps cheese."

"O-of course, Your Majesty. Right away."

Elsa waved, not watching the woman leave. While she didn't want to worry her maid, there wasn't enough time to explain the whole story. Once she piled everything into the case, Elsa moved her hand absent-mindedly to change her riding clothes into something more comfortable. Thankfully, she checked her appearance in the mirror. Her braid had fell out of her bun during all the chaos. Pieces of hair stuck out like tufts of wild grass, flowing in the breeze. Why hadn't Anna said anything to her? Pulling out the brush from the suitcase, she detangled the damage from the whipping winds. Elsa grabbed her hair, about to braid, when she remembered how Alexis liked to see it down. Staring at her reflection, she pondered whether this would look too out of the ordinary. The last thing she needed was for Anna to hear more exaggerated whispers from their staff, so Elsa tied it back in a ponytail. At least, she could take it down easier if needed.

Grabbing the suitcase off the bed, Elsa headed down to the castle entrance. Per usual protocol, a guard stood at the doors with a cloak to disguise herself. He led her to the unmarked carriage through the servant's entrance. While the drivers readied the horses for the journey, a cook ran out to her with a food basket. Dismissing their apologies for taking too long, Elsa entered the carriage, more than ready to leave.

Once she made it back to the fort, Elsa ignored every guard who offered to help carry her items as she made her way back to the infirmary. Melinda stood in front of the closed doorway like she was waiting for the Queen to return.

Elsa called out to her, "How is she?"

"For the most part, she's fine. Nothing is broken, most cuts are superficial, and the bruising will go away in a few days." Melinda reported. "Our main concern is that her body is exhausted, so she must stay on bedrest. And…" Her voice trailed off as her steady gaze dropped to the ground.

"Go on," Elsa urged.

The nurse kept her eyes downward. "We've found an old wound on her shoulder. While it looks healed, she may have been attacked a few weeks ago. I wanted to warn you, my Queen, before you saw it."

"Thank you for telling me." Elsa placed a hand over her chest to calm her pounding heart. "Do you know if she'll be strong enough to move locations any time soon?"

"We'll have to see once she wakes up again. However, I cannot imagine it will take more than a couple days if you only want her to rest somewhere else,"

"That's good to hear. I have a few things for her."

Elsa kneeled to the floor to open the suitcase. Clawing through the items, she wished she'd organized this better back at castle. Their belongings had mixed because Elsa rushed here. She placed the crumpled lump of clothes on top of the basket before handing it to Melinda.

"There's food for her, too. In case she has an appetite."

Melinda stared at the items in her arms in disbelief. "You're a very generous friend, Your Majesty."

She tried not to flinch at the word. She'd instead allow Melinda to make her own assumptions than explain the truth of their relationship. Nodding in agreement, Elsa stuffed her personal items back in the case. At the sight of the disarray, Elsa heard Gerda's reprimands in the back of her mind.

"Do you wish to come inside, Your Majesty?" Melinda asked as she opened the door.

Elsa fought the temptation to run to Alexis's side as the nurses stepped away from the bed. Peeking into the room, she saw that Alexis remained unconscious, appearing more relaxed, as her caretakers began to look through the clothing. The news on her condition relieved Elsa enough to think clearly. She would only cause a distraction for the nurses if she stayed, and Alexis needed their undivided attention. Instead, she stepped inside to place her suitcase on an empty table.

"I need to speak to the General." Elsa exited the infirmary. "Find me if she wakes up or if her condition changes."

Melinda curtsied. "As you wish."

Elsa found the closest guard to escort her to the General's office. Judging by how quickly he moved, the soldiers from the dungeon must have told their tale of how she reacted. Either this guard was trying to make up for his fellow soldiers' actions or he feared her. Though, a mixture of both didn't seem too far off. At their arrival, Elsa saw that the office had not been fixed since her accidental attack. A chill wafted from the open door.

"Find the General. Tell him to meet with me as soon as possible," Elsa dismissed.

Jumping at her command, the guard jogged away from her. Sighing, Elsa lifted one hand, circling her right one over it to conjure a snowflake orb. The blue light illuminated the room enough for her to side-step the items that fell on the ground. At the desk, she found a matchbox. She used one to light the candles, diminishing her powers once they filled space with light again. This made it much easier to pick up the debris from the floor. She carefully piled up the papers, making sure not to read anything on them. As the Queen, she could excuse it as requiring information about the kingdom, but Elsa worried they could be personal documents. If Bennet wanted privacy, Elsa had no right to take that.

"My Queen, you didn't need to concern yourself with that," Bennet's voice appeared. "I'm sure the men could use some busy work."

Elsa shuffled the papers straight and placed them on his desk. "When my magic causes a mess, I feel obligated to clean it up." She faced him.

He shook his head as he pulled out the chair in front of his desk, gesturing for her to take a seat. After running around the place, she could use the rest. Bennet leaned on the edge of his desk instead of sitting across from her like in their usual meetings. When he looked down at her, Elsa felt strange seeing this softer side of the General once again. His stoic expression replaced with eyes crinkled in concern and a subtle smile on his face. It reminded her of the way her father tried to comfort her.

"Is your friend okay?" Bennet asked.

"From what the nurses told me, she's stable."

"That's good to hear." Bennet crossed his arms and cleared his throat. "I don't want to overstep, Your Majesty, but I'd like to question her once she's awake."

Elsa blinked, shaking her head. "So soon? She needs time to rest."

"I understand, but I interviewed my men about this incident. Four of them spotted her in the center of the resistance's meeting. The Ulfhedinn claimed her as a recruit. While she protested her involvement, we must know the information she might have on them."

Holding her hands together to keep them from shaking, Elsa sighed. "You are right, General. I know it must happen, but I ask that you give me some time with her and see what she'll share with me. She hasn't been in Arendelle for almost two years, so a familiar face could help her feel at ease."

"I must put your safety first. Are you sure you can trust her since you went separate ways?"

"Yes. If anything seems wrong, I'll alert you immediately."

Bennet stood up straight. "Then, I'll trust your decision. Is there anything else you require from me?"

"Yes," Elsa rose from her seat, "I'd like to here until she's released."

"I will have accommodations made for your stay." Bennet walked to a door on the side of his office. He placed a hand on it. "I have a small resting place here when work keeps me late. I hope you find it suitable if you need it."

Elsa nodded. "I appreciate it greatly, General."

Shut away from the sun, Elsa hadn't noticed how many hours had passed until one of the nurses brought her a small meal. Although she had accepted it, the soup bowl sat next to her, untouched and cold. She couldn't bear to let go of Alexis's hand as she watched her breathe. Elsa brought her hand to her lips, placing a small kiss on her knuckles. Part of her knew the rest would help her heal, yet it didn't silence her anxiety that she wouldn't awaken again.

Her eyes landed on the puckered scar peeking from the top of Alexis's nightgown. When Elsa returned to the infirmary, the women had finished their work. She had them point out every injury they found on her body. Melinda didn't dance around the ugly details despite the looks from her superiors. Punctured. That's the word Melinda used as she showed her the scar. Something or someone had punctured Alexis's shoulder.

Trying to distract herself from more morbid thoughts of what caused it, Elsa went to change her clothes. She might end up sleeping in this chair, but at least, she'd be dressed comfortably. Locking the door first, she then rummaged through the suitcase for her nightgown. Once she changed, she took the time to organize the contents like she should have this morning.

A groan pierced the silent air. Elsa froze, listening to see if she just imagined it. The sound of coughing sent a chill down her spine. Dropping everything, Elsa rushed back to the bedside. Alexis groaned, face twisted in pain, as she tried to sit up. Elsa shushed her softly, guiding her to lay down again.

"Alexis, can you hear me?" she asked.

Her face visibly softened at the sound of her voice. Alexis whispered her name. "Is this real?"

Elsa held her face. "Open your eyes, snowflake. Please?"

Following her directions, they fluttered open. Her brown eyes stared right into Elsa's soul, filling with tears. Alexis reached up to cup her cheek. Elsa leaned into her touch, savoring the warmth of her skin, kissing her palm. Beaming, Alexis pulled away only to grab Elsa's hands and kiss them.

"I dreamed of this for so long. It's hard to believe that I made it home. Well," Alexis gestured to the room, "almost made it."

"It wasn't supposed the be like this," Elsa spoke softly. She brushed Alexis's hair back with one hand. "At least, I didn't imagine it this way."

She chuckled. "Well, you had my horse. Couldn't ride into the courtyard, cape flying in the wind, and the sunset blazing behind me."

Elsa raised a brow. "Oh really?"

"Yes. Then, you come running down the stairs into my arms. Everything in the world feels right again the moment we collide. As I hold you tightly, I'd kiss your breath away." She pulled Elsa close, bumping their noses together, lips brushing delicately.

"That sounds much more dramatic than mine," Elsa murmured.

"What did you see?"

"You would catch me by surprise like you always do. I'd be doing something mundane, and then I see one of the servants running towards me. Most likely, you'd race them to get to me first."

Alexis laughed. "That sounds like something I would definitely do."

"We'd meet in the middle. I'd stand there in complete disbelief too afraid to touch you because what if it's a dream. You would make the first move to hug me."

"And we'd kiss?"

"Yes, we do…" her voice trailed off as she pressed their lips together.

Like she was hypnotized, Elsa sunk into Alexis, deepening the kiss. If the world allowed it, Elsa would stay in this position forever, even though it hurt her back a little. Sharing her hunger, Alexis wrapped her arms around Elsa, twisting her fingers in the fabric of her nightgown. It'd be so easy to slip into this little bed, but Elsa didn't want to aggravate the injuries any further. She tried to readjust, but when Alexis felt that, she forced herself upward. Their romantic reunion was interrupted by their reality as Alexis broke away groaning.

"Don't hurt yourself," Elsa warned. She placed her hands onto Alexis's shoulders, ready to help her lay down.

"It's okay! It's just a couple of bruises." She attempted to comfort Elsa with a smile.

Elsa should've left it alone, not push for answers so hard, yet she couldn't seem to stop. Her fingertips dragged above the scarred flesh on Alexis's shoulder. Now frowning, Alexis grabbed the fabric of her gown. It seemed like she wanted to cover it up, but then she tugged it lower and guided Elsa's hand over it. The rougher skin bit at Elsa's fingers as they traveled over the jagged path together. Elsa's gaze drifted from the scar to Alexis's face, but her eyes studied the blanket draped over her legs.

"The guards didn't do it if that's what you're worried about that," Alexis assured.

"No. It doesn't look recent."

Sighing, Alexis leaned forward, touching their foreheads together. "I wasn't gone long, but so much has happened."

"We don't have to talk about that tonight." Elsa searched for her hands, gripping them tightly. "Let's stay like this. You and me."

"Yeah, I'd like that." Alexis laid down again, scooting over and patted the space next to her.

She shook her head. "Won't we be uncomfortable?"

"I'll suffer the whole night if it means I get to hold you."

Her heart swelled at those words. They would be stiff in the morning, but that didn't matter. Squeezing herself into the bed, Elsa snuggled into Alexis as her arms wrapped around her body. Fit together like a puzzle piece. It wasn't long before the warmth she missed so dearly had put her to sleep.

A/N: We finally made it! Elsis is back! Still more to come and thank you again for your patience.

Review Responses:

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