Queen Elsa sat at her desk in her private office on the first floor of the Castle and could here the hammering of the workers down the hall. The repairs of the Privy Council Chamber were underway, and she fought down a headache the noise was causing her. A pot of tea and bottle of whiskey sat on her desk, and so did a mountain of paperwork, all of it concerning the war. It was mid-morning, and her day was progressing well. But a knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and she had to quickly suppress an urge to yell.

"Come in."

Master Kai quietly opened the door. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, Your Majesty."

Elsa offered the man a genuine smile. "No, not at all. I'm actually glad for the interruption. What can I do for you?"

Kai moved to the desk, but didn't sit down. "I thought you'd like to know Crown Prince Hålogaland has left the city with two centuria of soldiers, and several diplomats."

"Do we know where he will go first?"

"He had a long meeting with General Urban before leaving, and they agreed that the best course of action would be to start in the northern provinces."

Elsa leaned back in her chair. "A good decision, indeed. And what of the Bishop, when will he address the inhabitants of the city?"

"Beginning with next Sunday's sermons, Your Majesty."

"I ought to be there, don't you think?" The blonde leaned forward to pour whiskey into her cup of tea. "I know I should, but do you think my presence would scare the people?"

"I don't think so, Queen Elsa. I mean, a great many did see Óðinn trample his way into Arendelle, and they already accept your ice magic." Kai eyed the bottle of whiskey, but then his gaze fell on the Queen's pensive look. "But maybe that's not what is bothering Her Majesty?"

Elsa sighed. "No, it isn't. I concerned with what people will think of my relationship with Anna—and, well, Leif." She took a large swallow of the tea. "And there is something else, Kai, Anna is pregnant again."

Kai lowered his head for a moment, absorbing the Queen's words. "Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Kai." Elsa finished her tea and placed the cup on the table. "Does this bother you?"

Kai finally sat down. "Well, it complicates matters, My Queen."

The Queen frowned. "I know it does. But, well, it happened—so there is nothing we can do about it." She cringed, not meaning to sound so defensive. "Anyway, what news of our fleet returning? For some reason Admiral Crispin chose to ignore the Council Meeting."

"He sent a letter to Your Majesty expressing his regrets for having taken ill."

Elsa looked at Kai. "When was the letter sent?"

Kai pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket. "He sent this a week ago. I—unfortunately forgot to give it to you, Your Majesty. It's been chaotic since the explosion."

The Queen sighed then nodded. "I understand, Kai. Here, give it to me." She took the letter and read it immediately. "I hope he'll be alright…" Her eyes lit up at the news. "It looks like ten of our tall ships were spotted off of the ladested of Kirkenes." She looked up, making calculations in her head. "Which ought to put them in Arendelle harbor in six days. This is good news indeed."

Kai sighed in relief. "I was praying there was good news in that envelope."

Elsa smiled at the Master of the Castle. "Then your prayers have been answered." Her smile faded slightly. "I've been meaning to ask you something, Kai. Ought I to declare a curfew in the city—to curtail the escalating effects of the Ragnarök?"

"Oh, I don't know about that, Your Majesty. Even though the unrest seems to be spreading, we have had to make very few arrests so far. I think a gesture like that might further the unease."

"That's a good point, Kai. But I want to ensure the safety of all our citizens at all times. What are your thoughts on increasing patrols—and using Royal Guards, not soldiers. I think the presence of too many soldiers in the city might make people even more nervous."

"I think that is a good idea, Your Majesty."

"Can you see to it? Right away?" Elsa put down her cup and glanced out the window. She had used her powers to clear out the snow from her private gardens, and had even managed to conjure up a barrier to keep the swirling winds outside. Anna and Leif were out there, enjoying a bit a fresh air, along with the stags and several guards. It had been an agonizing decision to let Anna and Leif depart from her, but soon realized they perhaps needed a small break from the other. And it did feel good to be in her private office, and working, even though the construction noise bothered her.

Kai followed his Queen's stare and watched as Anna played with Leif. Dáinn had his head lowered to the boy, and Leif was touching his nose, squealing when the animal made noises at him. He turned back to Elsa, and noted the look on her face. "You love your family, don't you?"

Elsa jumped at bit, surprised at the question. But she understood Kai wasn't being judgmental. "Yes, I do. Which makes a decision I have to make even more difficult."

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"I've been considering Anna's safety more and more lately, and I wonder if she'd be safer in the Valley of the Living Rock, next to Yggdrasil." The Queen turned from the window and picked up her bottle of whiskey, pouring a generous portion into her empty teacup. "As much as I don't want her away from me I wonder if it would be for the best."

Kai squirmed a bit in his chair. "Well… don't you think that is ultimately Princess Anna's decision?"

"In any other time or circumstance I would agree with you, Kai. But we are not living in ordinary times, and Anna understands that." Elsa added a bit of tea to her whiskey. "Thank you for taking a break from your busy schedule to talk with me."

Kai took that as his cue to leave. "Anytime, Your Majesty. Now, if you'll excuse me—my work is never done."

"What did you do?" Freyr's voice boomed throughout the region of the Urðarbrunnr, the most holiest of wells, under the third root of Yggdrasil, where the gods gathered and held their court. His voice shook the foundations of the world, and his ire was great.

Thor stopped walking, halfway across Bifröst, and turned around to face the other god. "I agreed to forgo enmity, as I have no quarrel with Queen Elsa of Arendelle."

Freyr wasn't convinced. "It is not of Queen Elsa that I speak, but of Jörmungandr!"

"What would you have me do, Freyr? Kill an innocent human just because it is foretold? Even if it is my destiny to fall in the days to come I will not take an innocent life with me." Thor lifted Mjölnir and presented it to the other god. "I wield this with justice in mind, and that is not justice."

Outraged, Freyr grabbed the hammer and threw it down. "The events of the Ragnarök are real, Thor, and I am bound to them just as you are! Do you think I wish to perish, to give up my life as easily as I gave up my sword? No, but the jötunn Surtr is real, as I will soon come to find."

Thor sighed, and picked up Mjölnir. "What would you have me do?"

"Accept fate, and destiny. You are destined to face Jörmungandr during the Ragnarök, Thor, and you are fated to destroy him."

"But I will not kill Queen Elsa!"

Freyr stepped even closer to the other god. "But she has accepted the mantle of Jörmungandr, doesn't this mean she has accepted her place in the war to come? You agreed not to kill her, for what reasons?"

"Queen Elsa is bound to her mate through Fimbulvetr, Freyr—and has begot a child."

"But how has Queen Elsa…" Freyr's voice trailed off and he ran his hand through his blonde locks. "I see—Jörmungandr is…"

"Yngvi-Freyr, have you no compassion?" Thor grew tired of the conversation, and wanted to take his leave. "Do you forget so easily I am charged with protecting humankind?"

"Gullinkambi was seen in Vahalla, Thor. I think you are foolish to take the word of the human woman alone. Why did you not seek out the promise of Jörmungandr, as well?"

Thor was taken aback, and then knew Freyr had made a valid point. He had dealt with Elsa when she was herself, and not when she was Jörmungandr, and therefore was suddenly thrust into uncertainty. "I must—speak with Jörmungandr."

"How do you propose to speak with a dragon? Even we gods have our limits."

Thor bristled at Freyr's cold logic. "That is not your concern. I will be back, Freyr, with a gift for you—a dragon's scale, so that you will know I have succeeded."

Prince Hans sat patiently on his horse on the docks of Hamar, the capitol city of the Southern Isles. It separated the palace from the sea, and was the largest port city ruled by the Kingdom. In fact, it was the biggest port in all of Europe, and was a rival to the shipyards of Ireland. The Southern Isles' ships were built and launched from it, and it boasted of having the largest number of piers than anywhere else. Hans took out his spyglass and looked more closely at the approaching fleet from Weselton, noting the types of ships they sent, and the flags and banners hoisted from the sails. He lowered his scope and looked to his right, where generals Hilfred and Sigvart were sitting on their owns horses, keeping watch with him. And to his left were his brothers Fingaard and Johnas. "Finny, could you come here beside me."

Fingaard steered his horse to stand next to Hans. "What is it?"

Hans leaned towards his older brother. "I've been wondering, Fingaard, as to why you haven't claimed the Throne, yet."

"You know the laws of the Kingdom as well as I do, Hans. We are still in a state of mourning over the late King, and I have three months to make my claim."

Hans looked at the black sash that he still wore over his shoulder, and how it contrasted sharply with his naval uniform. "Yes, I am aware of that particular law, and how ridiculous it is." He noticed the scornful look Fingaard was giving him. "What? Did I say something wrong, Finny?"

"Do you see the flagship that's almost at our port?"

Hans faltered for a brief moment, then took out his spyglass and looked at the ship again. "I see it—what of it?"

"On that ship is a very dangerous man, one who would stab you with a knife at the same time he is shaking your hand. I hope you have figured out how to deal with him diplomatically, because as far as I'm concerned—I'd let him kill you."

Hans shivered involuntarily, but was loath to let Fingaard see how unsettled he really was. He turned his horse away from his brother and pretended to watch the Weselton Fleet, all the while scheming as to how he could get Magnus to kill Fingaard.

Elsa stood in the Castle foyer and looked at the progress the construction workers had made before she dismissed them for the day. Even though the gore had been cleaned up and no evidence of it existed in the construction area, it still bothered her to be in the area where so many had died, and all because she had not been connected enough to Jörmungandr's extraordinary senses and perceptions.

"I know that look on your face, Elsa."

The Queen turned her head slightly to the right and saw Anna watching her from a safe distance. She sighed, and waved the princess over to her. "I'm sorry, Anna." The princess was at her side in an instant. "I still feel like all of this is my fault in some way."

Anna nodded, and handed Leif over to her. "There is no way you could have prevented this, Elsa. Jörmungandr may have superior senses, but he's not perfect or all-knowing."

Elsa cuddled a sleeping Leif closer to her. "I know that, Snowflake." She kissed her boy's forehead. "Come with me." She led them past her private office to a small parlor on the opposite side of the corridor, one that was used for foreign dignitaries. There was a small fire burning in the fireplace, and a tray of food was on the coffee table in front of it. Elsa closed and locked the door once they were inside, and then placed Leif in a small crib that the housekeepers had placed there.

Anna walked over to the fireplace to warm her hands. "Thank you for today."

Elsa sat down on the couch and then reached over to remove the napkin from the food tray, revealing various pastries, meats and cheeses. "Oh, thank you, Kai." She picked up a lingonberry scone and took a large bite. "I thought we both could use a little refreshment. Kai knows our tastes very well, don't you think?"

Anna turned from the fireplace and sat down heavily on the couch. "Yes."

The blonde put down her pastry and took the princess' hands in her own. "What is it, Anna? Is there something wrong?"

The princess looked down at their entwined fingers. "Can we talk about something, Elsa?"

"We can talk about whatever you want, Anna."

"I don't know if I imagined it or dreamt it—but the other day—did you almost call me your wife?"

Elsa carefully scrutinized Anna's face, looking for any sign of what she was feeling. "Yes—I almost did." When Anna didn't respond her heart sank. "I'm sorry if I upset you."

Anna lifted her head, her tears evident. "You didn't upset me, Elsa—I'm not mad at you, if that is what you are thinking. But, why would you think of me as your wife? Is it even possible for us to be joined in such a way?"

Elsa wanted to give Anna her assurances, that such things were possible, but couldn't. "No, I don't think it is possible for us to ever live as spouses—but that is not what you meant, is it?"

"Please don't misunderstand me, Elsa, I love you, and I love what we have, and I especially love what we have created." Anna glanced at the small crib. "But, when you said that to me, you woke something in my heart that I thought was dead—my desire to be married."

Elsa stared, her mouth slightly open. This was something she didn't know, had not even guessed at. "You want to be married? Oh, Anna…" She got up and went to stand in front of the fireplace, then put her hands on the mantle. "I'm just in the way, aren't I? I'm keeping you from what you really want…"

"Whoa… hold on Elsa, that's not what I meant at all! What I'm trying to say is I wish it could happen!" Anna stood up and went to Elsa's side, briefly touching her arm. "I'm sorry, too."

They both remained silent for the longest time, the only sound to be heard were the cracking of the flames and Leif's little noises. Finally, Elsa spoke. "Perhaps when everything is over—the war—all the obligations that are on my shoulders. When we are at this time, perhaps something can be done."

Captain Reiner opened the flaps to the tent on the Arendelle docks and looked out at the harbor, looking for the fleet that Admiral Crispin said would be coming. He stepped outside and pulled his coat even closer to his body, as it was cold. Not seeing the ships he was looking for, he was about to step inside when something caught his eye at the periphery of his vision, off on the far horizon. He walked to the end of the pier and took out his spyglass. It was too far off to recognize what kind of ship it was, or what its flags could indicate, but there was no mistaking it. There was ship on its way to Arendelle harbor.

Reiner couldn't be sure if it was a friend or foe, so he lifted his emergency horn and blew it as hard as he could.

Anna placed a small blanket over Leif as he continued to sleep, and tucked it around him as he sucked his thumb. She stepped back a bit, and then quickly glanced at Elsa, who was placing more wood in the small fireplace, as the room was getting somewhat chilly. The blonde looked depressed, and had not made eye contact with her in awhile. Anna sighed, and looked away for a few moments, and then suddenly felt two warm arms encircle her waist. "I thought you were mad at me."

Elsa laid her head on Anna's shoulder, and looked at their sleeping son. "No, Snowflake, I could never really be angry with you—I was just thinking." Anna's body was warm and inviting, and it felt good to hold her from behind. She felt the dragon's presence, and his insistent urge to procreate; and her desire rose quickly, and spread throughout her entire body, causing her limbs to tremble. "The things you do to me…"

Anna could feel the change in Elsa's breathing, they way she held her even closer, the slight sway of her hips. "Yes…"

But Elsa was hesitant, if only for only a moment, and then gently turned the princess around to face her. Her lips ghosted over the younger woman's neck. "I love you, Anna." She lifted her smaller sister, who wrapped her legs around her waist. Smiling, she walked them over to the couch in front of the fireplace, and carefully laid Anna on her back, settling easily on top of her. "Do you want—?"

"Please, kiss me."

The blonde lowered her head and captured Anna's lips in a heated kiss, one that was surely meant to ignite the younger woman's passions, just as it did her own, and her flesh responded immediately. Her breathing quickened as she lifted on her knees slightly to lift up Anna's skirts, and the princess gasped when her desire was exposed. Elsa snaked her hands between their bodies and was just about to undo her pants when someone knocked on the parlor door.

Groaning, Elsa lifted her head in aggravation. "Yes, who is it?"

"Master Kai, Your Majesty. I thought you'd like to know a ship is on its way to our harbor."

Elsa's eyes went wide when Anna's hand met her own, and then began to tease. "Is… is it part of our returning fleet?" She gave Anna a warning glance before she turned her head to the door. "Well?"

There was a brief pause before Kai spoke. "No, that's the thing, Your Majesty. We, as of yet, can't determine if it's ours or not."

Elsa closed her eyes briefly when Anna's other hand touched her. "Uhm… can you give me a minute, Kai… I'm…" A loud moan escaped her lips, and her eyes snapped open in horror. She scrambled off of Anna quickly and stood up, her flesh straining against her trousers. "Anna?"

"Yes?" Anna looked up at a very frustrated Queen. Forgetting for a moment her own desire, she sat up and straightened out her skirts when she saw the beleaguered look on Elsa's face. "Elsa?"

Elsa took in a deep breath. "Anna, please…" She stiffened and abruptly grew silent, her whole body coiled with unremitting desire. Yet, she stood there paralyzed by her want, and something more—something was tugging at her, yet she was unable to grasp at it, or know what it was.

Anna cringed on the inside, and then stood up to approach the blonde, but Elsa had turned away, and was apparently trying to coax down her desire. "I'm so sorry, Elsa—I've embarrassed you, haven't I?"

"No, it is not you, Snowflake. I am feeling a bit—strange, at the moment."

The princess stepped back a bit, feeling foolish. "Do you still want to make love?" Her voice was small, almost like a child's.

Elsa whirled around and grabbed Anna, holding her as close as she could. "I don't think…" Her voice trailed off as her body responded even more to the princess' nearness. Without thinking, she lifted Anna up, and wrapped an arm under her hips while her hand worked at loosening her pants. When her flesh was freed she gently lowered Anna until she was filled completely. Elsa shuddered when she was completely inside, and wrapped her arms tightly around Anna's waist. She could feel Jörmungandr's potency course through her whole body then, strengthening her legs and arms.

Anna clung onto Elsa, and rested her forehead on hers. Their breaths co-mingled, as did their moans of pleasure. "Oh, god, you are so—ugh, you feel so good inside me."

Elsa's flesh hardened beyond credence, and she began to thrust her hips upwards in order to find relief, and in the hopes of giving Anna pleasure. A certain heat built up in her spine and rolled out in waves through the rest of her body, and the energy it produced had her pumping like a piston.

Anna threw her head back, delirious in her pleasure, and practically screamed out Elsa's name as her first release consumed her.

Another knock on the door was louder this time, and it startled Elsa, who was holding a sleeping Anna while lying on the couch. She lifted her head and then covered their nakedness. "Who is it?"

"It's Kai, again, Your Majesty. We were wondering if you—"

"Just give me thirty minutes, Kai, and I'll meet you in the castle foyer."

Kai paused for a moment. "Very well, Your Majesty."

The Queen could hear his retreating footsteps and wondered if her hearing was changing again, as she felt Jörmungandr was close to breaking free. She felt him lingering just below the surface, and was a little concerned as to the reasons why. "Anna?"

"Hmmm?" Anna tried to stretch, but the confines of the couch prevented it. It was then that she became aware of Elsa's body pressed firmly into her own from behind, and she responded. "Are you still—inside me?"

Elsa moved her hips and slipped out slowly. "Anna, please listen to me. I have to go."

Anna turned in Elsa's arms. "Where are you going?"

"Master Kai came to the door, again. I think they are worried over the ship approaching our harbor." A low growl emanated from her throat, and her eyes went wide in surprise. "Something is happening to me, Anna"

The princess sat up, her whole body suddenly shrouded in fear. "What is it, Elsa?"

"Jörmungandr is near—taunting me, almost toying with me to let him free."

Anna stared at the blonde, looking for any sign of the dragon. "There is something you are not telling me."

Elsa carefully got up from the couch and grabbed her pants from the floor. "I'm not hiding anything, Snowflake. I honestly don't know why this is happening—especially since we are no way close to a full moon." She buttoned up her trousers and then bent down to retrieve her shirt. "Something is calling to the dragon, and I can feel it getting closer."

Anna went over to the crib to check on Leif, but the boy was still sleeping. "You just said 'something,' did you mean 'someone'?"

Elsa stopped buttoning up her shirt, and tilted her head. "I—I don't know." There was just something about the way Anna was looking at her that was a bit disconcerting. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

The princess' eyes were as wide as saucers. "Elsa, you—you are glowing, I'm sure of it."

"I'm glowing?" Elsa looked at her hands and arms, and then her legs. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary, Anna."

Anna blinked and then looked again, scrutinizing Elsa from top to bottom. "That's the only word I can think of when I look at you—glowing."

"I won't argue with you, Snowflake. If you say I'm glowing then I believe you." Elsa finished buttoning up her shirt and then looked for her boots. "Will you pick up Leif, Anna?" She looked over her shoulder and then chuckled. "Perhaps I ought to help you dress first."

Anna smirked as she picked up her clothes, making sure that the blonde got a good look at her backside as she did. "No, I think I can do it myself, but thank you anyway."

Elsa stiffened where she stood, and then slowly and deliberately turned to face the princess, the dragon straining to reach the surface. The serpent was seething at this point, wanting to scratch and claw its way out. Jörmungandr did manage a weak growl, however, and this brought on further exasperation. "Anna?"

A warning sounded in the back of Anna's mind. "Yes?"

"Please take Leif and leave as soon as you can. The dragon is warring within me for dominance, and I must defeat him."

Anna poked her head out of the carriage window and watched the dark clouds on the horizon. They were slowly rolling into the fjord, and bringing with them a chill that was striking in its intensity. After only a few moments she turned away from the cold and cuddled Leif closer to her body, even though he seemed warm enough.

Elsa saw the look on Anna's face. "What are you worried about, Anna?"

"The coming storm, Elsa, don't you feel it?"

The blonde turned her body so that she was facing the princess. "Of course I feel it, it seeps down to my bones, and it calls to the dragon." She looked down to her gloved hands on her lap. "Something or someone is drawing the attention of Jörmungandr, Anna, and I can't figure out what or who it is."

Anna lifted Leif so that his head lay on her shoulder. "Do you have any ideas about it?"

Elsa sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, I don't. I—I am so tired, Anna. I just don't understand why Jörmungandr is being so insistent at the moment. But…" Her voice trailed off when the carriage pulled up to the docks.

The clouds continued to roll into the bay, and the citizenry that were about looked up at them in confusion, because a seeming feeling of dread pierced their hearts at the mere look at them.

A footman opened the carriage door and Elsa's attention turned towards the large gathering of soldiers loitering about, seemingly not knowing what their duty was. "Stay in here for the time being, Anna." She quickly stepped out of the carriage and looked about for a commanding officer. It took her only a few moments to notice Admiral Crispin and General Urban waving from the command tent at the nearest dock, so she quickly advanced towards them, leaving Anna and baby to the protection of the stags.

As she made her way through the throng of soldiers a peculiar heavy sensation stole over her, making her feel as though she was being pressed down to the wooden planks below her boots. The feeling persisted until she had to slow down to keep from falling over, and a sharp stinging sensation rolled up her spine. Elsa stopped when the pain began to be unbearable.

At that precise moment a single bright flash of lightening shone over the fjord, capturing the attention of all around, and the loud clap of thunder that followed had everyone clasping at their ears. But the lightening didn't fade away, and continued to coil into itself as it pulsed just above the water. And out off that light a voice boomed, heard even in the nearest hills.

"E L S A!"

The Queen screamed and fell to her hands and knees as the dragon rushed to the surface with wild abandon. She tore at her clothes as they seemed to burn her, and the bluish scales replaced her porcelain skin as she twisted and writhed about. It lifted its headed and roared at the heavens, breaking free from the human woman, and growing to an impossible size. As it thrashed about it flattened soldiers who were standing too close, killing them instantly. But something was wrong, terribly wrong, as it couldn't seem to breathe in air, its reptilian nose gone and replaced by gills along its long neck.

Dáinn saw that the creature was in distress, and charged over to it in a flash. He crashed into Jörmungandr with all of his might, sending the dragon in a clear direction towards the water. The dragon whipped his head around and roared at the stag, but Dáinn had fallen unconscious.

"Jörmungandr!"

The serpent turned his massive head in the direction of the voice and by instinct dove into the water, taking a few people with him.

At the carriage, Anna screamed.

Finally, an update... as always, let me know what you think...