As promised here's the next chapter so enjoy and don't forget to review.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Recovery

Elsa sat next to Mathias's with her hand clasped together in her lap as she looked at his unconscious form. She been there since the other say when they said he'd been injured and out of all that, actually fought Hans and this made her wondered what had gotten in his head to do such a thing. She rested her hand in his open palm and wrapped his hand around hers trying to comfort both herself and Mathias even though he was unconscious. Kai and Gerda cancelled her schedule for a few days and even tried to get her to eat something, even telling her that everything would be okay and that he'll make it. Mathias stirred a bit but still remained unconscious as he slightly moved his right side away from the bed.

"Mathias, why did you do it?" She asked him as she brushed the back of her hand across his cheek in a caring manner. She continued to stare at him for a while, even inspecting his wounds time to time till one of her castle staff told her it was getting late before he left her alone with Mathias. She leaned over and kissed him lovingly on the forehead before standing up.

"Please wake up Mathias." She quietly pleaded before leaving his room, being careful not to catch any unwanted attention as she began to cry on the way to her room. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight as she entered her bedroom and prepared for a long night. She didn't even bother undressing as she laid on her bed her mind still worrying about Mathias till she slowly drifted off to sleep.

It was late the next morning when she awoke to the sounds of yelling out in the hallway. She thought it was nothing till an all too familiar roar had her awake fully as she knew Mathias was awake and by the sound of things he was absolutely pissed. With a new source of energy she got out of her bed not bothering to fix her her and bolted out of her room to Mathias's quarters. She arrived in time to see Mathias barge out of his room in a haste he stopped when he noticed Elsa a few feet away from him and calmed down as he rested his head against the wall. His bandage around his ribs was completely red as a little bit of blood oozed out of it. The physician came out and tried to get Mathias back in the room with difficulty.

"Young man you still need to rest, your bandages need to be changed before you get an infection." He said to the taller man but his attention was on Elsa for the moment before he willingly walked back to his room to get some clean bandages. She waited outside of the room patiently till the physician walked out and told her she could go in now before he left. She was about to reach the handle but paused for a few seconds before opening the door and slowly walked in shutting the door behind her as Mathias looked over and seemed surprised to see her. He let out a low chuckle as he sat back up with difficulty and smiled at her.

"That's a new look for you." He said leaving Elsa confused till she walked over to the closest mirror and saw her hair in a small mess but wasn't as bad as her sister's most of the time. She gave him an unamused look as she walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed and inspected Mathias's bandages and noticed they were replaced but now had a small spots of blood on them.

"How are you feeling?" She asked him as she moved over next to him careful not to aggravate any of his wounds. Mathias scooted over a bit giving her room as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"My neck is killing me. I didn't expect such a force to come from the animals bite till now." He said as he gently rubbed the bandage covering the wounds on his neck. Elsa remembered the woman telling her she was following Mathias through the forest till she lost him and stumbled upon the brown bear. The poor woman was still shocked about the outcome of that, even she was surprised when she told her that he broke the bear's neck in a swift motion. What shocked her the most was the fact Hans didn't take Mathias when he had the chance. He could've used him as a hostage or at least killed him but he didn't and this made her worry.

"I was told you fought Hans." She said grimly as she looked up at Mathias who sighed as he looked at her.

"I left the castle because at the balcony i-i caught scent of him and decided to hunt him down and end it. I did it for you Elsa and everyone else here he threatened." He said in all out honesty but Elsa seemed confused about what he said.

"You said you caught "scent" of him?" She asked trying to confirm her suspicions. He nodded and she wondered how he could do that but decided not to ask and went to more serious questions.

"What happened up there while you were fighting him?" She asked him and his eyes narrowed as he tried to remember what he said.

"I-I remembering him saying he had other plans for me in due time right before i was knocked out." He said through gritted teeth as he remembered the argument he had with him when they fought. Elsa went quiet pondering on what Hans meant by that as it slowly started to worry her. A knock on the door startled the two and they heard both Alice and Gerda behind it, much to Mathias's amusement. Mathias gave them permission to enter and Gerda walked in with an over excited Alice who was ready to pounce anything near her.

"Mathias forgive me but young Alice was eager to see you once you've awoken and won't take no for an answer." Gerda said with a sigh as she began to lead the girl over to the bed. Mathias and Elsa both laughed a little as the little red head practically jumped on both of them not caring who it was at the moment. She finally found the tall man as she hugged the him as tightly as she could and Mathias tried not to flinch as she was putting pressure on his injuries on his side.

"Mathias, i'm glad you're okay." She said to him as she lightened her grip on him and he sighed in relief. Gerda watched the scene form before her and was about to take her leave when Mathias called out to her.

"Thank you, for bringing her here." He said and she gave a slight bow before leaving the trio alone in the room.

"I heard you fought a bear is that true?" She asked excitedly and the couple could help but laugh before Mathias decided to tell her.

"Oh yeah, it was a tough one." He answered her causing the young redhead to squeal in excitement as she bounced up and down much to Elsa's delight as she continued to listen to the two.

"What happened?" She asked him and he pondered on where to start from and decided to start from the beginning.

"Well as you were aware i was out in the forest when a friend of mine decided to follow me in. Don't ask me what happened on her part but she ran into me saying a bear was coming and sure i was confused at first till i saw it running toward us roaring so i moved her out of the way and roared at it. The bear charged at me and i had no time to move as it bit me on the top of my neck forcing me to the ground. I'll tell you that shit hurt like hell when he started to move me around the clearing, slamming me into a few trees till i yanked my self away from it and i swiped my hand down clawing him on the left the side of his face and we both separated growling at each other till he slammed himself into my side and we both started swiping each other on the sides till we parted again." He said and was about to continue when Alice budded in.

"So cool, how did you win?" She asked him and he looked at her thinking that she was impatient and went on finishing his story.

"As i was saying. As soon as we parted ways he charged again slamming his head into my leg leaving his neck open so i lunged forward crunched down on his neck making him roar in pain. It was a short struggled till i got a good grip on him and snapped his neck killing him instantly." He said with triumph in his voice as he smirked remembering the all too familiar sound of bones breaking. He heard both Elsa and Anna gasp, Elsa for now knowing how the fight went and Alice's was for the image stuck in her head of him killing a bear.

The day was finally coming to an end and Alice bid Elsa and Mathias goodnight as Gerda lead the girl back to her room for the night leaving the couple alone in silence. Elsa was about to bid him goodnight but was silenced by a pair of lips crashing onto hers. She leaned in deepening the kiss for a few short moments till Mathias pull away with a small smile.

"Would you like to stay here for the night?" He asked her and she paused for a moment before climbing back into the bed with him much to Mathias's delight as her cool dress meet with his bare skin making him sigh with content.

"Don't get too used to this." She said as she got Mathias to lay down so she could lay her head on his chest. Mathias huffed in disagreement and looked down at her.

"We've been together for what eight months now. Don't tell me you still want to keep our relationship a secret?" He asked in disbelief which shocked Elsa to what he was implying.

"N-No, i don't. It's just that..." She paused with a sigh not knowing how to finish that sentence without enraging him. She didn't want them to be a secret anymore but while he was out she was summoned by the council telling her she had to marry soon or she'll be forced to step down and sadly they already had an option for her and this sickened her. Out of all people that would be coming here it had to be Prince Joseph they arranged to meet her for a month. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of what that man would try to do to her during his stay.

"Elsa, is there something you're not telling me?" Mathias asked in concern as he gently moved her head till she was looking at him in the eyes. She couldn't take it any more as she bursted into tears further concerning Mathias as she buried her head into his chest. He didn't say anything but rubbed circles around her back trying to calm her down as he pondered on what made Elsa this way. She slowly pulled her head away and looked down as she prepared what she had to say.

"When you left, the council summoned me for a meeting. It turned out that they were getting impatient with me since my sister got married and decided to put matters in their own hands." She said and Mathias didn't like where this was going.

"They arranged me with Prince Joseph of the Northern Isles. He'll be staying here for a month." She said and flared his nostrils and looked down trying to hide his anger.

"Why-Why didn't you tell them that you were already being courted?" Mathias said a little hurt from the news she told him. She too wondered why she didn't say anything to the council about her and Mathias and probably thought it would fall into deaf ears anyway.

"What's so special about a prince anyway, what can they give you that i can't?" He asked her and she just nodded her head.

"A-A prince will give us better alliances, trading partners and... an heir." She finished quickly but Mathias heard the last part and slightly glared at her.

"I believe we both can give you that last one." He stated with a gruff as he crossed his arms and looked ahead of him. She slightly blushed and too looked ahead but continued.

"I know you too can give me an heir but there's no benefit in the council's eyes when they see you with me." She said and Mathias inwardly groaned as he leaned against the headboard.

"Only if you knew the truth about me. I could easily give you the world if you asked for it." He thought and truly meant it as he continued to stare at the blank wall ahead of him.

"Even if i told the council they would truly listen unless you have something that'll benefit the kingdom." She continued and this brought an idea to the taller man as he snapped his head in her direction.

"Let me talk to the council." Mathias said out of the blue shocking Elsa as she stared at him wide eyed like he'd gone mad.

"And what makes you think they'll listen to you after all the things you did since you got here?" She asked him curiously as she watched him closely as he came up with an answer.

"Hey! I saved you a couple of times didn't i?" He asked her and she nodded a little seeing where she was going but knew it wasn't enough.

"Yes you saved me a few times but it won't be enough since you're not royalty." She said and Mathias stared at her in disbelief.

"Kristoff married your sister and he wasn't even royalty till "after" the marriage." He said in annoyance as he awaited her to comply. When she didn't say anything he laid back down with his back facing her and she knew he'd already made up his mind and she blew out the candle for the night and pressed herself against him enjoying the heat radiating off his body till he turned over to face her.

"I'm still having that little chat with the council before the Prince arrives." He said with determination as he kissed her forehead and brought her closer to him as he enjoyed the cooless of her body next to him and together they slept together through the night.

The next morning the physician nearly flipped when he saw Mathias up and about and stickly told him to rest and not to do anything strenuous for the time being till the wounds were fully healed. So he was not allowed to leave his room unless he had the approval of the physician and the queen herself. It was the fourth day Mathias laid on his bed in complete boredom as he looked out his window and listened to the people from the town bustling about from afar and that was all he could do at the moment.

"I can't believe they won't let me out of this room. Its starting to become more of a cage by the day." He said to himself as he got off the bed and walked over to the balcony of his room. With the glisten sun beating down on his body an idea came to him as he walked back into his room and grabbed the blanket and pillows and took them out to the balcony. He first laid to blanket out first and made sure it was flat and smooth as it covered the half circle of which the balcony was formed and he folded the other half of the blanket inward and set it back down once it was against the edge. With that done he set his pillows everywhere and layed down with his bare back facing the mid afternoon sun.

Elsa had just finished her duties for the day and decided to visit Mathias since she hadn't seen him in a couple of days and knew he would probably be bored out of his mind. She left her studies and was walking past her room when a weird idea came to mind and quickly rushed into her room with a smirk on her face.

"I guess i'll be the one entertaining you for the day." She thought as she walked toward her closet. It was a while later that she walked out as she looked around to make sure there was noone around and walked towards Mathias's room with a shy smile on her face. She arrived at his door and was a little bit nervous as she knocked on the door but there was no answer.

"Mathias, it's me Elsa i'm coming in." She said as she opened the door and walked in. She was confused to see the blankets and pillows missing off the bed and walked to the center of the room.

"Odd, where is he?" She thought till she noticed the balcony doors were open and she tried to move silently but her red heels were clicking with every step.

Mathias awoke from his slumber to the sounds of clicking footsteps he was all too familiar with and slowly moved his head toward the doorway and his eyes widened at the sight before him. She was in a red dress much too similar to her signature ice dress she wore everyday except it wasn't covering her arms and more of her shoulders are exposed. Mathias felt his body heat up at the sight of her and he quickly sat up embarrassed.

"I take it this new look surprises you." She said as she tried to hide the blush creeping upon her pale face. Mathias grumbled in response as she walked out to join him. She was curious when she saw the blanket sprawled neatly on the floor and the pillows thrown around the small area and wondered why he did it.

"Um...Mathias what's with all of this?" She asked gesturing to the blankets and pillows on the floor. Mathias tilted his head to the side in confusion till he let a small smile grace his features.

"I decided to relax out on the balcony and sunbath in the afternoon sun for a bit." He answered as he patted a spot next to him, gesturing her to sit with him. She happily complied and sat down next to him trying not to feel too nervous as he carefully observed her.

"May i ask what special occasion is it for you to dress all lovely today? Not that i'm complaining." He asked as he gently brushed a single finger across her slender arm. Enjoying the softness of her skin. She gave him a shy smile and gently grabbed his left hand.

"You." Was all she said at the moment as she leaned forward and kissed him fiercely on the lips. Once they pulled apart Mathias stared at her in a way that made her heart melt as her kissed her this time as he carefully laid her on the blanket deepening the kiss as he done so. Once they broke a part again Elsa got a good look into his eyes and noticed something spark to life in them and yet she didn't know what it was as she seemed lost in them. She was confused when he pulled away from her and sat back up while he clenched and unclenched his hands.

"I-I'm sorry but i don't think doing this is such a good idea at the moment." He said nervously as he looked down and seemed to be trying to control himself. She got up and moved over to him and gently moved his head till he was facing her.

"I-I know what's bothering you, i seen it in your eyes everytime you're close to me. It's desire that you long for." She said soothingly and Mathias casted his eyes down away from her gaze. She leaned forward till her lips were next to his ear.

"Don't fight it. We're not going that far anyway just let it all go." She said as she kissed his cheek and it seemed to work as Mathias brought her away from his ear and pressed his lips to hers as she could feel the intensity of the kiss between them. They pulled away as Mathias laid her down on the blanket for the second time as they tried to catch their breaths.

"We should do this often when i get beaten up." He joked and Elsa gave him a playful glare as she gave him a light kiss on his nose still smiling at him.

"I might have to if you keep getting into trouble the way you do most of the time." She said earning a glare from Mathias. He was about to retort when she silenced him with another kiss on his lips which caused him to smile.

"Lets not ruin the moment we have to ourselves okay." She said as Mathias began to kiss his way down her neck to her shoulder and did it again with the other side causing her to slightly moan. She ran her fingers through his dark brown hair causing Mathias to grumble as he worked his way back to her lips. They stayed out on the balcony enjoying their time together till the sun began to set on the horizon. Elsa rested her head on his chest sighing with content as she looked at the many colors in the late evening sky. They didn't bother with dinner or even leaving the balcony as they slowly drifted off to sleep in each others arms as the stars began to fill the night sky.

The next chapter will take awhile because of school so please be patient till then, thanks.