Once she was inside the cathedral, Elsa tried not to worry, as she had no idea on how to get Óðinn to cooperate with her plans; and it wasn't as if she was familiar with him, either. Her rational nature had, over the years, kept her from this building and everything that it symbolized. The world of the gods—or the supernatural, in general—the spiritual, it was all terra incognita. Even her experiences with the trolls, and her encounters at Yggdrasil were no help at this moment. There was a commotion coming from outside, but it would have to wait. She sighed and turned around to face the cathedral entrance, not at all ready to face whom would come through the door.

A mighty wind blew open the doors, and tufts of snow fell on the stone floor of the narthex. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, he was standing before her. Gone was his black woolen cloak and shabby clothing, and was now clad as a true king of the gods, along with shining chainmail and a golden spear, Gungnir. His long beard was braided, and his tunic shone white. "Geri and Freki are at the gates, Jörmungandr, and Huginn perches atop the highest tower."

Elsa nodded, her pleasant demeanor in stark contrast to the turmoil within. "Keep your wolves out of Arendelle, Óðinn, I should not trust them to roam the city."

A crooked smile appeared on the god's face. "As I said, they remain at the gates, and will not enter unless I bid them to. But Muninn will join Huginn, and will keep watch until I am gone."

Elsa briefly closed her eyes, and willed that some part of the dragon's strength should fall upon her. "My mate… Anna, has delivered a son."

"Pride washes off you in waves, Jörmungandr." The ground shook somewhat as Óðinn lumbered down the nave, his head reaching the arcade above. He walked to the front of the cathedral and examined its iconography. The images fascinated him, to the point where he almost forgot about the Queen's entreaty, but not quite. "I heard your wails, Jörmungandr," he bellowed. "And I have come."

"I didn't expect you to crash into Arendelle as you did, and you trampled down innocent people!"

"Tell me, who is a complete innocent when Ragnarök is nigh on the horizon?" Óðinn turned and glared at Elsa. "There is more to the upcoming storm than the tumbling of snow—the countryside will be laid waste as the gods gather to fulfill the ancient oaths!"

Even though Óðinn's voice reverberated off the walls, Elsa stood firm. "I need assurances from you, Aldaföðr, and I don't care how I get them! You must convince Thor to come to Arendelle; explain to him the necessity of it."

"For what purpose?"

"He needs to meet Anna and my son, Leif. Maybe if he meets them he can be persuaded against fulfilling some arbitrary destiny! I have no desire to die, Óðinn, and I'll do anything to prevent it from happening."

"What must be will be, Queen Elsa. You cannot change it… The surviving Æsir will meet together at the field of Iðavöllr—many things will be ruminated upon, including you, Jörmungandr."

Elsa cringed, feeling almost as if this death was upon her now. "I don't want to be a mere memory, Óðinn. Are you not listening to me? I will not be anyone's pawn—not yours, nor any gods!"

But the Allfather was looking beyond her. "Even now Sigyn empties the bucket she is using to collect the dripping venom, and the pain Loki experiences will cause the earth to quake."

"You can stop it…"

"Stop the fate of the world?" Óðinn's voice softened, and was barely a whisper. "What would you have me do, wise Queen Elsa, when I will surely perish to bring about the fruition of all that is to come?"

"All I ask is that you bring or summon Thor to Arendelle—all I want is the opportunity to change his mind about the Ragnarøkkr."

Óðinn seemed to ponder Elsa's words for many long moments, his expression slowly changing from one of despair to mild hope. "Perhaps… may I speak truth to you, Jörmungandr?"

Elsa nodded and walked over to where the god stood. "By all means."

"I, too, have no wish to perish." Just saying the words seemed to lighten the god, and lift a terrible burden off of his shoulders. "But—if I could take this burden and cast it aside…"

"Queen Elsa!"

Elsa whirled towards the shout, and spotted the Bishop as he came through the door, followed closely by the Lords Hålogaland and Malkolm. Her aggravation apparent, she hissed, "My Lords, Your Grace, this is actually not the best time—" But then she had an idea. "No, wait!"

Óðinn frowned down at the small men, his ire rising. "Mortal men of no significance…"

The Queen frantically shook her head. "No, great Allfather, we can use these men to be our voice amongst the people. The Ragnarök needs to be proclaimed." She hurried over to where the Bishop and Lords were gaping at the giant god. "High Lords of Arendelle, do you acknowledge what you see before you?"

Johannes blinked before turning his attention towards Elsa. "I see with my eyes, but my faith does not want to believe."

Elsa nodded sympathetically. "I am not going to pressure you into doing something against your beliefs, Your Grace, but we need your help." She gestured to Hålogaland and Malkolm, who were still quaking where they stood. "We need all your help."

Malkolm swallowed nervously, but managed to tear his gaze away from the god to look at his Queen. "What would you have me do, my Queen?"

Elsa could feel his eagerness, and it pleased her. "Hålogaland?"

All three men now turned their attention towards the Queen, who had drawn her sword and touched its hilt to her forehead. "This is the sword Veritatem that was used to unite all the lands of Arendelle. Swear fealty to it, and me, my Lords." Elsa was evoking the old oaths, sworn by the ancestors of these men generations ago, and the words seemed to satisfy Óðinn.

All the men swore upon the Sword of Truth, although Johannes did so with a bit of reluctance. Elsa lowered the sword when they were finished and nodded her approval. "Malkolm, Hålogaland, you are no longer mere Lords with petty estates, but are hereby made Princes of Arendelle tasked with a single mission—spread the news of the Ragnarøkkr throughout the land, to all the corners of Arendelle. Take whatever you need to accomplish this sacred duty, as all the resources of the realm are now within your grasp. You are to begin this task immediately after this afternoon's meeting with the Council."

Hålogaland lowered his head before grinning. "You mean we outrank Harold Halfdansson?"

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Yes, and he will be made aware of it during the meeting."

Johannes cleared his throat, and glanced back to where Óðinn was waiting. "What about me, Your Majesty?"

The Queen stepped away from the Princes and motioned for the Bishop to follow. When they were far enough away she spoke, "As I said, I do not wish to force any ideology on you Johannes, but I need for you to remain in the city of Arendelle itself and talk with the people. You have a presence about you that is calming and reassuring, and I'm counting on you to keep the populace from panicking and rioting after the news is spread."

The Bishop nodded at the Queen. "I appreciate your faith in me, Your Majesty. It is my duty to please Her Majesty—and I won't disappoint you, Elsa."

Elsa smiled somewhat at the use of her given name, and grasped the man's shoulder. "Thank you, Johannes." She paused and eyed the man. "Do you wish to be made a Prince as well?"

The Bishop let out a deep cleansing breath. "I'm afraid not, Your Majesty. My charge as the spiritual leader of Her Majesty's subjects is all the title I need or want."

"Very well." Elsa turned towards Óðinn. "If you will excuse me, Allfather, but I have something I need to do before the Council meeting." She ignored Malkolm as he tried to engage her before making her way to the Cathedral doors. When she opened them there was a collective gasp from the nervous crowd that was waiting outside. Several soldiers had gathered at the entrance, but not one of them had had the courage to open the doors. She made a mental note of that before turning to gesture for the Bishop to follow her outside. Even now, there was a tremendous amount of work to be done.

Elsa shook her head and quietly shut the door behind her. There was a small fire in the fireplace, but it didn't quite take the chill out of her as she leaned heavily against the door. Leif was sleeping soundly in his crib, and Anna was dosing in a chair right next to it. Elsa closed her eyes, and willed her heart to stop beating out a wild staccato, but it didn't work. She could smell Anna from her position at the door, and soon realized just being in the same room with her heightened her already keen senses. Her eyes snapped open and she took in a ragged breath when Anna stirred in the chair.

Anna opened her eyes and immediately smiled. She had not been expecting to see Elsa again for a while. "Elsa, when did you get here—" Her sentence was cut off by a warm mouth on her own, and Elsa's tongue demanding entrance; and then the Queen's hands were everywhere—exploring, touching, and gripping.

Elsa spoke no words, as none were necessary. Her hand snaked between their bodies and unclasped her trousers, and she pulled out her hard flesh. She easily picked up Anna with one arm while the other made quick work of pulling up her skirts, and then she guided herself inside. There was a quiet desperation in her eyes, and Anna could easily see it, and she let Elsa make the first moves. Anna gasped as Elsa grasped her hips and set a maddening pace.

Anna shivered with the power of her final release, and her legs quivered as she kept them around Elsa's waist, her heels locking on her back. Elsa's hot breath warmed her neck, and she shivered some more as the tingling sensations reached her toes, causing them to curl. "Oh, my, Elsa…"

Elsa opened her eyes and grunted, thrusting one last time. "Anna… oh, gods, Anna."

Anna wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "What… I mean, I thought you said—ugh."

The blonde lifted on her elbows, and looked down on a very sated Anna. "I… I just had to see you." She shuddered as another wave of her essence filled the princess. "I'm sorry."

Anna lowered her legs to the bed and wrapped her arms around Elsa's neck. "What are you sorry for?" She whispered. "If I didn't want to I'd have told you so."

"No, not for this," Elsa said softly. "I'm just sorry that so much is happening at once, and that I need for you to be with me when the Council meets."

This last comment seemed to sober Anna. "You want me with you? What about Leif? Isn't he too young—"

Elsa turned her head towards the windows. "Are you forgetting about the stags, Anna? They are out there right now, and they will be right outside the Council Chambers when the meeting occurs." She lowered her head and began to nibble on the princess' ear. "Please, come with me…"

"I… can I think about it?" Anna had her misgivings, and rightly so, considering all the ramifications.

Elsa squirmed a bit when her flesh refused to soften. "What is there to think about?"

"What if they reject Leif, and his place as Prince of Arendelle?"

Elsa blinked, and it hit her what exactly she had granted to Malkolm and Hålogaland. "There is nothing I want to keep from you, Anna, and I think it best for you to be there. In fact, we must get ready now."

Anna smiled at the blonde. "But… you can't go anywhere right now."

Elsa continued to caress Anna's ear with her soft lips. "Why not?"

The princess lifted her hands and grasped Elsa's head, forcing eye contact. "Because… well, you're still so hard inside me." Anna began to undulate her hips, compelling Elsa to move. "Here, let me…"

They dressed in silence, each young woman lost in her own thoughts. Anna constantly glanced at her sleeping boy, not wanting to do anything to disturb his innocent slumber, or to vex his little mind. And Elsa seemed to be thinking similar thoughts as she buttoned up her pants, and worried over breaking the news to Anna that Hålogaland and Malkolm were now of equal footing as Leif in the hierarchy of the Realm. She glanced at Anna before adjusting the sword at her side, and then she turned to her mirror to check her appearance.

"You look fine, Elsa."

Elsa jumped a little, startled at the misery in Anna's voice. She hurried over to her and helped her to straighten out her skirts. "What is it, Anna?"

The princess leaned into the blonde, and rested her head on her shoulder. "I'm worried."

Elsa wrapped her sister in a warm embrace. "Even with all my assurances?"

"Yes, but—" Anna didn't get a chance to finish as there was a soft knocking on the bedroom door.

Elsa turned her head towards the sound. "Come."

Master Kai entered, head lowered in respect. "It is time, Your Majesty."

Elsa glanced down at the princess, her lips curving into a reassuring smile. "Trust me, snowflake," she whispered. When Anna nodded she turned towards the crib and gently picked up Leif, cradling him in a loving embrace.

Kai watched the interaction between the Queen and the princess, and how devotedly Elsa picked up the little boy and smiled down at him. It was precisely at that moment that he truly believed everything Elsa had told him, and all his doubts vanished. He cleared his throat and tried not to trip as he made his way over to where Elsa was standing. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?" The blonde continued to smile at the small boy.

"He is your son, isn't he?"

Elsa smiled at Leif before looking up into Kai's eyes. "Yes, he is, Master Kai." She was challenging him to say something, trying to gauge his reaction.

Kai sighed, a half-smile gracing his features. "Everything you told me is true, Your Majesty, and I now completely believe you. Although this does mean there are trying times ahead, and some of us may not might not emerge from this unscathed." He bowed, and then gestured towards the doors. "Your Majesty."

Elsa and Anna exchanged glances before Elsa secured Leif in her embrace and walked out of her suite of rooms, followed closely by Kai and then the princess.

Bishop Johannes was waiting for them at the bottom of the great spiral staircase, and remained silent as Elsa stopped before him. He looked down at the tiny baby in her arms, noticing his features and mannerisms, and how he looked very much like her, and not his mother, the princess. His eyebrow arched, and he remembered Elsa's tearful words to him weeks past, when her heart was grieved beyond measure, and she confided the truth to him. And although he understood the verity of her words, he could scarcely believe them, such were his beliefs, and prejudices. But this was his sovereign before him, the one to whom he had given the crown, and he understood keenly his oaths and loyalties. "Your Majesty."

"Your Grace." Elsa made it a point to look directly into the cleric's eyes. "This is Prince Leif Albrecht of Arendelle, Johannes. Do you swear fealty to him?"

"Fealty with love, Your Majesty, and loyalty without doubt or reservation." Johannes held out his arms, and the Queen carefully placed the baby into them.

When Anna started to say something Elsa quietly placed her hand on her shoulder, without taking her gaze away from her son. "Shall we to the council, Your Grace?"

"Your Majesty."

Anna paused for only a moment, somewhat unsure as to why Elsa was ignoring her. But she soon realized that the Queen was merely following royal procedure and custom, something she herself was somewhat ignorant of. It was true; she and Elsa had been raised completely different. Elsa was cultivated to be a Queen—a monarch, and she was not. She noticed Kai watching her expectantly, so she lifted her skirts and followed Elsa and the Bishop to the Privy Council Chamber.

If Anna had known beforehand how crowded the Council Chamber was going to be she probably would not have agreed to accompany the Queen to the meeting. Her eyes widened when the guards stepped aside to allow the footmen to open the doors. It seemed as if most of Arendelle's nobility were in meeting room, with some having nowhere to sit. The Privy Council Chamber was not a small room, but now it seemed choked with the smell of cigars and alcohol, as those men assembled waited for the presence of the Queen. All the conversations in the room immediately halted when Elsa paused at the entrance to make her presence known. Her eyes scanned the room, making as much eye contact as she could before finally stepping into it.

At first, the Queen walked over to the where a few nobles were standing in front of the large map. She greeted them and asked for them to step over to the other end of the big room, closer to the fireplace. As they did so, she looked at those seated at the sizeable rectangular table, composing herself for the necessary introduction.

Anna watched all this in quiet fascination, and felt somewhat out of place, as if she didn't belong there. But Master Kai gently nudged her further into the room, not quite to the Queen's side, but enough to be noticed by all present. A few younger nobles openly appraised her, but all she did was roll her eyes. Her discomfort grew as she glanced at her sister, who had yet to speak. She also noticed the curious stares at the Bishop, who was still holding their son.

Finally, Elsa took a step forward, and adjusted the sword at her side. She nodded toward the Bishop first. "Your Grace." Then she addressed the room. "Your Grace, my Lords and Ladies, fair and gentle Knights—greetings and felicitations, good health and prosperity to all present, blessings and good fortune, and—welcome to Arendelle." The perfunctory address was over, and now she had names to remember.

A younger Earl, Klemmet, stood and reluctantly bowed towards the Queen before clearing his throat. He had a reputation that preceded him, and even now his annoyance was evident. "We are always grateful when our Monarch invites us to fair Arendelle…" His smile couldn't hide the disdain in his voice. "…but we are a little confused as to why. There must be certain conditions for which a gathering like this is convened."

Harald Halfdansson put his stein on the table. "Are we not privy to Her Majesty's mind, my Lord? If you would visit the city every now and then you would know what business we are called here for."

Klemmet turned towards the older Duke. "Then I beg your pardon, Your Grace, for my ignorance is shared by more than a few here present."

Malkolm and Hålogaland exchanged glances when a heated murmur arose among those present.

Master Kai moved away from Anna and held up his hand. "That is enough, my Lords! As Mayor of the city of Arendelle I demand civility—by all present."

A certain Knight by the name of Asleik, who had been standing at the far end of the Privy Chamber, now hobbled half way down the room, and then leaned on the table. "Forgive my awkwardness, Your Majesty, for I am an injured man, and cannot bow to you."

Elsa searched her memory for some sort of recognition, but could not fathom who this man was.

Master Kai saw this and took a few deliberate steps towards the Queen, while gesturing to the crippled Knight. "Forgive me, Your Majesty , for being so bold. But this is Knight Asleik from lands in the Southern part of your realm—"

Elsa nodded quickly and waved Kai away. "Of course it is, Master Kai. You are from the herredskommuneof Farsund, are you not?"

"Yes, I am, Your Majesty, and I am here because the local Baron has taken sick, and I am his protégé."

Elsa smiled, and tilted her head somewhat. "Have we met before?"

"At her Majesty's last spring ball—before the accident that crippled me." Asleik sighed deeply. "You dance divinely, My Queen."

Even though a slight blush graced the blonde's features, she chose to keep her comments leveled to the task at hand. "And how fairs the southern lands, dear Knight."

At this Asleik frowned and briefly looked down. "That's the news I bring, Your Majesty. There has been more than the usual unrest amongst the people, even though we prosper financially."

Elsa motioned for a seat to be brought to the Knight. "Unrest? Is it serious?"

"Some incidents have been more than problematic. Bands of thugs have been attacking wayfarers on the roads, among other things—and we cannot seem to stop them." The man groaned as he sank down into the chair brought to him.

Elsa briefly glanced at Anna, who wore a worried expression, then turned her attention back to the Knight. "What other things, dear Knight?"

Asleik shifted uncomfortably, as all eyes turned towards him. "From small things like drunken brawls to incidents of, well—rape, Your Majesty. We're doing all we can to stop these things, but, it's almost as if something has gotten hold of the people—a bad spirit, if you may."

Ragnarök… Elsa's face went white, and she had a sudden urge to sit, as well. But she knew she had to keep her wits about her, and appear to be strong. "How long—I mean, when did these problems begin, Asleik."

"About six months ago, Your Majesty. Please believe me when I tell you Farsund is determined to stop all this nonsense…"

Elsa was about to say something when an older Duke, Otleiv from the western lands, stood up, his face ashen. He sole attention was on Asleik. "Did you say about six months ago, Knight?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

Otleiv picked up his glass of wine and downed it in a few swallows. "This is unbelievable…"

Anna fidgeted where she stood, an odd and foreboding feeling creeping into her bones, and she noticed that the Earl Klemmet, who seemed to be annoyed at the whole proceeding, was now openly eyeing the Bishop and Leif. And then the feeling intensified, and in her mind's eye she could see the stags outside, unsettled because of the swirling winds—and something else. She tried to Elsa's attention, but the Queen was looking at Duke Otleiv. "Um, Elsa…?"

Otleiv placed his hands on the large table, and leaned over it slightly. "I'm afraid I bear similar news, Your Majesty, and was loath to come." He straightened out and looked directly at Elsa. "Unruhe…"

Elsa blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Is that German, Your Grace?" Anna inched her way closer to Leif and the Bishop.

The Duke smiled at the princess, and bowed. "Yes, it is, Your Highness. It is a concept, so to speak, meaning restlessness. And it has surely gripped the hearts of Her Majesty's subjects, as of late."

Elsa was now weary, as there was still much left unsaid, and now this news snatched at her heart. It seemed that her citizens started experiencing Ragnarök even before she transformed as Jörmungandr, and the events were extremely close to each other. She was about to speak when an image flashed in her mind, one of a pile of unopened correspondence on her desk. Then it hit her. "Have you gentlemen tried to contact me concerning this 'unruhe'?"

Several nobles exchanged glances among themselves, and some visibly turned away from the Queen to whisper. But Elsa would have none of it. "Excuse me, my Lords!"

The whispering stopped, and a woman stood, the Baroness Clarisse of the region of Vestfold in the Northwest. She was a woman of about thirty, but appeared somewhat older because of an unknown ailment. Her hair was of a similar color to Anna's, and she had forest green eyes. Elsa liked her immediately. "Forgive us, Your Majesty, for our rudeness." She paused for a moment, making sure that the rest of her peers followed her example. "But some of us have attempted to entreat Her Majesty to a more proactive approach to the problems..."

Elsa swallowed as the words percolated deep within, and she could barely hear the rest of what the Baroness was saying. So, some of those unopened letters on her desk were this important—were directly about the Ragnarök, as much as her nobles could understand about what was happening to them. Her insides heaved, and she felt like she wanted to vomit. What have you been doing with your time, fool? Then she turned suddenly towards Anna, and knew exactly what she had been doing—Leif was the evidence of it… Wait, Elsa, what—?

Anna saw the look in Elsa's eyes before it suddenly disappeared; she recoiled from that intense condemnation, and stopped moving towards her. "Elsa?"'

But Elsa recovered quickly, and all enmity towards Anna vanished as quickly as it came. Her attention was drawn, once more, to the Baroness, who had apparently stopped talking, and was now seated once more. "I am grieved beyond measure at the foul deeds happening in my Kingdom. And I have taken all these things in my heart and have ruminated on how to bring about peace. But, I'm afraid that peace will come at a terrible price."

All attention in the room suddenly fell upon the Queen, and just at that moment, Leif began to squirm in the Bishop's arms and soon began to cry. Anna immediately went to the man and retrieved her son, and placed his tiny head on her shoulder in order to soothe him. But the small boy would not be appeased, and broke out into a full-blown cry. Elsa immediately went to him and silently asked Anna for permission to take him, which she granted.

When Leif was securely in her arms Elsa turned towards the nobles. "I want Anna protected! She has delivered her child, and that needs to be acknowledged by all present here!"

The vehemence in the Queen's voice startled the small crowd, and all present immediately nodded their heads in agreement, even though that most of them did not know that their princess had been pregnant. But Duke Wolmar, an older man from the eastern part of the Kingdom, didn't nod, and openly scowled at the behaviour of the other nobles.

Both Anna and Elsa noticed this, and Elsa purposely stepped forward towards the table he was sitting at. "Is there something on your mind, Your Grace? Have we offended you in some manner?"

"I don't see a ring on the Princess' hand, Your Majesty."

"You will stand when you address me, Your Grace." Elsa tried to keep her voice even, because she didn't want to vex her small boy. "It is no concern to you what Princess Anna does or doesn't do." She lifted Leif and kissed his forehead, and he giggled. "Attention everyone, this is your sovereign Prince, Leif Albrecht, and you will show him the same type of deference you give to me or the Princess."

Malkolm and Hålogaland exchanged glances again, and this time Hålogaland stood up just as Duke Wolmar did. The Duke looked at him and waved for him to sit down. When Hålogaland merely smiled he became irate. "Sit down, my Lord, my business is now with the Queen."

Hålogaland shook his head. "I can't do that, Your Grace—and you will address me as Your Highness."

There was a collective gasp amongst the nobles, and Elsa briefly closed her eyes in frustration. Her hold over this gathering was slowly withering away. "Please, Hålogaland, now is not the time—"

But the Prince interrupted her by moving around the table. "I just want to come forward and formally greet my new brother."

Anna's jaw dropped, and she stamped her foot. "Wait—what? How is Leif your brother?" She noticed the pained look on her sister's face. "Elsa?"

"Excuse me, Your Majesty, but does not the Princess know?" Hålogaland was surprised that Anna didn't know about his new role in the Monarchy.

"That's enough!" All these things pressed down on Elsa at that moment, and she quickly handed Leif back to Anna, and then she returned to her place by the giant wall map. She had her back to her nobles, and when she turned around, there was a clear fire in her eyes, for Jörmungandr had risen, and all could see it. "No one questions the Queen!"

Her deep reptilian voice reverberated around the room, and for a moment it seemed as if the illumination in the room withered, and a blackness hovered about. But it was over almost as soon as it had begun, and everyone in the room cowered for a brief time, including Anna. All eyes fixed on the Queen when the light in the room returned, and there was a palatable fear among those present. All except for Kai, who had pulled Anna to stand behind him for protection. Hålogaland had staggered backwards and almost fell onto his arse had not another Earl grabbed him.

Elsa came back to herself, and she cleared her throat and straightened out her officer's coat and baldric. Now was the time. "As you have just observed, there is more to me than what the eye can see—more than my ice powers. I am transforming, just as the land is mired in strife, I too, am changing. It is no coincidence that all of you are experiencing discord in your lands—it was prophesied—long ago, by our own ancestors. They were given a certain 'sight' into the way of things that we no longer possess, and they, fortunately, recorded their insights for all future ages to discern…"

Anna stepped from behind Kai, and looked upon her sister with sympathy, for she knew the personal cost Elsa was paying for the truth. "Oh, Elsa…"

"We were witnesses today of the Prophecy's veracity. Were we not?" Elsa turned to the Bishop, whose face hand turned ashen.

"Yes." Johannes cleared his throat. "I know what I saw, and I know that some of you gentlemen saw it, as well." He looked expectantly at both Malkolm and Hålogaland, who looked everywhere except at him. "Come on, Your Highnesses!"

"Alright!" Malkolm shakily got to his feet. "I saw him, the god Óðinn! And hundreds of her Majesty's subjects saw him, too!" He looked around at his fellow nobles, and saw the incredulous looks some of them were giving him. "It's not a rumor, my Lords."

"What on earth, my Lord, are you talking about?" Duke Otleiv was now on his feet again, and lifted up his hands in a placating gesture. He had not been at the Marketplace earlier in the day, and was now acting the skeptic. "You saw a god—and not just any god, but Óðinn?"

"Don't mock me, Your Grace—and I'm not a Lord anymore, so you will address me as Your Highness!"

Elsa shook her head, and made her way over to the new Prince. "Calm down, Your Highness." She briefly touched his shoulder, smiling reassurances, then she addressed her nobles. "It is true, my Lords and Ladies. We witnessed Óðinn in the city and cathedral—many citizens of Arendelle will testify to this event."

Otleiv gasped, his look incredulous, and he looked at the Bishop. "How can you stand such talk, Your Grace? Are you not offended?"

Johannes bristled at the Duke's tone. "How dare you speak to me like that, Your Grace—and, for your information, I saw him, as well! And how dare you question Your Sovereign in this matter! Her word is final and absolute."

Elsa stared at Otleiv, the fire returning to her eyes, but then she felt a gentle touch on her arm, and new immediately it was Anna. But she also knew Jörmungandr was stirring inside her; itching to be released into the world once again, and she tried to resist his urges. After a reassuring glance from her sister she turned back to the Duke. "Do you want to be dismissed from these proceedings, Your Grace? Because I will gladly do it if you show disrespect to me again—not just to me, but anyone here. Do you understand me?"

Otleiv's jaw tightened and his fists clenched, and for a brief second he considered not acknowledging her words. "Of course, Your Majesty."

"Well, I'm not convinced."

All eyes turned towards the princess, who was standing slightly behind the Queen. Harald Halfdansson looked at her, a half smile on his face. "Your Highness, if I may impose upon your sweet nature…"

"No, you may not." Anna touched Elsa's arm again. "Go on, Elsa, tell them about the Fimbulvetr, and the Ragnarök," she whispered.

The Queen growled slightly at the touch, as the serpent was so close to the surface. She took Anna's arm and guided her to the map wall, and then addressed her nobles again. "The time of the ancient prophecies is at hand, men and women of Arendelle. You are experiencing its beginning already, as for what you have revealed to me. It is the time of Ragnarök—or Ragnarøkkr, in the singular—who among you is not already familiar with this Prophecy? Were we not taught these things when we were younger, in our youth?"

Anna briefly glanced at Elsa, knowing that neither one of them had been raised with these prophecies, even though the Trolls had tried to encourage their parents to do exactly that. "Elsa…?"

"Fylliz fiǫrvi feigra manna, rýðr ragna siǫt rauðom dreyra. Svǫrt verða sólskin of sumor eptir, veðr ǫll válynd Vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?" Asleik cleared his throat, and looked around to see if anyone recognized these words.

"Are you quoting, Sir?" Anna asked.

"Yes, I am, Your Highness," the Knight replied. "'It sates itself on the life-blood of fated men, paints red the powers' homes with crimson gore. Black become the sun's beams in the summers that follow, weathers all treacherous. Do you still seek to know? And what?' This is from the Poetic Edda poem Völuspá. It speaks of this Ragnarök, Your Majesty."

"This ought not to be a surprise to anyone, this first question from the Edda. Whoever seeks to know…" Elsa began.

"My God," Bishop Johannes had to lean against the wall to keep standing. "Even though I have seen with my own eyes my heart wants to remain in ignorance—to cling to disbelief. But I can't…"

Elsa looked upon the man with compassion, and she took a tentative step towards him. "You don't have to remain at this meeting, Your Grace. You may return to the cathedral, if you'd like."

Johannes looked up in relief. "May I, Your Majesty?"

"Of course." Elsa walked the man to the Chamber doors and led him out. She turned to one of the soldiers who was guarding the doors. "Will you please escort His Grace back to the Cathedral?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

When Elsa returned to the room she could see that all were weary, including Anna, who was holding a sleeping Leif. It made it easy for her to make the decision. "We will take a break now, so you may refresh yourselves, and will return to this meeting after the evening meal." She didn't wait to be acknowledged, and had extended her arm to the princess. "Your Highness."

Anna didn't take the offer, but merely deposited Leif in Elsa's arms. "I think I little bonding is in order, don't you think?"

Elsa grinned as she looked into Anna's eyes. "Come." She led them out the doors and up the grand spiral staircase.

Duke Periander watched as his peers marshaled themselves out the doors. But instead of leaving, he sank back in the chair he was sitting in, thinking to himself.

Harald Halfdansson stopped at the Chamber's doors and looked back at him. "Are you alright, Your Grace?"

Periander took out his pipe and lit it, and then he motioned for Halfdansson to come closer. "Did you get a good look at that child, my friend?"

Harald sat next to the older Duke. "We have far more important things to worry about, don't you think?"

"He looks suspiciously like our Queen, and not the Princess."

Harald Halfdansson lowered his head, his eyes never leaving the other man. "What are you implying, Your Grace?"

"You don't know anything about the Ragnarök—or the Fimbulvetr, do you?"

"No, not really. But I'm sure the Queen will tell us al about it after dinner." Harald got up and went to the liquor cabinet and poured the rest of the brandy into a large glass. He took it with him as he left the room.

Periander sat back again, and the more he thought about it, the darker his thoughts became.

Elsa gently laid her sleeping son in his crib, and then sat on the bed to remove her boots. When they were off she lay back on her bed and closed her eyes, thoroughly exhausted by the events of the afternoon meeting.

Anna quietly entered and sat down next to her sister's prone form. She began to loosen her plait. "Are you as tired as I am—" The words died in her throat when Elsa abruptly sat up and pushed her on her back.

The blonde peppered kisses all along Anna's jaw. "I thought you'd never get here."

Anna tensed, as she was not in the mood for love-play. "Please, Elsa, I don't want to."

Elsa stopped, and then she rolled off the younger woman to lie flat on her back again. "I'm sorry, Anna. I thought you wanted to." She exhaled a long cleansing breath.

Anna turned onto her side and watched her older sibling. "Do you think they will believe you, Elsa?"

"The nobles? I don't rightly know, Anna. Some will be like Johannes, and will be reluctant to accept my words. Others still might take my words as an absolute justification for war against our enemies."

Anna placed a hand on Elsa's flat stomach. "Elsa, why wasn't Óðinn in the meeting with us?"

Elsa flipped onto her side. "If I got through to him, then he is off fetching Thor to Arendelle."

Anna's eyes widened. "The god Thor—in Arendelle? Why do we want this to happen?"

Elsa sat up, bringing Anna with her. "There is something important that I need to tell you, Snowflake—about my fate, the fate of Jörmungandr…"

This chapter was excruciating to write, mainly because I was stuck on what the Council meeting was going to look like, and its still not done, nor am I completely happy with what I have so far. Anyway, as always...please tell me what you think...