Elsa dozed in front of her parlor fireplace, drifting in and out of the land of dreams. But just as she was about to fall into a deeper sleep, she felt as well as heard the baby begin to cry. She opened her eyes and stood, and then stretched, working out the kinks in her sore muscles. The candles had not quite burnt out, and there were still hot coals in the fireplace, so she reasoned that not much time had passed since her son's last feeding. It seem like he needed nourishment about every three hours.

"Elsa?" Anna's voice was clear, if not a little strained from interrupted sleep.

"I'm coming, Anna." The Queen yawned as she walked into her bedroom just as the princess was bending down into the crib. "Would you like me to change him, Anna?"

Anna picked up the boy and kissed his little cheek. "Thank you. I'll be right back." She carefully handed the baby over to Elsa and then went into the Queen's bathroom.

The blonde set the boy down on her bed and changed his cloth, carefully tying it in place, and making sure it wasn't too tight. "Oh, that's a good boy…"

But the baby didn't seem to think so, as he continued to cry. Elsa gently stroked his soft cheek and tried to make eye contact with him, and when she did, that seemed to soothe him long enough for Anna to come back. When Anna sat down to feed her small son Elsa stoked the fire, and soon had a small blaze going. As the blonde stood and wiped her hands there was a knocking at her parlor door.

Anna looked up and then covered her breast and the baby with a light blanket. "Who is that at this hour?"

"It must be close to dawn." Elsa looked out her bedroom windows and saw the faint first rays of sunrise amidst the swirling snow. "It's most likely Gerda and two of her assistants." After giving Anna a reassuring glance she left her bedroom.

The princess lowered the blanket to smile at her son, and the boy stared back at her, eyes wide. "Hello, my sweet boy. We need to find a name for you, don't we?"

"How about Leif."

Anna looked up to find Gerda standing in the doorway, smiling broadly. "Leif, Gerda?"

"Its an old family name, Princess, I'm surprised you don't remember it was your grandfather's name." Gerda entered into the room and moved to the chair Anna was sitting in. She curtsied and motioned for her assistants to stand next to her.

Anna looked quizzically at Elsa. "I'm so shocked I didn't remember his name. Did you, Elsa?"

Elsa padded over to the Princess and reached for her free hand, grasping it firmly. "Yes, I know it was grandfather's name—our father's father. Our other grandfather was named Albrecht."

Anna smiled up at her sister. "So, what do you think? Prince Leif Albrecht of Arendelle?"

"I like it." The more Elsa thought about it, the more she liked it. She squeezed Anna's hand and then addressed Gerda. "Gerda, I'd like you to acknowledge my son, Prince Leif Albrecht of Arendelle. Should anything happen to Princess Anna and me, he is your sovereign. Do you understand?"

Gerda faltered for only a moment, and then saw the look Elsa was giving her. There was resoluteness in her eyes, and something else, steely intent. It should have unsettled her to some degree but instead it confirmed her suspicions. She had entered the Queen's bedroom a fortnight ago to deliver some laundry and found the Queen and Princess asleep on the bed, with the blankets barely covering their naked bodies; and, she had seen the Queen's…

Anna glanced at Elsa, who was still staring at the Head of the Household. "Perhaps this is not—"

Gerda shook her head. "No, Princess Anna, now is the perfect time." She gestured for her two assistants to come forward and join her at the Princess' side. "You have my fealty, with love, Prince Leif Albrecht, and I vouchsafe these two Ladies in Waiting, my Prince."

Elsa nodded approvingly at the older woman. "Thank you, Gerda. Anna, these Ladies in Waiting are at your disposal; it doesn't matter what time of day it is or for what reason. They will sleep next to Leif and care for him when you are indisposed, and they will also see to your every need, as I am devoting all my waking hours to the war, and my time is no longer my own."

The clock struck at six a.m., and Elsa turned to Gerda. "Please have a bath drawn for me immediately, my day is full and I won't have time later on." She let go of Anna's hand. "Now if you'll excuse us for a moment."

The three women curtsied before leaving, and quietly shut the door behind them.

"Snowflake, I need for you to really listen to me right now." The blonde knelt down next to the chair Anna was sitting in and took her hand again between her own. "There is a lot of preparation I need to do for the upcoming war, and I will need all my time to complete it. Anna, I will not be available to you for quite some time, but I am not leaving you alone, as you can see..."

Anna frowned, and tried to pull her hand away, but Elsa wouldn't let her.

"No, Anna, I will not let you go, just as I am not abandoning you. I feel as if I've wasted too much time already. Do you see the snow storm outside?" Elsa pointed to the windows, and continued when the Princess nodded. "This is only the beginning—the snow storms will only get worse as each week passes. Ragnarök is upon us, and for this I was born, I know that. Everything else must be secondary."

Anna gasped, and this time managed to pull her hand free. "Does that mean Leif and I are secondary, as well?"

"I don't want you to be. May I take him?" When Anna nodded again Elsa carefully picked up her son and cradled him in her arms. A few tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. "My son—Leif. I love you more than life itself, and I will do anything to protect you and your mother." She looked down at Anna and knew in her heart that her words meant more than just a pledge. She would do anything—even die—if it came down to that, to make sure Anna and the baby survived. "Anna, my heart is conflicted within me, and I don't know what to do. I am supposed to meet with many people today to finalize war plans, yet, now that I am here with you and Leif I don't want to go—because I don't know when I'll be back to you."

Anna stood, a faint smile on her face, and reached up to cup Elsa's face. "You go and do what you have to do, Elsa. –Leif and I will be just fine." She lifted on her toes and captured the blonde's lips in a sweet kiss. "Do you mind if I move in here to your rooms?"

"No, I don't mind at all. In fact, I was kind of hoping you would. Better for me to keep track of you this way." Elsa kissed Leif's cheek, then handed the boy back to his mother. "The stags are at my windows, there are soldiers in the castle, and you have me to protect you."

"But the guards didn't help before."

"I didn't say guards, Anna, but soldiers. They have different training than the castle guards, and will not let anyone near you, not even me if you so order it."

Anna placed the boy's head on her shoulder and began to rub his back, and he burped. She turned around and placed Leif in his crib. "When will I see you again?"

"I don't know, snowflake."

"But won't you come back every night to sleep?" Anna tucked loose strands behind her ear.

"Again, Anna, I don't know. I may be called out to inspect the troops with General Urban, or visit the camps at our borders. This is what I've been trying to tell you, Anna, I don't know when I'll see you again." There was desperation in Elsa's voice, and she shuddered somewhat.

The princess saw this and wrapped her arms around the blonde. She nuzzled Elsa's neck, and whispered, "Do you want to make love?"

Elsa fought for and maintained control over her body. She shook her head. "As much as that is tempting, we cannot afford for you to get pregnant again."

Anna blushed profusely. "Oh… uhm… I didn't think about that." Her hands fell to Elsa's waist. "Please, come back to me."

"I will, I promise."

Anna let go of the blonde. "Now, to your bath, Your Majesty."

The Queen entered the royal dining chamber just shortly after seven in the morning and found General Urban and Admiral Crispin already waiting for her. Both were dressed in their formal attire, with swords at their sides, and freshly scrubbed. She sat down in her usual spot and nodded to the men. "Urban. Crispin."

General Urban removed his gloves and placed them besides his plate. "It's good to see you again, Your Majesty. I take it this is not a social occasion?"

"Would that life was ever that easy." Elsa nodded to the footmen and they stepped forward to serve the meal. "Did Master Kai tell you about the companies of soldiers I want around Arendelle?"

"Yes, my Queen, he woke me much earlier and informed me. I then dispatched couriers to my camp to make sure the order is carried out. There will be five companies—two hundred, fifty men each—around Arendelle by the day after tomorrow. But, may I make a suggestion, Your Majesty?"

Elsa picked up her fork, even though she was not hungry. "Yes, what is it?"

"Let me assign five more companies, about a half mile further from our border, to act as possible scouts. This will make me feel much better."

The Queen nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. How will the current storm impede this process?"

Urban sipped at his tea. "We have been training for combat in all weather conditions—the only thing that concerns me is that it will take more time for orders to be sent out. I have no doubt that they will be followed."

Admiral Crispin poured himself a cup of coffee. "I hope the harbor doesn't freeze over."

"How many tall ships do we have in port, Admiral?" Urban took a bite of warm cheese.

"Right now there are only eight in the harbor; three at port and five docked out in the bay itself." Crispin sat back in his chair and looked at the Queen. "We need to recall the rest of our fleet, Your Majesty."

Elsa wanted to kick herself for not doing this earlier. "How long will this operation take?"

"It depends on how many ships you dare send out to our other ports. We lose protection at our waterfront with them gone."

"But our other ports will lose the extra protection if most of our ships are at Arendelle harbor," Urban interjected.

The Queen was tempted to throw down her fork. "Dammit! How could I have been so careless about this…"

Urban and Crispin exchanged glances, each needing to know more information. Crispin cleared his throat. "May I ask something of Her Majesty?"

"Yes, of course—anything, Admiral."

"We were wondering—the General and I—how does Her Majesty know so much about this war to come?"

"Do you doubt me when I say there is?" Elsa wasn't entirely surprised by the question.

Urban held up his hand. "No, Your Majesty, we do not doubt your word. We are just naturally in need of assurances, that's all."

Elsa nodded. "I understand your need to know. Well, first of all, one of Arendelle's top spies—" She tilted her head and paused for a moment, and then realized the need for complete honesty. "No, let me start over. I have been in contact, for about ten months, with a Prince of the Southern Isles. He was the one who visited Arendelle shortly after the incident with Prince Hans, and brought the official apology from the Westegaards."

Urban nearly dropped his cup of tea. He knew whom the Queen was speaking about. "Are you referring to Prince Roman, Your Majesty? I remember his visit clearly, and his horrible behavior at the reception we threw."

Elsa sat back, her mind wandering back to that night. "All part of his disguise, Urban. He wrote to me before the official visit—all in secret, mind you, and expressed his doubts over King Edvardt's official apology. In a sense, he is the black sheep of the family, and not Hans. All he wanted to do was make sure that his family had nothing but good intentions towards Arendelle. That's when he discovered his father was in secret negotiations with the Eighth Duke of Weselton—and learned that his cousins wanted the Southern Isles to help them in a confrontation against us."

Crispin got up and went to the liquor cabinet by the fireplace, and brought back a bottle of bourbon to the table. "Why is Prince Roman risking his life for us?"

"That is what I fear, Admiral. He missed our usual correspondence, and I have not heard from him since he last left for the Southern Isles. To make matters more complicated, he took Lieutenant Ingarth with him, for what ends I do not know. For all I know they are both dead."

"But you do not know this for sure, Your Majesty?" Crispin poured the liquor into his coffee.

Elsa reached over and took the bottle of bourbon, and poured a little into her tea. "No, I'm just guessing they are dead."

General Urban pushed his plate of food aside. "I know Ingarth's brother, Lindar; he stood as a groomsman at my wedding."

"Gentlemen, let's get back to business, alright?" Elsa downed her tea and put the cup aside. "Admiral, how many ports are the rest of our fleet at?"

"Two others, Your Majesty. Grimstad and Kongsvinger—two small ladested."

Elsa sat up and began to eat in earnest. "Why are so many ships away from Arendelle's harbor?"

Crispin sighed. "This is my doing, Your Majesty. They were assigned these training exercises before I knew about any war."

Elsa nodded. "Okay. Will it be enough to send out just one ship to each ladested, Admiral? I think we can spare one ship to each small seaport, don't you think?"

"I will take care of it immediately, Your Majesty." Crispin returned to his breakfast, but when Elsa continued to stare at him he looked up. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"After your breakfast, Admiral. I want this mission fully planned and carried out today. Keep me informed, will you?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Urban settled down to eat, as well. But before long Elsa turned to him. "General, I know you have been very busy with the army and its exercises, but I need for you to carry out a small task for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Is there an officer amongst your ranks that exhibits exceptional leadership skills?"

Urban finished his tea, and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "There are several, I believe, Your Majesty. Is there a particular trait you are interested in?"

Elsa thought about the question. "Actually, I am looking for an officer who could see to the re-training of the castle guards. There have been some horrible mishaps as of late, and I want to correct those as soon as possible."

Urban drummed his fingers on the table. "I think I have the perfect man for you, Your Majesty. His name is Zacharia, and was just recently promoted to Captain."

"Do you think he'd mind transferring to the Guard? Some might see this as some sort of demotion." Elsa finished her meal and put her plate aside.

"Perhaps if the news came directly from you, Your Majesty. I can schedule some time tomorrow, if you'd like?"

Crispin put down his fork. "Lieutenant Lindar is not going to like this."

Elsa turned to her Admiral. "Yes, I can see your point. A Lieutenant outranks a Captain, does it not?" She reached over the table to grab at a pastry. "I'll talk to Lindar myself, ease the transition." There was more to be said, but she decided to let it wait for the later meeting with her nobles. "I want you two gentlemen at my afternoon meeting with my nobles, is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Elsa sat back in her chair, cup of tea in hands. "So, Admiral, see to the commission of our ships immediately. As I said, I want them to sail straightway to Grimstad and Kongsvinger and bring back our fleet…" The hot tea felt good as it slipped down her throat. "…and General, you may increase the companies from five to ten. I believe we are done here." She stood, and Admiral and General stood along with her. "Good day, gentlemen."

"What is your name?" Anna held Leif to her breast and stroked his long, blonde hair.

The first Lady in Waiting looked up from her sewing. "Me, Your Highness?"

Anna smiled at the woman. "Yes, tell me about yourself"

"My name is Lady Alfrida, Your Highness." The Lady looked a little uncomfortable, and lowered her head. "There's really not much to tell."

"Don't be shy, girl." The older Lady turned from folding clothes, and smiled at the princess. "I'm Mirelle, Your Highness. Please forgive Alfrida, she is new to the castle."

Leif turned his head away from Anna's nipple and began to fidget, so the princess lifted him to her shoulder to burp him. "I'm sorry if you are uncomfortable, Alfrida."

"I'm not uncomfortable, Your Highness. Well, I guess in a way—this is the first time I've been away from home."

"Don't worry, Alfrida. We'll take good care of you. Won't we, Mirelle?" Anna chuckled when the baby burped rather loudly.

"That we will, Your Highness." Mirelle glanced at the younger woman, and got a feeling that something was being left unsaid.

Anna got up and began to walk Leif around the room, giggling and cooing at the baby every chance she got.

When Mirelle went back to her folding the strange feeling remained, and she took the opportunity to sneak glances at the young Lady in Waiting. Alfrida was looking about the room, almost as if she was taking an inventory of things. But as soon as the strange feeling came it was quickly forgotten as she went about her work.

The Queen looked at herself in her mirror, and adjusted her uniform jacket to fit more comfortably. She was wearing one of her late father's old military uniforms, one that she had tailored to fit her more feminine figure. The dark gray trousers were still a little loose, but a belt easily kept them from falling. She wore a simple white shirt under her black jacket, which still had her father's old service medals attached to it, and a sword was attached to another brown belt wrapped around her hips. She thought she cut a dashing figure, and was eager to show herself to Anna. But a knock on her parlor door roused her from her musings.

"Yes, come in."

Master Kai stood in the doorway to the Queen's bedroom. "How was your morning breakfast meeting, Your Majesty?"

"It went rather well, Kai." Elsa tightened the baldric around her shoulder. "Crispin and Urban are competent officers; I'm lucky to have them." She turned to the Master of the Castle. "How do I look?"

"Formidable, my Queen."

Elsa smiled, and then chuckled to herself. Maybe she ought to attend the afternoon meeting as Jörmungandr. "Thank you, Kai."

"As per Her Majesty's request, the Cathedral has been prepared for your visit."

"Very good, Kai." Elsa turned back to her mirror and re-checked herself again. If she were successful at the Cathedral, she would attend this afternoon's meeting with a god at her heels.

"There is just one thing, Your Majesty. Bishop Johannes insists upon being there."

Elsa was displeased with this news. "But I instructed you I want to be alone for this—summoning."

"He stated that since it's his cathedral he has a right to be there."

"He said it was his cathedral? Well, perhaps we ought to divest His Grace from his false beliefs." Elsa turned abruptly and went to her windows, which looked down on her personal gardens. She expected to see Anna in the snow and frowned when she was no where to be found. "Kai, where is Anna and her Ladies in Waiting—where is my son?"

"I saw Her Highness in the old nursery, Your Majesty, so there—" He didn't get a chance to finish his statement as Elsa was already out the door.

Elsa hurried down the carpeted hall to the other end and quickly opened the door to her old nursery. Anna was in the room, holding Leif, and was looking through a box of old toys. "Anna!"

Anna looked up quickly at the panicked sound in Elsa's voice. "What? What is it, Elsa?"

The Queen sighed in relief. "Anna, where are your Ladies in Waiting?" Her legs were a little wobbly as she made her way over to the princess. "Here, let me see him." When she picked up Leif he appeared to giggle; and she looked at him, wide-eyed. "Did you hear that, Anna? I think he likes me."

Anna stood and wiped her dusty hands on her skirt. "Of course he likes you, Elsa—you are his…" Her voice trailed off as Alfrida and Mirelle entered the room from the closet, their hands filled with toys. "We were just looking for toys for Leif, Elsa, there is no need to worry."

"Will you two excuse us for a moment?" Elsa gave the two Ladies and pointed look and they put down the toys and left rather quickly.

Anna shook her head. "There, look what you did. You scared them, Elsa."

Elsa peppered small kisses on Leif's cheek, and he giggled again. "I'm sorry, Anna. I just—I don't know, I panicked for a moment when you weren't in our rooms."

"I'm not going to confide myself just to our rooms, Elsa. I have a whole castle available to me. You told me yourself that the stags are outside, aren't they?"

"Well, yes, they are." Elsa closed the distance between them and bent over to kiss the princess. "Forgive me?"

Anna took Leif back into her arms. "You are going to be such a spoiled child, I know it." She kissed his little cheek as his eyes closed. "Well, I think a little nap is in order before lunch. Care to join us, Elsa?"

The Queen groaned, temptation surrounding her heart. "Please, Anna, I can't." It was so enticing to say yes, and stay. But there was too much to do. "I'll try to see you tonight. Okay?"

Anna chuckled. "Come on, Leif."

Elsa's heart clenched as she watched them leave, and she almost acquiesced, but duty called. "Kai!" The Master of the Castle quickly appeared in the doorway. "Come, the Cathedral awaits."

Elsa entered the old Romanesque cathedral and stopped in the narthex to gather her thoughts. She took several deep breaths in order to calm her racing heart, her hands clammy, and her nerves set on edge. "Hello?"

"I think you are attempting folly, Your Majesty."

Elsa stepped into the nave and saw the Bishop standing in the ambulatory, vested in his robes as a Bishop, so unlike their meeting a few weeks ago. He looked regal, and imposing with his Bishop's staff in hand. Her eyes fell upon the cross at the top of his crosier, and she knew he was making a statement to her, one without the need for words.

"What would you have me do, Your Grace? Ragnarök is knocking on the door, and I need a little help."

"You presume to call upon pagan gods in this Cathedral, Your Majesty?"

Impatient, Elsa looked up to the barrel vaulted ceiling, and tried to find the necessary words. "I am not attempting to disrespect you in any way, Your Grace, or the god you believe in—"

"As our absolute monarch you are required by law to pass on the Realm's beliefs and practices, just as your father did, and his father before him."

Elsa stepped further into the nave and stopped, and leaned against an ancient column, one that was at least a hundred years old. Her eyes wandered to the arcade above, and she felt her determination faltering, if only a little. "Please, Your Grace, I do not wish to argue with you."

"Do you want to be excommunicated, Your Majesty? You will cease to be our monarch—"

"That's enough!" The dragon's voice bellowed throughout the Cathedral, causing the Bishop to step back a bit, and the crosier to fall from his hand. "Óðinn! Are you in Asgard by Urd's well? Are you dallying when war is at hand…"

Johannes picked up his crosier as the dragon's voice echoed off the ancient walls. "What is the world—"

But Jörmungandr wasn't finished. "Are you afraid to crawl up the first root and face me? Yes, Yggdrasil is too daunting a task for you! Rise up on the eagle's wings, Aldaföðr! Don't you hear me?"

There was a great thundering sound outside the building, and the earth shook as if a giant was smashing his feet into the earth as he walked. Elsa sprinted outside immediately, and was followed by a very shaken Johannes.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

People panicked in the square outside of the Cathedral, and ran from the dark reverberations, some falling as the ground shook. And then, from the northeast he came, people fleeing in front of him, some not quite making it, trampled like twigs. A host of soldiers were at his heels but he did not bother with them, insignificant as they were.

Elsa steeled herself for his coming, and stood straight and tall, her back ridged, and her demeanor the same. Kai and Johannes stood in back of her, and swayed as the ground shook again and again.

And in a flash he was there, and he stood more than twice as tall as Elsa, and was imposing and unfathomable.

Elsa waved away the approaching soldiers. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that the Lords Hålogaland and Malkolm were slowly approaching from the marketplace, a great many castle guards behind them. She heard gasps all around, even from Bishop Johannes, who had one hand on his mouth as was chanting, oh god over and over.

Óðinn stared at Elsa, and for the longest time neither spoke, each taking the measure of the other.

"You dare interfere with the Council of the Gods!" Óðinn's voice boomed over the square, and people covered their ears because of it.

But Elsa wasn't frightened, at all. "Thank you for coming." Then with a casualness that surprised everyone she walked around the god, examining him. "I was hoping you would have brought Thor, but never mind. We have a lot to discuss, and it's almost lunch time. Follow me."

And to the surprise of all who were watching, Elsa calmly turned around and walked back into the Cathedral.

Óðinn watched Elsa disappear and remained rooted to the spot, until he eyes fell upon the Bishop. He lumbered over to the holy man and knelt on one knee to examine him, as an adult might a small child. He looked at the cross atop the man's staff and tilted his head to the side. Johannes would have fainted if he were a lesser man, but he wasn't. Finally, the god stood and wordlessly made his way inside the Cathedral, where Elsa was waiting.

This site still won't let me upload large chapters, so I'm just going to have to settle for many more smaller ones. This problem started after I updated my OS to Yosemite. Very strange. Anyway, let me know what you think.