Ex: So, once again, here we are. Starting the next chapter right on the heels of the last one. Any bets on how long it will take me to finish this one?

Elsa: Don't be so negative, like I said, I've got a good feeling moving forward.

Ex: Well that makes one of us. Anyway, welcome to chapter 10. I uh...huh?

Elsa: What?

Ex: I don't have anything to say. Normally I'd ramble or apologize for a long delay. Granted there's still a chance that could happen but right now, I'm feeling pretty good. So I guess it's on with the show!

When they'd gotten back inside the castle, Anna and Kristoff had gone back to their room to get ready for the party while Elsa and Mathias followed Oliver into a part of the castle they hadn't seen when they'd arrived. Deeper with smaller and more narrow hallways. When they rounded a corner, they could see Simon waiting outside a door near the end of the hall with a pair of guards. He turned and smiled as they approached.

"Ah, there you two are. Did you get settled in alright?"

"Well enough." Mathias replied.

"Good, I'd have taken the time to more directly see to your arrival, but as I said-"

"I know." Mathias interrupted. "A king's duty is never done." Simon gave Mathias an apologetic smile. That was a phrase he'd often said to Mathias in his youth, more often than not as an excuse to leave an awkward or sensitive conversation topic.

"Well for now I should have a few minutes, and I do have a few things I want to discuss before tonight's celebration. But come, let's continue this conversation in my study." Simon turns and opens the door and steps aside to let Elsa and Mathias pass through. He then turns and addresses Oliver. "Do what you can to give us privacy."

"Of course father. I'll see the three of you at the party." Simon nods his head before shutting the door behind him. As he takes a seat behind his desk, Elsa and Mathias take a seat in the chairs on the opposite side. "So, regarding tonight's event…"

"You said it's an announcement of our engagement?" Mathias asked.

"More of a celebration than an announcement. At this point the whole continent has heard about you two in some way. However, it's only proper for me as your father and as king of your homeland to make it official by announcing it now that you've returned. It's important to keep up appearances. And it may help to discourage those you still seek to find their own way into powerful royalty. I've heard tell of how many nations have continued pursuit of your hand Elsa."

"It has been a rather frustrating problem." Elsa answered.

"And it's not just you either."

"What do you mean?"

"Since news of what Mathias is capable of became publicly known, I've had my own share of both old and new allies inquiring about potential political marriages." Elsa and Mathias exchanged a shocked look with each other. With how forward some nations had been in their efforts to marry into Arendelle, they'd never considered the idea that the same issue would appear for Simon and Tonitrus.

"So we've both become political betting pieces? Wonderful." Mathias said.

"I've done all I can to make it clear that I and more importantly you have no interest in such ideas. And tonight is something of an effort to help put them to rest."

"You think your formal announcement will stop all the scheming?' Elsa asked.

"I think we all know well enough that political scheming never really stops, but it should help it slow down. Give you two some peace until your wedding day."

"Well, that effort is appreciated, thank you Simon."

The king nods with a smile before his face takes a more serious look. "There is one more thing I wanted to discuss. Tell me, have there been any more attacks from those that Alan had been working with, or Alan himself since the last?"

"There hadn't been, but there was a few days before we set off here." Elsa replied, "It wasn't nearly as serious as the last but it was still surprising, and frightening."

"I was afraid you'd say that. We've had our own recent events that have made me uneasy."

"What do you mean? Have you seen any of those creatures? Or Alan and Hans?" Mathias asked.

"No, and I've had all the guards here in the capital as well as the soldiers across the kingdom on alert for them. I hate to admit it, but part of me keeps hoping I find Alan, maybe that I can reason with him."

"I can't say I share your optimism."

"Even if the two of you had been close before the last few months, I need no reminder of what he's done to you and Elsa." Simon sighed, thoughts of his second son's actions weighing on his mind. "Still, he's my son, and your brother. I never would have believed he would be capable of what he's done." He sighed again and paused a moment before continuing, "Regardless, that's not what I wanted to tell you. A few nights ago something happened while I was in the square preparing for the festivities. It may be unrelated but it's made me uneasy."

"What happened?"

"A man came into the square, he was wounded and looked sickly."

"What happened to him?"

"We don't know yet. When asked in the square, he began ranting about something coming after him, and since then it's only become worse. Nothing but the occasional shiver and scream."

"That sounds familiar." Mathias said.

Elsa nodded and said, "Something similar happened to Hans on the first night Mathias and I met after he tried to kill me."

"Yes, Mathias mentioned it briefly after I'd made my return trip to Arendelle then. I hope it's a coincidence and that the man is simply mad, but I know better than to believe it."

"It's always been too much to hope that Hans, Alan and whoever else they may be working with have given up on whatever it is they want." Mathias said.

"That's why I made sure to tell you two this. I don't want you worried but I do want you prepared. I've also made sure to have as many guards and patrols as I can watching the city and castle in particular."

"Did you find anything else about the man from the square?"

"No. I sent a guard to follow the blood trail, but it went dry in the middle of the street, not far from the square itself. As for who he is, no one has come looking and he hasn't given any answers." Simon sighed to himself again before saying, "Anyway, that's all I needed to tell you. Now, you should both go and prepare yourselves for tonight's party. You two will no doubt be the most popular guests."

"Elsa nodded and said, "Thank you for letting us know about this Simon."

"Well I'm doing my best to avoid keeping secrets from now on." Elsa and Mathias exited the king's study and started to make their way back to their room.

When they reach the stairs, Anna and Kristoff are waiting there for them. "I thought you two were getting ready for the party?" Elsa asked.

"We were, but I got curious about what king Simon had to say. But we couldn't find where you went, so we waited here." Anna replied.

Elsa looked to Mathias who said, "We know there's no point in trying to keep secrets from them. They seem to have a way of finding out." Elsa nodded and told them what Simon had said. When she finished, Anna and Kristoff were quiet for a moment before they both said, "We need to find out who's behind all of this."

"I agree, but I'm not sure where to start." Elsa said. "In any event, we have tonight's party to worry about. If there's time tonight afterward we can discuss this more."

"Alright, but I'll be keeping an eye on everyone tonight." Anna said. "Know one gets to either of you without my say so."

"That cloak went straight to her head." Mathias said with a laugh.

"Like I said, Anna of Arendelle, bodyguard!" Anna says, again throwing on her hood for effect.

Elsa smiled and said, "I already told you, no bodyguarding. Now go get ready." Anna and Kristoff headed back to their room while Elsa and Mathias went up the stairs to theirs. When they arrived they saw that their luggage they'd brought had been delivered to their room. As Elsa begins picking through her available wardrobe she says, "So, any recommendations on what I should wear to impress Tonitrus nobility?"

"After everything my father said, that's what you're thinking about?"

"I've dealt with Alan, Hans, and whoever else they're working with before. It's a little frightening but familiar. Being a royal guest and representing my kingdom outside of Arendelle however is new to me."

"So you're not worried about what my father said?"

"Of course I am. But like I told Anna and Kristoff, we can't do much about it right now, best to focus on the things we can deal with."

"That's one way to look at it, but I'm surprised you're so worried. You've been keeping up queenly appearances for nearly two years now. I don't imagine it should be too different from doing it back home."

"That's not all I'm worried about." Mathias looked at her confused and she continued, "It seems now I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for anyone trying to steal you away. Your father did say you have your own line of marriage prospects and offers coming your way."

Mathias couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "I doubt it's as prevalent a problem as he made it out to be."

"I suppose we'll find out tonight, won't we." Elsa said with a smile. "You still haven't answered my question, any suggestions on my outfit for tonight?"

"You look beautiful in anything love, but if you're looking to impress, one of your ice ensembles would do the job."

"I suppose I can ice up my current attire a bit." With a wave of her hands Elsa threw some of her signature icicle and snowflake designs along her new cloak, creating a contrast with the cloak's dark blue fabric. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"It is your engagement party, you should dress up a little."

"You know I hate formal attire."

"But you do look good in it. I still remember how nice you looked at the harvest festival."

"I didn't pack that particular outfit, but I'm sure I have something in my old wardrobe. You have a much better sense for fashion than I do though."

"Let's get started then." Elsa crossed the room and threw open the doors on the wardrobe. "We'll find you an outfit fit for a king!"

Ex: You know, once I actually got to sitting down and writing, this chapter came out pretty well.

Elsa: Is that you admitting you procrastinated again?

Ex: Hey, 5 months is a short update time considering how long this story has taken me. I don't remember the last time I did a chapter with this much dialogue but it's nice to write Elsa and Mathias' back and forth banter and end a chapter on a mostly happy note for once. Plus no appearances from our cast of villains today. (this is a hint to the start of the next chapter by the way.)

Elsa: What are you telling them? I can't read in the parentheses.

Ex: Yeah the fourth wall rules are weird. We've gotten through most of what I consider to be 'filler stuff' to get into the meat of the story again so hopefully the next couple chapters will have a little bit more action in them. Anyway review, follow, possibly favorite? Hopefully someone is still reading this so I'm not just writing for myself like all my original stories.

Elsa: See you guys next time!