A/N: Hey folks! Sorry for the delay! We're near the end here, so I have the last few chapters planned out. I'll try not to space out these last updates too much, since you've all been so patient.

Also, you may notice that this chapter, and all the old ones, now have an actual title. Yes, I went back and added titles, so when you go back to re-read, hopefully, things will be a bit different.

Anywho, the queen hath returned! And she is ready to clean things up. Enjoy!

"I heard you're leaving."

The words startled Kai. He looked up from his packing to find the queen standing at the doorway of his chambers, an inscrutable look on her face.

He bowed his head, but said nothing. What could he possibly have to say to the princess he had practically raised, the monarch he had sworn fealty too…the queen he had promised to protect?

The one he had failed.

But she only drew closer. "Were you really going to leave without saying goodbye?"

The man swallowed. His eyes did not dare rise to meet hers. "I felt it was best to make my exit as soon as possible."

Elsa stopped before him, turmoil clear in her crystal blue eyes. "Kai…."

"Sorenson was my protégé, my responsibility. By failing to identify his traitorous intent, I too have become an accomplice in his sins." He hung his head. "I know, retirement is the coward's way out, but I could not face you, my queen."

"You call me your queen and yet, you make my decision for me?" There was a hint of levity in her tone, one Kai did not understand in a time like this.

"I have failed you. I nearly caused your death." He finally looked up at her, disbelief all over his face, "Does that mean nothing to you?"

Elsa shrugged, "There is much I do not know about the events that transpired this weekend. But if there is one thing I am sure of, it is that without you, this kingdom would not be standing today, Kai."

"I can only imagine how much pressure rested on Anna's shoulders during these past few days and how much grief she surely must have received from every corner of this government. But I do know how much you must have helped her." She drew closer and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"For that matter, there is not a single thing I have done since my coronation that has not required your counsel or passed without your assistance. Even in the best of times, I cannot run this kingdom without you, Kai." Something glistened in her eyes, "And now, with this dark cloud hanging over my head, I will need you more than ever."

Kai turned away with a sigh, "You say that only to sooth my wounded soul, ma'am. You have never really had need of me, not now, not ever."

"Really?" Elsa shook her head, "You raised me, Kai. If I was able to overcome my parents' untimely demise and become even a fraction of the monarch Papa was, that is only thanks to you. In fact, I can go so far as to claim that Arendelle would have succumbed to the likes of Weselton's greed long ago if you hadn't been around to pick me up from my misery and prepare me for a life on the throne." There was disbelief in her eyes, and a hint of accusation, "You are like a father to me, Kai. More than that, in all honesty. Did you really think I would cast you out for something you had no hand in?"

"But Sorenson-"

An indecipherable expression overtook her features, "He alone is responsible for his actions, Kai. He was a man grown. If he had no remorse for his actions, then why do you?"

Kai hung his head, "Your Majesty, I still find myself wholly undeserving of your compassion and forgiveness. The things I overlooked are of grave consequence. Any other monarch would impose a far harsher punishment than this."

"Kai," Elsa was smiling now, "I thought you of all people would know by now that I am no ordinary monarch." A few snowflakes escaped her fingertips.

"Indeed." Despite it all, the man managed a small smile, "Forgive me, ma'am. You have never been an ordinary monarch."

"And it is this rather unordinary monarch that implores you to stay." She reached for his hand. "Don't make me beg, Kai."

A swell of relief and gratitude coursed through the servant at those words. A lump caught in his throat. "If Her Majesty wishes it, I would be honored to serve you in any capacity, ma'am."

Elsa's smile sang with relief. "Good, because it seems the council has decided to hold an emergency meeting." She smirked, "Now, I can hardly go to war without my trusted steward by my side, can I?"

Kai smiled, "I should say not. Lead the way, ma'am."

By the time Elsa made the short, 5-minute trip from the servants' quarters to the council chamber, she was absolutely livid.

Without any of the accompanying pomp and ceremony, she strode into the room, her eyes glowing a bright, frigid blue.

The councilmembers, however, remained just as unsuspecting as usual, "Your Majesty, we're so pleased to see-"

She raised a hand.

"Long ago, my father referred to this council as an inestimably invaluable asset to this kingdom. One that could function seamlessly and efficiently to run this kingdom single-handedly, what with the hundred years combined experience you twelve men hold between yourselves. But frankly, I have yet to see what all this experience has done for you, because it seems to me that in these three days, you have been so utterly inept in your duties that I cannot help but reconsider whether there is even a need for this council chamber."

The council fell dead silent. It seemed whatever they had hoped to hear from their monarch, it was not this.

"I was told that the princess spent three sleepless days and nights searching for a cure to my illness while ensuring that the kingdom continued to function, and also ensuring that the details of my illness remained a secret."

She glowered at the men, "I have also learned that upon learning of this unfortunate situation, you did not hesitate, even for a second, to pounce upon the princess regent for failing to inform you of said situation. Even though she was up to her ears in a crisis unlike any other that Arendelle has ever faced."

"In such a trying time, instead of offering your countless, inestimable, invaluable experience to the newly anointed ruler of this land, you chose to demean and question her capability and her dedication to the kingdom. A kingdom, for which she has died, need I remind you, gentlemen."

"But Your Majesty-"

"While you gentlemen were falling under the spell of a silver-tongued usurper, my sister was fighting hypothermia to ensure this kingdom's survival. After seeing what she has done for this kingdom and what she was willing to sacrifice for us all, no one has any right to question her commitment to this land or the throne she is in line to inherit."

Elsa drew up to her full height. "In fact, if anyone's commitment should be questioned, it is this council's. Because rather than work with the princess regent to protect this kingdom, you lot chose to pounce on her like a pack of wolves!"

"So tell me, gentlemen. You claim you are pleased to see me, but just why should I be pleased to see you in return?"

Not a sound could be heard in the council chamber, because the inhabitants of said room – the queen and her steward excluded – simply sat, jaw agape and thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Only the bishop cleared his throat, "Ma'am, you have every right to be disappointed in this council. Unfortunately, you are right." He glanced around the room at his companions, "For all our knowledge, we failed to understand just how out of her depths the princess was at a time like this. And rather than guide her through these troubling times, we only fueled the flames of her distress. For that, we are truly sorry."

Minister Aleksander stood, "Your Majesty…I-I believe I owe you an apology as well. I berated the princess for failing to inform us about your illness with little regard as to the difficult position she was in." He hung his head, "I've never been more ashamed."

There was a nodding of heads around the room and a murmuring of apologies. But it did little to diffuse Elsa's anger.

"The apologies mean little to me, gentlemen. The person they should be directed to is your crown princess, for she is the one who suffered as a result of your ineptitude. What I need from you all is an iron-clad vow to never let this happen again. I will admit that Princess Anna has much to learn about handling the reins of this government, but I need your assurance that you will be her guardians in this venture, not her enemies. If ever we find ourselves in such a situation again, the princess regent will receive your full cooperation."

Heads nodded once more. It seemed it was the only thing the council could bring themselves to do this morning.

Elsa relaxed at this rather welcome display of humility, "Very well, then. We shall meet again tomorrow to discuss these events in more detail."

She rose from her seat with a smirk, "I must say, it's very good to be back, gentlemen."

Captain Vilhelm and Spymaster Gregers were waiting for her when she reached her study. A somber Elsa wordlessly gestured to them as she made herself comfortable. Clearly, whatever they had uncovered at Sorenson's chambers had to have been consequential enough to demand such immediate attention.

"We've found money, ma'am."

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "Money?"

The captain emitted a sheepish huff, "It's a lot more than can be expected of the chamberlain's assistant, ma'am. Almost 20,000 kroners."

Elsa leaned forward, "Wait? The money is Arendellian?"

Spymaster Gregers chimed in here. "I found myself rather surprised as well, Your Majesty. I had thought perhaps any accomplices would be foreign. The duke came to mind, but unless someone played middle-man for such an effort…"

Elsa shook her head. Any form of trade with Weselton had been deemed illegal and punishable as part of her first decree. That was too much risk for anyone in Arendelle, noble or common, to undertake. Especially for someone so notoriously untrustworthy as the duke.

But that meant the traitor who had paid Sorenson off was Arendellian. She wasn't sure which realization was worse. The one that Sorenson had thrown away years of loyal service just for a handsome bribe, or the one that someone in Arendelle existed to offer such a bribe in the first place.

And what was the real motivation behind this assassination? Was it merely an attempt at grabbing power? Or perhaps it was some sort of holy crusade to rid the kingdom of its sorceress queen. Elsa shook her head to dispel the thoughts. Now was not the time to fall into such dark tangents.

"What else have you learned, Captain?"

"Only that whoever this Arendellian sponsor is, they must have resources enough to track down magic users in and around the kingdom." Here, he appeared suddenly reticent, "Ma'am, the sorcerer who healed you…"

"Alvar."

"Yes…well, I learned he was the one Sorenson visited for…well, for the talisman that caused your illness."

Elsa was taken aback. "You are sure?"

He nodded, "Sorenson had a paper detailing Alvar's whereabouts. Somehow, the sorcerer is a part of this as well, ma'am." He bowed, "With your permission, I'd like to bring him in for further questioning."

Elsa didn't respond immediately. She couldn't. It-it didn't make sense.

Alvar had saved her life. Kai had told her how Anna had travelled to the Black Mountains and back just to bring him. Surely, a man who'd travelled all that distance just to cure her wouldn't have hurt her on purpose.

"No."

The others exchanged confused glances.

"Not yet, Captain."

"But, ma'am, if he decides to run-"

She held up a hand. "He will not. I will speak to him myself, but there will be no arrests made until then."

Perhaps she was being foolish to trust someone again after everything that had just happened, but something told her there was more to Alvar's behavior. She'd need to talk to Anna first though. Learn what her sister made of this most unique guest of theirs.

Speaking of Anna…

Elsa rose, "Gentlemen, inform me of any further developments as they arise. But in the meantime, I will speak with my sister and determine the nature of this sorcerer before speaking to the man myself."

Captain Vilhelm frowned, "Ma'am, given everything that man has been responsible for, I do not think you should be facing him alone."

Elsa raised an eyebrow, "Are you implying I cannot defend myself, Captain?"

The series of sheepish, embarrassed expressions that flitted across his face made her smile, "I-I-well, no, ma'am. I didn't mean it like that."

"I can handle myself, Captain. And I would like you to trust me to do so." She shrugged, "Besides, I have my doubts as to the man's true nature. I'm afraid I don't quite prescribe to this fearsome, calculating villain theory you have clearly taken to."

The words came out a tad harsher than intended. The man blanched, "Ma'am, I-I truly didn't mean to imply anything." He hung his head, "It's just that…"

"I know, Captain." And she did. He felt bad that she had ever been hurt on his watch. But it really wasn't his fault.

But if it wasn't his fault, then whose was it?

"Stop, man! You can't go in there!"

"Elsa!"

The queen startled out of her thoughts, "What in the-"

"ELSA!" There was a thudding of footsteps and a loud clamor just outside her door. Captain Vilhelm drew his sword.

"Your Majesty, stay behind me!"

"Elsa, please!"

Elsa drew up, "Open the door."

The captain blinked, "But-"

"Open it!"

Sword still drawn, the captain approached the door and unlocked it in one fluid gesture, revealing a huffing Kristoff, an also huffing Kai and two very disgruntled members of her private security detail. The latter two of whom wasted no time in capturing her attention.

"Your Majesty, he wouldn't listen to-!"

"We were just trying to tell him-!"

"Enough!"

Everyone promptly shut up. Satisfied with the quiet, brief though it was, Elsa turned her attention to the ice harvester. "Kristoff, I was in an urgent meeting. This had better be an emergency."

The blonde man nodded, huffing all the while, "It-it is…"

"Anna's missing!"