"How are you feeling?" Her soft voice opened Ryu's eyes to see Elsa sitting by her bedside. She didn't know when but at some point they had moved her from the infirmary wing of the castle and while at first alarming she could only hope she hadn't evicted anyone from their own room.

The dusky sun pooled past the curtains crowning Elsa's head with a gleaming halo. Sitting up, Ryu's head tilted, sighing at how the spirit looked, it was a sight that comforted her.

Her lack of reply must have worried Elsa even more, beneath her large eyes was darkening perhaps from lack of sleep or stress, and her lips were set in a small frown.

Ryu wanted nothing more in the moment than to see her smile again.

"Well..." She began murmuring in a sleepy torpor. "Call me a baby cause I have been de-livered." It took six moments before Elsa's mouth quivered in all directions, her hand reached up to cover her sputters.

"Oh no-" she giggled. "You still have your liver." Her hand reached out for Ryu's. It felt like she hadn't felt this cool delicate touch in hundreds of years. A bit a dramatic but she'd stand by the sentiment.

Elsa's other hand wasn't necessarily demanding her other but she'd seen the slight twitch it had as if restraining itself from jumping to grab her left. So she gave it.

After sitting in quiet allowing Elsa to rub her hands nearly lulling her back to sleep inhaling Elsa's smell. It was the first tell of her presence.

She cracked open one eye- Elsa was watching her never ceasing the encircling of her thumbs.


"I'd like food, I'm really running on an empty stomach." Elsa hummed shaking her head. She had heard about the fuss the dragon caused when they moved her rooms or refused medicine not liking the sedative effects and promised the doctor she'd keep Ryu on track.

"I hardly think now's the time for jokes."

Ryu's brows furrowed. "What? Oh! Oooh. Hai, that's funny. But I wasn't joking." The Spirit's expression changed from soft chastisement to sympathy. "You can't eat yet I'm afraid."

"Oh, Kuso." She didn't need the translation to know the tone of a curse when she heard it.

Her corneas stung from tears she thought were already long since shed over the past two days but no her body apparently had much more to give. The lump in her throat went down painfully, and when she tried to turn away Ryu clasped her wrists pulling her more onto the bed.

She didn't allow Elsa to ease her back to recline and instead leaned forward whispering.

"Hey- hey? It's alright Erusa."

Elsa sniffled, turning she was surprised to see how close Ryu scooted. She shook her head. "No it's not, what if he had aimed higher into your chest and got to your heart or lung?" Her eyes flicked over the areas she mentioned. Ryu's followed, glancing down at herself. When she looked back up a single corner of her mouth was raised.

"But he didn't, this-" she gestured to her bandage stomach, finger plying underneath the wrappings feeling the foreign smooth skin of where her scales used to be. "-was just a gib in the plan ya-"

"This was more than a gib. You got stab!"

Ryu nodded stilling grinning. "I was there I know. But I would have done it all over again if I had to-"

"But why?"

Why?

"Why?" Ryu mumbles to herself as if asking the same question, and chuckles madly once finding the answer. "Cause I like you." Elsa finds it in herself to laugh weakly as well.

"Be serious." Elsa beseeched.

"I am. I would have done this again and again cause I like you." It was too simple, and was utterly overwhelming. Some others wouldn't even travel to a different city for ones they loved let alone liked. Yet for Elsa, the answer made her feel so much better than she had this past eventful week.

Grand Pabbie and Bulda would be visiting by the time the summit was over, the very idea that she had already failed them reigned in her giddiness. She couldn't have Ryu throwing herself into dangerous situations merely cause she liked her.

Shaking her head, with a serious expression again. "Don't."

Her warning was cast aside when Ryu curled her fangs over her lips, showing no intention of heading her words in the least, looking like the mischievous Níðhöggr himself.

"No promises." Elsa groans resting her forehead in her palms. She could be happy that Ryu was giggling at least and found more humour in the situation than she did and wasn't running from the hills away from the chaos that was Elsa's life.

A breath shuddered her chest when the dragon's hand reached up to pet her head just as it did the night of the fire.

The height and positioning of them made it difficult to reach up so eventually after while she stopped.

Thump,thump...

Thump...

Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.

Elsa turned to the dull patting noise that the girl was making as her hand hit the blanket. She hesitated for a moment- normally she relied on Anna to give some comfort during times as these but-


"You truly do think so low of me that you keep the scheme against your life a secret!"

"Anna you know I don't, I just didn't want to risk it or worry you." Elsa's tone was practically begging.

Their family had excused themselves from the awkwardness of the yelling (mostly from Anna) allowing the siblings some privacy.

Anna's face was crimson from anger and probably hurt that shined in her unshed tears. Everytime Elsa approached she retracted holding her arms up defensively turning away.

Elsa's hands hung there in the air, feeling useless as ever, frozen in place.

"So I'd just be a liability?"

"What no-"

"Do you really think I'm that idiotic or incapable of helping?" She turned back to face her. "You don't have any faith in me do you?"

Elsa looked away, only capable of shakey inhales. She was becoming desperate. "No! I mean yes I do- I just... I listened to Ryu when I shouldn't have since she doesn't know you very well and I..." She sank to the couch like a damaged boat wrecked by the cannonball glares of her sister.

"I messed up, again and again and I... I'm sorry."

Anna raked her hands against the nape of her neck huffing before joining Elsa on the couch.

"You did, Elsa we're a family you don't have to carry everything on your own. You entrusted me with the kingdom you should known better to have trusted me with this." Elsa nodded. Maybe then, Ryu And the other spirits wouldn't have been injured and nearly killed. But like most mistakes, someone doesn't know that they are mistakes until it's too late.

"You're right Anna, it was selfish of me and I hurt you so terribly. I promise I'll never keep anything important from you again-no secrets. Those only get us in trouble."

Anna balked and laughed somewhat bitterly. "They get you in trouble. This isn't your second time doing this Els- it's a bad habit of yours that you need to break before you or someone we care about gets hurt. Which is basically the same thing since you getting hurt would hurt m-" Anna's words died as she finally let loose her sobs. She didn't move away this time allowing Elsa to wrap her arms around her neck pulling her in tightly.

Gods, she couldn't believe how she had been so foolish and have no foresight.

"I'm so sorry Anna." Composed Anna sat up accepting the ice handkerchief to blow her nose rather loudly.

Elsa winced when it was handed back to her but said nothing except a quiet. "Oh? Thanks."

"I know you're sorry, you said that already. I... I forgive you, but we should go speak with Mattias and the guards about our unexpected guest for the summit." Elsa would have entirely believed her had she still not sound so... Despaired.

"Anna?" The queen glanced up from the floor questioningly before realizing so she takes her hands staring at them.

"Elsa, I forgive you but I'm still hurt. I just- I need time okay?" She could respect that, reluctantly Elsa nods and helps Anna to her feet. She's unsure if she should pull her hand away or not but Anna answers breaking the physical contact heading for the door.


Elsa submits to lay -very carefully- on Ryu's lap, so her impromptu head message could continue.

Curling her legs up, Elsa eventually, allows her full weight to relax. They both released breaths, closing their eyes. She must have dozed off before Ryu, since curious fingers continued to knead through her hair long after she had fallen asleep.

A light knock jerks her from making sense of the vague images forming into the early stages of a dream. Her hands as if caught slacking off duty continues petting Elsa.

Ryu's breathing became haggard to the point of hurting her stomach. She tried to still the urge to squirm as he entered. The scales along her arms raised pricking the sheets and pillows beneath her.

"Ah hello Miss... Ryu was it? My name is Destin Mattias, General of Arendellian Army." She had only ever heard him bark orders to his men to stop the Assassin...to shoot her.

Involuntarily, Ryu recalls the day she crawled from the depths to Arendelle's castle. It had to have been ranked the third worst day of her life which led to the best turn of events to have had happened to her. She glanced down to the still very tired Elsa then back to the man.

Still having not found her voice it falters. "Hai." Not much to go off, he seemed to be dealing with his own inner battle as she was.

Her own bitterness and guilt coiled around one another like venomous vipers fighting for dominance over Ryu's emotional state till their vile juices dripped in her brain, each drop playing a tit for tat.

She had destroyed parts of the castle- They shot her without abandon- she still couldn't remember who shot first- she injured their citizens- they chased her into the forest- before that though she had tried to kill them while they were just defending their home and people.

Guilt wins out pointing to that if Elsa had not been present Ryu would have growled at him, she would have reacted aggressively. No matter how much she tries to find any loop or alternative route that would have happened had the spirit not been peacefully snoozing atop her legs.

"I came to apologize for...the day you arrived here in Arendelle-" Oh God. She can't look at him. She just cannot meet his eyes!

As pathetic as it was she wishes Elsa were laying beside her instead of on top so she'd be able to bury her face in the extremely soft pillows provided for her.

"I swear we're much more welcoming to new visitors than that." He chuckles dryly ending it with a small smile.

Ryu nodded, knowing she wasn't deserving of this. She hadn't given anything to him except hostility and even worse was about to again when he entered.

"Thank you." Her wobbly whisper must have been the only invitation he needed to walk closer, careful of his steps and the volume of his presence to not arise Elsa.

"May I?" He gestures to the chair by her bed and sits when Ryu nods.

"She needed this. I've never seen her so tired." They both watch the steady rise of Elsa's slow breathing.

"Has she not been sleeping well?" Ryu asks.

"No, worrying about Anna- you." He sighs, sitting up straight, Ryu frowns, this is exactly what she didn't want, Elsa spending all her mental energy with concern of others when it should have been focused on herself.

"Speaking of worried friends-" Mattias reached gently in his military jacket where a now moving bulge was grasped.

Ryu's frown turned upsidedown as she reached her hand out. "Bruni!" She scream whispered letting the salamander jump onto her arm. "He's been weak like the other spirits but recovering well- so I let him hitch a ride."

His small feet tickled as he traveled up to her shoulders. Ryu giggled keeping her mouth closed so Bruni could climb along her face freely.

"The doctors say you'll be allowed to walk by tomorrow, albeit not great distances, strenuous activity is no." Ryu grunted in acknowledgement, he sounded like the parents she had seen in her travels, she had heard only drug induced whispers of her recovery and condition so his small update was welcomed.

"I've been in many battles and fights and never seen anyone recover from a stab wound to the liver that deep."

The dragon shrugged. "I've felt worse."

Mattias laughed a small bit at this. "And I've interrogated the man- he's a trained killer- hence title of assassin actually. Either you have a death wish or you're craz-

"I'm crazy." She interrupts a matter of factly.

He stood and headed for the door lingering a moment before leaving stating. "Then you'll fit right into Arendelle. Welcome."

The door closing drew grunt from Elsa who lifted her head a small bit- turning over- she snorts. "Gale cut it out I have thirty more minut-"

She really was tuckered, which was why Ryu felt bad for what she was about to do. Smirking at Bruni she leaned down and blew smoke into Elsa's face. Luckily she didn't rise instead sneezing, wiping her nose with her inner wrist in a very undignified manner.

Settled back down her arms hugged Ryu's legs, tucking in closer.

Her smirk melted into a fond grin.

Worth it.


Honeymaren used the full stride length of her legs as she, despite her superior height to Anna, had managed to walk a few places ahead of her down the dungeon corridor. The cells were practically empty save for a few misdemeanors and petty thieves that would be going free after their short sentences.

Yelana had agreed to keep a close eye on Elsa along with a few select guards, Kristoff would manage Georg Scherer and Thomas Weaselton, while they went down and interviewed the assassin.

Anna led the way left down another hallway, heels clicking against the stone floors, it was one of the few interior areas of the castle which still had stone flooring. Honeymaren guessed to intensify the discomfort of the wrongdoers who found themselves at the other side of the bars.

At the end of the hall a heavy wooden door with two soldiers standing sentry awaited them.

The guards bowed at the queen who spoke in the not so Anna manner. No- this strong and reputable woman dressed in a deep velvet burgundy gown, who took over when the situation called for was still Anna as much as the happy go plucky girl with pigtails and green summer dresses.

Honeymaren drew in closer to Anna's flank, her hand rested upon the sheathed staff at her waist.

The door was opened with a heavy groan as they filed in, the light of a torch crept up the walls and cobble until it touched the cloaked chained man who was watching sunset finish its final rounds on the mountains and fjord. His stance was much more casual than what his charges would have alluded to.

"Evening your Majesty-" he turned to them, bowing as best he could in cuffs. Honeymaren felt a surge of pride at the shiny knot his temple still sported from her staff. "And company."

"Evening, Julien." The knowledge of his name brought only a small bit of surprise.

"How may I be of service to you?" This wasn't what Honeymaren was anticipating at all, when she thought of an interrogation she was expecting it would have been a bit more like the books she and Elsa had read together.

Criminal tied to a chair in a room shouting sneers and curses as he refused to talk and was beaten red and blue by the guards or scorned lover.

Although the notion of beating this man who dared threaten Elsa's life upside the head with her staff again seemed very pleasant, she'd still treat this as serious of a matter as it deserved and then some.

"Of service to me?" Anna said blinking then began to pace tapping her chin. "Oh! Well I think that time is long since passed. If that was really your intentions then you could have been of service to me by not trying to murder my sister!" Her fist clenched at her sides.

"Hmph-" he did not move from his spot by the barred window. "Murder? No it was not murder but a cleansing."

"Cleansing?" Honeymaren accidentally questioned out loud.

"Indeed, no offense your majesty-"

Anna held up a halting palm, closing her eyes. "I'm going to stop you right there cause you're about to say something offensive, don't patronize me with flowering euphemisms, we are not colleagues, you are not my citizen and we sure as hell are not friends."

He grunted in what Honeymaren could have deciphered as a laugh, and she didn't care what Elsa or Kristoff said she loved this Anna, admired her really, it was a shame she usually only was this way in less than savory situations. And despite their differences of having the friendly competition for Elsa's affections they made an excellent team.

"Well then I won't flower my language your majesty but I will not abandoned decorum I stand by. We are not friends but you are not my query just someone who does not agree with it, for that I will not fault you, she is your sister after all."

"You have very impressive manners for a murderer." Honeymaren poured as much venom into the compliment as her throat would allow. She would tolerate this man's sick justification for killing, Elsa of all people!

"Thank you. It is a shame that Lady Elsa is not sinister by choice, but merely birth right. Based on her actions or what I've heard she does her best to do good but sadly that is not enough."

"Why!" Anna's sharp voice echoed through room traveling all the way up to the high ceiling. "All Elsa's ever done is good, she's most kind, honest, caring person I know. Hell I've seen her step on a roach then apologize to it!"

He was becoming more and more frustrated at their lack of understanding to his twisted ideals. "Yet she froze your heart-"

"By accident!"

"Yes, a human could kill his own brother by accident, maybe even his whole family. Or a young girl could doom her small kingdom to the living under the rule of tyrant. Accidents do happen-" he says, words leaking of implications.

"Yet, Elsa's 'accidents' seem a bit more prone to the cataclysmic detriment of things. Say she has an accident that leads to the death of thousands freezing over nations, causing famine, war."

Honeymaren placed her hand upon Anna's shoulders which shook with her building rage shooting her own narrowed eyes at his. "No matter how you attempt to manipulate the situation with hypotheticals you cannot justify killing an innocent woman."

"It takes no manipulation to see these hypotheticals coming to fruition. And we will not stand by allowing those theories to become some poor unfortunate souls' realities."

"We?" They spoke at the same time, leaving swiftly when a smile stretched at the man's lips.

Mattias met them at the door grasping both their shoulders. "He's not working alone, I mean we already knew that- but I need to find out the totaltily of this immediately."

"We will know by tomorrow morning your majesty, who all are involved in his schemes." The general said darkly entering the room with five more men.

Unlike the curious Honeymaren, Anna did not want to stick around for the extraction of information and swiftly made her way out of the dungeons.


"No Erusa! Nah uh!"

Yelana looked completely vexed with the droll taking place before her as Anna and Honeymaren entered Ryu's room after searching high and low for the Elsa. Considering she frequented the room even when Ryu was in a drugged stupor they felt a bit silly at not searching here first.

"What's going on?" Anna asked before the trio's eyes casted to her, Elsa tried to answer but Ryu grabbed the bottle off her nightstand tipped the spoon Elsa held content's into it.

She gasped, snatching it away holding it up to the dragon's clamped lips.

She turned her nose up at it closing her eyes as if that would make the medicine vanish.

"Oh please-" Elsa cooed. "You'll be in pain without it, now don't be stubborn and take it."

Ryu's lips barely opened still denying entrance. "I'd rather be in pain, the medicine makes me loopy eh!"

Elsa giggled. "You're already loopy."

Perhaps it was the nap that she needed since Elsa looked much more energetic and happy despite being very annoying according to Ryu.

"They've been at it for thirty minutes." Yelana complained, spectating as one would a sports event or play.

Anna even found herself laughing. When Elsa glanced back at her smiling shyly she returned it. She was still hurt they both knew it but seeing her sister kneeling on the bed trying inch the spoon closer claiming it was a bird and Ryu's mouth was its nest to entice her to give in...

Anna had to admit it was hard being mad at her when she was like this.

Bruni upon Elsa's shoulder chirped and she lent down her ear to him smirking. "Oh I agree Bruni-" her eyes slid over to Ryu. "She is that thing that you just said."

Honeymaren took her staff, extending and twirling it expertly while approaching the side of the bed.

"Want me to pry her mouth open while you pour it in?"

"I'd like to see you try." Ryu challenged through gritted teeth.

Sighing, Elsa's arms fell into her lap. "We may have to resort to that so standby." Her attention was once again on Bruni whispering to him as he gurgled. Unable to resist Ryu leaned forward uncrossing her arms.

"You know I can understand him better than anyone no?" Elsa shooed her away gently. "Shush this is special spirit speak you wouldn't understand- uhuh- Yea I know she used to be that but I'm at my wit's end since she isn't anymore."

"Used to be what?" Anna rolled her eyes. Elsa had many talents, but acting was not one of them, the fact that Ryu was slowly falli-

"Oh be a big brave dragon who would take her medicine."

Ryu became completely crestfallen pointing to her self with a limp index. "B-but I am." This claim was denied by Elsa and Honeymaren's shaking heads. The Northuldran joined them on the bed sitting sideways.

She raised her shoulders up. "Mm not one who takes her medicine though, you can take a stab to the stomach like a champion but turn into a complete baby with bitter taste."

Elsa dealt the finishing blow folding her hands together beneath her titled head. "Please-" she beguiled in a few octaves higher than usual. "For me."

"Oh come on!" Anna complained when Ryu slowly opened her mouth and plugged her nose. She doesn't know why but for some reason she was betting on Ryu not taking the bait, maybe because she knew they were totally playing the dragon for a fool.

Elsa worked quickly pouring the medicine and tipping it into Ryu's mouth.

She swallowed and gagged at the flavor tongue hanging out.

Unprepared for Elsa to play dirty and sneak a second dose in there Ryu made a larger fuss then when the doctor had cut her open with a scalpel.

It was a dramatic death she enacted but entertaining at least.

"Gah! Goo guh! Gaaaaah!" Elsa got up, reached in a box sitting on the nightstand and casually popped a white chocolate truffle into Ryu's gaping maw shutting her up instantly.

Her chews were at first cautious but became more enthusiastic humming at the yummy treat. After distributing pieces to Yelana, Anna, and Honeymaren, she gave the last one in her palm to herself.

Ryu opened her mouth once more extra wide but Elsa gripped her chin and clamped it shut audibly.

"You get more when you take your medicine."

"Mm so will I-" Anna mused nodding. "I'll take a spoonful if I have to."

She sat up despite Elsa's indications to rest and looked outside rather than clock. "When will that be eh?" Her words had already began slurring.

Elsa hummed thinking, she laid the blanket on the dragon who untucked her hands clasping the edges. "About twelve hours."

"I get the chocolate yah?"

"Ooh well that depends will you take your medicine?"

Ryu smiled and nodded. "Hai!" Elsa grinned. That was a yes if she ever heard one.

Anna's brows knitted together when Elsa bent down towards Ryu's hair but then quickly straightened clearing her throat.

With the lights dimmed they moved to exit when she shot upright in bed. "You're going to stay Erusa?"

Elsa was half way out the door. "Yes I'll be right there." She called back. Then gave an impish look to her friends wringing her hands together. "She doesn't like the medicine's side effects and asked me to stay with her tonight."

"Just don't stay up too late." Anna warned, Yelana had already bid them a goodnight.

"And don't worry about coming to wake me if you need me to pry open her jaws." Honeymaren waved as she took her leave.

"Thanks-" Elsa said grinning it died a little when her and Anna's eyes lingered, before Anna nervously waved. "Night!" And raced off.

"Goodnight Anna."

Elsa closed the door with both hands so not to disturb the snoring Ryu. Her rhonchus noises reminded Elsa of piglets she had heard befor-

She jumped back clutching her chest when a snarle-gurgle ripped from the small girl's nose. Or sometimes the hogs.

Grabbing the book she had brought in on previous visits Elsa looked up and eyed the box of sweets which Bruni fell asleep beside.

Her stealth proved fruitless in retrieving the candy when Ryu snorted half awake.

"I want one." The hand she weakly batted towards Elsa fell back down when the medicine proved too powerful for her to overcome.

She wanted to sit on the bed, and had been just minutes before, but something about the silent stillness of the room or the darkness of dimly lit candles made Elsa feel like it would have been inappropriate.

She shook her head- It wasn't as if they were spending the night together- and it was only Inappropriate if she made it inappropriate.

Settling down on the left side Elsa reclined back onto a spare pillow opening up to her book mark.

After about eight minutes she found herself reading the same two sentences over and over again. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner was too disruptive all of the sudden and she was unconsciously timing it with the heart beat she heard in her ears.

Slowly, her eyes trailed over the top of her novel, across the white sheets and onto the back of Ryu's head.

As if the bed was too soft the dragon turned over restlessly grumbling.

Elsa began counting the freckles on her light brown skin, it was slightly difficult since they sometimes clustered together so tightly.

Eighteen, nineteen, twenty-

Elsa slid a curl that was blocking her view out of the way. She pressed it between her thumb and index manuevering the tresse in small circles. It wasn't necessarily soft but felt different... There was something uncanny about her face that alerted others that she wasn't human just mimicking. Elsa however couldn't pinpoint what it was that eluded to such illusions.

Her nose was small, and eyes large, maybe too large? Or perhaps it was simply that she was not human and a pure being of magic. Kind of ethereal, if she was of impressive size that could have maybe gave it away but she wasn't. Her dragon body wasn't as big as Elsa would have guessed or had seen depictions of, maybe the same translated in this form as well? She wasn't a large dragon so she wasn't a large human. She'd know when Grand Pabbie and Bulda came to visit.

They had at least seen other dragons before.

Her attention grazed downward to Ryu's lips wondering why. She found the reason and had to stifle a giggle.

One of Ryu's fangs had been jutting out of her mouth in a goofy expression. Without a second thought Elsa's thumb gently pulled it free.

A visibly cool breath fogged the air in front of her as she pressed her index finger to trace the pliable skin of Ryu's lips- they were soft, somewhat chapped from her mouth breathing but gave way to the light pressure Elsa exuded upon them nonetheless. She watched with rapt fascination as she moved along them, once- twice- thrice.

Startled by the pink tongue that lazily darted out to moisten the lips pursing them, she yanked her arm back staring on before turning forward clutching her book in a white knuckle grip, whispering in adrenaline and confusion.

"Okay I made it inappropriate..."