The dark mahogany War Room was filled with the Southern Isles' top generals and admirals, and at the moment they sitting around a large oval table that had various journals and maps on top of it. Some of the men were busy discussing the launching of the Fleet, while others still expressed their doubts over the war in the first place, even though the royal family supported it, and months had been spent in preparation for it. Prince Hans sat at one end of the huge table, and read from an expense report while General Hilfred stood at his side, ready to offer the prince his assistance if need be.

Just as Hans looked up, the large door to the room opened, revealing a royal courier, who appeared out of breath. The prince stood up, and this drew the attention of all in the room. "Yes, what is it?"

The courier took in a few large breaths, and leaned against the doorframe. "I bring two messages, Your Highness. First of all, I am saddened to report that the ship Prince Roman confiscated has disappeared, and did not sail in the direction of Arendelle as predicted."

Hans frowned. "How do we know this?"

"Two of our ships are currently following the route to Arendelle, Your Highness, and have reported no sightings of the stolen ship." The messenger stepped forward and held out a piece of parchment.

General Hilfred came forward and snatched the note from the courier, and immediately began to read. "He's right, Your Highness. Let's see—oh, here is good news—the Weselton fleet has been spotted by one of our scout ships." He looked up and grinned at his Sovereign. "They're finally coming."

An admiral by the name of Reidulv cleared his throat. "I don't like this message at all, Your Highness. Weselton is coming, yet we did not get any advanced news of their arrival—at least, as far as I know. We can't trust Magnus, I feel it in my bones."

Hans nodded, acknowledging the admiral's words. "I can understand your concerns, Admiral. But we are not without our own recourse should things go badly."

"Did you not think we would be prepared, Admiral?" Fingaard appeared in the doorway, hands behind his back, and looking very regal. "What is you real concern, Reidulv?"

"How many ships are coming, the entire Weselton fleet? And how do we know that their cannons are not directed towards us?" The admiral stood, a map in hand. "This palace is just two miles from our main port city."

"We are aware of every possible outcome, Admiral." Hans briefly glanced at Fingaard. "We have fortified the port and the city, as you already know."

"It's what I don't know that concerns me, Your Highness." Reidulv stare was unnerving to his peers, and they began to murmur among themselves.

"Quiet!" Hans moved to the head of the table again. "We've been planning this war for months. Each and ever detail has been gone over not just one or two times, but several!" His tone was rough, and it captured the attention of all in the room. "Is there anyone else who has—reservations?"

The Generals and Admirals all exchanged glances, but no one spoke out.

Fingaard offered Hans an approving nod. "All seems well, don't you think?"

"General Hilfred, is the city prepared for the arrival of Weselton?"

"Yes, Prince Hans, we are fortified and the army is ready to sail to Arendelle. The only thing that seems to be in our way is the stormy weather. But it's not bad enough to hamper us."

Hans looked to an older man sitting at the table, General Sigvart. "What about the recent brawling in the city streets, this unrest that seems to be gripping the people? Is the bad weather the cause?"

Sigvart nodded. "We think the unusual weather is the cause, Your Highness. So there is nothing to worry about."

"Admiral Reidulv, a moment, please." Hans indicated for the Admiral to follow him out of the War Room. Once they were in the hallway, he looked down the hall for any guards, and then quite suddenly grabbed the Admiral and shoved him against the wall. "Don't you ever cast doubts among my advisors ever again! You are undermining my authority, and dancing oh so close to treason!" He let go of the man and straightened out his uniform. "Go and get out of my sight."

Fingaard stood in the doorway again, his arms crossed. "You just dismissed one of our brightest admirals."

Hans whirled on his oldest brother. "I don't care. We're at a critical moment in our readiness, Finny, and I can't have any doubters around me or our generals and admirals right now."

"Perfectly understandable, Hans. But if may make a suggestion?"

Hans could feel his patience erode. "Go ahead."

Fingaard moved closer to Hans. "See those guards down the hall? They just saw you lose your temper, and that is not a good thing. A short temper is deadly during wartime—people could interpret it as coming from someone who is rash. Do you see and understand?"

Hans bristled at being lectured to. But he understood his brother's reasoning. "Thank you, Finny."

"No problem. Come, the advisors are still waiting."

Has eyed Fingaard as they walked back into the War Room, and wondered what exactly was his motivation.

Elsa slowly ascended to the waking world, and wrapped her arm more securely around Anna's waist, pulling her closer. Her senses told her it was mid-morning, and they had sometime in the night made it back to their bedroom in order to sleep. She reached out with the same senses to check on Leif, and found him to be still sleeping peacefully in his crib. "Anna?"

The princess yawned. "Too early."

The blonde snuggled even closer. "For what?"

"To be up." Anna turned in Elsa's arms, and pulled her into a fierce embrace. "I don't want to get up, but nature calls." She opened her eyes and saw that there were tears in Elsa's eyes. "What is it, Elsa?"

"I'm just incredibly happy to be with you—and relieved that Thor seemed to change his mind about me."

"Hold that thought. I'll be right back." Anna threw the blankets off her and hurried to the bathroom.

Elsa swung her legs over the side of the bed and prepared to get up just when Leif began to fuss. Smiling, she went over to his crib and picked him up. "Good morning, my little boy. How are you?"

But Leif was hungry, and needed changing, so he began to cry in earnest. The Queen brought him over to the bed and retrieved a clean cloth. "I think someone needs a bath again." She tickled Leif's stomach, and he squealed in delight.

"Do you think so?" Anna came back into the room and smiled when she saw how Elsa was interacting with their son. "You are a good parent, Elsa."

"He makes it easy." The blonde finished changing Leif and then handed him over to Anna. "I think he's hungry."

"Who's a sweet boy?" Anna sat down on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, and adjusted her position so Leif could feed. "Yes, you are, Leif."

Elsa was rooted to the spot, and tears threatened again as she thought how blessed her life was. But reality soon seeped in as she realized her Council was scheduled to meet after lunch, and she also needed to interrogate the Weselton officers who were being held in its former Embassy. She sighed and went over to put more wood in fireplace. "The Council reconvenes this afternoon after lunch, Anna, and I have other work to do, as well."

The princess looked up, a bit concerned. "Who will look after us?"

"I will, Anna—along with the stags." Elsa went over to the window and looked out on her snow-covered gardens. The giant red deer were down there, and Dvalinn looked up from where he stood and bowed to her. Dáinn lifted his massive head to the sky and roared a greeting to Leif, which was heard by all in the Castle.

When Leif began to reject her nipple Anna brought the boy to her shoulder and began to rub his back, hoping he would burp. "I'm sure everyone is awake now."

Elsa emerged from the bathroom and chuckled. "Are you interested in a bath, Anna? I know Leif is."

"Do we have time?"

"I think so." Elsa laughed when Leif burped rather loudly. "He really takes after me, doesn't he, Snowflake?"

"Yes, he does." When Leif's eyelids began to droop Anna stood and placed the boy back in his crib, and yelped in surprise when Elsa encircled her waist from behind.

Elsa rested her chin on Anna's shoulder and watched as their son as he slowly fell back to sleep. She pulled Anna flush against her body, and turned them away from the crib after a few minutes.

Anna closed her eyes at the feel of Elsa's warm body behind her, and she groaned when Elsa's hands began to explore her body. "Oh… what are you doing?"

"I would think that was obvious." Elsa panted as she wrapped her arms around Anna's waist, her flesh responding as the princess began to grind against her. She was barely able to drag them over to the couch; such was the extent of her lust. When they fell to the couch Elsa landed on Anna's back, and used her knees to push Anna's legs apart. But she hesitated to enter, and her hands balled into fists at the sudden pain.

Anna felt Elsa's body jerk, and knew something was wrong. She managed to turn her body around just as the blonde recoiled, and her eyes went wide when Elsa grabbed at her flesh and grimaced. "What… what happened?"

"I… I'm… well, it doesn't feel right." Elsa blushed a deep red, and attempted to get up, but Anna stopped her. "Please, Anna…"

The princess grabbed the Queen's hips and positioned her so that she was at her entrance. "You started this, so… please fill me Elsa."

"But it hurts, Snowflake." Elsa tried not to whine, but it came out as one anyway. The pleading look Anna was giving her didn't help matters, either. So she thrust deeply just once, imbedding herself within Anna's warm, slick folds, and fell onto her once again.

Anna gasped and spread her legs even farther apart, inviting Elsa to move in a most sensuous way. "Please, Elsa…"

Elsa grabbed at the cushions below, anchoring herself for the deep thrusting that Anna loved, and rested her face in the delicate curve of her neck.

Master Kai sat in his office near the small fireplace, cup of coffee steaming on the table next to his chair. He was attempting to go over the agenda of today's Council meeting, but his mind kept wandering back to the explosion, and the senselessness of it. The more he thought about the circumstance of the explosion, the more his mind kept coming back to the same conclusion: there was a spy in Arendelle, and that spy was close to the inner workings of the Castle. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in."

Colonel Lindar entered the office, carrying a fresh pot of hot coffee, and an extra mug. "I thought you could use a friend right now."

Kai looked up from his chair, and didn't bother to get up. "You have no idea." He eyed his liquor cabinet. "I have no desire to leave this office and go to that meeting."

Lindar sat in the chair next to Kai. "Are you afraid, Master Kai?"

"Yes, I would be a fool not to be."

"I understand." Lindar took a sip of his coffee. "I thought you might like to know I've finished my investigation—at least for now."

Kai glanced at the younger man, and noticed his new uniform. "You've been promoted."

"Yes." The Colonel sat back in his chair. "I pride myself on not being a stupid man. But I can't figure out how the bomb was planted, and that disturbs me. The guards tell me they never left their posts, and no unauthorized personnel entered the room."

Kai put down his cup. "Who would have been considered 'authorized'?"

"Well, let's see—Royal Guards, any soldier, the dukes and earls…" Lindar's voice trailed off, as he seemed to be considering something un-thought of before. "Wait a minute… did you tell any of the kitchen staff to deliver refreshments to the Council Chamber?"

A warning sounded on the periphery of Kai's mind. "No, I didn't."

Lindar frowned. "Amongst the rubble were the remnants of food trays and coffee pots, and I don't remember authorizing any food for the second half of the meeting. We were just returning from dinner, there would be no need."

"What are you saying? A citizen of Arendelle did this?" Kai sat up. "My god, I haven't hired any new kitchen staff in ages. That means it would have to be someone who's been in our employ for some time." His clock chimed noon, and he glanced at the Colonel. "How would you like to take lunch with me in the city?"

Lindar nodded. "Sure."

Magnus stood on the port side of his tall ship and lifted the spyglass to watch the small scout ship as it sailed parallel to his fleet. He scrutinized its flags, determined it was from the Southern Isles, and that it was sent to escort his ships to the proper port. "Captain Sindre?"

An older man turned from talking to some sailors and walked up to the Duke. "Yes, my Liege?"

"I'm not much of a signalman, what do those flags mean?"

Sindre took the scope from Magnus and looked at the scout ship. "Well, I see the usual ensigns, nothing out of the ordinary. Let me see—ah, the pennons are interesting, indicating the House of Westegaard, but… these are not the King's flags, my Liege, but the personal emblems of Prince Hans."

The Duke wasn't surprised; he had figured that the young prince would successfully consolidate the true power in the Kingdom, and the elder brothers lacked the will to truly oppose him. The only thing that confused him was Roman, Edvardt's Ambassador to the World, so to speak. He had met the young man at a state dinner, and soon realized he was secretive, and not to be trusted. There was something about him that separated him from his brothers, and it troubled Magnus that he had yet to truly figure out what was motivating him. Of all the brothers, Roman was the wild card, and quite possibly couldn't be manipulated. Perhaps he would need to be killed right away.

Magnus nodded. "Thank you, Captain. Now, if you could please see that my lunch is ready."

Elsa stood at her mirror and adjusted her uniform jacket for the third time, making sure that her appearance was perfect for the upcoming meeting. There was a small speck of dust on her right shoulder, and she swatted it away in irritation, grunting as she did so.

Anna was still lounging naked on the bed, and smirked when Elsa glanced at her. "Do you like what you see?"

The blonde rolled her eyes. "You know I do." There was a loose thread on her sleeve, and she yanked it off.

Anna's smirk broadened. "Having problems, Elsa?"

The Queen stopped moving, and then slowly turned around to face her insolent sibling. "I think someone needs to get dressed." She jumped a little when Leif squealed from his crib.

The princess noticed Elsa's strange reactions. "Are you nervous for some reason?"

Elsa sighed deeply. "Maybe just a little. This is the first time we face the Council since the explosion, and I still have yet to receive any answers from Colonel Lindar. So, yes, I am both nervous and aggravated."

Anna's smirk disappeared. "Oh, I'm sorry, Elsa."

"What are you sorry for?" Elsa walked over to her bed, and then bent down to caress Anna's cheek. "You've done nothing wrong."

Anna quickly got up from the bed and began to gather her clothes, thinking herself a fool. "Oh? Look at me, acting like a joker when you are troubled."

Elsa stopped Anna's frantic movements. "Hey, Snowflake, calm down." She took hold of the princess' hands and placed soft kisses on her knuckles. "Don't worry about these clothes, put on a clean dress while I look after Leif, okay?"

Anna blushed as Elsa let go of her hands. "Sure, okay."

The blonde followed Anna as she went into their closet and watched as she selected a dress. Her eyes wandered over to her own selection of dresses and she ran her hand over one of them, feeling a certain melancholy. She missed wearing them, especially the silky blue gowns, and wondered if she would ever get the chance of doing so ever again.

The princess noticed Elsa's wistful look. "What are you thinking?"

"Well, even though I don't mind being Jörmungandr—with all of his affectations—I think I miss just being Elsa at times, like now. Isn't this one pretty?"

"Very pretty—but not as pretty as its owner."

The Queen laughed. "Oh, my, Anna. You're beginning to sound a lot like me." She helped the princess button up her dress. "What do you say we have lunch in the city?"

"That sounds just perfect." Anna wound her arms around Elsa's neck. "Are you sure you want to take Leif out in the cold?"

"We'll keep him warm. Don't worry, he'll be alright."

The Royal Carriage stopped in front a small cottage restaurant at the far end of the Arendelle marketplace. Dáinn, who was at the head of the caravan, turned his massive head in all directions, looking for any signs of danger. His brothers trotted up to his side and joined him in his surveillance, each of them drawing looks from the many soldiers who were guarding the carriage, as well. Several soldiers, who had been at the back of the carriage, now surrounded it and waited for the Queen and Princess to exit. A footman opened the carriage door and bowed when the Queen exited first, as per royal custom.

Elsa came out of the carriage and looked around the street, taking note of the placement of the soldiers, and the restlessness of the stags. "Dáinn?"

The stag stared down the soldiers as he made his way over to the Queen. "Yes, Great Wyrm?"

"Will you and your brothers keep watch while the princess and I dine?"

"Of course, Jörmungandr. We will not fail you."

"I know you won't, Dáinn." Elsa turned towards the carriage entrance and reached inside for Leif. "Come here, my boy."

Anna couldn't help handed the infant, now currently wrapped in warm blanket, over to the Queen. "Careful, he's sleeping."

"You know I will be."

The princess stepped out of the carriage and looked at the restaurant's façade. "I don't think I've been to this place before, have you, Elsa?"

"No, but I thought we'd be surprised together." The blonde stamped the snow off of her boots, and then held out her free arm for Anna to take. "But don't worry, the guards will look the place over before we go inside."

The former Embassy of Weselton was heavily fortified for the upcoming Privy Council meeting, with the intention of keeping it safe at all costs. Elite guards and soldiers surrounded the building, and no one, except for the planning staff, was allowed inside until the Queen arrived. Master Kai saw to the preparations himself, as he believed no one else at the present time was to be trusted with the task. He personally picked the staff members and elite guards who would get the former Embassy ready for the meeting, and had the Weselton prisoners who were being kept there moved to its cellars. All of this work took several hours, and it wasn't until after two in the afternoon that the building was ready for the Queen and her advisors.

The Queen's carriage pulled up to the Weselton Embassy just past three in the afternoon as her lunch with the Princess has lasted a few hours, shared at a leisurely pace.

Elsa exited the carriage and looked around at the massive security forces present, and was very pleased with the work done for their protection. She pulled her officer's coat closer just as Master Kai exited the building and walked up to her. "How are you feeling today, Kai?"

Kai looked up and down the street, noting the position of the soldiers. "I am well, Your Majesty. I trust all is well between us?"

The Queen nodded. "Yes, of course, Master Kai." The look of uncertainty on the Master of the Castle's face prompted her to reiterate. "Don't worry, Kai, you didn't do anything to warrant me being too offended."

The man sighed in relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I actually have good news for you, Queen Elsa. Bishop Johannes is alive."

"What?" Elsa was genuinely surprised. "I thought a hand was found with his ring on it."

"Yes, there was, Your Majesty."

Both Kai and Elsa turned towards Colonel Lindar, who was coming from the Embassy, dressed in his new military uniform. Two Captains, who had been assigned to him as per his new station, flanked him as he walked over to them.

The Queen waited for the new Colonel to be standing next to her before she held out her hand. "Colonel Lindar."

Lindar took the Queen's hand and kissed it. "My Queen."

Anna watched the interaction between the two, and then frowned, feeling a bit jealous. "Elsa?"

Elsa turned and saw Anna's pained expression. "Yes, my Princess?" She cringed on the inside, as she surely knew she was blushing.

"Perhaps Leif and I should return to the Castle." Anna tried to keep the aggravation out of her voice, but failed. She knew she was being silly, that Elsa wouldn't hurt her in such a manner, but was currently feeling vulnerable.

The blonde stepped up to the carriage and held out her hand to Anna, who took it briefly before handing Leif over to her. Elsa cradled their son in her arms as a footman helped Anna out of the carriage. "Are you okay, Princess?"

Anna wrapped a heavy shawl around her shoulders. "Just fine." There was a tightness to her voice that was heard by all present, and it caused Master Kai to give her a puzzled look, which she ignored.

Elsa chose to ignore it, as well, and led all present into the former Weselton Embassy for the Privy Council meeting.

The large meeting room in the Weselton Embassy was not extravagantly decorated as the meeting rooms in Arendelle Castle, and was sparsely decorated. A large portrait of the Ninth Duke of Weselton hung above the huge fireplace mantle, and the Weselton Coat of Arms along with its emblems and standards had been placed on the opposite wall. But other than that, the dark paneled walls were empty, and a plain carpet, devoid of rosemaling, was under the conference table.

Elsa took her place at the far end of the table near the fireplace, and held Leif in arms as the remainder of Arendelle's privy nobles took their places at it. Master Kai sat to her immediate left while Anna was at her right. When all were seated she looked around, noting those who were missing, because they perished at the bombing. But then her eyes fell upon Bishop Johannes, who was sitting opposite her at the other end of the table. "It's good to see you, Bishop. Though I am at a loss on how you come to be here."

"Forgive my absence, Your Majesty, and my failure to ease your mind. Master Kai informed me of the attack on the Castle, and you have my deepest condolences for those who died. Perhaps we ought to take a moment of silence in memoriam for them?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes, of course. My Lords and Ladies." The silence made her feel uncomfortable, as did Anna's stare, which she could see out of the periphery of her vision. She squirmed just a little bit as Bishop Johannes kept his head down in silent prayer, and after about a minute, finally felt comfortable enough to speak. "Thank you for your considerations, Your Grace. How is it that you are here?"

"My Bishop's ring was stolen from the Sacristy about a month ago, Your Majesty, and I nor Her Majesty's authorities were able to figure out who did it. I should have told Your Majesty about the theft, and I'm sorry that it caused you confusion."

"Not so much confusion, Your Grace, but grief—I thought you were dead." Elsa briefly lowered her head when Leif hiccupped, and when she looked up again, her eyes were steely hard. "Your failure to come forth right away caused me unnecessary anguish, Your Grace."

Johannes nodded, and swallowed hard. "Will you accept my deepest and sincerest apologies, Your Majesty?"

"Of course, Johannes." Elsa looked to the Bishop's right and noticed a young Lord she had yet to meet. "My Lord, I have yet to welcome you to my Court."

The young Lord stood and straightened out his jacket before speaking. "If I may introduce myself, Your Majesty, I am—Harold Halfdansson's son—Dieter Absalon, of the Duchy of…"

"You are Harold's son?" Elsa stood, and when she did, so did the rest of the Lords and Ladies. Her eyes never left the young Lord as she walked around the table towards him. "Welcome to Arendelle, Your Grace. I trust you are finding your stay here—acceptable."

Dieter's smile faltered, and he noted the knowing look in the Queen's eyes. "Acceptable in the sense of do I feel safe in Arendelle? Not completely, Your Majesty, as you probably can sense. This is where my father died, and I—do not wish the same fate fall upon me."

The Queen nodded in understanding, then looked pointedly at Kai. "Well, I'm sure all the necessary steps have been taken to make sure something like that never happens again."

Master Kai bowed. "Rest assured they have, Your Majesty."

Anna watched the exchanges going on and felt completely out of place, and useless. "Queen Elsa?"

Elsa turned slowly at the pitiful sound in Anna's voice, and knew something was wrong. She went to her without a second thought, and placed a sleeping Leif into her arms. "Here, he needs you," she whispered.

"At least someone does," Anna muttered back.

The blonde continued to keep her voice low. "What is it, Snowflake?"

"I don't feel like I fit in here, Elsa." Anna lifted Leif and laid his little head on her shoulder. "I just want to go back to the Castle."

"But—" Elsa saw they were drawing too much attention. "Come with me." She led them into the foyer of the Embassy, which was teeming with guards and soldiers, so she took Anna by the hand and brought her to a small parlor, where a few soldiers were stationed. She dismissed them immediately and put a sleeping Leif down on a large over-stuffed chair. "I don't want you to go, Anna. I need you with me."

"No you don't, Elsa. You have Kai and Lindar."

The Queen frowned, clearly upset. "What do you mean by that? You are the most important person to me—above everyone and everything else. I thought you would have know this by now."

"But you have so many official things you need to do right now, I know this, as well. I feel like I'm in the way—keeping you distracted from your work." Anna wiped away a few tears.

Elsa pulled the princess into a fierce hug. "Nonsense, Anna. You are my strength when I feel weak; my rock when I am wracked with uncertainty." She tightened her hold, pulling their bodies even closer together. "Please believe me."

Anna ran her hands under Elsa's jacket, and massaged her back. "I'm such fool, aren't I?"

"Well, yes you are, my lovely wi—" The blonde's voice trailed, as she was keenly aware of what she almost said.

But Anna heard it, and her eyes went wide. "What did you almost say?"

Elsa just stared at Anna, unable to find her voice, until she could no longer bear to be under such intense scrutiny. "I—I'm sorry, Snowflake. Please come back to the meeting when you are ready." And with those words she was gone.

The winds continued to swirl in and around Arendelle, blowing the falling snow in all directions, putting its citizens in the foulest of moods. The bars were crowded with disgruntled residents, who were attempting to drown their frustrations with strong drink, for their businesses were disrupted by the insistent storms, and profits were dwindling. Even though the business at the Marketplace naturally slowed down in the colder months, it never had caused enmity between the people before—before the beginnings of the Ragnarök. Still the people remained ignorant of their plight, as the news of the upcoming calamity had yet to be spread. But a fleet had arrived in the Southern Isles, and an Army was on the move from the Duchy of Weselton; all with the intent on destroying the Kingdom of Arendelle.

Please, let me know what you think...