Was going to release this sooner but I decided to wait until after the 1st so you guys didn't think I was funnin you. But anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter and the direction the story is headed in.

Chapter 32: Preparations

Meren was alone once more in the darkness of the Arendelle palace dungeons, left with nothing but rags and the medallion around his neck. At present he was simply sitting on the board and mattress that was meant to be his bed with the back of his head against the wall and his eyes closed, thinking on what may befall him in the days to come. The Arendellians, against his own predictions, did not intend to yield to the Naga Ai and would make their final stand against them here. He was beginning to wonder if he would ever see Venereth again; since, despite the retreat from Hammerhel, he was the only prisoner among his kind to have been brought back. He couldn't yet fathom why the queen continued to hold him, perhaps she would simply cut his head off eventually...but if he could survive through the inevitable battle; his sister would find him.

He was startled by the sound of quick footsteps and the light of a torch approaching from down the hall, another visitor to interrogate him; likely lord Embercrow or queen Elsa whom he feared even more. The guards opened the door of his cell to whomever it was without question and he was momentarily blinded by the light of the torch. Blinking, his eyes adjusted as he sat up to put his feet on the floor and it became clear who had entered, someone he never expected, he could think of only one reason she would come. The green eyes of young princess Anna were fixed on him now; she wore an olive green dress rather than armor but she carried her sword on her back. He shifted nervously under her neutral gaze as she simply stood and stared him down.

He was almost sure she had come to execute him for the attempt on her sister's life. She didn't speak and he studied her for a moment, she was smaller than he remembered on the road to Hammerhel but if what he had overheard was to be believed; she had quickly rose to be one of Arendelle's most lethal fighters. His hands were still chained together...he was at her mercy.

She finally budged, walking towards the support beam not far from where his bed was, placing the torch in the metal ring on its side before pulling a stool up and sitting just a few feet in front of him. He tensed up as she leaned forward but against his expectations, she pointed at him and smiled, "Meren, right?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

He cautiously nodded as she put a hand to her own chest, "I'm Anna, but I guess you knew that already. Being the princess and all it's...kinda hard to keep my name a secret." she said this with a surprising humor in her voice though the intensity in her eyes was not lost.

He blinked a couple times before hardening his gaze, "Why have you come?"

She frowned slightly as she leaned back, she then reached behind her and slowly drew her sword from her back. He let out a shuddering breath as he prepared for his demise yet she only held the blade flat in her hand, looking down at it while she spoke, "You know...I've been trying to think of a name for this sword ever since Aldren gave it to me but I'm still coming up empty." she looked up at him and shrugged, "Any ideas?"

He rolled his eyes, "Naga' Bane: Viper's Bane." he said sarcastically.

She looked back down at the sword, "Mm... No, that wouldn't be right. He says I shouldn't hate your people."

"Do you?"

She looked back up at him, "Sometimes..." She then flipped the sword around so that the handle faced him, "Tell me what you think of it." she said, offering it to him.

He looked back and forth between her and the sword, she smiled slightly, "Go ahead."

This was completely and utterly unexpected, very carefully he reached for the handle of the weapon so as not to give her a reason to slide it across his throat. As his fingers wrapped around the handle, he could not help but realize how easy it would be to push the sword into her chest...but then, that was likely the idea. Slowly the blade left her hands, he gave her one last glance before studying the sword. The handle, wrapped in brown leather, was only just large enough for his hand though he imagined it was just right for both of hers. The pommel and guard were an ivory gold, shaped in the image of a crocus, the sigil of their royal house. The short but lethal sharp blade already showed signs of wear and battle damage; the tiniest imperfections and scratches in the steel. "Barely fits in one of my hands...your hands are small though. It's lighter than most swords made for your people; favoring speed over striking power." he rotated the weapon to observed it closer detail, noticing the barely visible thorn engravings along the guard that he couldn't help but smile at, "No cross on the guard; not to leave you exposed but so it does not hinder you in close quarters or in the saddle...Lord Embercrow put a great deal of thought into its construction."

She smiled, seeming to enjoy his last statement, "So... any ideas now?"

He held the sword in one hand, the blade pointed upwards, "'Thorn gun Chomas'...Unyielding Thorn."

"How come?"

"You are the flower...this is your thorn." he held the handle back towards her, "May it continue to serve you well."

She grasped the blade and took it back, letting it lay on her lap, "So is that Elven or Naga?"

He shrugged, gesturing with his hands, "Ehh, for the most part our tongues are one and the same. There are subtle differences but I couldn't tell you what they are...perhaps lord Embercrow could enlighten you."

"Yeah, guess I'll have to ask him."

"If I may ask; why is it that you'd want to engrave elven or naga runes on your blade? Would it not be more fitting if they were Arendellian...to honor your homeland?"

She but her lip in thought, "To be honest...To represent the idea of tolerance."

He raised an eyebrow, she sighed, "Aldren told me that even when we win...naga like you would still be around and that I would have to be patient and treat each of you as individuals. I want to be able to do that and I guess that I'm just trying to learn...how to do that."

He chuckled slightly and rolled his eyes, "Mm easier said than done and I speak from personal experience."

"Oh?"

He looked down at his feet, "My people have always been warlike, most of us have a natural animosity towards, well...anyone that isn't us."

"And your different?"

"Oh make no mistake; I'd kill you in a heartbeat if it meant I could be with my sister again...but I don't wish that; I must confess that you all seem like decent people."

She laughed, "Thanks, didn't expect to hear that from you. But I have to ask; if you don't believe everything the Witch Kings keeps feeding the rest of your people...why follow him?"

"My sister and I came from nothing, her 'unique' talents caught Amicus' attention and an opportunity for a better life was presented to us...at least that's how she saw it. She went on to become a Witch Knight and I a soldier, not because I wanted to but out of necessity for I was not among the strongest of my race and in our culture; those who are not strong...are culled."

"Harsh..."

"That's a word for it."

"Sounds kind of like your sister."

He raised his brow, "You...met her?"

She grinned as she leaned back, "I fought her...twice." she stated proudly, holding up two fingers.

He smirked at her, "You had help."

"N-no I didn't."

"You're not a very good liar."

"Oh what and you are?"

"No...no, but I know when someone is...still, it is impressive you survived both encounters at all, I know few who are as good as her at killing."

The princess looked towards the window with a slightly melancholy expression, "I know one..."

He decided it was best not to prod her on whatever she was thinking on, instead he changed the subject, "Why did you really come here your majesty?"

She turned back to him, her expression more serious than before, "To ask you something Meren, can I ask you something?"

"I'm in no position to refuse you...but yes."

"Did we ever have a chance...?"

He breathed in deeply, drumming his fingers together as he thought out his answer, "Queen Elsa has a good mind for war, you both do which is surprising for your age and lack of experience. Lord Embercrow, I can assume, has been of exceptional help for the both of you in that regard...being outnumbered as you were, my answer would be no. But I do not think that is why you truly lost; your sister and her Master of War both have one fatal flaw that Amicus will always have over them...they had a heart."

She shook her head in confusion, "What..."

"They are the only two elementals I have met in my life and from what I have heard about your attempted resistance; they are more than simply forces to be reckoned with... but think about it; your sister's powers in particular could be limitless, she could level armies with a flick of her wrist, entire scores of land decimated...now why do you suppose they limit themselves so?"

"Because...-"

"Because people on both sides would be killed." He then looked directly at her, his blue serpentine eyes locking with hers "So long as they are good people, the Witch King will always have that weakness to exploit."

"So in your mind...there was never any hope for us?"

"No." he said, looking away.

She wrung her wrists and looked towards the floor. He leaned back and then spoke in a very clear tone, "One can only hope that you will learn from their mistakes for when the time comes that you lead your people."

She shot him a hard gaze, "Elsa is queen." she stated firmly.

"For now...but Amicus will kill her, whether she falls in the coming months on the battlefield or flees for the next ten years he will never stop hunting until he has destroyed her."

"But why? I know my sister has powers but why is she such a threat?"

"Isn't it obvious? She is one of the most powerful people in the world and she stands against everything that he is trying to accomplish...they are nemesis to one another. She is his antithesis."

"It say that in some ancient prophecy or something?"

He shook his head, "Maybe, but I merely gleaned that from my own understanding...I like to think I'm a smart fellow."

"You are...unfortunately." She then stood, "Thank you for...reaffirming something for me."

He furrowed his brow, now slightly nervous again. "What's that?"

"Your Witch King thinks having a heart, being a good person is a weakness...that's why he's going to lose. Love has always been my sister and I's strength, it's our country's strength...it's why we're going to beat him." She said with conviction in her voice and fire in her eyes.

Meren smiled, "You are a good person, princess. Truly you are...and I wish you good fortune in your fights to come."

She nodded curtly, sheathing her weapon before turning to leave, "Oh and one more thing." she whipped around, her fist slamming into his mouth, knocking him onto his bed. He looked up at her in shock as she shook her hand from the pain. "That's for trying to assassinate my sister."

He sat up and nursed his jaw, groaning, "Fair enough."

She smiled, "Have a nice rest of your day." and without another word the guards opened the door of the cell and she left.

Alone once more he touched a finger to his lip and saw blood, he was lucky all she did was split his lip. He couldn't stop himself from laughing; the princess had a forgiving nature but also a temper, a flower with thorns indeed...reminded him of his sister in some ways. Much as he might try to deny it...he couldn't help but like her.

OoO

The sun was high above Arendelle city, the rays of light shining brightly against the untarnished snow upon the ground. Now under lock-down with the wall's gate and the fjord entrance as the only ways into the city the people within could feel at least a semblance a security. But the dread of war still sat heavy upon them; for many loved ones were still missing, prisoners of the Witch King...or possibly worse.

Soon the council would gather to decide who would be sent to each neighboring kingdom in an effort to secure alliance as well as weapons and troops so badly needed. At present Aldren Embercrow sat in a chair facing a mirror in queen Elsa's room who weaved her fingers through his hair, shaping it into a single braid. She wore a casual violet/teal dress of her own making, as most all her wardrobe was, while Aldren who would normally prefer to be in battle dress, was wearing his simple black shirt and pants...she was very insistent.

He sighed but couldn't stop himself from smiling, "I'll have you know that I'm quite capable of tending to my own hair, your majesty." he added snidely.

She grinned at him through the mirror, "Oh I know how well you braid your hair, my dear. It's exactly why I am 'tending' to it now and you will maintain it while you are away." she warned sarcastically, pinching his ear.

He chuckled, "Very well."

She finished the braid, "There and now for the finishing touch." lastly she added a weighted steel ring with runic engravings along its surface to the end of his hair. "Perfect."

She released him and he turned his head to see her work in the mirror, he smiled, "I like it."

"Yeah?"

He looked up at her, "Yeah."

She smiled toothily, he looked back in the mirror, "But why were you so insistent for me to wear my formal attire instead of my armor?"

She smile slyly, looping a finger through the ring in his hair and using it to pull his head back. He looked up at her from his upside down perspective, slightly surprised, she put a hand on the side of his face and looked down at him, "It was in my way last night." She then closed her eyes pressed her lips to his in an upside down kiss. He returned it, reaching up to touch the back of her neck, his touch making her shiver like the night before. It was an oddly pleasant feeling; odd because until she had met him she couldn't recall ever shivering before, it was especially ironic considering that he was a pyromancer but it was feeling she could certainly get used to.

She pulled away and looked into his eyes, he smiled again, moving his hand to the side of her face, "Well I do apologize for that."

"You are forgiven."

Her smile disappeared and her eyes wondered off as she stood again.

"What's wrong Elsa?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

"We didn't rescue everyone at the Pike; many of my people's loved ones are still held captive by the naga, or..." she sighed, half exasperated, half despairing as she looked back to him with questioning eyes, "How do we tell them Aldren? When people ask about the fates of their father's, mother's...their children...What do we tell them?"

He looked down for a moment and then back to her as he stood, speaking in a steady voice, "We tell them the truth; we don't know their ultimate fate. But we will get them back if we can and if not...we will make our enemy pay."

Her face formed a grimace and her eyes wondered towards the window again, "Nothing would please me more than to have that vile creature brought here before my people in chains!" She looked back to him with hard, dark eyes, "I would swing the sword myself when the time came..."

"As many I'm sure would if they were able."

Her eyes softened and she nodded as she looked towards the floor, he tentatively lifted her chin to catch her gaze again, "Over these past months you have made your decisions with conviction and resolve befitting of the warrior queen that you are. There is strength in certainty and right now that is what your people need to see...but for yourself; remember that there is wisdom in caution and restraint."

She grinned, placing a hand on his side, "And you'd know all about 'caution' now wouldn't you."

He rolled his eyes, "I suppose at times I have been more of a 'Do as I say, not as I do' teacher haven't I?"

"That's one way to put it, 'I suppose.'" she said with a laugh, squeezing his side teasingly.

He suddenly jerked away from her, a snorting laugh escaping his mouth as he grasped his side and nearly knocked over the chair. He looked at her, almost terrified as he covered his mouth in embarrassment. She looked at him surprised and confused but soon the realization came upon her, her lips formed a slightly evil grin as she slowly stepped towards him, "Aldren...are you...ticklish?"

He quickly stepped around the chair, putting it between the two of them, "Y-yes...but I-"

She followed him around the chair as he attempted to use it as a shield, "Oh really..." she said, raising her hands and wiggling her fingers threateningly.

"Now Elsa I'll have you know that I'm not-"

He was cut off when she used the wind to knock the chair out of the way and tackled him onto the bed with a surprising amount of speed and power. He only had a split second to look up at her devilish grin, not even time to beg for mercy before she began assaulting his unprotected sides with her prodding fingers, earning a chorus of uncontrollable laughter. He'd never dream of striking her but it took all of his willpower not to kick her as he wriggled beneath her, she even went so far as to blow a raspberry on his neck, laughing with almost sadistic glee at his reaction. "Admit defeat and I'll consider releasing you!"

He tried his best to plead in between laughs, "I-I submit! You win-just please-stop-tickling-me!"

She finally relented, setting her hand on his shoulders and shot him a satisfied smirk from above, "Good, I like to win."

"So I've noticed." he said still laughing and wincing, weary of another attack. "Since you've now found my greatest weakness; might I ask that you keep it between us, heaven forbid that Anna found out..."

She chuckled, tiptoeing her fingers up his chest, "Maybe...if you meet my demands." she a said with smug smile.

He couldn't help but wonder when she had become so mischievous, though he guessed it was always there beneath the surface and was simply waiting for the proper circumstances. He rolled his eyes, pursing his lips, "And... what might those be?"

Her expression became more loving as she moved her hand up his neck to the side of his face and leaned in for a lengthy kiss. Once she was contented, she pulled away and poked his nose, "That's one."

"Of how many?"

"I don't know yet..."

He shot her a not so amused expression, she shrugged, sliding off him onto the bed and laid against his chest, "I'll get back to you when I have a number." He rolled his eyes, sighing and put an arm around her shoulders as she moved her hand to trace a finger over his skin under his shirt and stopping when she felt something; a rough patch. She lifted her head and pulled his shirt back slightly to see a small scar across the surface of his shoulder, she looked at him questioningly, he bit his lip, "Scars come with the life I've led...that one was a spear that would've pierced my throat if I hadn't moved out of the way."

Her smile was gone now, replaced by a saddened frown, "How many do you have?"

He smiled halfheartedly, "Not so many...and they're not all as bad as you might think." he sat up, and she followed him. He rolled up the sleeve of his left arm and pointed to an angled mark on his upper arm, "This one of my more embarrassing moments from when I first trained under Elom; Alfar blades are much lighter than Arendellian steel and I managed to swing it so hard I struck myself on the first day...in front of my fellow trainees no less."

He managed to get a smile out of her, she traced her fingers along the underside of his right arm, "And this one?"

"Mm the hook of Venereth's poisoned blade."

Her smile was gone once more, replaced with a neutral expression as she looked back up at him, it was then she noticed another jagged mark; it was barely visible, hidden by his hairline. She reached up placed the tips of her fingers against his left temple, "And... here?"

"I'll never forget that one...at the beginning of our fight; prince Edesious struck me with his chain whip, would've cracked my skull open if I hadn't been wearing my helm."

Needless to say, she did seem pleased by any of this, despite her calm appearance he could tell that her blood was starting to boil beneath the surface. He grabbed her hand, "Hey..." She blinked quickly, refocusing on him as he spoke, "I'm fine, I may not have been then but I am now and that's all that matters."

"I know..."

"And besides that; I like to think of scars as a way to tell stories, not always good ones but they are reminders of the past...and how the future can be better." he emphasized his last words by reaching up and brushing her cheek with his knuckle, "Like this one here; it's almost impossible to see but it's there."

She did in fact have a tiny, horizontal scar across her cheek that could only be seen by the keenest of eyes. She chuckled dryly, "Not a happy story...though I suppose I did win the duel."

"Exactly."

They looked upon each other for a while longer in silence before Aldren began to stand, "We should finish; the others will be expecting us soon-"

He stopped when her hand landed in the middle of his chest, gently bidding him to lay back down, she nestled herself back in their previous position, "Not yet, let's stay like this a little while longer...before I have to go out and be a queen again." she pulled herself as close to him as she possible could, a hand lying against his chest while her leg stretched across his lap.

"Oh very well then." he said with fake sarcasm as he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

She looked up at him with an almost concerned look on her face, "You know...I noticed something about you face as well..."

"Oh?"

She then grinned and poked his cheek, "You only have one dimple when you smile."

He shook his head, "You're a mess."

"Since the day I was born."

"A shame the rest of the world didn't get to see it."

"Mm no, only a select few people get to see it...including you."

He laughed, "Oh well I'm honored." he said dramatically, with a hand against his chest.

She wrinkled her nose at him and smacked his chest, they laughed together before she laid back down, humming in contentment. Here they would make the most of their moments together with a new air cleared between them, before they would separate for some weeks on separate sides of the continent.

OoO

Once more the council gathered around the great table, this time a map of the entire continent was displayed to them. Elsa examined each of their expressions being careful to keep her own neutral, not everyone was going to agree. As usual Aldren was at her right in full battle dress as she first pointed to the kingdom of Corona on the opposite side of the continent to the west, "I will serve as our emissary for Corona; King Frederic and Queen Arianna are family and I have no doubt they will want to hear from me in person. On top of that; my cousin Rapunzel and her husband prince Eugene had the great misfortune of being in Arendelle during my coronation... and I certainly owe them all an apology and an explanation."

Aldren then pointed towards the south of the continent, "While I will set sail for Zaria, I am in fact acquainted with King Stebor and Queen Renalia and I believe my presence will help in this matter."

Anna folded her arms, "Elsa and I have met them before but how do you know them?"

Aldren smiled, "Coincidentally it is where I was before setting sail for Arendelle; I was hired along with several other mercenaries to help quell a rebellion that sought to assassinate the monarchy and instill its own far more toxic rule."

"Surprised you didn't stay there." Freja added with a small sneer.

He paid no mind to her contempt and replied, "I had an opportunity to; their majesties were so pleased with my service they offered me a permanent estate within the kingdom. However, I turned them down and accepted the initial reward that was offered, making my way here soon after."

Elsa nodded, "Now to decide Chatho...and the Southern Isles."

"Your majesty, if I may?" they turned to lord Mane who stepped around the table to stand next to Aldren, "I am in fact fluent in Chatho's tongue, I have studied their culture and custom's in the past and if it would please you...I would represent Arendelle's interests to the eastern kingdom."

Elsa pursed her lips as she looked down to Chatho; a continent to the northeast of the Southern Isles and directly to Arendelle's east, only half the size of their kingdom. She looked back to him, "Very well Lord Mane, based on your qualifications I do believe you are the best person to send."

Aldren folded his arms and nodded, "Agreed."

Elsa smiled, "You will bring our request for Aid to queen Colisa."

He smiled and bowed his head dutifully, lady Sol walked up to stand next to him, a proud smile on her face, "And I'll go with you."

"No. You will not." Aldren interjected.

"What! Why?" she snapped fiercely at her cousin.

"Because we have another, equally important task for you here in Arendelle." Elsa said, calming the fiery tempered lady.

Aldren stepped around his queen and placed a hand on Sol's shoulder, "With the four of us gone; the highest authority in the kingdom will be yours." The previous irritation on her face was gone, replaced with shock and a small amount of fear. "We already have new recruits who wish to join the army and I will not be here to train them, that will be left to you; you will oversee training of the army's recruits, the defense of Arendelle and serve as ruler until we return...as well I have another job for you that we'll discuss later."

Sol's breathing quickened as she looked to her brother who gave her a reassuring smile and nodded to her. She breathed in deeply and nodded reluctantly to Elsa and her cousin.

Elsa became quiet and an unusual silence hung over the group. It was then that Kristoff spoke up, "You said...the four of you?" he asked hesitantly, weary of the answer.

Elsa and Aldren's expressions became very serious as they looked to each other briefly before the snow queen addressed the rest of the council, "Clear the room, Baldrek...you stay."

The others each bowed before leaving the room save for Baldrek who walked around the table to stand at Aldren's right, placing his helm on the table and resting his hands on the pommel of his hammer. There was a brief silence where no one wanted to speak, Anna sighed and leaned both hands against the table, "I know what you're going to ask me...and my answer is yes."

They were all surprised by her words and Elsa walked to her sister's side, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Anna I would never force you to do anything, especially not this; it's the last place I'd ever want to send you...if you don't want to, you don't have to."

Anna stood, grasping her sister's hand and smiled, "I know Elsa, but my answer is still yes."

Kristoff came to understand, his mouth agape and his hands raised as he looked at the elementals with disbelief in his eyes, "You're not serious...your sending her to the Southern Isles!"

Anna quickly turned to her man, "No one is sending me anywhere Kristoff; I'm choosing to go." She stated firmly.

"After what Hans tried to do to you! To BOTH of you!"

Aldren raised his hand, "That is exactly why she must be the one to go."

The ice harvester looked to him, his face wretched in desperation "What! I-"

"After what Hans did; our alliance with the Isles became fragile and I've made sure it remained so since then." Elsa said, stepping closer, "Now that may work in our favor; King Reidrich may be more inclined to aid us if he is reminded of his son's great offense towards us...towards Anna."

"So... your hoping he feels guilty and decides to help us, is that it?"

"That is the hope."

Kristoff breathed shakily, pacing in a circle before looking back to Anna, "Fine, then I'm going with you." Anna smiled halfheartedly, appreciative of the gesture but knowing it would not be possible. "That isn't a good idea."

"You're not going to keep putting yourself in more danger!" Kristoff shouted, starting to become angry.

"It is not her safety we are addressing, it's yours." Aldren stated.

"What do you mean?"

Elsa stepped past Anna to stand in front of Kristoff, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Kristoff you know I've always approved of your relationship with Anna, the fact that you aren't royalty means nothing to me...but it means everything to the king and princes of the Isles."

She removed her hand and Kristoff began to understand as Aldren walked forward, "King Reidrich probably doesn't know of your union but if he does and you walk into his kingdom with Anna, it's likely you won't walk out...Kristoff, people like you are killed over matters like these."

"K-killed?" Kristoff said, putting a hand to his throat, slightly nervous. "Why?"

Elsa sighed, "So you're no longer in the way."

It was Anna's turn to look confused as she turned to them, "Your saying that even with all that is going on; after I tell him were at war with an enemy that threatens all of us, a supernatural enemy and after what Hans did...he would still try to get me to marry one of his sons?" she asked, half seriously.

Aldren nodded, "Kingdoms outside of our own are built on alliances of marriage, without a doubt he would see that as the quickest means to solidify his alliance with Arendelle and increase the Isles' power."

Anna rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her hair, "Those pigs..." she muttered before groaning, "I really-really don't want to go, but if it will help the kingdom I'll still go... but what if they ask about you, Elsa and your...'unmarried' status."

Elsa answered quickly as she grasped Aldren's arm, "Aldren is a lotd of our kingdom, we are well within our legal rights to court each other. Even if we weren't; I'd care little for any qualms he had with us."

Anna smiled briefly before folding her arms and frowning, looking between Kristoff and them, "What about us?"

"Try and avoid the issue if at all possible."

"And if I can't."

She stepped away from Aldren and grasped both her sister's hands, "Use your best judgment." she said with a smile.

Kristoff pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed exasperatedly, "I still can't believe you're going to send her their alone."

"She won't be alone!" Elsa stated, almost offended that he would even say that. It was then that Baldrek hefted Traitor's Bane onto his shoulder and walked over to stand next to the group as Elsa explained, "Captain Baldrek will be Anna's personal guard while she is at the Isles."

Kristoff looked to the giant ginger who smiled respectfully and nodded to him, Kristoff seemed to be a little less uneasy now. Anna turned to her ice harvester and put a hand on his face, forcing him to look at her, "Hey, I'll be fine."

"I know, I just-"

"I saved your life remember, twice." she teased, grinning and holding up two fingers before her eyes grew wide and she turned to Baldrek, "With some help the second time of course."

The north man chuckled and bowed his head, Kristoff himself laughed slightly, "Well, I just hope I won't have to even the score."

She shook her head, standing on her tip toes to kiss him on the cheek before grabbing his hand to lead him away from the room, "Come on, you can help me pack." they both nodded a farewell to the three remaining as they left.

Once they were gone, the smile on Elsa's face vanished and she turned to her captain and spoke very seriously, "I need to make something clear captain." He listened to her intently as she looked him in the eyes, "The Southern Isles may be our ally but the princes, especially Hans, if one of them lays so much as a finger on her...you'll let your hammer do the talking." she finished, stern and final.

Baldrek's gaze hardened as he lowered Traitor's Bane into both hands, "Without hesitation, your majesty."

"But no matter what, be on guard; any threat may not come from the princes themselves." Aldren added.

The captain nodded before his face became questioning and he hesitated at first, "But...can I ask something?"

Elsa smiled, "Of course."

"What the princess said; about our enemy being...supernatural, how do we make the king believe us about that bit."

Aldren clasped his hands behind his back, "A valid question, we do have an idea about that."

Elsa put her hands together, "But more on that later captain, your dismissed."

He bowed before walking around the table and grabbing his helm on his way out of the throne room. Now alone the snow queen turned to her Master of War and sighed, "Well that went...better than I expected."

He nodded slowly, staying quiet as his eyes wondered off, she could tell that he was just as bothered if not more so by the previous discussion. She held his hand, "I don't like it either-"

"Actually I hate it." he added begrudgingly.

"But like we discussed; it's the best way to make sure we get the aid we need."

He lowered his head, "Yes, aid...though I wonder what aid the islanders can offer us."

She mock gasped, "Aldren, aren't you underestimating them?"

"I've seen how they make war...I wasn't impressed. Still if they'll do their part then there will be no issue."

She nodded, then decided to change the subject, "I'm guessing you'll want to leave last?"

"Yes, to make sure that everyone else departs without error."

"Very well, then I shall depart first...but I won't be sailing."

He raised an eyebrow, "It will be slower across land-"

"Not with the proper mount; Gillian already has the saddle prepared for my flight." she said with a grin.

"Saddle? wha-..." then his eyes grew wide with realization and his jaw dropped, "Oh..."

*eyebrow wiggles* yeah you guys know what up ;)