Kristoff's face felt numb from the constant rubbing of his hands which smelt of ink. His head ached from dealing with the organization of the tours for Lord Weselton and Mr. Scherer- what a fine bunch they turned out to be.

Thomas was no different than all the other gregarious dignitaries and royals who came to Arendelle bright eyed and curious, if not a little annoying but he couldn't blame them. Outside of being hyperbolic Arendelle was a magical place, one of the few nations left that openly had magical properties. The Lord as far as he had seen was generally harmless; liked pretty women, drinking, and adventures.

Scherer... He was another type entirely, tongue as sharp as his wit, bold, presumptuous, really. He made not just other residents and staff of the castle uncomfortable but also Elsa and Anna as well.

Unlike the rest of the council who still doubted their queen based off her actions six years ago he learned that Anna, when thinking clearly had an impeccable judge of character albeit she did not always trust this intuition and ignored it at times possibly due to doubt she had of herself or the impartial instinct to not assume the worst in people he wasn't sure.

A knocking on the door did not draw his eyes up from the plans he was pouring over, nor did he look to see who entered already knowing based on the strong scent of sandalwood invading his nostrils.

"Peterssen- didn't we send you away on vacation?" He gave the lord a stern look, the playful haze only shining in his eyes. The man in return mockingly wilted.

He was of short height, average build, with a roundish nose and symmetrical face many consider welcoming.

He opened his mouth to speak quickly darting his eyes around the room then spoke in the same eccentric way he always did.

"Ah yes your majesty-"

"Kristoff-"

"Kristoff- right well- umm I was of course fulfilling my duty to the crown's orders to relax umm- however..." Eyes deliberately trailed up from the desk to Kristoff's face, smiling tight lipped. "I couldn't help but over hear rumours about the capitol being in a bit of trouble, word of an attack um- dragons setting fires to things-"

The man trailed off when Kristoff pinched the bridge of nose releasing a deep exhale. Of course rumours were to be spread it's what people did one of the traits he found most exhausting about society.

"How did people react to these rumors? Do you know?" Peterssen thought for a moment deeply, folding his arms and lifting one hand from clutching his elbow he replied.

"Most seemed dubious at least about the dragon portion, I guess people can only suspend their belief but so far." He said it as if it was a foolish notion and it was, in a world where princesses turned to solid ice and back again, and other royals could shoot ice, and rocks could come alive before your very eyes dragons seemed the most believable on the list.

Kristoff leaned back and huffed in dry humour. "And you just came running back huh? Couldn't relax even if your life depended on it." The Lord smiled at this.

His appearance of being a worldly man, with curly brown hair and lucrative ways of living a private unmarried life, had gained him the reputation of a respectable rake but the royal family knew he was anything but, his eyes were warm, deep green, reminding those even during the winter months of the blooming grass hills, and his presentation of himself was that of humility and dignity. Even his wardrobe reflected Kristoff's dark brown trousers, simple green shirt and purple sash at his waist, though Tobias wore a burgundy shirt topped with a black vest, pants akin to Kristoff's and a mustard silken waist sash.

His father, Lord Tobias Peterssen I, had worked for the royal family and proved to be a considerable asset training Elsa for her reign as well as serving as regent for the kingdom till her coronation. He promptly left the capital to focus on his family. It was when he passed that his son, Tobias II stepped up to his father's position as Viceroy for the new Queen Anna, while his younger brother was being trained to inherit the title as Duke of Harmon, a smaller duchy some miles away from Arendelle's main town.

Tobias grinned lightly. "Well I could either have stayed in Harmon and twiddled my thumbs and worry over cups of tea and laks, pressing my ear towards any hint of gossip that may or may not be true-" Then gave a little shrug. "Or I could come back and be of some use to my queen and king."

He paused briefly in case Kristoff wanted to say something, anything, and then when he did not and continued to stare, said, "I apologize for indirectly disobeying, I am not ungrateful for the time off- really I'm not- I enjoyed time with my brother and mother really I did it's just-" by now Kristoff was already standing leaning against the front of his desk shaking his head.

"Are you really apologizing for cutting your holiday short and coming to help us Tobias?" The viceroy had no response to that even though the proper answer would have been yes, yes had.

"Come on I'm sure Anna will be super glad to have you back." He clapped the man's shoulders and ushered him out the room. Kristoff gave a briefing on the situation while Tobias remained quiet.

"Have you spoken to Mattias yet?" He asked as they sped walked down the hall.

"I did though he also suggested I speak to you and the queen as well, things seem to be a bit messy." He ended in a hush.

Grabbing the door knob Kristoff shook his head mumbling. "You have no idea."

Entering Anna's study her eyes locked at first with Kristoff's. "Kristoff I was just about to come get you this is urg-" then they widened at the sight of who accompanied him.

"Tobes?" Her voice was laced in both shock and hiking in octaves as she quickly abandoned her previous thoughts and papers scattered about to walk around the desk to hug him so tight he grunted at the effort but gently returned it. Punctilios be damned.

Pulling away her brows furrowed despite the grin not leaving her face. "I thought you were on holiday." She looked between the men.

Tobias wagged a finger. "You know you are the-" he thought for a moment. "Fifth person to say that- anymore inquiries and I'll begin to believe I haven't been missed." Their smiles grew as Anna pffted at that shooing away the thought with a wave of her hand.

"You said you had something urgent to share?" Kristoff said, nodding Anna waved both of them over to her desk and showed a list of names in sections from the harbor.

Looking up so abruptly that they thought her neck would snap she spoke rather quickly. "Have you been updated on everything that's going on?"

"Yes and no, I was given a short summary from Mattias, and a slightly less vague briefing from Kristoff so I saved asking the details till I spoke to you." Anna's lips flatly curved to the side as she blinked at Kristoff slowly.

He offered his palm. "I gave him the important cliff notes cause I am not so skilled with the other-" he twirled his finger rapidly looking for the right word. "Stuff- as you are."

Anna casted a remorseful look to Tobias. "It's true." She beamed at Kristoff resting her chin in her hands. "What would you do without me?"

"Probably be somewhere cold, lost, without a purpose... A virgin." Kristoff lamented making Anna guffaw, Tobias suppressed his amusement lowering his head to swallow his own laughter.


Having Tobias back during such a vexing time gave some comfort to Anna. Sure she had an amazing support system from everyone in her life, Tobias filled the gap her inner circle had been lacking: Elsa had experience as queen and training but she wasn't as worldly and socially experienced. Kristoff was pragmatic and wickedly smart, still the life of royalty sometimes left him floundering and despite having come a long way he still had some adjusting to do. Kaia, Gerda, and Mattias were the most experienced and wise out of all of them, however their age differences did tend to show in their traditional ways and with other duties Anna felt bad for burdening them with issues outside of their job descriptions.

Tobias had experience at court and other courts outside of Arendelle, he was sensible and offered impeccable political advice, and still was not pushy like some other council members, just a year older than Anna put them on some even ground.

With Kristoff seated on the couch, Anna on his lap allowing her husband to draw patterns into her back as she went over the past week events and Tobias sitting across from them in an armchair clutching his teacup listening intently he was soon caught up. Some parts were much more disturbing than others, he even had to cast a hand across his chest during the bit when Elsa had nearly been shot dead.

"Now onto what I discovered- well actually Mattias- well actually the harbor master but-anyways." She waved her hand and got up to retrieve the leather bound book and dropped it on the low center table with a thud making Kristoff jump.

Kneeling she opened it up and angled it so they all could view the contents.

"Mattias had a long discussion with the harbor master and apparently there are some names missing from the Ruskland ship, well no not missing just unaccounted for. Since the docking laws require keeping a head count of all the names of the passengers for events, safety, and health regulations." Kristoff was tempted to interrupt since he learned of this already when he visited the docks a few days ago, but he let Anna continue on.

"Sure I mean none of the names are Julien-the assassin I told you about earlier." She looked to Tobias who nodded. Anna rubbed down her hand and back over her fingers repeatedly.

"But I mean that's why alias' exist."

"Well if this Georg Scherer is as undesirable as you say-"

"Creepy." Anna confirmed.

"Yes, this will have to be handled with utmost caution."

"You're right-" Kristoff agreed. "I'm sure someone had to have seen the ships docking. I'll tell Mattias his men have a new quarry."

Anna stayed silent then abruptly sprung to her feet. "We're going to dinner with Scherer." She declared confusing her audience.

"I thought the plan was to hide in our study till late tonight with the excuse of planning Scherer and Weselton's tours in Northuldra."

"I just had an idea, we tell Scherer about the missing passengers."

"What?" Kristoff and Tobias said simultaneously.

Standing Kristoff grabbed Anna's arms with very concerned eyes.

"Is that a good idea? We promised to keep this between only a few people and Scherer definitely wasn't on that list." Kristoff would have rather confided in the talkative Thomas than that man.

"We can use ignorance as our best asset. We'll pretend to only be concerned about them because of the harbor master and see how he reacts."

Kristoff was still dubious to this fork being thrown into the plan. "You've seen the man haven't you, I'm pretty sure if his hand were to be cut off he wouldn't even blink."

"Yes but he does have micro aggressions and slight tells, everyone does!"

"Okay what are they?"

Opening and closing her mouth thrice Anna raised a finger. "That I am... Not sure of but we can find out tonight. It will be our test run. We work him out a bit then when the moment is right boom!" She slammed her fist into her palm rendering Kristoff speechless.

"This idea is crazy." He deadpanned.

"No more than my other ones."

He drew closer a smile forming. "You're crazy."

"No more than my other ones. Wait what?"

"What?"

Instead of answering Anna pulled him in for a sweet kiss, relishing the way his arms wrapped around her lower back. His strong body just as sturdy as his support she leaned on. She almost deepened the embrace when they both remember Tobias.

He was still sitting politely, tapping his legs, brows raised, adeptly examining his teacup.

"If this goes wrong..." Anna bemoaned but Kristoff pulled her worrying hands away from squeezing themselves.

"Hey-" he called gently drawing her to look up at him. "I got you." He stated tucking a loose cooper lock behind her ear.

"You gonna join us?" Anna asks turning to Tobias keeping her hand on Kristoff's arm.

Tobias looked to her blinking rapidly. "For dinner or the kiss?"

"Take your pick." Kristoff quipped painting a blush to the man's face.

"I consider myself a rather... monogamous creature by heart so despite my own reluctance I chose the former." He ended with a warm grin.


Elsa was convinced her stomach and its contents were left on the ground far below them. The reservation of hurting Ryu by pulling her mane too tightly was put aside.

Honeymaren was faring no better, switching back and forth from squeezing Ryu to Elsa's midsection. The incline was the most daunting. Elsa clutched her legs tightly around Ryu's shoulders only lessening the tension in her hold when they straightened out.

She released a held in breath looking about the sky with wonder. A shot of endorphins ran rampant through her body drawing out a bubbling laugh. The reason for this whole trip temporarily forgotten in favor of the idea that no human had ever been this high up before, no one else had ever witnessed the views they were seeing. Her vision had already adjusted to the high winds, she wiped the constant tears pouring from her eyes.

She looked behind them to see trident like tail moving accordingly with their directions.

"Ryu this is amazing!" Ryu screeched in response dipping to the left. Experimentally Elsa copied the movement with her own body.

"You're amazing! Ryu thi-" she glanced back again over her shoulder. "Honeymaren open your eyes."

"No! This is nothing like riding Erin!"

"You'll like it." Inspired by the promise Honeymaren squinted her eyes open keeping her face pressed against Elsa's shoulder blade. Feeling a bit more adventurous she pulled away but the first thing she did was look down.

"Ahh!"

Elsa giggled. "Why would you do that!" But she found herself doing the same seeing the almost microscopic trees and mountains below, it seemed Ryu was taking the scenic route. Her head snapped forward immediately though as she gulped closing her legs tighter once more.

There was a turbulence whenever Ryu flapped her wings. Looking down at the dragon's much jovial expression Elsa grinned spreading her arms only grabbing on when Ryu became much more cavalier in her maneuvers. Elsa created a few flurries throwing them in the air. Ryu caught some on her large tongue then roared into the air, blasting a burst of flames beneath them in excitement. How long has it been since she had been able to fly?

It made Elsa almost regret telling her she couldn't yesterday, witnessing how much happiness it brought her. Elsa could tell the dragon was holding back with both speed and agility. It was what she was meant to do, what she was built to do.

And despite not having wings of her own Elsa believed a part of her was meant for the air as well.

Reaching out to the clouds they wisped passed Elsa's fingers, they were somewhat wet and reminiscent of fog. She was probably the first ever to touch a cloud in past hundreds of years.

Wait till Anna hears about this.

Oh how Elsa would have loved it if her sister were here to experience this-this absolute splendor.

Thankfully for Honeymaren Ryu brought them to descent at a much slower pace, their stomachs twisted in an unnatural manner. Elsa leaned back into Honeymaren titling her lower body forward and up to match angles with Ryu and keep her and Honeymaren balanced.


When they began to hover. Some of the Northuldra warriors were a bit alarmed at the sight till they saw Elsa and Honeymaren wave them down.

Ryu hovered a bit longer than what was needed weary of the men and their staffs and spears, Elsa rubbed her tendrils easing her temper.

Landing in the sand with a slight crouch she shook her scales and mane out knocking the women down in very ungraceful slides to the ground, luckily they caught themselves.

With her hand on her chest Honeymaren patted Ryu's flank. "Whew thanks for the ride I never... It was wow." She ended in a chuckle.

Ryu chuffed and did a swift once over of Elsa who rubbed along her neck.

The men approached slowly nodding to them. The adrenaline wore off when the reasons why they had come shifted the air mixing in with the salt of the small waves.

Ryu flattened her ears and dipped her head as they followed the men to a rocky overpass.

She watched Elsa take a deep breath steeling herself before moving forward. Honeymaren gripped her hand firmly.

Ryu lagged behind glancing over her shoulder, should she leave? Make herself scarce? Were they better off without her?

Maybe, but this was an opportunity to not run away from her actions and consequences as she had always done.

Elsa and Honeymaren gasped covering their mouths at the sight of the rotten corpse in tattered clothes.

His grey flesh had been torn into, body mangled, the injuries she inflicted upon him were unrecognizable among the others.

At first Ryu had been tempted, seeing Elsa turn away with watery eyes, to state she hadn't mauled him like this, it had to have been animals but...

She might as well have, this was her fault and no amount of deflection would change that.

"You said there were others." Honeymaren questioned when Elsa walked away. She hadn't spared any glances to Ryu. Though part of her wished Elsa had, it was better this way.

"Yes one more, he is... Over there." The man led them over to were a cluster of sharp rocks pointed out of the water, Honeymaren used her staff to lean over, his body was charred blackened, scent of decay and death clung to the air refusing to disperse. Snow began to fall on the beach. Ryu welcomed the cool flakes upon her scales, imagining it was Elsa's touch forgiving her for her sins even the ones she committed before coming to Arendelle.

"Elsa go home, I'll handle this." Honeymaren whispered clutching her hand. Elsa shook her head.

"Anything else?" Her voice quivered.

"Yes their weapons, a few guns and swords."

"Let's see them." Honeymaren said. The weapons were put in a pile, she picked up a sword weighing it in her hand she looked to Elsa for answers. She took it examining the slightly curved blade and gold gilded pummel.

"This is a shashka- mostly used in Ruskland territories." Oh god.

Elsa's face flushed and neck tightened. Honeymaren's face tried its best to mask her fury at the implication.

Ryu sat low on her haunches wrapping her tail tightly around herself.

"I don't really know much of guns I'm afraid." Elsa said eyeing them on the ground. She had never even held one before.

They continued discussing the findings with the others till eventually Ryu could no longer take the sadness clouding Elsa's once bright eyes.

They had a ride back to Elsa's home judging by the carts led by reindeer parked higher up on the grassy banks, quietly she slipped away into the forest.


She warned Elsa, she warned her of what she was! Why didn't the woman believe her!

Arendelle was the best thing that had happened to Ryu and just like all other good things in her life she had to ruin it. The actions of the ones who raised her were starting to make sense. As a chick she thought them to be just mean and maybe wrong about what she was. Things would have been much more simple if she had just listened.

The young dragon chick couldn't help but smile at the stoic nod gifted to her by Lord Izanagi who stood observing on the balcony. Her chest heaved from exertion and muscles ached, all signals she had pushed herself. She bowed to her teacher then to Lord Izanagi. The man turned and went back inside.

She could take this as one sign...

Progress.

Dismissed she too went inside to find an empty rec room and stretched wincing when a bruise or torn muscle was tested too much against the movement.

"You have been summoned to lady Izanami chambers." The small voice startled Ryu, she turned faster than what her body would have liked creating a burning sensation in her neck. The girl paid no heed to her discomfort and kept a good distance between them, her delicate pale face remained unchanged. Her movement matched Ryu's in maintaining a space between them. Lady Izanami's handmaidens were the most apprehensive of the strange little creature possibly from the hearings of their mistress. According to them the dragon was unpredictable, wild, and flighty who had a tendency to bite on her first few years in spite of discipline.

Wincing Ryu stood, the pain in her neck was forgotten in favor of the knots forming in her stomach. Breathing became a difficult task, a task she would have to perfect on the walk to the other side of the large Estate.

Her mind would not stop drawing up possible conclusions for the summons all of which psyched up her anxieties.

Glancing at the maiden walking in an elegant yet swift manner ahead Ryu thought it best to distract herself with anything and everything her vision could absorb, from the beautiful floral trees decorating the handmaiden's yellow kimono that were accentuated by the lanterns reflecting off the red and tan walls, to her delicate hair wrapped around itself and pinned up by the glass Kerria. It made Ryu jealous when she would watch the shogun's harem giggle and gossip in the gardens braiding and decorating each other's hair. They were always so pretty and sophisticated. Ryu wasn't quite sure what they're purpose was but they did keep lord and lady company at times.

The longing to be apart of the harem grew the more her eyes soaked in the details of the woman in front so she turned her attention to the side while keeping pace to the art decorating the walls. She had seen them all throughout her life and thanks to Susanoo knew the stories of every single painting even the intricate ones decorating the display vases.

A small grin began to form, yes she could think of him on the way there till every ounce of her concentrations would have to be geared towards how she conducted herself.

Like the times he'd sneak her out to the forest for their flying lessons or the way he'd slip her his Yakimono and Mizumono during meals, or teach her how to read and write.

Sneaking around together took up pretty much all their time.

Facing the shoji covered with colorful depictions of beautiful women dancing atop of waves felt like a gamble, a gamble one did not want to take part of but must. Ryu could hear muffled sounds of the shakuhachis being played accompanying the harps.

The doors slid open casting the light upon Ryu's face. Squinting her irises entered a state of Miosis, the woman who retrieved her returned amongst her peers who were kneeling upon pillows here and there around a purple long couch which seated Lady Izanami. Ryu fell into a bow touching her forehead to the ground.

A smile began to grow across the lady's red lips when she spoke in a smooth voice some considered a gift stating she was the closest example to a celestial. "There you are." Her words dangled like shiny lures to fish that was Ryu.

"Come." Robotically Ryu rose to her feet and approached, some of the handmaidens shuffled out of her way taking residency in a new area of the room. Ryu's nostrils flared as a, rich, smokey, and sweet fragrance filled her nose.

Nothing went unnoticed by the lady who held out her hand to be passed the incense burner. "Do you like it? I know you do-" her voice was haughty, almost teasing in a way as Ryu gulped more of the spicy scent.

"I had this imported just for you all the way from Sumatra." A few beats of a moment passed before Ryu bowed again.

Izanami watched her and after handing the incense off to someone folded her hands upon her lap. "Did your teacher cut out your tongue as well?"

"Thank you, my Lady." It was her favorite name to be called by Ryu on some occasions and judging by her mood today it seemed now was one of those times.

"Well since you enjoy it so much you'll bathe in it, I had a warm bath prepared for you-" reaching out her hand pulled aside the collar of Ryu's grey Keikogi, running a single finger along her scales.

"Was I wrong? Do you not enjoy the scent of Amber?" Ryu counted the golden stenciled stars that trailed along the lady's purple gown.

"You are right, I do, my lady." From her shoulder a hand rested atop Ryu's hair clutching her head firmly, it stayed there for two minutes until the hand traveled down to her chin lifting her face to her mistress'.

"You like my gown?" Ryu stared at an empty space behind Izanami's shoulders.

"Yes my lady. It's beautiful."

"I knew you would, that is why I decided to wear it for you this evening, since you will be in my company and in my company you shall stay." That familiar fog which clouded her mind in confusion returned steadily with the gentle strokes upon her chin from Izanami's thumb. It was one of her games, for a time she'd treat Ryu's opinion with the utmost consideration, what could be called doting. Then other days said opinion was forbidden from being voiced, for according to Izanami it no longer existed.

If there was a food or smell Ryu hated then her lady would watch her consume them telling others how much Ryu loved them.

If Izanami said Ryu enjoyed it then she enjoyed it.

Ryu's opinions mattered when Izanami said it mattered.

The lady of the house had many moods she conducted herself in but this one was the most dangerous Ryu had learned.

She was being forced to traverse a huge canyon across a tight rope as a hazy mist shrouded the entire way to the other side. The only hope she'd have would be to keep balance as best she could and assume the path was straightforward but knowing her luck it most likely wasn't.

She wasn't sure how long she had been walking but it was long enough to bring her to a cliff side with just the sea as the view.


What was she doing?

Running.

Breaking another promise.

Was it worth it? Continuing the cycle until Susanoo caught up and ended her. He had lost her thanks to traveling by water, he most likely would never find her again.

The very idea of him finding this place, telling his mother...

Ryu shuddered and knew now for sure that Elsa was unlike any person she had ever encountered. A being of pure kindness and light. They had called her the Dragen Lys but that title seemed more befitting to Elsa who wasn't even a dragon. Her sweet nature held no secrets it was just as it was. No lies.

Ryu gazed out to the horizon. She wasn't worthy of a place such as Arendelle, it deserved better than a coward. The people were good, the nature beautiful and magic precious.

So Ryu made a new promise, not to herself or another person but the land itself.

And if she broke it, then she was sure her soul was certainly damned.


"I already sent word to Anna, and the burial arrangements are already made. I have time."

Bulda sighed exasperated as Elsa rushed from the inside of her cottage, Bruni jumped from a beam onto her hair.

"She probably just needs space right now don't you think sweetie? Besides is it wise to be traveling alone while those vagrants are still out there?" Bulda offered but Elsa shook her head no.

"I know what she's going through better than anyone isolation is the last thing she needs, I can't risk her running off thinking she's some kind of monster all because she was trying to protect me." There was no point in arguing with Elsa who was bristled towards the trolls that stood helpless in her front garden.

Grand Pabbie gripped his staff leaning against it. "I do agree to some extent Elsa, Ryu may be contemplating leaving but it will be very difficult for her to do such."

Elsa narrowed her eyes at the elder troll. "How do you know?"

"She has taken a responsibility to you."

Elsa's eyes widened causing Grand Pabbie to chuckle.

"I saw it earlier during our first meeting, dragons as a people especially those of the west protect their own." He waved her off though. "Go and find her for your own sake but she'll be back."

Elsa's gaze softened when Olaf emerged from behind the cottage with a basket full of cucumbers.

"Elsa! Where's Ryu? I picked some cucumbers for you to try in an Italian dish I read about, I memorized the recipe." He chortled. "Well most of it."

Elsa knelt down to him kissing his head. "I'm sure we'll love it, I just got to go get Ryu for dinner okay?" He nodded and waved as Elsa set off.

After walking for thirty minutes she puffed out her cheeks then held out a hand for Bruni to jump upon.

"Do you know where the others are?" Bruni looked about then shrugged which Elsa copied pursing her lips.

She tried to trail the most logical path for Ryu to have followed. Though her legs grew tired after walking for an hour and a half she kept on. The culpability of what she had put ryu through weighed her down some.

She refused to stand idle and allow her friend to punish herself merely for wanting to protect those she cared about, Elsa had been the reason she killed in the first place.

"Ryu!" She called passed cupped hands into the forest. Her calls echoed into nothing.


Ryu lazily wagged her tail as she remained perched up watching Elsa nearly trip over an above ground root.

A force nudged her shoulder, she snapped her jaws at the Earth's giant's finger and was bonked on the head in consequence. She shook away the stinging sensation.

Huffing she stood and pounced off of the rock giant's knee and made her way toward Elsa.


"It's not the first time you know." Elsa's magic shimmered in her palms she held up in defense but quickly lowered them at the sight of Ryu finishing her change. Reflexively Elsa looked away and coated her in a white dress. Bruni jumped down and climbed up to her shoulder. She grinned at him and rubbed his head cooing. "Allo little boy."

"I was worried about you." Elsa stated but Ryu continued her previous thought.

"It is not even the second time I have killed but it is the first time the people were deserve- they deserved it." She still refused to look at Elsa instead just watching Bruni crawl along the forest floor.

"I- I won't say that I agree with the choice you made but I do understand." Ryu smiled sorrowfully in her direction.

"I don't believe anyone is deserving of death, it's a right we all share no matter class or rank or race." It was a face of disbelief Ryu made to the statement.

"If someone's life doesn't matter then no one's does and that is unequivocally not true." Ryu wisely made no reply until she was ready.

"I did not feel sorry about killing them, I would have not preferred-eh to but it was you I felt bad about." Elsa neck muscles tightened making swallowing at the moment difficult.

"It's a difficult decision I know, some people have to make it. I hate that I drove you to such a choice."

Ryu shrugged then smiled bitterly. "I know the feeling no, the type of guilt that uh you have when someone does something horrible for your sake or behalf-" now Elsa drew closer intrigued and also scared of what her friend would say next.

"You did not even have choice, it was forced upon you." Elsa pulled Ryu into her embrace smoothing her hair back as she spoke into her shoulder.

"The worst is I know what you feel now and I'd still do it again." Ryu whispered. What could she say now? Ryu's ideals were not as easily moved as getting her to rise out of bed.

"Allow me to show you an alternative way, hmm?" Elsa pushed her away a small bit. "That was our deal wasn't it? That we share ourselves with each other. I've seen this side of you and I don't like it I won't lie, so now you'll see why I believe in what I believe and maybe you'll change your mind."

Blinking Ryu nodded and coughed away her emotions bottling them in a neat little glass. "Good." She said curtly lifting a thumb.

"Okay let's go." She scrunched her brows then asked where toward Bruni but he only pointed ahead with his tail.

Elsa's stare was wide and simple. "It's time for dinner." Ryu forced herself to exhale and followed her expression read as if she couldn't fathom that Elsa would still invite her to her table.


Later that night as they all ate no one had brought up what transpired and instead listened to the trolls speak of the time of dragons.

Grand Pabbie had slipped a scroll to Elsa regarding the Mikoto seal. She'd read it in private later.

They partook in a fun guessing game the trolls called 'Moss or Grass' where the opponents would have to guess what the person drew and put on their forehead based on the facts given to them. The trolls said goodnight and feeling much at home under the stars retired to the gardens while Elsa set up an ice bed to tuck Olaf into.

"I have a great idea, Ryu sing a song in Japanese."

"Oh yes why don't you?" Elsa chimed clapping her fingers together but Ryu shook her head.

"I cannot sing as good as some." Elsa didn't believe that for a second smirking at her, the girl practically sang whenever she spoke.

"I'm going to have to insist."

"Please." Olaf spoke softly placing his hand on her knee. Sighing Ryu closed her eyes and cleared her throat.

Both Olaf and Elsa snuggled together on the side of the small bed forming an audience.

Their smiles slowly died as Ryu began to sing what was maybe a lullaby?

"Remind me next time when she says something to take her word for it." Olaf whispered behind his hand. Elsa hid cringing as best she could when Ryu's voice cracked and stuttered on notes especially the high ones. The girl was completely tone deaf and the melody was definitely lost to her.

"Ta-da!" She bowed.

Elsa clapped her hands with a forced smile elbowing Olaf to follow along reluctantly.


Her eyes trailed over her notes to the corner of the couch where Ryu was curled up reading her fauna book resting her head on a closed fist. Subtly Elsa switched the papers out for her pencil and notebook and began sketching sneaking a glance to Ryu every now and then.

When she cleared her throat Ryu gave her attention.

"If whenever you get tired, you can always sleep here, or just rest or come here to socialize-" occasionally Elsa's eyes darted to her note book as she struck Ryu with a borage of smooth spoken albeit quick words.

Ryu grinned nodded to her. "Thank you Erusa."

Nearly a minute passed when Elsa drawled on.

"And eat here and bathe if you'd like and store anything you'd like and just relax here and sit here and take refuge from the rain or heat or cold or anything, anytime you want to." She spoke as casually as her voice would allow busying her adroit fingers.

The messaged had been received of what Elsa was insinuating with her generous offer.

Ryu left the cottage that night into the forest but instead of letting her nerves get the better of her Elsa washed the day away in a lovely room temperature bath and on her bed dressed in a white night gown poured over her research till she startled herself awake when her head lulled to the side too much for her unconscious' liking.

It sounded like knives being dragged across the wooden floor followed by heavy rhythmic thuds.

Elsa's eyes shot open at once hearing the sound, she watched a dark shadow pass beneath the crack of her door. The clock read at about twenty passed four in the morning.

It could have been from a horror story- the noises she heard- parents used to tell their children to coerce good behavior from them. Elsa chuckled tickling Bruni's back as he slept on her pillow.

"She's not a monster-" she whispered moreso to herself then Bruni. "Just a big gecko."


A strong wind outside told of Gale's presence some leaves and small debris pattered against the glass. Anna opened the window inviting Gale inside.

They flew in messing up Anna's plaited updo but she didn't mind any chuckling as papers flew about.

"Hey Gale, do you like it?" Anna show cased her autumn red and orange dress, down the sides of it were dented inward v shapes and the inside fabric sparkled. The wind examined her dress and blustered underneath it, Anna squeaked and pushed it back down and into place. They liked it.

"A joke for a letter?" The wind spun around Anna happy to oblige in their traditional exchange.

"Okay, I know what your favorite day of the week is..." Anna said with a cheesy grin. "Winds-day. "

Gale zipped in a tight circle.

Anna could never tell if the spirit was humouring her or actually enjoyed the jokes she traded. The letter dropped in her hand.

"Ahem totally came up with that one on my own-" Anna mused before reading over Elsa's message.

When finished she blinked a few times and stood in silence as if her body was filled with too many emotions and could not decide which to go with.

She puckered her lips. Her stare went to the door Kristoff opened door frowning at Anna's current frozen state.

Recovering she waved the letter, planting it in his hand. "Some call it foresight, I call it my 'Annatuition'."

Kristoff read the contents exhaling heavily. "What's your 'Annatuition' telling you now?"

With her shoulders straight and head held high Anna offered her arm to Kristoff which he took.

"It's dinner time."


Notes:
The names Izanami, Izanagi, and Susanoo belong to ancient Japanese deities with very interesting stories.

Kerriai is a yellow Japanese flower

Yakimono is a grilled food apart of a multiple course meal-kaiseki

Mizumono is either a cake, ice cream, special fruit or desert of kind apart of kaiseki

Shoji is a paper screen serving as a wall, partition, or sliding door.

Keikogi is a uniform worn for japanese martial arts training, it emerged in the 19th century but I'm taking liberties here.