A/N: Everybody welcome Lily to our happy OC family? Let's get to know her a little better, shall we? The timeline remains strong with this chapter and probably the next one. I know you're all eager about Hans and Elsa but this sequel also involves several of the brothers as well.

Chapter Three

Blind Ambitions

Harald took pause before a mirror in the hallway, straightening his uniform jacket and smoothing a rogue crease. His dinner company may have been blind, but that did not mean he could not conduct himself with pride. He had spent much of the day thinking of Lily, not willingly of course, but she just never seemed to leave his mind. Alrik did not give him much to go on about her, but then, Harald had not told him he was going to join the woman for a meal. He'd only said Lily was safely home, and Alrik had, after a moment, begrudgingly thanked him.

"Well, where are you off to?" Princess Anna appeared behind him in the mirror's reflection, smiling mischievously. "Are you seeing a girl?"

Harald's forehead creased in irritation from his thoughts being interrupted by the ever-peppy princess. Getting used to the talking snowman Elsa seemed to insist on keeping around was hard enough, but Harald had gone for a long time without a sister and was unused to the repercussions of having someone consistently nag him about his life. "Nowhere of your concern, princess."

Anna heaved an overzealous sigh, and crossed her arms over her chest in a pout. "I wish you would just call me Anna. You do it for Elsa. You're too serious."She exaggerated with a silly look of mock sincerity, pointing a finger at him and giving him a little poke in the side. "People will mistake you for a statue if you keep that up! You should smile once or twice a year."

"I'll take it under consideration." He went back to his preening, arching an eyebrow as he noted Anna opening a visor on a suit of armor guarding the hallway. She stuffed a sock inside it hurriedly. "What are you doing?"

"Relieving stress!" she chirped, hopping down. "Being a king is a tough job, so I like to keep him on his toes!"

Harald just stared incredulously. "By hiding his sock?"

"Hey, it makes him smile! Everyone likes a good treasure hunt!" she exclaimed, looking at his non-plussed expression. "Well, almost everyone."

"I see." Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he started shining his medals adorning his chest. Typically, he was skilled when it came to ignoring others, but Anna was practically breathing down his neck. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" he asked.

"Nope!" she replied, earning a glower. "Alright, alright, but just tell me this, is she attractive?"

"In a way." Harald replied, freezing over a second too late.

"Ah-hah! I knew it! You're going to see a girl!" Anna exclaimed. "I promise I won't tell if you spill all the details."

"How about I don't tell where you hid the king's sock?" Harald volleyed, raising his eyebrows.

"You won't tell, will you? Be a good sport!" Anna pleaded.

"If you did that in our castle, the retaliation would be your undergarments." Harald replied with a satisfied smirk.

"Alright, I won't ask any more. I only want to help you out. It's the duty of any good S.I.L. to help her B.I.L.," she quoted, solemnly placing a hand over her heart.

Harald waited, waving a hand to ask her to continue. "Elaborate?"

"Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, of course!" Anna exclaimed joyfully. "Everything is better in code!" She started to skip away, but took pause, turning back, pinching two fingers together. "Can I just offer one tiny suggestion?"

Harald sighed deeply in resignation. "I've a feeling you'll offer regardless of my wishes. Go on, then."

"Maybe you shouldn't wear the medals? I mean, don't get me wrong, medals are impressive and all, but you should let her see you without the décor. You don't wanna seem like a snob or anything."

Harald bit back his offended nature, taking her advice under consideration. She was a woman, after all, and probably a better judge of the fairer sex. Then again, Lily was blind, and what he wore would hardly make a difference In his opinion. "Your advice is noted… Anna."

Anna shrugged, skipping around the corner where she came to an abrupt halt, stealthily edging her head around to see him. Harald removed his jacket, staring at himself, then folded it gingerly over an arm. Anna smiled. "That's my B.I.L."

#

As the sun began to turn the sky a golden orange and the soldiers finished their training for the day, Harald excused himself from Alrik's side and started his walk to Lily's. He'd found nothing relating to the fire despite interviewing several soldiers on watch and the lack of results despaired him. He scratched his bare chest uneasily. He felt naked without his medals. It reminded him of when he'd just started out training in his father's army, a young, impetuous boy ready to stand out from his twelve brothers and make his father proud. He'd hoped at that time, in vain, that the pride may prove strong enough to wash away his guilt over his sister's death. He did his best to disregard such memories as he approached Lily's home and knocked.

"Come in!"

He obliged, stunned to see the table delicately set, and a few covered dishes of food in the middle. "You're early!" He turned to see her brandishing a carving knife, slicing a leg of meat with precision, her eyes looking his way. "Were you worried I'd eat it all or did you think I'd need help in my own kitchen?"

Harald had assumed the very thing, but Lily seemed ever ready to surprise him. "I'm still getting used to navigating here. I thought it best not to take chances." It was a lame excuse, and even she seemed to know it, but she indulged him.

"Please, sit down." She began to plate the meat on a fancy dish as he obeyed.

Harald took note of the designs on the stemware, tilting his wine glass. She was from good money, judging by her possessions. He surveyed the house next. The kitchen shelves were built of a dark stained wood, rare to see in common homes. Someone must have made them, or had them custom ordered. To his right, the house opened out into a study, with shelves of thick books. He couldn't see the titles, but they seemed to be thicker than children's books. What could she have wanted with books?

"Something wrong?" she asked with concern, noting his silence.

"No, just… looking at your books."

"Oh, they aren't mine," she answered quickly.

Harald felt the pang of an emotion he rarely felt. He thought it to be, oddly enough, regret, intertwined with disappointment to make quite the pungent mix. "Whose, then?"

"My father's," she replied, setting the meat on the table carefully, sitting down across from him.

The immense rush of relief he experienced was enough to make him sigh out loud. "Your father?"

"Here, please." She lifted the cover of the dishes, the steam wafting away to reveal broccoli and a thick, hearty soup, which carried an air of potatoes and chicken.

"Is he on business?" Harald was puzzled he'd not seen the man as he helped himself to the food, awkwardly pausing to see if she needed assistance in that department. When it seemed she had it under control, he continued, albeit slowly. It felt strange to be helping himself to the food when he'd usually had people to do that for him.

"No." He detected a hint of sadness behind her voice. "He passed away some time ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you." She stared down emptily at her plate, serving herself rather gracefully. Harald was sorry he'd ruined the first few moments of their dinner with such an unexpectedly depressing subject. To his surprise, she didn't leave it alone. "He would have liked you, I think."

"What makes you say that?" Harald questioned after he'd tested the meat. It was juicy, the flavors making his mouth water for more.

"You're determined. And you don't judge people right away, like most of the soldiers. If father were here, you'd already be promoted."

"Promoted?" Harald repeated between bites, especially careful not to speak with his mouth full, thanks to the years of etiquette beaten into him.

"My father was the late Captain of Arendelle," she explained.

Harald blinked in surprise. No wonder she had been taught so well in sword fighting. "What happened to him?" He knew, both from instinct and from the years of lessons in adolescent times, it was incredibly rude to press about such things, but Lily was growing more and more fascinating.

"Did you hear of King Agdar and Queen Idun? They were on an expedition when a storm hit and their ship was lost at sea."

"I remember hearing of it," Harald agreed. "An unfortunate loss."

"My father was with them. He insisted on it, as the Captain. He was very loyal."

Harald picked at his food, brow furrowed. "I'm sorry he had to pass that way."

"So am I." She slid her hand towards her glass, grasping for a gentle hold on the stem. She lifted the empty glass to her lips, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she set it down with a clink. "Would you care for any wine? I'm sorry, I forgot to pour it."

"Thank you, yes. I'll get it." Harald took the unopened bottle from the middle of the table, popping the cork with the corkscrew beside it. He leaned over and filled her glass first, then his own. "What of your mother? Is she with your father?"

"Yes. She passed away some time ago when I was very young. My father took care of me." She sipped her wine and tucked her hair behind her ear.

I wonder what Alrik means to her. Harald mused, making an affirmative noise in his throat. He decided to ask by way of teasing her. "And Alrik must be your brother."

She wrinkled her nose as if the wine had gone bad. "No." She set the glass down and fingered the base. "Alrik is… Well, you might call him my unofficial guardian."

"What does that mean?" Harald pressed.

"My father was his mentor. I've known Alrik since we were children, so I guess he thinks he's sworn to protect me, now that my father's gone… you didn't get to ask him about my training, did you?"

"I did." Harald had hoped he could wait longer before addressing the matter, but memories of his conversation with Alrik left him with little more than a burning frustration.

"She only wants access to practice, is that so much to ask? She's not asking for special treatment. Let her Improve her skill."

"And pretend what? That she'll be a soldier someday? That she's not in danger every moment she's there? Don't presume to tell me how to run my yard, and I won't presume you've lost your mind."

"He said no." Harald summarized simply, choosing not to elaborate.

Lily's brow furrowed and she blinked rapidly as she took a long drink of her wine. She tried to keep her voice from wavering when she spoke. "He can't stop me. I'm not helpless. I can fight like any of them."

"I know." Harald was nearly finished eating, and he felt so comfortable he hardly wanted to move. "And I wanted it for you, believe me." He was silent for a moment, and then interjected a sudden thought. " If he won't train you... maybe I can."

Lily just stared in his direction. "You would do that for me? But how?"

Harald dropped his gaze to his empty plate, guilt nagging at him. Yes, Lily was promising with her skill, and he wanted to help her, but he had promised Hans to deal with the fire, and family came first. "I don't know yet."

"But Alrik… He would never approve… And I don't want you to lose your position over it."

"That won't happen." Harald set his utensils gingerly aside, leaning back and savoring the full feeling in his stomach. He was enjoying dinner far more than he'd anticipated.

"You said you were new, where did you come from?" Lily asked, leaning forward, interest still sparkling in her otherwise vacant eyes.

Although hesitant to tell her the truth, Harald relented. "The Southern Isles."

"So far away!" Lily exclaimed in awe. "I'm sure you've heard of King Hans' recent crowning, then?"

"Oh yes." Harald said, smiling now. Somehow it felt so easy to do around her.

"What did you do there?"

Harald's smile spread wider in amusement. "I worked with the army."

She leaned forward on her elbows in a manner completely inconsistent with what Harald was accustomed to compared to his typical dinners. "I've heard it's beautiful there; tell me about it; is it bigger than Arendelle?"

Harald felt proud to talk about his homeland, especially since nobody here seemed remotely interested, much less supportive, of the Isles. He let his eyes glaze over as he pictured it. "At least twice as large. Right now, the ground will be blossoming with the spring flowers. The hills turn yellow from dandelions and other wild blooms. The woods begin to get lush in greenery, and it marks the beginning of hunting season for u-" he faltered, stunned back into the present by how close he'd come to revealing who he really was. He did his best to continue as if nothing had happened, passing it off with a feigned cough "- sorry, the royal family. It's not as mountainous as Arendelle, but the beach stretches all along the main inlet on one side, low enough for citizens to enjoy it. People seem to be very happy there."

"Were you?" Lily asked dreamily, trying to recall colors from her memories.

Harald should have responded immediately. Of course he was happy. He'd never considered it before, and his smile wavered as he dredged up a response. "I think of it often."

"This is probably going to seem a silly question, but... did you ever get to see the royal family?"

Harald's smile returned. "Actually, yes."

"How exciting," Lily half sighed in wistfulness. "I wonder what it's like, having so many siblings. I can't even remember how many there are in the Southern Isles lineage. Do you have any siblings of your own?"

Harald chuckled, a low, short sound to strangle his laughter. "I do, indeed. Twelve."

"No wonder you left home! Living with so many people!" Lily exclaimed, gathering her dishes and walking to the sink's side, setting them down. "But I have to admit, I'm a little jealous."

"Why?" Harald asked, getting his own dishes, a practice he was unused to, but wanted to do for her. He set them down by the sink as she began to speak amidst pumping water.

"When I was younger, and started to lose my eyesight, my father pressed me to read. He sought out every book he could find. I always loved fairy tales, loved reading about knights, princesses, and the royal family life. When I stopped being able to read myself, he did it for me. I suppose, if I had so many siblings, I'd still be able to read, in a way. I miss that. I used to pretend I was the knight in the stories. There were never any girl knights. I always wanted to meet the queen and king, but father kept me at home… I think things changed for him, for a lot of people, once the gates were closed."

"You know…" Harald began, looking towards Lily out of the corner of his eye. "If you like, I could arrange a meeting tomorrow between both King Hans and Queen Elsa. Perhaps to show respect to your father..."

"You would do that? But how? I-I couldn't!"she stammered, frantically tucking her hair behind her ear again. "What would I say to them? King Hans is so busy with other people, I'm sure. How would you be able to get an audience so easily?"

Harald shrugged casually. "He'll make time for me. It's what brothers do." The instant the words left his mouth, he realized what he'd said. And, judging by the way Lily was staring in his direction, so did she.

"Brothers?" she gasped out.

Harald felt his heart tighten and begin to race painfully. He felt as if he'd been caught stealing his father's cigars as he so often did when he was younger. "Lily, wait. I meant to tell you, really. I wasn't trying to hide anything."

"King Hans is your… then you're… you're a…p-prince?"

"Yes," Harald quietly relayed his title to her. "Prince Harald, Captain of the Southern Isles army, but does it matter so much what my title is?"

"Yes!" Lily exclaimed vehemently, her face red enough to rival the spotting of rouge on her cheeks. "I told you about wanting to be a real knight, and invited you to dinner, and thought you'd be impressed, and you, you didn't say anything! This whole time I asked you where you came from and I thought you were just a normal person!"

"I am normal." Harald felt his temper begin to rise, wrestling to keep it in check.

"No, you're not!" Lily argued, avoiding looking at him. "Something like that, it, it's not even close!"

Harald fired off the first words that came to his mouth, his brow furrowing. "If you're angry with me for not telling you, that's fine. But if you're angry because I'm a prince and you think that makes me somehow extraordinarily different, you really are blind."

Lily reeled as if the words were fists flying, then turned away from him forcefully. "Get out."

"Gladly."Harald got to his feet, swinging the door open and glancing back. "Thank you for having me over for dinner!" he snapped as he slammed the door behind him.

"You're welcome!" Lily shouted at the barricade between them. She remained still for a moment, listening for the sound of the door opening once more, but all she heard was the creaking of the house. Her heart was begging for the return of his company, but her mind was still replaying the argument. So, after she realized he was not coming back, she blinked back tears of frustration and left the dishes to sit, hugging her arms while swallowing a bitter pill of regret.

#

Harald found himself feeling inexplicably lonely as he wandered the darkened streets, illuminated only by lamplight on the spare corners. He examined himself in the reflection of a shop window. Taking off the jacket had been a bad idea. It'd brought him bad luck. Yes, he knew things about Lily, but what did it matter if she wanted nothing to do with him? He grunted, imagining how their night might have gone differently had he never slipped. Did they have dessert planned tonight? Would he offer to go for a walk? Was he growing too involved with her? Perhaps, but if he was, he wished it would go on. It probably would have if he'd not suddenly lost control of his temper. He wandered until he was in the vicinity of the pier and found himself staring blankly into the dark water, which seemed more like ink.

"Well, don't you look down in the mouth!" exclaimed someone nearby.

Harald glanced in the direction of the voice, eyelids springing open in surprise. "What are you doing here?" he exclaimed in disbelief.

"Is that the kind of greeting you give me after these past few months apart?" Heinrik retorted, waltzing out of the darkness a little clumsily, a feathered hat bobbing as he did so. "I was only noticing you don't seem quite yourself."

"Allow me to rephrase. What do you want?" he snapped, feeling irritated someone had caught him with his guard down.

"Ah, there you are, little brother!" Heinrik managed between a laugh, his eyes bright, hand holding an empty mug. "I come bearing good news, so stow yer venom or I'll make ye walk the plank!"

"News." Harald repeated, as if unconvinced. He could smell the drink on his brother, and his nose wrinkled in reaction.

"Yes, care to accompany me to the castle and deliver it? I was only just on the verge of discovering a new series of islands when father asked that I take a detour to share the message." Heinrik's smile seemed bright enough to shame the lamps amidst the darkness.

Harald studied his brother for a moment to ascertain his level of drunkenness. He was used to having to coddle his brothers when they overindulged at home, so it was no surprise to him. Heinrik seemed aware enough of his surroundings and the walk would do him some good. "Very well." He would get nothing accomplished feeling sorry for himself. The two of them began to walk together back to the castle, Heinrik's step much lighter and unpredictable than Harald's.

"So what are you doing here, anyway?" Heinrik slurred, cocking his head. "Hans' conoration should be over, right?"

"Coronation, yes. But not long after, the stables were burned with Sitron inside. Luckily we got the dumb horse out before Hans did something he would regret. I can't be certain, but I believe someone may be sending a message. I'm investigating the incident." It felt good to focus on something other than Lily. He chose to elaborate on the welcome distraction. "It's a temporary sabbatical from my duties at home."

"Uh-huh," acknowledged Heinrik, hopping upon the sidewalk, walking backwards. "Typically I'd be a little more concerned about Hans, but with you here, I doubt he has anything to worry about."

"Yes." Harald admitted, wishing he felt as confident as he sounded. "And you? How is your not-pirating business going?"

"Oh, you know," drawled Heinrik, stumbling as the sidewalk dropped off and laughing at himself. "I stay out of major trouble. I'm occasionally stumbling across the various plundering villains of the sea, and I have to defend myself, of course. But pirating? No, not me. Look at this face; would I lie?"

Harald barely glanced up. "Yes," he replied summarily.

Heinrik blew the feather on his hat up with a puff of air, clapping an arm around his brother. "But I swear I wouldn't hurt anyone, Harald. It's just a bit of fun. I'm a privateer. But pirate and privateer, they sound similar enough, would anyone blame me if I slipped every so often?"

"Why couldn't I have been born first to knock some sense into you?" Harald grunted, shrugging his brother's hand away. "At least be realistic."

"This coming from the same Harald who used to wear scraps of tin pretending they were medals and cried for two days when Harken found out and told the rest of us?" Heinrik responded, wildly staggering his body to the side to avoid the swing of his brother's fist. "Easy! I'm just saying, we all have dreams."

Harald stared, face tensely fixed in irritation. Lily was coming back to mind, and this time, she was staying firmly placed.

"Something happened to you…you're angrier than usual." Heinrik's face shifted, his eyes taking on a sincerely concerned look. "You want to… talk about it?"

After a moment Harald sighed: a deep, disconcerted sound. "No." He swung his arm, and Heinrik flinched, but when he opened an eye cautiously, Harald gently lopped off his hat.

"Hey!" Heinrik scooped up his hat and dusted it off, placing it gingerly back on his head. "Careful, you'll rumple my feathers!"

Harald slowly turned and affixed him with a threatening look which Heinrik could not decipher as playful or serious.

"Which is fine!" Heinrik added, chuckling as he dodged another swipe, brightening when he saw the castle. "My, my! Hans really has done well! Doesn't time fly with such cheerful company as you!"

Harald, quite done with his brother's remarks, took chase, and the two dashed through the gates and the following courtyard.

#

Harald found Hans and Elsa not long after they entered the castle. They were in the foyer and appeared to be looking for something. He cleared his throat as he approached. "Your majesties? Prince Heinrik of-" he cut off, the introductions wasted due to the fact his brother was already shaking hands far ahead of him. "Oh, forget it."

"What are you doing here?" Hans asked, clasping his brother in a tight hug..

"I come bearing news!" Heinrik replied boisterously, still carrying an empty mug. He seemed to notice as he shook Hans' hand. "Whoops! Guess I wanted one last top off!"

"You're drunk." Elsa stated with some disapproval veiled behind her tone.

"Drunk, no, your majesty. Merely tipsy," Heinrik replied with a big smile. "A real man knows the difference and when he hits it. And I quite know the difference, love."

"What news do you bring then?" Elsa asked with a restrained smile of amusement at his expression.

"Oh, yes!" Heinrik cleared his throat, raised a finger, and projected. "Congratulations! You are to be an uncle!"

Hans blinked, looking to Elsa, who stared back with the same stunned expression. Harald pinched two fingers at the bridge of his nose to keep the headache at bay. "Who is the girl, and does father know about this?"

"Not me!" Heinrik retaliated with a partial look of disgust. "Heins! They're expecting the baby come fall, perhaps September, according to the doctor."

The entire party, even Harald, brightened at the news. "That's wonderful!" exclaimed Elsa, "What exciting news! Oh, Helena must be so thrilled!"

"And Heins!" Hans added, "think of all the infant clothes he's designing! But to not know which sex it is; poor mother and father must be going quite mad!"

"I can only imagine." Harald added. He was happy for his brother, but the high from the good news lasted only so long before Lily was back on his mind. He turned towards Heinrik. "Are you leaving tonight?"

"Tomorrow, I think." Heinrik replied. "Johan is restocking our supplies and we'll head to Corona to look for the islands again. Maybe stop in at the Snuggly Duckling for a drink." He looked a little remorsefully at his empty glass and tapped it, turning his hopeful gaze to Hans. "I don't suppose there's a free family refill perk, is there?"

Elsa stepped forward, taking his arm and wrapping it around herself. "Come on. I'll take you to the kitchens and see if we can't get you something."

Heinrik smiled at Hans and clapped him on the shoulder as he passed. "Good to see you, little brother." He allowed Elsa to lead him away, humming a few chords from a bouncy song to himself.

Once he was gone, Hans and Harald were left alone in an awkward silence. To avoid the discomfort of the situation, Hans studied Harald's subtly frowning face. Something was distinctly different about him. He reached out to his brother. "Any luck on the fire?"

The reminder that he had failed to discover anything only fueled Harald's bad mood. "Nothing," he growled.

Hans suddenly realized what the difference was. "Your jacket is gone. Your medals?" He knew how important they were to his brother and to see Harald without part of his uniform left Hans with a queasy feeling.

Harald dropped his gaze to the floor, brow furrowing. "I took it off."

Harald's seemingly flippant disregard puzzled Hans all the more. "I've never seen you do that."

The pressure was too much, and Harald's temper reared its ugly head the second time that night. "For God's sake, Hans," he swore, "it's only a damn jacket! Maybe I didn't feel like wearing it! I don't always have to be what everyone thinks or look how like they like!"

"Of course you don't," Hans quietly agreed, stunned by the outburst, though he'd seen Harald's temper before many times. "I just never see you without it."

Harald appeared even more dejected and turned away, his posture slackening.

Hans could tell something else was underlying his mood, and he had to act now if he wanted to bring it up. "Harald…" he began, walking over to join his brother. "…we've been fallen out for way too long. Life's too short to feel shut out from you all the time. Tell me what's wrong."

Harald sighed deeply once. "I don't want to talk about it. I know you mean well Hans, but leave me be."

At that very moment, there came an excited squeal from the stairwell. "You're back!" Anna craned her neck to see Harald, but, because of his height and his position, could not see Hans. Questions flew, leaving both Harald and Hans blinking in surprise. "How was the date? Did you kiss her? Did she kiss back? Is she coming over for a meet and greet?" Anna began to slide down the banister. "What's her name?" She slid and stumbled as she gave a little hop off the end. "What did she say about your jacket o-" she broke off as Hans came into view, and skidded to a halt, inhaling sharply through her teeth. "Ohhhh… Ah… Um…" She tucked her hands behind her back and bit her lip. "Sooo… how was your night?"

Hans had never seen his brother look so angry at a woman. Harald's face bore a dark shade of red, his nostrils flaring with each breath. Hans could see his brother's jawbone visibly set in place. His mind raced in curiosity. Harald? On a date? With a girl? Was that the problem? "A date?" He fumbled for words.

Harald whirled on foot so quickly it made Anna jump, throwing his hands in the air with an unintelligible shout and quickly striding towards the courtyard. Hans started after his brother, but Anna took his arm instead. "Wait. Let me. I pushed him, so I'm the one that needs to go after him."

"Anna, wait. You don't know Harald." Hans did not sound convinced. Among his older brothers, Harald was often one of the most intimidating. "Are you sure you want to do this right now?"

"Yes. He's my brother-in-law. He would never hurt me," Anna replied confidently. "You just...wait here. Keep looking for your sock."

"Alright," Hans agreed, pausing as Anna dashed away and realization struck. "Anna! What did you do with my sock?" he shouted after her, but she was long gone.

#

"Harald!" Anna shouted as she weaved around the different parts of the gardens. She'd already searched the entire training yard, and it looked abandoned for the night. "Harald, it's me, Anna, your sister-in-law who didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your brother!" She huffed and mumbled to herself. "Of course, it never would have happened if he'd just told where he was going. He's a stubborn B.I.L.- Oh!"

She had found a small clearing, where Harald sat on a stone bench, his sword drawn, staring down at it emptily. Anna bit the inside of her lip and inched closer. She hemmed and hawed over what to say, but before she could say anything, Harald spoke.

"Hi."

Anna looked around to be sure he wasn't talking to someone else. "Hi me?"

When Harald nodded, she felt grateful. At least he'd acknowledged her. "Oh… Um, hi?" Silence reigned for a moment. "Can I, um, sit down with you for a minute?"

Harald nodded again, and she slowly sank down beside him. She twiddled her thumbs. "I'm sorry." When he said nothing, she went on. "I talk too much sometimes. I shouldn't have asked anything."

"Nothing went right." Harald stated flatly.

Was he confiding in her? Anna felt her heart skip a beat hopefully. Well, if he wanted a good ear on a S.I.L., then that's what he would get! "What do you mean?" she gently persuaded.

"She found out I was a prince, and it made her angry I hadn't told her before."

Anna thought about this. "Why didn't you?"

"I suppose I liked the feeling of keeping her in the dark. Not because I'm sadistic, but because I just...liked her seeing me as a normal man. Everyone back home knows the royal family. But this is the first time I've been just Harald to someone."

Anna felt a wave of sympathy wash over her heart. His eyes remained perpetually locked on his sword as he tilted it to catch the moonlight. She continued watching him, and she moved a comforting hand to rest on his knee, her intuition telling her he was bothered by more. "Is there something else?"

"Yes." Harald's brow creased. "I keep wondering why I'm here."

"To find the culprit of the fire case!" replied Anna cheerfully.

"And look how far I've gotten. No leads, no ideas, and now I'm making promises I can't keep."

"What do you mean?"

"I promised to help her. She wants to use the training yard for the soldiers to improve her skill, but Alrik has forbidden it."

"Who's he?" Anna asked, quirking her head curiously.

Harald sighed, sheathing his sword at his side. "The Captain. I've done my best not to get on his bad side, but we don't exactly see eye to eye. We tolerate each other at best."

"So? Ask Elsa! Who cares what this Alrik guy says? Elsa will definitely say yes! We can just bribe her with chocolate!" Anna enthused.

"I can't do that." Harald stood to his feet.

"What? But it's the perfect plan! Why can't you? I promise she'd say yes!" Anna sputtered, looking confused.

"If I do that, she'll know I asked someone on her behalf. She'll think I felt sorry for her and she'll know I organized it." Harald explained.

"How else are we going to get her to be able to practice? It's not like we can organize anything where Elsa gets to see her fight or anything, right?"

Harald slowly looked up at Anna, his eyes widening and his lips spreading into a real, though small smile.

Anna blinked once or twice. "What? What is it?"

He just waved her over with one hand and pulled her in close with the other. "I have an idea."

A/N: Those who look close enough may find subtle references. I'm so sorry about taking so long between updates, thanks for your patience! Please take a moment to leave me a review if you enjoyed! It really helps with encouragement and with letting me know what you think!