"Oh Loki," Elsa snapped. "We really do have to go," she explained as she waited at the foot of the palace steps with their horses saddled and ready to go. She had her arms crossed over her chest, annoyed, as she tried to coax Loki into leaving.

Loki deliberately took his sweet time descending down the ice steps, clutching the ice rails with his all his might. "Will it be the end of the world if we stayed one more night, love?"

"More or less," she replied, sternly putting her hands on her hips.

"You're only running a kingdom, not a realm," Loki smirked as he brushed passed her to his horse.

Elsa scoffed and stood between Loki and his horse. "You're not the eldest, you wouldn't understand the responsibility of being responsible for other people's lives!"

"You've met my brother, you needn't to be enlightened with who the responsible one is."

"Some people just take more time to mature, that's all," Elsa said. "Thor will be a great leader someday, and you will be too," she kissed his cheek, she was in a happy mood from this morning's make-out session and didn't want to ruin the good vibe.

Loki caught Elsa's hand as she moved for her horse. "You really believe that I'll be a good leader?" he asked curiously.

"Lose the snide remarks and you'll be golden," she laughed.

"You are lying…it is just that…" Loki eyes suddenly became dark and his voice turned cold. "Let us get a move on before your kingdom misses you too much, shall we?"

Elsa seized his shoulders firmly and forced his eyes onto hers. "No Loki, what is it? Tell me now so I won't bother you for the rest of the ride home."

"You needn't to worry darling," he replies smoothly, planting his hands on her waist and kissing the top of her head. "That was just my midgaurdian mumbling."

Elsa rolled her eyes. "If something is bothering you, I'd really like to know what it is. I can help you,"

"I am fine, love."

"Lies."

"Elsa, leave it be."

"Loki! Have your parents never trusted that you'd be a good leader? Yes? Well listen to me, and listen well. As with everyone, all that is required to be a good leader is practise! I'm sure given the chance you'll succeed in being a fair and just ruler. I'm not saying this because I love you, I'm saying this because it is the truth." Elsa wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight squeeze. He gave her a miniscule smile, but it sincere nonetheless. The only other person to tell him that he would be a good ruler was his mother. She was also the only person that had told Loki she loved him, just like Elsa. Loki trusted Frigga and he believed that he should trust Elsa too.

"Well put, Elsa darling," he said softly as he kissed her cheek.

"Are you sure that you are ready to depart?" she teases, Loki notices a wicked gleam in her bright blue eyes.

"You're villainous," he replies, helping Elsa onto her horse and slowly mounting his. He allows Elsa to lead and takes in one last look of the ice fortress. Loki promised himself that he would return with Elsa once more, so there is nothing that shall be missed.

XXX

"Elsa!" screamed Anna the moment they enter through the palace gates. Elsa barely got off of her horse before Anna throws her arms merrily around her sister, giving her a tight, startling squeeze. "You've been missed."

"I've only been gone for a day," Elsa chuckled and hugged her sister back. She eyed Loki standing awkwardly with the horses, and decided to bring him into the conversation. "Loki and I had fun, nonetheless." She smiled at Loki and held out her hand. He playfully rolled his eyes and linked his arm with hers.

"Ooohh Elsa, you've got to tell me everything!" Anna shrieked, but quickly changed her expression when she addressed Loki. "You didn't try to pull anything on my sister, did you?"

"I would not dream of it," Loki replied plainly.

"I send you two away for a night and nothing happens? I need to start praying to Freyja!" Anna gave an exasperated sigh. "This 'courting' period is taking too long for my liking."

"I believe I can go on courting your sister for few more months, we cannot move too fast, Princess Anna," Loki said regally, but Elsa picked up his sarcasm right away and tried to laugh.

"I agree with Loki. I am in favour of moving slow and steady," Elsa replies, much to the agony of Anna.

"You two are cruel," she chortles, and takes her sister's free hand. "We'll discuss this over lunch." Elsa allows herself to be dragged to the dining room by Anna, all while snickering silently with Loki behind her back.

XXX

"Alright Elsa spill!" Anna encouraged as they strolled through the village. Anna had been squirming since her sister had arrived and tried her very best to wait patiently for the time where she would have her sister to herself.

"There isn't much to share," Elsa gave her sister a sly smile.

"Please, your look said it all!" Anna laughed, nearly spilling her frozen chocolate drink. "Did you kiss! A lot?"

Elsa rolled her eyes as she elegantly swirled her drink about her cup with the youthful silly straw. She didn't meet Anna's eyes but gave her a small nod, resulting in a high-pitched scream from her sister. She startled a few onlookers, but Anna ignored them and forced Elsa to look into her big, excited eyes.

"Did it go any farther? Is there a little ice baby due next winter?"

Elsa felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She hoped no one had heard, she didn't need the town gossiping about anything else about her personal life. "Ninety percent of the time Loki was admiring and familiarizing himself with every aspect of the ice palace. Then we talked about random things, had a snowball fight and went to bed."

Anna cocked a brow. "The same bed? It must get cold up there…"

Elsa scoffed "Yes, the same bed but we were exhausted. Even if I weren't tired I wouldn't have let anything happen."

Anna gave out an exasperated sigh. "Your adventure wasn't very interesting."

"Anna, it was more of a 'in the moment' kind of thing. I only told you what was worth sharing!" Elsa said simply.

"When did he kiss you?" prompted her sister.

"In the morning…It kind of…just happened. And yes, he's a fantastic kisser."

"That's encouraging news. He's such a gentleman! I'm really happy for you, Elsa!" Anna cried, hugging her sister. "He's tough too, if he managed to stay in an ice castle all night."

"Well…" Elsa trusted her sister with her life but wasn't sure if she would be able to keep her mouth shut about Loki's powers. However, she had long ago promised that she wouldn't keep secrets from her sister. They always did more harm than good. "Anna, promise me you'll keep quiet about this?"

"Uh sure!"

"Promise?" Elsa asked sternly, making sure no one could hear them.

"Cross my heart!" said Anna, leaning in to hear her sister's secret. "Is it about you and Loki?"

"It is about Loki, and how he has ice powers too." Elsa winced as Anna squeezed her sister tight.

Anna leaped up and down, gleeful that her sister wasn't the only one. "Oh Elsa this is grand! You found the PERFECT prince for you! It's wicked! Can Thor do magic too?"

"I do not believe so, Loki has yet to mention that to me."

"QUEEN ELLLSAA!" shouted a page. "The council needs to see you NOW!"

"Oh," Elsa said in surprise and immediately excused herself from her sister and speedwalked her way back to the palace. She had been informed that she needed to meet with her advisors but this was abrupt.

"Be back for the Chocolate Eating Contest! And If Loki's up, bring him too!" Anna called behind her, looking concerned. The palace gards and advisers seemed a bit on-edge yesterday, but they hadn't told Anna why. Perhaps it was because they were concerned for Elsa, as they should be.

XXX

"Tired darling? We haven't had a very eventful day," Loki teased when he noticed Elsa yawning as he led her up to her bedroom for the night.

Elsa gave him a strained smile. "It was too an eventful day," she smacked his arm before leaning against it. "Today was the day of the chocolate eating competition," she added tiredly.

"I wouldn't call that excitement. I knew from the start that Anna would win. Mind you, if Thor was in the contest than that would be a competition worth watching!"

"Mmm," Elsa agreed. She wanted to crawl into bed and hide from the events of today.

Loki noticed something was off as well. Her usually cool had felt like sharp ice and she kept a passive demeanour all throughout the evening. "What is it Elsa? You've been quiet ever since you spoke with your councillors. What occurred during your absence?"

"You do not need to worry about my kingdom's problems, sweetheart," she says quickly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Elsa. You are turning your entire door into ice!" Loki snaps, taking both of her shoulders. He takes a precautionary deep breath before continuing in a quieter voice. "I can help you love, you just have to tell me what it is."

"I'm tired," she manages to choke out. "I'll tell you tomorrow morning," she said as she turned around to enter her bedroom.

Loki sighs and leans against the doorframe. "We both know very well that once morning comes I will not be informed of anything."

Elsa grumbled as she removed her jewelry and released her hair. "Loki if I tell you, Thor might want to take you back to Asgaurd," she said sternly as she roughly ran a brush through her hair.

Loki quietly shut the door behind him and pulled Elsa into his arms. The tears begin to flow as soon as she rested her head in the crook of his arm. The only thing Loki could do was soothingly stroke her soft, long locks until she could cry no more. Loki felt a sharp pain in his chest as he watched his love cry. The situation must be serious if she wanted him and Thor to leave. Was there a robbery? Did someone pass on? Was there an invasion? The questions swam in Loki's head until Elsa was calm enough to speak.

He brushed the wet hair out of her eyes, and placed his palms on her blotchy, tear-streaked face. "Go on Elsa; nothing you can say will make me want to leave you," Loki said chivalrously, kissing her forehead.

"It's terrible Loki. If you and Thor don't leave by the end of the week you will be in grave danger." She replied coldly, her hands hanging limply at her sides. "Do you remember me talking about Prince Hans? Yes? Well my sources have discovered that he and his twelve brothers, along with the kingdom of Weselton are planning a brutal sabotage on the last day of the celebrations, with all the dignitaries present. My army isn't nearly ready to deal with a threat of this magnitude. I want to evacuate the town, but we cannot do so without arousing suspicion. The only thing we can do is defend ourselves. My guards are at high-alert, but when they attack our only option is to fight. I cannot bear to lose any citizen, Loki, I'm terrified!"

Loki stared down at her, baffled at what he had just heard. Two large kingdoms are joining forces to massacre a small town because one foolish prince didn't get throne and a selfish duke didn't get a trade deal? Midgaurdians were so petty. Loki was almost certain Thor could handle both armies on his own, but Elsa was right, her small kingdom was in danger. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about if you allow me to engage Thor in your battle," he said smoothly. "You needn't to argue with me, love. Thor craves fights and war. What he lacks in intelligent he easily makes up in brute strength. As much as it pains me to say it, having Thor on our side is like having the upmost advantage."

"One man cannot defeat two armies!" she snapped, jabbing her hairbrush into his chest.

"Shh, Elsa be rational," Loki said, slightly irritated at how she couldn't see their advantage. "We have a standard army, Thor, you and I. Elsa, even you and I could win this, although I know you are not in favour of freezing everybody to death."

"You and your brother are only going act out of pity for our small kingdom," said Elsa, carefully setting down her hairbrush and meeting his encouraging emerald eyes. "But I'll have to swallow my pride to let you save my people. Thank-you Loki. If I may, I would like to speak with you with your brother about this ordeal."

"Very well," Loki replied, relieved that she finally understood. There was no need to worry. This would add a flare of excitement to their routine lives. If only Elsa wasn't as tense. "You need your rest." He expresses; easily sweeping her off her feet to carry her to her bed.

"You aren't as weak as your brother makes you look," she managed a small smirk as Loki tucked her into bed.

"You think your funny, do you?" he scoffed, his cold, twisted face mere inches away from hers.

"Oh take a compliment, won't you?" Elsa said cheekily as she laced her fingers behind his neck and forced his lips on hers. Loki's eyes budged out in alarm and braced himself on the bed so he wouldn't fall on top of her.

"Not so tired anymore?" he chuckled, delicately lacing his hands through her hair and pulling his lips to hers once more.

XXX

The next afternoon Kristoff and Thor had returned back from their ice trip, and Thor was more than eager to share his experiences during tea. Her praised Kristoff for his ice-cutting talent and boasted about his strength and ability to move huge sheets of ice high-up in the mountains. In typical male fashion, Thor highlighted the fact about how they roughed through the ragged terrain and stayed in a small, cool tent. He was a fantastic storyteller, and immediately drew in his audience of Elsa and Anna. Kristoff had been with Thor the entire time, yet he was smitten by how Thor creatively spoke about their adventure. Loki paced the length of the parlour as he waited for Thor to finish; it was his method of listening to his brother's tale while acting as if he did not care.

"Thor if you manage to finish your tale before sunset, we would be most pleased," Loki grumbled as he sat down and took a dainty sip of his cooled tea.

"Oh Loki! I had a fantastic adventure and am sharing it with you on my behalf to let you gain some of the experience I did," Thor chucked. "Now where was I?"

"You had the wolf in a choke-hold!" Anna exclaimed excitedly, gripping the edge of her seat. Loki rolled his eyes, causing Elsa to smirk and pat his knee in agreement.

Thor loudly clapped his hands together in understand. "Of course. As am I about to twist the wolf's…"

Loki tuned out once more and lace his fingers with Elsa's under the small, round table. She faced him, and he right away saw the fear and anxiousness in her empty, sapphire eyes. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, but it didn't work. It pained him greatly to see her in such turmoil. He didn't want to give her the false, cliché line of "Everything with be fine". He instead decided to whisper, "We'll get through it," and gently pressed his lips onto her knuckles, not letting go of her hand. She gave small nod in response and waited patiently and politely for Thor to finish his story.

"Thor, may I keep you for a moment please?" Elsa asked as the rest of the clan filed out of the room after tea. She had convinced Loki to let her talk to Thor alone. That way there wouldn't be any time for the two very different brothers to get heated on battle tactics.

"Of course!" Thor smiled, pulling out a chair for Elsa and seating her before talking his own. "So? Is it my blessing you ask for?"

Elsa's brow furrowed in confusion. Was that thin mountain air troubling his thoughts? "Pardon me?"

"The blessing to wed my brother! And Queen Elsa, you surely have it. I have never met such a perfect match for my frosty Loki!" Thor gave her a side hug before she quickly pulled away.

"Oh no! I mean, thank you for your blessing, but that is not what I wished to discuss with you. It is a far more serious matter."

"Oh," Thor said, deflated. "My apologises,"

"No, it is not your fault!" Elsa stammered unsurely. "I um, wished to discuss a battle plan with you."

Thor's eyes lit up immediately.

"You see, Prince Hans, a man who had once tried to infiltrate my kingdom by attempting to kill my sister and I and using me as figure to be feared is once again plotting against us. This time he has the full support of his brothers as well as the small kingdom of Weselton. Thor, my small army is not prepared to fight these men, who are scheduled to attack Friday, on the last day of the festival. I need your battle expertise to help me get through it. I will be gratified if you offered even the slightest bit of help. I do apologize greatly; you're on vacation! I-"

"Elsa, love, your apologizes are not required. I'd help you and your kingdom in a heartbeat, I need no further convincing." He gave her a warm smiled and took her hands in his to ease her distress.

"Thank you," she breathed.

"Now, if this Hans man has let slip that he will attack Friday than it means he can attack any day now, Friday is just a distraction. I would say issue a letter or statement to your people to alert them. I would rather they be informed and precautious than carefree and unknowing to a preventable danger. Loki is cunning and manipulative, he'd be the choice to write the statement as he is quite convincing in whatever he has to lobby for. Next, I need to meet with your head guard and get him started in quickly developing your military. Elsa you have nothing to fear, I have yet to lose a battle! Just issue a statement and I'll take care of the rest."

Elsa shut her eyes and gave out a huge sigh of relief. She have Thor's large hands a squeeze and thanked him again and again for his commitment and service. "I'd truly be damned without you," she covered her mouth quickly after cursing. Thor gave her a crooked smile and patted her on the back, although it felt more like thumping.

"Now that you are more at ease, care to enlighten me on your adventure with Loki while we were away?" he asked, raising a brow playfully.

Elsa felt her cheeks flush. "I'm sure your brother can enlighten you with that."

"Right, he could. After all, he's standing just outside the door," Thor laughed as he threw open the door, allowing Loki to tumble in.

"I merely wanted to know how I'd be involved!" snapped Loki, standing beside Elsa. Elsa rolled her eyes and took Loki's arm.

"You'd be informed soon enough, love," she giggled at his stubbornness and pinched his arm.

"Indeed, love," mocked Thor and pinching his brother's other arm. Loki scowled and his usually porcelain white face was slowly turning pink.

"Come, Elsa. I require your assistance in writing the public service announcement." Loki barked, dragging her quickly out of the room, leaving a laughing Thor behind.

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I'm so so so so so so so so sorry this took such a long time! After my exams I was brain-dead and then suffered from writers block but those are terrible excuses. Thank you for your support and eagerness for the story; I'm delighted and honoured that you guys have taken the time to read my work. I love reading your reviews, good or bad, and can't wait for more. Thanks once more, wonderful readers!