Chapter 16

The still dark of the night pressed in around Elsa as she stood alone in her room. There was no moon in the sky and even the stars themselves seemed to be that much dimmer as they shined down on the slumbering castle. Most had gone to bed by that point so the shadows had the run of the place, filling every nook and cranny with their presence.

That is, except for around Elsa.

There, resting in her palm, lay a singular little stone. But, in spite of its small size, it was unlike any stone she'd ever seen. Perfectly round and smooth as glass, it glowed with a light all its own. Shimmering beneath that flawless surface trembled a pulsating flame, constantly shifting through a cascade of crimsons, ambers and yellows as it writhed within its vessel. Upon seeing it one might have expected it to be hot but it never gave off more than a soothing, gentle warmth as it rested in Elsa's hand.

Aaron has given it to her back in those early days before they'd even known what they were to each other, bringing it into being before her very eyes. Now, whenever she found herself missing him or feeling lonely she found it comforting to hold. Just to have a small token, no, an extension of her beloved that made the long nights that much more bearable. So that she might feel his touch even when he wasn't there.

But tonight she hardly noticed the stone. Her eyes were distant, her thoughts far afield as she slowly yet unconsciously rolled it around in her palm. Instead her focus was fixed on those words that Kresta had spoken, which were echoing around her mind.

Fight for your love.

Kresta may not have known but those words had stuck with Elsa throughout the day and into the night, to the point that she hadn't even bothered to get undressed or remove her makeup. All she did was stand there in the dark. Had she been paying attention she might have wondered when she'd even picked up the shard in the first place but she was too distracted by why.

Why had those words struck her so hard? After all, she'd fought for her love, hadn't she? She'd made sacrifices and done her best to make Aaron as comfortable as possible in his new life. Besides, it wasn't like it was her idea for him to come here. If anything she would have prefered to stay out there in the great wilderness beyond Arendelle but he'd insisted on returning. So, if that were all true, then why did those words sting so much?

Perhaps Aaron was right. What if they had hid in the shadows for too long and it was starting to take a harsher toll than either of them could bear? Was it really time for them to step out into the light for everyone to see? There was no way that Elsa could deny that, in her heart, she wanted that more than anything.

But then all she had to think about was his fear for that wish to drift away.

No. He's not ready yet, she thought grimly, her hand closing around the shard in a fist. As its warmth continued to seep into her, though, she felt compelled to admit the full truth. To herself at least. I… I'm not ready yet either.

So then what? Do nothing and just allow their relationship to continue to wear down until there was nothing left to hold onto? Or should she fight? Perhaps it couldn't hurt to bend the rules just this once…

No. Someone could see.

…but who cares if they do.

Her fears and wishes continued to rage back and forth against one another within her as she stood there until, finally, something had to give. So, before she could question herself or take it back, Elsa returned the shard to its resting place in a small box on her bedside table and made for the door.

Per her request the hallway beyond her quarters was empty without another soul to be seen but she still felt a stab of doubt as soon as she stepped beyond the shelter of her room. What am I doing?! she thought as she crept down the hall, doing her best not to make a sound. They, or rather she, had put those rules in their relationship for a reason and yet here she was flaunting them as she snuck along. She must have been out of her mind but she was here all the same.

And, admittedly, there was something vaguely exciting about all this. A faint thrill as she surreptitiously went to pay her lover a call. What would her mother have thought of such behavior? There was no doubt she would have disapproved, which just made Elsa feel guilty when she realized that only made it more enticing.

In spite of the war raging within her, she soon found herself outside a familiar door, having successfully made her way across the castle without anyone noticing her. There had been one or two guards roaming the halls but it only took a pause to avoid them as she anxiously lifted a hand to knock before hesitating once more.

Are you sure about this? You can still go back.

That was all the thought she gave it before her excitement overcame her qualms, compelling her to rap softly against the wood.

A moment or two passed in silence as Elsa fought the urge to retreat until his voice answered, if somewhat bewildered. "Who is it?"

Leaning into the door, she muttered, "It's me," and only had to wait an instant before she heard footsteps hurry to the door and it opened to reveal an eager if somewhat shocked Aaron. He was partially undressed with the front of his shirt hanging open but he still gave into a broad grin.

"My queen. What an unexpected surprise."

Doing her best to remain professional in the event that someone could hear them, Elsa nodded. "Lord Aaron. There are some important matters I wish to discuss with you. Although if you're busy I can always come back some other time." All the while her heart began to race the moment she saw him.

"No no, now's perfect," he replied hastily, stepping back to make way. "I was just finishing some requisition papers but they can wait for whatever is troubling you, my queen. Please, come in."

With that she entered, the door shutting softly behind her. There was a single lit lantern resting upon his desk beside whatever papers he'd been working on as well as a bottle and glass of some dark liquid, but otherwise the room was dim. She knew he was perfectly capable and probably even preferred just using a floating ball of flame to see but like her he found it easier just to try and blend in so as to put everyone else at ease.

Elsa hardly even noticed anything in the room, though, as she turned to see the smirk plastered across Aaron's face. "What are you doing?" he asked as she stepped further into the room. "You're the one who's always saying we can't meet up at night."

"I know, I know," she replied brusquely as she nervously wrung her hands together. "I just couldn't help myself this once, with everything that's been happening."

Her words rewarded her with some sympathy as he nodded. "It has been a lot. How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine. It would be easier if Anna were here so I could have someone to talk to but I manage without her."

"I'm someone you could talk to."

"You know what I mean." As anxious as she was, that didn't stop Elsa from remembering her conversation from earlier that day. "Although you've found someone to talk to you, haven't you."

Now looking more puzzled than anything, Aaron replied, "Sorry?"

She still wasn't sure how upset with him she should be or if she should be upset at all as she simply said, "Kresta."

"Oh." Sheepishness crossed his face as his smile faded. Still, he didn't look away as he explained, "That's nothing. She's just nice to converse with and sometimes she offers a fresh perspective on things." His face grew serious as he concluded, "But nothing's going on there. I swear."

Elsa didn't respond right away, instead just looking up at him before nodding. "I know there's not. And I am glad that she can be a friend to you as well. Truly." Her eyes then proceeded to darken a little. "I just wish you wouldn't share things like my dreams with her."

Surprise immediately sped across him before just as quickly turning to denial. "I didn't. You know I would never tell anyone about something like that. Not without your express permission, of course."

"No? Then how did she…" Elsa mumbled before shaking her head and moving on to the real reason she was there. "It doesn't matter. It's just that with the constant pressure of… things I found that I just had to see you. Just for tonight."

There. She said it. While she could not and would not be doing it again, now he knew why she was here. But perhaps he didn't quite grasp the full meaning of her words as his smile returned warmly.

"Well I'm glad you came. With my sister just turning up out of the blue I also feel like I've been going a little crazy with so many forgotten memories and emotions. But with you here it all becomes that much more bearable."

Trying to get a better grip of herself, Elsa nodded. "How is she?"

"Just like I always remembered her," Aaron replied before hesitating. "Well, obviously not just like I remembered. She's not as obsessently gleeful as she used to be but I suppose we all have to grow up in our own way."

"No one stays the same forever," she said impatiently.

"Good. I'm glad we don't. If we were all doomed to never change then what hope would there be for any of us?" Then, finally, something more mischievous snuck into his eye as he grinned at her. "More importantly, if we never changed something tells me you never would have snuck out in the night to see a boy."

"That's certainly true. But I'm here now, aren't I?" As she spoke Elsa drifted a step closer to him only for him to talk more.

"Yes you are. And I for one can't-"

And that was as far as he got before she cut him off with a ravenous, almost desperate kiss. After everything that was happening she found she just couldn't wait a second longer, and the instant her lips found his, her worries started to drift away. All her doubts and all her regrets fading out of sight as her arms twined around his neck, pulling him deeper and deeper as she drew closer. For his part Aaron seemed almost stunned by the gesture, but his shock only lingered for an instant before he began to reciprocate in kind. There was just something so exhilarating about feeling his hand glide along her back or his fingers slip into her hair as her body crushed up against his. Eventually, though, she had to come up for air.

As their lips parted he was almost laughing as he looked down at her, asking, "Where did this-"

A quick finger pressed against his lips was enough to silence him as Elsa shook her head. "Not now. Later."

She'd denied herself for too long to allow anything to get in the way of this moment and she wasn't about to let him ruin it by saying something stupid. Instead her lips found his again as her heart began to thunder out of all control. The very air around them seemed to pulse between hot and cold as they locked in their embrace. In spite of all her caution and all her worries she found herself willing him to go further, her mind lost in a whirl of yearning as his hand began to creep across her waist and up towards-

Knock knock.

The sound split through the room like a thunderclap, ringing in her ears and bringing her breath to a halt. It couldn't have been much more than a gentle tap but to her it sounded enormous as both their heads snapped towards the door.

Before either of them could whisper anything, a familiar voice sounded. "Aaron? Are you in there?"

Clearly fighting back a mountain of frustration, Aaron did his best not to bellow as he forced himself to calm, if only slightly. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Helena. Your sister?"

The pair exchanged bewildered looks as they quickly yet silently stepped apart, her smoothing out her dress and him unruffling his hair and fixing his shirt while scrambling for something to say. "Of course, obviously. What can I do for you?"

"I… I don't know, I just wanted to see if you had time to talk?"

By then Elsa had noticed the ring of frost around them, spirling into the room in eccentric loops and crests while the lantern in the corner sputtered back to normal. She hadn't even noticed it flare brilliantly the instant her lips found his but now all she was feeling was panic as she wiped the ice away with a sweep of her hand.

"Oh. Yeah. Um, Just give me a minute," Aaron replied before muttering to her, "What are we going to do?

"What do you mean what are we going to do?" Elsa asked incredulously, doing her best to remain calm. "It's not like I can hide in the closet or something."

"There's always the balcony."

For a second she nearly considered the door on the far side of the room, and perhaps she would have if it weren't for the glass inlaid along its surface. All his sister would have to do was look in the room and notice…

"No, Aaron. Just… answer the door."

"Are you sure?"

"Is everything alright in there?" came Helena's voice, clearly growing suspicious.

"Yes, of course. One second," Aaron called back before giving Elsa one last look. "You're sure?"

She would have loved to have said no but she wasn't about to crawl under the bed. "Do you see any other options?"

In spite of her reluctance there really weren't any, leaving just the one. So, drawing in a deep breath, Aaron made his way over and opened the door just far enough so he could look out into the hall. Elsa couldn't see past him but his reaction was all she needed to know they were in trouble as a lamp's light spilled in. "Helena! What a pleasant surprise."

"Hello, Aaron," came his sister's voice. There was something almost sheepish about it as she said, "I was just… I'll be honest, I don't know what I'm doing here at this hour. I just got this feeling that now would be a good time to talk, you know?"

"Sure," he replied, nodding even though he obviously didn't know what to say. "Although now might not be the best time. Kind of in the middle of something."

"Oh." The disappointment in Helena's voice was palpable as she answered. "Okay, understood. I'm sure you're a busy man, I was just hoping for a minute to…"

As she spoke, however, she trailed off and Aaron shifted uncomfortably, as though she were scrutinizing him closely.

After a pause he asked, "What?"

"Is that… lipstick?"

Shit. Elsa's hand flew to her mouth in a flash, feeling the makeup still clinging to her lips. In her panic she hadn't even thought to check for it and now it was too late. All she could do was hope that Aaron could somehow talk his way out of it as he hastily uttered, "What? No. Just a messy eater, I'm afraid," before scrubbing the back of his hand across his mouth.

"Uh huh."

Helena's tone made it clear she didn't buy it for a second as the lamp's light began to shift. Perhaps she was backing off. Or, more likely, perhaps she was leaning around to try and get a glimpse of the room over Aaron's shoulder. Either way, Elsa instantly felt the urge to get out of sight. Her only option was to quietly step off to one side and, of course, the moment she did so the floorboard creaked under her step.

Cringing and inwardly scolding herself for moving, any chance that Helena hadn't heard that was quickly dispelled when she asked, "Is there someone else in there with you?"

This time Aaron's answer was much more calm and precise. Even so, he only got so far as, "Of course not. Why would you-" before she cut him off.

"Because if there is, that's fine, Aaron. You're entitled to your own love life. You don't have to hide it from me or anything."

By now her voice sounded amused as he replied, "Good to know. But really, not hiding anything."

"So then can I come in?"

"Actually I'm not feeling all that well, so perhaps you could-"

Once more Aaron was cut off, only this time it wasn't with words but rather a hard, unexpected shove on the door then sent him reeling backwards. "Helena!" Aaron exclaimed as he fought to keep his balance. Without him there to stop it, the door swung inwards to reveal a smug Helena standing there, her lips in a smirk as she waited to see the room.

That smirk vanished the moment she laid eyes on Elsa, however, quickly being replaced by a look of pure shock and regret. "Oh! Q-queen Elsa," she stammered as she retreated a step into the hall. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea you were here. Had I known I never would have dared to intrude."

The second the door had been pushed open Elsa felt her stomach plunge into dread but that didn't stop her instincts from taking over. By the time Helena could see her she was composed, or at least as composed as she could be, as she clasped her hands together and tried to look as cordial as possible.

"That's quite alright, Lady Helena," she said, fighting to keep her voice from shaking while glancing around for an explanation. "Your brother was just showing me some of the latest… acquisition orders. But now that that's done I was just leaving."

All the while her heart was thundering in her ears, her palms beginning to sweat as she silently begged Helena not to question it.

For her part, all Helena could do was stand there, stunned, as her eyes flicked from Elsa towards the darkened windows beyond before returning. "At this time of night?" Her doubt was undeniable but it was nothing compared to the realization beginning to bleed over her as she glanced at her brother. "I'm sorry, it's just… are the two of you…?"

Aaron said nothing in return, his eyes grim. All he did was stand there, wordlessly watching it all play out before him.

When he didn't answer Helena's hand drifted to her mouth and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Oh my god, you are."

"Alright, fine," Aaron snapped as he rushed back to the door. "Yes, is that what you want to hear? Now get in here before someone hears you."

"Oh. Right."

That roused her enough to at least get her in the room as he impatiently waited for her to enter before checking both ways down the hall. Once he'd confirmed it was still just as empty as before he shut the door behind him before rounding on his sister, his tone stern.

"Now, I cannot stress this enough but you can't breathe a word of this to anyone? Is that clear?"

Helena didn't appear to hear him, though. As soon as she was in she'd come to a halt, all while continuing to stare at Elsa with eyes as round as the moon. If anything her stupefaction probably should have begun to become concerning yet all Elsa felt was a quiet panic as the two women looked at one another.

After waiting for a response, Aaron stepped alongside his sister and gave her shoulder a small shake. "Helena."

Finally blinking for the first time since entering the room, Helena looked up at him with a blank expression. "Hm?"

"Is that clear?"

"Oh. Yes. Of course, obviously." With that her gaze settled back onto Elsa.

Aaron's brows furrowed as he watched her, befuddled by her bizarre behavior as he shot a glance at Elsa. When he didn't receive any help there he quietly asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Helena said distantly before clearing her throat and dropping her eyes. "Yes, sorry. I'm just… so happy. F-for the two of you."

That only bemused Aaron further as he inquired, "You are?"

"Of course. I mean, who wouldn't want their brother to be in love? And with a queen no less. How… how did this happen?"

He was watching her closely as he slowly replied, "It's a long story. Let's just say we found one another and leave it at that."

"Then that's a story that I'm going to have to hear." Helena was quickly reeling in her shock, attempting to regain her composure as she discovered a question of her own. "But I don't understand. Why keep it a secret? Why hide it?"

He was still concerned but that question drove him to look at Elsa. His eyes were almost hopeful as he replied, "I'll let Elsa answer that. Elsa?"

All Elsa could do was look at him with utter disbelief. He can't be serious. Was Aaron really looking to have that conversation again at a time like this? Whether or not he was, she only had one answer as she set her jaw in a grim frown. "We can't trust her."

"What?" Now it was Aaron's turn to stare in shock before becoming affronted. "Why not?"

Not that she cared as she folded her arms defensively. "Because she's with Cyrus."

"She's my sister."

"She's still with him."

"Yes, but-"

"If I may, Elsa…" Helena interjected, cutting her brother off. She'd managed to comport herself but still opted for caution when Elsa turned a harsh stare onto her. "May I call you Elsa?"

At first Elsa thought about refusing her, yet at that moment she didn't have the patience to be petty and instead gave a curt, "Fine."

Nodding gratefully, Helena then paused before choosing her words with the utmost care. "Thank you. I understand why you don't want to trust me, Elsa. Especially considering what I accidentally interrupted. But you don't have to worry about Cyrus."

Nearly scoffing, Elsa eyed her dubiously. "Why not?"

Even so, Helena's face remained as sincere as ever as she said, "Because I would never tell him about something like this."

"Of course you will. He's your king."

"True, he is my king, but Aaron is my own flesh and blood." As she spoke she looked up at her brother, her eyes warm. "Some things are more important than kings."

Not that Elsa was buying any of it for a second as she acridly replied, "That's a rather treasonous thing for you to say."

Helena wasn't backing down, though. Instead she met Elsa's gaze with a stern look as her sincerity turned into resolve. "Then hang me for treason because I spoke the truth. But until you do I swear I'll never breathe a word of this to another soul. You have my word."

They stared at each other for what felt like forever but was probably seconds as Elsa scrutinized the young woman for any hint of duplicity. When there was nothing to be found other than Helena's unyielding tenacity she finally looked away with a huff as her suspicions continued to boil. Just because she couldn't find any lie didn't mean it wasn't there. Either way it didn't matter, however. She knew now, meaning that Elsa had no choice but to hope that she'd be true to her word. No matter how anxious that made her feel.

When Elsa refused to look at either of them Aaron quietly cleared his throat, drawing his sister's attention while gesturing towards the door. "Helena, would you mind…?"

Helena's brow had still been locked in an iron grimace yet her voice lifted when he broke the silence in the room. "Oh. Of course. You two probably need to talk about this, so I'll… I'll go." As she turned to leave, however, Elsa heard her pause before turning back. Her tone was soft as she said, "And Elsa? I'm so sorry, if I'd known I swear I never would have-"

Elsa had had enough, though, as she held up a hand and interjected, "It's fine, Helena. Please, just go."

Now her voice was laced with regret as she muttered, "Of course, your majesty," before her footsteps retreated to the door. Aaron murmured a quiet, "Good night," as he shut the door but not before Elsa heard Helena whisper to him, "Sorry." With that it finally closed and they were alone together once more.

Even so, whereas earlier had been private and exciting, all Elsa felt now was shame and annoyance as she allowed herself an exasperated sigh. Admittedly part of her was angry at Helena for intruding but mostly she was just angry at herself for giving her something to intrude upon. For months she'd been careful, methodically timing her chances with Aaron and taking no risks in the event that exactly this happened. Yet the one time she was tempted to take a gamble she was instantly punished for it, which only stung more because she knew better.

Unable to keep it all inside, she growled to herself, "I knew I shouldn't have come here tonight. How could I be so foolish?" while beginning to pace back and forth.

Aaron, meanwhile, didn't appear to share any of her regret. If anything he even looked relieved, which only annoyed her further as he said, "Elsa, it's fine. If anything we were lucky that it was only Helena."

Feeling a spike of furor at his callousness, she shot him a glare. "Lucky? How was that in any way lucky? She knows and now so will Cyrus." As angry as she was, Elsa couldn't sustain it for long as it quickly began to collapse into remorse, muttering, "And then so will everyone else."

"No, they won't."

"Why? Because Helena said so?"

"Yes. She said wouldn't tell anyone and I'm inclined to believe her."

In spite of her concern, Aaron continued to hold firm as Elsa looked up at him dubiously. There wasn't a speck of doubt on his face, though, and perhaps she should have placed her faith in him. But years of deceit and paranoia didn't just go away and her every instinct was screaming at her as she glanced at the door. "I still don't trust her."

"So we can trust your sister but not mine?"

What? That caught Elsa off guard yet when her eyes returned to his he looked insulted again. As though he was affronted that she would dare to insinuate anything about his dear baby sister. Not that she was trying to be insulting as she asked, "How is that in any way similar?"

"How is it different?"

"Well, for one I don't know your sister."

"I didn't know Anna and now I can't imagine our lives without her," replied Aaron, hanging doggedly onto Helena's defense.

Which might have been reasonable under normal circumstances but there was one glaring flaw in his argument. Still, Elsa did try to be at least somewhat gentle as she said, "Yes, but no offense Aaron, you don't know Helena either."

Slipping past his indignation, that brought him to a halt as he eyed her sternly. "What do you mean?"

"You said so yourself that you hadn't seen each other since you were children. You don't know anything about her. The things she's seen, what she's done. You don't know her any better than I do."

She really wanted to be soothing but she just had to drill her point across as she watched him mull over her words, his expression locked in a strict glare as his eyes settled to the floor. After all, Helena had just popped back into his life from out of the blue and as pure as her intentions might have been that didn't mean that they had to just blindly place their faith in her. At the very least she could earn some of that faith first.

When Aaron's gaze found hers again, though, Elsa saw that he was still stubbornly holding firm as he said, "That may be so but she's still my sister. She was always my sister and no matter what she'll always be my sister. I loved her then and I love her now." To his credit, his expression did soften then as he stepped towards her and placed his hands on her arms as he tried to reassure her. "And I'm not asking you to trust her overnight. I'm just asking for you to give her a chance."

Even so, Elsa still found herself torn. On the one hand it wasn't as though his request was unreasonable. At the end of the day she did want to be able to trust her lover's sister. On the other, though, her instinct, which had protected her for most of her life, was telling her to be cautious. It didn't help that she wasn't sure whether his credence in Helena was based on love, or guilt.

"I don't know."

In spite of her reservations, Aaron wasn't about to give up as he said, "Okay, just promise me you'll think about it."

Maybe it was his tenacity wearing through, or perhaps it was because she knew just how much his sister meant to him. Either way, Elsa found herself relenting as she gazed up into his amber eyes. She did love and trust him more than anyone, except for possibly Anna, so if he was willing to vouch for her, maybe that could be good enough for Elsa too. For now, at least.

"Fine. For you, I'll… try."

"Thank you."

Her consignment lit up his face as he drew her in for a tender hug, and in spite of their argument she didn't refuse him. She was just so exhausted from the raucous events constantly raging all around her that a few moments in his arms were irresistible as her hands clutched onto his shirt and her head came to rest against his chest. There was just something so comforting about being held considering she had to be so stoic and strong the rest of the time as she savored the warmth radiating from deep within him. A quiet little bubble of bliss that was all her own…

As always, though, it had to end far too soon as Aaron gently asked, "Do you still want to stay?"

They both knew the answer to that so he didn't even look disappointed as Elsa pulled away, shaking her head slowly. "No, I should get back to my own quarters. We can't be having someone else walk in on us."

Any other night he might have teased or argued but on this one he was only consoling as he replied, "Alright. But first, I love you."

"I love you too."

Before she could leave, however, there was one other thing that Elsa needed before she stepped back out into reality as she wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and pulled him into another rapacious kiss. The back of her mind thrilled at how his skin instantly burned with excitement at her touch and how his arms instinctually flowed around her once more but she didn't allow herself to get caught up in it, instead just cherishing this one moment of joy.