- Chapter 2 -

A/N: Hey guys! Feels like it's been a long time since I've updated(really only 10 days, but whatever, just go with it.) So I took another stab at the dramatics of this developing story. I want to capture the sense of darkness and depression that, and I'm sorry if this isn't the ideal happy and optimistic Disney fanfic you were hoping for, but I really like it. I didn't want the typical magical-kind of tone with this. And I hope you all like it. Thank you so much for the support! Love you all! I do apologize for the shortness of these chapters, but when I get the urge to write they come in short blips of information. Bare with me. I know it's not fun reading such short things like these, but that's just how my mind works!

P.S. if you don't know what boor means, it means a rude or unmannerly person! ;) -Dee

Elsa was awoken at 3 in the morning on a Thursday to attend to another 'urgent matter.' It had been 6 days from the last news of Rane's resistance. And with the anxiety and stress of the last meeting with Gustav, her state of constant uneasiness since then hadn't budged a single bit.

She raced to the throne room, her feet not fast, but not slow. Afraid if she rushed she'd be out of breath and not seem confident, and if she was to sulk then she would be received the same. It's all about balance, she thought. And as she entered the room, with noblemen and women, the adviser, and servants, she did just that. With poise and grace and confidence beyond belief, she managed to put on a front. It seemed as if she was content with be awoken so early in the morning. Not even the sun had risen yet. She hadn't done such a good job concealing her anxiousness the first time, but she was determined to do a better job the second time around.

Without Anna, however, she felt a sense of discomfort, no matter how she positioned herself in the throne, her stomach raged with fire underneath her corset.

With the knowledge Elsa had to address him first in order to receive the news, she forced a small smile, "Good morning, Gustav."

"Greetings, your Majesty. Please forgive us for waking you so early in the day." Gustav lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head. "Are you sure you do not want us to wake the Princess?"

"I'm sure. Anna can use the rest." The Queen answered, remembering the first two nights after hearing the news about the resistance, and how Anna comforted Elsa in her lap. Brushing her hair back and speaking words of encouragement as Elsa sobbed onto her nightgown. And she, though not easily, eventually fell asleep in Anna's lap.

"As you wish, Majesty." the adviser said as he raised himself up, growing taller. And although he was standing on his feet, the raised platform of the throne and the steps that continued to lower to the floor kept Elsa at a higher altitude.

"The news?" Elsa asked, fully aware that she sounded a bit tired and maybe even short with Gustav, "About the resistance?"

"Yes, Queen Elsa. The news," he gulped-being cautious about his words because Elsa's outburst last time, "is about the resistance again. This young female leader-Rane- has sent a messenger. He has not told us this message, and demands your presence. He says that only to you will he deliver it."

Queen Elsa flinched at 'demands your presence.' She wasn't one to be arrogant or entitled, but with knowing that being in this resistance was so risky, publicly disrespecting the Kingdom, and then demanding the Queen of Arendelle's presence, her muscles couldn't help but have a split second of a spasm.

Still retaining a strong sense of grace and regal, she modulated in a low tone, "Bring me the messenger."

At once, a man wearing navy blue pants and a pale long-sleeve shirt that was not tucked in his trousers entered the room, handcuffs keeping his hands together. He had a defined face in the shape of a square, hair the shade of tenné, and light brown eyes that made Elsa bite her lip out of anxiousness. He reminded her of Hans.

"Your Majesty," said the man, snickering at the last word, "I am a big fan of your sister. Tell her I said hello."

Elsa charged the man, her heels clicking on the floor with a piercing sharpness and haste, "Do not mock Princess Anna!"

The man chuckled once again, "Your family has grown weak. You most of all. You cracked. You were not made to rule Arendelle. It-"

"You came here to deliver a message, boor. What was it?" Gustav intervened between the man and the Queen, sounding hysterical.

"Rane sends her condolences."

"Condolences? For whom?" Elsa's eyebrow shot up, her lips in a tight line.

Her hands balled up in a fist at his answer.

"Your fishermen."

Her eyes widened, and a rush of panic spread over her arms, legs, neck, hands. Her hair stood up at the nape of her neck, and the hair on her head grew cold, the ends frozen solid.

"Take him to the prison. He shall have a trial by jury tonight. Send guards to inspect ships on the fjord. Protect Anna. I'll go have a look out there for myself." Elsa commanded, the immediately a few guards sprinted out the right door of the throne room to guard Anna's bedroom. Others hurried out the left, heading for the fjord.

Gustav protested, "But your Majesty, if I may, it's too dangerous for a-"

"A girl? Well, we can't let the boys have all the fun, now can we?" Elsa smiled, and she surprised herself with the amount of stability in her voice.

Rane wasn't going to win just yet. In fact, she wasn't even close.