Elsa felt Jörmungandr roar to the surface, but this time, she fought back with all the strength and willpower she possessed. Her body was wracked with violent spasms when the serpent tried to break free. In her mind she hit him with an icy blast, sending his spirit spiraling away from her, and Jörmungandr's fear slammed hard into her at that moment, awakening her own terror; she knew she could not let him take the upper hand, for he would wreck his way throughout the castle.

Anna saw the struggle and for a few moments, did not know what to do. She had the urge to scream, but knew if she did Elsa may be lost to the serpent immediately. Elsa's body went into another spasm, and her hands began to turn blue and coil into Jörmungandr's notable claws. But then she had an idea, and hoped that Elsa would understand. She threw herself on her sister and held on tight even though the blonde tried to throw her off, and then she roughly grabbed at her crotch to get her attention, causing tremendous pain instead of pleasure. It worked. Elsa's body heaved, and Anna went flying towards the headboard, and the serpent stopped trying to take over. Jörmungandr hissed, and then slithered away, leaving only Elsa to experience the agony.

Elsa was suddenly hit with an excruciating physical pain and she cried out as Anna let go of her flesh and scrambled away. After awhile, her breathing under control, she was able to open her eyes. "Oh, that hurts." She shivered violently and curled up on her side, and her hands returned to normal.

The princess heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God." After leaning back against the headboard she regarded Elsa more closely, and saw her suffering. "Do you need your doctor?"

The blonde closed her eyes again and covered her flesh with her hands. "I—I don't know." Her eyes snapped open and she groaned. "No, no doctors. I don't want them to see this." She turned her head to face the princess. "You saved me, Anna—albeit in an unorthodox way—so, thank you."

Anna cringed somewhat. "Did I… uhm, how to put this… did I break it?"

Elsa's eyes went wide, and she would have laughed if not incapacitated by pain. "I don't know… Anna, please make sure that Leif is okay."

"Oh—yes, of course." Anna got up and went to the crib.

Elsa waited for Anna to turn away from her before she removed her hands from her flesh, to inspect herself. "Oh, my…"

Anna draped a small blanket over the sleeping boy. "Well, he's alright, Elsa…oh…" She had turned around to face her sister, and then blushed.

The Queen turned miserable eyes onto her sister. "It's not broken, but—oh, I can't believe we are having this discussion, Anna!"

"Are you being shy? With everything that we've done—and will do!" Anna moved to sit on the bed. "Please, Elsa, I don't want to have a fight. My poor heart couldn't take it right now."

Elsa sat up and motioned for Anna to come closer. "I'm sorry, Snowflake. I am just feeling a bit of humiliation at the moment—but I didn't mean to take it out on you." It was now Elsa's turn to blush. "I must say again, thank you. I have no idea what Jörmungandr would have done…"

"But what happened to you, Elsa. One minute you were fine, and the next, well, you…" Anna's voice trailed off at the look in Elsa's eyes. There was confusion, and something else. "What did you see?"

"I don't know what it was, the vision is fading as each second passes." The blonde took hold of Anna's hand. "It was—malevolent in some way, I think—and intelligent, I could feel it looking at me."

"My God." Anna's squeezed Elsa's hand even tighter. "Was it something to do with the Ragnarök?"

"It feels like it, but I—can't see it anymore. If that makes any sense."

"What parts of the prophecies make any sense, Elsa?" Anna let go of Elsa's hand and lay down on the bed. "I feel as if I—"

A quiet knock sounded, startling Anna but not Elsa. The Queen simply pulled a blanket over herself as the princess stood up. "Yes, come in."

The door opened and a page entered, pushing a cart before him. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I have some refreshment for you."

Anna picked up a sleeping Leif. "Is it dinner time already?"

The page shook his head. "No, Your Highness, it is not quite time for dinner. But Master Kai thought you could use the break."

Elsa frowned. "Master Kai? But I gave permission…" She noticed the uncomfortable look the young man was giving her. "Never mind. You may go."

The page bowed before closing the door.

Elsa got up and went to the cart, and smiled after removing the cover off a tray. "Hmmm…sausages and cheeses, Anna—oh, and wine."

Anna walked over to the tray. "Is that grovbrød?"

"Yes—with lingonberries. It seems like Kai thought of everything." Elsa took hold of the cart. "Come on, Anna, and follow me." She led them through the parlor and towards the door.

"Elsa? Your pants…"

The blonde looked down and realized they were still unbuttoned. "Thank you." After buttoning them up she led them out of her rooms and towards a rather large sitting room at the opposite end of the hallway. When she opened the large double doors she noticed a fire already lit in the fireplace, and the drapes had been opened to let in the soon to be setting sun. Several lit candles had been placed strategically around the room, adding to the warm environment. "Thank you, Kai."

Anna stepped up to Elsa's side, the baby still asleep. "This was mother and father's private room, wasn't it?"

"Now it's mine—one of them, at least." Elsa pushed the cart inside, and moved it near the fireplace. "Come, Snowflake."

Morale in the city was muted, and low, as knowledge of the explosion in the Castle spread to the far reaches of Arendelle, even to those lonely soldiers who kept watch at the harbor, and to the man who was now in tent that the Queen had had erected on the spot. Admiral Crispin lowered his hands to the small stove to warm them, as it was freezing outside, even though the storm had abated somewhat. The flaps to the tent opened and he turned around to see who it was.

"Yes, who is it?"

A man in a Guard Officer's uniform entered, and then saluted him. "My name is Captain Reiner, Admiral—and I'm sorry for the uniform but I didn't have time to change."

Crispin stood and regarded the younger officer. "Do I know you?"

Reiner looked at the pot of coffee on the stove. "May I?"

"Of course, help yourself. But I must ask you again, sir, do I know you?"

The Captain sipped at the hot beverage. "Excuse me, Admiral, but I've recently been—well, I guess you could say 'promoted' from the Royal Guard to the Navy." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a parchment, handing it over to Crispin. "My commission, sir."

The Admiral read over the document. "You're my new personal secretary?"

Reiner smiled, and then finished his entire cup. "Yes, sir."

Crispin threw the document on his desk and indicated for Reiner to follow him to the tent's entrance. When he opened a flap a rush of cold air blew into the Captain's face. "I hope you're up to the job, Captain. Because—do you feel that wind? That's just about how warm it is out here. Do you see that cot?"

The Captain looked at the cot on the opposite end of the tent, with a small chest of drawers next to it. "Yes, sir, but I don't…"

"That's where you sleep, from now on." The Admiral pointed again to the harbor outside. "Do you see that freezing fjord? You watch that—every hour that you are awake, and sound the alarm when you see the rest of the fleet coming into it."

Reiner was more than a little shocked, and tried to say something, but no words would come out.

Admiral Crispin offered the man a sympathetic smile. "Welcome to Arendelle's Navy."

Weselton's harbor port was ten miles from the Duke's castle grounds, and was smaller than Arendelle's. It lay within the protection of two small mountain ranges, and was the stopping point of many vessels on the way to greater Europe. And, at the moment, the entire Weselton fleet was docked at it, waiting for the Duke's arrival and the command to proceed to the Southern Isles. But the weather was against them, and threatened to delay the fleet by several days if it did not let up.

Magnus and his party emerged from the mountain pass and stopped their horses as another gust of snowy wind impeded their progress. He spurred his horse around to address his men. "Let not this weather hinder your resolve, men of Weselton! The fleet awaits, and at the Southern Isles you will find a kindred spirit!"

General Aleksander maneuvered his horse so that he was at Magnus' side, and sat up straight in his saddle. "Men of Weselton, victory is at hand!" He glanced at the Duke, and was filled with pride at his approving look. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the harbor city. "To war!"

Magnus regarded his new general, and was very pleased with his performance so far. "You are a genuine leader, Aleksander." He spurred his horse forward, and the General fell in line with him.

Aleksander nodded. "I believe in our cause, My Liege."

The Duke nodded. "So, do you remember what to do after the fleet leaves?"

"Yes, my Liege."

"Very good, Aleksander. Arendelle will hardly know what hit them, don't you think?" Magnus pulled out a flask from his coat pocket and took a large swallow.

"It will be a complete surprise," Aleksander concurred.

Master Kai sat in the large kitchen on the first floor of Arendelle castle, and continued to pour brandy into his already full cup of coffee. When it spilled onto his trousers he cursed, then slammed the bottle onto the table. "Damn!"

An Under Butler of the Household, Anders, was folding napkins on a table next to his and looked over to his superior. "Can I help you in any way, Master Kai?"

Kai took a large swallow of his drink, and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "No, I don't think so, boy."

Anders frowned; he wasn't a boy. "But I've been watching you, sir. And, well, I think you've had enough."

"What?" The Master of the Castle poured more of the strong liqueur into his cup, without the coffee. "Who are you, young man, to tell me what to do? Don't you know who I am?"

"Of course I know who you are, sir. But, I think—"

The doors opened, revealing a very haggard-looking Captain Lindar. "Don't you have dinner to prepare for?" He was being uncharacteristically gruff, and Anders noticed the smell of liquor on him, as well. "Well?"

The Under Butler nodded as he stood. "Okay, I'll leave you two to—talk. Good day, gentlemen." Anders left without another word.

Lindar sighed heavily and plopped down opposite Kai at the small table. And at that moment the doors opened again and several cooks came into the kitchen to prepare the evening meal.

Kai stared into his empty cup. "Have the clean up crews arrived?"

"No, we're still investigating—trying to identify bodies, and such." Lindar turned towards the fireplace and threw in a few logs. "I had to get out of there, even if only for a few minutes."

"I can hardly blame you." Kai straightened in his chair. "Master Steingard… is he here?"

"He took one look at the scene and immediately vomited. So I have him resting in one of the guest rooms." Lindar got up and grabbed at bottle of wine from one of the food preparation tables and then sat back down opposite Kai. "I've been an officer in Her Majesty's army for years, and have seen all sorts of things." He uncorked the bottle and drank directly from it, instead of pouring it into a glass. "But I've never seen anything like this—this horrific."

Kai shuddered slightly. "It does have a particular evilness to it, doesn't it?"

Lindar tilted his head. "You picked up on that, as well?"

"Yes." Kai closed his eyes briefly, as one might do when trying to recall a memory. "I have a feeling that whoever did this chose that particular bomb on purpose—and wanted the type of carnage it produced."

"I've never seen anything like it, Master Kai. We still can't figure out how it was done." Lindar noticed some curious stares from the kitchen staff so he lowered his voice. "This is what I think—but I have no way to prove it—someone blew themselves up along with the Privy Council on someone's behest. So, this is how I've begun my investigation. I'm looking for someone, or a family, with prior massive debt that has suddenly and miraculously disappeared."

Kai blew out a large breath. "That's very good, Lindar. I never would have thought to look down that road."

At that moment the kitchen doors opened and a soldier entered; he saluted when he caught sight of the Lieutenant. "Lieutenant Lindar, General Urban has arrived and requests your presence."

Lindar quickly corked the wine bottle. "Damn—I've been drinking, Kai."

"Well, so have I." Kai stood up and straightened out his lapels. "If I can address the General, so can you."

Soon the sun began to set, but the swirling snows obscured it from view, and the inhabitants of the castle, who spirits were shaken by tragedy, began to settle in for the upcoming evening. Elsa sat back in her chair, and watched as Anna napped on the couch, with Leif resting on her chest. Life at the moment was bittersweet for the monarch, and she wished for the war's end, and for her life to be hers again. When Leif began to stir, she got up from the chair and kneeled in front of him, and his mother.

"What is it, little boy? Are you in need of changing, are you hungry?"

Leif squirmed and began to make little baby noises, and this woke Anna. "Well, hello, little one?" She smiled when Elsa gently took the boy and began to rub his back. He was still too young to lift his small head, but he did continue to talk, as babies often do. "He loves you, Elsa."

Elsa smiled, but it faltered as soon as it came, and then she hugged her baby even closer as her doubts rose to the surface. "Oh, Anna, are you sure?"

Anna sat up. "What? Why would you even doubt it?"

"And you love me, too?"

Anna reached over and took the baby, and then she got up and placed him in the small crib that Kai provided. When she turned back to Elsa, she bore a look of determination. "You are loved, Elsa. Let me show you how much."

Elsa swallowed hard as Anna sauntered over to her. "Please, Anna…"

"Elsa." Anna helped the Queen to her feet, led them over to the larger couch. "This is not what you think. Here, sit down…" She sat down and indicated for her sister to sit in front of her. "Let me massage your shoulders. Yes, like that—take off your shirt."

Elsa moaned when Anna began to rub her shoulders, her deft fingers working their magic. She let her head loll to the side, and sighed deeply when the princess's thumbs ran deeply into her muscles. Her eyelids started to droop, and she felt like going to sleep, even though dinner had yet to be served.

"Elsa?"

Elsa turned her body and fell back onto the couch, bringing Anna with her. As she flipped the princess onto her back, she lowered her head and rested it on Anna's chest. "I can hear your heart. But—you have too many clothes on for me to hear it real clearly."

Anna smiled, despite herself. "Is that what you want? To hear my heart?"

"Oh, yes…"

"Then help me—with my clothes."

Elsa didn't move at first, and continued to lie somewhat quietly on the princess, her hands caressing her arms. She inhaled of Anna's sweet scent, and continued to caress her in all the right places. Several minutes of this silent exploration passed, with both of them enjoying the depth of their bond—until Elsa moved her hips, to align them with the princess,' her need both growing and apparent.

"Are you sure, Elsa?" Anna didn't want to appear too eager, even though her heart was soaring.

The Queen lifted slightly in order to pull up her sister's skirts, and then lowered her body fully onto her again, head still on her chest. "Do you…?" Her flesh was straining against her pants.

Anna could feel the evidence of Elsa's arousal, and wondered why she was holding back. She gasped, and then wound her hand between their bodies to coax the blonde to move. "Oh, please, Elsa… please?"

The blonde grasped Anna's hand, and entwined their fingers together, but then her hips jerked forward with the effort of holding back, and pain replaced her growing pleasure. "It hurts…"

The princess spread her legs. "Inside… now."

Elsa released her flesh, and slowly entered, until she was fully sheathed. A pleasant tingling sensation crawled up her spine as she settled on top of the princess. But then she hesitated as pain co-mingled with pleasure, and she became afraid to move. "Anna, please don't—"

Anna wrapped her legs around Elsa's waist, and she began to undulate her hips, forcing the blonde to move. "Oh, god… this is just how you like it, isn't it?" She dug her heals into the small of Elsa's back, her skin rubbing against the coarse fabric of Elsa's trousers. "Just like this…"

The Queen whimpered as Anna's words struck her, and her aroused flesh hardened even more as she tensed and released her buttock muscles; her hands clenched the cushions below as waves of arduous pleasure hit upon her. "Anna… it aches…"

The princess ran her hands under the waistband of the Queen's pants and grabbed her arse, then pulled her closer, forcing a deeper penetration. "Oh, gods, Elsa… please move."

Elsa thrust slowly, her body seemingly knowing what Anna needed. "Ugh…do you know what this—what you, do to me?"

The princess held on tighter, her own hips undulating in time with the blonde's thrusts inside her. "Yes, oh, yes…please, give me more. You know what I want."

Elsa hesitated, and lifted her head from Anna's breasts. "Are you sure, Snowflake? You want me to give you another child?" She looked deeply into Anna's eyes, looking, in a sense, for permission.

Anna smiled sweetly, and nodded, almost imperceptibly, and at that moment felt much love in her heart as she had never felt before. Their eyes locked, and a myriad of understanding passed between them. She reached up and caressed Elsa's cheeks, then reached around her head to undo her plait. "With love, Elsa. Always, with love."

The blonde shook her hair free, and lifted on her hands as she was overcome with the need to give Anna what she wanted.

Elsa rested her head in the crook of Anna's neck, her pants slowly dwindling until she could breathe normally. A light sheen of sweat covered her body, and she was exhausted beyond belief. And, tentatively, she reached out with her dragon senses to feel for any changes in the princess below her, but could not find any. She quelled her disappointment deep inside, and swore to herself not to tell Anna. "I just want you to be happy, Anna."

Anna opened her eyes. "What makes you think I'm not?"

"What if I can't give you another child, Anna? Perhaps it was a one-time opportunity that we had?"

"But—I know how babies are conceived, Elsa."

Elsa blushed, as so did she. "Well, I do, too. But what does that have—"

"Haven't we done everything right?" Anna interrupted. "I mean, well, you've done it right."

Elsa buried her face in Anna's neck, which caused the princess to giggle. "I know I have—god, Anna, are you determined to see me a dithering fool?"

"You are so adorable," Anna chuckled, and then she turned her head to whisper into Elsa's ear. "But, perhaps you need some convincing?" She sat up, bringing Elsa with her, and then gently pushed Elsa onto her back. "Let's do it right again."

Hans checked his image in the mirror for the fourth time, making sure that his naval uniform looked just right. His official portrait had to be perfect, and he wasn't going to take any chances. Not even with the artist. He wanted his portrait to look as realistic as possible, so he enlisted the services of the French Realist, Gustav Courbet to paint it, even though the man preferred to render the rural bourgeoisie. He turned around just as Courbet was setting up his brushes. "We have apprentices that can do the small stuff for you."

Courbet grunted. "You may not like what I will paint, Your Highness." His voice beheld a gruff demeanor, as of from one who was unrepentant.

Hans looked at the man more closely, and appreciated what he saw. "Nonsense. I have faith you will see me as I truly am."

"See you for who you are? So, there is more to you than your reputation?" Courbet ran his hand over the large canvas. "Where did you get this crap?"

Hans liked the man even more. "So, you have heard about me. That's good, for I surely do not want someone to paint me who cannot discern greatness." He walked over to the stool he was to stand at. "So, how do I look?"

"I have painted harsher things, Your Highness." The painter looked about the salon they were in, and he didn't like his surroundings. "Are you sure you want to be in this non-puissant room? Why are we not on one of your naval vessels? You should be at the helm, with the wind blowing your hair and tassels."

Hans stared at the man for a few minutes, stunned that he had not thought of that himself. "My god, you are right. Wait a few moments…" He went to the door and opened it, then called for a page. "You, over there, come right here!"

The painter watched the inept nobleman for a few moments and then turned back to the awful canvas he was expected to work on. "You might want to ask him for a new canvas while you're at it."

Hans turned back to Courbet. "What of the storms? They seem to come when you least want them to."

"I don't care about such things. Shall we to the docks, then, Your Highness?"

"Yes, yes, of course." The prince began barking out orders to the page.

"Prince Hans?"

But Hans wasn't listening, and was too busy to notice the strange look on Gustav's face. The painter looked into his satchel and saw the letter from Corona he was supposed to give to Roman, and wondered where the Prince's older brother was.

Elsa picked up Leif from his crib when he began to cry, even though she had not finished dressing, and cradled the infant to her breast. The small boy tried to connect to her nipple, and was frustrated when he couldn't. "Anna, can you come and feed him?"

The princess emerged from their closet fully dressed, and looked at Leif as he cried. "No more tears, little boy. Come here." Anna sat down on the couch near the fireplace and opened up the flap on her maternity blouse. "See, Leif, everything's fine."

Elsa knew Anna's words were true, at least for the moment. In fact, everything at this precise moment was perfect, her dragon senses were telling her so. And so intent was she at the moment to contemplate her family that she thought of nothing else and her mind was at peace. Jörmungandr settled down and fell asleep.

But Geri and Freki were still at the Gates…

A short chapter this time, while I work on the weightier things to come. As always, let me know what you think...