ANDY

A day before Brandon was to return, Elliott organized a dinner with their Southern Isles guests. Andy had sweated through two dress shirts over the course of the day and he hoped this third one wasn't about to share the same fate. He'd been jumpy all day, his nerves on end.

And all day he kept landing on the same conclusion.

He'd rather cut off his left arm than ask Helena for anything, even the time of day; let alone her help. He simply couldn't physically bring himself to do it. Every time he tried to practice on the mirror, he started almost hacking up a lung, like a cat coughing up a hairball. The words just wouldn't come.

So he made a compromise with Elliott over breakfast; the king would ask Helena himself, and Andy would ask Madeleine. Er, Maddy.

It was so, so risky. What if he was wrong? What if Maddy was more loyal to her sister than he realized? They were supposed to ask them after the dinner. This first stage of the plan would either doom the whole operation or set it up for smooth sailing.

He buttoned up fresh shirt at last, when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he grunted, now fighting with the green jacket that went with it.

"Just me," Elliott pushed the door open and stepped inside Andy's messy room. His brother looked, as usual, perfect.

His pale blonde hair looked windblown and honestly really good, unlike Andy who had spent all day at the Summer Festival (which was finally happening, Yay!) and his hair looked like it had lost a fight with a pine tree. He'd challenged one of Krista's ice harvester buddies to a tree-climbing contest and needless to say, he'd lost.

Elliott's new Edna Mode suit was perfectly pressed, a dark grey color that brought out the stormy color of his blue eyes. Andy needed to start making an effort on how he looked, gods… then again, it was dinner with the Westergard girls, and he gave exactly zero shits about impressing them.

"Heeey, you ready?" Andy grinned at his brother as they caught each other's eyes on the mirror. "It's showtime."

"Yes, I'm— a bit nervous, is all… you?" Elliott watched as his brother struggled with his outfit.

"Same. I've been sweaty all day, uh— but you didn't need to know that. Uh— and you? Ready to ask Helena?" saying the name still made a muscle in his jaw twitch.

"I don't know how to ask her… I guess… I'll try some small talk first, and go from there," his brother shifted awkwardly on his spot, and quickly changed the subject, "How are you liking this years' Festival?"

Andy could stand there all day complaining about the changes the Southern Isles had made, but decided not to. Part of the reason Elliott was going through with this nonsense at all was because they needed their stupid money, and telling him the festival sucked would be a bad blow to the king's already-damaged ego.

Astrid had helped them economically, just like she'd promised, but not without her own little agenda hidden in there. Everything had Southern Isles propaganda on it. The food was shaped like their stupid country, there were flags (Arendelle flags too, but at least double the Westergard's), even clothes with the colors of their freakin' country. Andy's ears almost bled when the outdoor band played their disgusting anthem.

And despite all that… he'd had a good couple of days hanging out with Krista. Making fun of the S. I merchandise was great fun, the little Astrid dolls they sold were great for target practice. And changing the lyrics of their anthem was probably the best idea he'd come up with as of yet.

"It's good," he replied with what he hoped was a winning smile and not a lame grimace.

"You don't need to lie," Elliott said drily, and from his pocket he pulled out a little handkerchief with the Westergard colors on it, "All hail the Southern Isles," he waved it around like a flag.

"I can't believe you bought this filth," Andy laughed and snatched it out of his brother's hand.

Elliott offered a little smile, "I didn't. Astrid gave it to me."

"How generous!" Andy scoffed and pointed at the bathroom door that he'd left ajar, "Excuse me for a sec, let me put this where it belongs— as toilet paper—"

Before he could (and he really was going to) Elliott took it back and stuffed back into his pocket, "I need it. You can have it when I'm done."

"Oh, gross! Are you actually gonna use it to wipe your bu—?"

"No! Gods. I just need to hang on to it a little longer."

Before Andy could crack another lame joke, the door swung open once again and General Winter came bumbling in, wearing a cute snow bowtie on his neck.

"General! Lookin' fine!" Andy winked at the snowman.

If the general had had any blood on his icy body he would've blushed red with embarrassment. "Respect your elders, m'boy. Elliott," he addressed his brother, "The chick's in the nest with the vipers. Just waiting on you and The Pea."

Andy frowned, "The what now?"

Elliott sighed with aggravation, "General Winter insists on using codenames. Mine is The Penguin. The General calls himself Russia. Helena's is 'chick.' So, 'chick's in the nest,' means that she's downstairs with her sisters."

Andy nodded slowly. "Oh, yeah, I get— WAIT A SECOND. I'M The Pea?!"

"I ran out of ideas," General Winter shrugged and blinked his ice shard eyes innocently. "And I strongly believe that, were you a vegetable, a pea would be appropriate."

"Is this for real? There's so many good nicknames in the world and you go with The Pea?! I don't even like peas!"

"My deepest apologies if that hurt your feelings," the snowman said, looking not sorry at all. "But we must go at once. It is time."

"It's time," the brothers echoed.


HELENA

The three Westergards waited patiently for the Arendelle brothers to join them for dinner. 'Patiently' being probably the wrong word to use, because as the seconds dragged on, Helena got more and more anxious.

It didn't help that Astrid and Maddy were talking quietly to each other, excluding her from the conversation as always. Astrid seemed to be convincing a doubtful Madeleine of something, while the second sister just looked as miserable as Helena felt.

Finally, the two brothers made their appearance, both in sharp suits— well, Elliott's more so than Andy's. Anders looked like he'd put minimal effort into his dinner clothes… which was understandable. If she'd been in his position, Helena would have acted the exact same way and probably worse.

"Sorry we kept you waiting," Elliott said pleasantly as he bowed his head in Astrid's direction. Andy grunted out something along the same lines.

"No matter, King Elliott. Let's focus on the wonderful food, shall we?" Astrid offered one of her winning smiles and Helena tried not to gag into the buttered bread she'd that had served as a nice appetizer while waiting. Could someone possibly be any faker?

"Yes, let us dine together," Elliott said. Well, Astrid wasn't the only fake one around here.

She was a little surprised when the Ice King sat down next to her— then again, they were betrothed, so he had to. Anders sat across from his brother, next to Maddy— that left Astrid at the head of the table… was that Elliott being courteous or weak? A mix of both perhaps?

Like their forced encounters often went, it was mostly Elliott and Astrid making painful small talk with Maddy adding some insight once or twice. Helena and Andy, though— they were dead silent, as always. The tension between them had become worse if that was even possible.

About halfway through the steak, Anders suddenly spoke up.

"I can't stand this any longer," Prince Andy murmured. His words were so low, for a second Helena thought she'd imagined them.

Elliott blinked at his brother. "Excuse me?"

"I can't stand this any longer!" Andy repeated, louder, meaner. He stood up suddenly, knocking over his chair with the brute force, but he paid it no mind. Instead, he started yelling, "You can't marry her! She almost killed us both— and tried to take the crown! She's a monster, a backstabber—"

Helena tried not to flinch at his words, but she did. It was like a punch in the gut. She was usually exceptionally good at deflecting insults and brushing things off, but the prince's words stung like acid on her skin.

"Anders," Elliott snapped, a look of warning in his stormy eyes. "Behave yourself and keep quiet."

The thirteenth princess fisted the folds of her skirt in her suddenly clammy palms. Their fight was making her very uneasy. She shifted her eyes over to her sisters, and Maddy seemed mirror her own look of discomfort. Astrid, on the other hand, looked on, amused.

Andy scoffed and glared at his brother with pure fire in his usually amicable eyes. "Keep quiet, you say? Like you do? Just cross my arms and let this happen? No! Never again. You don't—"

With no warning, Elliott slammed down his hands on the oak table, icing it over. Maddy was quick enough to lift her elbows before the ice crept up on her arms, but the sleeve of Astrid's dress got caught on the freeze. No major damage though, Helena noted with disappointment.

"You will not speak to me that way in front of our guests," Elliott's voice was colder than the ice on the table. "And, now, you will not be attending the wedding. You're to stay in your chambers until the celebration is over. You're forbidden to go."

"That's just fine by me," Andy pulled back his lips in a snarl, "I hope you two have a lovely wedding, and a lovely life. I want no part on it."

"Good. You're dismissed anyway." Elliott pointed a finger at his brother as the younger one retreated up the stairs."Actually…forget about your chambers. I'm sending you away until this is all over. I hope in your time away you think long and hard about the things you've said here today."

Andy replied with a rude gesture over his shoulder and then disappeared.

Elliott sat back down, breathing heavily. Helena felt the sudden urge to say something to him, but quickly fought it away. It was none of her business, even if it was very sad to see them fighting. Because of her. Another thing to add to her already massive pile of guilt; creating a rift between the usually loving brothers… then again, why did she care?

After a little thought, she realized she was angrier at Andy's words more than anything. He blamed her for all of the aftermath of his brother's actions. When, in reality, the current situation was Astrid's freaking fault! She glared in her eldest sisters' direction, but the queen paid no mind. Her icy eyes were fixed on Elliott.

"Well done, King Elliott," Astrid praised. She raised her glass of wine in his direction, "You do have a backbone after all."

Elliott nodded briefly at her, ignoring the rest. He still seemed shaken, like he couldn't believe what he'd just done.

"May I ask where you'll be sending your brother until the festivities are over?" Astrid continued, the picture of fake pleasantness.

The king shrugged. "Corona, maybe. Rapunzel will look after him, I'm sure. Maybe teach my foolish brother some manners," he added the last part reluctantly, circling his own glass of wine with the tip of his finger.

"You made the right call," there she want again, Astrid handing out compliments like they were candy, "It was very inappropriate of him to do that."

"It was," Elliott agreed half-heartedly. Was she the only one noticing this? The odd way he was acting? He didn't seem furious like he had moments ago. Now he looked more like… deflated.

He seemed… nervous. Helena studied his face, trying to pick up on a clue, anything. His lips were parted and his brows furrowed, signs of his worry, but also… something in his eyes. She couldn't tell what it was, but it placed the sneaky suspicion in her heart that there was more to that fight than they'd let on.

"I'm going to check on him," he said abruptly, standing up. He forced a look of annoyance back on his face. "Please, do finish without me."

He bowed his farewell and fled up the stairs after his brother. After a moment of silence, Astrid laughed.

"Well, wouldn't you know it! They don't get along as well as someone claimed," she smirked at Helena. "You see? Perfect siblings do not exist. They're just like us."

No, they're not. "Yes. I see that now."

Maddy, who had been silent during the whole exchange, spoke up. "I think they were lying."

Astrid snorted into her glass of wine. "Lying? Please." She cast a nasty look at her younger sister, who seemed to shrink back. "You flatter yourself. They're not exactly masters of deception, and— Anders' words were real enough. You're not as perceptive as you think you are."

Helena considered sticking up for Maddy— and changed her mind just as quickly. Even if she did agree that something had been off about the fight, she had absolutely zero desire to get into a fight with Astrid of all people about it. She didn't see the point in their staged fight anyway— what for? The wedding was happening, with Andy on board or not.

"Go check on them," Astrid gestured lazily in Helena's general direction, "Just to prove our sweet sister wrong."

"Of course," Helena said, ignoring Maddy's look of hurt. "Be right back."

Helena pushed back the chair from the table and walked after Elliott.


ELLIOTT

"How was that?"

Elliott's hands were still shaking, but his brother's huge grin made them stop almost immediately. They were just halfway up the staircase to the main East Wing, but out of earshot from their guests which was good enough.

"Absolutely brilliant," Andy said, still a little breathless from all the previous yelling. "You think they bought it?"

"I hope so," Elliott peeked over his shoulder, as if they could hear him. "Mostly they just looked confused."

Andy waved his hand dismissively, "Let them process it any way they want. This little family feud just bought me a ticket outta here and to the Southern Isles, heh! Now my absence won't be questioned. Krista and I will find Brandon, get him to join up, get a boat out of here… as long as everything else goes perfectly, yeah?"

Elliott still wasn't 100% on board with the plan. Maybe 90% if he was feeling a little optimistic. He wasn't comfortable letting his little brother go to those wretched isles, it was like pushing him into the shark tank with a meat suit… okay, maybe that was overreacting— but he was still apprehensive about it.

"Yes," he forced himself to say, "and tonight, we go to the trolls for advice."

Andy nodded happily, and then they settled into a pleasant silence. But it didn't last very long: another issue quickly popped up.

"Okay, now… to ask Helena and Maddy to join up and pray to the gods they don't betray us," Andy said. Elliott sighed through his nose. He'd almost forgot about that tiny, crucial part of this stupid plan.

"I'll ask Helena the second I get her alone," Elliott said.

"Ask me what?"

Both brothers jumped, completely startled. That girl was stealthy like a cat. How long had she been standing there? Elliott hadn't noticed her following.

When her question was met with awkward silence, Andy lightly shoved Elliott's shoulder like 'yeah, brother, what were you saying just now?'

"I— well, I was just going to ask- if you'd be so kind as to… join me. In my chambers after, uh, dinner," Elliott stammered out, his heart still in his throat from the unpleasant surprise.

Helena blinked her pretty greenish eyes, and to Elliott's mortification, her cheeks flushed red, "Um. Y-Yes. Of course."

"To talk! I just want to talk!" He quickly added. Andy made a sound that was a mix between choking and laughing.

"Of course talk. Did you have anything else in mind?" And just like that, she'd recovered smoothly, even going as far as to smirk at him.

Before he could humiliate himself further, Andy interjected, "No, princess, that's all. Now shoo. Go back to Mommy Astrid."

Helena's cheeky face twisted into a dark look, "She's not my mother."

"Well, she sure acts like it. Cleaning up after you, fighting your battles for you…."

"I never asked her to—"

"That's enough," Elliott said sharply. He gave his brother a stern look, "Both of you." He gave the princess an equally cross look, "Finish dinner and meet me shortly. Just need to deal with my brother here."

"Of course, Your Grace," she curtsied, and her eyes flashed with mockery before she left. "Oh, and by the way? I know what a fight between siblings looks like. And this? This wasn't even close."

When she left for good, Andy's hands twisted the air like he was strangling something, "Oh! That witch! I guess they didn't buy what we were selling. What now?"

"Helena didn't," Elliott corrected, "We have to believe that if Astrid had shared those feelings, she would have called us out on it, and it would've been over. There's still a chance."

"What if she did notice, and she's just testing us?" Andy challenged.

"Let's hope not," Elliott said simply. He gave his brother a little push on the back, "Go, now. You're grounded anyway, remember?"

"But daaaaad!"

Elliott fought back a smile, "Go."

Andy laughed to himself before racing up the rest of the stairs.


It was like a contest of who was the most uncomfortable; and it was pretty even, no clear winner as of yet.

But Elliott had a sneaky feeling that it was him. Helena at least tried to pretend she wasn't, but her body language betrayed her even if her face didn't. Neither of them wanted to be here, but it had to be done.

Helena was perched on the windowsill, picking at the threads on her skirt, while Elliott stood a couple feet back, watching the window with her in silence. The fireworks outside from the Summer Festival lit up the night sky and somehow made Elliott forget —at least for a couple of seconds after each colorful blast— about his troubled life.

Every time he opened his mouth to speak, he quickly forced it back shut. How did one ask someone to betray their queen, their sister, their family? Even if Helena had clearly stated that she hated them at every turn, there was still the risk that she didn't, that she said those things simply out of spite, while in reality she did care for them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Her voice was quiet, almost lost in the sounds coming from outside, but he heard her.

While he could, he gathered his nerve. Okay, you can do it. If things go sour— if they—

Before his insecurities could flood through him, he sat on the opposite side of the windowsill and looked her dead in the eye. "Andy and I have a plan to stop your sister, and I wanted to ask if you would like to join us."

She stared back, her lips parted slightly and her thin eyebrows raised in surprise. The explosions from outside gave her face a reddish-green glow that made reading her eyes harder. Elliott felt a chill go through his hands, cold and slow and it threatened to expand, but he clenched them into a fist to stop it. It's okay, she's processing it, she's not going to run off and tell Astrid—

In the end, she shook her head slowly and Elliott's heart felt like lead — heavy, disappointed, scared even, until she spoke. "Whatever your plan, it's doomed to fail. There's no stopping this. You don't know Astrid, she's…"

"Hellfire," He recalled, from one of their conversations long ago. "You said she was hellfire, and that she would burn me. I know. But a storm — if strong enough— can put out any fire. I had my doubts, too, Helena… but this plan, with your help, it will work."

"Only to stop the wedding?"

"To overthrow Astrid," he said, feeling something in his chest get released, the lead from a few seconds ago had molded into something that gave him courage. Helena gasped, but Elliott kept going, "Please. You know the type of person she is, better than I. What she's capable of. We think… we think she can be stopped, but we can't do it alone. We need your help."

Another moment passed, the tension was heavy and almost palpable, but Elliott held his breath, and hoped with every fiber of his being… another blast outside shook the castle, but it wasn't nearly as loud as the roaring in Elliott's ears, the magnitude of her reply was everything.

"If I join you in this fool's errand," she said, finally, cautiously, "Will you forgive me?"

Elliott swallowed with effort, taken off-guard. He hadn't expected her in a million years to want forgiveness. "Helena… well… I suppose I can… find it in myself to forgive you …" the words sounded a little forced, and she could see his struggle. "But… forgiveness is not redemption. That you must earn."

The princess sighed as if she'd expected that, and drew her knees closer to her chest. Both of them were tucked in the windowsill, the tall glass still flashing with vibrant colors from outside. "Tell me the plan."

That was too easy. He regarded her with a guarded expression, "I will— if you swear to help, and to not tell Astrid any of this."

She raised her eyes to meet his, and for the first time they didn't seem mocking or angry or tortured— only soft. "I swear."

"I need you to say it. And— swear on… on the most important thing to you."

He peered into those hazel-green eyes, trying to pick up any sign of her having doubts or of double-crossing. He saw nothing but honesty and tiredness. "I swear to help, if I can, and not breathe a word of this to Astrid." She paused and bit her lip, eyebrows raised, "I swear it on, uh… my life."

Elliott felt like a million ants were crawling around his skin, egging on his anxiety. Her life? It sounded conceited… but it sounded real. She looked exhausted more than anything, and still…. He took a deep breath. Here it went. Where he risked everything, to tell a girl who almost killed him and everything he cared for about their only hope.

And so he told her.

By the end of the gist of it, he'd never seen a scarier smile.


MADDY

Prince Anders wandered back down the stairs sometime later, when everyone was up and gone from the dining table.

Astrid and herself had been the last. After the Arendelle brothers left, it was like Astrid felt it was not humanly possible to do nothing else but gloat. Then Helena got snappy, so Astrid yelled at her, so the thirteenth princess left practically in tears. Maddy hadn't commented on how the princess had left in the direction of Elliott's rooms.

At the time Maddy had felt a pang of something like pity for the younger girl, but then she'd remembered how Helena hadn't backed her up when she said Elliott's fight with his brother was a sham, so she decided not to defend her little sister.

The more Astrid talked, the more she drank, and the more she drank, the sloppier and more arrogant she got. Eventually, for her mental health, Maddy had asked Sophia's servant Kronk (who apparently was still hanging around) to escort her Majesty to her bedchamber for the night.

When she was finally left alone, she relished in the silence— which didn't last long, as Prince Andy appeared at the bottom of the staircase less than five minutes after the peace had settled in.

"Hello, Princess Madeleine," he greeted with one hand raised. He'd changed out of his fancy dinner clothes and into a loose shirt and pants, outdoor boots— meant for the hot summer weather outside. Was he going somewhere?

"Hello, Prince Anders. Came to sneak some dessert upstairs?" She said, trying to say something before the encounter became too awkward. She still didn't know what to make of the redheaded prince.

"Tempting, but not quite. I'm going for a walk." Anders paused, probably thinking what to say next. Maddy picked at the tablecloth, ducking her head. She wanted no company at the moment. For some reason, she felt more self-pity at herself than usual. She wished her husband were here…

When she looked up again, she jumped in her seat— Anders had sat right beside her, sea-green eyes piercing her with a serious look. A look of serious business, not angry serious which was the look he wore around Helena.

"But before my walk… I wanted to talk to you about something," he said pleasantly, like he hadn't just invaded her bubble of personal space.

R-E-L-A-X. She was still prickly over her argument with Astrid earlier, and was taking it out mentally on the poor guy. She threw back her shoulders and tried to form welcoming thoughts.

"Of course. What is it?" she said. She almost even smiled.

But suddenly the prince seemed at a loss of words. Apparently, he hadn't thought he'd get very far in talking to her. She tried the smile again, and Anders blinked.

"Okay… second-born to second-born kid," he finally said, "If I may be so bold as to ask…" he swallowed, like that had been a handful to say— or memorize. "Do you think Astrid is a good ruler? That she has good judgement?"

Maddy felt her heart begin to race on her chest. It was that same unpleasant feeling she used to get with tutors and classes, like she could get an answer wrong, and if she did, it would cost her.

He probably saw the hesitation in her eyes and raised a palm, as if to show he was hiding nothing, and his eyes were wide with honesty, "Look— this isn't a trick or anything, okay? I truly just want to talk about what you… what you're feeling, Madeleine—Maddy?"

She nodded.

"Maddy," he said. "I… okay, time to stop going around it. Be frank with me. Do you think the union between my brother and your sister is good? That it should happen?"

N-O, No, no, a thousand times no, she wanted to scream. There were immensely better ways to fix the whole Helena mess without too much damage done to both parties. But Astrid seemed to have looked at all the good, safe possibilities and gone, 'Nah, let's go with the most terrible one. How can I hit Arendelle the hardest? Oh, I know! Force their King to marry my sociopath of a little sister, what a delightful idea!'

Maddy immediately felt bad for calling Helena a sociopath. She was issues, yes, but just pining that label on her was wrong.

"My feelings on the arrangement do not matter," Maddy finally said. And, as an afterthought, and as gently as she could, she added, "and neither do yours."

Andy seemed unfazed, "Okay, fine, deflect the question. Pretend you're neutral. That you don't care. Unfortunately for you… you do care," he gestured at her with a finger, "It's written all over your face, Maddy. You care, and you care very deeply. And— something tells me… you don't agree with Astrid's actions. Not. Even. One. Bit."

"She's the queen," Maddy finally snapped, tiring of the conversation quickly. She didn't see the point of it, or what he was getting at. "It doesn't matter if I care with every bone in my body. My feelings, as far as I've been told my whole life, are invalid."

Andy was silent, drinking in her words. She pushed her hair back, arranging it out of her face. Somehow, saying that out loud, had upset her. A lot.

"Your feelings are valid simply because you feel them. No one can make you feel like you're less without your permission." He said quietly. "Talkin' from experience here."

Now was her turn to be silent, and to ponder at his words. Wise words. Who knew that beyond the troublemaker face this boy hid words this rich?

"Maddy," he said, catching her full attention. "What if I told you…you never have to feel that way again?"

The laugh that left her chest was bitter, "Yes? And what do you suggest?"

"Okay— what if I told you… what if I told you we're planning to overthrow Astrid before the wedding?"

A dead, dangerous silence filled the room. Maddy's eyes quickly scanned every available inch they could— looking for her. Even if it seemed impossible— they were completely alone— she somehow felt the presence, could almost hear the silky words 'You would never betray me, sweet sister, would you?'

She shuddered, digging her nails into the tablecloth. "Stop talking."

But his words were out there, he'd handed them over to her, and there was no taking them back now. He pressed on, "Think about it! Everyone would benefit from it. The wedding would be stopped, and you would become queen—"

"Stop! Stop saying—"

"Please, please, Maddy, we need your help."

The scar on her face felt like it was pulsing, hot and shameful and— n-o. "M-My help?"

"Yes, your help," he looked like he wanted to hug her, but didn't dare— as he should. Had he even brushed her hand at that moment, she would have screamed. "We're looking for proof— solid, indisputable proof that Astrid killed your mother, the queen before her."

Even if the scar on her face seemed to be ablaze and her knee wouldn't stop bouncing in anguish, his words got to her very core. Her knee stopped moving and the sudden PTSD acid on her face cooled until she felt nothing.

Betraying Astrid felt colossally terrifying— she didn't even feel safe from her older sister in her own thoughts. It had been like Anders had been speaking another language for a few seconds there— but 'proof that Astrid killed your mother', now that was important. That Maddy was thirsty to avenge— forget about her scarred face, she deserved that. But what Astrid had done to Mother…

"You got all quiet and I'm scared," Anders' face was twisted into a comical grimace. "Should I be scared? Are you going to tattle?"

"'Snitches get stitches'," she said back, quoting one of her sisters, Olivia. She licked her suddenly dry lips, "I… I may know… some things that may be of use…"

Anders smiled so wide one would think she'd just handed him the winning lottery ticket, "I'm all ears if you're up for sharing."

"Wait, I… I need some guarantees first, if I'm going to… to help you," once again she licked her lips, dry again. She wondered if it was because of her fried nerves. After his nod of agreement, she continued. "One. Most important… if this plan of yours goes south, I want nothing to do with it. You do not name me. As far as Astrid will be concerned, I had no involvement."

Had those words really just slipped out of her mouth? What the hell was she thinking! Betraying Astrid, again, like she'd done a thousand years ago…

"It's not going to fail! But okay. Elliott and I will take the fall— and Helena, if my brother gets her on board, and with his good looks, I'm sure it won't be too difficult," his voice indicated that he was annoyed. "Plus, your sister kinda is the betrayingtype."

"Number Two— Do not blame Helena either," before Anders could open his mouth, she folded her arms as sternly as she could. "Tsk. The girl has enough on her plate— she doesn't need to add this. Only your brother and you will take responsibility if Astrid finds out."

She remembered the promise she made to Katherine back in the Southern Isles. She'd said she would watch out for their little sister— and this was as close as an opportunity as she would get to protecting Helena, even if the thirteenth princess would never know.

Anders folded his arms stubbornly right back, "That's just dandy, isn't it? Plan goes well, Helena's pardoned, you become queen! But if plan goes bad… you jump ship?"

She tried not to cringe at the you become queen and instead offered her best classic Westergard smirk, "That's exactly right, Prince Anders. Take it or leave it."

He looked like he wanted to argue, but since he had no other choice, he nodded reluctantly, "Whatever. Done. Anything else?"

Even if he had agreed to her demands, she still felt incredibly apprehensive. This was a mistake. She literally was risking everything on a miracle.

"That's all."

"So are you in?"

"Let me hear the plan first."

The prince told it with such ease and carefulness in his tone, she almost believed him. Almost. Go to the isles, find proof, come back exactly in time for the wedding, get supporters, bring Astrid down, get Maddy on the throne— it left her head spinning. Plus, she couldn't help but poke holes at everything he said.

"But what if this Brandon character doesn't come back? How will you smuggle yourselves inside the castle then?" she asked.

"We don't really need him. I mean, he'd be good to have on the team— but I think Krista and I can do it just fine on our own. What we do need though— whatever information you may have, any clue, just about anything— that'd be greatly appreciated." He said. "Actually— it's the most important part."

F-L-A-W-E-D, her head screamed. The plan relied on too many things that weren't written on stone. It was all pinned on chances, hoping, good timing— things they shouldn't —couldn't— count on. They didn't have that luxury.

And yet… and yet, a tiny part of her clung to the boy's optimistic face, to the shine in his eyes, the confidence in his voice. Maybe it was all wistful thinking on his end, and even if that was the case, it was contagious. It shocked her— but it also made her believe that it was possible.

"Look, I know you're not totally on board, and I understand… but, Maddy, Madeleine, please. Elliott has so much more to lose than you if this goes to hell— and he believes. He trusts that I'll do my absolute best —and more— to stop this." He didn't stammer or hesitate, on the contrary, she'd never heard Prince Anders of Arendelle sound more firm. "And, yes, it's a chance... a chance we must take. I notice your face every time your sister speaks. And every time you look like you disagree with her, it's like the disapproval leaves your every pore, y'know? Her time to rule has passed. She's nothing more than a bully with power and a superiority complex, so… I'm asking again… help us do not only what's best for Arendelle, but for your country, too?"

For the third and final time, she wet her dry lips. A decision is what came next.

She'd been Astrid's submissive pawn for far too long. It was time for change. Time for their abusive ruler to step down and admit to her crimes. Maddy wasn't sure she was the right fit to replace her though— all her life, she'd been of the idea that she would never rule. She was the second born daughter— the heir spot had been taken.

Astrid had loads of supporters and loyal subjects— but did the people that hated her outnumber the ones that loved her? Maddy thought it was very likely. After their mother's death, Astrid hadn't exactly been popular around their household or their country.

With a deep breath, she said the words that would seal her —and everyone else's— fates.

"I'll help you."

A slow smile filled with relief spread across the princes' face, "Excellent. Where do we begin?"

Maddy sighed through her nose and lowered her eyes, the weight of her betrayal settling on her shoulders. "Well… you're going to want to speak to my sister Cecile first."


KRISTA

Krista couldn't believe it.

"Both of them agreed to help? And not a peep of it went to Astrid? Are you serious?" She asked for what felt like the umpteenth time.

She practically felt Elliott's nod behind her, immensely pleased with himself. "Helena even gave me some tips about the castle. Secret passages, hidden doors, fake bookshelves— it's like a mystery novel!"

"That's nothing compared to what Maddy told me," Andy said smugly. "I know exactly where to find our information— and where to get people to support it. Even dropped some names on which of her sisters would support the cause."

Krista shook her head, blonde braids tickling the side of her face, "Smells of trap if you ask me."

"Smells of sweet victory," Andy corrected. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him. She still couldn't understand how her boy… friend— friend who is a boy, she mentally added— had managed to orchestrate the whole thing by persuasion alone. He had little proof that this would work, but the way he talked about it— the kid could be a fine salesman.

The road to the Valley of the Living Rock was quiet as Suri pulled them through the muddy path. Of course the sled worked much better in snow, but this wet summer mud wasn't bad. It was just a pain to clean. She sat at the front with Andy beside her. The King of Arendelle sat at the back of her sled— Krista toyed with the idea of Elliott magically adding snow to the road to make things easier for her sled; but decided against it.

"So Pabbie has something to help us, yeah?" Andy said.

"He does." Grand Pabbie said he'd help them any way he could, so Krista had asked her adoptive father for anything that could make things easier on their travel to the Southern Isles. "Let's hope he's awake."

Luckily, he was. In fact… everyone was awake, which was unusual for her extended family at this time of night. The only light came from the moon itself and from the tiny colorful crystals around the troll's necks.

"There's no time to waste, boys and Kri-Kri," Bulda ushered them out of the sled as soon as they'd parked. Two of Krista's stone brothers quickly got to work on getting Suri out of the sled's harness, "Pabbie will see you now. Quickly!"

"Ma— I don't— what's the rush?" None of her siblings answered her questions as they pulled them along. It reminded her of the time Andy had met her family for the first time, when they'd almost embarrassed her to death. Also this was Elliott's second visit to the place— the first when he was little and Andy's memories had been altered right before his eyes.

Grand Pabbie stood at the center of the Valley, surrounded by white and blue crystals that glowed faintly from the ground, forming a circle around the old troll. He seemed to be chanting.

The three of them stopped outside of the circle, not daring to interrupt. All the other trolls did the same, and for once they were quiet, even the littles.

"Krista," he said in that deep voice, without turning around, "Did you bring what I asked?"

"Um, yeah, but I still don't understand what—" She pulled the small sack out of her pocket, and one of her brothers snatched it out of her hand before she could finish. He rushed over to Grand Pabbie, careful not to step on the crystals, and handed it to him.

The sack had been Suri's carrot-treat bag, and now it apparently was essential for Pabbie's ritual-thing. They remained silent.

Slowly, all around them, the trolls folded back into their stone form. From the back until the center, and as they did, their crystal light left with them— making the Valley darker and darker as they went to rest.

The light that the crystals around their necks provided had disappeared— but the ones around Pabbie seemed to grow brighter and brighter, like those lights had been transferred to the special ones on the ground.

"Hm. We are ready." Pabbie's voice again. He turned around, and raised a bushy eyebrow at the King. "Elliott, please step forward."

Krista heard him gulp loudly as he left their side. Andy whispered quiet words of encouragement as his brother stepped into Pabbie's crystal circle.

The old troll held up the gunny sack, "Take it."

Obediently, Elliott did.

"That's good, Elliott. Now… I want you to focus. Really focus. Close your eyes."

He did. Andy shifted nervously beside Krista, and she brushed his hand, trying to tell him without words that it was okay. Pabbie wouldn't hurt his brother.

"Feel the crystals, their energy. These are not Earth crystals— or fire ones. They are ice and wind ones— specifically for you. To help."

"I feel them," Elliott said, eyes still closed, forehead wrinkled in concentration. "What… what am I supposed to do?"

"The energy you're feeling, I want you to harness it. I want you to let it flow through your hands, and let it become one with your own magic. Let it come to you. Let it wash over…. good…"

Krista didn't understand her sack's place in all this. The thing was made of yarn at best. Was Elliott supposed to freeze it? Peronsally, she didn't feel the crystal energy they were talking about— she did sense the wind, though, it was picking up.

"Now think about the wind, Elliott," Pabbie's rough voice and his soothing instructions clashed in a… in an interesting way. "Think about how powerful it is, how strong. Think about a cold wind, now. Let the crystals' energy guide you…"

She watched Elliott's face, how his lips parted and his hands held the sack firmly, and then his hands started to glow a soft white. And so did her sack.

"Hold on to it. Don't let it get carried by the wind. Hold it…" after a tense moment, the crystals around the king and the troll started to lose its glow.

"Is that good or bad?" Andy asked nervously.

"No idea," she replied in all honestly. She hoped it was the former.

She almost cried out when, in the small circle, a rush of powerful wind caught Pabbie and Elliott. But it was exclusively inside the circle, nothing else— only the ground around them had erupted with the powerful gust, uprooting plants and earth as it roared.

None of the trolls woke, or seemed to mind. The only ones were Elliott's terrified face and Andy's of shock, as well as Krista's. What the hell, Pabbie? Elliott's platinum hair was blown completely back.

"CAPTURE IT, ELLIOTT! CAPTURE THE WIND!" Pabbie yelled.

Andy tried to step forward and into the circle— but he was pushed back by the force of that wind. The crystals on the ground rattled but were not carried away.

"How?!" Elliott yelled back.

"In the sack¸ Elliott, in the SACK! FOCUS!"

Elliott's reply was lost in the rush of wind, but Krista could see his mouth open in a silent scream. She pulled Andy back by the collar of his shirt when he tried intervening once again, "Let him," she said.

Not three seconds had passed when it stopped. Completely stopped.

All that wind made a sucking noise as it relocated to the inside of the open sack, and Elliott quickly tied it closed, hands shaking. All the soil and roots that had been dancing around the little tornado had landed on the both of them, Pabbie looked the same but Elliott looked like a homeless man, his wild hair and eyes combined with all the dirt.

"Am I the only one that doesn't understand what the heck all of that was for?" Andy said.

"You're not alone," Elliott said, he looked down at Pabbie's smug face, "What was that?!"

"Look around you," Pabbie said, "You got the air crystals to respond, and you combined them with your magic. Your ice. You channeled the ice and the wind perfectly. That turned it into North Wind."

Elliott blinked and looked at the sack in his hands, and for the first time Krista did too.

It had filled up with… something. She didn't understand how it hadn't burst with the freaking hurricane Elliott had forced in there.

Grand Pabbie took the sack from Elliott and carefully gave it to Andy.

"This will help on your journey to and back from the Isles," he said. "Open the bag, and Elliott's North Wind will be released. Use it on your sail so it carries you at incredible speed. There's enough for two trips, maybe three— don't open it!"

Andy smiled sheepishly and took his fingers away from the thin thread that contained the North Wind inside Krista's silly carrot sack.

"You take it, you're the responsible one." Andy said, and handed it over to Krista. It felt incredibly light— she could understand Andy's temptation to open it, but she had a little more self-control than the prince. It also felt very cold.

"Very good," Elliott said, finally grinning. "That'll come in handy to get back home in time. Thank you, Grand Pabbie!"

Andy raised a fist and woo-hoo'ed, "Great! Now we just have to meet with Brandon tomorrow, and everything should go okay, right?"

"Right!"

"And it's 'cause of you, Krista! This was your idea. You saved us!" Andy looked at her with such adoration it made her melt a little.

Krista couldn't help it. Her own smile matched the brothers'. They'd gone against all odds and now…

They were one step closer to bringing down Astrid's reign of terror… As long as nothing went wrong.

She couldn't wait for tomorrow


IMPORTANT

My computer died and my stuff has been lost. Most of this chapter was written from my laptop, which is a pain to use— I liked my desktop much better + the Microsoft Office free trail here will expire soon and that's the tool I use to write… (can't afford to buy it.)

So, I don't know when the next update is gonna be, I don't know if the doc with all my notes (character descriptions, places, timelines, etc) for the story's been lost… just,, bear with me till I get more info. I'll get a new computer when I get some money. This is the longest chapter ever to make up for it, I guess…

I apologize, I do. It's as frustrating to me as it is to you, but I can't do anything but ask for patience and pls don't pressure my in reviews. I hope this gets sorted out as quickly as possible.

With that awful note out of the way…Thanks for reading!