Elsa and Olaf slowly made their way back to the castle. The day had been an utter delight for both of them.. They had enjoyed a picnic, with Olaf happily running around with the checkered blanket around his neck, and lying on their backs naming the clouds. A lengthy conversation about the benefits of learning to read had rounded out the day. Now they came in through the small side gate to the courtyard.
As the gate closed behind them they heard the some shouting and the sound of a scuffle. "Oooof. Hey, that's cheating!"
"There is nothing gentlemanly about corps-a-corps. Now, what can you do from … uh ... ah!"
Elsa heard the pained yelp coming from the courtyard and hurried her steps. Her sister came around the corner running toward her. They just missed a collision. Olaf however wasn't as fortunate, and he went flying in three different directions. As the princess picked herself up off the ground, the queen noticed how dirty and disheveled Anna was, even more than usual.
"Anna, are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's just a scratch." She looked over at Elsa conspiratorially, "You should see the other guy."
Fitz rounded the corner in what would have been hot pursuit if she hadn't been limping. "There you are, you little ..."
"Hey, hey … you said there was nothing gentlemanly …"
"Right," Fitz growled, taking another step forward.
Afraid she might be about to lose one of them, Elsa interposed herself between her lover and her sister. "Problem?"
"Nothing that a little regicide won't fix."
"Um, that's me. So let's not get too hasty here."
"Yes," parroted Anna, grinning like a maniac, "PRINCESSCIDE carries the same penalty, so let's not get too hasty just because it was your butt that hit the dirt for once!"
"OK," Fitz said straightening herself up. "I'm fine. It's all under control. I'm under control."
"So what happened?" Elsa asked.
"I surprised Admiral Slowpo... ahhh!"
Fitz grabbed Anna and threw her over her shoulder, using her left hand to keep Anna's kicking legs from hitting her in the face. Over the princess' indignant yells, she said "Your sister has a hell of a right, did you know that?"
"I actually did." Elsa answered.
Olaf meanwhile had gotten back up, found his butt with both hands, and reassembled himself. He ran over to the three of them. "Hey, that looks like fun. Can I play too?"
"You're next," Fitz grinned at the snowman as she walked back toward the training area, still carrying Anna, still favoring her right leg. Talking to Elsa she added, "We kicked it up a notch today. Anna did really well. I think she tapped into some … hidden resource of power."
Anna grunted as she continued to struggle, pounding on Fitz's back. "Put me down!"
"As you wish, your Highness," Fitz replied and flipped her forward, dumping her into a water barrel.
"Assault on a Princess is a ..."
Fitz silenced the accusation by pushing the sputtering Anna's head back under the water. Then she looked at Olaf, "Your turn."
Olaf let out a giddy "Wheee!" of glee as Fitz picked him up and threw him on top of Anna. His flurry kept him from melting but he still cooled down the water quickly.
"Ah, cold, cold, cold, cold!" Anna yelped as she pushed her way past Olaf and out of the barrel.
"Well, that certainly looks like fun," Elsa said as she backed away from where the rough housing continued. Fitz turned and gave her a wolfish smile. "Now, now … you children can play until dinner, but I have …."
Fitz charged. Elsa scurried backwards like a surefooted snow-gazelle in heels, and let loose with a blast of magic.
"Oh … you ..." Fitz found herself frozen to the spot. "Now that's really unfair."
"All's fair in love and war," Elsa replied blowing Fitz a kiss. "Come on, Olaf," she beckoned the snowman after her.
"Are we gonna leave Fitz frozen like that?" Olaf asked as they started in through the doors. Anna followed behind wringing out her shirt.
"Hmmm," Elsa looked thoughtful. "You go inside with Anna, OK. I'll be right in."
Fitz was standing, still frozen in place, although her eyes managed to convey all the displeasure of crossed arms and a turned back.
"So, I hear love thaws," Elsa said as she got close to Fitz.
"Well if that's what you're waiting for, it could be a long night."
Elsa let out a peal of ringing laughter, "Oh, I do not believe that you're going to try that game with me, of all people. Particularly since you are the one needing thawing! Or are you really looking to spend the night in the courtyard?" Elsa raised her eyebrows and smirked.
"In that case," Fitz rolled her eyes. "All is forgiven. Please thaw me."
Elsa snapped her fingers and the frost embedded in Fitz's clothing and the ice around her boots disappeared. She stumbled forward a step, and Elsa caught her. "So speaking of ice and snow," Elsa said, once she was upright, "Olaf would like to you to meet Marshmallow. I thought we could all go to see him after you get cleaned up."
"Olaf asked?"
"Yes, it was his idea, not mine." Elsa smiled. "I think he's making an effort in the 'Fitz is special to Elsa' department."
Fitz nodded as she thought about that, "Well, then I guess I had better go, right?"
"Right," Elsa agreed. "I'll see about bringing something for dinner. And … ummm … you're going to want to dress warmly."
"Warmly," Fitz asked, "How warmly?"
"Very," Elsa answered. "Or least bring something warm for when you get up there. It's snow covered all year around, even without my help."
"Where exactly are we going?" Fitz asked.
Elsa took a breath, her smiled turned tight and tentative. "The North Mountain."
A/N: Yes this is extraordinarily short. But I decided to put the second half in the next story. I think it will fit better there since there is a distinct mood change.
SSN