It still smelled of soot and seared flesh, and dried blood caused the floor to be sticky. The bodies had been removed and the investigation continued as the reconstruction crew made quick work of fortifying the broken walls.

General Urban stopped short when he came upon the wreckage that was once the Privy Council Chamber, and took note of the destruction, trying to imagine what type of device could do such horrific damage to life and limb. His eyes roamed over the flash marks on the broken walls and the way the wood buckled under the explosion, and wondered where he had seen this pattern before, because it was familiar to him. He stepped over debris as he attempted to get closer, but a panicked voice stopped him.

"General Urban. Please don't get closer, it's not safe yet." Master Kai held out his hand and indicated for the General to come away from the rubble.

Urban turned away from the remnants of the Chamber and calmly walked over to where Kai was standing with Lieutenant Lindar, in the foyer of the Castle. "Lieutenant, may I have a word with you?"

Lindar glanced at Kai. "Of course, General."

Urban looked at Kai with an air of curiosity. "Is there something I can do for you, Master Kai?"

"I was hoping to sit in on any meeting you wish to have with Lieutenant Lindar."

Urban paused for a moment, and then nodded his head. "Sure, I don't have a problem with that. Do you Lieutenant?"

"No, I don't. Where shall we go?"

The General tilted his head towards a nearby hallway. "To the Royal Dining Hall, gentlemen, I'm hungry."

He was finally asleep, after having fussed for at least two hours, and Anna was resting with a book by the fireplace. Elsa bent down into the crib and laid Leif on his back, tucking his blanket around his little shoulders. She ran her hand through his blonde locks, and smiled when he seemed to giggle in his sleep. The clock chimed at that moment, indicating it was six o'clock, well past time for the evening meal. But hunger was far from her mind at the moment, as the events in Arendelle kept weighing on her conscience.

"How is he?"

Elsa straightened and twisted her back, working out the kinks. "Asleep at last." She groaned when her joints popped.

Anna knowingly smiled. "I think someone is a little sore from too much love-making."

The Queen tried to smile, but she was preoccupied with many different things. "Are you hungry, Anna?"

Anna saw the thoughtful expression. "What are you thinking about?"

"Well, I've been wondering why my physician has yet to contact me concerning Mirelle. I would very much like to know if she is expected to live." Elsa gave Leif one last pat on the head. "And I need to write a few letters. First of all, to Halfdansson's sons, to let them know what happened, and to send my deepest condolences."

"You are going to leave without me?"

Elsa offered Anna a half-smile. "Of course not, Snowflake. How could I ever leave you, when I know…" A knock on the door halted her thinking, and she frowned. "Who is it?"

A page opened the door and rolled a cart inside. "I bring dinner, Your Majesty, for you and Her Highness, Princess Anna."

"Very well, you may put the cart near the fireplace." Elsa closed the door and locked it when the page left, and then she leaned heavily against it. "I'm not really hungry, Snowflake."

Anna lifted the lid off of one of the trays and revealed Svinekoteletter, one of the Queen's favourite dishes. "Look, Elsa." Another tray revealed Stekte pølser. "Are you sure you're not hungry?" Her smile faded at the distressed look on the blonde's face. "What? What is it?"

Elsa didn't respond immediately, as she was somewhat despondent. But the concern on Anna's face motivated her to move, as she did not want to be the cause of any consternation. She walked over to the princess and wrapped her in her arms. "C'mere, Anna."

The princess melted in the blonde's embrace, feeling much love from her. "What has taken away your good mood, Elsa?"

The Queen sighed deeply. "Everything that has happened—especially my own failure to stop it. I don't understand why Jörmungandr didn't stop that bombing before it happened."

"But how? I don't understand…"

Elsa held Anna even tighter. "Please…shh…let me finish." When Anna nodded she continued. "Jörmungandr's keen senses and insights encompass not only the present, but the past and future, as well. I believe this, so I'm dismayed that he didn't spur me to action sooner. I failed to save those people, Anna."

Anna winced, not liking how Elsa was putting herself to blame. "You are being too hard on yourself, Elsa."

"Am I?" Elsa rested her chin on the top of Anna's head. "As ruler of Arendelle, I alone am responsible for the safety of my subjects, am I not?" The question was rather moot, considering her current mood. "Go and eat, Anna, you need to keep up your strength." She let go of the princess and walked over to the small desk next to the fireplace. "I have some letters to write."

Elsa rubbed her eyes and sighed deeply, feeling a melancholy that she had never experienced before. She would miss those who had perished, shouldering the blame for their deaths squarely on her shoulders. The letters complete, she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes for a brief moment, and then her keen hearing picked up Leif's little baby noises and she knew he was awake. After a pleasant sigh, she got up to retrieve her son. "Come on, little boy, let's go see if your mother is awake."

Anna was dozing on the couch, and opened her eyes just as Elsa picked up their son. Smiling, she watched, fascinated, as the Queen doted on the small boy—the way she smiled at him, and played with his tiny fingers; and she knew that the blonde was enchanted with him. "Elsa?"

The blonde pretended to bop the little boy's nose, and he squealed with delight. "Yes, Anna?"

"Why don't you show him your magic."

Elsa's smile faltered. "What?"

Anna knew her sister might be uncomfortable with the request, so she got up and went to her. "Don't be afraid, Elsa. You won't hurt Leif, I know it."

But Elsa remained uncertain. "I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to him."

"I know, Elsa. Here, give him to me." Anna took Leif and held him in such a way that he faced the blonde. "Don't worry, it will be alright."

Elsa felt the old fear well up inside her, and a part of her felt like running away. But the look on Anna's face told her there was nothing to be afraid of, so she lifted her hands and began to roll them in front of her, producing a glowing bluish snowflake. She bounced the glowing ball of ice from her right hand to her left, and then slowly moved it closer to Leif.

To her amazement, and to Anna's, Leif stared intently at the glowing snowflake, his baby noises quieting down. And when he lifted his left hand the bluish ball floated over to it, landing in his palm. When he squealed again the snowflake glowed even brighter, and stayed where it landed.

Elsa's jaw dropped, and she resisted the urge to snatch the bluish snowflake away. "My god, Anna, do you see this—he has taken control of it, all by himself. I'm not manipulating it anymore."

The princess saw how her son was holding the snowflake, how he closed his fingers to make it smaller, and then holding them wide open to make it big again. "Elsa… do you think Leif has the magic?"

Elsa was in a state of shock, her heart swelling with both pride and uncertainty. "I can't believe what I am seeing. But… it must be true." She lifted her hand again and coaxed the glowing snowflake back into her palm, and twirled her other hand over it, causing it to spin.

Leif watched all this with pure delight; alternating between squealing and flailing his little arms about. He grunted and then reached towards the snowflake. But Elsa had sent the glowing orb towards the ceiling, and it sparkled out of existence when it touched the paneled plafond. At this the boy giggled, and kicked out with his little legs.

Elsa and Anna exchanged a meaningful glance, and drew close together, the baby between them. The blonde wrapped her arm around the princess' waist, and leaned down to place a sweet kiss on her cheek. "I don't think I've properly thanked you for giving me this sweet boy," she whispered. "He's just like me."

"Yes, he is." Anna snuggled closer to the blonde, but Leif started to cry, so she moved over to the couch. "He must be hungry, don't you think?"

"Speaking of which," Elsa made her way over to the cart, and looked over the remains of dinner. "I guess you were hungry, weren't you, Anna?"

"Uh huh."

"And the rest of it is cold." The blonde reached up and undid her plait, and let her hair fall around her shoulders. "Come with me to the kitchens."

Anna hesitated for a moment. "But I'm so tired, Elsa. Can't you go by yourself?"

"I was not asking." Elsa saw the look of surprise on Anna's face, so she rephrased her sentence. "I mean, please come with me. Remember what I told you earlier—I don't want to let you out of my sight."

"I will when he's finished eating."

Elsa was a bit taken aback, and sat by Anna on the couch. "I'm sorry for sounding so brusque."

"You didn't sound crotchety, Elsa. I know your heart, remember?"

The blonde lowered her head to Anna's shoulder, and then patted Leif on the cheek. "I just want you to be safe because I love both of you."

Earl Hålogaland sat in the Castle kitchen, a bottle of whiskey and an untouched plate of food in front of him. He sighed while lifting the small glass of the amber liquid to his lips; it burned his throat, and he welcomed the sensation. His mentor was dead, and at the moment, he didn't feel like living either. But he had a family to think about, and this was the only thing that kept him rooted to the chair he was sitting in, otherwise he would have fled into the seedier parts of the city to relieve his grief. When the doors opened to reveal Master Kai, Lieutenant Lindar, and General Urban, he didn't even get up to acknowledge them, let alone put down his drink.

Kai halted at the kitchen entrance, and held up his hand to get the attention of the other men he was with. He slowly made his way over to the Earl, and sat down opposite him at the table he was sitting at. But the Earl didn't look up. "Lord Hålogaland, I know you must be very upset—"

"Oh, yeah?" Hålogaland took another drink. "Just how would you know?"

Kai eyed the bottle of whiskey, and his mouth began water, as he wanted more, and he noticed Lindar having the same reaction. "I was sitting where you are not too long ago, doing the exact same thing."

"And your point is?" The Earl looked up and seemed to notice the other men for the first time. "What can I do for you?"

General Urban stepped forward and was about to say something when the double doors to the kitchen opened, revealing the Queen and the Princess. At first, Hålogaland remained seated, until Kai wacked his arm to get his attention, and then he finally stood.

All the men except for General Urban were slightly inebriated, and the Queen picked up on this. "I thought I gave you gentlemen permission to return to your families?" The blonde tried to keep her voice even so as not to show her annoyance, or to disturb Leif. "Yet here we are."

"I'm sorry, my Queen, but I'm not feeling so good." Hålogaland sank back in his chair, and held his head in his hands.

Anna saw the curious glances from the sparse kitchen staff and nudged the Queen. "Someone needs to take care of him," she whispered.

Elsa sighed, slightly aggravated. At first she looked to Master Kai, but then thought better of it. "You, over there." She pointed at a butler who was standing at the door. "Yes, you—come over here."

The butler bowed. "How may I be of service, Your Majesty?"

"I need for you to escort Earl Hålogaland and Master Kai to the guest rooms—on the third floor, please."

"The third floor, Your Majesty?" Kai knew the rooms on that floor were for nobles of lesser peerages, and immediately knew how displeased the Queen really was.

Elsa turned cool eyes on the man. "Yes, Master Kai, do you have a problem with that?"

"No, Your Majesty. Not at all."

The Queen's private parlor on the first floor of the Castle was a cozy room, re-decorated by her just before the beginning of the Fimbulvetr, before her ordeals. Hanging above the fireplace mantle was the last portrait her family had commissioned, only a few months before her parent's untimely death. Anna had initially been surprised to see it exhibited, considering how Elsa still harbored a small bit of guilt concerning the incident, but then soon realized by displaying the family portrait Elsa saw it as part of her healing process. Small ornate bookcases lined the walls, and the rosemaling pattern on the carpeted floor looked like snowflakes.

While Anna dozed on one of couches with Leif, Elsa sat next to General Urban on a couch close to the fireplace. The table in front of the settee was stacked with trays of various dinner selections, as the Queen was hungry. Both she and Urban ate while Lieutenant Lindar sat on the couch opposite the one they were sitting at, drinking a cup of hot coffee.

The Queen took the lid off of one of trays, and revealed Kjøttkaker with a lingonberry relish, one of Anna's favourite dishes. She helped herself to two of meat cakes plus a generous portion of potatoes with the relish. "I must say it is good to see you, General."

Urban looked under another lid, and this one uncovered pork chops. "It is good to see you, too, Your Majesty. I must thank you for your hospitality; it's good to be indoors with a hot meal."

Elsa glanced at Lindar before adding a small pork chop to her plate. "Is he the reason for this visit?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. As you know, his new commission passed by my desk a few days ago, and I thought I'd deliver the good news myself. But I arrive to find the castle in ruins, the people in despair."

The Queen nodded. "The events of the Ragnarök seem to be upon us."

"Speaking of such, Your Majesty, did you know those giant wolves, Geri and Freki, are still sitting watch at the city Gates?"

Elsa stopped eating and put her plate on the table, and thought of all the ramifications of the General's statement. Even though the perching birds were gone, Óðinn's wolves were still keeping watch at the city gates. Did this mean that the god was still in Arendelle? She had thought that he left to look for Thor. Was it possible he already found him, and that they were watching her and Anna all along. The thought chilled Elsa to the core, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. If true, then they saw everything. "If this is true, then Óðinn is still in Arendelle."

"I saw them myself, Your Majesty."

Elsa picked up her plate again and continued to eat. "Then I need to go and search for him—and I think I know where he would be."

"Where, Your Majesty?"

"Óðinn seemed to be very fascinated in Arendelle's Cathedral, General. And I'm willing to wager he hasn't lost his interest."

"I'll go with you, Your Majesty, if you'll forgive my earlier drunkenness." Lindar picked up the coffee pot and poured himself another cup.

Elsa regarded the man. "Are you sure you're alright, Colonel?"

Lindar's eyes widened. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but what did you say?"

"I'm still a bit disappointed in you, Colonel, but, yes, you have been promoted." Urban reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small parchment. "Here is your commission."

The Queen stood and went over to her liquor cabinet; she poured herself a glass of cognac. "I've been impressed with your professionalism and abilities, Lindar, and recommended your promotion to the General." After taking a sip of the liquor she tapped the stem of her glass with her finger. "But don't do this while working."

The Colonel stood and adjusted his jacket. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Do I have your permission to leave and change my uniform?"

Elsa glanced at Urban before speaking. "On the second floor there is a guest room right next to the spiral staircase—you can't miss it. It has been prepared for your stay, Lindar. You can have it for however long it takes to complete your investigation."

General Urban nodded in satisfaction at the Queen's words. "I'll have a fresh Colonel's uniform delivered first thing in the morning." He stood and extended his hand, which Lindar gladly took. "Welcome to my team, Colonel. We will discuss your exact orders in the morning. But be prepared for a quick trip to the Cathedral, as I believe that Her Majesty has a mind to visit there."

"Very good, General." Elsa smiled at Urban's keen understanding of her wishes. "I will see you gentlemen after breakfast."

After both men departed the Queen sat back down on the couch to finish her late dinner. Just as she finished her pork chop Leif began to squirm on Anna's chest, so she wiped her hands and then added a few more logs to the fire before going over to the small baby. She picked him up and cradled him while Anna slowly stretched and opened her eyes. "Did you have a nice nap, Anna?"

The Princess sat up and stretched some more. "Very nice." She looked about the room. "Where are Lieutenant Lindar and General Urban? How long have I been sleeping?"

Elsa took the boy over to her couch and sat down. "I believe they have retired for the evening, and as for your second question—not very long." She managed to hold Leif with one arm and used her other to grab her fork. "Are you hungry at all, because this lingonberry relish on the potatoes is quite delicious."

Anna made her way over to the food cart and picked up a plate. "Oh, and steamed carrots!" She added a pork chop, the potatoes, carrots, and lingonberry relish to her plate and ate like there was no tomorrow, humming in pure delight.

Elsa couldn't help but laugh at her sister. "You always were the one with the healthy appetite."

"I'm so ravenous, like I haven't eaten in weeks."

Elsa spread some of the relish on a meat cake and delved right in. "Hmmm… I know what you mean." She paused for a moment, and turned inward with her dragon senses to check on Anna's wellbeing. What she discovered both delighted and distressed her, as she knew about the hardships to come. After putting her plate down she took Leif and placed him on one of couches, making sure he couldn't fall off, and then went to kneel in front of Anna, who had seated herself next to the fireplace. "Anna…"

The princess looked up from her meal, small amounts of lingonberry relish on her lips. "Yes?"

Elsa couldn't help it; she leaned forward, her tongue protruding slightly to sensuously lick the sauce off of the princess' mouth. "You are so beautiful…" She took the plate from her and placed it on a nearby table. "I don't know what I would do without you. You know I would do anything to see that no harm should ever come to you, but that task has a new meaning."

Anna lifted her hands and cradled the blonde's head. "What are you trying to say, Elsa?"

"I am constantly changing as Jörmungandr's influence seamlessly blends within me. My senses are alive in ways that I could never have imagined, and body has a strength that is beyond credence. I am so much more than just Elsa."

The princess smiled sweetly, and continued to caress her sister's cheeks. "What is it, Elsa?"

The blonde closed her eyes at the gentle caresses, her words but a whisper. "I believe—no, I know—you are pregnant again, lovely Anna."

Anna just stared at Elsa, completely taken off guard by her simple statement. "Oh, my—are you sure?"

The Queen blinked, not expecting the princess' nonchalant reaction. "I thought you would be happy to hear this?"

"Oh, Elsa, I am happy!" Anna threw her arms around Elsa's neck and pulled her into the warmest hug she could give, and Elsa's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in even tighter.

But the Queen wasn't smiling, her expression an amalgam of both apprehension and dread. "Are you sure this is what you want, Snowflake?"

The princess rested her head on Elsa's shoulder. "Of course I'm sure." A small amount of the trepidation Elsa was feeling percolated into her. "As long as you are with me."

The Queen forced a smile. "Where else would I be?" But the uncertainty inside her was real, and refused to abate. But other than that, she was glad Anna was happy, as she would have it no other way. "Well, what do say we try to get some sleep? Tomorrow we travel to the cathedral, and look for Óðinn."

Anna lifted her head from Elsa's shoulder. "Óðinn? But didn't he leave to bring back Thor?"

"Yes, well, he said he was going to fetch Thor. But General Urban has informed me his wolves are still at the city Gates, which tells me the god is still in Arendelle and, perhaps, Thor is with him." Elsa released the princess from her embrace and went over to their son, gently picking him up. "I have a feeling—well, it's mostly an impression from Jörmungandr—that we are being watched."

"Really?" Then Anna realized the implication of Elsa's statement. "You mean, like right now?"

"Well, yes—it is a possibility." Elsa placed Leif's little head on her shoulder. "Are you ready to—"

The Queen's words faded as a low rumble began, sounding from the middle of the room. Acting on instinct, Elsa quickly handed the infant over to his mother, then stood directly in front of her, keeping whatever was happening from harming her. The blonde felt Jörmungandr quickly rise to the surface, and she desperately fought with herself to prevent any physical changes, lest she hurt Anna.

There was a brilliant flash of light, and the ground shook for a brief second. Then Óðinn and Thor materialized in the middle of the room, each appearing about as tall as a man, but still with their godly attributes. Óðinn at first didn't move, but his eyes darted back and forth taking in his surroundings.

But Thor didn't possess any of his father's hesitation, and immediately charged at Elsa, his axe at the ready. "Jörmungandr…"

"Stop!" Óðinn reached out and grabbed his son's shoulder, stopping his forward progress. "We did not come here to war, Þórr, but to seek counsel and wisdom."

Thor whirled around to face Óðinn. "You did not tell me Jörmungandr would be here!"

"Now just hold on for a minute, please." Elsa moved forward to where the younger god stood. "Yes, I have taken on the mantle of the great wyrm for the sake of the war to come, but I am first and foremost Queen Elsa, ruler of Arendelle."

Óðinn acknowledged Elsa with a nod. "Come, Þórr, there are no jötnar here to battle."

Thor hesitated for a moment, his sense of destiny at the forefront of his mind, and his instincts telling him to kill Elsa. The redheaded god looked at Mjölnir in his hand. "I do not carry this for show, Father, but to wield out death on those who would oppose me."

Elsa growled deep in her throat, the serpent seething at the god's words. "I personally do not oppose you, Thor. But if you have it in your mind to harm me or my mate, I will destroy you."

The god turned around and regarded Elsa, then placed his war hammer down on the carpeted floor. He studied her features, her look of grim determination, and it reminded him of his own resolve. It was something they had in common.

Anna peeked at Thor from behind Elsa. "Umm… hello." She lifted Leif and brought his little head to her shoulder as he began to make baby noises.

Thor removed Járngreipr, his iron gloves, and dropped them next to the war hammer, making a loud clanging sound, which caused Leif to cry. "Oh, no, please don't cry." He slowly walked over to Anna to take a closer look at the boy and lifted his large hand to gently stroke his back. "He reminds me of Móði, one of my sons. May I?"

Anna looked over to Elsa, who was watching the scene with a keen fascination. When the blonde nodded she let the young god pick up her son. Leif calmed down immediately and stared at the large red-bearded man, his mouth slightly open and his little hands reaching out to grasp at the beard. "He likes you, Thor."

Óðinn watched Elsa closely, noting her reaction to Anna's interactions with his son. He leaned over to whisper into her ear. "Móði is, perhaps, his favourite son—his name means 'angry'."

Elsa moved closer to Óðinn and chuckled. "I'm afraid I don't know what 'Leif' connotes."

Óðinn looked from Elsa to Leif. "It can signify 'beloved,' Queen Elsa."

Elsa shot Óðinn a quick glance before turning her attention back to Anna and Thor, who were now engaged in a quiet conversation. It all seemed perfectly civil, but she could feel the underlying sense of foreboding, and wondered what it all meant. But if Óðinn and Thor were willing at this point to just talk then she would go along with it, to whatever end. Inside, however, Jörmungandr told her to still be cautious, and she listened.

I seem to be going through a bit of a writer's block, but hopefully it will end soon. As always, let me know what you think...