This is the first chapter that really warrants a M rating.

Elsa and Anna guided their steads through the rocky terrain on the outskirts of the Valley of the Living Rock. The further away from the troll's territory they moved, the worse Elsa began to feel. It wasn't long before she was slumped in the saddle again, cradling her aching head. Anna maneuvered her horse towards Elsa's and took hold of the reins, leading them towards a shaded grove of horse chestnuts, where the ground had more grass and was less rocky. She found a well-shaded tree and stopped the horses. After she tied the animals to the tree she spread the blanket out and then helped Elsa from her horse and guided her under to the coverlet.

Elsa fell to her knees and then bent over, clutching her head. She moved her hands over the horns before collapsing on her side. "Anna, I'm not well."

Anna brought over the saddlebag and moved to sit next to her sister. "It's the horns, this time, isn't it?"

The Queen closed her eyes. "Yes. Maybe I ought to have stayed with the trolls."

Anna reached over and brushed a few errant locks off of her sister's forehead. "What, and drive them just as crazy as you do me?"

Elsa eyed Anna, and then chuckled slightly. "Am I that bad?"

"Insufferably so, I'm afraid."

The Queen rolled onto her back. "I don't suppose we have any food, do we?" Her stomach growled rather loudly.

Anna opened the saddlebag and peered inside. "Hmm, let's see." She reached into the bag and pulled out bread, cheese, dried fruit, and what appeared to be aged salami. "All the comforts of home."

Elsa sat up slowly. "Remind me once we get back to the castle to send a note of thanks to the trolls for their hospitality." She grabbed the sausage and tore it in half. "Just the kind I like, imagine that." After taking a large bite of the meat she grabbed a large chunk of cheese and wrapped it in bread. "Anna, what are you going to eat?"

Anna grabbed the rest of the salami. "We are sharing, remember?"

"I'm so hungry I think I could eat all of this." The Queen looked at Anna imploringly. "Pretty please, snowflake?"

The princess squinted her eyes. "What was I saying about you being insufferable?" She looked at the sausage in her hand and then tossed it to her sister. "Here, I guess I'm really not that hungry."

Elsa reached down and pulled all the food to her. But after a quick reconsideration, she pushed the dried fruit towards Anna. "Here, you have to keep up your strength."

"Oh, really? Geez, thanks, Elsa—what would I do without you to look after me?"

The Queen stopped just as she was about to bite down on some cheese. "I don't know, Anna. Maybe you'd be a skinny little runt." Elsa smiled, then, her look mischievous. "No, wait! I misspoke. Anna, you already are a runt!"

Anna flexed her fingers. "I know someone who wants to be tickled."

Elsa put down her bread and cheese. "You wouldn't dare manhandle your Queen."

But Anna had already pounced, and tackled Elsa to the ground. They rolled around like children, each squealing as the other tried to tickle. But Elsa used her newfound strength to her advantage, and managed to pin Anna under her as she tickled her mercilessly.

Anna screeched and bucked her hips in a vain attempt to push Elsa off of her. It didn't work, and it only made the Queen's efforts more ardent. They wrestled like this for a few minutes until their breathing hitched, and their writhing became something else. Elsa adjusted her position and aligned her hips over Anna's, and before she could register what was happening, she ground her hips down, and thrust hard against her.

At first Anna's eyes widened in shock. But as Elsa's hardened flesh rubbed against her center, she threw her head back, and screamed in pleasure. Anna was responding to the contact, and clawed at Elsa's back in her heated desire. As Elsa used her knees to spread Anna's legs farther apart, the princess reached between their bodies to unclasp Elsa's pants.

Elsa gasped as Anna's hands brushed over her erection, and the action snapped her back to reality. She lifted off of her sister and scrambled away from her. "Oh, my god, Anna. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me—I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Anna squeezed her eyes shut as Elsa's pleas slammed into her like ice-cold water. She managed to get her breathing under control and then rolled onto her side away from Elsa. A part of her wanted to lash out at Elsa, and blame her completely. But she knew that would not be fair. Elsa may have initiated the thrusting, but she was the one who responded lustfully to it. "No, Elsa, I'm sorry, too."

The Queen scooted away from Anna and leaned against the tree. She hastily re-buttoned her trousers as the apologies rolled off her tongue. "Sorry…oh, Anna…I'm…mortified…oh, god…"

The princess sat up, and scowled at her sister. "Stop it, Elsa." She sniffed as a tear rolled down her cheek. "This thing that is happening to you…is…there must a way to control it."

Elsa buried her face in her hands, her remorse evident. "I don't know what to do, Anna. My control over my own body is slipping away from me." For the first time since her troubles started, she was awash in self-doubt. "What am I going to do, Anna? Please help me."

Anna furiously wiped away her tears, then straightened out her skirt. She felt just as useless as Elsa did at the moment. "I don't know, Elsa." Anna looked up to where Elsa was cowering against the tree. "What do you need?"

The Queen blushed, and fought against making a terse response. The last thing she wanted to do was add insult to injury. "I only know I don't want to hurt you; and I keep saying that I won't. But…my body…needs."

Anna swallowed back more tears, and she took in a sizeable breath before speaking. "When we get back to Arendelle I'll think of something, I promise. Now, go on, Elsa and finish your meal. I'll—be right back." The princess hastily scrambled to her feet and walked away.

Elsa lifted her head and watched as Anna walked away from her. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and broke down, releasing all of her pent up emotions and negativity. She cried like she never had before; her wails drifting beyond the forest to the land beyond.

Anna felt the impact of those wails as she walked away and her first instinct was to run back, but she resisted, as she needed a moment alone. She pressed forward on shaky legs and eventually stopped by a small stream, and all but collapsed on a large rock next to the water. Anna dipped her hand in the stream and then splashed the water on her face.

It was time to accept a stark reality.

Elsa was changing into some sort of beast as described in the prophecies, and that creature was definitely male. Anna groaned and cradled her head in her hands; she didn't want to even think about this, let alone acknowledge it. But the fact of the matter was incontrovertible, no question about it, and it was something she needed to accept. If she was to be a help to Elsa then there was nothing that could remain hidden or kept secret. Everything needed to be brought into the light, so to speak, or else what kind of help could she hope to be. Anna looked up and into her reflection in the stream. You've been a coward, Anna.

The princess stood up and squared her shoulders, and then made her way back to the tree that Elsa was still slumped against. Her crying had stopped, but when she looked up to see Anna approaching she turned away from her. Anna knew she had to be certain and resolute.

"Elsa, we need to talk."

The Queen didn't turn around, her face turned away. "I'm sorry but I don't—"

"Elsa, you have a penis."

The Queen's head snapped up, and she stared at her sister, horrified. "I… I already know this!"

Anna's tone softened. "I know you do, and up until a few minutes ago I was living in denial of it—I didn't want to accept it because, well, it made me uncomfortable." When Elsa tried to hide her face she calmly went up to her and knelt down. "Stop trying to hide, Elsa. I needed to accept this new—aspect about you, and I want you to know now that I'm trying."

Elsa looked up again. "What does this mean?"

"No more secrets, Elsa. No more half-truths. They only get in the way, don't you think?" Anna saw her sister's almost imperceptible nod. "Please face me, Elsa."

The Queen was hesitant as her feelings were still rather raw, but she did as Anna requested. "What do we do now?"

Anna smiled. "What you do now is finish eating while I think about ways to help you."

"Are you not hungry, as well?"

Anna sat down next to Elsa and picked up the dried cranberries. "Not for any of this; I'll eat when we get back to Arendelle." She munched on a fistful of berries. "Do you have anything you want to say?"

Elsa sat, facing her sister. "About?"

"Now's not the time to be coy, Elsa. Tell me exactly what's on your mind."

"Okay." Elsa cleared her throat, a small blush creeping up her features. "Having this—phallus—is very embarrassing for me, almost shameful. I feel things that I've never felt before. Things like lust and desire, it…it…" Her voice trailed off as her face turned a bright red.

"Talk to me, Elsa."

"…and I…okay, I can say this…I've wanted you." Elsa blew out a ragged breath, and it felt like a heavy weight was lifted from her shoulders. "I'm sorry for being so blunt, Anna. But I couldn't hold it inside any longer, it's been killing me to desire you."

Anna knew how much it was costing Elsa to be so brutally honest, and she appreciated her rectitude. Now it was her turn. "I've wanted you, too. I don't know what it is. But I find you very desirable." She brushed loose hair behind her ear. "I feel as if you need to forgive me."

"Only if you forgive me." Elsa scooted closer to Anna and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. She sighed heavily. "Anna?"

"Yes?"

"I need to go into the forest for a few minutes, but I'll be back as soon as I can." Elsa started to rise but a firm hand held her in place.

Anna swallowed the lump in her throat. "What do you need, Elsa?"

The Queen blushed, and remembered total honesty. "I'm frustrated right now and need to go—relieve the pressure." She locked gazes with Anna again, and felt the heat pool in her stomach.

Anna could feel it, as well. The musky scent pouring off of Elsa was palatable, and she felt her cheeks burn. "Okay. I'll be right here when you come back." She watched as Elsa walked away, her emotions torn, atavistic, and almost too much to bear.

The ride back to Arendelle was uneventful except for the position of the sun in the sky. It appeared to move rather quickly towards dusk, and this alarmed the Queen, as they were no longer under the protection of the Valley of the Living Rock, and she feared turning into the creature. Anna tried to give her reassurances, but she too was feeling a bit of anxiety as the night approached. Elsa donned the officer's coat and hat again as the horses drew near to the Royal Stables.

Anna and Elsa passed into the stables and quickly dismounted, and were greeted by the Stable Master, Barthold. The man nodded to Elsa, believing she was a soldier protecting the princess, and then bowed to Anna. "Greetings, Your Highness. I trust your afternoon ride was relaxing."

Elsa and Anna exchanged a quick glance, and then Anna spoke. "Afternoon? How long was I gone, Barthold?"

Barthold scratched at his beard. "Well, dusk is upon us… I would say perhaps four hours, Princess."

Anna was shocked, but she refused to let it show. "Very well, will you see to the care of our horses?"

"Absolutely, Your Highness. I have sent for your carriage; it should be here shortly."

Anna briefly touched the man's shoulder. "Thank you, Barthold." She and Elsa went outside to wait for the carriage.

"Princess Anna?"

Anna turned at the sound of the familiar voice. "Captain Gunnar?"

The Captain strolled up to the Princess. "Is there anything I can help you with, my Princess?" He took her hand and kissed it.

Something deep down inside of Elsa hissed at that moment, and a low, almost indiscernible growl escaped her lips. But she caught herself before anything transpired, and took a step back.

Anna, not seeing the change in Elsa, smiled at the Captain. "No, I can't think of anything at the moment. I'm just waiting for my carriage to take me back to the castle."

"Perhaps you would deign to allow your servant conduct you back to the Castle?" Gunnar turned and finally noticed the small officer standing in back of Anna. "Oh, forgive me, Your Highness, I didn't see your escort."

Anna, in an attempt to draw attention away from Elsa, took Gunnar's hand and held it between her own. She stepped up closer to him. "Yes, as you can see I am otherwise occupied—but, perhaps, tomorrow? Would you care to have lunch with me, Gunnar?"

Gunnar brightened. "It would be my honor, Your Highness." He bent and touched his forehead to her hand. "Until then, my Lady." Just as he was bowing again the carriage arrived.

When a footman opened the door to the carriage, Elsa, feeling jealous, brushed past Anna and entered first. This startled the young footman almost to the point of saying something but he held his tongue. The princess, for her part, pretended not to notice the slight and sat on the opposite side of carriage, away from Elsa.

As soon as they were underway, Anna sat back in the cushions and sighed. "Elsa, you were drawing attention to yourself."

The Queen didn't look up from her seat and stared at her hands. "I don't care, Anna. I don't like the way that man looks at you." She took off her helmet and gingerly touched her growing horns. "What about Kristoff?"

"Didn't I tell you? He's leaving at the end of the week—going off to find himself, or something like that. He was never really happy here, but I was hoping I would be reason enough for him to stay."

Elsa looked up. "Do you love him?"

"Yes, I do, but not enough to beg him to remain here with me. He has a good heart, and I'm a fool, I think. We were like star-crossed lovers in the beginning—always together, pretending we liked the same things. But then he started declining my invitations to the castle, even my harpsichord recitals, and I knew something was bothering him. We never talked about it, though, and then one day, I stopped inviting him." Anna looked out the carriage window. "It doesn't mean that I stopped loving him."

"What about Captain Gunnar?"

Anna tilted her head. "How do you know he's a Captain?"

Elsa indicated her own coat. "The uniform, Anna."

The princess could hear the tightness in her sister's voice. "He's a nice guy, and he's very loyal, I can tell."

Elsa looked away, and decided to veer the conversation. "We have a lot to talk about once we reach the safety of the castle." She paused, then quirked an eyebrow. "Anna, how much time do you think passed when we were in the Valley?"

"I don't know exactly. But it felt like we were gone for at least two days."

Elsa nodded. "I feel the same way, but the stable master said we were gone for only a couple of hours." She frowned. "I don't know why, but it feels like this is important somehow."

"You were saying we have a lot to do. What's the first thing we have to do?"

"Well, the first thing I have to do is inquire of our Ambassadors in the surrounding Kingdoms. Find out who's strengthening their armies, or who is sending out delegations, and to whom and why." Elsa groaned and fell back onto the cushions. "But first, I've got to get rid of this headache."

"To the Royal Physician, then?" Anna asked.

Elsa reached up and gingerly touched her horns. "Unfortunately, yes. Don't worry, I'll figure out a way to hide these."

The carriage reached the Castle without incident, and Anna and Elsa went to their separate rooms.

Jonvar, the westernmost of the Southern Isles, was the home to a rather large battlement and training camp. The country's elite forces trained on this island, and it navy used its many ports to host mock naval battles. But it had been years since the Westegaard's had called upon the troops here to train for any real conflict, and because of this, its commanders grew complacent.

Prince Ingleif stood at the bow of his family's flagship as it docked at Port Edvardt, and his patience grew thin at the sluggish way his seamen were moving about on the dock below. "I'll tan your hides for this," he scowled.

"What was that?" Fingaard strolled up to his brother and looked down at the port. "Something not to your liking?"

Ingleif glared at the older man. "Father's whole plan is absurd and reckless. Look at these—seaman. Do they look like they are ready for war? They're fat and useless."

"Well, that's the whole point of us being here, isn't it? They'll shape up." Fingaard fiddled with the sword at his side. "I'm not worried other them, but Hans."

Ingleif put his hands on the railing. "Talk about useless."

Fingaard nodded. "Perhaps we can use this opportunity to our advantage?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look, father thinks that Hans is more than capable of handling this conflict. I don't know about you, but I think otherwise. Suppose Hans should—err, in a most despicable way."

"You want to see him fail." Ingleif turned around and eyed his older brother. "I'm listening."

"Of course I want to see the little bastard fail. I should have been the one sent to woo Arendelle, not that little pipsqueak. He came back in chains and made all of us look ridiculous… and I am not a man made to look ridiculous!" Fingaard forced himself to calm, then he straightened out his uniform. "We go along with his plan and act like everything is perfect, and at the last minute, crush him."

"How do we do this? He has the elite guard with him now, we'd never get close enough to kill him."

"Who said anything about killing him?" Fingaard reached into his pocket and pulled out his pipe. "There are worse things than death. Trust me."

"What about Princess Anna of Arendelle?" Ingleif frowned at the annoying smoke, and waved it away.

"I hear she is rather fetching, what about her?"

"I think she has a part to play in all of this, and we could use her to our advantage."

Fingaard scratched at one his sideburns. "I'm not seeing it."

Ingleif wasn't deterred. "Do you trust me?"

"I don't trust anyone, brother." Fingaard blew smoke in his younger man's face.

"I know exactly what to do."

Anna quietly knocked on Elsa's door at dinnertime and waited for her sister's usual reply, but this time, it didn't come. She waited a few moments, then knocked again. "Elsa?" She turned the handle and found it unlocked.

The princess opened the door and saw that Elsa was not in her parlor, even though there was a lit fire in her fireplace, and several candles were already burning, even though it was not quite dark. Anna moved through the parlor to Elsa's bedroom and saw that the Queen's drapes were drawn, and her room was shadowy. But there was a light coming from her walk-in closet.

Anna swallowed hard. "Elsa?"

The Queen walked out of her closet and smiled at her sister. "What do you think?"

Anna gaped. "You look—different."

"Well, that was my plan." Elsa walked over to her curtains and opened them, letting light into her room. She was wearing a military uniform that was tailored to fit her small frame, complete with black boots and a sword at her side. "I couldn't very well wear these boots with a dress so I had my seamstress tailor father's old uniform for me. How do I look?"

"Almost handsome." Anna felt her palms sweat, despite her best efforts to remain neutral.

Elsa looked at herself in her mirror. "I've been doing a lot of thinking, Anna."

Anna frowned. "What kind of thinking?"

"Tomorrow I'm calling our troops to a series of training exercises. I don't want to be caught off guard when the time comes."

Anna nodded. "Okay. Anything else?"

Elsa turned around to face her sister. "Shall we go and have dinner?"

Anna had a bad feeling at that moment. "No, tell me what you are planning."

The Queen walked over to her sister. "You promised to trust me, snowflake." She reached up and caressed Anna's cheek. "Someone has to go and talk to these jötnar, and that person is me."

The princess stood, incredulous. "What?"

Elsa placed her hands on Anna's arms. "Pabbie said these beings will help Arendelle during the war to come if I accepted the prophecy. Well, I accepted, didn't I? I want to hold them to their word."

Anna stood firm. "Okay, so when do we leave?"

"Anna, someone has to look after Arendelle while I'm gone, make sure the war exercises continue, see to the day to day running of the Kingdom." Elsa gathered Anna into her arms. "You must be the one to do it."

"But I don't know anything about war, or trade agreements, or anything of the sort!"

"Anna—"

"No, you promised to help me!" Anna broke away from Elsa's embrace and turned away from her. "How can you help me if you're gone!"

Elsa stiffened. "I have to go, Anna. Arendelle is counting on me and I can't let it down. Our people will suffer if no one comes to our aid."

"But why does it have to be you?"

"Who else would you have me send? No one but us knows what's going to happen in the future, and we surely can't tell anyone else," Elsa implored.

Anna wiped away a few tears. "I can't lose you, Elsa, it would kill me."

"Why do you think something bad is going to happen?" Elsa moved around Anna so she could see her face.

The princess couldn't make eye contact with her sister. "Can you at least wait a few days before you go, so we can at least do all we can do to help Arendelle?"

Elsa stood back. "Okay, Anna. That seems fair enough. I'll leave at the end of the week when Kristoff does. Perhaps I can persuade him to accompany me to the Valley of the Living Rock? I'm sure he would love to see the trolls before he goes." Elsa looked at the setting sun through her windows. "Come on, Anna, let us to dinner. I need to eat before its dark."

Anna took Elsa's hand. "Do you really expect something to happen tonight?"

Elsa linked Anna's arm in her own and led them through her parlor door. "I really don't know, Anna."

I want to thank everyone for your kind reviews, I really do appreciate them.