Sorry for the wait, all. I hope you like it, or at least find it worth reading if you're bored. :P Reviews are appreciated! :)

In the gallery, Anna looked up at Joan of Arc and let out a deep sigh. She hadn't been in here since the day before Elsa's coronation, and although she'd tried to talk to paintings less frequently as she got older, the gallery had remained one of her favourite haunts. Maybe that will change, now, she hoped, with Elsa speaking to me again and the gates being open. I can go outside, make more friends! Anna had come back to Joan because she was worried about Elsa. Her sister had been silent and jumpy since the attempt on her life a few days prior, and Anna really wanted to ask her - again - if she would be okay. Just then, however, Elsa was in a meeting that had started before Anna woke up, and besides, would talking to Elsa actually help? Elsa might just tell her not to worry.

The door cracked open, slowly and then flinging wide as two maids wheeling a cart full of cleaning supplies backed in. One of the maids, Anna realized, was Gerda, her and Elsa's former nanny. "Your Highness!" Gerda exclaimed fondly when she saw her. "You're back to visit your favourites, I see?"

"I, um, yes…. Hey… Gerda?"

"What is it, dearie?" The matronly woman tottered over to Joan and Anna, nearly halfway down the gallery, leaving the other maid behind to begin dusting.

"Can I - can I ask? - ugh." Anna huffed, frustrated. Swirling colours of thought and worries like birds took flight in her mind, twisting around until words were woven in a cage far from her tongue. For her part, Gerda began looking the slightest bit worried; for Anna to be tongue-tied was all but unheard-of. Gently, Gerda lay a hand on Anna's arm. "It's Elsa," the princess disclosed at last. At Gerda's knowing look, she carried on, "She's still so upset. She got scared after that man tried to kill her, and I mean, who wouldn't be? But, well, she was really upset. Really upset. She was… she said she was ashamed of herself. I tried to talk to her, I mean, she seemed to feel better when we were talking, the other night, but, I don't know, I was just trying to say the right thing, and make her feel better but I just - I don't - Why was she ashamed of herself? I just don't understand. And now I don't know if she's okay. Okay, maybe she's fine. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of this when really she just needs some time. I - "

Gerda raised an eyebrow, squeezing Anna's arm slightly, and Anna stilled her tongue. She must have been rambling again. What else was new? When the princess was quiet, Gerda began softly, "Anna, your sister has always had high expectations o' herself. It comes from being raised to rule a kingdom, I expect, and likely from being the elder, and also from bein' Elsa. She's strained so hard to be perfect, well, and it's fogged up her thoughts a bit. She don't see anything strange about expecting herself to be unfazed by some'n trying to kill her. She's the queen, after all. She thinks she should be able to do anything. Not out of pride, mind you, but out of responsibility. Now, we who knew 'bout her power, we warn't supposed to say anythin' about it, or hear anything of it either, but from what I gathered, she got herself convinced that when she was 'good enough' to keep all of the ice inside her, she could see you again. And she was fiercely afraid of hurting you."

"But that's all over now," Anna interrupted. "It's not - "

"Yes, dearie," Gerda rejoined, "but thirteen years is a long time. It won't change overnight." Anna felt her shoulders slump ever so slightly. Hadn't she said that to Elsa herself? Gerda continued, "Elsa's still afraid, and when she isn't all that she expects herself to be she beats herself up for it. You just gotta show her ye love her, 'cause even though she knows it there'll be times she needs to feel it. One day, she'll start treatin' herself better because you do, an' then she'll forgive herself all the mistakes she thinks she's making."

Anna nodded, still clearly downcast. "This is gonna take a long time, isn't it?"

"I expect so, dearie. But then - Elsa's come so far in just a week, in no small part thanks to you. She wouldn't even leave her rooms less than two weeks ago. Take heart, Anna dear. There it is!" she crowed, grinning, seeing Anna's dismal look replaced by stubborn determination. "You and Elsa will both be fine, love, you'll see. Ye love each other too much to not pull through!"

"Thank you, Gerda! I don't know what I'll do, but I'll make this right somehow! I'll convince her not to be afraid, or ashamed, and I'll… I'll…"

Gerda chuckled. "Just keep being yourself, Princess! Your lovin' self will help her along, but ultimately, Elsa's gonna need to step up on this one for herself. Now, I'll let you get back to Joan here - this castle doesn't clean itself!" Anna smiled and embraced Gerda warmly.

"Thanks, Gerda - again. I think I'll go see if my sister's out of that stupid meeting yet!"

"You know, ye might have to attend some of those stupid meetings yourself someday soon!" the former nanny yelled to the open door, through which the princess had fairly flown seconds earlier. Chortling to herself, Gerda walked back to the cart and picked up a duster.

The Royal Council sat waiting around a long rectangular table, nine men and two women glancing around the room at each other, each unsure what to expect. Lord Sundri bit his lip, shifting his gaze swiftly around the room, trying to assess what his colleagues were feeling. Lord Domnall waited patiently, sighing every now and then and cleaning his glasses. In the seat farthest from the head of the table, Daniel, the youngest, was practically vibrating in his seat, eyes gleaming and foot tapping as he glanced between his fellow council members and the far door. Only the two women, Lady Katarina and Lady Alana (along with the grey-haired Domnall), were able to keep their expressions completely neutral. If they were nervous to have the council joined by the queen for the first official time, they didn't show it.

Suddenly the door opened, and Queen Elsa swept in, her head held high and her back straight in perfect posture. For the first time since the Great Thaw, she had once again donned her ice dress. With precise strides, as if utterly self-assured, even cocky, the young woman stepped in front of her throne, pausing for a moment to recognize the Lords and Ladies who had all risen to their feet in deference. "Please be seated," she ordered quietly, and she sat as well when they obeyed.

Despite her poise, the queen was inwardly timid. Elsa had no idea what to expect. She knew she needed to take authority here - not that she thought anyone would disobey her, exactly, but the Council had become very used to making decisions on its own in the last three years. Other than that, she was at a bit of a loss. I've prepared for this my whole life, she reminded herself. Hours and hours of training every day. I can make good decisions. These people are here to help me. However, appearing before people was still hard. Believing they didn't see her as a monster was harder. Elsa focused intently on the task at hand, trying to ignore her old, persistent fears.

"I understand that the messengers sent to determine what damages my winter may have caused have returned," Elsa began, meeting her council members' eyes. "Will someone give me the official report?"

A second of silence followed, broken by Lady Alana softly clearing her throat. "It seems that most structures have survived the storms intact with minimal damage; agriculture has suffered severely, with a large percent of Arendelle's crops and citizen's vegetable gardens dying. Nearly two dozen citizens were unaccounted for when our couriers passed through their towns; their jobs required them to travel further afield than others, and as a result they would have had to seek shelter wherever they were when the storm hit. Arendelle will not suffer excessively on the financial front," here she glanced at Lord Klemet, who was the royal treasurer, "seeing as most of the damage was done to crops and the majority of our wealth comes from the mines, which have reopened already, and our trade."

Elsa nodded. "Thank you." She hesitated, biting the inside of her lip, then asked, "Does anyone… does anyone know whether the missing people were likely to have found shelter? Or are there any casualties to report?"

Another uncomfortable silence ensued, during which the council members glanced at each other or stared fixedly at the table. Lord Domnall, who had unofficially led the council in the absence of a monarch, realized he would have to answer. "There haven't been any casualties that we know of, Your Majesty. Arendellian houses are built to keep out the cold, even… unexpected cold. As for the missing people… We can send couriers out again, if you wish it, to see if any of those missing have returned, and send search parties out if they haven't."

"I do wish it."

"Then young Daniel will see to it as soon as this meeting is over." He pointed his chin toward the young man, and Daniel nodded enthusiastically in response.

"Thank you," Elsa said again. She paused. Now what?

As she was deliberating about which topic to broach next, Elsa found her thoughts interrupted by Lord Domnall. "Your Majesty, if I may," he asked, "what has been done to ensure your protection? Are there more guards in place? Will you arrange for a personal guard to escort you?"

Relieved that this was a question she could answer, Elsa told him, "Extra guards have been stationed in the courtyards and in the castle gates and doors. The rest of the castle will be guarded much the same as it has been since my return, seeing as it is already more heavily guarded than usual. As for a personal guard to follow me… if I leave the castle, I will take a guard, but I deem it unnecessary to have one within the castle." Kai had recently tried to suggest that she have a guard with her at all times, but he seemed halfhearted, as if he knew how unlikely Elsa was to accept the suggestion.

Lord Domnall pinched his lips together but said nothing. Everyone on the Council knew about the positioning of the guards as soon as it happened. He had simply hoped the queen had changed her mind about not having a guard assigned to her personally.

Elsa had made up her mind to ask about the general mood of the people of Arendelle, but before she spoke, Lord Sundri broke his sullen quiet to raise an issue.

"There is another problem, Queen Elsa," he rasped in a nasally voice. "Your crown. A proper monarch must of course wear a crown, and when we heard from your steward that your crown had been left on the mountain, we sent trustworthy men to retrieve it. Now imagine the predicament they faced when, not only did they have to face a giant, vicious snow monster," spittle flew from his lips, "but they found that the creature was wearing the crown! Needless to say, they weren't able to retrieve it. As it would be disgraceful to lose the historical symbol of your family's authority, another effort must be made to retrieve it." He clamped his lips down on a derisive sneer, skeptical about getting the crown back without a spectacle.

Heat rose to Elsa's cheeks, though she kept her eyes locked on Lord Sundri's. Proper monarch. Authority. The words came amplified into her mind. The things I threw away up there. Flustered, she nevertheless managed to keep her voice from pitching noticeably as she answered. "Thank you, Lord Sundri, for bringing this to my attention. I suppose I may have to visit the North Mountain again myself."

"And leave your people?" Sundri retorted. "I should hardly advise - "

"Are you directly contradicting your queen, and in such a contumelious tone?" Domnall admonished, glaring fiercely from under his heavy grey brows. "Is that how you address your superiors?"

Sundri glared back. Shifting his gaze back to Elsa, he continued in a slightly more respectful tone, "I was only saying… Your Majesty… that to return to the North Mountain would make it seem as if you were avoiding your duty." The 'again' remained unspoken. "It seems unwise."

Elsa felt a part of herself hunch up and try to shrink away into invisibility. Her feelings notwithstanding, she knew that part of being a ruler was that you always needed to look authoritative, inspiring confidence and hiding weakness. So she carefully forced her face to become a mask and stilled her hands lest they betray her inner distress. Don't make ice, she told herself, resting her arms on her chair so as to conceal them beneath the table. "I will consider this further and choose a course of action. Thank you for your concerns." Avoiding my duty. I'm so weak. Stop, don't feel! Look strong! "Now, I want to discuss with all of you what the people of Arendelle are saying now that my secret's been out for just over a week. How do they feel about having a… sorceress… as a queen?"

The council members glanced at each other yet again, and once more Domnall took the lead. "All told, your Majesty, the people seem to be reacting very well. Some of the nobility seem to be uneasy, as they aren't sure what to make of you… your ability, and the same goes for the merchants, but the general populace, the commoners, seem to have accepted you already."

Elsa found this hard to believe, and it must have shown on her face. "The peasants are really very down-to-earth folk in this kingdom," Lady Alana added quickly, leaning forward. "Well, in some ways," she amended. "They care about what happens day-to-day with them. Your magic hadn't hurt them in the years when you were the queen-to-be, with what authority you had at the time, and even with the freeze, by their standards, you have made up for any harm you've done. Dispensing living wages for the days people were unable to work was a nice touch," she observed, "and in the case of the peasantry it earned their loyalty. Continuing to open the Great Hall of the castle for the first couple days after the thaw and distributing necessities was also helpful. Besides that, the commoners are also more likely to accept you because, despite their practicality, they are generally enamoured with folklore. They traditionally believe in magic, in legends. So to have a queen with the ability to create a skating rink in five seconds flat doesn't alarm them as much as you might think - it excites them in equal measure!"

Well, she's sounding quite reasonable with this. Very straightforward, simple… Elsa nodded, leaning back in her chair. But there was still something troubling her. "You keep talking about the peasant folk. What about the others?"

Lady Alana lost some of her eagerness. Still, she gazed at Elsa steadily, hands flat on the table as she leaned in. "The nobility have less… fundamental affairs to busy their minds, and so their imaginations have more room to play, which can make them fearful. So far, the majority seem undecided as to how they feel about you now that your secret is out, but they aren't hostile, and I think with the right actions on our part they'll come around. Same for the merchants. If we show them that you being magic won't interfere with their profits, they'll be content."

"I've heard that 'people aren't against you; they're for themselves," Daniel piped up, only to shrink before the dour glances and raised eyebrows of his elders.

Although far from everyone's scrutiny, a nervous half-smile twitched on Elsa's lips. Evidently her council wasn't much for amicable chatter. Although Alana manages to stuff so many words into one breath that she could give Anna a run for her money! she thought. This brought on an actual smile. Clearing her throat to get everyone's attention, she said, "Thank you, Lady Alana, for your astute observations." Remembering that Alana had mentioned agriculture as the main victim of her winter, she continued, "I want to know what the castle has stored up by way of grains and vegetables, and what we can expect along those lines from our trading partners. I want what items we already have dispensed throughout the kingdom as necessary. If we need to arrange for more to be imported to make sure my subjects are getting enough to eat, we will do so. So. Who can tell me about our trade…?"

The ensuing discussion went on for what seemed an interminable amount of time, as everyone quarrelled and quibbled and squabbled about who offered the most beneficial trades and how much extra would be needed, etc, etc.

Gerda carefully returned the brooms, mops, buckets, and feather dusters to the supply closet, putting each item exactly in its place. When everything was finally arranged to her satisfaction, she pushed the cart in and closed the door. With a grunt, she pressed her hands into her hips and arched her back, stretching the kinks out of it that had accumulated over the long day. She has happy to serve the royal family, heaven knew she had simply doted on the girls as their nanny (with a firm hand for discipline, of course!), and her fondness had remained strong in the intervening years; but oh!, wouldn't it be nice when more maids were hired and she could give her overused arms and back a break! The shadows were growing long, but Gerda wasn't quite ready to retire for the evening, so instead of heading upstairs to the servant's quarters she made her way to the kitchens and the small room beyond, where the castle staff could sit and chatter idly when they had a break from duty. Kai, she knew, would likely be there as well, having a quick cup of tea before making a final evening round of the castle to make sure everything was as it should be. He worked, she thought, harder than anyone at the castle, perhaps excepting Elsa.

Circumnavigating the always-busy kitchen staff, Gerda opened the plain brown door to the staff room and was pleased to see that Kai was indeed there, reclining in a green armchair, though one could hardly say he looked relaxed. His flickering eyes and knit brows told Gerda that he was already mapping out what the rest of his evening would look like, cataloguing every detail before it began. Settling into a comfortable chair across from him, Gerda reached out for the teapot on a nearby table and poured herself a cup. It was still nearly hot; it would do, and she waited for a moment in companionable silence before breaking Kai's concentration.

"Ahem." Kai started, glancing at Gerda as if faintly surprised to see her. One corner of her mouth twitching into a smirk, she said amicably, "How've you been, Kai? Rather busy since the coronation, I shouldn't wonder, but tell me how you're holding up."

Kai chuckled. "Oh Gerda. You know that the busier life gets, the happier I am, though I'll drive myself and everyone else crazy with my micromanaging."

"Aye, that you do," she laughed. After a few more such pleasant comments, they lapsed into an easy silence. Remembering her chat with Anna that morning, Gerda asked, "Kai, how has our Elsa been doing? You've seen her more than I have, I reckon, and, well, a lot has happened. That blasted archer…" Shuddering, Gerda stopped short. "Well. She's had quite a scare, an' I want to know how you think she's pulling through."

Kai took a long drink from his tea and swallowed slowly before carefully answering, "Well… she's doing as well as could be expected, I think. The shock hit her hard the night of and day after, which is why I wouldn't allow the Royal Council to convene right away. She stayed in her rooms refusing to see anybody, except Princess Anna, and even she was only in Queen Elsa's rooms for a few minutes at a time. She… hasn't talked about it much, to my knowledge, in the couple days since. She seems to be acting like everything is normal - well, as much as it could be when the country needs an answer for the sudden winter and revelation of her magic. To be honest, I just assumed that that's how it would have to be - holding it together until she really becomes fine." Gerda watched his eyebrows draw together. "Was I wrong to assume that?"

Now it was Gerda who considered before answering. "No… not necessarily. I think you're missing a few puzzle pieces, though. She ain't only dealing with fear, our queen, or not just fear from being shot at, at any rate, you see? I don't think 'becoming fine' is something she'll let herself do."

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

"Well, healing requires some degree of acceptance… and that's a thing Elsa has a hard go at. Accepting someone shot at her? Maybe over time, but can she accept herself? She's hurting, Kai."

Kai slumped, his gaze turned inward. He sighed. "I know, Gerda. I hope… I hope we can be there for her. She hasn't had an easy life."

Gerda nodded smartly, as if something had been decided. "Well," she said. "You leave that to me right now; you've been running this castle all by yourself in recent years. I'll go shake some self-acceptance into our queen if I have to." Kai chuckled, beginning to protest her blanket statement, but the efficacious woman was already bustling out the door.

Gerda hastened to the queen's bedchamber and knocked on the door. It was quite late now, past sunset, though the sky was still light with the long sun of summer. When she received no answer, the maid knocked again, waited a moment, then sighed and turned to continue down the hall.

"Gerda?"

"Your Majesty! Elsa, dear. I was just looking for you."

"I could tell," Elsa answered mildly, quickly approaching from the hallway down which Gerda had just come. A small smile softened her face. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually… Elsa - I suppose I may call you that, still?"

"Of course!"

"Well then, to be frank, I was wondering if I could do something for you, dear. You see… Anna…" She trailed off, stumped as to how to continue.

"Is something wrong with Anna?" Elsa demanded sharply, leaning forward, sudden concern etched across her features.

"No! No, 'tisn't that, Your Majesty. We were… talking about you, earlier, Elsa, and I just want to make sure you're all right. I've known ye since ye were a young lass, dearie, and I know you're always hard on yourself. Just… just try to go easy on yourself, dear. You're still new to this queen thing. And jus' know, I'm here for you, dearie, and so is Anna, and Kai even. You can talk to us. You don't have to do it all alone anymore, and I'm sorry that I let it get this far. I should've stepped up, after yer parents died, made sure you were looked after. I'm sorry, Elsa." Gerda's voice broke suddenly, surprising her. "Och, lass! I've come to comfort you, and I've turned into a weeping mess meself! Forgive me!"

Tearing up, Elsa tentatively reached out to the woman, resting one hand and them the other on each of her arms, before scrapping any restraint and clutching Gerda tightly in a mutual embrace. Elsa wept hot tears onto her shoulder as the older woman patted her back, murmuring, "There now, lass. There now. Don't forget about your friends, hey?" Warmth surrounded and blanketed the Snow Queen, her ice dress becoming unnaturally warm, although Gerda was startled by how cold the young woman's clothes were. Drawing back after a moment, Gerda looked guilelessly into Elsa's eyes, and said, "Again, my queen, child, I ask you: Is there anythin' at all I can do for ye?"

Wiping her eyes, Elsa shook her head and shrugged loosely. "I don't know what anyone can do for me," she whispered. "I don't know how to help myself."

"That's all right, lass. Just know, we're here for you. Ye don't have to do everythin' yourself. Ye don't have to be perfect. Just one step at a time, lass." Gerda hugged the queen again, the stunning young woman who would always be like something between a niece and a daughter rather than a child she'd been hired to care for. Gerda stayed in the queen's hallway a while longer, murmuring reassurances, before departing. Elsa watched her go with a small, sad smile. Then she entered her room and closed the door, leaning back against it.

It felt good, Elsa thought, remembering how warmth had blossomed in her chest as she cried into the shoulder of someone who cared for her, strong arms holding her together. It felt good, letting herself go, trusting that someone would catch her. Trusting herself not to fall to pieces and send jagged spikes of icy fear into the hearts of people around her.

And yet.

You don't have to be perfect. Don't expect yourself to be perfect. What a bitter taste those words had, mocking all that she'd strived for, that elusive perfect control.

You always have to be the good girl. It was the only way to be safe. It was the only way she had ever known. Make one wrong move…

That perfect girl is gone. Terror. Sheer terror. She's once embraced those words, but now? If she wasn't the perfect girl, perfect queen, who was she? A space had shattered within her, and nothing was yet large enough to seep in and fill the hole. Elsa sank down to the floor.

A new, foreign, hopeful, strange, affirming voice brought a spark of courage to her soul. Just one step at a time, lass. One step at a time. That was doable, wasn't it?

And finally, the sweetest voice of all, the familiar anchor she had always clung to: I'm right out here for you. Whenever you're ready, Elsa. I will be right here.

Anna. I will be here for you too.

Finding the strength to rise, Elsa stood and crossed the room to her bed, dissolving her dress and grabbing the nearest nightclothes. Something hopeful and raw and fragile had hatched in her, the crack in the door widening, so why did her eyes sting and her stomach churn as if her gorge was rising? I wasn't everything I needed to be for my kingdom… for her. Elsa buried her face in her hands, drawing a shuddering breath. And yet… here we are. With open doors. Disappointment, her old friend. Shot through with relief, this hopeful new stranger.

Elsa fell asleep exhausted, daring not to hope, but to wonder, if perhaps she wasn't as alone as she had always convinced herself she would have to be.