Frozen: The Spirit and the Drage

by ArdenLemonade

Set after the events of the sequel: Elsa learns what being the fifth Spirit truly means, as not only many different demanding tasks and quests test her but also the strange being that she can't help but be drawn to. (Elsa x Female OC) Abuse, violence, child abuse, interspecies relationship

39. Chapter Thirty Nine

This felt like a mistake.

It wasn't, but it felt like one, returning here.

The cold winds displaced Susansoo's hair. Staring off into the horizon, a swift cut from his tantō made clean work of the stray hairs.

His home's, if he could still refer to it as that, foundations were shrouded in autumn clouds, appearing as if it floated atop them. The Yamajiro could be seen from the villages and towns within their territory. Tall, black stone, decorated with a limited gold outlining the baileys and rooftops.

Making it past the first bailey, the sounds of bells and gongs clanged, echoing in the distance. His men hurried past getting ready to dock and unload their master's belongings. Stepping up on the plank ramp Susansoo's shoes touched Mikoto land for the first time in years. Glancing down at the stone he allowed a moment of distraction before entering past the gates which opened for him and his entourage.

Servants rushed to his aid seeking to serve him, drinks, a meal, a warm bath?

He answered them all in the same fashion.

"No, I will go see Lady Mikoto, return to your duties." Some stopped and subtly stared at the Lord, the new lord. Taller, much more lean, walking in a military manner, dressed in a black karategi with ebony underthings. A far cry from the young boy running through the halls hot on his father's heels eager to learn.

His round face, now angular, clean shaven, unlike his father he kept his hair short, handsome if he smiled and got some sleep. They couldn't imagine him with those dark eyes smiling though. His eyes noticed everything yet gave only attention to his target which right now was his mother's sitting rooms.

Two guards saluted the Lord before pulling back the Shoji door allowing Susansoo to step in. On the outside his face sat as a perfect picture of stoicism, inside his nose was scrunched at the revolting overly aromatics that danced in the air of the room. The constant playing of the minstrels and performing artists working to keep his mother entertained.

When her eyes finally fell upon him standing straight before her a hand waved to cease all noise and activity in the room, including the women surrounding her speaking of who knew what. It was a pointless babble that only served to spare anyone from silence.

He allowed her to examine him, ignoring her obvious dramatics of surprise and suspicion. He knew not to engage, while she was making a point.

"All of you are dismissed. I will have some time alone with my son? I'm not sure." Her eyes flitted over Susansoo from top to bottom looking scrupulous. "If he is not sending the guards." The room's inhabitants packed up and left with graceful bows to their Lady of the house and shut the doors behind them.

Gathering up her red and gold Hakama she descended from her lavishly decorated sitting space to stand in front of him, staring as if he were a stranger. Susansoo knew his mother was an impeccable actress but wished she would get to her point so he could return to work.

"Are you my son?" She asked once more.

Keeping his eyes trained forward, unyielding and statuesque he spoke in a clear concise tone.

"I am Susanoo-no-Mikoto, son of Izanagi-no-Mikoto." Leaning in closer he felt her breath touch his cheek, still refusing to look at her pale painted face.

She nodded, perhaps pleased by the response. "Very good." Finally she gave him space walking back to her seat. "For a moment I thought- well when I read your letters and reports from you and your men, and then seeing you here, I thought my son was gone."

Susansoo blinked harshly, he couldn't take a deep breath, then his mother's awful incense would burn his nostrils which had grown so accustomed to the smell of the sea and ocean.

"I still do. Because I know my son. He is unwavering, strategic, a ruthless pursuer, an analytic hunter, who never misses his prey. Gifted with accuracy. Ready to pounce on the mistakes of his enemies. Never missing his mark." She sighed leaning back. An expression of disappointment and disgust flooded her pretty face.

"I thought years ago when I saw that boy leave he would return to me, victorious but he is not. You lost him out there in the sea."

Every fiber of Susansoo's being wanted to wail in protest at this accusation. Wanted to make certain that his mother knew he was still here standing before her. He knew it inside but… if that were true why did he return empty handed?

She was correct, he never missed his mark, he was ready to slaughter any who threatened his family, their dynasty at a moment's notice without a second thought.

His prowess was unmatched in the hunt. When he hunted her… that dragon– at first every shot missed felt as if it ricocheted back to his heart, then after a while seeing her grow and evade him as cleverly as she did. Seeing how much she wanted to live the lengths she'd go through just to see another day. It waned on him.

His quarry started out sloppy, barely able to fly, weak where he was strong, still pleading with him to stop and willing to detestably beg for mercy, he remained rigid, stubborn, and relentless. Unwilling to stop until the job was done. His men who had grown fatigued would plead with him to return home with them but he remained on her trail. And that was their life.

---

Susansoo breathed silently, aiming the harpoon where he had spotted the dragoness submerge herself, watching the air bubbles float upward and waited, for how long he could easily deduce a half an hour.

A shaking of the boat had his men rushing to the sides looking over into the waters. A shadow had passed under swiftly, barely visible with the naked eye when suddenly a large impact had Sussanoo nearly falling to his rear. His strong legs steadied themselves after the collision when a second had followed.

"Assess the damage." He commanded calmly to the captain. His crew were losing themselves in panic.

"My lord, it seems the dragon has rammed the left starboard and created a hole! We'll capsize!" But Susansoo did not panic and kept his heart beat steady.

He walked to the area which was damaged and looked down seeing they were in fact taking in a lot of damage. In an instant he knew her plan.

Destroy the ship, let his men drown, she didn't care, she didn't know them, they weren't the same faces she was used to seeing throughout the years. Then take off with Susansoo and try to change his mind.

Sighing in exasperation Susansoo thought of an adaptation to said plan. Rushing to his cabin he quickly equipped himself with jade and waited. If his calculations were correct the boat would sink, his men would drown or fall prey to whatever was waiting for them in depths and he'd be captured.

Sure enough when only the front half of the ship remained surfaced a large splash breached from the waves. He felt a strong grip grasping his arms yanking him down below.

Not submerged for too long he was thrown onto an isle he concluded about forty minutes from the mainland of spain.

There she was. Clearing the water from her nostrils. She had grown immensely, no longer pudgy, or lanky. She was underfed surely but any nutrients she could get a hold of was used only for creating muscle.

He eyed the gaping crusty hole in her wing when she shook herself free of the water which clung to her mane, now actual hair, instead of the fuzz that covered her body, that was replaced by scales shimmering and hard.

She panted, catching her breath from the endeavor of sinking his ship. Her eyes never left his.

Expecting a fight, Susansoo's hand hovered where a jade dagger remained sheathed.

The dragon's eyes softened, widening pupils, her ears pulled back, as she let out a beguiling warble. Slowly taking the first step towards him, still cautious.

It was a sound he had learned to mute his ears to, focusing in favor the sounds of canons and the notching of crossbows.

Susansoo had to act now pulling his dagger free; he lunged at her with terrifying speed but his dragon had also learned how to evade attacks much more quickly. Keeping her claws sheathed she slapped wrist nearly breaking it free from holding the weapon before he could go for it she pinned him down beneath her weight.

So again he waited, he waited for her to be what she was and end his life thus freeing herself from their endless hunt.

Her jaws clamped around the bow attached to his back and pulled it off him. He kept his stare fixed on it as well as the scattered arrows now littering the rocky ground remained just out of his grasp.

He could hear her chuffing above him, her hot breath burning his neck. They lay like that for a while until-

Susansoo inhaled sharply when he felt the soft swell of breasts against his back, hands were gripping his wrist in place of paws, and a soft voice filled his ears like he had never heard in a whisper.

"Mm, fuck that hurt more than I thought it would… Susansoo…" hearing his name, past her lips again, it was surreal. He had only ever heard her as a child, but this was no child atop him.

"Please, stop. We don't have to do this anymore. I know I messed up-"

"You killed… my father, my brother." The dragon's words quivered with emotion.

"I know. And I regret it every single day. I'll repay you in any way I can except giving you my life. I don't want to die." He gritted his teeth and squeezed his shut, the hands holding his wrist loosened their grip. Seizing the moment he flipped them over now in control with the dragon's hands pinned beside her head and him looking down.

Her eyes held large fat spools of tears which shed when she blinked. "I'm sorry, Susansoo. Please!" She lurched forward and in a moment of weakness he released her wrists and allowed her to bury her face in his chest. "Please take me home with you, I'll do anything except die. You can lock me up forever. I won't mind. Just take me home." For a moment he considered her pleas, to say this was difficult to digest was an understatement.

He exhaled heavily, turning to look away from her body. "It is unbecoming for a woman to lay naked beneath a man she is not married to." Sniffling his dragon chuckled weakly. Her voice had changed again with her nose congested. Little did she know it made her sound all the more sweet to Susansoo, she was always disregarding the rules, laws, which was the very reason they were here now.

"I don't care, you're my brother." Looking up at him again with hopeful eyes he took in her features. Matured, the only thing that did not change was her big expressive eyes. She was wild, always the trailblazer when they were children, Susansoo being the next head of the household was beguiled by her incessant whining to follow her into trouble, and when it came to trouble she was a innovator.

She had misled him then and it led to the demise of half his family, would he fall so easily into her honeytrap again? He was no longer a child.

"You've grown, you're a man now." He scooted away from her sitting on his rear but she followed crawling between his legs purring. "Are you going to take me home Susansoo?" Her eyes closed, her tail wrapping itself around his ankle, like the bewitching demons he had heard about in the stories his wet nurse read to him.

Scooting away once more predictably his dragon followed not wanting to give up the comfort of touching him once more.

Susansoo scowled and made his decision..

His dragon cried out in agony when the arrow pierced her leg, she didn't have the nerve to touch or pull it out knowing it would just bleed even more. As Susansoo stood feeling stronger than ever, his resolve returned in shadow which casted the monster in darkness. She stared up at him in shock, and misery holding out her hand to shield herself from him. Backing away until she was nearly over the rocky cliff's edge. Her breathing became haggard from fear, adrenaline, pain.

This, this was the monster he had to kill. But could he bring himself to do it? Reaching down he gripped the green dagger which glinted in the setting sun's rays.

"S-Susansoo." She whimpered, he saw her eyes glancing back and forth between the waters below and him. He knew what she was scheming.

So why didn't he act quickly? Why didn't he raise his dagger to her chest and run it through her heart?

His hesitation allowed the dragon to fling herself off the cliff into the ocean below leaving behind a trail of red upon the waters surface.

Susansoo growled cursing himself, for once he lost control of his emotions and beat his head repeatedly. "Damn you!" He casted curses into the water.

---

Swimming away Ryu surfaced upon a rock, clinging to it. The salty water stung her wound which she licked around. Closing her fangs around it she tried to steadily pull it out but the pain had her roaring into the night.

She had come so close! So close to bringing Susansoo back to his senses… or maybe everything to him did make sense. She was a murderer, and for years had tried to justify her sins to herself that she committed against the only person she loved. It was over, this was their life now, he'd chase her till the end of her days. It was their fate, sealed and signed with blood dripping from Ryu's leg.

She curled her limbs tightly into her body and shivered. The searing red hot hatred burning in Susansoo's eyes made her cold inside and out.

"My boy, Susansoo, take me home."

---

"Take me home." The whimper had Elsa glance over from her book to the lump that lay in the mess of blankets besides her.

Removing a layer revealed Ryu curled up, face scrunched in distress mumbling to herself. Elsa reached over and ran her hand down from her shoulder to her leg, a gentle way to wake Ryu up from whatever disturbing dream she was having. They had just made love and Elsa assumed that she had tired Ryu out enough to get a restful sleep. Evidently she was wrong.

Her hand stopped its descent when she felt the scarred flesh which sat among the scales on Ryu's hip. Elsa frowned at it, remembering when she removed the arrow.

She gasped audibly when Ryu lunged forward flipping her over, in the blink of an eye Elsa was pinned beneath her body and dangerous glare.

Snapping fully awake Ryu released her sitting up panting. "I'm sorry Erusa, I…" she didn't have words at the moment, running her fingers through her messy hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I got spooked." Her breathing slowed when she felt Elsa wrap her in a cold embrace which soothed her shivering.

She pet Ryu's hair down cooing to her softly. "It's alright, it's okay, I've got you." And she was never letting go until Ryu pulled away, throwing herself back down to the pillows resting the bow of her elbow over her eyes.

Elsa kept an eye on her waiting for the right moment to ask "Are you okay?"

Ryu lay there replying with a short and gruff. "Hm." Elsa sighed leaning on her side causing the sheets to slide down her naked arm. She was growing tired of the noise. 'Hm'. It was a noise Ryu made more often than usual, especially during her training therapies with Yelena, Elsa, and Anna.

Anna had made the brilliant deduction during a flight gone awry.

---

"What?" Anna frowned glancing to where Ryu had kept her stare trained for the past twelve minutes into their lunch break.

She smiled when her gaze landed on Ryu's fixation. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Ryu's throat vibrated deeply. It truly was. She had always loved rainbows, of all kinds wherever they may have showed up. She had taught the children in Northuldra how to create them using water and reflections.

Wiping away the crumbs of her sandwich, Anna dusted her fingers, standing. "Alright let's head back." Ryu seemed less inclined to look away from the natural phenomena but obeyed slowly.

Glancing between the dragon and the bows in the sky, Anna rubbed her chin, concluding Ryu had been more than courteous today during her meeting with a dignitary of a neighboring kingdom. Their schedule could afford a little indulgence.

"Actually Periwinkle… "She started slowly, mounting Ryu. "Why don't we finally see what's at the end of rainbows?" She nearly fell off with the dragon's excited wiggling. They barely made it to the edge of the sea stack when Ryu plunged off of it spreading her wings to propel upward towards the rainbow.

Anna's clothes were reaching borderline soaked from the salty sea air and the mist fogging the air they flew through, going higher and higher into the clouds.

Ryu hardly ever flew as reckless as she was, Anna could offer no directional suggestions now with the dragon's mind focused on a singular mission.

Just as Anna suspected its colors began to recede as they drew near to the rainbow, thanks to Elsa's teaching she knew a rainbow was not a physical thing but instead an optical illusion but she wouldn't ruin her friend's enthusiasm.

"See Periwinkle, you know we won't actually be able to catch the rainbow right? It's just water reflectio-'' Anna's words droned on, mouth agape she watched Ryu not just fly through the rainbow but swipe her paw through what should have been invisible matter scattering the refracted fragments around in a beautiful array of colorful spectrums around them.

Did they just discover a theory which disproved all others before it or did someone put something in her sandwich?

Rubbing her eyes Anna leant over the side and tried running hand through it and immediately snatched her fingers back the moment she felt the searing heat singed their tips.

Hissing she rubbed her hands together, till it was time to grab hold of Ryu's mane as she curved along the multicolored arc howling, happier than ever letting her tongue hang out of her mouth.

She was in her own little world of blues, greens, and reds, although violet seemed to be her favorite color to mess with and slap heartily.

Not having a single semblance of control Anna tucked in tight, content to simply marvel at the spectacular show, as if the bifrost was here on earth but instead of a bridge to the realm of the gods it served as her friend's plaything.

Finally the rainbow disappeared from the sky. Landing in the castle courtyard, Anna's brain flooded with a thousand questions to the dragon. Why had she never shown them this ability before? Had she always been able to do that and did she know? Could all dragons play with Rainbows? Why? How?

From the scrupulous expression on the dragon's muzzle Anna had realized she just word vomited her inquiries all over Ryu in rapid succession. Walking side by side Ryu remained in this form, choosing silence.

"Did you use to do that as a chick? I mean play with Rainbows that is? You seemed a bit out of it, you didn't hear a single thing I said up there." Even though she was chuckling, Ryu didn't find any humor in what Anna said. Stopping abruptly, her brows furrowed, eyes down casted at the ground. Anna cursed her noisy curiosity when Ryu huffed and turned around taking off into the sky.

---

The next day Anna proposed her theory that the more they encouraged Ryu's draconic instinct the more her magic would be drawn out, however Ryu debated against it vehemently, barely leaving any room for argument.

"But Ryu this could be the break through we've need-"

"No! Trust me guys, my instincts are the last thing anyone needs to be exposed to."

And that was the end of that discussion, Elsa knew something must have happened to her dragon for her reaction to have been as serious and strong as it was.

"Ryu maybe… maybe you should speak about it? What you were dreaming about I mean-"

"Īe, kekkōdesu." She whispered.

Elsa leaned in closer, speaking in a hushed tone. Her hand placed itself gently on Ryu's chest fiddling with her scales absentmindedly. She hoped with gentle touches and a soft tone she could entice Ryu to open up.

"Ryū, hanashite kudasai." Her upper body, which draped over Ryu's, rose along with the dragon's deep inhales and exhales as she waited for her to say something.

Deciding it was taking too long Elsa kissed the corner of Ryu's jaw lingering there to trail her lips down her neck, taking the skin between her teeth gently. "Dō ka koibito, nani ga mondaina no ka oshietekudasai."

It was a much more manipulative tactic than what Elsa wanted to use but she was at her wits end whenever Ryu had a dream or bad recollection she'd shut down entirely pretending that nothing was wrong. It was her most frustrating flaw Elsa decided and most difficult to get past.

Luckily Ryu began to respond to Elsa's gentle advances in earnest, maneuvering their lips together when she turned her head. Elsa couldn't help herself moaning into the deepened kiss and tilting her head.

Ryu pulled away to lick her lips, Elsa captured the hot tongue and suckled it into her mouth.

Feeling her dragon's hands rub her belly in an attempt to arouse her made Elsa realize her mistake in getting too caught up in sensuality of the moment. She didn't want sex, she wanted Ryu to talk.

Pulling away made Ryu growl and try to recapture Elsa's mouth with her own but Elsa turned her head. "Ryu, we need to talk." Elsa stated in a much more serious tone.

Ryu bemoaned and left her be, turning on her side. "About what Erusa?" She was growing frustrated, Elsa could see the signs of hardening scales and hear the gruff rattle in her voice.

"About the dreams that plague you, about why some days I have to come home to see you looking terribly upset, mumbling things in your sleep." Elsa had become desperate now. It wasn't frequent but it was an frequent enough occurrence and interfered with their mission of reconnecting Ryu with her magic that she thought this reaction justified.

"They are just nightmares Erusa, everyone has them." Ryu's flippant attitude was becoming like lemon on an already irritated wound. Taking a calming breath Elsa sat up clasping her hands beneath her chin, keeping her eyes trained forward.

"Yes but not everyone is so disturbed by them that they are still upset hours after waking up. Ryu you flipped me over when I tried to wake you." Elsa said, louder than she had intended.

"I apologized! And I am truly sorry-" Ryu stood from the bed, puffing herself out defensively.

"I know you are Ryu but I personally believe that these dreams that are haunting you could very well be something from your past which is another thing you barely speak about with me."

Ryu's hand flew up in exasperation as she desperately tried to deflect Elsa away from the subject. "Why should I! It's the past, it already happened, I– I told you about what happened that night, I told you about the fire, what more do you want! What more can I give you!"

Sucking in air sharply Elsa stood as well wrapping her arms around herself. Closing her eyes to deafen that old familiar voice laughing at her that she'd become glutenous and take from Ryu until she had nothing left to give.

Elsa gritted her teeth, calming herself, she knew it was wrong.

No! This is for her own good.

She was certain this was an act of selflessness. If they were to save Ryu she needed to want to save herself and sadly that required the unpleasant deed that scratched at old scars bleeding them out of infection rather than just wrapping them up and ignoring the puss and infection.

She remained steadfast, despite what her hunched posture telegraphed.

"I want you to open up to me, there's more that's happened to you– be it in your childhood– in your travels– I don't know, but please we can talk about it. Ignoring it won't help you Ryu, you're just going to keep repressing what happened and thus keep repressing yourself." The desperate beseeching only hardened Ryu's heart, twisting it into a dangerous scowl.

Elsa had to take a step back hearing her scales rattle rapidly at her. Completely thrown as she watched Ryu with wide, unsettled eyes. She hadn't shown a sign of true aggression towards Elsa since they first met.

Elsa could hardly recognize the stoically venomous tone hissing between her fangs.

"Nani no hanashi ga aru nda! Sore wa kako no kotodesu, sudeni okotta kotodesu, anata ni dekiru koto wa nani mo kaiketsu shimasen!" She only caught some of what Ryu had said, finding it difficult when each word ended in a growl that shook her core.

An uncomfortable itch plagued her entire body as the air suffocated her, wrapping around the couple like a snake tightening, not satisfied until it heard words come out that would hurt the other.

Elsa hated being yelled at especially by Ryu. She by no means feared the dragon but… it hurt.

It hurt so much.

There wasn't enough oxygen for the large gulps of air Ryu took running a hand over her tired face. She wasn't exactly softened in demeanor towards Elsa but she was definitely calmer as she translated her outbursts.

"There is nothing to talk about, Erusa it's in the past nothing you can do will fix it." Elsa couldn't bear to meet her eyes until she heard Ryu's whispered plea. There was desperate terror in her voice now. "Please Erusa, drop it. There's nothing in my past that's good for you." Ryu nodded thinking to herself the matter settled when she received no response, leaving the room but Elsa dressed herself quickly in a robe and pursued her down the steps.

An idea was born in her mind that seemed ingenious. It made her feel so foolish for not suggesting it before.

"Ahtohollan!" Ryu turned around from heading to the kitchen, squinting her eyes.

"What?" Elsa slowed herself to explain the plan.

"If you don't wish to speak about it I respect that but maybe Ahtohallan could help-"

Her lips clamped shut at the accusing finger pointing at her, her words died in her throat at the betrayed expression that nearly brought Ryu to tears.

"You gave me your word, you would never use them to spy on me."

"I'm not spying," Elsa's ponytail whipped back and forth with her head. Holding up her hands to Ryu as if she'd take off with the slightest wrong move. "That's why I'm bringing it up to you now, and don't you think that I have some right to know? With what we are to each other." Some would have called it a cheap play but to Elsa it was her last gambit, trying to appeal to Ryu's better nature and affections towards her, she knew they ran deep. Perhaps deep enough to beguile her to agree.

"No."

"No?"

Ryu held up a finger with each word, each word that sliced small cuts into Elsa's heart. "Īe, non, la, Bù, nee, nein, nã! And any other languages that you understand and I don't, no."

The sight of her tears, hugging herself in the middle of the living room sent catapults to Ryu's stony wall she hurriedly began to build between them flinging her own fiery retorts.

"I don't like you like this."

Elsa voice despite being quiet and quivering was loud enough to destroy Ryu's insusceptible fortress, shattering her in rubble and pieces she'd have to rebuild again.

Ryu growled again, this time directing it at herself, her rubbing hands moved from her face to her scalp which stung from the pinch of her claws.

Arms sagging for once she didn't have a solution. Elsa wasn't familiar with this dragon that stood defeatedly before her. The girl who would at least entertain other's sides of things even if they disagreed with her own, then discuss it for however long it took to find a compromise. She wanted to speak to that Ryu, she wanted to hug that Ryu, she missed her.

Not looking up Elsa caught the heavy breath of air and subdued mumble."Yeah well… I don't like me like this either."

Waiting for the door to close behind her, Elsa's tightened body uncoiled, throwing itself back into the couch. She couldn't lay sprawled out as she was her body instinctively curling in on itself, her knees supported her head.

Her shoulder shook with each quiet sob.

She had really done it now. Why did she have to keep on pushing?

Stupid, stupid, stupid fool!

And now she had driven Ryu away. She was so certain that the key for a brighter future for her dragon was to face her past and let go, healing the terrible wounds it left on her psychologically, emotionally, even physically.

Maybe she was wrong, that was a painful line of thought to have, it would mean their fight was unnecessary, and futile, and if she wasn't she'd have the choice of maybe finding an alternative way to save Ryu or continuing to try to convince her that this was best, possibly fracturing them more.

Nokk's watery touch was just what Elsa needed at the moment, he nudged her sobbing face upward until her tears mixed with his form, soaking up Elsa turmoil as Bruni warmed her lap and Gale dried her face.

After an hour of care Elsa accepted how lost she was on the subject. Getting dressed she went to the only person she could go to for advice.

---

"Elsa, it's okay, couples fight all the time. It's a part of being in a relationship." Anna's cheerful tone didn't raise Elsa's spirits though, she still lay against the headboard of her bed, looking small and vulnerable wrapped in their mother's shawl.

"Ryu and I have had play fights or small disagreements but never like this, it was… bad." Anna frowned, pulling her sister into her side she wiped a stray bang from her eyes.

"How bad?"

"She yelled at me." Despite the calm, resolved way Elsa said this, Anna could sense she was breaking inside, for many reasons. Even on the rare occasion she and Elsa argued they never yelled at one another and if Anna's voice raised Elsa would give a signal Anna, no matter how livid, would concede to.

"Ryu… " If this had occurred two or three months ago she would have given Ryu a very not so nice earful demanding she apologize to Elsa immediately but now… Anna sighed– she couldn't help but pity Ryu after hearing Elsa's retelling of the events.

"She doesn't react very well to fear or any strong emotion really, but mostly fear." Elsa stayed quiet listening intently, hugging herself tighter as guilt practically seeped from her pores making her wish the earth would swallow her whole.

"If the emotion is unpleasant she'll try to separate herself from it as much as possibly, and if that doesn't work she'll get desperate and lash out." Anna remembered being on the receiving end of Ryu's stress response back in the temple. She shuddered, glad that it was just a memory.

"On the plus side, Ryu tends to forgive easily and is very willing to admit when she's wrong-" Elsa bolted up at this, wiping away the unshed tears still coating her pupils. She knew at least some of this but was still hopeful to hear someone else confirm her observations and feelings.

"When she sees a logical reason as to why she's wrong, that is." Anna hated dashing Elsa's hopes like that but she couldn't falsely feed her optimism.

"From my personal opinion of dealing with the oh so logical Kristoff, sometimes people like that– they get stressed if their feelings or the feelings of those they care about don't make any logical sense to them." Elsa sat up once more. What Anna said made perfect sense, in fact it was almost the exact same advice she had given her when she and Kristoff had a terrible argument that kept them speaking from each other for three days straight leaving poor Sven and Olaf in the middle.

How could she not have thought of that and applied the concept in her heated discussion with Ryu!

Anna watched softly smiling as a variety of expressions crossed her face as quickly as her mind raced.

Elsa had even felt it, looking back at their fight she felt the sickening aura of Ryu's fear drenching the air around her clenching both their stomachs to knots, she witnessed that same fear get tucked away and covered in a drape of anger concealing it away.

"Of course Anna! You're right." Elsa leapt to feet, worrying her fingers with little tugs, pacing back and forth. "Her fear didn't make any sense so of course she'd try to discard it as best she could, but she didn't. Instead she just simply deflected it overcompensating with another emotion that didn't make her feel as vulnerable."

"Yes but I don't want you groveling at her feet either Elsa, just because we know this doesn't give her the right to keep behaving this way and you coddling her will only make it worse."

Elsa bit her lip, wondering how Anna knew that was exactly what she planned to do, not to the exact description but she was already planning on the long and heartfelt apology. She didn't know exactly why but-

"I don't know why but I just can't stay mad at her."

Anna stood as well holding up a hand."You can at least not be a… " Anna searched for the right word. "Pushover. You already spoil her physically. The last thing we need is an emotionally spoiled dragon." Elsa opened her mouth to argue but Anna's finger interrupted her. "Hold that thought, be right back."

Leaving the room she hurried to the royal stables in a jog.

Throwing the front doors open, her eyes frantically flitted about until they landed on…

"What… are you guys doing… " Kristoff froze in his position of holding fake antlers to his head shaking them at Sven, between them sat Olaf on a wooden horse adorned in makeup and a singular antler stuck to his head. Kristoff stopped his deep grunts and looked to his wife.

"Uuuh n-nothing-nothing um-" he tossed the antlers to the side, fidgeting with the hay that stuck to his clothes. "We were just helping Sven- no what doesn't matter- err um what're you doing, Carrotop?"

Recovering from what she had just witnessed, understanding that it wasn't the strangest circumstance she had found her boys in, Anna got back on task and updated Kristoff about what had happened.

"So I need you to go find Ryu and talk to her please." He made a dubious face crossing his arms.

"Anna, are you meddling?"

"What! I don't meddle."

"You do meddle."

"No I don't just ugh please here is a list of places Ryu may or may not be and just go find her."

Kristoff looked over the list, sharing it with Olaf who silently agreed to go along. "Anna?"

"Yes Olaf?" She answered halfway out the door.

"Instead of the list of where Ryu may or may not be can we have the list of where she will be instead." Anna stared at them for a long thirty seconds with just her head peeking in before she shut the door quickly.

"Welp!" Olaf threw off the antler but decided to keep the makeup jumping down. He pulled his lower half up like pants and skipped to the door. "I guess Anna wants to give us a scavenger hunt. Let's hit the ole leafy trail."

"Get it?" Kristoff glanced down at his question. "Hm?"

"I said leafy trail and not dusty because the trail won't be dusty cause it's autumn so leaves."

"Oh I get it now, that's a clever one, little buddy." He grunted as he and Sven pushed their sleigh out of the rear of the stables.

"I have an even better one." Sven 'said'.

"Let's hear it." Kristoff replied.

"Why do the forest animals love fawns so much?"

"I don't know Sven why?" Asked Olaf climbing into the sleigh.

"Because they are very deer to them."

Olaf and Kristoff replied simultaneously.

"I don't get it."

"That wasn't very funny, Sven."

---

"Erusa?"

"Yes Ryu?"

She looked down ashamedly, picking the seams of her worn tunic. "I'm sorry about the way I reacted yesterday and for shouting." Elsa felt her heartstrings plucking in time with Ryu's fidgeting fingers. Her winsome sad big eyes made Elsa want to scoop her up in her arms and whisper only sweet things in her ear.

Don't be a pushover.

Elsa wrestled the urge down violently, occupying her hands with getting ready. "Thank you for the apology."

Realizing that the curt reply all she was getting out of her, Ryu entered the room cautiously.

"Umm so the reason I did- which isn't an excuse-"

Elsa stood up from her vanity brushing by Ryu. "I thought you didn't want to talk about your past."

"I don't-"

A genuine huff escaped past Elsa's made up lips followed by a murmur which caused Ryu to wince hearing the irritable. "Typical."

"But I'll tell you why."

Reluctantly, Elsa finally looked at Ryu from the corner of her eye, pausing her preparation in getting ready. She caught Ryu's eyes traveling over her taking in her clothing.

Hee cheeks tinted pink at the appreciative glint she saw shine in Ryu's gaze accompanied by a dulcet smile.

She had told Elsa about how though not one for flashy fashion she enjoyed seeing Elsa's artistic sensibility and personality reflected in her wardrobe.

She thought her dress simple in design, a nice lavender gray to harmonize with the autumn theme of the festival, long sleeves and lower skirts decorated in etched in leaves which sported the warmest color she had been in.

Ryu was also guilty of mocking her tendency to make a lot of her outfits sparkle in some form or another.

There was no ridicule this time in Ryu, just a sad admiration. "You look beautiful." She said shyly, looking away. From anyone else Elsa would have chalked it up to mere brown nosing but she knew Ryu. There was no no sarcasm, no ambivalence…she was sincere that's what made this so much more difficult, keeping up this icy facade. It was genuine, Elsa's heart pounded in her chest so loudly, she knew she had to lower the noise less Ryu run away again making the terrifying deduction that Elsa feared facing herself.

Elsa couldn't risk letting Ryu know how much a simple compliment from her affected her. How much it made her stomach flutter and head reel feeling dizzy and light.

"Thank you, now why?"

"Erusa my past is not good." Ryu cringed, probably feeling completely foolish from Elsa's deadpan expression.

She painfully pressed on. "You are good, and I erm well it… ugh." Nearly giving up, Ryu face palmed herself hating how inarticulate she could become in moments like this.

At last Elsa became more affable, noticing how much her dragon struggled exposing this vulnerable side of her, she couldn't help the admiration flooding her heart at her dragon still persevering. Taking Ryu's hand she led her to the bed where they sat.

"I'm afraid–" Ryu stared at an empty space in the room. "Of what you'll think of me after…you know– you'll see whatever it is Ahtohollan would show you and not like me anymore, you'd hate me. And I don't want you to see some of the things I had because they-" Ryu's eyes shined with tears which refused to fall from her eyes looking at Elsa. "Erusa they change you, they keep you up at night and I know you seeing those things… I don't think it'd be good for you." She whispered the last words, turning away to hang her head in shame.

Elsa kept hold of her hand running her thumbs over Ryu's skin in circles. "Ryu I… I'm sorry for pressuring you as much as I did but Gecko–" Elsa cupped Ryu's cheek to lift her head. "I don't want you going through this alone, sharing it I feel will help in not just restoring your magic but healing you as well. There's almost nothing that could make me hate you. I promise." When Elsa's forehead connected with Ryu's she smiled, closing her eyes.

"I missed you, Ryu-Chan."

"I missed you too, Erusa. I'm sorry for leaving like I did."

"What made you come back?" Ryu pulled away, rolling her head to the side.

"Well…"

---

"Look Paul, I get it okay, I'm married to her sister, they can be… pushy." Olaf and Sven nodded along with this having experienced it for themselves. "But you can know one thing is that they always will strive for the best for those they care about. And if Elsa is trying to push towards it then maybe the idea is worth entertaining."

Olaf plopped down next to the dragon petting her large leg, she grumbled at them hoping they'd leave her be, but they were determined and wouldn't allow her to pull the same shit she pulled with everyone else hiding behind a wall of confident apathy to mask her inner insecurities and turmoil.

"Just because you explore it as a possibility doesn't mean it's gonna happen. I think of what ifs all the time!"

"And who knows maybe you'll find there are more pros than cons." Ryu glanced between Sven and Kristoff, guessing it was Sven? Who just spoke. She was still getting used to that.

Nodding slowly Kristoff snapped his fingers grinning at Sven. "An excellent point my friend. Paul, when I was harvesting ice I once fell through and nearly drowned if not for Sven. So from that day forward I promised myself to never stand on thin ice again. Then Anna happened and Elsa happened… to the whole country and in fjord I had a choice to either stay on land or go on the breaking ice to save Anna. Risks to both choices but the outcome for one was better than the other." He sucked his teeth feeling as if he lost his point.

"Different circumstances but still, on one path you can keep your hard boundary with Elsa- and hey there's nothing wrong with that- but it could put a barrier between you two, or you could take the risks show Elsa you and your life unfiltered by your words and maybe heal, maybe feel a whole lot better. Sometimes keeping secrets is tiring and tough so… it's your choice."

They all looked down at the furious scribbling Ryu made in her journal, it wasn't so much a diary entry as it was a list of the emotions she was feeling when she wrote them down.

Anger.

Confusion.

Love.

Fear.

---

"And then they left and Bruni found me and yelled at me to come home." It felt inappropriate but Elsa seemed to not be able to help herself in laughing at the last part.

"What?" Ryu chuckled, tilting her head.

Elsa shook her head, trying to wave away the humor.

"Nothing, nothing it's just… the other day Anna pointed out that you and Bruni look very much alike."

"We do?" Ryu asked, looking up in thought.

"It would seem so."

"Well I'll take that as a compliment, he's a very handsome boy." She let Elsa grip her cheeks bringing their faces closer.

"And you, my dear–" Elsa planted a sweet kiss on Ryu's forehead. "Are gorgeous."

"Erusa?"

"Yes?" Elsa's smooth voice sent tremors throughout Ryu making her squirm in place. Whatever her true question was it remained a mystery, now distracted by Elsa's bewitching presence having her full attention, her entire focus.

Ryu flushed, barely able to accomplish anything except shallow inhales.

Elsa began to turn vermillion recognizing the reaction in Ryu and herself. And for once it felt so nice to let go of being emotionally responsible and allow the lecherous thoughts fill her mind with everything that would be considered indecent.

Ryu became frightened at the incongruous sensations between her head and her heart, or between her legs. "Ryu?" Uh-oh there was that octave again which always meant Elsa had asked her question.

Ryu's head jerked nearly butting with Elsa's chin not realizing that she had been ogling Elsa's body.

Elsa couldn't help but smile, closing the distance between herself and Ryu. She knew her dragon hadn't heard a word she had just said and didn't seem to mind at all, chuckling. "I missed you so much."

Ryu released another shuddery breath.

At the sight of her lipstick staining Elsa felt a pang in her lower body. Experimenting, she laid her lips on Ryu's cheeks noting the same result. She didn't know why the sight sent tingles down her spine but she liked it and so did Ryu.

While lathering her neck in marks and nibbles Elsa groaned as Ryu's body began pulling her back onto the bed.

"Oh we shouldn't, we'll be late for the festival." She felt like such a hypocrite groaning this into Ryu's skin.

Assessing her work she enjoyed seeing Ryu laying there covered in grayish magenta kiss marks, it was like seeing her love physically represented on Ryu's skin.

"And I have to get dressed." Ryu mused dreamily but she didn't try to stop what was happening, pulling Elsa down on top of her.

Elsa managed to use her thighs to spread Ryu's legs for her to settle between since her hands were much too busy running themselves all over her arms and stomach.

"Mm to get dressed you have to get undressed." From the angle she found herself in, Elsa felt Ryu's heated sex press against her thigh through her gown and Ryu's pants.

As she shuffled slightly to kiss Ryu's neck again, a jolt of pleasure ran through Ryu's body. "Erusa!" she cried, her hips rolling upward reflexively.

An implosion of pleasure assailed Ryu, and she growled out. "Erusa please I can-nee-!" Once again Ryu found herself completely unarticulated, not sure of how she could communicate, but instead her mind went completely blank, only focusing on when Elsa moved again, feeling the soothing cold of Elsa's beautifully smooth thigh.

Elsa couldn't stand the layers anymore, if it felt this wonderful with them she couldn't fathom how delicious this would be without them.

Without taking her time she untied Ryu's pants, or at least she would have if Ryu didn't tie the damn knot so tight. Elsa slender fingers worked hurriedly to find the base of the sash but was unsuccessful. In a fit of impatient lust Elsa crafted a knife sharp enough to slice through the tie in one shear cut. Ryu watched in amazement as she merely tossed it to the side, discarding it as nothing more than a mere handful of snow.

Ryu didn't have a second to react as Elsa tugged her trousers off, tossing them away just as she did the ice knife.

Sitting up against the headboard, Elsa pulled Ryu upon her lap to straddle her.

Her hands trailed down Ryu's back gripping her shirt. Elsa frowned, she hated that too. Ryu chuckled, pulling the shirt over head but became stuck. She growled tugging at it till Elsa reached up to yank it off. Ryu shook her head, messing up her hair when free. Elsa kissed her again briefly, dragging her mouth down the valley between her breasts to her stomach.

Cheeks completely flushed, Ryu yelped the highest Elsa had ever heard from her from the sensual attentions she lavished upon her stomach. Her tongue skimmed across Ryu's scales feeling her dragon tangle her fingers in her hair squeezing slightly when the sensation became too overwhelming.

"Fakku, erusa!" She gasped.

"Language." Elsa warned into her belly, not pulling away.

Ryu smirked, catching her breath. "Goodness glaciers Erusa." She grinned down at Elsa's glare. The pause was interrupted by Elsa roughly yanking Ryu down, smashing her weeping entrance against herself.

Elsa moaned and bit her lip gently as she began rubbing her thigh against Ryu's cleft. "Erusa!" Ryu cried again, supporting herself with hands clasped upon Elsa's shoulders as she continued shoving her hips upwards into Ryu. After a few rather clumsy efforts, Elsa found the right leverage and went to work bringing her dragon pleasure.

Elsa's fingers dug into the mounds of Ryu's ass massaging it before gripping the supple flesh, guiding and encouraging Ryu's hips to the perfect pace. Her high pitched breathy moans were so wonderful to hear, especially as they grew in volume when Elsa latched onto Ryu's nipple suckling harshly.

Her eyes slid up to Ryu's looking intensely dark, Ryu's breaths came in short gasps as her pleasure rose, her small claws dug into Elsa's shoulders.

"Please!" Ryu begged more quietly, desperately as her legs clutched tightly together but were unable to meet due to Elsa's thigh being in-between them. Every thrust against her tender soft scaled entrance had Ryu wanting to quicken her gyrations and reach her climax already but with Elsa holding her behind as tightly as she was it wasn't possible. Elsa finally satisfied, released her breast and kissed Ryu's mouth which was hanging open as she squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the friction of Elsa's now soaked thigh.

"That's it baby. Are you enjoying this?" Elsa panted, breath laborious from her own efforts. Ryu stared at her in disbelief that she even felt she had to ask the question.

To answer Ryu grinded harder against her, so Elsa thrusted harder, more firmly.

Elsa inhaled through her teeth so sharply it hissed. "Oh yesss I know you are with those sweet sounds you're making for me."

She had to close her eyes seeing only red, the whole aspect of this, the molten moisture coating her thigh deliciously, the scent of their ministrations in the air, the wanton moans Ryu sang out in a mixture of Japanese and some other languages Elsa was too distracted to translate at the moment, was just red, unadulterated sinful red.

So darn sinful. Elsa thought, almost losing grip on Ryu's ass.

It felt too good to be anything else. Elsa's own core was seeping out, clenching around nothing. Some might have called her crazy but to Elsa this was perfect, as if she could feel Ryu's pleasure as her own, she loved it. Being the cause of the wonderful sight of Ryu's sweating body rutting against her, bangs plastered against her forehead, her beautiful face scrunched in concentration, desperate to reach her peak. And Elsa would be the one to take her there and back.

A tidal wave threatened to break loose, Elsa's magic hummed beneath her skin, the cooling snow falling in their bedroom was a welcome to Ryu's scalding skin as she careened towards bursting.

"Ryu..." she whimpered, burying her face against Ryu's scaled chest, pulling their bodies together tightly, moving them as one.. "Erusa, onegaidakara– kuso, hyōga nante!"

Elsa laughed in jubilation, even in this state her dragon remained a smartass.

Ryu growled as a bolt of electricity shot up from her toes to her spine arching it taunt, coaxed there by Elsa's relentless maneuvering. That familiar wild sounding trill echoed in Ryu's throat, Elsa knew what was coming. She tilted her head striking first, biting Ryu harshly on her shoulder. Ryu returned the favor, yowling loudly.

She kept thrusting against Ryu through her orgasm, until her eyes snapped open. Ryu had given out atop her and she collapsed against Elsa's chest, but that wasn't what caught Elsa's wide stare.

It was Ryu's small tail, swiping up and down, brushing against Elsa's leg.

Curiously Elsa's hands released Ryu's cheeks and ventured to her tailbone feeling the base of her slip up.

Ryu blushed, bristling from stupor. "Sorry." As she closed her eyes to get rid of it Elsa spoke up a bit too hastily.

"No! No! I- it's fine, it's okay." Ryu searched her eyes to see if she truly meant it. After a few moments she sighed, resting her forehead under Elsa's chin. "Oh god." She moaned softly, chest heaving with each strangled breath she took.

Elsa agreed wholeheartedly, making eye contact and her reply was breathless yet enthusiastic "Precisely."

---

"Thank you all for coming!" Another uproar of applause nearly deafened Anna and Kristoff as they stood on the elevated stage set up in the fields, now with all the crops harvested they were mostly flattened and proved a great barrier to keep children and adolescents from hurting themselves when they fell from playing, even he drunk adults could be safe from a concussion.

"I'm very excited… not as excited as Thomas seems to be about the beer tents-" The rosy cheeked man held up a tankard to his queen as those around him laughed along. "But excited nonetheless. You all have been working remarkably hard to not only make this festival come to fruition but also in making Arendelle a prosperous nation to which I owe you my thanks." There wasn't a sour face in the crowd to be seen, some citizens believed that Anna was the one due all gratitude not just for her heroics at the dam some time ago but for her impressive leadership.

Kristoff would agree with that sentiment entirely, grinning at his wife's face which to him was lit beautifully by the dusky sun. Lifting her velvet dawn gold and red gown, Anna began making her way off the stage.

"So please, eat, drink, play and make merry until the autumn moon is gone from the sky!" Anna sucked in fear feeling foolish at her reaction to the confetti being sprayed and thrown about.

Throngs of people were packed deeply into the fields from high up; they appeared like ants, with neighboring provinces visiting, as well Northuldrans, some people, especially the younger ones pushing and shoving to get to the next vendor or game.

It was an easy enough event to find, signals such as billows of smoke from bonfires lazily drifting through the sky could be seen for miles.

Streamers and lanterns hang on poles as colorful decorations.

It was a marvelous sight and the turn out had Anna beaming with pride at her people as she and Kristoff made their rounds through the crowds, shaking so many hands they had nearly forgotten which hand belonged to whom. They couldn't tell one face from another after greeting so many, relying on Olaf to state every name of every person they came across, until his poetry fan club had dragged him from them.

"I knew one day his fame would make him too popular to hangout with us anymore." Anna chuckled at Kristoff's remark, hugging his arm watching fondly at Olaf's club begging him to say another prose, recite another line and ask when his book was going to be published.

"I'll publish a book as soon as I can read well." He promised.

There was one absence that itched at her brain and kept her eyes anxiously scanning the crowds always zeroing in on the brightest blondes present but none were her blonde.

"Don't worry she'll be here." Kristoff assured not minding Anna's anxious vice grip she had his forearm trapped in, wrinkling his tan linen shirt.

As if he had psychic abilities there she was among the crowd. Standing with her hands folded in front of her holding a small ice pouch she sometimes carried around, smiling softly at the festivities around her.

She didn't look distressed as Anna had worried due to her argument she had with Ryu last night. In fact Elsa looked great! Dressed perfectly as usual, her hair flowing freely, and her cheeks flushed in a lovely pink tint.

She hadn't noticed Anna or Kristoff yet so Anna waved both hands above her head, shedding all decorum which blew away in the sweet scented winds around them, her voice rising above the crowds.

Elsa must have heard Anna's calls before actually spotting her, hooding her eyes with her palm to protect them against the glare of the sun, scanning the crowds but with citizens so densely packed together as they were, and some heads a whole foot taller than her own.

Anna began making her way towards her with Sven following hoping an animal of his size would make them stand out, but there were a few reindeer attending for the competitions in which the best looking and healthiest reindeer would win a blue ribbon and a bucket of carrots.

Elsa could tell Sven apart from all the others and her grin split open showing her teeth when her eyes landed upon them.

"Anna!" She held out her arms letting Anna envelope her in a tight hug which was reciprocated. If anyone had seen them for the first time they would have thought the siblings hadn't seen each other in years but for those who did know them they were aware of this norm.

"You look beautiful Anna." Anna blushed tucking a loose strand of hair back into her French braided bun after Elsa playfully made her twirl for her, showing off the beautiful reds and creams of her gown.

"Thanks, I mean well you look-" Anna did a once over again now detecting the extra pep in Elsa's step. "Radiant."

Elsa chuckled. "Thank you, you sound surprised by that." Coyly she took Anna's arm into her own. "Oh yes hello Sven how could I forget about you." The reindeer jumped around them like a dog vying for Elsa's attention, with a flick of her wrist he saw his antlers now decorated in pretty small ice streamers which he adored, shaking his antlers back and forth.

They were perfect, providing him with just enough edge over the other reindeer in the competition.

As they walked arm in arm Elsa allowed Anna to take the lead, stopping by and greeting different stands. Whatever Sven or Anna ate Elsa paid for ignoring the pleas for her to just take what she wanted free of charge. It was fun sampling little dishes of sweets, to watching artisans and crafters exhibit their wares to possible buyers. A plethora of small tapestries, paintings, candles, shawls, coats, scarves, gloves and leggings all hanging read to be claimed by any coveters.

Performers from jugglers to acrobats attempted to one up each other in a friendly rivalry to impress the crowds with their dangerous feats of tossing machetes and knives into the air.

Elsa chastised Anna for leaning into any gossip and rumors she overheard thinking it unseemly for a queen to partake in such acts Anna shrugged the talk of the towns wasn't very interesting anyways, topics being either about her recent take to dragon riding, the fact that a dragon was residing in the castle, and-

"Yes indeed my cousin works in the castle and the amount of whispers of war he's heard-"

"Well I certainly pray it doesn't take place on our peaceful soil, why should they be mad we've done nothing wrong." Before Elsa could hear the whispers Anna grabbed her arm abruptly.

"Anna!" She chuckled, uncertain of the sudden change in her sister's behavior, not knowing any better that Anna was purposely diverting her attention to a stand of hot pumpkin and ciders with powdered Krumkake. Elsa bought some for Sven, and Anna, deciding she'd come back once she had a proper meal.

"Aww come on Elsa you know you want some." Anna wagged her sweet treat in front Elsa's nose who had to swallow down the extra saliva collecting in her mouth.

"Alright, okay! But pace yourself, you'll end up throwing up if you stuff yourself too full."

They continued their leisurely stroll, blowing at the steam of their drinks.

"By the way, where's Ryu?"

"Hmm?" Elsa turned her head to Anna, catching on to what she had said. "Oh she's hiding behind Yelena right-" she craned her neck to spot the pair. "Over there." Elsa pointed to Ryu peeking from under an awning at the mass activities in wonder. Gathering of humans like this still made her a smidge nervous but Elsa could see her sniff curiously at the air, knowing she was pining for the scents she picked.

Dressed in her personal gift from Anna, a sweet orange kimono, with red trimmings, and leaves hanging hanging onto to brown branches etched in the design to Elsa she resembled a little Japanese princess who had never been outside of her palace until this day.

She and Anna winced laughing when they overheard the bickering taking place between the dragon and Yelena..

"Stop being a coward and hiding behind me."

"I'm not being a coward, I'm making sure everything is safe for everyone…" Ryu screeched when an innocent locust hopped on the wooden table beside her and Yelena who she used as a body shield against the creature.

"I'm sure my back gives you an excellent vantage point. Get out there."

"No, you go out there."

Elsa could never grasp Ryu's fear of crickets, and grasshoppers her only answer being; I have witnessed the unbiased hatred and lust for destruction those devils harbor. Whatever that meant.

The sisters giggled to themselves. "They sound like an old married couple."

Elsa agreed playfully, displaying her exasperation. "You should hear them back in Northuldra, they squabble worse than Honeymaren and Ryder, the only ones that top those two are Ada and Aiden."

"You should get yourself a Gerda in Northuldra, Ryu is petrified of her." Elsa sideways glanced at Anna.

"So are we." She commented, entering the tent, there they found Kristoff sharing a drink with Mattias and Olaf pitching to Ryder a deal that if he wrote his book for him he'd allow his name on the cover.

A guard entered the tent bowing to Anna and Kristoff before whispering in Mattias' ear. He nodded at the man and then stood.

"If you'll excuse me please my queen, I'm afraid something has come up." Anna frowned, twisting on the bench to her general.

"Yes, everything is alright, they just need me back at the castle in regards to that matter we had a meeting about." Anna made an oh face sending the man while promising to save him some kringle.

After watching the exchange and taking a moment's pause Elsa decided to not over think it and joined in on the idle chatter offering some of her cider to Ryu who sniffed it inquisitively.

"I was thinking about legally changing his name to Olaf the Great but there are some negative connotations when it comes to pseudo names."

Elsa turned from the joyous laughter smile disappearing when she saw Ryu gulping down her tankard without taking a single breath. It was an impressive feat that she'd managed to not spill a single drop and in result not leave a single drop left.

"Remember how we were sharing that?" Elsa commented offhandedly. Ryu burped sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.

"Oh yea sorry."

"Refills!" Olaf hopped from table grabbing Kristoff's tankard, yanking Ryu with surprising strength up with him and out of the tent in a hurry to get back to the thralls of the party.

Honeymaren leaned towards Elsa whispering. "Is it a good idea we turned them loose?"

Elsa chuckled, unsure of the right answer but knowing she'd never get her cider back, standing she held Honeymaren's hand exiting the tent herself.

---

Clear blue skies slowly turning to purple and blue was what met Ryu's eyes when looked up as invisible sharply brisk winds created by Gale blew through her hair. The spirit created their usual mischief of turning over people's hats and toupees.

It was a miracle she didn't lose track of Olaf in the crowd of people, he was alight with joy, and Ryu thought she was the one who couldn't stand still. Olaf was very adamant on correcting her on the matter, pulling Ryu from stand to stand, since samples were all they could afford at the moment they had a bit everything; beer-bread, lingonberry and other fruit tarts, slices of game-birds, wild boar, caught by hunters and cooked with sizzling charcoal, to succulent perfection. The smoked arctic char and haddock was Ryu's favorite as well as the frothy mead, a kind man had brought for her for no particular reason other than he liked the way she smiled at Olaf.

Weird man.

Ryu tried to not think too much of it instead focusing back on the delicacies Olaf introduced her to. Some she already tasted and some completely new.

She could have eaten much more but the more vendors they visited the more amicable Ryu had become, it was the best of times with Olaf who laughed at the dragon's greasy fingers and lips. To show him what for she rubbed her mouth on his head running away when he slapped his stick at her.

His shiny coal buttons reflected in the firelit lanterns as he prattled on and on about the history of the festival and what it meant to the people so distracted he was with his stories he hadn't caught the predatory gleam in Ryu's as she would sneak away and then smoothly return before his eyes landed on her again.

Elsa marched over a mixture of exasperated amusement as she pinched her forefinger to her thumb, gesturing to Ryu.

She seemed peeved but the constant tremble in her voice gave away the inconspicuous laugh she was holding back.

"Stop following me around and flicking my elbows." With that said she returned back to Honeymaren and Anna.

Olaf and Ryu watched her back, they could see her mouth moving as she spoke and Anna's eyes fell to them then laughed.

"What was that about?"

Ryu played the role of innocent bystander and shrugged. "I don't know, she's insane." Olaf grunted at the simple response and then continued on.

---

"What is that little critter doing?" Elsa more so whispered to herself searching around for any sight of Ryu, but Kristoff heard her..

"You just called your girlfriend a critter." He pointed out in a hushed voice. Elsa looked to the side, challenging him to dispute what she just said after finding Ryu amongst the crowd with Anna.

"She is a little critter look at the state of her!" Elsa's wrists flicked towards Ryu hissing dangerously at Anna while leaning back to deter the queen from fastening a green and purple bow tie with a little gold crocus in the middle, in her hair. Kristoff smiled at the pair.

"You like it though." Elsa grinned slyly wiggling her head a small bit, she rolled her eyes at being called out, shyly uttering a single. "Yeah…Turns out I have a thing for unhinged people." She jested as Anna and Ryu ran by them.

"Wait! Periwinkle, as the queen's royal mount it wouldn't kill you to wear national colors every now and then!"

"Get away from me! You crazy woman!"

Kristoff nodded. "Me too."

---

Elsa sat down at the table unsure of the odd seating arrangements but she wouldn't complain she was hungry and had to skip lunch due to a certain very distracting dragon. It was said dragon's next question that set off her alarm bells.

"Erusa how much can a human eat befor-can a human eat themselves to death?"

Sipping her water Elsa cleared her throat. "Yes they can but it would be incredibly difficult, for one your body would force you to regurgitate before it reaches its limit and the human body can take in a remarkable amount of food before that happens." Ryu nodded pleased with the answer. Elsa tried to nonchalantly sneak a glance at the bow that sat in Ryu's hair, tying up the middle of it as the rest stayed down.

"Okay good because I'm going to need you to eat as many potatoes as you possibly can in the next eight minutes over a span of two hours."

Elsa calmly blinked at her digesting what she had just been told, Ryu began unfastening the bowtie around her pale orange and crimson kimono, tying her medium length hair up.

"I beg your pardon Miss Paul." Ryu giggled at her trepidation then waved around them.

"For the eating contest, it's potatoes."

Elsa was aghast, so that explained why so many of the people sitting at the tables around them were strong burly looking men including Mr. Oaken who waved at her cheerily.

"Yoohoo, miss Elsa you're finally joining us in the annual autumn eating contest Ja? Last year it was pumpkins, say hello to miss Elsa family!" When Oaken's family waved at her Elsa shyly waved back grinning with her teeth until they weren't looking so she could turn her scowl towards Ryu.

"Ryu you picked the wrong person as a partner in this, you've seen how much I eat at home!" Ryu was not deterred.

"I have faith in you." She chuckled but Elsa shook her head rapidly.

"Stop it, stop having faith in me in this regard, no hope, no faith. I have a sensitive stomach." Elsa gestured to her belly drawing circles around it.

"Wow, that's bleak." Ryu said much to Elsa's chagrin.

"Uhuh which is going to be my future if I partake in this. Why didn't you get Kristoff?"

"He's already competing in another competition with Sven." Elsa was becoming desperate.

"Anna!"

"She said she isn't allowed to compete." Elsa wondered if Anna told a fib to Ryu using her title as an excuse to not be bothered.

"Honeymaren, Ryder?" Ryu shook her head. Elsa sat hopelessly in her seat staring off in the distance wondering if it'd be too embarrassing to run away to the forest as the announcer stated the rules loudly to the tables around them.

"All parties at your tables will have to consume the most potatoes in two hours, do not get up, do not swap out. It doesn't matter how much your partner eats, your score will be tallied together as soon as I ring the bell!"

Now was her chance to escap- the loud dong of the bell had Elsa nearly falling out of her seat to the grassy floor.

"Begin!" Volunteers brought over platters stock piled with baked potatoes to the tables. Around her competitive eaters had begun scarfing down the potatoes.

"Why did you sign me up for this?" Elsa mused as Ryu served her two potatoes on a plate sticking a fork and knife in her hands.

"I thought it would be a fun activity for us to do together." Elsa glared at Ryu as defeat finally set root. She was hungry, she'd admit that much.

"I'm only here for the free lunch." She informed Ryu sitting up and began eating, pleasantly surprised that the cooks had taken the time to season the food.

She hummed appreciatively, pausing mid bite when she looked over to see Ryu staring her down. When she opened her mouth Ryu leaned over barking at her.

"Eat. Faster!" Elsa giggled covering her mouth to not spill any food. "I can't, I'll get a tummy ache." Ryu groaned beside her.

"I've already eaten five." Elsa looked at Ryu's empty plate seeing small remnants of food. She knew Ryu could eat but she didn't know Ryu could eat like that.

"You seem very adamant about winning this, why?"

"For the prize." Before asking Elsa took another small bite. "What's the prize?"

"A year's supply of free potatoes." Elsa chuckled, her shoulders shaking as she bent over, tears springing to her eyes.

"What are you going to do with a year's supply of potatoes?" Oh this ought to be good. Elsa thought, still cutting through her first potato.

"I don't know Erusa, eat them? What else would I do with them?"

"You could plant them, start a potato farm."

"Erusa, can I start a potato farm?" Elsa turned away, focusing on her lunch.

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"Because you'll start it, get bored, then forget about it." Ryu understood it was true and she wouldn't try denying it.

Thirty minutes in, Ryu took a break securing first place for now as Elsa leaned back wiping away sweat from her face. She had eaten two and a half potatoes and looked like she was dying.

"Come on Erusa you have to pull your weight around here!" Elsa groaned pathetically, resting her forehead on the table. "My weight has doubled," Elsa waved her hand at Ryu. "You pull it for me."

"Erusa, look at me." She did wincing when she felt a cramp punch her left abdomen.

"This is the chance of a lifetime, the chance to prove ourselves, to finally be among the greats. Do you want to go down in history as Elsa Ogensmogen-" she shook her head, no she did not because that wasn't her last name.

"or whatever, valedictorian of Harmon university, former Queen of Arendelle, Fifth spirit of the Enchanted forest and savior of an entire nation-" Elsa could have sworn Ryu's eyes sparkled with stars at what she said next. "Or do you want to go down in History as Elsa, champion potato eater of Arendelle's annual autumn festival eating contest?"

Elsa began weighing the choices in her palms as scales whispering her options to herself. "A top graduate at a university" she raised one hand. "Or potato muncher? Hmm Queen or potato muncher? Fifth Spirit…. Or potato muncher? Hmm." She rubbed her chin completely stuck on which to choose. "I'm not too sure, I'll get back to you in an hour about it."

"Hey you two no slacking off!" Anna marched over to their table putting the forks back in their. "Adrien from Oslo is already two potatoes ahead of you guys." Ryu set to work as Elsa slumped and leaned against her sister's torso wondering why Anna was so invested in this.

"I don't feel well, and did you lie telling Ryu you couldn't compete because you're the queen?"

"What no of course not Els don't be ridiculous." Anna said, waving a hand dismissively.

The look she got from Elsa made her sigh in exasperation and into finally confessing.

"Okay fine, I made a bet with one of the confectioners- Mr. Markus- in town that if you guys won he'd have to give Arnald his chocolate croissant recipe and if you don't win… well I don't get a recipe and I'll have to bring up his store to every royal and dignitary I meet so please, please win." Elsa grunted, not moving from her sister's comfortable side.

"Ahh come on Elsa, that's not good team spirit."

"What team! I didn't even ask to be a part of this team and it doesn't even have a name."

Ryu spoke around a mouthful. "How about Ryu and her spud?" Both sisters made displeased faces at the suggestion.

"How about Root awakening." Anna said, getting Elsa to perk up and snap her fingers.

"That's a maybe. Why don't we call ourselves-" as Ryu chowed down ten more vegetables Anna and Elsa did the hard work of crafting the perfect name for their team.

"I've decided, upon anonymous votes!"

"Whose?" Ryu's full mouth could barely make out the question as Elsa presented her brilliant name.

"We shall be called; Snowtatoes." Swallowing Ryu waited for the joke's punchline but it never came.

"That's dumb what you just said." She said as Anna backed away slowly making her way from the table as Ryu and Elsa began bickering.

---

"It is with a great Honor, that I present the champions of this year's eating contest to be-" the Old man leant an ear towards Anna who slipped him a paper concealing a very important name on their.

"I'm sorry I have just been informed that the winning team does in fact have a name and they are called… '' The crowd waited anxiously as he put on his spectacles to read aloud. "The Snow-tatoes!" The crowd cheered, clapping their hands in an uproar.

They beheld their champions, one who looked like she was about to vomit but holding it in surprisingly well and the other whose face held a mixture of joy and disgust when she heard the team name.

The trophy was a large cup engraved with the date and the winning team's name along with the amount they consumed.

Elsa trembled trying to remain strong, but her stomach felt heavy and kept pushing its content up and down her throat. "And your bounty, a year's supply of potatoes will be provided for you at your leisure!" As the bag of the root vegetables were presented the sight of them broke Elsa who grabbed the cup rushing off the stage behind the large curtain.

The cheers and idle chatter silenced. They couldn't see her but they sure could hear Elsa and pitied her. Anna and Kristoff ran to her aid as she retched up everything in her stomach into the trophy.

Anna rubbed her sister's back in soothing circles sporting a sad smile. "You'll always be my spud champion Els."

Fireworks shot off upward, covering the sky in an euphoric cascade kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. As they rocketed off the ground their whistles sounded as if they were cheering for Elsa who couldn't even lift her head to witness their impressive show.

---

It took six cups of water, a one hour nap, and three vomiting sessions for Elsa to consider herself recovered. Sitting in a tent hugging the trophy to her chest, no one dared take it away from her except to wash it just for her to reuse it as a vomiting pale.

Elsa exited the tent feeling lighter and now free of the six potatoes she had eaten.

When Ryu laid eyes on her she ran to her with concerned eyes. "You okay champ?" Elsa chuckled, nodding her head slowly. Without having any direct attention on them Ryu inconspicuously took a cooled cloth to tenderly dab Elsa's cheeks, after each swipe she claimed her face with a peck.

Grasping her hand, Ryu's head titled in the direction of music where crowds had gathered to dance. She pulled her towards where Honeymaren, Ryder, Olaf, Kristoff, and Anna had been standing. The sweat clinging to their clothes and heaving chest told Elsa they had already been dancing.

They smiled brightly, spotting Elsa in good health waving them over.

"Hey spud." Honeymaren said slyly, crossing her arms. Elsa playfully glared, casting her hand upon her chest speaking in a haughty voice. "That's Champion Spud to you." giving her friend a side glance of friendly reproach.

Anna giggled pulling her sister into her side, it was silly but she felt proud of her. Despite the early antics she still managed to look poised and beautiful as ever.

---

The crowds on the dance floor began slowly clearing away as the band set up for the young musicians that hoped to perhaps catch the eyes of any seeking undiscovered talents as them.

As they started to play Ryu felt herself begin to sway to the beat their instruments and voices created, she loved fast bouncing rhythms.

Surveying the crowds she wondered why no one had been dancing to their intriguing tunes consisting of a two fours for such a simple song. The fiddle, though some considered a simple instrument was the star amongst the procession, diving in a bravado centric down drop making the melodies Ryu's favorite kind. It was light, gleeful. The band wasn't as strict sticking to one genre instead mixing multiple genres that allowed one to change between fast swooping to the skilful twirls.

One could always hear the piano in the background sticking to high tones.

"Ryu, what are you doing?" Kristoff asked as she started moving her hips and upper body.

"What?" She shrugged, backing onto the dance floor. "All good musicians deserve to have someone dance to their music."

---

Some festival enjoyers watched on as the dragon twirled and rolled her stomach to the rhythm, tapping her feet and bouncing on light bones. Her choreography was by no means any traditional dances seen in Arendelle but still some would say it was pleasant to watch and Ryu looked as if she was having fun and she was very well coordinated.

Her rolling hips by no means were orthodox movements made by a lady usually, especially by herself, but no one stopped her from dancing beneath the moon and stars shining as if they too wanted to watch the display.

Ryu's moves were almost indecent, but almost everyone had already witnessed her twirl and curve in such a manner when she was in the air.

Now the young men took notice that she was more than a beast their queen used for transportation. Now they saw women capable of moving her body in any way that she enjoyed.

Elsa watched as well but not Ryu initially, she kept her eyes on the prying young gentlemen who feigned their hardest to not seem overtly interested in the dragon making her fingers ball into fists.

Sure she found herself appreciative of Ryu's dancing but she had permission.

It wasn't just the fact that they allowed their eyes to travel along Ryu who was none the wiser of their attentions but that Elsa had to reign in her own fascination. She hadn't the freedom to openly ogle, she was the one who knew Ryu, not them, if any of the onlookers asked Ryu for a dance knowing their intentions seeing it reflected in their eyes; Elsa felt as if she'd died inside.

So rare was it that she let someone into her inner world and see her for herself in fear of rejection and pain. She wanted Ryu to feel cherished and loved even in public but...

No, she had to behave herself and keep her behavior clean cut, and appear to remain on the straight and narrow, almost as straight as the contraction of her pupils.

She had half a mind to go and pull Ryu away from the music and away from the licentious gazes she unknowingly caught.

Elsa shook her head unaware of how green she had just become. Guilt immediately did its job, she looked down ashamedly at the ground.

What right do I have to tell her to stop having harmless fun? Especially when I'm too much of a coward to join her.

The buzz of conversation dulled to a steady hum as Elsa eyed Ryu moving all her limbs, losing herself to the beat. She was correct that dragons did love music. The way she moved was simply…hypnotic, she didn't care who was watching with her eyes closed and mouth open in a smile.

Elsa wasn't certain if she was still delirious from her vomiting spell or if there was truly an aura of colors radiating from her dragon as she hopped from foot to foot in time with the band. She had to blink to reassure herself that her eyes were working correctly.

Watching Ryu be free, moving as she was meant to… Elsa smiled. Her dragon was happy, happy to just focus her ears on the music.

Dancing for dragons can be interpreted many ways. Elsa recalled Bulda's teachings. It could be used as a form of courtship, dragons dance all the time, when swimming in the water, on land, in the air. Oh how beautiful their ballots must have been.

Elsa wanted to provide Ryu with so much, including the things she'd have experienced had she hatched a thousand years earlier, but she wasn't a dragon. She was just herself, an awkward woman with powers and who cared too much sometimes of what others thought of her, especially her loved ones.

Turning back to her family over her shoulder Elsa smiled sadly at them. She caught Anna's eyes as she was mid laugh at something Olaf had said which had Ryder blushing.

Anna glanced at Ryu then back at Elsa, smiling her signature sanguine smile, it eased the uncertain sensation of the clammy, moisture beginning to drip into her palms, capturing her back up in a fresh swell of anxieties crafted by a slew of what ifs.

Elsa I love you. So much and just when I think that the love I have for you has reached an all time high it gets higher and hasn't stopped. Does Periwinkle make you happy?

Putting her stare back to the dance circle Elsa whispered a small "Yes."

Squaring her shoulders she did a little shake to loosen up. Feeling as if she'd faint again and it wasn't due to the potatoes. Filling her lungs with as much air as she could.

"You okay?" Anna's soft voice brought her back from hyping herself up. Elsa nodded feeling so much more confident when her queen kissed the side of her head.

Balling her fist up, Elsa bent her arms close to her body, closed her eyes and began wiggling her shoulders up and down a small bit trying her best to step to the beat towards Ryu.

"Erusa!" Ryu's surprise squawk had Elsa grinning shyly, opening her eyes. Ryu looked completely beside herself at what she was seeing.

After taking in the moment Ryu's grin grew to a full beaming smile as she resumed dancing. "Wow Erusa! You're doing great!" Ryu praised moving around her in a circle.

Elsa blanched. "Are you sure?"

"Just copy me okay?" Ryu instructed.

Feeling a little adventurous, Elsa tried to diffidently mimic Ryu's motions, comparing their foot movements.

"Don't overthink Erusa, just feel the beat and move with it." Elsa nodded and tried doing just that, the initial heat on her cheeks at how silly she felt compared to Ryu's adroitness when it came to rhythm faded away.

She heard Olaf cheer from the sidelines and rush to them joining the duo dance along.

---

"Whoa who knew Elsa had it in her." Kristoff said, crossing his arms, he shook his head with muffled laughter.

Anna scoffed. "Of course she has it in her she's an Árnadalr-" Anna boasted watching her sister place her left hand on her hip and wiggle her right pointer finger, turning in a stationary circle as Ryu danced around her. Elsa's worries evaporated from being burned by Ryu's smoldering temperature, completely overtaken into the gaiety of it all.

Kristoff side glanced at his wife. "Okay well, she didn't necessarily inherit our parent's impeccable dance skills but she makes up for it in spirit!"

Honeymaren began to fall victim to the beat as well tapping her foot along. "She has her own little unique style." Ryder commented, dancing with his sister.

"Okay if Elsa can brave the dance floor I don't want to hear it Mr. Oh ice harvesters don't dance." Anna mocked in a deep voice ignoring Kristoff's pained groans as he was dragged to dance.

---

Even though Elsa felt quite proud of herself for the moves she accomplished, Ryu wasn't just content with orbiting around her.

Elsa yelped when she felt a hand grasp her own yanking her body flush against Ryu's.

She blushed worriedly surveying the new coming dancers around them.

"Gecko." She harshly whispered, anxiety growing. Ryu began leading them in something Elsa wouldn't exactly call a waltz.

"Everyone's drunk anyways Erusa it'll be alright." She promised, smiling broader when she felt Elsa's tense body loosen just slightly.

You little flagrant rake.

Next thing they knew Elsa was spinning, occasionally stepping on Ryu's foot. Her choreography was definitely a mixture of dances she had witnessed in her travels.

When the music slowed in tempo Elsa changed their arms positionings, taking the lead. While she wasn't well versed in the freestyling Ryu enjoyed she did have a formal education in actual dance.

Ryu seemed confused until Elsa winked at her whispering. "Just copy me okay?" Ryu nodded slowly, grinning as Elsa led them to a much more graceful ballet around.

They watched the other growing closer as they both managed to match their bodies up to the perfect speed. Elsa slapped herself for ever doubting Ryu's rhythmic ability. She didn't know if it was Ryu or just in her nature to be marvelously attuned to Elsa's cadence and timing or perhaps it was her adroitness in mimicry, either way Elsa felt proud that she could call this girl her own.

---

Suddenly Elsa stopped, pulling away but never letting go of Ryu's hand. "Follow me." She whispered, attempting to lead Ryu who happily complied, allowing herself to be whisked from the festival, away from the crowds, away from the fields and into the nearby forest.

It wasn't the enchanted forest but it would due.

Ryu grinned, of course, here in their sanctuary she and Elsa could hold each other as close as they wanted, without fear, or worry, nature approved of their union.

Ryu had never felt so happy before, if she were to die right then she hoped she had been good enough in life to be cursed to a purgatory of living in this moment for all eternity. She'd trick whichever god existed thinking since the devil didn't want her in hell, and the angels certainly would not appreciate her presence, she'd be sentenced to an eternal limbo of her last moments.

Her heart skipped a few beats but she'd worry about that later.

And if she did live for as long as many believed she knew she'd never have another like Elsa. It made perfect sense as to why she had never considered romance before she met her. She would never have fallen in love unless it was with Elsa. She'd never fall unless it was Elsa she fell into.

And Ryu, the poor, pathetically whipped dragon could only let Elsa do whatever she wished to her. Surrendering herself to the mercy of Elsa's cold fingertips.

In her grip she had never felt so found, she just had to tuck her head beneath Elsa's chin, as Elsa held her close singing along to a melody she created just for them, granting Ryu the sweet blessing of her angelic voice.

"You're just… too perfect for me… in my arms." Ryu sighed longingly as Elsa created the lyrics to the instrumental they had just heard.

This is as it should be.

Let me just hold ya-a.

I'm never letting go of you.

Never will. Will you please stay…

I have found the one that I adore and you are her…and I could never ask for anything more.

Just stay with me forever and I'll make you happy…so happy, my girl."

Stars were in her eyes, Elsa swore while she wasn't looking someone placed twinkling stars in Ryu's eyes, she was looking slightly up not at anyone or anything in particular. It was so private to see her hopeful stare that saw far into the future, a future Elsa would fight to be a part of.

---

Before Elsa and Ryu had stolen away with each other into the forest, Anna had come so close to intruding on their little world

So enraptured had they both been that they hadn't noticed the slight snowfall that began around them, if they hadn't been captured by the brilliant gleam in the other's eyes they would have seen the array of soft pinks, greens, the blues, indigo, violets floating in their space.

Everyone else had witnessed it, and some onlookers glanced down at their cups wondering what was put in it to cause them to see rainbows at night with not a single cloud in the sky.

Anna blew out her cheeks in relief when Elsa had come to her senses realizing she was putting herself and Ryu at risk and excused herself before anyone had paid too close attention to the pair.

It hurt to see her sister having to hide away her love deep in the forest, but caution still has to be exercised no matter how furious it made Anna. Yes same sex marriage was legal in their nation after the great battle she had with her council for two years over the matter, there were still those out there who wanted Elsa dead for being a witch. They did not Need word spreading that the 'Witch of Arendelle' was also a blasphemer.

"Soooo those two…" Anna knew what Honeymaren's voice was alluding to after Elsa and Ryu disappeared within the treeline.

"Yep!" She answered quickly, gauging any reaction she could on Honeymaren's face. It remained good natured if not a bit boastful.

Her hand whipped out in front of Ryder who thought he could sneak away. "Pay up!" She demanded. Despondent he bowed to her droning on in a melancholic manner.

"I will be cleaning the dishes after breakfast for the next five months." Satisfied Honeymaren crossed her arms.

"What?" She asked Kristoff and Anna who stared at her.

"You gambled on my sister's love life?" Anna tried to sound outraged until Kristoff intercepted her.

"Says the one who gambled on her sister's stomach." Anna pouted, how was she supposed to know that Elsa would throw up after eating more than four potatoes.

"She still won!"

Kristoff wrapped his arm around her yawning. "Yes she did, our spud champion. Now let's get back home so this Lutefisk champion can sleep off all this fish."

Olaf chortled, riding atop Sven. "You stink."

Kristoff stole his carrot nose in an easy grab. "And you just lost your smelling privileges young man."

---

Before Anna and Kristoff could retire they were intercepted by Mattias and Kai in the west hall. Their hurried steps began draining away the jubilant nature that surrounded the couple. The look on their faces was no longer jovial. Instead, the two men greeted them looking very stern,

"Please forgive the intrusion my queen but we have erm a bit of a development waiting in your study. Two developments actually that I believe require the utmost discretion." Kai said in a hushed tone.

---

Entering her study Anna and Kristoff found themselves gobsmacked by the sight of the two dele developments Kai had warned them about.

"Your majesties, Dutchess Ophelia Maria Alexandrovna Dmitrieva-Mamonova, and Major General Konstantin Grigory Sokolov of the Ruskland Army." Once again Kai and Gerda proved to be the perfect hosts with Kai having already moved their belongings into the guest rooms ensured their own personal staff were comfortably and Gerda pouring the two tea as Kristoff and Anna made their appearances known.

"Uuuh… hey." Anna waved lamely unprepared for such a grandiose audience and incredibly fatigued from the day's events and from the long night she was certain she'd be in for.

"Your majesties." The general tipped his cup to them not finding in himself to stand up. Anna had seen many tired men before but the general was especially weathered, bag under his eyes, he had lost a significant amount of weight and from the whites of his eyes she could see his nerves had been shot. Immediately Anna forgave him for the lack of court decorum.

Ophelia, no matter how weathered she may have been, did not allude to it. Always ever graceful and poised she stood straightening her white and pink fluffy skirts.

"Queen Anna, Master Kristoff." She curtsied perfectly, Anna and Kristoff had become lost in her formal English accent that delivered her articulated words in speedy expertise. "I do apologize for this untimely intrusion upon your festivities but I am afraid of the detrimental consequences if we had failed to privy our visits to your nation. Due to the dreadful conflict that with even our allied nations on our side, which I am sure you are aware of corresponding between the two separated factions in Ruskland– it's with a heavy and humbled determinate, that we come to you now for your assistance."

Kristoff looked around checking for a possible translator in the room but there was only Gerda, Kai, Mattias- who took a place in the corner with notebook and pencil– himself and Anna present with the guests.

"Uh what?" Sighing quietly Lady Ophelia clasped her hands together to emphasize her point.

The general offered his own version "We must speak of the state of Ruskland which is. A. Very. Big. Deal!" The resignedness in his voice had Anna and Kristoff sitting as audience to them behind their large desks thanking Gerda for the refreshments she provided, ready to listen to the first hand update of the civil war in Ruskland.

---

"-and I'm afraid the only person any in Ruskland have witnessed handle the brute with some semblance of proficiency, is the renowned Lady Elsa. If we do not aid our men I'm afraid the odds will be tipped from our favor best case scenario and we lose the war."

"Wait-" Anna held up her hand. "Best case? What's the worst?" She knew she'd regret asking but had to. Anna could feel her pulse quicken as she waited for an answer.

Staring at one another Lady Ophelia answered in her usual short monotone.

"Worst scenario the bird eliminates both factions, all our allies, and moves on to the citizens thus wiping Ruskland out of existence and then sets its treacherous desires to other nations." Oh dear… that was the worst case and Anna did regret asking.

"I was there the day the bird attacked, Elsa and I– we couldn't really defeat it or beat it or whatever you were hoping we could do, the only thing we could manage was escape with our lives. I'm afraid the closest we've come to hopefully stopping it is by training our dragon friend."

The general's bushy brows shot upward, chuckling dryly, he stroked his beard. "Dragons eh? Oh of course Arendelle has a dragon." He stared down at his clasped hands.

Kristoff held up a finger to interject. "Uh. A dragon; just one. The bird is actually a yokai, a spirit that can only be calmed by dragon magic or those who yield it." Anna appreciated that he deliberately left out the reason of why the bird was in Ruskland in the first place, thus incriminating Ryu with the nation Elsa had been hoping would play a role in her protection.

"I see," Ophelia resting her teacup to politely inquire. "Is it incorrect for me to sense the impression there is more to this narrative than meets the eye, yes?" Anna felt thoroughly exposed and defensive suddenly. While the Lady's prodding was not rude by any means she still felt herself bristling protectively over her private matters.

"Yes but that is a business of the upper state and one that I can't discuss freely with certain parties present."

"Well how is the training going? Is she prepared?" Ophelia grunted at Anna's wilting posture. "Nevertheless we still must at least try, so if could possibly borrow your dragon you will be paid rather handsomely in not only our alliedship but also in whatever commodity you chose."

Even if Anna and Kristoff would entertain the idea of selling Ryu as a war weapon Elsa would never allow it sooner offering herself up on the chopping block. The very notion broke Anna's heart to think about but she could just say 'I'm afraid we cannot rent out my sister's girlfriend to you, so sorry.' Ryu was a person and Anna did not own people, that thought made her shudder in revulsion.

"I'm afraid if you wish for Ryu's aid then you must ask her." They hadn't been expecting that response from the queen or the finalizing tone she said it in.

Konstantin came closer speaking in a hushed grave voice and leaned forward on his knees, pacing his words out carefully. "Your Majesty, if we do not stop this monster from mutilating my men and the other betraying country men, if we do not snuff out these heretics who are spreading like disease among an inflicted village, the fight will no longer be Ruskland's, it will traveling like all sicknesses tend to do and strike Arendelle mercilessly, brutally."

Anna grasped Kristoff's hand as they silently communicated with their eyes, reflecting regret, fear, turmoil and their sense of duty to their people, to the nation, to their family, and agreed with each.

Anna stood up going to the window of her study in silence, clasping her arms behind her back, looking exceptionally older and so young and fragile all the same. She could still see the festival lights from a distance, her citizens stumbling drunkenly singing in the streets on their way to their homes to sleep off their mead and ale without a care in the world. Her gaze led her to the horizon, she couldn't see it but beyond that was the enchanted forest where Elsa and Ryu were doing god knew what to each other, happy and content.

Taking a stifling breath, Anna spoke up.

"Mattias?"

"Yes my queen?" He already knew what she had decided, and was ready to carry out her orders.

"Begin preparations, come the first month of winter…" She stopped speaking, unable to bring herself to finish the sentence.

Everyone in the room knew.

They were going to war.

---

Notes: Tantō- a type of Japanese blade.

Dō ka koibito, nani ga mondaina no ka oshietekudasai- please sweetheart tell me what's wrong in Japanese

Ryū, hanashite kudasai- Ryu what's wrong in Japanese

Īe, kekkōdesu- no thanks in Japanese

Non- no in French

Bù- no in Chinese

La- no in Arabic Nee- no Dutch

Nein- no in German

Não - no in Portuguese

Nani no hanashi ga aru nda! Sore wa kako no kotodesu, sudeni okotta kotodesu, anata ni dekiru koto wa nani mo kaiketsu shimasen - What is there to talk about! It's in the past, it's already happened, nothing you can do will fix it

Fakku, erusa- fuck, Elsa in Japanese

Erusa, onegaidakara– kuso, hyōga nante- Elsa, please I need to, fuck I- fucking glaciers in Japanese

Fun fact: A rainbow is an optical illusion caused by water droplets when viewed from a certain angle relative to a light source. Therefore, a rainbow cannot be physically approached or touched, it would be the same as a person touching light though both can be classified as light color and light are actually somewhat different on the luminescent spectrum.