Elsa stood in the north attic and looked about at the nearly completed renovations. The large room was a bit imposing with the huge iron bars bolted into the walls, and she wondered if they would indeed hold a dragon. Only the north wall itself was incomplete, and a few ironworkers were now busy laboring at it. Elsa turned around and noticed Master Steingard standing at the door. She waved him over to her.

"Good afternoon, Master Steingard." Elsa smiled at her favourite architect, and grasped his hand. "I want to thank you for the promptness with which you attended to this project."

The older man blushed a little. "No need to thank me, Your Majesty. It was my pleasure to work on one of Her Majesty's designs."

"It will work, won't it? I mean, the storms ought not to be a bother."

Steingard nodded. "They should be no trouble at all. Would you like me to have the furniture brought back up, Your Majesty?"

"No, I think we'll keep it in the cellars for now. But thank you anyway, Master Steingard."

"I was thinking, Your Majesty, if you would like to participate in future design projects?"

"Really? You would like me to help you?" Elsa was excited by the proposition.

"Not as help, Your Majesty, but as in lead architect. This design is really perfect, and I'm very impressed with your abilities. Was it the late king who influenced your love of architecture?"

"Yes, it was one of the things I did to help me relax." Elsa smiled at the memories. "Yes, I'd like to. It would surely be better than all those meetings I attend to."

Steingard bowed. "If you will excuse me, Your Majesty."

Elsa looked up as the man walked away and noticed Anna standing in the door. She smiled and walked over to her. "Come in, I want to show you the progress we've made." She took Anna's hand but the princess didn't budge. "What is it?"

The princess had a strange look on her face. She squeezed Elsa's hand and looked at her shyly. "I…um…can you come with me?"

Elsa nodded and followed Anna out of the room. She led them down to another part of the attic, to a section that once housed servant's quarters, and opened a door to a darkened room. Once they were inside she pounced on Elsa and crashed their lips together. Elsa groaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Anna's waist.

The Queen broke from the kiss and cleared her throat. "Whoa, Anna, slow down…"

Anna used the opportunity to nibble at Elsa's neck. "I missed you this morning. Where did you go?"

"We have a surprise visitor from Weselton." The Queen grabbed her sister and turned them towards a wall. "Magnus's sister has decided to call upon us."

Anna nodded, although she was hardly paying attention. "Uh huh… Elsa, my skirt."

"Oh, yes, of course." Elsa grabbed at Anna's skirt and began to hike it up. "Ah, do you want to know why she's here?"

The princess nodded again and gasped. "Yeah, sure."

The Queen pressed up against Anna and reached between them to unclasp her trousers. They fell to her knees. Her hands shook as she lifted Anna up to straddle her waist and she groaned when Anna wrapped her legs around her. "Well, she… she… oh, god, Anna…"

Anna desperately clutched at Elsa's back, her breath ragged, and her lust at its peak. "Please…" She gasped as Elsa entered her and she squeezed her legs, her heels digging into the Queen's backside. Anna bucked against the Queen so vigorously that Elsa staggered back from the wall and almost fell, but she used her improved strength to keep them tightly bound together.

Elsa supported them by placing one hand on the wall, and the other around Anna's waist as they undulated together; their bodies writhed as one, and moans and gasps were the only language spoken.

Anna opened her watering eyes, feeling well sated, and shyly looked down on Elsa, who had an arm flung over her eyes, and was panting. Her heart melted at the sight, and she wiped at her eyes. "Please look at me."

Elsa let her arm fall to the floor, and looked at Anna through half-lidded eyes. "How long?"

Anna quivered, her body still on edge, and her feelings soaring. "All morning, Elsa. You've been—on my mind."

The Queen shuddered, her flesh still deep in the princess straddling her lap. "I certainly hope the construction workers didn't hear."

Anna bit her lip and drew in a deep breath. "I don't care. I love what we do together, Elsa. You make me feel so damn good."

"I do?" Elsa shook her head, and willed herself to calm. "I love it, too." She could still feel a warming tingling in her spine and limbs. "Anna…"

Anna gasped; Elsa was squirming underneath her, and her flesh was hardening again. "Oh, good gracious… more, Elsa?" Her breath hitched, and she rocked her hips back and forth. When Elsa attempted to turn them over she stopped her. "No—like this. Let me work you for a change."

Elsa could only nod, incoherent in her pleasure.

The Countess paced nervously back and forth in the guest chambers of Arendelle castle, a valet and Lady in Waiting right beside her. She thought it a bit rude of the Queen to keep her waiting, as she conveyed to her Lady in Waiting again and again. Finally, in the late afternoon, there was a knock on her door. The valet opened the door to the Queen and Princess of Arendelle.

The Lady in Waiting and the Valet both bowed; and at first, the Countess openly smiled at the Queen, and then she gave her a questioning look at the uniform. "Preparing for war, Queen Elsa?"

Elsa offered the Countess a terse smile. "I might ask the same of you, Countess Aida, as we both know Weselton finds itself doing the same."

"You don't really think I'm part of Magnus' schemes, do you, Elsa?"

The Queen bristled slightly at the use of her given name, especially in front of servants. "Aida—what are you doing here?"

Anna was surprised at Elsa's familiarity, and she looked at the Countess with open hostility. The Countess noticed this and purposely avoided addressing her.

Aida closed the distance between herself and Elsa and held open her arms. "I come as a friend, Elsa."

Elsa accepted the embrace, but Aida held on a little too long for propriety's sake. "Countess Aida, welcome to Arendelle." She disengaged herself from the other woman's arms, and was a little taken aback by the other's boldness. "We have other duties to attend to before dinner, but I trust you'll be in attendance?"

"Of course, Elsa."

"Countess?" Elsa looked expectantly at the other woman, and cleared her throat when she took her time responding. "Do you not see Princess Anna? I expect you to show deference to her as per her station."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Aida curtsied to the princess. "Your Highness."

Anna nodded back. "Countess."

Elsa extended her arm. "Princess?"

Anna took Elsa's arm and looked pointedly at the Countess. "Until later, Countess."

As soon as they were out in hallway Anna fumed. "What was that all about, Elsa?"

The Queen patted the hand that was on her arm. "That was the Countess Weselton being her normal manipulative self. We formally met at Arendelle's first Ball, about a year ago. At the time I found her to be a bit of a flirt, but not just with me."

"I don't recall meeting her then."

Elsa glanced at Anna. "That's because you were kind of—busy with Kristoff, Anna. You two hardly took your eyes off each other."

The princess cleared her throat. "Now that you remind me, yes, I seem to remember." She noticed that Elsa was leading them to another door on the guest level of the castle. "Where are we going?"

Elsa opened the door and stepped aside so Anna could enter first. Then, once she was inside, she froze the handle shut. It was a bedroom.

Anna glanced at the bed and looked at Elsa. "I take it you don't have any meetings this late afternoon?"

Elsa froze the door handle again. "Actually, I'm so busy I don't have time for anything else." She removed her officer's coat and threw it on a chair.

Anna smirked and then fanned herself. "It seems like I, too, have a full schedule." She unhooked her skirt and let it puddle around her feet, and then she stepped out of her shoes.

The Queen finished unbuttoning her shirt and, it, too, went onto the chair. "Yes, I'm sure you do. My God, Anna, all you ever do is work."

The princess helped Elsa out of her boots, and then she unclasped her trousers. "You know what they say, my Queen, that a Princess's work is never done?"

Elsa guided Anna over to the bed and helped her to lie down. "We work entirely too hard, I think."

Anna thought about it, and then gasped as Elsa lowered onto her and entered her quickly. She wrapped an arm around Elsa's shoulders. "You work too hard…oh, god, you're so hard…"

"How could you let it happen?" Magnus picked up his glass and threw it against the wall. "When did she leave?"

The Ninth Duke of Weselton was sitting with his advisors in the realms' Council Chambers. He was sitting with his generals and admirals, planning the war against Arendelle, and at the moment was livid. He rose and turned around to stare into the fireplace.

General Voljor cleared his throat, and spoke up. "No one was told not to let the Countess take out her personal vessel, my Liege."

"And just where do you think she's heading, General?" Magnus slammed his hand against the hearth. "She's going to Arendelle!"

Admiral Stinus stood, and went over to the Duke. "Perhaps you should sit back down, my Liege," he whispered.

Magnus whirled on the man, his breath clearly spoke of alcohol. "I'll sit if I want to!" He glanced at his other advisors, and their pensive looks, and then acquiesced. "Alright." The Duke sat back down. "Stinus, get me another drink."

Another admiral spoke. "We did, indeed, decide to follow the Countess' ship, and you are correct, my Lord, her course suggests passage to Arendelle."

Magnus took the drink Stinus gave him and set it down. "I want someone to sail immediately and bring her back, I don't care if you have to sail with our Flagship or the whole goddamn fleet, I want her back now!"

Stinus sat back down, his look surprised. "Suppose she requests asylum in Arendelle?"

The Duke glared at his underling, and seethed. "She wouldn't dare… who's going to fulfill His Lord's wishes?"

His generals and admirals looked at each other. Finally, it was Stinus who spoke up. "I will go, immediately, my Lord." He stood and bowed. As he reached the conference room doors he turned around. "I would like to take a contingent of elite Guards with me, if my Lord doesn't mind?"

"I don't mind at all." Magnus downed his drink. "I don't care about the others. Dispose of them as you wish, but I want my sister back here alive. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly, my Liege."

Roman opened the doors to the Throne Room and peered inside. He noticed Hans and their father at the opposite end of the room, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anyone."

King Edvardt looked up and then beamed. "Roman! Come here, my wayward son!"

Hans frowned as the twelfth oldest son and father embraced. He looked at the documents in his hands before choosing to speak. "Where have you been?"

Roman's smile faltered. "What is this, the Inquisition? For your information, brother, I've been busy in France, doing a little bit of business, haven't I, father?"

Edvardt moved to sit on his Throne and motioned for Roman to sit next to him, on the Queens' Throne. "Come here and tell me all about it?" Hans stiffened at the move, but wasn't surprised by his father's special affection for him. He was the only son so far as to grace his parents with grandsons. All his other brothers who had children had been favored with girls.

Roman took the seat and motioned for a nearby page. "Fetch me an aperitif, will you?"

The page nodded and left the Throne Room. Roman turned to his father. "You will be happy to know that I've brought back certainties from the Dauphin, himself. If we do find ourselves at a disadvantage in our war against Arendelle the Dauphin will send his personal forces to assist us."

The King blew out a startled breath. "Well done Roman, well done. How did you manage such a feat?"

Roman accepted the glass the page offered him. "Thank you. You know me well enough that I'll never reveal my methods."

Hans stepped forward. "I'm in charge of this war, and I would love to know your methods."

Roman looked at his brother. "Later, brother, later. Shall we not celebrate my good news?"

Edvardt reached over and clapped him on the back. "Indeed."

Hans continued to eye Roman, and he tilted his head somewhat. Something just wasn't right. "You'll be interested to know that Ingleif has been arrested."

For the briefest moment, a flare of doubt flashed over Roman's face, but it was gone quickly. "What has that bore done now? Did he burp in your face, Hans? Or did he knock up one of his whores?"

Hans was furious. "You indignant—"

Edvardt threw up his hand. "That's enough, Hans! Roman has done right by me, and tonight we celebrate."

Hans continued to eye Roman warily, his intuition telling him that something just wasn't right…

Elsa sat at her desk in her private Study and went through her correspondence. She was looking for some news from Zander, but there were no letters from him, nor from Lieutenant Ingarth, who Zander had chosen to take with him to the Southern Isles. Elsa sat back and balanced a cup of tea in her hand. It wasn't like Zander to take this long to communicate with her, and she wondered if the man had been captured. She had a lot of faith in the man, but he was only human, and was trotting a dangerous road. After sighing, she picked up an expense report from her ambassador in Weselton and began to read it; a knock on her door aggravated her.

"Come in."

A page opened the door slightly and peered inside. "Your Majesty, the Countess of Weselton wishes to see you."

Elsa blew out a frustrated breath. "Not now, please tell her—"

The Countess flew past the page and curtsied to the Queen with an exaggerated flourish. "Come now, Elsa, we must have a talk before dinner."

The Queen set down her cup and waved away the page. "Countess—Aida—I would appreciate it if you treated me with the respect I'm due. You will address me as Queen Elsa or Your Majesty."

Aida sauntered over to the desk and sat down on it. "Really, Queen Elsa, after all we shared together?"

"I seem to recall you kissing me, as well as other members of my court." Elsa reached out to the small table next to her desk and retrieved her bottle of whiskey. She poured a generous portion into her tea. "Will you please get off my desk." Elsa could smell the Countess' perfume, and it unsettled her.

The Countess could feel the Queen's eyes on her. "Come now, Queen Elsa—"

Both were startled by the open door; Princess Anna stood on the threshold. "Elsa, I was…" She stopped talking as she noticed the Countess on Elsa's desk. Her eyes went wide and an intense flare of jealousy hit her.

Elsa froze as the Countess slowly removed herself from her desk. She smiled at Anna as she walked past her. "Until later, Your Majesty. Princess."

Anna quietly shut the door and took in a deep breath. "That woman can't stay here, Elsa."

Elsa was ridged, seething in anger, and something else. "I think you're right, Anna. I shall have her removed from the castle immediately. She can lodge in the city for all I care."

Anna walked over to Elsa, and the Queen tried to hide herself, but Anna saw. "What—oh, god, Elsa, no…"

Elsa looked up, her eyes full of sorrow. "I'm sorry, Anna, I didn't think this would happen."

Anna's jealousy withered away at the look in her sister's eyes, and she knew that Elsa wasn't guilty of anything intentional. Anna took the place that the Countess had vacated. "Do not grieve yourself so." Her heart melted at the unshed tears in Elsa's eyes. "Oh, please, Elsa, there is no reason to cry. You haven't done anything wrong." She pulled the Queen closer to her and Elsa wrapped her arms around her waist and buried her face in her chest.

The touch was comforting, not arousing, and Elsa could feel herself calm down. "Thank you, Anna."

The princess smiled and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Elsa's head. She reached up and touched one of the horns. "Have they stopped growing?"

"I don't know. Have they?"

"Well, your hair still covers them, so I don't think they've grown since our return from the Valley of the Living Rock."

Elsa looked up. "What could that mean?"

"I don't know. But it must be a good sign, don't you think?"

The Queen scooted herself back and then pulled Anna down for a proper kiss. Their lips touched, and Elsa tentatively reached out with her tongue, begging for entrance. She felt Anna's nodding, and she smiled into the kiss as their tongues danced. When they broke apart there was joy in their eyes.

Elsa offered Anna her sweetest smile. "I love you, snowflake."

Anna reached out and cupped Elsa's cheeks. "You know I love you, don't you, Elsa?"

The Queen nodded. "I know." Elsa got up and smoothed down her trousers. "I believe we won't be attending tonight's formal dinner. What do you say to eating in the kitchen and then having an early night to ourselves?"

"What of the Countess, won't she come looking for you?"

"If I know her then the last place she would look for me would be where the servants gather. She is a snob."

"But won't General Urban be there, don't you need to talk to him?" Anna tried to be the voice of reason.

Elsa frowned. "I actually do. Hmmm… what do I do?"

"How long will General Urban be in Arendelle?"

"He's scheduled to leave tomorrow morning. Why?" Elsa took a long sip of her tea.

"Perhaps you could have an early morning breakfast meeting with him. Would that work out?"

Elsa downed her entire cup of tea and then stood. "A brilliant idea, Anna." She gathered the younger woman into her arms. "What would I do without you?"

Anna leaned into the embrace. "I feel the same way. What would I do without me, either." She giggled when Elsa slapped her rear.

Elsa awoke alone for the first time in a long while and immediately missed her sister's comforting presence. She sighed and turned over onto her side, unwilling to get out of bed on such a chilly morning. A quick glance outside her window confirmed that it was going to be a stormy day, perhaps cold enough to snow or a least sleet. Elsa realized she was exhausted from her previous days activities, especially her run in with the Countess. After sighing again, her eyes closed, perhaps a few more minutes and then she would get up.

A few hours later she woke up. She immediately knew that one of the servants had been in her room as there were fresh towels at the foot of her bed. Elsa glanced at her clock and then shot up in bed. Oh, no…my meeting with Urban… After dressing quickly in a simple pair of trousers and button down shirt she opened her parlor door and almost ran into Master Kai, who had just raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Master Kai, if you'll excuse me I have to—"

Kai nodded. "Attend to General Urban? I'm sorry to be the bringer of bad news, Your Majesty, but the gentleman had to leave to attend to the troop exercises. He expressed his regrets on not being able to wait any longer."

"Damn—I really needed to speak to him." Elsa turned away from Kai and waved him away, going over to her liquor cabinet. She poured herself a shot of whiskey and downed it in one gulp. After a few minutes there was a knock on her door.

"Come!"

Anna tentatively peeked her head inside. "Here you are… how did your meeting with General go?"

"It didn't." Elsa poured another shot and downed it. "Anna, I overslept and missed the meeting." She started to pour another but then changed her mind. "Where were you this morning?"

The rain started falling.

"I didn't disturb you this morning because I knew you had that meeting. I didn't want to be a distraction."

Elsa paused, as she didn't want to take her anger out on Anna. "I'm sorry for sounding so gruff." She started to pour another shot when Anna came over to her and put her hands over the bottle.

"Don't you think it's a bit early for this?"

The Queen let out a frustrated breath and put the bottle back. "I'm sorry, I'm just very disappointed in myself right now. I woke up on time for my meeting but I was so tired that I thought I might take a few minutes longer, and then…now look at the time." She slammed the bottle back into the cabinet.

Anna stepped back a bit. "Perhaps I'll see you later."

Elsa looked up and then grabbed Anna and hugged her tightly. She rested her cheek on her head. "No, I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." She inhaled Anna's sweetness and a goofy grin graced her features. "Would you like to go with me to the kitchens and scrounge up some breakfast?"

Anna beamed. "Or, I could make you something to eat?"

"Let me get my boots on."

They made their way down the great spiral staircase to the first floor of Arendelle castle, and walked towards the kitchens.

"So, how did the Countess take to being kicked out of the castle?"

Elsa grinned. "Let's just say she didn't like it very much. I'm relieved she's gone, to be honest."

Anna briefly glanced at blonde. "Do you like her, Elsa?"

Elsa slowed her pace and looked down at the younger woman. "She—flattered me at the Ball, and I will admit I liked it. But then she tried to seduce my entire court and my moment of weakness was over."

Anna didn't appear to be convinced. "But what about last night?"

The Queen stopped and looked around them at the servants going to and fro. "Come with me." She led Anna to an antechamber just off the main hallway—a small room that served as a waiting room for guests—and made sure no one was looking as she pulled Anna inside. She locked the door. "Anna, I don't want the Countess."

The princess breathed in deeply and leaned against a nearby couch. "I'm sorry, Elsa, but you were clearly aroused, weren't you?"

"Would you believe me if I said that it was only a physical reaction to her incredible perfume?"

"Elsa, please, I'm no ingénue. I saw the look in your eyes."

Elsa walked over to Anna. "Anna, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. Yes, my body responded to her perfume—to her nearness to me. But I don't really want her, only you."

"Oh, I'm being a silly fool again, aren't I?"

The blonde smiled. "Perhaps a bit."

They both heard an outlying thunder and were startled into reality. Anna quickly glanced at Elsa. "A storm—how close are we to the full moon?"

Elsa wrapped her arms around Anna. "Less than a week, I believe."

They just stood there, arms wrapped around the other, and listened to a few claps of thunder off in the distance. Anna could feel a small amount of fear in Elsa, and she hugged her tighter. Their eyes met, and a lifetime's worth of love passed between them, as the future seemed uncertain and cloudy. Elsa reeled with the incoming storm, and could feel her connectedness to it. It seeped into her bones, until she let out a small whimper.

Anna hugged her even closer. "What can I do? Please, Elsa, tell me. What can I do to help?"

The blonde closed her eyes and let herself be comforted. "You—being here, like this. It is more than I could wish for." Elsa ran her hands slowly over Anna's back, drinking in the bitter sweetness of her touch.

Anna did the same for Elsa, and soothed down her twitching wings with the gentlest of touches. She let out a cleansing breath and turned her head so that her lips brushed over Elsa's neck.

Elsa closed her eyes and lowered her hands to Anna's bottom, and then quite suddenly, picked her up. Anna instinctively wrapped her legs around Elsa's waist, and whimpered. But Elsa didn't make a move to do anything else, and held onto Anna tightly. But Anna moved, and began to rub herself against Elsa, who was still just standing still, her knees slightly bent.

The Queen's breath hitched in her throat. "Anna, this is arousing. This is only for you, please remember," she whispered. She held on tighter and slowly walked around the couch to the other side, and lowered them both until Anna was on her back. She reached for Anna's hand and guided it to her trousers' clasp. "Do you feel what you do to me?"

Anna was practically panting as her hand fell on swollen flesh. She undid the clasp, and pulled. "I need you inside me, now."

Elsa whimpered, and pulled up Anna's skirts, but then she hesitated. "Anna…"

"Oh, please, Elsa now."

The blonde pushed in and mewled at Anna's slick warmth. "This is only for you, Anna…ah…" She withdrew and then thrust easily back in. "No else will have me." Another thrust. "Ever."

Outside the storm picked up and the winds began to swirl around the castle. The workmen in the north attic picked up their pace, suddenly feeling the need to finish their project as soon as they could.

Time has no meaning in the Valley of the Living Rock, but it was three days after the workman finished their project.

Kristoff looked up from Yggdrasil just Hølje came into view. The shaman looked worried and this alarmed the blonde man. "What's wrong?"

The young troll pointed to the east. "The storms are brewing again in the east and a mighty wind pounds down on the small kingdom of Arendelle."

"But—the full moon hasn't risen."

"It will in one day." Hølje shook his head dolefully. "I am a novice, Kristoff, I hardly know what to do in this matter!" He kicked at a stone and it hit the great white tree.

Yggdrasil hummed, and Ratatoskr meandered down its branches. "What message, o infantile one?"

Kristoff shook his head. "None for now, emissary. We—touched Yggdrasil by mistake"

The great insulting messenger squirrel hissed, and its ears flattened. "Do not waste my time!" It was gone as quickly as it came.

"Don't do that again, Hølje! I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out, and the last thing we need to make enemies here!"

The younger troll recoiled slightly, but understood Kristoff's concerns. "I understand, it won't happen again."

Kristoff looked to the east, and his heart faltered a bit. "Is…is Anna safe?"

"She has Jörmungandr and we have Yggdrasil. Everything is unfolding as it should."

"Then why am I feeling a sense of dread? Is Anna in danger?"

Hølje hesitated, but spoke the truth. "She has the dragon, Kristoff."

Kristoff went white with fear. "Anna…"

The Countess closed the window to the carriage to keep out the rain, and seethed in anger at Queen Elsa for shutting her out of the castle. She had spent the last two days in the drafty Weselton embassy and was eager to be away from it. So she instructed her driver to take her to the castle, as she was determined to find Elsa and demand answers from her. The wind and rain pelted her carriage and threatened to topple it over, yet the Countess was relentless.

Anna and Elsa walked up the remaining stairs to the north attic, each lost in her own thoughts at the coming midnight. They stopped at the door and Elsa opened it, she stepped inside and look about at the iron bars on the walls and windows. She shuddered and quickly grabbed at Anna's hand. "I'm frightened, Anna."

The princess held on tightly. "So am I."

Their eyes locked, and Elsa pulled Anna to her in a final hug. "If I don't make it through this night I want you to know I don't regret anything that has happened between us. I love you, Anna, and our unborn child. Please tell our child how much I did love—"

Anna burst into tears. "Now stop that! Why are you talking like I'll never see you again?"

Elsa felt her own tears flow. "Because I don't know. My god, Anna, look at what happened the last time this happened." She tried to disengage her arms from Anna but the Princess held on. "Please, Anna, you have to go now."

But the princess was in near panic. "I can't just leave you, Elsa!"

"You have to let me go. Please, Anna."

Anna finally dropped her arms as a loud crash of thunder peeled across the horizon, and the rain and winds pelted at the castle. The light of the day was gone, and the only light outside came from the occasional flashes of lightening.

Anna reached up and grabbed Elsa's head and brought her lips down onto her own. They kissed passionately until a flash of lightening shone through the windows.

Elsa broke from the kiss first. "Good bye, Anna. Wait for the clock to strike midnight, and then…" Her voice trailed off.

"I love you, Elsa." Anna turned to go with a great reluctance, but did it anyway. She looked at the door before opening it and stepping outside to the stairway. After locking the door she put one foot in front of other in a vain attempt to stop her aching heart, but it was to no avail. She turned abruptly, thinking to rush back to Elsa, but then realized it would probably anger her if she did. Anna turned back to the stairs walked down to the first floor of the castle.

Elsa stripped herself of her clothes and carefully folded them before placing them on the floor beside her. She stretched her wings out to their full length and breathed in deeply, in an attempt to clear her mind of everything useless to her at this point. She looked down on her feet and realized the scales were more pronounced than they were in the morning, and that the top of her head hurt, where her horns were. She reached up and when she drew her hand back there was blood on it. Instead of sickening her, the presence of blood had the opposite effect, it made her growl deep in her throat. She licked her hand clean of the blood as another flash of lightening flickered through the window. The subsequent peel of thunder caused her wings to flutter and a strange sensation to course up her spine.

Elsa stood up; it was almost time.

Anna sat with Master Kai in the large parlor on the first floor of the castle and had to fight with an uneasy feeling. There was something… not right. There was something that she saw that didn't make any sense to her, but she couldn't quite place it.

Kai looked at the princess expectantly. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" He looked at the clock and it indicated they still had ten minutes to wait. "I know this must be difficult."

The winds whipped up outside and the rains came in sheets, hitting at the castle from all directions. The worst of the storm was coming, and was practically upon them as the lightening and thunder was relentless.

Anna put down her glass of sherry and stared into the fireplace. "This may sound strange, Kai, but I have this nagging feeling."

"About the Queen's transformation? We know she's securely locked in the attic and I doubt she'll be able to escape those irons bars."

"I know, Kai, I locked the door myself." Anna was about to say something else but her sense of foreboding wouldn't go away. I locked the door, and made sure it was secure… "Yes, I locked the door…" The door…

They were interrupted by the slamming open of the parlor door, and the Countess Weselton stormed into the room. "I've been looking all over this castle for the Queen, where is she?"

Anna jumped to her feet. "What are you doing here?" The door…

"You are not welcome in this castle." Kai also rose to his feet. "I must insist that you leave right away, Madame."

The door…

"In this god forsaken storm? I'm not going anywhere."

The…door…! Anna whirled to Kai. "Oh, my God, Kai… the door to that attic room didn't have any iron bars on it!"

The clock struck twelve; and a blood-curling scream could be heard from the far reaches of the castle.

The Countess turned to Anna and Kai. "What on earth was that? What are you two hiding?" She started for the door and Kai tried to stop her. "Let me go now!"

"No, wait!" Anna cried as the Countess stormed out of the parlor. She and Kai followed her into the foyer of the castle.

And then it came, bounding down the great spiral staircase like an animal finally loosed from its fetters. It was larger than any of them expected, at least ten feet tall with a tremendous wingspan. It glared at them and then the Countess screamed. I snarled and charged the Countess, picking her up and throwing her onto the nearest wall. She hit it with a noticeable thwack, and then slid down to the floor. It howled and then crashed into the foyer's double doors and fled out into the night.

Anna sank to her knees and wailed out of fear and anger while Kai went over to the Countess to check on her.

When he looked up his face was white. "She's dead."

I know I said this might take awhile, but I couldn't help it, I had to write. As always, please let me know what you think...