One more sleep to the tourney. One sleep away to having to deal with Hans and pretend everything was fine. Acting had never been her strong suit, Anna was an open book.

Anna glanced around her barren office, her desk was empty, with barely even basic writing materials that generally occupied any writing surface. There was no need for such items, she spent most of her time cooped up in Elsa's office anyway. It was just practical. With the tourney preparations completed, Anna's duties had severely lessened. All that was left was to wait and stress over how she was going to interact with Hans. She had always enjoyed social events but she wasn't looking forward to this one.

Elsa had been called away to the castle for another meeting with the rest of the council. Normally Anna would have gone along, eager for a chance to see her parents but not today. She was a jumbled mess of jittery nerves. If Elsa were here, she would have dragged the blonde into her office and locked the door behind them. Just the thought of Elsa brought warmth to her heart.

True to her words, Anna had made it extremely difficult for Elsa to resist spending some… much needed alone time together. Most of their little rendezvous had been initiated by Anna herself; their impromptu meetings behind locked doors, sneaking across the hall in the dead of the night for a goodnight kiss. Initially, Elsa had always been left flustered from the intimacy, but with time she had grown better at shifting back to her impassive face after a particularly heated lip lock session.

Just a few more days and maybe they wouldn't need to hide anymore. Anna could hardly wait. Deciding that she may as well spent her time doing something else to work off her excess energy, Anna headed down to the courtyard.

"Hey, feisty pants. Here for a rematch?" Kristoff greeted as Anna came bounding down the steps. He noted her cheery disposition and his smile widened, glad that the woman he had grown to see as a friend was back to her usual happy self.

The courtyard was mostly empty, most the men deigning to take a rest day. A few archers still loitered by the range, transforming the hay targets into pincushions.

"Ready for another thrashing?" Anna retorted as she approached Kristoff by the weapons rack, eyeing the mean looking edge of the pollaxe resting against his broad shoulders.

"Oh, I won't be holding back this time." He brandished his weapon, twirling it menacingly behind his back.

"I'm glad you were holding back before. I'd worried if that was the calibre of Arendelle's knights." Anna fingered the hilt of her sword.

"Well, suit up then." Kristoff tossed a spare set of chainmail towards her.

Snatching it out of the air, Anna hefted the comfortable weight in her hands before catching a beige tunic that Kristoff threw at her. Removing her starched jacket and folding it neatly before setting it down on the cleanest surface of the rack available, Anna pulled on the tunic and slipped the heavy chainmail over the material. The iron links clinked softly as she moved to a clear space in the courtyard with Kristoff following closely.

They stood several feet apart, eyeing each other cautiously, waiting for a cue to begin. The whistling of an arrow let loose by an archer on the other side of the courtyard broke the spell and Kristoff lunged forwards, swinging his axe in a wide arc.

Kristoff's weight and bulk clearly helped in countering the momentum of the swing and he wielded the heavy poleaxe as if it was a light branch. Unlike his rather clumsy actions with a sword, the pollaxe was like an extension of his arm and it was apparent in his graceful form as he shifted his weight from foot to foot, always in perfect balance and following through each advancing step with a well-executed swing.

Anna found herself retreating, taking measured steps back as she ducked beneath swings or dodging thrusts. From the get go, she had been forced into taking evasive action and haven't had the chance to draw her sword.

"Ever drawing your sword, feisty-pants?" Kristoff asked, a smirk forming on his face.

"Doesn't seem like you've given me cause to." Anna grinned, sidestepping yet another thrust.

"I'm just warming up."

Their playful banter ceased as Kristoff sped up; his blows getting harder to dodge. Feigning a high swing, he smiled in triumph as Anna dropped low before changing the trajectory of his axe to slice in a sharp downwards diagonal.

Anna watched in alarm as the gleaming blade made for her left shoulder; reacting on instinct, she drew her long sword, bracing her gauntlet against the blade to absorb the impact that sent her on one knee. The shrill ringing of metal against metal resounded in her ears and she was momentarily dazed. Taking the chance as Kristoff recovered from hefting his full weight into the blow, Anna sprang back on her feet, using the muscles in her thighs to brace herself as she pushed off the pollaxe. Seizing the opportunity of Kristoff momentarily off balance, she nimbly stepped forward, ducking under his outstretched arms and aiming for his midsection.

"Can't expect me to fall for the same trick twice!" Kristoff saw through her attack and swung the butt spike towards Anna's head.

Unable to duck in time, Anna instead spun around Kristoff broad frame and drove the hilt of her sword into the small of his back, sending him stumbling forward. Grimly noting how both ends of his weapon were equally dangerous, Anna strove to stay closed, forcing Kristoff to cross-check with the haft and being unable to squeeze in a decent strike with either ends of his weapon.

"It's impossible to shake you off isn't it?" Kristoff asked as Anna hacked relentlessly at him.

"Damn right." Anna responded through gritted teeth.

Using brute strength, Kristoff roughly shoved back the next time he checked another of Anna's blows before she could pull her blade back for another swing. Alternating the head and butt spike, he forced Anna into a retreat, before backtracking himself and leaving her just at the edge of his weapon's reach. Sliding his hands upwards along the polished wood of the haft, Kristoff shortened his reach for an easy swipe targeted at Anna's neck. Seeing right through his moves, Anna took a chance and dashed forwards, swinging her blade upwards.

Both weapons jerked to a halt simultaneously, hovering a hair's breath away from the neck of its opponent. Kristoff and Anna grinned toothily at each other at the outcome.

"Draw?" Kristoff offered good-naturedly and Anna nodded in agreement, sheathing her sword in a seamless move while Kristoff hoisted his pollaxe on his shoulder.

Offering her right arm, Anna grasped Kristoff's bulging forearm in a firm shake. "Good match. You are indeed far deadlier with a pollaxe."

"You are not too bad yourself. Fending off a weapon with a longer reach. I'm really glad you are on our side. Wouldn't ever want to face you in the tourney or on the field." Kristoff flashed another toothy grin.

From the courtyard steps, Elsa applauded. "Wish I'd returned sooner to watch it all." She approached the pair, eyes alight with pride. "I hate to interrupt a possible rematch… but would you mind if I steal Anna away, Kristoff? I've got urgent matters to discuss with her." Elsa held Kristoff's curious gaze with an unreadable one.

"Be my guest." Kristoff shrugged.

"Fantastic. Whenever you are ready, Anna."

"Ohh – right." Anna looked between both blonds, before making her way back to the weapons rack. Shedding the borrowed tunic and chainmail, she dropped the items onto an adjacent bench, retrieving her jacket in the process.

The climb up to Elsa's office was silent, the blonde remaining quiet throughout the short trip and deigning to explain. The second the heavy door closed behind them however, Elsa pulled Anna towards her and claimed the redhead's lips in a searing kiss. Her arms snaked around Anna's waist, delighting at the feel of warm skin beneath the thin silk shirt. There was a soft whoosh as Anna's jacket draped over one shoulder slid down to a pile on the floor, its absence unnoticed.

Anna pressed the palm of one hand against the nape of Elsa's neck, pulling the blonde closer. A soft moan escaped her slightly parted mouth as Elsa nipped on her lower lip, the sound lost as Elsa's tongue slid forward to flick against hers. The sensation was electrifying and Anna completely forgot about their surroundings, all that mattered in that moment was Elsa.

They stayed in that position for a long while, sliding their tongues against the other, the kiss growing increasingly intense by the second but neither woman seemed to get enough. They wanted more. They wanted the feel of heated skin flushed against theirs, to taste every single inch of the other.

Finally forced apart by the need for air, Anna panted as she rested her head against Elsa's shoulder. Warm breath against her neck sent shivers racing up her spine and Anna shuddered involuntarily before gasping as a sharp pain prickled at her neck.

"Elsa…" Anna whimpered. "What was that for?"

"The kiss?" Elsa asked, smiling innocently.

"Well, yeah that too. But more of the ow-ie." Anna rubbed her neck gingerly, fingers probing the area where Elsa had nipped lightly at.

Elsa snorted in bemusement at the childish term.

"Were you marking me?" Anna narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the innocuous blonde.

Elsa shrugged; a faint tinge of red rising in her cheeks at the obviousness of her actions.

"Oh, Elsa… you didn't have to… I'm already yours." Anna chided in an affectionate tone before rising on her toes to brush her lips against Elsa's flushed cheek.

"Just thought you might need a reminder… for you know… tomorrow." Elsa muttered, her demeanour darkening at the thought of Hans's return.

"You are adorable when you are jealous." Anna teased, receiving a disgruntled look from Elsa.

"Soon, Elsa. Soon. We are almost there." Anna murmured in encouragement.

"Soon." Elsa echoed before capturing Anna's lips again.

xxx

"Anna!" Hans smiled disarmingly, hurrying down the gangway and onto the pier.

His boots clicked against the surface of the wooden planks, the grain eroded into a smooth finish by a combination of foot traffic and extreme weather conditions. Weaving between armour clad men disembarking from another ship; he finally reached the end of the pier where Anna waited in her officer's uniform.

"You look fantastic. I absolutely love this new look!" He grinned boyishly, gesturing in wonder at Anna's outfit.

"Thank you." Anna bowed her head politely.

"Oh, Anna…" Hans took her hands in his gloved ones. "Words cannot describe just how much I've missed you." He breathed out, bringing her hands to press on his chest, above his heart.

In an entirely unexpected move, Hans leaned forward, breeching Anna's personal space as he made to kiss her on the lips. Anna's eyes widened in panic and she barely reacted in time, turning her head quickly to the side and diverting the kiss to her cheek instead. As Hans's lips brushed against her skin, Anna fought to rein in her disgust at his untoward behaviour. If she wasn't expected to behave like a proper lady by waiting on her betrothed as if he had been away at sea, Anna would much rather have spent the morning cuddled up with Elsa in bed.

Despite the discreet rejection, Hans smiled widely; seemingly unperturbed. "Shall we get moving then, Your Highness?" He asked cheerfully, offering Anna his arm.

Anna wondered they appeared like to others; two figures in masculine clothing walking arm in arm must have been a peculiar sight, not that anyone cared, they were much too busy hurrying towards the open grounds where the tourney will be held. Anna nodded absentmindedly as Hans prattled nonstop, comparing Arendelle to his home kingdom. She tried not to think about the way Hans was stroking his fingers against the back of her hand; even through the gloves, she found the sensations disconcerting, her cheek still crawling from the press of his lips.

"Gods. He must really love the sound of his voice."

Anna could barely conceal her relief as they neared the pavilion, a large tent that had been erected to house the guest competitors as they prepared for their match.

"Ah. Here we are." Anna released Hans arm, quickly putting some distance between them. "If you require anything else, please do not hesitate to ask." She smiled, leading Hans through the entrance.

"With you here, I've got everything I could ever ask for." Hans replied glibly, flashing a pearly smile.

Anna masked her disgust by ducking her head, feigning embarrassment. "Can't believe I actually thought he was nice."

"I'd love to stay… but I've really got to get going. I'll see you during the first match!" She waved hurriedly and briskly walked out of the tent, leaving a mildly concerned Hans in her wake.

xxx

Anna fidgeted with her hands on her lap, unable to keep still in boredom. Her back hurt from sitting rigidly in the high backed chair. The cool autumn breeze nipped on her exposed shoulders and she shivered at the fleeting touch, idly wondering if Elsa had been the cause of it. She had changed into a casual teal skirt matched with a black bodice over a sea green off shoulder blouse for the third and last day of the tourney.

The previous two days felt more like two months with how slowly time passed. Hans stuck to her like glue whenever he was not on the field for a match. He was an impressive swordsman, Anna would admit; although whether his opponents deliberately lost out of respect for his princely status, Anna would never know. Their time together outside of the tourney had constantly been in the company of others; Anna had made sure of that. Her parents had graciously kept Hans mostly occupied with endless questions about the Southern Isles during dinners, leaving Anna to tune out the conversation and focused instead on Elsa. Even the memory of the past two dinners brought an amused smile to Anna's face.

Elsa had a constipated expression plastered on most of the evenings; clearly jealous of the way Hans occasionally brushed his hand over Anna's. Anna would have gone straight to the blonde the second she could, but with the tourney underway, she had moved back to her room in the castle temporarily. No longer separated by a short stretch of hallway had taken its toll on both of them, more so with Elsa who had become increasingly edgy.

Speaking of Elsa, the blonde was hovering just behind Anna's left shoulder. A chilly breeze brushed against her freckled skin and Anna shuddered at the ghostly touch; a small smile on her lips as she figured Elsa was behind the wind. Oh, what she would give to touch Elsa right now. She could hear the soft clink of diligently oiled chainmail as Elsa shifted her weight. Poor Elsa. For someone who loved the cold, she must certainly be suffocating beneath the stifling chainmail and plate armour. Although Elsa's suffering was Anna's pleasure. It had been a while since she had seen the blonde in knight's armour and she had to say, Elsa still managed to look absolutely stunning and deadly at the same time.

A loud cheer erupted from the stands and Anna snapped her attention back to the field. Seated on a raised platform with her parents by her side, she had an unobstructed view of each match. Wooden stands flanked a wide expense of flat terrain between them. On the northern stands, Arendelle banners mounted on poles attached to the stands fluttered in the breeze. Directly behind, the grandstand stood several feet higher, the rails decked in the royal colours of green and purple. Townspeople occupied majority of the stands, jostling for a decent vantage position from which to observe the events. The front two rows on the opposing southern stand was cordoned off; the area occupied by knights and squires of the Southern Isles, most of whom sported bandages and had long shed their plate armour in favour of cotton tunics.

Another cheer from the townsfolk resounded across the plains and Anna watched as Kristoff, decked in full plate armour disarmed his opponent with a controlled swing of his pollaxe, the wickedly gleaming edge stopping short from decapitating the other knight. Kristoff wrenched off his helm and raised his pollaxe in victory, a huge smile stretched across his face. Turning to face the grandstand where the royal family were seated, he bowed low.

Anna wanted very badly to cheer loudly for her friend but instead, clapped politely. She was representing her house and it was only right for her to behave like the poised and regal princess that she was expected to be.

Seconds after Kristoff vacated the field with the other knight sullenly following in his long strides, Hans strutted out from the pavilion and stopped before the grandstand. He bowed deeply in respect before raising his voice to speak above the noise of the crowd.

"I'd like to dedicate my next win for you, Your Highness. Your beautiful smile has given me the courage to stand firm before the chivalrous and very talented knights of Arendelle. I'm sure my next opponent would also prove to be one worthy of wearing your crest. I am undeserving of your affection, Princess Anna. But on my honour, I will claim victory and prove my worth." Hans declared passionately to the hoots and cheers of the crowd.

That ardent speech would have been sure to send any lady swooning.

Beside her, Anna could literally feel Elsa bristling in irritation. In a surprising move, Elsa had stepped around Anna's chair and crossed the platform to the rails. Yanking off her gauntlet in a swift motion, she flung it with all her strength onto the field. The metal pieces clicked against one another as the armoured glove landed by Hans's feet.

The crowd fell silent, stunned by the sudden display of hostility from the cool and reserved Grand Marshal.

"Elsa?" Anna whispered frantically, her brows furrowing as Elsa did not respond.

"You dare challenge a visiting prince?" Hans mocked, loathing the fact that he had to crane his neck to look up at the grandstand.

"No. I am challenging you as a knight. Pick it up, Ser Hans of Westerguard." Elsa responded coldly, an icy chill seemingly accompanying her words.

"Elsa!" Anna hissed, still attempting to catch the blonde's attention. "What are you doing?"

"Do you approve, Your Majesty?" Hans turned to the King who was watching with amusement.

"I believe that falls under the knights code of chivalry." The King glanced with interest at Elsa's tense form. Her actions came as a surprise to him. Surely Elsa knew people were bound to wonder what had brought on such a blatant challenge particularly right after Hans little speech.

"She is your sworn sword, is she not?"

"Elsa has already stated her intent." The King responded, in a tone one might take with an impertinent child. What did the Southern bastard expect of him? Call off the duel? On what grounds? Even as ruling monarch over these lands, it was not his place to alter the knights code of valour. Besides, he had no intention of questioning Elsa's actions; she had never once given him cause to.

The crowd had begun murmuring, their low voices coming together to become a buzzing drone. Hans glanced surreptitiously around him, fuming internally at Elsa's very public challenge. It to be a duel to the death and the damn Arendelle King knew it and still would not force Elsa to rescind her words.

Sensing the questioning glares boring through his back and the whispers suggestive of his cowardice, Hans knew he had no other choice. Picking up the gauntlet, he injected as much venom into his voice. "I accept your challenge."

He will not be cut down here. He will have Elsa Frost's head mounted on a pike before sundown. All was not lost, he could use this unfavourable turn of events as a distraction. The scheming wheels were already spinning in his head as Elsa descended from the platform.

xxx

"Here you go, Elsa!" Olaf chirped happily as he handed Elsa the gauntlet that she had discarded earlier.

Elsa slipped her hand into the stiff leather interior, clenching her fists methodically to check the mobility of the plate armour links. Nodding her thanks at the young squire, she took the proffered long sword and she sheathed it into its scabbard attached to her hip. Standing stock still, she waited while Olaf did some final adjustments to her armour; tightening the bracers on her forearms before holding up her half helm.

"You are all set!" Olaf stood back to give Elsa a quick once over before nodding in satisfaction.

"Elsa?"

Both knight and squire turned at the sound of Anna's voice from the entrance of the mini pavilion designated for Arendelle's competitors. The waiting knights had long left to give their commanding officer some privacy as she prepared for the duel. Or perhaps they were anxious to get a good seat from which to watch their grand marshal in action.

"You shouldn't be here, Anna." Elsa remarked, pulling on her helm.

"Neither should you…" Anna replied cautiously. "What was that about, Elsa?" She added softly as she approached.

In a rare display of tact, Olaf piped up. "I'll go get your horse." He ducked out of the tent; deliberately loosening the ties holding open the flaps so they would dropped down and provide some privacy, shielding the occupants from prying eyes.

"He got on my nerves." Elsa muttered darkly.

"And the logical choice was to challenge him to a duel? To the death?" Anna prompted.

"Defeating him would solve our problems." Elsa retorted stiffly. Maybe she had overreacted but she would have liked nothing better than to wipe that smug look off Hans face. Preferably permanently.

"Yes, it will. But the humiliation you've subjected him to may have dire consequences." Anna pointed out.

"Then I'll deal with them when the time comes."

"Your impulsiveness can be so infuriating sometimes…" Anna sighed in frustration.

"You are not worried?" Elsa tilted her head in curiosity.

"Of you getting hurt? Not really." Anna shrugged.

Anna pressed the palms of her hands against the cool surface of Elsa's breastplate. "Show him mercy. It's not worth having his blood on your hands." She looked up at Elsa's face with imploring eyes. There was without a doubt who the stronger swordsman was between Elsa and Hans. If anything, she was more worried about Hans. There was already a clear victor and the poor man probably didn't even know it.

"Your wish is my command, my lady." A pause as Elsa's expression softened. "I didn't get to say you look beautiful earlier."

Anna blushed at the compliment. "And you look very handsome, my shining knight." She rose on her toes, pressing a light kiss against Elsa's exposed chin. "Go get them."

Elsa nodded curtly and her expression shifted into one of grim determination. Pushing back the flaps marking the entrance, she strode out into the late afternoon sunlight where Olaf was waiting with her destrier, a black stallion with a chanfron protecting its head.

Mounting her steed easily, she casted a final glance at the pavilion and at Anna visible between the narrow slit of the flaps before taking the lance that Olaf held up.

Death was not an option. She had never lost a duel and she was not going to start today.

Digging her heel into the flanks of her horse, she steered him to her starting side of the field with the thunderous roar of the crowd ringing in her ears.

A/N:

Not happy with this chapter at all. Something feels off about it.