Sorry for the delay with this chapter, University finals are coming up and this, of course, has been affecting me greatly.

This chapter is set a few hours after the last one and as such, other things have occurred in that time. Don't worry though, the next chapter will fill that gap but for this one I want to create a bit of confusion and mystery in what exactly happened after Anna ran back to Elsa last chapter.

"Close the Gates! Triple the guard! Let no one else in!"

The voice carried itself far across the castle courtyard, guards running frantically to their posts. The day had turned dark. Black grey clouds loomed over Arendelle, a possible storm within them, castle staff and guards shouted quickly and urgently as they rushed to do their jobs and all across the town and even within the castle itself, bells rang repeatedly.

"Keep a constant watch on the surroundings! No one enters or leaves this castle!" the voice cried.

Citizens from the town, confused at the panic, had gates slammed in the face or guards pushing them away. Sentries mounted on the walls had their muskets loaded and ready as they stared down at the land around them for trespassers.

For now, such measures would have to be enough to calm the Captain of the Royal Guards' mind. Anything that came to mind that could possibly result in just that extra bit of protection for those inside the castle was immediately passed on so that the idea may be put in action. Were he given more time, and were he to not expect an immediate storm then he would have remained outside, ensuring this fortress would be impregnable. No man nor mouse would enter were he to have his way but never the less, fortifying the outer castle was in the hands of one his lieutenants. The Captain had business inside and as he turned back towards the town, seeing dark smoke rise high into the sky, he was again reminded why it would be far more crucial to give protection far more personally and not relying on large wooden doors to save them.

And so he entered the castle, armed guards positioned pretty much everywhere, almost like they were members attending a fancy ball. The inside of the castle was almost as chaotic as the outside with people constantly running by him. They probably had their own, smaller scale job to do. The captain currently was in charge of a great many powers as such benefited for someone whose job it was to protect the Royalty from any harm, whether it be physical, emotional, psychological and even indirect forms of harm such as ensuring that the Queen had a sufficient enough counter intelligence taskforce. Though even were the current circumstances not occurring the Captain was a very important person to say the least. His position was high in royal court and even if the title of Duke and Earl were higher than him, to the Queen, his title was one of her closest allies, a small and more personal group compared to the wider court full of dignitaries and lords. The Captain commanded power, and it was his to use for the safety and betterment of the monarchy.

"Mason! Mason!" cried Anna's voice as she ran down the great stairway.

"I thought I told you to stay in the council chamber" Mason replied rather seriously.

"You did and as Captain of the Guard we are thankful for your advice, but as Elsa is the Queen we both think you should do as she says".

"I'm a little busy at the moment" Mason said as he began to walk away uncaringly.

"Please! Mason, Please!" Anna pleaded to no avail.

"Unless you want some fanatics taking your head you'll leave me be!" replied Mason sharply. Though as Mason was about to leave the room another voiced intervened.

"Mason, stop!" It was Elsa who issued the order this time and it was because of this that Mason did stop and walk back.

"Your Majesty, are you so eager your lose your life?" he said.

"I don't even understand why I would Mason. For god's sake please tell us what's happening!" Her voice was desperate and confused, her eyes showing the fear that this unexpected chaos was creating.

Mason only wanted to snap back, telling Elsa to stop bothering him while he was working, and why wouldn't he? He was the one trying to trying to help the Queen. Any more distractions could result in a Kingdom without a ruler.

"Just-Just go and be safe" Mason said quietly, almost as if we was talking to himself.

"How can we protect ourselves when we don't even know what's going on?" Elsa pleaded in return. She was desperate to know, it was obvious. Fear and confusion were plastered on her face, only increasing as Mason remained silent.

But suddenly, Mason found himself returning to the Queen, her eyes fixed on him as he approached, an answer being expected. But it was not an answer that was driving him to go over to the Queen. It was something that Mason could not feel like he could explain, he simply was walking over to Elsa with no explanation.

He felt stressed, angry even. His ears suddenly began to ring. Inside his head he could hear screeching. As his mind placed its thoughts upon the Queen's requests anger and stress only rose. His breathing pattern became faster and heavier and throughout his body he felt a burning pain.

His mind entered an erratic, uncontrolled state. He didn't even know what was happening anymore. All background noise disappeared, the screeching becoming unbearable now. An internal panic then came as Mason instinctively wanted to pull out his sword and just attack.

The world began to spin. In his head only noise.

"Mason?" asked a voice.

In that moment all sense came flooding back to him as his found himself just a few steps below Elsa, his arm partly raised. In an instant, he turned his head towards Anna, who had said his name. Her voice came as a shock to Mason who in surprise, almost jumped out of his skin while also turning his body towards Anna and thus dropping his arm and also swinging it.

The resulting pain that came with this movement, all thanks to the shot wound on his shoulder, enabled whatever sense of the world Mason had just abandoned to return to him.

"Are you alright!?" Anna asked in concern. Mason again paused, unsure if this question was aimed at the pain he felt through his injury, or whatever had just happened.

To the former, Mason wanted to laugh. Pain never bothered him anyway.

And yet, to the latter, laughing was out of the question. Whatever had just happened was something Mason had never felt before. It was like a moment of his life had just been removed. In those few seconds, only a void took its place.

"Per-perhaps I should explain to you what's going on in the council chamber," he said to Elsa without looking at her, his mind only fixated on what the hell had just happened.

"I would be grateful" Elsa replied, possibly sensing something was wrong with Mason. Never the less, nothing was said of it and the three silently walked to the council chamber.

The journey to the council chamber was a quiet one. As the trio moved closer to their destination, and as they ascended staircases and moved through corridors, any activity ordered by Mason became less and less common, focus instead being directed to either the ground floor or outside. This unfortunately left a silent gap in that Elsa's nerves could easily show themselves to Anna and Mason in the form of nervous breathing.

"Hey" said Anna softly. "It's going to be alright. I'm sure it's nothing really to get worked up about" she said as she placed her hand inside of Elsa's. The Queen did not respond, both in fear of sounding even more fearful and in hope Anna was actually right, but as she looked to Mason in confirmation of Anna's words, she did not receive any words or even a nod of the head that someone would say or do to agree with what someone else said. It was quite obvious Anna was wrong.

"We should go inside" Mason said as the three reached the council chamber and he moved to open the door.

"What? Why are you here!?" Mason demanded as he moved into the room, noticing the lone figure already inside.

"I invited Anton here a while ago. He is a friend and trusted advisor remember?" the Queen intervened.

"I care not for any petty disputes right now" Mason eventually said bluntly. "We have more important matters.

Anton then stepped forward, just as confused as Elsa but with a far more agitated look. "Oh I do hope so. Otherwise, this disruption would count for very little" This was a tone far from trying to not annoy Mason, but whatever reason was causing such a unnecessary rivalry between the two, Elsa would not have it.

"Anton!" Elsa snapped, albeit relatively gently considering her friendship with Anton.

"It's quite alright your Majesty" Mason said. "He will regret his child like behaviour once his learns the actual reason behind all this. So, if you please?" Mason said, indicating for everyone to sit down at the table.

"Just explain to me what's happening" Elsa said as she sat down.

All eyes then focused on Mason who now suddenly seemed pressured, nervous even. "Fine. Your life's in danger. That's what's happening."

"M-my life?" Elsa stuttered, now more fearful than nervous.

"Why would anyone want to hurt my Sister? She's the best Queen anyone could hope for" Anna said, giving a loving smile towards Elsa, a gesture that warmed the Queen's heart in this difficult time.

"Irrelevant. She is not Queen to everyone on this Earth is she?" Mason immediately replied.

Elsa saw that Anna wanted to continue and argue for her sister, but Mason words were true, there would undoubtedly be others outside Arendelle that did not share the same admiration that her citizens did.

"Why would someone want to…kill me exactly" Elsa attempted to say, having difficulty discussing a plot to murder her. However, she needn't had really ask this question. Mason did not reply, instead giving a look that indicated that she knew herself why her life would be at risk. And it was a thing she did indeed know.

"M-my powers?" she asked to which Mason slowly nodded.

Panic suddenly kicked in, her breathing dramatically increasing in speed and volume. While she had accepted her powers and who she was, there was no chance in hell that everyone would also accept them. Elsa had frozen her entire kingdom and made the lives of those who currently resided there a misery, not to mention that some downright detested her having powers in the first place.

"Oh god! I knew people wouldn't accept me-Oh god no!" Elsa cried as tears began to form in her eyes and panic took over her.

Seeing the pain Elsa currently was in, Anna rushed over to her and wrapped her arms around Elsa's body. "Hey, it'll be alright." Anna said comfortably.

"No Anna, it won't!" Elsa shot back. "This is the exactly the reason why Mother and Father tried to conceal my powers!"

"Now you know that's not true. They did it to help you control your powers and to not cause any more incidents"

"But I did Anna! I froze the entire kingdom!" Elsa shouted back. It now all felt like it was before. Her powers were becoming something to be feared again, and control was slowly slipping away.

"The past is in the past right?" Anna smiled. "Everyone makes mistakes sis."

"Not like the ones I made. I nearly destroyed my entire kingdom!"

"But you didn't!" Anna said, now kneeling beside her with an arm on Elsa's. "People have forgiven you for it"

"Don't be stupid Anna! Why must you be so naïve?" Elsa cried, shaking herself free of her sister. "Do you really think that everyone has simply forgotten of what I did? Do you really think people will just accept what I can do? You saw the faces of people on my coronation. They were scared, and so they should be! I'm not normal…" Elsa said, wrapping her arms around herself, whishing she had her gloves.

But with Elsa's outburst at her sister, Anna now also felt bad. Elsa had outright insulted her while she tried to comfort her. "Elsa, please don't shut me out"

"I don't want to Anna, but the world isn't so peaceful and happy in that I would be left alone forever. I should had known this day would come."

Anna only stood there, unable to help her sobbing sister. Anna may had helped Elsa not be so isolated in the past, but when it came to others far away, whose opinions were only hateful and fearful of Elsa, Anna could not be of much help.

"I bet it's the slimy little Duke of Weasleton" Anna began. "What a nasty man he was, trying to hurt my sister".

Anna's words could had been meant in a more light hearted way so that she may comfort her sister, but in a situation that Anna did not expect nor knew much about, it was more a question.

"Is it- is it the Duke?" Anton intervened nervously, his question directed towards Mason. Anton had been quiet as this situation advanced, a sympathetic look constantly on his face as he wished he could properly comfort and help Elsa.

Again eyes turned towards Mason, the man who actually apparently knew why this was all was happening. Even Elsa managed to bring her crying face out of her arms to see what his response was.

"It's not, is it?" said Anton.

"No." Mason said after some time. "And crying over why this happened will help in no way what so ever. Plans have been set in motion and I won't stand ideally by while you lot sob over the past and await for our deaths!" his tone was aggressive but most of all, nervous.

"How can you be so insensitive?" cried Anton in shock. "This is the Queen you are talking to!"

"Oh for god's sake!" moaned Mason, not helping the situation at all. "Would you please stop kissing the Queens ass for a moment and listen? There is more to this then-"

Whatever was about to be said however was not spoken. As soon as Anton heard the insult spoken, he wasted no time in marching over to the perpetrator, anger in his eyes.

"You dare speak ill of me or our Queen? You should be thrown back into a cell!" he said, the two men mere centimetres away from each other, faces staring at each other.

"Is there something you want to do? Go ahead, try it." Masons tone was plain and without emotion, but this did not take away from severity of his threat. The two men were ready to fight with Mason silent and an emotionless danger and Anton a raging beast ready to explode.

"Stop it you two!" demanded Elsa, prompting a turn of the head from both men. "Stop acting like fools!"

"Apologies Elsa but surely we can't allow such rudeness?" Anton said, sounding as apologetic as he could.

"Stop!" Elsa again shouted, the stress of the situation proving too much. "Just stop" she said again, albeit quieter and calmer. "I appreciate the help and support Anton, I really do, but this is too much"

"I'm sorry you're Majesty, Truly. " Anton replied, immediately sitting back down leaving Mason with what seemed to be a small but victorious smile, a smile Elsa saw.

"And you!" she said towards Mason. "Just- just explain what's going on". As Elsa rested her hand on her forehead in stress, the tone she had spoken to Mason in was not demanding or aggressive as it had been to Anton, leaving everyone else in the room considering what Elsa's opinion of the Vane was. Anton was a friend a trusted ally of the Queen and even then he had not received the same restraint and calm tone that Mason, a newcomer, had received.

"Listen carefully then" Mason said, waling over to a nearby window and looking across the sea. "Mercenaries are Mercenaries, they get paid to do stuff. The real issue we have got ourselves into is that these Mercenaries that I and Anna encountered earlier are being paid by some…unsavoury characters, and not some Duke that thinks ill of you".

"Then who?" asked Elsa.

Mason then sighed as he leaned forward to lean on the windows sill. Were any of the other three able to see his face they would have seen only fear and anxiety. "I'd like to think that I am relatively knowledgeable of the world. I've certainly been far enough, but as long as people have been around there has been desires. Have you experienced desire you're Majesty?" Mason said, turning his head back around to face Elsa who was unsure if this was a trick question or not.

"I have." Mason said despite no response, again looking out the window. "It changed me."

"Begging your pardon but what does this have to do with anything?" Anton suddenly said. But to what would normally be returned with a provoking or rude reply did not come, Mason only remained still, seemingly uncaring for Anton or anyone else for that matter.

"There are people out there with such desires that they believe they should mould the world in accordance with such beliefs. Kings and emperors have shown this countless times throughout history of course, but they are only free to act while they are the ruler of their nation. Fortunate for those who don't share their beliefs for sure. However, hidden in the darkness, totally hidden from the rest of the world are various groups, groups that care not for any nation or people, their desires are applied to us all. These discrete organisations have been around for centuries, constantly acting out their plans. It is one of these groups that seeks to end your life, and I regret to say it is not a very nice group either." A moment of silence then fell on the room as everyone let the words sink in.

"And-"Elsa attempted to say, her head rushing with thoughts. "And why would this group want me now?"

Now Mason turned back around, his face deadly serious. "Because these people only care about the world they want in the future. They couldn't give two shits about the people who live in it now! Their fanatics! Crazed lunatics with no sense of realism even if you gave it to them on a stick!" Mason sounded fearful, his voice desperate.

"Answer her question." Anton said as Mason turned to face him.

"Have you even been listening?" Mason replied bitterly and sharply. "They desire something which they don't have and they seek to get it, and you can't have something if something is in your way. They require any obstacles or aspects in life that don't fit in their vision to be removed, root and stem." He then returned his gaze back to Elsa but this time with another look.

Pity.

"They kill those who have been known to possess powers"

Elsa suddenly recoiled. She was being hunted like a monster. A freak.

"They are merciless." Mason continued, no emotion in his voice. "They are death. If they want you dead, then only god will save you."

Panic again set itself upon Elsa. She had experienced hatred before, even a wish to kill her but previously only because of selfish desire like Hans or belief that her powers would cause nor more danger like with the Duke of Weasleton. Never before had she had to face death of the likes of this.

"Oh god- oh god- please god no!" The fear of others was a new one, and unlike the fear of herself and her power, there was no method of control, no comfort of those around her. Death was coming, and she had no way to stop it.

"Elsa it's alright!" Anna cried, almost setting herself on her sister in an act of protectiveness. It was to no avail though. Anna's words fell on deaf ears as Elsa continued to panic. Ice began to spread from the Queens' hands onto the chair she was currently grasping in fear. "Mason tell her it's going to be alright!" screamed Anna in fear for her sister.

But Mason could not respond, and everyone knew why. He could not agree with Anna with this one.

Both Anna and Anton then realised this, the latter sinking into his seat in somewhat defeat as he frantically searched for an answer to this development but this could not be said for Anna. She could only gaze at Mason as if she had received this terrible news in words. It was then her reaction appeared. The barriers were opened in her eyes and the tears began to rush out.

"No no no no no." She repeated as she buried her head into her still sobbing sister. "There must be a way! There must be!" again there was no answer. "Surely we can talk to them. Beg them to not hurt Elsa!" Anna never looked at Mason while she said this. The look of fear that even a man like Mason would have shown were she to indeed look would only serve as further pain. To see fear on others would only mean there was no hope.

"We can't negotiate with them. They are history makers. What they want they get. There is no happy ending with this, only pain."

Mason's words echoed in everyone's heads. There was no happy ending to be had. This was the end.

"But I'll let my self be consumed be maggots before this happens!" Mason suddenly said in an almost vicious tone, prompting more than a few curious looks. Seizing the opportunity, Mason almost excitedly moved over to Elsa placing his hand on the Queen's shoulder in unrestraint enthusiasm. "No one with any sense will make an attack if their target is ready for it! Should we prepare ourselves with a sound enough plan and allies to go with it, we can ensure any attack will not come any time soon!"

To this, Elsa rose her head to face Mason who eagerly awaited a response.

"I will make sure no success will be found by them, you're Majesty. I will make sure you will live through this!" Mason said passionately, every word that came out of his mouth bursting with promise.

"You-you can do this?" Elsa said quietly as she tried to focus on the hope that Mason spoke of and not the panic and darkness that had just overcome her.

"By every god ever worshipped I can! These fanatic fools have never faced against one such as me" Mason smiled with a particular emphasis on his last word. Elsa immediately understood the reference, that being the indication towards his surname. With this, Elsa felt a sudden burst of relief and hope. To this day Elsa had feared the name Vane and its past, and with good reason, but now, as one of them pledged to defend her, Elsa could not describe her happiness. She thought back to the stories of old, primarily fairy tales depicting heroes and the force of good battling against the villain and the evil that came with them. Yet now, with a new and different evil threatening them, it was almost as if hero and villain came together to form a force of immense power, ready to defeat an evil who only sought destruction and while Elsa could not describe Mason as evil, the fact that what could have been called evil was ready to assist those who needed it was an exciting and enticing feeling.

By now though Elsa had yet to reply to Mason's determined words and Anna, who still was clinging on to Elsa, and Anton, who had been seated and listening to every word spoken, were left in anticipation into what the order would be that could most likely determine what their fate would be once this new and dangerous enemy arrived.

"Do it. Defend Arendelle Mason, I….I-"But Elsa fell at the end, almost unable to say the words. But now was not the time to fail now, and no longer would anyone be judged on one factor of their lives like Elsa had been with her powers. The past was in the past. "I trust you Mason."

Elsa had almost expected reactions of great emotion and of grand nature, both from Mason and the others, but none came. Any reaction was subtle and accepting, but none the less impactful.

"Thank you, My Queen, I shall take the required actions immediately." Mason smiled with an almost gratitude while Anna seemed happy that what had just happened had indeed happened. Anton meanwhile only continued his stare at Mason.

But reactions aside, the fact the Mason had declared Elsa his Queen was most shocking for her. She would need time to contemplate the repercussions of such an impactful and important statement but for now her heart filled with only hope, hope in which may be the only thing between life and death in this dark time.

"What will you have me do?" suddenly asked Anton, rising from his seat and staring at Elsa.

Elsa smiled at the continued loyalty of her friend, an act that he was only too happy to return himself. But it was when Elsa turned to face Mason that the returning smile that always brought happiness to Elsa disappeared.

"What do you think Mason? Anton has a great many skills and is one of the hardest working people I know, he will prove his worth" Elsa's question, while pronouncing Anton's qualities and complimenting his worth as a servant of the crown and as a friend, was far from one that Anton wanted to hear. Since before had fled Arendelle in the great freeze, Anton had shown himself as caring, loyal and protective to Elsa. In the recent months their relationship had grown into something Anton could had only wished for, but now here she was, practically asking for an order from Mason, a man she had known for barley a week. Had she so easily forgotten him, or had Mason already presented himself as a more worthwhile person and ally?

"Any true servant knows where their skills are required" Mason replied. He did not look to Anton as he said this but the true meaning of his words were all too clear to Anton. It was essentially a dismissal. A sentence which told Anton to think and know of a place he should now be in. It felt like self-punishment to Anton, all while Mason's words also demonstrated his own new powers. With Mason's reply, he was stating that he knew he was required here, with Elsa while Anton left to deal with tasks far less important. In one foul swoop Mason had replaced Anton as the trusted adviser to the Queen with his orders to defend Arendelle and also as the ever close person that the Queen could talk to. It was like his heart was being ripped out of his chest and his past was being spat on. With the trust Elsa had verbally given to Mason could also potentially come with a trust that only true friends had, something that Anton thought he had with her. How someone who had only been here a few days, not to mention his less then acceptable behaviour had this quickly became this important was a question that needed to be answered, even if it meant to have to be performed purely in Anton's free and personal time.

"Then I call this meeting adjourned. We should all be working to ensure Arendelle is able to continue to prosper for the foreseeable future" Elsa ordered, rising from her seat in a new found optimism. With this everyone stood to attention as they prepared to leave.

After a quick few words and a loving embrace to celebrate this newly acquired enthusiasm, Anna left, followed shortly by Anton who could only stare blankly into the distance in despair, unable to look at either Elsa or Mason.

"Aren't you going to go Mason? I'm sure you have lots of ideas to assist us" Elsa said as Mason remained motionless.

"Of course you Majesty, I would not dream in neglecting such a task. It is something so big that you cannot simply prove through words but as Captain of the Royal Guard, I'm afraid I cannot leave you alone without me or a Guard escorting you, especially now" he said, bowing his head.

It was a concern that touched Elsa deeply, someone who was willing to constantly be with her to assist her at any moment had always made her feel happy, let alone was willing to stay with her with knowledge of her powers. Although it wasn't a written rule that a guard must escort the Queen everywhere, it was an important gesture of formality and loyalty but with her powers freely known, some Guards had neglected this gesture either from thinking that the Queen could easily protect herself and possibly even fear. Luckily Mason was neither of these but however, this formality was now conflicting with his duty to protect this Kingdom.

"Then I unname you as Captain" Elsa said.

"You're Majesty?" Mason replied, somewhat confused.

"You have shown yourself to possess great courage, knowledge and loyalty. You could had let my Sister die when you encountered those mercenaries, but you not only saved her but also the lives of the children, and now you freely allow yourself to defend the entire Kingdom? You are in need of a new position in this land, which is why I am prompting you as Protector of the Kingdom. It's not an official position yet, but I will ensure it will be so immediately." While this was occurring Mason only stood there, plain faced and staring at Elsa, listening to every word. "You will be one of my chief advisors in any matter we see fit, joint commander-in-chief to my armed forces, along with me, and be granted a knighthood along with any additional powers I deem appropriate. Is this acceptable for your requirements?"

There was no immediate answer to Elsa's question as Mason took in what was said. A small smile did eventually appear, one that curiously appeared on a still plain face that took the appearance of someone unable to think straight. "That seems…acceptable" he slowly said.

"Good, then I must be going, I have a kingdom to run." Elsa said professionally, actually feeling good about being a Queen for a change. As she saw Mason beginning to step foot after her, Elsa rose her hand, smiling. "I thank you for your Concern Mason, but I think I'm fine to be alone for the time being. I do have my own defences after all" she said, stopping a still emotionless Mason. "I will see you later". With this, Elsa left leaving Mason alone.

It was only then the smile grew and the face began to show emotion. "That seems excellent you're Majesty" Mason said with a grin, referring back to Elsa's question of if he deemed his new power appropriate. And of course, he did. His smile was justified.

He now had proper power in Arendelle. He had opportunities, an opportunity with Arendelle and its Queen to move forward.

The future would now be very interesting.

I hope that was okay. As I said before, with Uni finals I haven't been at the top of my game with writing so I hope this chapter was at least bearable!

Also as said before, the next chapter will focus on what happened before this and focus more on the villainous group mentioned here. All will become clear.

I would adore anyone who would review this chapter and what they think of what's happened in this chapter, it will be interesting for when I finish the next one.

Lastly, again because of uni, the next chapter may take some time but until then, thanks for reading!