CHAPTER 15

Princess Anna raced up the stairs of Arendelle castle, eager to tell her sister all about her journey into the city. She considered changing out of the now-dirty riding breeches that she was adorned in and stepped into her bedchambers to find some new clothes. Before she could actually clean herself up, she remembered her last interaction with Elsa; the way the Queen looked at her, the flustered look on her face, the way she kissed her. She ultimately decided to keep the outfit on with the hopes of eliciting the same reaction as before.

Anna left her room and headed back towards the library, where the Queen was undoubtedly still hard at work. The woman approached the large, wooden door and reached out to grab the handle. She wrapped her hand around the doorknob and immediately felt a stabbing pain in her hand.

"Ahh!" she cried out as she recoiled her hand. Anna heard hissing from where her hand had just been and saw steam rising off of the metal.

"It's frozen..." she said, rubbing her hand in an attempt to warm it up. Anna rapped her knuckles against the door.

"Elsa? Are you alright?" she asked out loud. "The door handle is frozen! I can't get in!"

Suddenly, the door swung open and a gust of cold air burst through the open portal. Elsa stood in the doorway, eyes laced with panic. Upon seeing Anna, the Queen let out a large sigh of relief and threw her arms around her younger sister.

"Anna, thank the gods you're alright!" Elsa said as she embraced the Princess.

"Yeah, I'm fine Elsa." Anna replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I just... I had a bad feeling." Elsa answered, covering up the real cause of her nervousness. "I felt like something bad had happened."

"Well I assure you, I'm fine." Anna said as she took a step away from the Queen. She put her arms out to the side and spun around to show her sister that she was uninjured. "See?"

Elsa's only response was to embrace the Princess again and kiss her lovingly on the lips. After breaking the contact, Anna looked into the library to see that it was coated in ice.

"Is that why the library is frozen?" she asked. "Because you were worried about me?"

Elsa raised an eyebrow questioningly before turning to look back into the room. Her other brow raised in shock and she began to will away the ice.

"Um, it would appear that way, yes." Elsa responded with embarrassment as the ice evaporated and the temperature began to rise. She turned back to face Anna and took note of the woman's condition.

Her hair was mussed up, her clothes were ruffled, and her face and hands were caked with dirt and sweat. Elsa's eyes wandered up and down her body as she took in the sight. Anna's disheveled appearance made her look ruggedly handsome, and Elsa was losing the struggle to keep her desires in check. She thought about their previous encounter in the library, particularly the way Anna had stretched so enticingly. The arousal she felt from before was back in full force. With a seductive look, she placed a hand on Anna's chest.

"I seem to be unable to control myself when it comes to you." Elsa said, her voice dripping with lust. Anna missed the innuendo, however, and began to speak.

"Elsa, I have to tell you all about-" An intense kiss cut her sentence short. Once Anna realized what was happening, she let out a small moan and leaned into the contact. A few seconds later it was over, and Elsa moved back from her, placing a single finger over the lips that her own were just occupying.

"Later." she said in what Anna believed to be the most authoritative tone that the Queen had ever spoken with.

"For now, come with me. I have need of you."

Elsa turned and walked regally down the hallway towards her bedchambers, leaving a stunned Anna behind. Once the Princess's mind caught up with her, she immediately ran after her sister. She would have to talk to Elsa about what made her so nervous, but that could wait.

For now, her Queen needed her, and that trumped all else.

An hour later, a panting Queen Elsa laid on top of the covers of her bed. A sheen of sweat covered her nude figure and her body was still tingling from her sister's touch. She turned her head and saw that Anna's place in bed was vacant, though the warmth from Anna's body still radiated from the sheets. Elsa turned over again and found her sister leaning against the large, triangular window frame and gazing out into the night. Elsa pushed herself further back on the bed until she was sitting against the headboard. The noise of her shuffling caused Anna to turn towards her, and Elsa gasped lightly when their eyes met.

The Princess was still nude, save for her riding jacket, which was kept on at Elsa's request. Her wavy auburn hair was elegantly draped over her shoulders and breasts, covering them while leaving just enough exposed to set Elsa alight. The way the moonlight reflected off of her porcelain skin made her appear to be glowing. The Queen's breath hitched and Anna began to look concerned.

"Is everything alright, Elsa?" the Princess asked. Elsa smiled.

"Of course, my love." the Queen answered. "I was just trying to determine how it is that anyone could be as beautiful as you are."

Anna rolled her eyes and dismissed the compliment with a wave. She could feel her cheeks heating up as they became a deep shade of red. The Princess walked over to her lover and climbed onto the bed before positioning herself so she was straddling the Queen. She cupped her older sisters cheeks in her hands and pushed her warms lips against Elsa's perpetually-cool ones. Elsa let out a small moan and placed her own hands on top of Anna's. Before long, Anna pulled away.

"Thank you, darling," she said with a smile. "but you are much more beautiful than I could ever be, by far." It was Elsa's turn to blush as her younger sister kissed her again.

"Did I do well by you tonight, Your Majesty?" Anna asked, using Elsa's official title as she so often did in the bedroom.

"Mmm, yes." Elsa answered with a seductive grin as she straightened the lapels of Anna's coat. "You did very well."

"Anything for you, Your Majesty." Anna placed a kiss on Elsa's hand before jumping back excitedly. "Now let me tell you about what Mattias and I did tonight!"

"Okay, okay!" Elsa replied with a chuckle. "You have my full attention."

Anna took a deep breath and began to explain the happenings of the evening.

"So we went into the town and Mattias had this really weird hood-thing on and all these weapons and we climbed a building and ran across the roof and Mattias actually jumped over an alley from one roof to the next and I actually did it too and we landed on a-"

"Wait, stop." Elsa interjected. "You jumped from one building to another?"

"Yup."

"Over an alley?"

"Yes."

"Are you crazy?" Elsa cried. "You could have been killed!"

"That's what I said!" Anna replied. "I told Mattias he was insane but then he said I should do it and I did and it actually ended up being really fun!"

"Ugh, alright." Elsa said as she put a hand over her forehead. "Then what?"

"Well, then we were on top of 'The Golden Crocus' and Mattias said we would here stuff that the people thought about us so we sat on the edge of the roof and listened to the people that came out, and Kristoff was there! He was with some people, and a sailor in the Navy, and they were talking about us! They said that we were pretty and Kristoff said you were really nice and they were all glad that you were nice and they think you're beautiful like Freyja and- MMPH!"

"Anna, slow down!" Elsa said, putting a hand over her sister's mouth. "Take a breath, please!" Anna was notorious for her rambling, and Elsa was afraid that if she didn't stop her, she would suffocate. Anna ripped the hand from her face and smiled at Elsa before grabbing the Queen's cheeks.

"Elsa, they like us!" the Princess said excitedly. "They think you're a good queen and you're doing a good job and they're happy!"

"Anna, that's..."

Elsa didn't know what it was. The news made her happy, and a sense of relief that she didn't know she needed washed over her. She had always worried that people were afraid of her, especially after Viggo had told her that there were murmurs of discontent among the populous. That was months ago, however; maybe the holdouts were finally warming up to her.

"That's really good to hear, actually." Elsa finally replied. Anna squealed with delight.

"I know, right?" she said. "I was so nervous that people didn't like us, especially after Mattias told me that the people in Ørnhavn might not want to have a king anymore, and that Aleksander was afraid of-"

"Wait, what did you say?" Elsa asked, once again cutting the Princess off mid-sentence.

"Mattias told me that his brother was afraid that his people might revolt; that they may want a new government." Anna replied.

Elsa was perplexed. Surely Viggo would have known if there were talks of revolution in Ørnhavn, and he most certainly would tell her immediately. 'Maybe this has something to do with his dead agent.' she thought. She would have to discuss this with him when he returned from the Southern Isles.

"That's unfortunate news," Elsa said to her sister. "but it's good to hear that our subjects are happy."

"Yup." Anna nodded. "Mattias and I are going to go into town again two nights from now. Hopefully we can learn more."

"Alright," Elsa said. "but no more jumping over alleyways."

"But Elsaaa," Anna frowned at her older sister. "It was fuuuun!"

"I don't care. It's too dangerous." Elsa said. "As the Queen, I order you to not do it anymore."

"You know Elsa, I'm royal too." Anna said smugly. "That doesn't work on me."

"I know, I know." Elsa chuckled. "I figured it was worth a shot. Besides, you're an adult; you can do whatever you please."

"That's right, I am!" Anna said, crossing her arms and smiling triumphantly.

"Just promise me you won't get hurt," Elsa said through her laughter. "and that you'll be careful."

Elsa moved herself off of the headboard and back down into a lying position and motioned for Anna to join her. Anna removed her riding jacket and flung it across the room before laying down next to her sister.

"I can do that." Anna finally answered. She then placed a kiss on Elsa's temple before she nuzzled her head into her shoulder. Anna draped an arm over the Queen's chest and snuggled as close to her as possible.

On the surface, Elsa seemed happy. She let out a contented sigh and wrapped an arm around her sister. In her head however, she was still concerned about what Anna had told her about Ørnhavn. She decided that she needed to speak to Mattias about it. The only problem was that she was busy ruling the country, and he seemed to constantly be training with the guards. She quickly came up with a plan to ensure they would both be in the same place for a good amount of time.

"We should all have dinner together tomorrow." she said to Anna. "You, me, and Mattias."

"That sounds like a great idea!" Anna replied excitedly.

"I think so." Elsa said. "You can even invite Kristoff if you'd like, but no Sven."

"You're still mad about the pudding thing, huh?" Anna replied.

"Not me," said Elsa. "the maids. They were cleaning that rug for a week."

"I see." said the Princess. "I'll talk to Kristoff in the morning. For now, let's get some sleep. It's been a tiring day."

"Yes it has." Elsa said. "Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight, Elsa."

Queen Elsa sat at the head of the large table, flanked by Princess Anna and Prince Mattias. Kristoff was absent, as he apparently left for an ice gathering trip earlier in the day and was not due back until the next morning. Elsa was secretly glad that he wasn't there, happy to avoid the discomfort from knowing that she was the reason that Anna had left him.

Now, the Queen sat and quietly observed the Prince, lazily swirling the wine in her glass. Mattias was managing to maintain his princely civility while inhaling his portion of roasted duck. Elsa chuckled as she watched him finish his serving before shoveling more duck onto his plate and drowning it in lingonberry sauce. She noticed that Anna had stopped eating in order to watch the Prince, seemingly shocked by the simultaneously ravenous and well-mannered display.

"Hungry, aren't we?" Elsa asked the man, breaking the silence. Mattias looked up from his plate and swallowed the morsel in his mouth.

"Very." he replied. "I was practicing my sword fighting with the guards all day. It really builds up the appetite."

"I see." the Queen responded. Elsa had seen the Prince sparring with the guards earlier in the day. He moved with a fluid grace, wielding a sword in each hand, as he parried strike after strike from multiple guards before lashing out against them with his own weapons. She had to admit; it was an impressive display.

"Mhmm." Mattias hummed as he chewed another piece of duck. "It's a lot of fun, too. Maybe you'd like to try it some time?"

"Me?"

Mattias nodded.

"Oh, no no no." Elsa replied, nodding her head fervently. "I don't think that sword fighting is the best thing for a Queen to be doing. Besides, I'm much too busy." Mattias shrugged.

"If you say so." he said, and turned towards the Princess. "Would you like to try it Anna?

Anna remained silent for another moment, finally realizing her name had been spoken.

"What? Oh, um... I'm not so sure..." she said as her eyes darted back and forth between the Prince and her older sister.

"I promise that it's fun." Mattias added. "Plus, it wouldn't hurt to learn how to defend yourself."

Anna locked eyes with Elsa, hoping to find some guidance in the pools of ice. Elsa merely shrugged and took a sip of her wine.

"I suppose you're right." Anna said. "I could use a self-defense lesson, especially after that business with Hans. Plus, judging by how hungry you are, it seems to be a good workout."

Mattias nodded in affirmation.

"Alright, why not?" Anna exclaimed. "I'll give it a try."

"Splendid!" Mattias cried. "You can join me tomorrow! We can't practice with the guards, though; they'll be too soft on you. So I'll give you a private lesson."

"That sounds excellent." Anna replied with a smile.

Elsa was glad to see everyone getting along, but she had to discuss King Aleksander's concerns about his citizens with the Prince. With a wave of her hand, the servants lining the walls quietly exited the room. When the last door closed, the Queen leaned in towards Mattias.

"Now then," she began. "Anna tells me that your brother is concerned that there will be a revolt in Ørnhavn."

Mattias frowned and nodded his head.

"He is." the Prince replied. "However, his concern could be considered nothing more than paranoia. Our people have been considering dismantling the monarchy for decades. As of yet, nothing has come of it."

"If it is just talk, as you say, why is he so nervous?" Elsa asked.

Mattias sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not entirely sure." he answered. "I haven't heard of anything happening amongst our citizens, save for the occasional political debate or rowdy conversation in the taverns. Perhaps it has something to do with the recent troubles with Weselton and the Southern Isles."

"This is just speculation, of course." the Prince continued. "I really cannot speak for my brother's state of mind, nor can I confirm his reasoning."

"Of course." Elsa retorted. "Do you believe that your people will revolt?"

"I do not." Mattias answered immediately. "At least, there is nothing to make me believe otherwise."

Elsa nodded. The fact that her best spy was seemingly unaware of this situation made her very uneasy. Obviously Mattias knew his own kingdom better than anyone else possibly could, but Viggo was an artist, and information gathering was his medium. He should know something.

"Well, I believe that's enough business for one night." Elsa said, shifting the conversation back to a more casual one.

"I agree." Mattias said as he refilled his glass from a bottle of wine on the table. "All this talk of revolution has made me thirsty."

He finished filling his glass and gestured the bottle towards the Queen.

"Yes, please." Elsa said and held out her glass. To her left, Anna nodded and offered her glass as well. Mattias filled both of the sisters' glasses before putting down the bottle and taking a healthy swig from his own.

"So Mattias," Elsa began. "what possessed you to make the Princess of Arendelle jump over an alleyway?"

PFFT!

Mattias coughed at the question, sending wine flying out of his mouth and across the table. Anna broke out into a fit of laughter and Elsa chuckled as the Prince tried to regain his composure. He finally managed to reign in his choking and blotted his face with a napkin. He looked up to see the two sisters laughing at his expense and a wide smile formed on his face. He too began to laugh aloud at the situation.

As the trio laughed together, Elsa took a moment to appreciate what was happening. For the time being, there was nothing to worry about; no politics, no economics, no revolutions or spies or even betrothals. It was just three old friends enjoying each others company.

'I wish things could always be like this.' she thought. The Queen relaxed into her chair and let out a contented sigh as they continued laughing.

A/N

Hiya folks. Here's another chapter. For reading. Yup.

I'd like to take a moment to bid a fond farewell to "Stolen Ice" by the insanely talented Aesla. The epilogue came out yesterday and god damn, was it satisfying.

Also, I reread my story from the beginning the other night and realized a lot of it may come across as pointless filler, so allow me to address that. Pretty much everything will be relevant at some point, even the fluffy ice castle chapter. You'll see.

Stick around ladies and gents. Either chapter 16 or 17 is gonna get violent. I haven't decided whether or not to split it up yet. But it's gonna be good :D

Your pal,

-Cosmic