Master Kai stepped out of the outer gates and pulled his coat even tighter, as it was an especially chilly night, and the scattered raindrops were freezing. The long bridge that led into the city was now lined with torches, and there were guards posted every fifty feet, to keep him abreast of anything out of the ordinary. The man was worried, and it didn't help that he had to confide in Lindar, because now the lieutenant was wandering the streets of Arendelle, intent on hunting down the stags.

Kai turned to walk back into the castle courtyard when he heard a commotion at the other end of the bridge, and then noticed the obvious presence of the giant red deer, as they towered over the guards. He took off as fast as he could towards them, determined to ward off any attack Lindar could make. But as he approached them the wagon came into view, with the Queen sitting on its bench, and giving out orders.

Several guards and soldiers had surrounded the wagon, and were now intensely listening to what Elsa was saying. "… and I want no trouble from you or the rest of the guard. The stags are to be left alone, do you all understand me?"

Out of breath, Kai stopped just a few yards from the wagon, and noticed Lieutenant Lindar as he nodded in agreement. "Your Majesty!"

Elsa whirled around at the sound of Kai's voice. "Master Kai." She glanced back at Anna and the baby before turning around to face the man. "The stags are going to escort this wagon to the castle doors, and no one is to stop them. Do you understand me?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. Guards!"

Dvalinn grasped the reins in his mouth again and began to pull again just as Elsa jumped down from the wagon. She watched as he slowly pulled the wagon down the long bridge, the other two stags following behind. "Master Kai, send a runner to the castle along with this message." After handing the note over she put on the coat she had grabbed from the wagon.

Kai called over a soldier, and instructed him to do just as the Queen ordered. "Go, now!"

Elsa waited for Kai to be finished with the soldier. "Walk with me."

The Master of the Castle fell in line with his sovereign as she casually walked down the bridge. "Your bidding, my Queen."

"I need to know what has happened since—the incident."

Kai glanced at the Queen. "Where is princess Anna?" He tried to keep the worry out his voice, but failed.

"She is lying down in the back of the wagon, along with the baby." Elsa felt the beginnings of a blush, and groaned.

"I… but… I didn't think she was that far along with her pregnancy." Kai avoided looking at his Queen.

"It's a long story, Kai, and I'll tell you all about it in the morning. But right now I need to know about the castle and the nobles, and—was Jörmungandr seen by anyone?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty, by Lieutenant Lindar. He caught a glimpse of the beast just before you broke through your window again. I had to make a difficult decision then, so I told him about Jörmungandr and the prophecies." Kai was expecting the Queen to lash out at him, but she didn't.

Elsa solemnly nodded. "Then it is time that the nobles know, as well. The war is upon us, I can feel it." She looked up as the winds blew harshly along the bay, sending freezing raindrops everywhere. Even though it was night, she could see another storm, far out along the sea, and knew that the chilling snow was coming along with it. "There is so much to do, and I have little time to do it."

"What do you need of me, Queen Elsa?"

"First thing in the morning I need to meet with General Urban and Admiral Crispin, and go over strategy. We need five companies of soldiers at Arendelle's borders, as a first defense. Secondly, after lunch I need to meet with all the nobles in the throne room—and I will tell them about Jörmungandr and the Ragnarök. After that I will need to go to the Weselton Embassy and interrogate Admiral Stinus, and see if I can get him to talk. He did express his desire to talk to me alone, so let's see what we can get from him." Elsa looked around her. "Where are all the soldiers and guards, Kai?"

"In for the night, Your Majesty."

"No, that is unacceptable. I want them out now; I want soldiers and guards patrolling the streets twenty-four hours a day. Make sure that is the first thing you do when we reach the castle." The blonde slowed down, and let Kai catch up with her. "Understand?"

"Perfectly, Your Majesty."

Elsa continued her musings. "Princess Anna will need to see Gerda in the morning, Kai, so make sure she knows this, before breakfast."

Kai nodded. "Is there anything else, Queen Elsa?"

Elsa sighed, all her energy drained. "Yes, do not bother me for the rest of night, Kai, this time between now and the morning is for me." As they reached the castle gates she felt her stomach growl. "But I am hungry, so have a meal brought to my chambers as soon as possible."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Elsa quietly opened the door to her chambers and stepped inside, trying to see if anything was out of the ordinary. But it was obvious that the parlor room had been cleaned, and someone had lit a fire in the fireplace. She walked into her bedroom and saw that Anna was in her bed, sleeping, and the baby was in a crib beside the bed, sleeping as well. Her eyes wandered over to her windows, and she noticed that a rather large section had been boarded up. The reality of Jörmungandr hit home again, and she reeled from the impact. After groaning she sat down rather heavily on the bed.

"Are you troubled again, Elsa?"

The blonde jumped a little. "I thought you were sleeping."

Anna yawned. "I was, until I heard your footsteps."

Elsa got up and unbuttoned her coat, and then draped it over a chair. "No, not troubled, snowflake. I'm just in need of a decent night's sleep—after I eat, of course." She sat down in the chair to remove her boots, and, before long, both heard the quiet knocking at her parlor door. As she got up to answer an image of Kristoff flashed into her memory, and she became a little frightened. "Who… who is it?"

"Its just me, Your Majesty."

The blonde sighed in relief at Kai's voice. "Come in."

Kai opened the door and directed a page to roll the cart near the fireplace. He then bid the Queen goodnight and just as quietly left. When he was gone Elsa locked the door, taking no chances.

Elsa found her favourite breakfast foods on the tray and smiled; Kai knew her all too well. She sat down in her favourite chair and helped herself to scrambled eggs and potatoes.

"Is there enough for two?"

The blonde nodded. "More than enough, I think." Elsa noticed the extra plate on the cart, and inwardly thanked Kai for his insight. "Where is the baby?"

"He's sleeping, so I thought—"

"Please get him, Anna. I don't want him to be left alone right now, not while he's so tiny."

Anna took a moment to really watch Elsa, and noted the anxious expression on her face. She ambled over to her and knelt down. "Are you really so worried over him, Elsa?" Reaching up, she cupped Elsa's face in her palms. "Okay, I'll go get him."

Elsa put down her fork and waited, and then blinked when Anna placed the baby in her arms. Her eyes wandered all over him, taking in every detail, and she counted his toes and fingers again, to which Anna chuckled. Elsa sat back in her chair and cradled her son in her arms. "Anna…"

Anna was standing at the cart, serving herself some food. "Yes?"

Again, Elsa tried to give voice to the emotions roiling within her; she was filled with awe once more at the tiny boy in her arms, and she marveled at just how perfect he was, in many ways. "I am such a fool, Anna."

The princess sat down in the chair next to Elsa's and began to eat. "How so?"

"Here I am the mighty Queen of Arendelle, invested with divine power to rule over a successful Kingdom—and yet, when I hold him, I feel helpless and weak in his presence." Elsa felt a one tear slowly fall.

Anna felt a warm smile coming, and her heartfelt laughter filled the room. "Oh, Elsa, you are going to make a wonderful parent." She put down her plate and leaned over the Queen's chair. "You have no idea what that kind of talk does to me," she whispered.

Elsa blushed and leaned forward for a kiss. But if Anna was expecting a passionate kiss, she may have been a little disappointed. The blonde gently pressed her lips on the princess' for only a few seconds, her lips meant to convey her love, and not her lust. "I can only imagine, Anna."

Anna snickered and sat back down. "Don't worry, Elsa, even if I wanted to my body couldn't, not for awhile, at least."

"I understand, at least, I think I do." She lifted the baby and kissed his little forehead. "I love you."

They ate in companionable silence for a long while, but soon the baby yawned and began to fidget, and his little cries filled the silent room. Elsa lifted him and rested his head on her shoulder and began to rub his back, but the crying continued.

"Do you think he's hungry?"

Anna finished her eggs and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Here, give him to me."

Elsa knelt by the fireplace and added more wood to the burning embers, as she had a feeling she would be up all night, and needed a warm room in which to think. There was a lot to do in the morning and she wanted to be completely ready for anything. She looked over her shoulder at Anna, and how serene she looked, and felt a momentary pang of jealousy. She wanted nothing more than to spend her days peacefully by Anna's side, raising their child in a nonbelligerent kingdom, without strife and derision.

The blonde stoked the fire and thought for a few moments. Perhaps her strategy needed to be altered. It was entirely possible she was neglecting a certain aspect of the coming war because of her natural skepticism and unbelief—and it still remained, despite her experiences at Yggdrasil. But this was not the time for reticence, but for action. "Óðinn?"

Anna looked up. "Did you say something, Elsa?"

Elsa moved away from the fireplace and went to the liquor cabinet. "Just thinking aloud, Anna." She needed to send someone to Yggdrasil, to find the god, and bring him to Arendelle.

Outside the winds began to pick up, and the snow began to fall, and Elsa knew that this storm was only the beginning of what was to come.

Here is part 2 of the larger chapter.

This chapter was so hard to write, and I'm not completely happy with it. As always let me know what you think, please review.