"I'm sorry, Kristoff."

The mountain man sighed, and tossed more seeds into the stall where Sven was stabled. "This guy has been with me forever; I'll miss him."

Anna tucked her hair behind her ear. "Are you sure you have to go?"

Kristoff walked over to a small wood burning stove and poured a cup of coffee. "I don't have to leave, Anna, I want to. There is nothing for me here in Arendelle—not even you, and I'm not sure how that happened."

Anna felt her heart break. "No one's fault really. We just grew apart, as I see it."

"But, Anna, that's not how I see it. I still love you, and really want to be with you. But, you're distant—you've pushed me away. Why?" Kristoff sipped his coffee.

"I didn't push, Kristoff. Is that what it felt like? I wasn't driving you away; that's not it at all. It started with my recitals, remember—you stopped coming to them. "

Kristoff put down his cup and grabbed his bag of carrots. "I don't remember it that way." He took a few carrots out of the bag and threw them into Sven's stall, and then he munched on his own. "Look, Anna. I really don't want to fight with you my last night here."

The princess stepped closer. "Neither do I." She closed the distance until she was up against his chest. "I am sorry for the way things ended between us, Kristoff. You truly are a wonderful man."

Kristoff nodded. "You really think so?" He tentatively reached out and cupped her cheek.

Anna closed her eyes. "Yeah, I do."

But Kristoff hesitated, even though he knew what Anna was offering. As much as he wanted this moment, he knew Anna enough to know she would regret it come morning. He merely reached out and kissed her on the forehead.

At first confused, Anna opened her eyes and saw the look in his, and she threw her arms around his neck, and held him closely as she cried. Kristoff hugged her in return, and they shared a tender embrace. After awhile Anna stepped back and wiped at her tear with the back of her sleeve.

The mountain man smiled. "I've never known you to have a handkerchief when you need one." He reached into his pocket and took his out, and then he dried her eyes. "Are you hungry, Anna?"

"You do know me, don't you?"

"Want to come with me to town and get some dinner?" He threw his remaining carrot to Sven.

Anna thought about it, and remembered the carriage was waiting for her outside the Royal Stables. Also, she wasn't sure if Elsa was expecting her at dinner. But it was Kristoff's last night in Arendelle, and she wanted to be with him, at least for a little while. So she went outside and sent the carriage away.

King Edvardt retreated to his private parlor after the family dinner and poured himself a rather large portion of brandy. The cordial felt good as it slid down his throat; t loosened his aching limbs and soothed his troubled mind. For the first time since his meeting with Hans a week prior the old man was having doubts about Weselton's plan, and now the man was dead—leaving his alcoholic son as duke. Edvardt sat in his chair and rolled his glass between his palms, re-thinking his entire plan. There was a knock at his door.

"Come."

Prince Ingleif entered and immediately went to the brandy. "You wanted to see me, father?"

Edvardt didn't look up, and cursed Ingleif's weakness. "You're a drunk, just like cousin Magnus."

Ingleif stood at his father's side, and his hand tightened around the glass. "I'm nothing like Magnus—the spoiled brat."

"The brat is now Duke, did you know this? No, I don't suppose you do." The old man downed his drink. "How could you, with all that time at Hereford House. Pour me another."

Ingleif dutifully took his father's glass and filled it to the brim with brandy. "What is it? Are you having me followed now?"

Edvardt snorted. "As if I'd be stupid not to. You're weak, and you whore around like some vassal's son." The old man stood. "You are the son of a King! Start acting like one."

The younger man slammed his glass down on a table. "And how do I not? You have a mistress, don't you?"

"Hereford House is nothing but a glorified brothel! None of your brothers would be caught dead in a place like that—not even Hans!"

Ingleif bristled at the mention of his brother's name. "No, I don't suppose Hans would be with a woman now, would he?" The slap wasn't painful, but it hit Ingleif where it would hurt him the most, his ego. He reached up to touch his cheek. "Don't you ever touch me again." He spun on his heal and stormed out of the parlor, almost running into Hans on the way out.

"Whoa! Hey, Ingleif what is the mat—"

"Leave him alone, boy." Edvardt drank some of his brandy. "He's a bit testy tonight."

Hans smiled at his father and poured himself some cognac. "Our fair cousin is now Duke. Will he keep to his father's promises?"

Edvardt warmed up at his youngest. "You're going to make this family so proud, Hans, do you know that?"

"Trust me, father, its my only ambition." Hans sat down before the fireplace. "Fingaard writes that the training on Jonvar is going well; I sail there tomorrow to see for myself."

"Good. I like a leader with a 'hands on' approach to war." Edvardt stared at his youngest. "You're not like Ingleif, are you? You don't whore around with the ladies, do you?"

Hans smirked, and let out an amused breath. "No, I'm not like Ingleif, father. There are more important things for me to do these days, are there not?"

The old king smiled in satisfaction. "Good."

Elsa slowly walked with Kai towards her dining hall. "I trust that Zander left for the Southern Isles?"

Kai nodded. "He left shortly after dawn yesterday, and left this note for you." He handed a small envelope to the Queen. "He took Lieutenant Ingarth with him."

Elsa stopped. "Really? But he always works alone." She continued to walk. "What of General Urban?"

Kai handed another note to the Queen. "He is with Her Majesty's troops in the Vale of Sverk. His report indicates that the exercises are progressing slowly."

"That's not good news. Why slowly?"

Master Kai shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know why, Your Majesty. Perhaps his letter to you indicates why?"

Elsa looked at the note in her hand. "Of course. How many of us for dinner tonight? Tell me who so I won't be surprised when I get there."

"I'm afraid just you tonight, Madame."

Elsa stopped at the door to the dining hall, hand on the handle. "What? Where is Princess Anna?"

"She is still in the city, You Majesty. I don't think she plans on coming home tonight."

Elsa gripped the handle tighter and a small dusting of frost fell through her fingers. "What makes you think so, Kai?"

Kai blinked at the coldness in the Queen's voice. "She sent the carriage back to the castle, Your Majesty."

Elsa stared at the Master sternly. "See that I'm not disturbed, Master Kai—at dinner, nor afterwards." She pulled at the handle roughly and entered her dining hall.

The Queen stared into the fireplace, book on her lap, and a digestif in hand, but could not concentrate on either. She was wide-awake and frustrated at not being able to sleep, and tomorrow was an important day; she was journeying to the Valley of the Living Rock and seeking counsel with the jötunn. Elsa put down her glass and looked at her book, and then realized she was reading the same page for the past hour. Frustrated, she threw the book on the table and downed her entire glass of brandy. But this failed to soothe her, and she got up and began to pace around her parlor, the frost following her as she went. She finally looked up and noticed that everything in the room had a fine layer of hoarfrost over it. Elsa impatiently waved her hand and the rime disappeared. But it was enough to completely chill the room, so she put more logs on the fire.

It was almost eleven o'clock when she finally heard the sound of someone wandering down the hallway outside her door. She poked her head out and saw that it was Anna, and she appeared to be…

"Anna?"

The princess stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide, and looking guilty for the most part. "Elsa?"

They stared at one another for the longest time, until Elsa finally emerged from her room. "Have you been drinking?"

Anna wavered slightly, and looked down at her shoes. "Yup—just a little."

"Alone?" She hated how her voice sounded at that moment.

"Since when?" Anna looked around her, then laughed. "Of course I'm not alone, silly, you're here." She staggered to the wall and leaned against it. "Why is the room spinning?"

Elsa grabbed Anna's hand and helped her to walk into her parlor. "Come on, Anna. Let's get you into bed."

The princess giggled. "Nah, I just got out of bed. Don't want to."

Elsa stopped and dropped Anna's hand as if it was a hot coal. She slowly turned around, her eyes steely cold. "What did you just say?"

"Aw, Elsa, don't be like this." The princess tried to hug her sister but Elsa shoved her away. "What wrong?"

"You… you slept with Kristoff?" Even Elsa couldn't believe the words as they left her mouth.

"Sleep?" Anna appeared to grapple at the concept. "Yeah, sleep—I'm so tired."

At that moment Elsa shattered, and her heart lay bare, her soul in pieces. Oh, Anna… But she clamped the knowledge deep inside, determined not to fall apart at the seams. "What have you done…?"

But the princess had fallen into one of the chairs at the fireplace, and was already asleep.

Elsa awoke at dawn and immediately knew that her sister was lying next to her. She had crawled into the bed sometime after the fire died down, seeking Elsa's warmth. Elsa closed her eyes and willed herself not to cry. She would not do it, not now, not ever again. After rolling over and sitting up she turned to look down at Anna's peaceful face and she was tempted to caress her cheek. But the memory of last night's conversation hit her, and she hardened her heart, if only for now. Elsa got out of bed to begin preparations for her departure.

There was a discreet knock on her door. She quietly made her way to her parlor. "Yes?"

"It is Gerda, Your Majesty."

Elsa opened the door and smiled. "Good morning, Gerda. I trust that everything is ready?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The carriage awaits to take you to the stables immediately."

The Queen glanced over her shoulder. "Gerda, the princess is sleeping in my bed She—had a rough night, and will need to taken care of when she awakes."

Gerda looked surprised. "Is the princess well, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, but she favored too much drink last night, and I don't suppose she'll wake up in the best of moods." Elsa put on her riding gloves. She was about to leave, and then paused at her door. "If she's upset over anything tell her—tell her not to worry, that everything will be alright."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

The carriage arrived at the Royal Stables just as the sun peeked over the eastern hills. The morning was cold, and frost covered the ground. Elsa stepped down from the carriage and immediately went into the stables, ignoring footmen and guards. She found Kristoff already waiting for her. But he didn't look like his normal self. He looked tired and his normally bright eyes were bloodshot. There were a few guards in the foyer, and she ordered them out.

Elsa glared at Kristoff. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

The mountain man removed his hat. "I'm so sorry for feeling sick this morning, but…"

"Anna came home drunk! After spending the night with you!"

Kristoff's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty, but we—I mean, Anna…well, we went to the bar to have a farewell drink…and one thing led to another…"

"What? Is that all you've got to say for yourself? What were you thinking, Kristoff?"

Kristoff backed up a step. "We really just wanted to celebrate my leaving, and not be glum about it."

Elsa was furious, and took a step closer to the mountain man. "So you decided to bed her?!"

Kristoff was aghast. "What? No, no, no! All she did was sleep in my bed for a while! We didn't have…have…" He dropped to one knee. "We didn't have carnal relations, Your Majesty, I swear it!"

Elsa blinked, and her fury abated somewhat. "What? But she said…"

"She said we had sex?" The mountain man was nearly hysterical.

Elsa shook her head. "Ah, no, she was rather drunk." She thought about the conversation, and realized Anna never actually mentioned sex. Elsa closed her eyes.

"I swear by my honor."

All enmity drained from Elsa, and she cringed. "So, you and Anna?"

"All we did was drink too much, Your Majesty, I swear it." Kristoff calmed, noticing that the Queen seemed to be doing the same.

Elsa turned away from Kristoff and squeezed her eyes shut in shame for having believed that Anna would… Elsa groaned and mentally slapped herself for such thoughts. When she turned back to the mountain man, her look was apologetic. "I'm so sorry for jumping to conclusions, Kristoff. Come on, please get up."

But Kristoff was still a little wary. "Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, please, come now."

"I would never lie to you, Your Majesty." The mountain man stood and dusted off his trousers, and then appeared to come to an unwanted decision. "I wanted to, but she was drunk, and we both said things we didn't really mean."

Elsa turned cold again. "What kind of things?"

"I told her I wasn't in love with her," Kristoff stated, his heart on his sleeve. "But I think I broke her heart when I said it, Your Majesty."

"You did?" Elsa stared at the ground, her heart broken for the second time.

"I think so, Your Majesty, because she started crying after I said it." Kristoff continued to clutch at his hat. "I hope she can forgive me."

Elsa looked up. "You know the Princess, Kristoff, she has a way of recovering from heartache rather quickly." She tilted her head slightly. "What kind of things did Anna say?"

Kristoff cleared his throat. "I…umm…don't know if I should repeat the things that came out of her mouth, Your Majesty."

Elsa's eyes went wide with the implication. "Oh, I see." She decided to leave the matter alone for now, and confront Anna when see returned in a few days. "Are you ready, Kristoff?"

"Just let me say good-bye to Sven, Your Majesty."

Anna rolled over onto side, caught somewhere between the awake and sleeping worlds, and groaned rather loudly. The effect of doing so pushed her more into the waking world and her eyes fluttered. The first thing she was aware of was the feeling of extreme nauseousness and a blinding headache. She carefully rolled onto her back and tried to remember anything about the previous night that would cause this. She drifted in-between sleep and wakefulness, her mind flitting from one scenario to another, and she settled on the image of her sister leaning over her, sweating and grunting. Her eyes snapped open.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness."

"Gerda?" Anna tried to speak but her mouth felt like cotton. "What time is it?"

The Head of the Household looked over to Elsa's clock. "About two in the afternoon, Your Highness." She rose from her seat at the foot of the bed. "I've taken the liberty of brewing some tea that should help with your headache and upset stomach." She brought a tray over to one of the Queen's side tables and poured a generous portion. "Would you fancy some sugar in your tea, Madam?"

Anna turned her head and inhaled the soothing aroma of the tea. "How…how did you know I'd be sick?"

"Her Majesty told me, this morning, Your Highness."

"Elsa did? But how…" Anna closed her eyes again and tried to think of what exactly happened the previous night. She remembered leaving the Queen to go into the village to look for Kristoff, to say good-bye to him. But what happened next…?

They decided to go and have a drink… just one drink? Anna slowly sat up, her bleary eyes blinking and tearing up. She glanced at Gerda. "Gerda, do you what happened last night?"

Gerda offered the Princess a comforting smile. "All I know is that Her Majesty instructed me to look after you, Your Highness—and that you had a few too many."

Anna clutched at her aching head and brought the steaming cup to her lips, and downed most of the tea in one long slurp. Afterwards, she slumped back on the bed and burped rather loudly. "Excuse me."

Gerda sat on the end of the bed and regarded the younger woman. "My, my…I remember when you were a wee one, Princess. Do you remember when I would bounce you on my knee? You would giggle oh so sweetly."

Anna lifted her head and opened one eye. "I swear if you bounce me now I'll vomit all over you."

Gerda chuckled. "Does Her Highness require some food?"

The princess rolled on her side again and groaned. "No…oh, god… please don't bring food to me now, unless you want to torture me."

The Head of the House smiled and stood up. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Princess?"

"No, thank you, Gerda. Leave the tea, though."

Gerda refilled the Princess's cup before taking her leave. After she was gone Anna sat up again and sipped the tea, and tried to remember everything that happened the previous night.

Bits and pieces started to come back to her after a few moments and she remembered making many toasts to celebrate Kristoff's voyage to the Americas, and then… something about… kissing, or more than just kissing? Anna fully opened her eyes, her pain momentarily forgotten. Did she kiss Kristoff in her drunken state? She seemed to remember wanting to kiss him and then… Anna blushed at the clear memory of planting one sloppy kiss on Kristoff's lips, and then wanting to take it further, but the mountain man refused. Then her mind became fuzzy again and she couldn't remember what happened next, only that she was wandering the halls of the castle…

Wait, what…? Anna jerked and almost dropped her cup. It landed on the table with a slosh and she ran her hand over her face at the memory of bumping into Elsa and telling her she was drunk. She couldn't be absolutely sure, but somehow she had conveyed to her sister her inebriated state of mind, she was sure of it. Oh, no… Elsa knew she had been out drinking…and… and…hadn't she told Elsa she was in Kristoff's bed? Anna cringed and inhaled rather deeply, and then fell back onto the bed again… and then became aware she wasn't in her bed, but in Elsa's. She opened her eyes and felt her heart sink. Yes, she was sure that she somehow told Elsa she had been in Kristoff's bed. Did Elsa think Kristoff and I…?

Anna felt ashamed, and knew then she had wanted Kristoff when she was drunk, but he had been the one to stop anything from happening between them; and she was also sure that Elsa probably thought that they did. She buried her face in her hands and cried. Not only for herself, but also for selfishly using the mountain man, and the reasons why.

Kristoff opened his eyes to a gray and misty morning. He got up and looked out of the cave they were sleeping in and saw the dull, stilted morning, wondering why there was a feeling of expectation in the air. Their horses were still tied near the cave's entrance but appeared to be a bit skittish. The mountain man looked over his shoulder to the sleeping Queen and wondered how she knew this cave existed, as he didn't think she had ever ventured to this land as an adult. Kristoff went over to his horse and pulled off one of his saddlebags and sat down next to the entrance. He pulled out bread and cheese and began to eat.

Elsa turned over onto her side and slowly opened her eyes, adjusting herself into a more comfortable position. It wasn't easy on the cold ground however, and she pulled her blanket up closer to her body. Kristoff was at the cave's entrance, and was eating and looking around. She lifted her head. "Good morning, Kristoff."

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Kristoff returned. "Forgive me for not getting up."

"That's alright." Elsa yawned and sat up, and then felt the call of nature. She slipped on her boots and wrapped the blanket around herself and stepped out to the cave's entrance. She paused at the look in the sky. "The morning seems muted, almost unwanted, and leery."

Kristoff stopped eating and looked up at the Queen, a queer feeling stealing over him. "That sounds way too gloomy, Your Majesty."

Elsa looked down at the man. "Sorry, perhaps I should keep my observations to myself? I'll be back in a few minutes."

Kristoff took a large bite of cheese and watched Elsa as she rounded a large boulder. He wondered, and not for the first time, if the Queen was sick and seeking out the trolls to cure her of her ailment; because she had talked the same silliness yesterday as she just did now. Didn't Anna ramble on about something similar while they were getting drunk? She had talked about the end of the world and fulfilling some sort of strange prophecy; and now the Queen seemed to be talking in riddles, using similar language.

He looked up and saw Elsa returning and decided to ask her about it. "May I ask you a question, Your Majesty?"

Elsa dropped her blanket and retrieved her own saddlebag. "Is something bothering you, Kristoff?"

"I guess—I'm being a little curious." He rummaged through his bag and produced a dried salami. "Well, when Anna was drunk…" He saw the Queen stiffen momentarily. "…she talked about some really strange stuff."

Elsa produced some dried lingonberries from her bag and began munching on them. "What kind of stuff?"

"It was dismal, just like you did a few minutes ago. About the end of the world and prophecies—something about dark magic."

The Queen sighed, but decided not to open up to the inquisitive man. "I'm sure she was just drunk and rambling on about nothing."

"That's the thing, Your Majesty, it gave me a strange feeling when she did."

"You were drunk, as well, Kristoff."

The mountain man regarded the Queen for a few moments and wondered if he was just being inane in his thoughts. "You're right, Your Majesty. What could I be thinking, right?"

Elsa put down her bag an cringed somewhat. She hadn't meant to demean the sensitive man. "I'm sorry, Kristoff. I didn't mean to debase you in any way." She thought about it some more, and then made a decision. "Kristoff, may I entrust you with an important matter?"

"Aside from my bad behavior yesterday I think I'm trustworthy, Your Majesty. Just ask ole Sven."

The Queen then proceeded to tell Kristoff all about the Fimbulvetr and Jörmungandr and of the true nature of the Trolls who raised him. But she was certain to leave some specific portions of the prophecy secret, the ones concerning her and Anna.

After their talk Elsa and Kristoff packed up their scattered camp and headed with all haste towards the Valley of the Living Rock, both eager to engage the trolls.

Thank you for all the support and comments, I really do appreciate them. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. I admit that I caved in this chapter, and didn't have Anna and Kristoff have sex (people reacted badly to the idea), as I initially intended. It would not have been gratuitous, though, and it would have created a specific tension for the upcoming chapters, which is now lost.

Note 8/19/14: This note is in response to the negative reviews that this story is not Elsanna. Trust me, it is, from this point forward. Remember that at this time in the story Anna is a little freaked out by the whole Fimbulvetr ordeal, and is perhaps acting out a bit because of it. She settles down and realizes what an ass she's been, I promise; and there i definitely love in the future for Elsa and Anna.