Of all the sounds Anna expects to hear from the courtyard, the sound of clashing swords is a new one.

She and Kristoff went out on a date he'd been planning for a week now – and it was perfect. A nice, romantic picnic up along the foothills of Arendelle's mountains. He'd set up a blanket underneath a weeping willow, a blanket of wild blooms surrounding them; and even after they finished their food, he played her some songs on his lute, Sven munching on some grass nearby. They shared romantic kisses at the picnic and all the way back to the castle, as giggly and bouncy as any schoolgirl.

She was in such a delightful mood; until Sven pulled into the courtyard, and there –

There he was.

His midnight black hair shines as he weaves in and out of a knot of three guards, his swords little more than steel extensions of his arms. He doesn't balk at the guards as he dodges and twirls around them.

Someone begins clapping to the right, and the four dueling figures stop; the guards panting. Anna watches as a grin spreads across Michael's face as he beholds the source.

Elsa approaches, clapping! She is clad not in her usual blue gown, but rather in a tunic of palest blue and loose trousers, and she clutches a sword of her own in one hand!

Her sister's cheeks are red from the heat and sweat, some strands sticking to her gleaming forehead. She places a gentle hand on Michael's shoulder, and the assassin says something that makes her sister laugh.

For a moment, Anna's heart tightens at the unfiltered happiness beaming from her sister's smile. How her eyes seem to sparkle as she watches Michael sheathe one sword at his back, coming up behind her sister to – what looks like observe her form.

He stands behind her, his arms hovering just above Elsa's. Anna grits her teeth as Michael places his hands over Elsa's. That is the oldest trick in the book! And the fact that Elsa's letting it happen –!

Michael seems indifferent as he walks around to Elsa's front once more, his head tilting to the side in observation.

The sheen of sweat illuminates his sharp cheekbones, and his blue eyes sparkle. Yes, he is truly lovely. But –

What is he here with her sister?! And with a sword!

Why does her sister even have a sword?!

Kristoff is saying something, but she's barely paying attention as she exits the wagon, stomping over to Michael and Elsa. The navy skirt of her pinafore dress flare with the lift of her legs, the heels of her matching slippers clacking loudly against the cobblestone.

"Elsa!" she calls. Elsa and Michael turn their heads in her direction, Elsa's smile wavering; Michael just rolls his eyes and turns away, continuing to skillfully spin the sword between his hands. Anna would've scoffed in offense, but she's too focused as she grabs her sister's arm. "Might I have a word?" she says, leading her away before she could agree. When they are out of hearing distance, she demands, "What are you doing?!"

She shrugs. "Sparring?"

"And why are you sparring?"

Elsa crosses her arms. "Because he volunteered to teach me how to fight?"

Anna's mouth drops open, unable to stop her voice from yelling, "What?!" Elsa shushes her, Anna brushing her off as she continues, quieter. "Elsa, why are you doing this?"

"Why aren't you?" Elsa suddenly counters, annoyed by the lecture. "Anna you have no powers, and our lives are in danger right now. It wouldn't hurt to try and learn something from him."

"But why him, Elsa?! You shouldn't be left alone with him!" Anna cries, and a pinch from Elsa keeps her voice down.

"Why? Do you really think he's going to kill me? Why would he kill me, or you, when he has absolutely nothing to gain from it?! Not to mention I could probably freeze him before he even lifted a hand."

"You don't know that."

"And you don't know him." Elsa growls. Michael casts a worried glance in Elsa's direction, but her sister waves at him to resume his lesson.

"Are you honestly so blind that you can't see why we can't allow this?"

"'Can't allow' — you're just afraid of him! After he's done nothing but prove to us that he is on our side." Elsa hisses.

Behind her, Kristoff approaches Michael, formally introducing himself. Michael tosses the sword to his left hand, shaking Kirstoff's with his right. The two men smile, Kristoff seeming to complement Michael's weapon. Olaf comes waddling up to Michael's side, a berry colored blanket wrapped around his head like a babushka.

Elsa follows Anna's gaze, turning to find Michael beginning to walk Kristoff through the basic steps of fencing. Anna's eyes flick to her sister, finding her smiling, her eyes sparkling as Michael hands Kristoff a sword. He looks intimidated by it, but some words from Michael have him taking it. She can barely hear what they're saying but she hears Michael say, "You stand like this," and takes a defensive stance.

"So, are you going to go lecture Kristoff now? Can I get back to my lessons now?" Elsa asks, Anna trying to hide her hurt at how annoyed her sister seems to sound.

Michael lunges, slapping Kristoff on the wrist with his sword. Elsa bites down her laughter. He grimaces and rubs the sore joint, but then smiles as the assassin begins to circle him.

"Elsa, can't you see where I'm coming from?"

"Of course, I do. But it's not like you've taken the time to get to know him; to see him as something more than just some rogue. He's a person, Anna."

"You can't possibly think you know a person you just met. I, of all people, know that!" Elsa sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm just disappointed you're letting your guard down. You've been so careless with him, despite common sense."

"And I'm disappointed that you're acting like everyone else back when I was the one being misunderstood." Elsa suddenly seethes.

Anna can't stop her flinch, as if her sister just struck her. Her heart sinks to the pit of her stomach, her body growing numb. She fists her hands to keep them from trembling.

"Elsa –"

"This behavior, it's exactly what everyone else did to me when I fled Arendelle three years ago."

"But Elsa, please –" Anna whimpers, tears starting to form in her eyes. A pain starts to tap at her right temple, memories of the coronation party starting to flood back.

Elsa made to move away, pausing at the hitch in Anna's voice. She looks to her, her features softening, her own eyes starting to line with silver.

But still, she turns away, starting to walk back towards Michael and Kristoff.

"You can't do this." Anna's nose starts to run, her vision blurring as she blinks.

Elsa stops, but without looking back, she says, "I'm the queen. I can do what I like."