Elsa slowly opened her eyes and, for a few moments, could not get her bearing. But then she soon realized she was in the attic room, in bed, with Anna's naked body wrapped around her own. She lifted her head and looked about, and it did not take her long to realize someone else had been in the room, for the fire was still going strong, and the cart was gone. It was too bad, because she was still hungry, as dinner had been abandoned. After gently extricating herself from Anna's embrace, she stretched her sore muscles and then sat up.

"Is it morning?"

Elsa looked down onto Anna's still sleepy face. "I don't know, there isn't a clock in here—and no windows to see out of. But, it feels like morning." She closed her eyes and reached out with her dragon senses, feeling for any impressions to tell her the time of day. "I—it feels like mid-morning, Anna."

Anna rolled onto her back and stretched. "I don't understand how you can do that."

"Its not completely 'me,' per se, Anna. But my own intuition combining with Jörmungandr's superior senses." The blonde looked down again, blushing slightly. "Good morning."

Anna lifted on her elbows. "To you, too."

There was a moment of awkward silence between them, which puzzled both, for their relationship was clearly defined, and now there were no secrets that had not been brought out into the light.

Elsa glanced at the princess, and was about to speak when a quiet knock on the door startled her. "Who is it?"

After a short pause, Master Kai's voice was clear. "It's just me, Your Highness. First of all, I've brought breakfast, which I will leave out here for the time being. Secondly, the Council will resume its proceedings at noon, if that pleases Her Majesty."

Elsa got up and hastily put on her shirt and pants, finishing with the last button just as she opened the door. "You can come in with the breakfast tray, Kai. Yes, it does please me that the Council meeting will recommence."

The Master of the Castle wheeled in a cart and placed it before the fireplace to keep the food on it warm. "Very good, Your Majesty. Good morning, Your Highness."

Anna blushed and pulled the blankets even closer. "Uhm… how are you doing, Kai?"

Kai exchanged a glance with Elsa before answering. "I am well, Your Highness. Now if you will excuse me, I have a meeting to prepare for." With a bow, he was gone.

Elsa pulled the lid off of tray and licked her lips. "Hmm… you don't have to worry about Kai, Snowflake. He's loyal to us, trust me."

"I'm not worried, Elsa. I just didn't want him to see me naked."

The Queen served herself some stuffed French toast, and then ravenously began to eat. "Oh, this is so good, Anna."

"Don't you dare eat all of that without me!" Anna jumped from the bed and padded over to the food cart. "Stuffed French toast, and… oh, scrambled eggs and ham. I can't believe how spoiled we are."

Elsa finished her French toast, and then picked the lid off of another tray. This one was piled high with various kinds of pastries. "Being the monarch does have its privileges, I guess."

"Being the monarch? I don't think so, my Queen. The chefs know breakfast is my favourite meal of the day."

Elsa laughed, and then went over to the crib when Leif began to make noises. She picked up her boy and delicately placed him in Anna's arms. "He's hungry, Anna."

Anna kissed the small boy on his forehead. "Good morning, my love. Are you hungry? Here—that's a good boy." She sighed as her son began to suckle.

Elsa watched them for a few moments. "How does it feel, Anna?"

"It was a little uncomfortable at first, but I've gotten used to it."

The blonde smiled as she lowered her head. "No, not that. How does it feel to be a mother? I've often wondered, myself, you know."

Anna looked up, a little concerned. "Do you wish to have a baby?"

Elsa put down her fork and chuckled. "I don't think my nature would ever have me do that, Anna. I am not attracted enough to men, if you know what I mean."

The princess frowned. "But you are—a little bit?" Leif began to reject her nipple, so she lifted him up to her shoulder to burp him.

"No, not attraction, as it is. Oh, Anna, I don't know how to explain it without sounding like a fool."

Leif burped rather loudly and Anna continued to rub his back. "Can you try?"

"Does he need changing?" Elsa stood and retrieved her son. "Come here, my boy."

Now it was Anna's turn to chuckle. "Talk about changing the subject."

The Queen lowered the baby onto the bed and changed his cloth, frowning as she did so. "You sure are a smelly little one—oh, Anna? I think he needs a bath."

"Does he?" Anna stepped up to the side of the bed next to Elsa. "Oh, yes, you do, don't you, Leif?"

"Are you sure you want another one of these?" Elsa deadpanned.

"Don't even joke like that, Elsa. Of course, you do." Anna picked up their son and carefully lowered him into his crib. "Can we bathe him before the Council meeting, Elsa?"

"We'll bathe him together."

As Leif quietly lay in his crib Anna padded over to the door. "Does this door lock?"

Elsa went over to where the rest of her clothes lay on the floor and began picking them up. "I think so."

Anna locked the door and then leaned against it, and then got a good look at Elsa's behind as she was bent over. "Come here."

The blonde heard the change of tone in Anna's voice, and slowly got up and turned around. "Anna…"

"I said, come here."

The Queen didn't need to be told a third time, and was soon pressing her body against the Princess'. "You are so demanding…"

Anna smirked and wound her leg around Elsa's waist, and then she reached between their bodies to rub at the blonde's crotch, until she got the reaction she was looking for. She leaned in and whispered into the blonde's ear. "You know what I want."

Elsa was helpless—like unmolded clay in the hands of an artist. "Yes…"

Gerda nervously paced in the parlor next to Master's Kai's office, not knowing what she was going to say in regards to the actions of the two Ladies in Waiting. It felt as if she was waiting forever, and her nerves were frayed. Finally, Kai emerged from his small office and beckoned her to come in. "I don't know what to say, Master Kai."

Kai paused at his small fireplace and added more wood. "Please don't be nervous. This is just a conversation, Gerda, alright?" He wiped his hands on his pants and then moved to his desk. "Please have a seat."

The Head of the Household sat opposite the man and waited for him to begin. When the silence continued she spoke up. "Is there something specific you need to know, Master Kai?"

Kai folded his arms and shook his head. "I'm not sure how to begin because there is so much that we just won't know."

"I don't get what you mean, Master Kai—"

"Please, Gerda, call me Kai." The man sat back in his chair. "With Alfrida dead we may never know her motives."

Gerda nodded. "I swear I did not know she was not to be trusted." She eyed the well-stocked liquor cabinet. "How is Mirelle?"

Kai followed Gerda's gaze. "Would you like some brandy?"

Gerda took the proffered drink. "Thank you."

"There is one thing that I think is important, and that is where did you find these two women?"

"I went to the Guild of Laborers, in the city." Gerda sat back in her own chair. "Their records were clean, according to the Guild."

"The Queen wants answers, Gerda, and I don't know what I'm going to tell her." Kai picked up and poured a small amount of liquor in his coffee. "I don't know if this has anything to do with Weselton or the Southern Isles—or neither." He drank a good portion, and then pushed the cup aside. "But it's the stupidest move I ever heard of, don't you think?"

"It does appear rather daft, I believe. I mean, who could have thought they could escape this castle with the Prince in tow?"

Kai briefly touched his coffee cup. "Maybe she wasn't planning to escape?"

"What are you thinking, Kai?"

Kai paused, and then sighed heavily. "Oh, I don't know yet. But I was thinking, what if she was told to do exactly what she did—pretend to kidnap Leif."

Gerda reached over the table and grabbed the brandy bottle. "But for what purposes?" She poured more liquor into her coffee. "Do you mean a ruse, of sorts?"

"Yes, something done to perhaps fool us into incorrect action." Kai grabbed his cup and downed the rest of his beverage. "If you'll excuse me, Gerda, I've got to find Lieutenant Lindar…"

Elsa eased downed into her large bathtub, and moaned with delight as her skin touched the nice warm water. She submerged fully for a few moments before resurfacing to shake her head free of water. "Hand me the baby, Anna."

Anna lowered Leif into Elsa's arms and then stripped herself before entering into the water. "This feels so good, doesn't it?"

"Yes." Elsa poured soap onto the small boy and then began to wash him. "But we don't have time for a long, leisurely bath, Anna."

The princess took the soap and began to clean herself. "I know, but this is still nice."

Leif squirmed in the warm suds, and used his small hands to splash the water while he giggled. Elsa and Anna looked at each other while the baby did this, an innocent love in both their gazes.

"I think he likes taking a bath." Anna reached over and took the baby so Elsa could clean herself. "Do you really think Alfrida was going to kidnap Leif? Because it doesn't make much sense to me."

Elsa ran the soap all over her body. "Anna, can you scrub my back?"

"Oh, sure." Anna took the cloth Elsa was using and washed the blonde's back. "Well?"

"Well, what? Oh, It doesn't make much sense to be, either. But I'm sure Lieutenant Lindar is busy on the problem and will figure it out soon. I have the upmost confidence in him." The blonde dunked her head again. "Are you ready to get out?"

"Can't we enjoy the water for a few more moments?"

Elsa groaned; Anna had her wrapped around her little finger, and she knew it. "Just a few more minutes, okay?"

The activity on the first floor of the Castle was almost too much for Master Kai. Soldiers were now everywhere, not only were they patrolling the halls, but also they were stopping people as they went about their business, and asking questions. Rooms were checked and rechecked, drapes were taken down to prevent people from hiding behind them, and even food was tasted, in case of an attempted poisoning. The Master of the Castle made his way to the Privy Council Chamber, and noticed the placement of two soldiers at its entrance.

Kai waved at the soldiers but they didn't move. "Excuse me, but I'm looking for Lieutenant Lindar."

Even though the soldiers recognized the Master of the Castle, their orders were clear. One of them stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Master Kai, but our orders are strict—no one is allowed in the Privy Chamber until the meeting begins at noon."

Kai was about to complain when Lindar came trotting up to him. "Lieutenant Lindar, may I have a word with you?"

"Or course, Master Kai." The man indicated for Kai to follow him. "I was just about to retire to the Royal Dining Room. Care to join me for lunch?"

"Yes, we have a lot to talk about." Kai wiped down his lapels. "I have a theory concerning the attempted kidnapping."

Lindar slowed to allow the shorter man to catch up to him. "Oh, what are you thinking?"

"Well—what if the kidnapping was a ruse. Gerda actually brought this up when I met with her earlier…"

They turned a corner and proceeded down the corridor, which was filled with both castle guards and soldiers—all of them standing idly by, and fiddling with either their weaponry or uniforms.

"…And I've been thinking about it since. What if Leif's supposed kidnapping was done to throw us off of something else."

Two footmen at the entrance to the Dining Room opened the doors for the two men.

Kai went in first and sat down at his usual spot, and Lindar took the chair opposite him. "Master Kai, are you suggesting we are focusing on a red herring?"

"That is exactly what I'm saying. What if Alfrida was told to kidnap Leif by someone who was only using her? She was young, and according to the Guild of Laborers, her employment record was clean—no complaints or mishaps."

Lindar looked up and indicated for a footman to fill his cup full of coffee. "Then someone at the Guild must be in league with whoever set this up." He smiled when a plate of Labscouse was placed before him. "Thank you."

The server bowed his head. "My pleasure, Lieutenant."

Kai accepted his food with a grunt. "Gerda was the one who told her staff about the Queen's need for more Ladies in Waiting." He salted his food then took a bite. "Hmmm…perfect as always."

"Yes, to whoever is behind this the results must seem too perfect, don't you think?"

"What is perfect?"

Both men turned their heads when the Queen and Princess entered the Royal Dining Hall, then they stood as per royal custom. Anna was holding a sleeping Leif.

Kai cleared his throat and then looked down, a bit embarrassed, for he had known of His Queen's activities. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty."

Elsa moved to her place at the head of the table. "Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen." When she sat so did the others at the table, and a plate of food was immediately placed in front of her. "Thank you."

Anna cradled a sleeping Leif and attempted to use her fork at the same time, but it was a little awkward. When a page suggested that she could hold the baby Anna acquiesced. But when she turned to engage her sister in conversation the look on Elsa's face stopped her. "What is it?"

Elsa forced a smile and briefly squeezed Anna's hand, and then she turned cold eyes onto the page. "I will take Leif."

At first the page was confused, but the look in her Queen's eyes told her to move, so she quickly placed the sleeping boy in her arms. When the boy was secure, Elsa began to eat again.

The princess shrank back a bit, a cold realization hitting her quite hard. No one was ever going to hold the little boy again, except her and Elsa. At least, that was the way it was going to be for now. Se lowered her head and began to eat in silence.

Kai had noticed the interaction between His Queen and Princess, and was glad that someone else at the moment took Lindar's attention, because he was an observant man, and would have noticed. "Your Majesty?"

Elsa looked up from her meal. "Yes, Master Kai?"

Kai indicated the Lieutenant. "Lindar and I were discussing yesterday's incident and have come up with a theory."

"Involving Lady Alfrida and Leif's kidnapping?"

Lieutenant Lindar turned around when he heard his name mentioned. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Kai nodded. "We don't think the attempted kidnapping was the intentional crime, Your Majesty, and that it was merely a ruse to keep us at the Castle distracted."

Anna perked up at the conversation, and looked at her sister.

Elsa held Anna's frank look. "Just what do you think is going on?"

"That's the thing, Your Majesty, we have gotten only this far in our reasoning, and haven't as of yet, solved the mystery."

"Someone was using my son—as a pawn!" Anna angrily dropped her fork, and then leveled her gaze at Lieutenant Lindar. "I hope this matter is taken care of—very soon, for your sake."

The Lieutenant sat straighter in his chair. "I give you my word, Your Highness, it will be."

Elsa thought for a moment, and looked at both Kai and Lindar, and then wondered what wasn't being said. "What aren't you gentlemen telling me—what do you mean by a ruse?"

"We were thinking that the kidnapping was done to throw us off; keep us distracted from what will ultimately be the real crime or scheme." Kai picked up his cup of tea and sipped from it.

Elsa's eyelids fluttered, and she reached out with her dragon senses, and began to search castle rooms, one by one, looking for anything out of the ordinary. "Yes…speak to me…" she whispered.

Anna heard the whisper, and turned her body so that she was facing her sister. "What is it, Elsa? What do you see?"

The Queen's eyes looked like they were glazed over. "I'm seeing—the Privy Council Chamber, the nobles are returning…"

When the princess attempted to take the Queen's hand she jerked it away. "Elsa?"

"Harald Halfdansson is standing in the doorway—his eyes—he senses something— !" The Queen rose to her feet and quickly, but gently, placed their son into her arms. "Stay here!"

Elsa flew out the door with Kai and Lieutenant Lindar at her heels, and just as they were outside the door an explosion shook the castle, blowing stone and wood everywhere, killing all who stood in the way.

Elsa didn't stop, but ran into the mayhem that followed. As she turned the corner that would have led to the Privy Council Chamber a large billowing cloud of debris flew around her, effectively stopping her where she stood. She immediately closed her eyes and lifted her hands, sending a blast of icy air ahead of her, clearing the way.

But as she started forward towards the room she soon noticed that the doors and frame had been completely blown out, and so had most of the wall; there were pieces of stone and body parts everywhere, and soon her boots were coated in soot and blood. She turned to see Lieutenant Lindar carefully making his way towards her, but Master Kai wasn't with him. "Lindar—where is Kai?"

The Lieutenant choked on the dusty air. "He turned back, to take care of the Princess…"

Elsa sent out another blast of cold, cleansing air, and began to move forward again, bypassing the more gruesome parts on the floor. A few of the bodies on the floor began to writhe in agony; they had been blasted by the deadly debris, but were still alive. There was a soldier, whose body was badly broken, calling out for someone to help him. She knew there was nothing to be done for him, he would be dead within minutes, so she moved around him and came upon what was once the entrance to the Privy Council Chamber; it, along with most of the wall, was gone, and part of the room was in flames, due to flaming logs of in what was once the fireplace. This time, she sent out blasts of snow to douse the growing combustions. So busy was her attention taken that she failed to notice a loose beam above her. When it hit it knocked her unconscious.

Elsa struggled through the veil of unconsciousness, instinctively knowing that she needed to be awake and aware. Various images flitted throughout her subconscious the further she rose—images of various dukes and earls, faces known and unknown, until finally her bleary eyes opened. The first thing she knew was that she was in her bedroom, lying on top of her bed and that someone was holding her hand. "What… what happened…"

Anna let go of the Queen's hand. "You don't remember anything?" She looked around to the rest of the people in the room—the Queen's Physician, Lieutenant Lindar, Master Kai, and a few nobles.

Elsa groaned and blinked several times. "I need Arendelle's highest nobles…"

Anna lowered her head onto the Queen's arm and began to cry. "Oh, Elsa…"

Lieutenant Lindar glanced at Kai before taking a step towards the bed. "Some of your top nobles are dead, Your Majesty."

The Queen groaned again and attempted to sit up when her Physician gently coaxed her to keep down. "Who?"

Lindar's legs gave out on him, and he sat heavily on the bed. "Duke Harald Halfdansson, Earl Elisar, and the newly crowned Prince Malkolm—among others, Your Majesty."

The Queen fully opened her eyes. "You said others?"

"Some bodies are so mangled, we have yet to identify them." Lindar held his head in his hands. "But we found a hand with a Bishop's ring on it… so we're assuming Johannes is dead, as well."

Elsa groaned again, although this time in grief. "Oh, no… what of Anna, and my son?"

Anna's head snapped up, and she realized what Elsa truly said. "We are fine, Elsa."

"Thank God."

Kai cleared his throat and hobbled over to the bed. He bowed to the Queen before speaking. "Now all of you in this room know the truth—Prince Leif Albrecht is Queen's Elsa's child."

Earl Klemmet gasped slightly. "How can that be? Princess Anna was the one who was pregnant—am I wrong?"

This time Elsa did manage to sit up, as she decided to call upon the strength of the dragon. She pointedly looked out to those in room before her eyes settled on Klemmet. "Shall I prove it to you, my Lord—I think not. I am your Sovereign! You will believe what I tell you without proof!" Elsa stood and looked down on her soiled and somewhat tattered clothing. "Has anyone thought to call upon Master Steingard?"

Kai nodded. "He will be here shortly, Your Majesty, to assess the damage and begin repairs."

Elsa carefully walked over to the crib, just to make sure that Leif was alright. When she saw him sleeping she sighed heavily in relief. "Give us a good three days to go over today's bombing—then the rest of the Council will meet. But not here in the Castle… let's see. Does Weselton's old Embassy have a proper meeting room?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Ambassador's old conference room ought to do well." Kai noticed a blood stain on his trousers, and then felt his injury.

The Queen turned around and noticed, and then indicated for her Physician to go over to the man. "Now, everyone to his duty. I believe all in this room have their wartime orders—go follow them. Master Kai, I want you to recall General Urban and Admiral Crispin to the city, I need them now that Harald is dead." She turned to Anna but then paused when no one moved. And then it occurred to her that each man in this room was looking to her for strength, so she gave it to them. "Okay, belay that last statement. Go home to your families and let them know you are alright, but be back in three days, there is much to be done."

The men began to file out of her room, all except for Kai and Lieutenant Lindar, who knew to stay. When everyone was gone, Elsa sat on her bed, and motioned for Anna to come and sit by her. "Is there anything you gentlemen are not telling me, something you didn't want the others to know?"

Kai pulled up a chair and sat down. "We think one of your nobles is a traitor, Queen Elsa. How else could something like this happen?"

The Queen lowered her head. "Gentlemen, I can't think clearly right now. Go and get a good night's sleep—I'll see both of you tomorrow."

Kai and Lindar exchanged a glance before standing and bowing. They left without saying another word.

When they were gone the blonde looked back up. "Anna, can you go and lock the door—and then bring Leif to the bed." She crawled back up to her pillows and then began unbuttoning her officer's coat. It was tossed aside along with her pants and shirt. When she was naked she crawled under her blankets.

Anna picked up her sleeping boy and brought him over to Elsa, who carefully took him and placed him in front of her. She knew what Elsa needed so she took off her clothes and got under the blankets, too. They were asleep within minutes.

Elsa woke up before Anna and was greeted by Leif's curious stare. The baby was awake and flailing his little arms, making noises as only infants can. She reached over and ran her fingers through his soft blonde locks, and then smiled when the baby giggled and then squealed. "I love you, little Leif."

"He loves you, too, Elsa."

Elsa turned pain-filled eyes onto the princess, and then sat up. "I've been thinking, Anna. Perhaps you ought—"

Anna growled in frustration. "You are not going to send us away, Elsa. I won't have it."

Elsa sighed. "Actually, that's not what I was going to say." She briefly glanced at Leif. "Anna, I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

Elsa reached her bathroom door. "Nature calls."

Anna blushed and then turned towards the baby, who was still making little infant noises, and played with his nose. Leif squealed in delight as Anna bopped his little nose, and then when she lifted him up, he sought out her nipple. She looked up when Elsa emerged from her bathroom, and blushed again. "Elsa, what were you going to say?"

The blonde went over to the fireplace and loaded it with wood, for she misread Anna's blush and thought she was cold. "Well, for one thing, my neck is still sore from yesterday."

"Sore? Elsa, you should be resting in bed—all day. You could have been killed."

Elsa turned towards Anna, a far-away look in her eyes. "No, maybe the old Elsa could have. But Jörmungandr will not allow anything to happen to me, not with war at hand."

Anna looked down. "I feel so stupid right now."

The blonde frowned. "Why?"

"I feel stupid for asking you for more children, with all that is happening—especially now." Anna lifted Leif to her shoulder to burp him, and then sniffed back a tear.

Elsa reached out for Leif and Anna smiled as she handed him over. "Please don't speak of yourself as stupid, Anna. You are far from being stupid—cute, maybe, but never stupid." Leif burped rather loudly. "Oh, that's a good boy." She got up and placed her son in his crib. When she turned back to Anna her stomach began to growl. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"How can you think of food with all this death around us."

"You are right, Anna. Let's get dressed and go into the city instead." When she saw the dubious look in Anna's eyes, she sat down in front of her and took her hands into her own. "Look, Snowflake, there is nothing I can do about the past, except learn from it, and don't make the same mistakes. But that doesn't mean I have to be bleak about the future. I'm determined not to do that anymore—I don't want to be constantly fretting over things that were. Does this make any sense?"

Anna threw her arms around Elsa's shoulders and drew her into her embrace. "Yes, it does. You can't know how much this makes me happy."

The Queen allowed Anna to hold her. "I've been fighting this process since the beginning, haven't I?"

"Yes, Elsa, you have been trying to control everything—just you, not even with Jörmungandr as an ally."

Elsa smiled and brought Anna onto her lap. "No more fighting the future—or wailing over the past. I am Jörmungandr, and I will convince Thor not to kill me." Elsa reached out with the serpent's senses, feeling for any presence of Óðinn—but then felt many other things: her people's grief and confusion, the unruhe, and then something else—a darkness that had yet to make its presence known, a malevolent entity, a chimera of confusion and pestilence that lay at the center of the storm to come. And now it saw her, and the surprise of it knocked Elsa flat onto her back.

Anna scrambled off of the blonde when her body became rigid. "What? What's happening, Elsa?" She screamed when her sister began to convulse, and then she stopped moving altogether, and lay perfectly still. "Elsa?"

The Queen bolted upright, and there was a look of complete terror in her eyes.

Anna screamed again as the baser instincts of Jörmungandr took over, and Elsa began to transform.

I finally figured out that it was my web browser that wasn't uploading the chapters correctly, so I switched from Safari to Firefox, and now I don't have to break them up. Yeah... as always, let me know what you think, as things are going to start happening really fast...