Chapter 17

The following morning found Aaron striding into the entryway of the castle with Captain Reynard in tow. After a long and frankly shocking evening he was having a hard time focusing on his work, considering where his mind actually wanted to go. In their time together Elsa had never even come close to doing something like that. To pay him a visit so late in order to… he didn't know what she'd had in mind and he was pretty sure she hadn't either but the surprise of opening his door to find her had been beyond a delight. A wonderful, tantalizing delight. And then, of course, came yet another setback.

Just why had Helena knocked on his door at that hour, anyway? She couldn't have known that Elsa was there, given the utter shock she displayed upon discovering her. So then what other motive was there? Surely it wasn't just to catch up.

And why, of all times, did it have to be then…

Not that he had time to dwell on such things that morning, as much as he might have liked to. In spite of his personal life he still had a job to do as Captain Reynard rattled off a series of instructions that had been distributed.

"...and I've stationed the remaining detail here for the duration of their stay," Reynard concluded while looking over the parchment in his hand.

"Very good, Captain," he replied, doing his best to remain focused rather than drifting back to the night before. "And what of our ships?"

"They've returned to their regular patrols, per your request. Although all can be called back if needed."

"Good. It's time we started returning things to normal around here."

Reynard was about to respond only to be interrupted by a female voice that was beginning to sound very familiar. "I should hope not. Normal is so drab, after all."

Any other time and Aaron probably would have been happy to see Kresta, at the very least, as he turned to find that she'd managed to sneak up on him again. However, given the other two women that were beginning to dominate his every waking thought, he wasn't sure he had the time for another as he forced out a smile, no matter how helpful she'd been thus far.

Not that that was the only source of his wavering as he faced her. It wasn't like Elsa was the jealous type to snap at any woman that came near him, but if she was feeling slightly envious it wasn't like he could fault her. He'd already learned to hate two other men without even knowing them, hadn't he? Still, he knew there was nothing for her to worry about. Whatever lay between him and Kresta was strictly amicable, he was sure of it. Even so, for Elsa's sake perhaps he should have kept a little distance with Kresta.

Except he wasn't the only one who looked distracted that morning. Although her expression was friendly Kresta's eyes still looked weary, suggesting a long, sleepless night as she did her best to give a smile of her own.

Unlike either of them, however, Reynard was nothing short of perfectly polite as he quickly snapped into a bow, exclaiming, "Your highness! What an unexpected pleasure."

Unlike him, Aaron remained upright as he added, "Princess Kresta. To what do we owe said pleasure?"

If she was offended by or even noticed his decorum, she didn't show it as she nodded in return. "Nothing in particular. Just on a morning stroll and thought I'd say hello."

Not that he was sure that she did anything on a whim as Reynard replied, "Well it is a lovely morning for such a thing."

"Isn't it?" After a brief pause she added, "Actually, I did want to see if you were fortunate enough to have a library somewhere in this castle. I've always been fascinated by learning about other cultures and customs."

Ah. As unsurprising as it was that Kresta had a motive in mind, Aaron still found himself puzzled as he asked, "You have?"

She only glanced at him for a moment, a lingering stare while saying, "Of course. If I'm going to stay I might as well have something to do," before smiling sweetly at Reynard again.

The captain, meanwhile, merely shrugged. "I don't know about a library, but there are a number of tomes gathering dust in the former king's study. Although if it's culture you're interested in I'm sure a tour of our fair city would be the best place to start."

"Oh, undoubtedly," Kresta replied before rushing on to say, "But you never know what secrets you'll find in a good book. Provided you can procure access to them for me."

"I'll see what I can do, your highness."

"Thank you so much."

With that Reynard gave her a bow and departed without a hint of suspicion. Aaron, however, waited until he'd left to state, "I didn't know you enjoyed reading."

She was also watching the captain go as she retorted, "There's a lot you don't know about me." Before he could comment further she abruptly turned to him and asked, "More importantly, how did it go?"

The sudden switch made it clear she didn't want to talk about it and for a moment Aaron considered not letting the subject go. But only for a moment. What harm was there in parsing through a book? She wasn't the only one who liked to read, after all.

"How did what go?"

"Like you don't know."

It didn't take much thought to guess at what she was referring to as he shifted idly, contemplating what he could and couldn't share. "Oh. It went well. Or at the very least as well as I could hope for."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning things didn't go how I thought they would but it worked out in the end."

Nodding, Kresta flashed him a quick smile before returning her gaze down the hall. "Well that's good to hear. See? I told you blood doesn't lie."

"I guess not," he conceded before murmuring to himself, "Although I'm not entirely sure what comes next."

After the previous night and given how frigid she'd been during their first two encounters Aaron wasn't confident how to proceed. He would have loved to keep meeting with Helena further but given how stressful their talks were for her that didn't seem like the best idea. Ultimately, despite his own wishes, he'd decided that he probably ought to give her some space. A couple of days to consider things. Although that did leave matters entirely in her hands, leaving him with nothing to do but anxiously wait.

In spite of his reservations, though, Aaron felt some slight concern as he glanced at Kresta. He may not have known her for long but something still seemed… off about her that morning. Maybe it was the slight heaviness in her eyes or perhaps the way her smile appeared fixed in place. Either way Aaron found himself asking, "Get enough sleep last night?"

"Me?" she responded, looking back up at him. Her smile only tightened as she nodded. "Obviously. Just… have a few things on my mind this morning."

"Anything I can help with?"

"No, not to worry," she replied quickly before her eyes drifted away again. "I'm okay on my own."

Not that he was buying her rebuff as he prodded, "Are you sure?"

"Of course." By then Kresta's smile had begun to fade as peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason. You just seem… tired…"

That hadn't been what Aaron meant to say but he hardly noticed. He didn't even see if he'd accidentally insulted her, considering the distraction that had just stepped into the room. All he could do was watch her as she looked around before spotting him and picking her way towards him through the other people meandering about the entrance hall.

Is she… the one looking for me? he thought in disbelief.

Kresta, meanwhile, had instantly noticed that something was amiss as she followed his gaze, glancing around them. "Is something wrong?"

All he could do was mutter back, "That's her," as he continued to stare.

"That's who?"

"My sister."

"Really?" In spite of her funk, Kresta's eyes still lit up slightly when she realized who it was, only to harden again when she spotted Helena. "That young woman headed straight for us?"

"Yeah." Aaron still couldn't quite know what to make of it. He certainly never thought she would be the one to come to him. "Wasn't expecting to see her again quite so soon."

"Hm."

Finally looking away from his sister at the terse response, he found that Kresta was no longer smiling as she eyed Helena. Now what's wrong? "What?"

"Nothing," she replied quietly, her eyes never leaving the other woman as she scrutinized her. "Your sister just looks… familiar. What's her name?"

"Helena."

Familiar? Had the two of them already met somehow? What were the odds of that? But he didn't have time to wonder about that before his sister had reached them.

Inwardly he braced for what he thought was going to be a harsh greeting only to receive quite the opposite. Helena offered him a smile as she stopped in front of him, even if it did look a little strained as she said, "Good morning, Aaron." Given that the greeting was even remotely friendly was enough to surprise him as she then turned to Kresta and bowed. "Your highness."

Unlike him in his disbelief, she'd already slipped back behind her political mask as she nodded in return, her hands clasped daintily in front of her. "Good morning. Lady Helena, isn't it?"

"Yes, your highness," Helena said as she straightened back, her gaze giving away nothing. "I take it Aaron told you who I am?"

"Oh yes. Your brother has told me all about you."

"Did he? And how is it that the two of you know each other?"

"Don't you know? We're good friends. Isn't that right, Lord Aaron?" As she said that she turned to him just enough so that Helena didn't see the wink she flashed him.

However, he still wasn't quite sure how or why his sister was here, much less why Kresta was pretending they were longtime cohorts as he gave a tight, "Mm."

That was all the confirmation Kresta needed as she turned back to Helena, saying, "And I could be mistaken but I have this nagging feeling that we've met somewhere before."

Now it was Helena's turn to look surprised, but she didn't deny it as she nodded. "As a matter of fact we have. Although I'm impressed you remember me at all, considering it was years ago."

"I have a knack for faces," Kresta said with a smile before her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And yet I'll admit I'm struggling to recall the when and where."

Restless under the scrutiny, Helena's gaze dropped to her boots for a moment before she cleared her throat and replied, "Yes, well, as much as I might like to reminisce, your highness, I was actually hoping to speak with my brother. With all due respect, of course."

Given the way she was eyeing her Kresta didn't look like she was happy to just give up yet she yielded. "Certainly. I'd hate to rob you of your time together. Do enjoy yourselves, won't you?"

That last part was directed at Aaron, who was watching the pair with an eyebrow cocked. Rallying from his bemusement, he offered, "Absolutely, your highness."

"Good." Kresta had already forgotten about him, though, as her eyes slid back to his sister. "Lady Helena."

"Princess Kresta."

The two nodded at one another and with that Kresta departed. However, while Helena turned away Aaron kept an eye on her as she went only to see her stop and glance back. Her gaze was stern as she studied his sister before she noticed that he was watching her. Immediately she gave him another smile, but it faded as soon as she continued towards the exit.

That was odd, he thought as he watched her go.

Once again, though, he was given no time to ponder the exchange before Helena said,

"Aren't you the lucky fellow."

Stirring from his queries, he turned back to find that she was grinning at him. Considering her expression was also a first, it only confused him further as he asked, "Sorry?"

That caused her smirk to grow as she commented, "Here I was thinking how remarkable it was that you were so close to a queen and now it turns out you've caught the eye of a princess as well."

"Oh." Coughing quietly while smoothing out his jacket, he dismissed the notion. "I wouldn't go that far. She just seems to have taken a liking for me."

"Evidently. But why?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid. Certainly couldn't have anything to do with my friendly demeanor or my charming persona."

"No, that can't be it. For that to be true you'd have to be likable."

The remark had the sting he was expecting from her and her gaze was still sharp yet the way she said it was almost teasing, to the point that he was eyeing her closely as he asked, "Was… was that a joke?"

His disbelief nearly brought the smallest of blushes to her cheeks but her smile was steady as she replied, "Maybe. Is there something wrong with that?"

Given how hostile she'd been previously there was plenty wrong with that. Not that he was going to say such a thing. "Not at all. Just didn't know you told jokes."

Shrugging amicably, she said, "I've been known to. On occasion."

"Well good." Unable to think of anything else to say, Aaron found he just had to voice his surprise. "I have to admit, though. I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon."

Helena's eyes tightened even though her smile remained in place as she regarded him. "You weren't? Why not?"

"Because every time we see each other you look like you either want to run or hit me."

"Can you blame me?"

"No, can't say that I do. But if this is too much for you we can always take a break. It's not like we're pressed for time."

"And I appreciate that." She then managed to hold onto her grin for a second longer before finally letting it go with a sigh. Her eyes dropped as that familiar gruffness crept across her face and she stood silently before continuing. "But. I did some thinking after our… conversations yesterday, and I realized how difficult I've been. You are my brother, after all, and as hard as this may be you deserve more of an effort from me. So, I've resolved to be a better sister."

That last statement probably should have overjoyed him yet Aaron just continued to watch her with mild concern. As he expected, this was still proving to be difficult for her. Perhaps a little comforting might help. "Then that won't be very hard, considering you're already a great sister."

That at least got a sniff of amusement out of her although she continued looking down. "I don't know about all that. I did want to apologize again, though. For my intrusion last night."

Given his and Elsa's conversation after, he wasn't entirely sure he was the one that she should be apologizing to. Even so, she was clearly making an effort for him and he appreciated it. "That's alright. You couldn't have known."

"Even so." Finally, Helena's gaze peeked back at him as she quietly asked, "How is she, by the way? I'm guessing things probably didn't go very well after I left."

"Not really, no, but it can't be helped. Besides, she'll come around. I know she will."

"That's a relief to hear."

Helena didn't look particularly relieved but Aaron wasn't looking to dwell on it anyway. If she was looking to spend time with him he wasn't about to waste it fixating on mistakes. Instead he pushed through by saying, "So is there something particular you had in mind today? Unless you were just looking to talk, which is fine by me."

The question managed to lure at least a hint of her smile back out as she nodded. "I did have something in mind, actually. Provided you can step away for a while."

Already forgetting about the night before, Aaron nodded eagerly and said, "Certainly," only to remember something. "But can you? Yesterday you seemed rather pressed for time."

"True. But that was then and now I've made arrangements to get things off my plate. For today, at least."

"That's fantastic. I don't suppose I can know what you're planning."

"Last time you offered to show me something. Now I want to return the favor." Helena then glanced at the other people around them before quietly adding, "Only not here. For what I'm thinking, we need something more private. If you know what I mean."

As she spoke the slightest of flickers crept into her gaze and Aaron found himself smirking. "I do, actually. People have this nasty habit of screaming whenever I try to practice."

"Sounds maddening. So is there a place nearby that we can go to, where we won't be interrupted?"

Was there? One of the nice things about the numerous mountain ranges roaming up and down Arendelle, there was a plethora of hidden nooks dotted along them. That being said, most were located further inland, far from the shelter of the fjord. Of course, there was one place that was perfect and wouldn't take all day to reach. There was just one slight catch that came with it.

"There is," he said, before including the problem. "Although the only real way to get there is to fly."

Helena, however, didn't even bat an eye as she replied, "Excellent. Is it close?"

Hesitating, Aaron wasn't quite sure she'd heard him as he reiterated, "Yes. If you're flying." Hadn't she been the one to tell him that she was looking to keep her talents hidden? Twice?

The answer to his quandary became clear, though, as she nodded before stepping towards the door. "Then it sounds like we're going to need some horses first. Provided you know how to ride one, that is."

"Of course I do," he retorted as he fell in stride beside her. "Granted, I've never met a horse that particularly liked me, but I can ride."

"Can't imagine why. But in any event, let's go. Don't want to waste all our daylight, do we?"

With that Helena moved to leave the castle, set on whatever she had in mind as he tagged along. He wasn't quite sure what that was but he didn't really care. Aaron was just happy his sister wanted to spend time with him after all. Perhaps things had a chance to work out between them after all.