Somehow, Anna's hair had grown even messier since Elsa left, resembling a veritable bird's nest with how the strands stuck out and tangled in each other. Her wife was still sprawled out on the bed, sheets askew, but jerked into tentative wakefulness at the sound of the queen closing the door behind her. Suppressing a laugh behind her hand, Elsa walked over to the bed.

Maybe she should go wake Anna up, but a part of her didn't want to disturb the girl's slumber. She looked so comfortable! Well… too comfortable. Elsa cleared her throat, her laughter fading out gradually.

She laid on her side, grinning as her wife snored, drooled, and mumbled like she was at home. Elsa thought the redhead would be too nervous to be sleeping like this, but… this proved otherwise.

"Anna…" she breathed, blowing a light breath towards Anna's nose. She groaned, scrunching that cute freckled nose. Elsa couldn't suppress that giggle now. "It's morning, time to get up…" she whispered.

"Mm… the… sky's awake…" Anna slurred. She snored. God, back to sleep again—

Elsa tensed, feeling an arm draped around her own waist and a palm that was caressing her back up and down. She shuddered, body jerking from the touch that was so light and so tender as if she'd forgotten how sensitive and ticklish she was. She bit her lip, arching her back straight with her eyes shut closed.

She just needed to concentrate… sine… cosine… tangent… hypotenuse… solutio triangulorum…

"Anna," she whispered again, this time cupping the girl's cheek. The dry one. "The sky is awake, and you should be, as well."

"Mhnmm. Five more… minutes…"

The teasing hand on her back was almost more than the queen could bear, and mentally defining mathematical terms wasn't taking the edge off her nerves. Wasn't muting the butterflies in her stomach. How could she have been negotiating a treaty with a foreign nation mere minutes ago, and unable to suppress such frivolous reactions from one single woman the next?

Frivolous reactions such as leaning in to kiss her forehead. Anna's skin was so warm, so fresh despite the night of sleep. Better than hot chocolate. Somehow she resisted kissing it again as she whispered, "I need you."

That had not been what she intended to say. Not at all! Hastily, she cleared her throat and tried again. "Need you to wake up now. So we can begin our lives together." That was little better than propositioning her!

"Al' ight… al' ight…" She stayed quiet and suddenly a long, loud snore filled the room.

This was going to be difficult. Elsa had never tried so hard to wake someone up—actually, she'd never woken someone up other than herself before! She didn't know what to do. But… couples would usually wake up with a good morning or fingers running down each others' hair, or… a kiss?

She pondered, and the thought of kissing her once again was riveting. Her lips were beautiful and plump, pink and just wonderfully soft. Elsa couldn't possibly forget how they kissed during their wedding ceremony and how tender her skin was. She bit her lip, looking at Anna's. It was just how she remembered it to be.

"If you don't wake up soon… I'll do something…" she whispered, swallowing. God, she was nervous.

Anna didn't even move.

Elsa took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heartbeat, her eyes never leaving her intended targets as she started a slow descent. She licked her lips in nervous anticipation. She hadn't kissed Anna since the wedding...would she accept it? Would she wake up screaming in outrage? The questions sent a wave of panic coursing through her and she faltered just inches away from Anna's lips. She could feel Anna's warm breath on her cheek and when she inhaled, she caught her wife's scent.

Trembling slightly in nerves and hesitation, Elsa finally took the plunge and pressed her lips to Anna's in a slow, chaste kiss.

With the combined feel of Anna's supple lips against her own and the gentle strokes of the palm against her back, Elsa melted into the kiss. After a few seconds, Anna began to respond – meeting the ministrations of Elsa's lips with her own, and wrapped her other arm around Elsa's shoulders to pull her closer.

Elsa, lost in the moment, slowly moved her right hand into Anna's fiery mane of hair and gently pulled their faces closer. The kiss grew deeper, as both women lessened the space between them and more firmly pressed closed lips together.

Short on breath, Elsa pulled back slowly and took a deep inhale as she tried to overcome the lightheaded sensation she experienced. As she inhaled, she heard a low, hitched and breathily aired "El-ls-aahh..." From the inflection, she could not distinguish if it was a whine or a moan – or perhaps somewhere in between. Her face flushed a deep shade of crimson at the thoughts which came to her from that.

As her breathing evened out, and her heart slowed its hammering in her chest, she looked again upon the face mere inches from her own and sighed. She is still asleep.

"W-well," she breathed into Anna's hair, smiling one of the softest smiles she had in years. "You... have certainly made my morning brighter, and yours hasn't even begun."

"Mmm," Anna sighed—and at long last, her eyelids fluttered open. "Elsa?"

"Yes?" the queen replied, fighting down a giggle.

"I… had the most incredible dream that we were…" Then her cheeks flushed and she blinked, obviously more awake than she had been moments ago.

"We were what?"

"N-nevermind." Pushing to a sitting position, Anna stretched her arms out as Elsa made her own seat more comfortable, trying to keep the powerful blush off her face. "What were you doing?"

This gave Elsa pause. Should she admit her fleeting indiscretion, or dance around it so as not to make her wife uncomfortable? The first, of course—even if it was more difficult. Anna would never forgive her if she found out some other way, even though she wasn't sure what way that might be.

"Kissing you awake," she told her very shortly. No sense beating about the bush, either.

If nothing else, the look on Anna's face made an amused smile grace itself across Elsa's lips. She looked baffled, blinking wide teal eyes at her in surprise; whether it was over her boldness or something else, Elsa didn't know but it made Anna look rather adorable.

"You mean...that wasn't a dream?" she asked. By her voice, she didn't sound angry...but then, it could just be because it hadn't quite clicked in yet. Elsa simply nodded in confirmation.

She blushed and forgot how to speak. Anna didn't even realize how close they were and how… well, intimately they were touching—no, feeling each other. Second day of marriage, and they'd already gotten so far as to being so personal and in so much contact. Normally… this would happen, right?

Well… for a normal couple… and on their wedding night… and…

Anna blushed again. Wedding night, oh God. Sex. She always tried not to think about sex, especially when her morning just barely started, but after seeing the beauty of Elsa's bosom and the smooth, milky white back that arched so sharply where she stood and god, those legs and bottom, exposed and too alluring for her eyes that she was tempted to get a taste of her, Anna just couldn't stop.

"R-Really, that wasn't a dream?" Anna tasted a speck of sweetness on her lips.

"It wasn't… and…" The blonde frowned. "If you didn't like what I did, just please—"

"No, I did." She grinned. Elsa was completely and utterly speechless. Maybe she didn't expect an answer so solid and well, truthful. "I really did."

The queen grinned slightly. "So you wouldn't mind…"

"I wouldn't mind if we did this again."

Anna couldn't possibly have been serious. They'd been turning hot to cold and vice versa, too fast!

Anna, having briefly glimpsed the shift from weak smile to apprehension on Elsa's face, leaned in and gave her a light peck on the lips. "Truly," followed by a warm, wide smile.

Elsa returned the smile, her cheeks hurting from stretching so much. She couldn't help it, she went in for another kiss, loving the feel of her wife's soft lips against her own. And Anna was returning it! The blonde's hands unconsciously cleared away the blankets surrounding the redhead before they clasped her hips possessively and brought her closer. She let out a little groan when Anna reacted by looping her arms around her neck, the thin icy dress doing little to dampen the pointed feel of her nails digging into Elsa's back.

However, the kiss was starting to toe into the sort of territory that neither were fully prepared to explore, so the queen reluctantly broke it off, but not abruptly, taking her time to appreciate Anna's freckles with gentle pecks. She leaned her forehead against her wife, both panting as if they'd run a marathon. The redhead was the first to break the silence as she cracked open one eye and commented wryly, "Well, excellent morning to you, too."

It worked. Elsa started laughing, her head gently coming to rest against her wife's shoulders, which started to shake as Anna joined in. Eventually, their laughter subsided but the silence that reigned was a comfortable one. Elsa had moved over to sit beside Anna on the bed, who promptly leaned her head against the blonde's shoulder.

Oh, if only they had their first meeting like this… sweet and longing. The birds sang outside of the window, and it was music to the two women's ears. Their fingers touched so lightly, that they'd barely even notice it if they weren't gazing down and pondering whether or not to hold each other dearly.

Anna made the move, brushing her pinky on Elsa's index finger. She flinched, but that didn't stop Anna. Elsa was hesitant, but with the warmth of Anna's fingers placed on top of hers, Elsa wanted more. Her palm faced up with Anna's hand on top. And slowly, fingers intertwined with each other and their breathing hitched to the level where they were breathless.

But they had to admit, they were both very warm… and that warmth was very much needed.

Elsa noticed her wife grinning on her shoulder, shifting so that her lips were pressed to her neck. Shivers ran down her spine, and never had she felt so hot in her life… as if Anna was the sun and she was embracing the cold, cold moon behind the dark span of clouds.

"I wish it'd always be this way…"

"Why can't it be?" Elsa whispered, squeezing her hand on Anna's.

The redhead closed her eyes. "After all these arguments… I assumed our marriage was doomed."

Oh, but this was just the beginning. A marriage that still hadn't grown fully yet, but it would bloom quite beautifully. Elsa knew it.

"We don't have to argue."

"You know we can't always help it, Elsa."

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean we cannot make this marriage work. I want to make it work."

Anna had opened her eyes at "Perhaps not", and closely watched Elsa as she spoke, thunderstruck at the sheepish expression paired with the tentative tone of the last sentence. "I-I… I want that too. Very much."

Elsa began, "I truly am sorry for the demeaning manner in which I spoke both of, and to, you yesterday. It was highly improper—

"I—" Anna began to interject, but stopped when Elsa put a solitary finger to her lips.

"Please, let me finish, then you may speak freely. I need to say this, all of it." Elsa gave her a gentle peck on the cheek before she continued, "This is no excuse, please understand that—but I needed to keep that conversation with the council political in nature. There is no telling where the Southern Isles or Weselton may have ears and eyes, spying on us." Her smile thinned slightly at the thought, eyes slightly narrowing before she took a deep breath and let her face relax again. "If word ever got out to either of those nations that this marriage was not solely based on political need, especially at this stage, it would be disastrous."

Anna, stupefied at the statement, just stared at her.

"Anna, I remember meeting you when we were younger. I don't know if you would remember me, but you were such a fiery bundle of energy even back then. Our family was close with the royals of Corona when I was young, and I would glimpse you playing with Princesses Rapunzel and Merida as I sat reading. But I could never bring myself to join in, something always held me back." Elsa sighed remorsefully, and slowly continued, " Once my powers started to get out of control—I was 8 at the time, I was no longer able to leave Arendelle... or the castle, for that matter. However, before their passing, my parents continued to keep me apprised of the situations of both the Dunbroch and Coronan families. My mother would regale me with the most interesting tales about you during that time." A small smirk grew upon the young queen's face.

Anna had an astounded expression implanted on her face. She'd never seen Elsa before… and yet, to have this woman who never talked to her but took simple, little glimpse at her when they were just kids… Anna didn't know what to think. Other than apologizing.

She looked down to her lap and held her wife's hand tightly. Fingers embraced each other so warmly that they immediately became familiar with each other's touch. "I… I didn't know, Elsa, I—"

"I was a kid, too shy and too scared to come talk to you. It's perfectly normal if you didn't remember me."

"I don't remember and I'm—"

Elsa turned with a joyful smile. It was bittersweet… seeing how she'd suffered many years and now, she didn't have to with Anna by her side. Gods, had she fallen in love already? No; too soon, she thought.

Leaning in again, the tips of their noses touched and their eyes stared lovingly at one another.

"I—"

And that kiss finally took Anna's breath away, with Elsa cupping her cheek and warm, soft lips against her own.

What was with her and kissing her wife? Well, married couples were supposed to enjoy one another's company, but the queen was sure she was setting a precedent with how quickly she was growing attached to Anna. And her soft lips. Which were steadily growing more insistent as they trailed her jawline, each kiss adding to the growing, swirling warmth in the blonde's stomach.

Anna's kisses trailed first toward Elsa's left ear, ending with a peck to the cheek, then mirrored the actions on the other side. Once Anna was finished, the queen drew the redhead in with a hand curled around the nape of her neck for another fervent kiss. Their lips moved together in unison, as if performing a duet—evenly matching time and pressure.

Was this how it felt to be intimate with someone? To share the same feelings?

The queen's thoughts were put on hold when Anna pressed closer to her. Her wife let out a small moan as hands began to roam, and their kisses began to deepen. If there was one thing Elsa knew, it was that she would hold onto this woman for the rest of her days.

I'll be damned if I ever let her go.

But a part of her knew that this was going way too fast. It would possibly destroy the future relationship… perhaps deepen it, but Elsa knew they both wouldn't want to risk that.

"A-Anna…" she sighed, a hand gripping onto her upper arm and soon, Anna had a hand drifting up her thigh so gently, that left Elsa gasping and growling for more. She swallowed, her head tilted up while Anna's wonderful soft lips, hot breath trailing down her pale neck. Elsa shuddered into her hand… her lips… and she was about to give in.

The room was getting colder, but Elsa's body was burning with passion and desire. Nothing could stop this fire but Anna.

"S-Stop…"

"I… I want this, but…" Elsa started, stumbling over her words as her mind fought to regain control—in direct contest with the urges of her body. She gently grabbed Anna's wrist, removing the freckled hand from her leg. "It's too soon. We're still getting to know each other better, and… I don't want to rush this. I want us both to be ready, walking into the situation willing, not just succumbing to the primal urges of our bodies."

"You're… right…" Anna breathily panted, moving her arm to hold the hand that was grasping her wrist.

At that moment, a low grumbling sound echoed in the bedchamber. Elsa raised an eyebrow quizzically, however that was quickly replaced by a slight smirk at the mortified look on her wife's face. She stated simply, "You must be hungry."

The passionate moment now broken, Anna huffed and her cheeks began to stain with embarrassment.

"I..." Anna gave a small sigh. "I guess I am. I…We should probably eat something."

"You can go on ahead," Elsa replied, trying to slow her emotional state down. This woman was quickly unraveling the tightly bound strings on her heart, and she just needed a moment to catch her breath, to compose herself.

Anna giggled in response which made Elsa tilt her head in slight confusion. As the queen awaited an explanation, she noted how adorable her wife looked with hair strewn about and a flushed face.

Adorable indeed.

"Knowing you, Elsa dearest, you probably haven't eaten anything either. I mean," Anna grinned at her, "after that, I am sure you could use a bite to eat! What do you say, join me?"

...Dearest?

The word lovingly tacked onto the end of her name sent Elsa's heart fluttering. Nobody had called her something like that since...since her mother… and to hear it spill so casually from Anna's smiling lips despite everything that has happened between them, all the hurtful words and fighting...it made Elsa's eyes fill with warm tears.

Anna seemed to notice because suddenly Elsa's face was captured between two gentle hands. "Are you okay?" She fussed, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"N-No." Elsa managed to choke out, shaking her head and reaching up to cup one of those warm hands reverently. "Y-You...you said just the right thing."

Anna tilted her head, her thumb brushing off the happy tears away. "Right thing…?"

She chuckled and took her hand in hers, squeezing in need for the comfort that Anna had. And Anna's hands were so warm… so motherly—even if Elsa was older than her—she couldn't help but think about how lovingly her mother would take her cheeks in her hands. She'd dreamed of being called something… so right and something that people wouldn't assume so wrongfully about her.

Her smile was sweeter than the nectar from a flower and Elsa felt so snug in her hands.

"To be called… 'my Dearest'…"

The confusion shown on her face faded to the most content expression Anna had ever given. Tears formed and her heart ached to the thought of how Elsa must wanted to be seen as anything but a monster. And there she was, sitting beside her and watching her let everything go and be free.

"Oh, Elsa…"

"Thank you…"

Anna's stomach impatiently made itself known once more. She groaned at the inopportune interruption.

Elsa winced apologetically. "I… I'm sorry. Look at me standing here, like this, while you must be famished."

"No, no… this was more important." Anna grinned. "You are more important. And you are not a monster… no matter what anybody else might say about you." Her face twisted into a grimace and fell to look at her feet, remembering what had occurred when she was cleaning up prior to the ceremony the day prior. She uttered softly, "A-and… I… I'm so sorry I called you one yesterday."

Elsa squeezed Anna's hands and assured her, "No, it's alright. You're technically not wrong for calling me that." She chuckled without a smidgen of humor, regret shrouding her features as she fell deep in thought. There was no doubt about her being a monster, because only a monster could possess peculiar powers and use them to her advantage in less than friendly ways.

"Elsa..." Anna barely fought back tears.

She really believes she's a monster…

She grit her teeth. "No, I was wrong." She continued with steadfast determination, "You are wrong. So very wrong. You're not a monster." She allowed a warm smile to alight her face, squeezed Elsa's pale hands in return, and her voice softened. "Please, Elsa, my dearest, do not let how people who don't really know you so heavily influence how you see yourself."

She released Elsa's hands only to step in closer, wrap her arms around the blonde's waist, and pull her into a crushing hug.

"N-No." Elsa quickly pulled away. Tears constantly flowed down her cheeks, and the thoughts that haunted her… the thought of her very own being killing someone without mercy… it terrified her. She wouldn't know what to do if by accident, she would hurt Anna, too.

Anna frowned. "W-What?"

"You're wrong, my beautiful. I… did you see how I looked when I killed that man…?" she chuckled, her laughter broken into sobs. "I-I was merciless… quick to react... quick to show that I didn't care one bit about him…"

"Elsa, it was self-defense."

"He wasn't hurting me."

"Fine, you were only trying to protect me!" Anna held onto her wife's hand. "I don't care what you think you look like… how you felt when you killed him, but I know you were only there to rescue me and I'm greatly thankful for that, Elsa."

Thankful...

When was the last time anyone had said such words to her, without the undercurrent of tension within them that spoke of their reluctance, their fear?

Elsa was utterly speechless. And with that speechlessness, Anna landed a kiss on her forehead and fingers running through her soft golden hair.

"You're okay, my sweet…" she whispered into her, fingers wiping the bitter tears that filled Elsa with nothing but agony. Elsa would be safe… would be filled with dreams and hopes if Anna was here. Together and always. Grinning lovingly to her weeping wife, Anna cupped her cheeks and tilted her head up. "Now, I know you are a strong woman… God, you are a queen, and a wonderful, beautiful queen, if I must say, so please… this is nothing you should be crying about."

"People call me a monster…" Elsa's eyes glistened from unshed tears. She was a queen, and now, she was going to try her very best to be a better one for her queen. She wiped her tears.

"But I would never say these things to you… so just listen to me. Look at me. I'll be yours."

Oh, goodness.

"I am yours, Elsa. From now until eternity."

Oh.

"And… and I am yours, Anna, for all time."

"Good. Now, let's go eat—I am starving," Anna began gently, only to take on a stern tone as she finished, "and I'm certain that you've not eaten yet, either."

Elsa gave her a wary glance, brow raised.

"Yes? While you slept early this morning in the kitchen, Gerda and I talked… and you not eating properly came up as an issue—one which I fully intend to deal with." Anna grabbed hold of Elsa by the hand. "Lead the way, my queen."

They walked hand-in-hand down the hallways of the castle, chatting about whatever came to mind. Elsa learned that Anna's favorite season was summer; that she thought orange was an atrocious color, and that the right side of Anna's mouth always twitched first before the left whenever she smiled.

This was… nice. This was how things should have been, in fact.

Anna had never once mentioned ice or snow, knowing that Elsa would feel far too uncomfortable talking about it. Nor did she want something like what happened this morning to ever happen again.

They soon came into the dining hall and the only people that wandered around were the servants and the royal couple. It had always been strange to Anna. When she was back at home, the dining hall was much more loud and… colorful than what her eyes were looking at right now. It was dark, gloomy, and empty. It was expected. Elsa had been alone in this castle for years…

She turned to the woman that was talking to her and gave her a remorseful smile. It must've been lonely for her.

"Anna? Would you like to take a seat?"

The redhead shook away her thoughts to see her dear wife pulling out a chair for her. "Oh! I'm sorry, I was… daydreaming." She took her seat and let Elsa push her in. The woman chuckled as she sat next to her—leisurely putting an elbow on the table and a fist supporting her head. And then all of a sudden, Anna's heart managed to freeze.

She'd never seen this woman smile like that—so caring and adoring. Even her eyes sparkled.

"About what, if I may ask? I've learned a lot about you as we talked on our way here. I'm surprised you've gotten all meek and quiet right now."

This time, she was fidgeting. Out of habit, she twirled the tip of her braid around her finger… and Elsa was beginning to become mesmerized at the fiery red hair.

"W-Well, I…" Anna felt fingers slowly running through her hair and a blush ignited across her cheeks like fireworks. And Gods, the heart that was pounding almost made Anna think that there really were fireworks going off in the middle of the day. She turned, only to see her wife's eyes glazed with desire. Had she not known why her eyes looked so… dark, she would've thought she wanted something else. Something more.

Neither one cared for what Anna was going to say, and fortunately, Anna had forgotten what she was going to say. She laced Elsa's fingers between her own and the queen froze, eyes gazing down at hers.

"You'd think I wouldn't notice you getting all dazed, just by my hair, but I did."

The queen chuckled and squeezed her hair. "It's gorgeous, what can I say?"

Anna rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't like the way it looks during the morning." Slowly she moved closer, and the only sight she could see was the deliciously pink lips of Elsa's. The blonde didn't mind at all… in fact, that perky smile encouraged it.

"I'm sure it's not as bad as you say." Elsa smiled, bringing Anna's hand up to her lips to lay the barest trace of a kiss on her knuckle. "You could wear a potato sack and probably look gorgeous."

Anna's cheeks turned pink and her next smile was just the tiniest bit shy.

"But then, perhaps we should start eating? You must be hungry."

When she finally looked at what was laid out before her, Anna couldn't help but gape in awe at the sight of the local delicacies set upon the table, letting out an unintentional "Whoahhhh."

"Geographically speaking, Arendelle and Dunbroch are close," Elsa said. There was a noticeable flush of pink crayoned across her cheeks and Anna couldn't help but feel a little more important being around here—less like an object, more like an actual princess—one that had a not-so-secret admirer. "It's no surprise we are able to easily replicate the meals you have there. I never quite got to know what you liked, so I had the chefs prepare the best of every dish they were familiar with of Dunbroch. I hope they match your tastes."

When Elsa picked up her silverware, Anna followed after, her lips between her teeth as she still couldn't stop smiling at the sight of her homeland's traditional food. Despite the terrible day previous, there were hints of home in this place—somewhere, some time of the day, someone—she could return to. And Elsa took it upon herself to do it for her.

Anna, her hunger having gotten the best of her, had eagerly dove into the array of food which consisted of bread, fish, lamb, potatoes, and vegetables. Beside her, Elsa ate much slower—carefully maintaining her typical grace and poise all the while.

After several minutes had passed, Elsa asked of her between bites, "So, Anna, what would you like to do today?"

Her cheeks had grown warm in recollection of their rather… passionate kisses in bed. She coughed and sputtered as her gaze fell slightly to her plate.

When she felt cool fingers brush against her cheek she nearly jumped. The fingers then trailed to under her chin, in order to turn and lift her head. Upon Elsa catching her gaze, she felt the blonde's lips brush hers before her lower lip was pulled between them briefly.

Anna's heart nearly gave out at the feeling of breath tickling her rouged cheeks, teeth nibbling onto her bottom lip as if it was her last meal… and cold fingers sliding between her own. Anna could still taste the blueberries she'd eaten not a long while ago… and she was quite enjoying it. It was refreshing… sweet… intoxicating.

Slowly she let her eyes shut, her grip between her fingers tightening. Anna really wanted this… though, at first, it was quite hard to imagine that she did.

Perhaps it was because of their… rough start. Admittedly, the situation they were in right now was...strange, but it could have been a lot worse. Kisses like these certainly weren't something that could be considered horrible. And in a foreign land with no friends other than her new wife…

"We should...finish our meal first, yes?" said wife breathlessly asked as they parted for air. Anna nearly snorted out a laugh. She'd completely forgotten about food; too caught up in the moment.

But it was...a nice moment.

"You never did answer what you would like to do today," Elsa said after a few minutes had passed in silence, broken only by cutlery scraping against plates and loud chewing on Anna's end. "I have meetings for the rest of the week starting tomorrow, so today may be our only chance for an uninterrupted day together. At least...for the next week or so, depending on the war."

Oh. That's right...the war.

"Oh, I wish you didn't have to deal with that pesky war," Anna grumbled loudly, attempting humour. Perhaps it was out of place, but she didn't want the threat of violence from abroad casting a pall over their pleasant morning.

It worked, to a degree. Elsa snorted inelegantly as she swallowed the last of her fish. As Anna had feared, she had only put the most modest of portions on her own plate, and a small mound of vegetables besides… but at least it was a proper meal, if scarcely so.

"We are in agreement about that. Sadly, if wishes for that very thing were gold, I'd be able to buy the Southern Isles outright."

"I'm sure you're right." Regretfully abandoning the last of her own lamb, and silently promising to go back for more later, she decided they had been apart for too long—even if that were only the length of the brief meal. Standing, she edged around the table to seat herself upon Elsa's lap.

"Anna, wh-what are—"

"You will just have to use your favourite little pawn to win the war," Anna breathed sensually as she settled in, nuzzling her cheek up against Elsa's temple before drawing back to press their foreheads together. This drew a semi-frustrated sigh from her wife as she reached up to cup the warm freckles of her cheek.

"Please believe me when I say this, I do not think of you as only a pawn. If this is chess, you're… my queen."

Anna couldn't breathe, her eyes locked with Elsa's in an intense connection that set her heart racing and face warming. Before she could do anything incredibly stupid, the redhead cleared her throat and mentally batted away the pleasant haze that surrounded the two of them. "So. Er, would that make you a knight?"

Elsa let out another snort. "Beg pardon?"

Her hand was still on Anna's face, cool yet soft and still tempting her to turn her head a fraction and kiss that palm—Well, because you said I'm your, um, queen so would that—" A slight caress of the thumb across reddening freckles. "that—uh, see you're also a queen but you're not the opponent, either, because we're on the same side, so I was wondering—" A light trace of the jaw with a long, slender middle finger. "—what you'd be."

The true queen chuckled before removing her hand, leaving a disagreeable sense of bareness in her wife. Which was immediately forgotten when that hand was replaced with a pair of lips, their soft touch highlighting the rouge on Anna's cheeks.

"I was hoping to be your king," came the soft murmur, quiet yet resounding in meaning.

"W-what? Oh… right. Yes…" Anna spluttered when it had occurred to her that rank-wise, in the game, Elsa probably was that—the one who promised to protect their land, the one with the most limited moves because they have so much to lose.

Even with her powers, she still…

"If you would have me, of course," Elsa said with a light chuckle against her skin, interrupting her thoughts.

Anna arched an eyebrow even if the blonde couldn't see it, biting at her lip to stifle a laugh of her own. "A bit late for that now, don't you think?"

"True." Elsa gently nudged her off her lap at the sound of footsteps approaching. "Still, I'd rather everything else have an element of choice to them. Even if the most important one wasn't."

The doors to the dining hall opened.

Anna grumbled and quickly patted her dress down.

"Your Majesties!"

The redhead nearly gasped in shock at the booming voice by the entrance. Who in the world had this much energy in the morning to yell that loudly that the room was shaking from the vibration? Of course, it was none other than Stoick. She gave Elsa an almost disgusted look and the queen merely shrugged.

She watched her wife get up. "Stoick, you've gotten up early."

He laughed. "Oh, we do that every day. I just wanted to grab a bite n' I'll be off for the day!"

"It'd be a pleasure if you'd like to eat with us."

Anna snapped her head towards Elsa, grabbing her arm and squeezed. "What are you doing…?" she whispered.

"We've… created quite a bond… before you've even woken up."

"A bond…" Anna's jaw dropped as her mind caught up to the implications. "You mean...you actually had a meeting with him and became friends?!"

Elsa smiled tightly as she reached for a silver bell near her plate, ringing it to summon one of the castle's many servants. "I wouldn't call him a friend just yet," she said, returning the bell to its place, "At least...not at this point. He's certainly an ally and one we can trust to have our backs—"

"Nonsense!" Stoick nearly bellowed, laughing once more as he lumbered further into the room and seated himself across from the two. "We're all friends here, Queen Elsa!"

The couple finally took their seat. "Of course. But…" She glanced over to Anna, who had her arms crossed and a pout spouting across her cheeks. Elsa couldn't help but admire how adorable she looked. "I'm afraid, I've made my wife jealous."

Anna immediately gasped. "Jealous?!" She felt a hand on her knee, patting her. But she didn't really care. "I'm not jealous!"

Elsa smiled when Stoick let out a hearty laughter. "Oh goodness, what have I gotten into?!"

The redhead turned to him. Nobody had ever teased her like this! "Just so we're clear, last night's conversation doesn't make us friends. We argued because of that!"

Her wife raised her eyebrows in amusement. "Anna, that's enough."

Stoick clearly didn't take that too seriously. "Of course, of course. I'll have to redeem myself, don't I?"

"Please, Stoick, Anna's being a little stubborn… it's one of her greatest features. You don't have to do anything." Elsa turned to Anna, still holding onto that pout but it was melting immediately the moment she'd complimented her 'greatest features'. "If anything, I'll have to make up everything that I've done for the past few days to her."

The Viking grinned broadly at the same time one of the castle servants entered the dining hall with a plate of food for their boisterous guest. "If you're open to another piece of advice, Queen Elsa, 'a happy wife is a happy life'!" Thanking the servant after those words of wisdom, he forewent the utensils provided and dove into his meal with great gusto, picking up the lamb and fish with his bare hands.

Ever the polite one, Anna watched as Elsa pointedly ignored the ravenous display across from her, seemingly eating her food with even greater care and overall neatness than before. Anna, for her part, gleefully took a page from Stoick's book and began using her hands like she and King Fergus would've done back home...only to receive an admonishing look from her wife. Offering a sheepish grin, the redhead wiped her hands clean on the nearest napkin before picking up her utensils once more.

"Have you taken a look 'round Arendelle yet?" Stoick grunted after a few minutes, gingerly picking at the vegetables on his plate.

It took Anna a moment to realize he had addressed her. "Oh. No, no I haven't," she said around a mouthful of potatoes.

"Mhm, well, it's a beautiful place. But the weather is really harsh here." He cast a quick glance to Elsa, who had just stopped taking another bite of her food, her eyes gazing down at her plate then back to the man. There was a silence… and it was quite threatening. Anna could've sworn the room had gone all cold. But it was only Elsa's stare that had been.

For a moment, Anna didn't know what was causing this deafening silence. She brushed her hand against her wife's. "Elsa…"

The queen's finger twitched and she turned to Anna. There was that look again, the same as when Elsa was there to save her from her abductor. Chills crawled down her spine and something… menacing told her to say no more.

"Did ye think about what I told ye this mornin'?" Stoick questioned.

The queen didn't let her gaze break from Anna's. "Of course."

Finishing his meal with a gulp of cranberry juice, he got up. "Be careful, my queen. Use your power wisely… protect your wife, and the consequences won't be deadly. Have a good day, your majesties." WIth a bow, he led himself towards the entrance and shut the door.

For a moment of silence, Anna took her time to think over what they were talking about. None of this made any sense. Well, of course it wouldn't... considering she'd been asleep when they talked. Consequences…? That didn't sound very good.

"Would you mind telling me what… he meant?" She had used all her courage to say that one sentence.

Elsa only grinned faintly, and took her hand to her lips. But Anna wasn't fazed. She wanted an answer.

"Please, Elsa." She pulled her hand back. "We're married… we have to be honest with each other."

"There are some things that we can't say in order to protect our loved ones, beautiful."

"Do you not trust me?"

The blonde turned her head away, averting her gaze back to her plate. "It's not that I don't trust you, Anna. I just...don't think it's the right time to tell you right now. Not at such an early point."

"But...eventually?" Anna pressed, even as the curiosity grew in strength.

Elsa sighed, her lips curling into another faint smile as she turned her head to briefly glance at Anna again. "Eventually," she quietly promised, sounding so earnest in spite of her soft tones that something in Anna's heart ached.

Anna wasn't really convinced, but… she had to trust her wife. She was the queen, after all. She needed to be trustworthy, someone who was reliable—who could protect the good of her people. Anna was no different. She was just a princess who wanted love… and now she got it with the woman sitting next to her. Elsa would protect her, give her anything that she never managed to get in her lifetime—she doubted there would be anymore to give when she already had all… and more than enough that she needed in the world.

"Do you think… I can make it up to you for what happened?"

"Pardon?"

Elsa smiled and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind Anna's ear. "I'd like to do something with you today to make up for all the distress I've caused you."

She rolled her eyes. "Elsa, we were immature… and selfish, and… just know that we were both at fault here. But…"

The queen raised her eyebrows as her wife held her hand tight. "But?"

"But if you really want to make it up to me… we can go around the town! It's my first time here and, I'm sure it's just as beautiful as Stoick said it was!"

Anna reached for her wife's hands, entwining them with her own and giving them a squeeze. "Please? As you said...who knows when we'll be able to spend time together like this?" She smiled upon finishing her words, fluttering her lashes, and the older woman before her giggled at the act.

"We can if you promise not to do that again," Elsa said, bringing their hands up to press a brief kiss to Anna's knuckles.

"Promise not to do what?" the redhead asked, fluttering her lashes even more, and Elsa turned her head in mock disgust as she tugged their hands apart. A fit of giggles seized them both, with friendly banter exchanged afterwards and before they realized they still had yet to finish their meal.

"Shall we go...my queen?" Elsa said, offering a hand as she stood up, one corner of her mouth twitching into a half-smile.

And Anna took the offered hand gladly.

"Of course, my king."

Walking arm in arm and looking like Arendelle's perfect royal pair, Elsa and Anna proudly ventured past the castle gates and entered the town and its hustle and bustle of citizens going about their daily activities. An assortment of scents and sounds permeated the air as merchants bartered with potential customers, bakers and cooks prepared scrumptious delicacies, blacksmiths sweated over shaping a shiny new knife, and young children screamed merrily and chased each other around the buildings.

Regardless of how busy the people were, every single one that the couple happened to walk by took the time to acknowledge their queen and her new, blushing bride with bright smiles and friendly waves.

Anna delightfully confirmed the town was indeed a beautiful sight to behold, and they only just arrived there!

"Ooh! What's that over there?"

"Anna, slow down…!"

Most of their time in town was spent in such a manner, with Anna tugging the queen along whenever something caught her interest. She tasted the foods Arendelle had to offer—well, as much as she could eat without getting a stomachache, of course—and played with the children whenever they asked while Elsa watched off to the side.

It didn't take Anna long to see how much respect the people of Arendelle held for their queen.

...And the hope, too.

"Stronger than one!" someone called as they passed a crowded tavern. Turning her head, Anna saw a group of what looked like ice harvesters, town guards, and soldiers milling about outside, as there was little room to spare inside the establishment.

"Stronger than ten!" another added, and from the corner of her eye, Anna could see a slight blush rising to Elsa's cheeks.

"Stronger than a hundred men!" the group said in unison with broad smiles all around, raising their tankards to the royals passing by. "Hail, Queen Elsa!"

"Don't mind them," said queen whispered in obvious embarrassment, linking their arms once more and subtly drawing her wife away from the revelers.

Anna smiled a little at Elsa's reaction to her people's praise. "Is it true, though? That you're stronger than a hundred men?"

"Have you even met me?" Elsa chuckled.

Anna cast a confused look to her wife.

Elsa flushed, then she raised a hand to cover her mouth and giggled lightly. "It's about my powers—the ice I create."

"Oh!" She gasped, as her eyes widened with comprehension.

The queen arched her brow, her expression softening. Her eyes held a touch of vulnerability to them. "Have you forgotten already?"

"Forgotten what?" Perhaps, Anna was just too excited that she'd forgotten what she'd done to protect her. Elsa stopped in her tracks, and held Anna's hand.

"I've killed a man, Anna… and more, but you just weren't there to witness them."

Anna heard the fear in her voice and she knew, Elsa didn't want to be 'stronger than a hundred men'. She only wanted to be a normal girl… who ruled the world without her powers getting in the way. Whether it was an advantage or not, this wasn't what Elsa wanted. Her wife frowned at the exposed expression she had.

Everything around them seemed to have disappeared from their sight, and they could only see each other. Elsa… she'd been in the dark for a long, long time and Anna was her light.

And the light didn't really care about what she'd done in the past. If it was necessary… then so be it.

The redhead smiled and came close to her, cupping her hand around the queen's cheek. "No, I haven't forgotten. And I think… I think it's great that people find you being a strong person. You're being acknowledged, Elsa."

"For my powers."

"For what you've done for this kingdom."

Anna's hand drifted down to join the other in holding Elsa's hands. "Your people, they...they really love you, don't they?"

"I…" She watched as Elsa looked around to see the townspeople smiling as they admired her. There was love all around… but did she realize this? "I hope they do."

"They do!" Anna affirmed, giving her wife's hands a squeeze. Her grip faltered, smile wavering. "They...really do."

Oh, gods...No wonder she was so upset over ruining a possible alliance.

Apprehension overcame Anna when she thought of the hard working people and the impending war ahead that could potentially upend their lives. "Elsa, where will the war be happening?" she questioned, realizing she knew very little details about the war aside from who was involved.

Elsa grew serious, her lips forming a thin line before she solemnly answered, "If I can help it, it won't come anywhere near Arendelle… We'll be bringing the fight to our enemies and hopefully keep it contained there. But if it does make it through… I will do everything in my power to protect my kingdom and my people."

Her eyes hardened; as cold as the ice she commanded at her fingertips, and Anna had no doubts as to what the blonde would resort to, if pushed. Briefly, the memory of Elsa killing Anna's attempted kidnapper flashed through her mind. Of the sharp spikes of ice that had formed out of nowhere, of the bright blood—

"I'll protect you, too," came the queen's murmur, frosty gaze thawing as their eyes met. "You...may not agree with what I might have to do as this war progresses, but…"

No further words were needed. Anna nodded, hoping she was just imagining her hands trembling. If they were, Elsa gave no acknowledgement towards them. Save for, perhaps, the brief kiss she placed against the corner of Anna's mouth.

"But such matters are for another day, yes?" the Queen of Arendelle said, pulling away with a small smile on her lips. "Until then...we'll make the most of the lull before the storm descends. I'm afraid I won't be around much from that point until its conclusion."

Anna's grip tightened slightly. "I don't think that's right."

"Pardon?"

"I don't think it's right," she repeated, voice stronger as her jaw hardened in determination. "For you to do this on your own. I'm your wife now, Elsa. And if what I've seen from Papa and Mama have taught me anything...we do this together." Anna paused, managing a smile of her own. "We Scots are a hardy bunch, in case you've forgotten! I may not have been able to prove it to you yet, but I can handle myself just fine, if needed!"

That man...he had taken me by surprise, is all.

Elsa chuckled at her words, and Anna felt a thumb gently rubbing over her knuckles. "If you wish to be on the front lines, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse."

"Tough shit!" Anna shook her head and stared up into Elsa's captivating blue eyes with her own hard set and determined, "I want to be right there next to you no matter where you happen to be on that battlefield. By your side is where I belong, after all, and your words will not change that."

Elsa looked like she was about to protest but Anna cut her off with a threatening gesture of her right hand. "Don't make me slap you again!"

For a moment, Elsa merely stared at her in silence, her expression incredulous. Just as Anna's hand began to falter, the queen's lips curved into small smile once more. "I suppose the Southern Isles will come to fear that dreaded slap of yours," she said softly, bringing a hand up to caress Anna's cheek and brush her thumb against the smattering of freckles there.

Anna pouted. "You can't be on the front lines, you have a kingdom to run."

"There's no helping it, beautiful," Elsa sighed, and Anna took her hand in hers. "You will have to take control in the meantime."

This wasn't fair… to have her wife leave her the instant they'd gotten closer together. Anna knew that Elsa was tougher than steel and she wouldn't get a scratch on her flawlessly pale skin with just arrows and swords raining down upon her. But what was this feeling? Fear? Or was it… anger? If Anna had known there would be a war soon… she wouldn't have agreed to marry. And in her mind, bad assumptions filled her up.

Her pout faltered into a somber expression. "What if… What will happen if you—"

"Nothing will happen to me," Elsa cut her off.

"You don't know that… just because you have ice powers doesn't mean—"

The blonde chuckled. "Are you worried, my queen?"

Anna looked around them to see townspeople going back to their work. "We all are." She sighed, and caressed her wife's pale cheek with the back of her fingers. "What will we do without you…?"

This time, Elsa didn't let out a laugh and she knew, Anna was being serious with those eyes glistening with… were they tears? They hadn't known each other for a week… and it looked as if they'd been married for so long. So in love…

And Anna knew that inside that cold, cold heart, something warm lingered there. As if Elsa was holding herself back from happiness… because it was something that'd hurt her and other people around them… Anna stared longingly and she pitied how exhausted the queen looked. Dark circles blending terribly with her pale skin, way too skinny, glazed blue eyes…

People looked up to this woman? Yes, Elsa was flawless to others but… looking up close, Anna felt her stomach churn at how… how sick and tired her wife was. She wished to bring some colors back to Elsa.

"You'll make me proud," the queen whispered. The warm afternoon wind blew gently through the town, birds chirping through the air, and the townspeople were as lively as always. The couple had gone quiet and nothing could disturb them. Perhaps… their love, if it ever existed. "You'll be the greatest queen anyone will ever wish for. I can see it in your eyes…" She felt Elsa's fingers caress below her eye. "You have a lot of love inside of you, unlike me."

"Elsa…"

"If I can't avoid… death, remember that you are…" She swallowed and she knew, she couldn't avoid seeing her wife cry. Tears were hanging desperately from the corner of Anna's eyes. But she was strong. "Remember that you are the woman of my dreams. But I promise you, nothing will happen to me and I will always be beside you."

"Promise?"

Despite her voice choking and her nose sniffling, Anna held out her pinky. It seemed to surprise Elsa. She'd not seen Anna looking so adorable before, with her cheeks flushed and eyebrows scrunched together to hold herself together. It brought out a smile and a pinky that hooked around Anna's.

"I promise."

With that, Anna had a relieved grin running across her face. She leaned in to kiss the woman's cheek, knowing that Elsa was someone who would never break such a promise. "Come on now, let's finish our date."

Contributors this time: Iamrottingbitch, The-Wandering-Quill, Pankite, Cyrianu, Nojamhere, Turtle, Mad-Frozen, CanITellUsmthin, Jessica-X, Winterssummer.

Thank you for everyone's participation and hardwork!