Chapter Text

Though there was no smoke coming from the forges chimney, Elsa could tell that Anna was in her workshop from the soft hammer blows she could hear. It sounded like the chiming of a bell. She didn't bother announcing her arrival, flinging back the curtain door and entering without a word. Anna sat hunched over in her seat, gently hammering at two strips of metal wrapped around a dowel. “That was a very selfish and pigheaded thing you did back there, Anna,” she scolded as she crossed her arms.

Anna merely shrugged, “it was necessary,” she stated, refusing to look up at Elsa. She took a few more swings before setting her work aside. She had already undone her jacket and shrugged it off of her shoulders, “I need them to trust me, Elsa,” she looked up, “we need them to trust me.”

Elsa frowned, “you didn't need to give up your freedom of choice in order to earn it. You keep putting your life on the line for me when it isn't needed,” she crossed the room and kneeled next to Anna's seat, uncaring of how the dust of the floor rubbed into to fabric of her dress, “I don't want to lose you.”

Anna smiled and softly kissed the queen's forehead, “you won't lose me,” she whispered as she cupped her hand around the back of Elsa's neck, “and even if you do, it won't be forever,” another kiss, this one on the tip of her nose, “I promise that I will always come back to you.”

Elsa chuckled, “loyal to a fault.”

“Only to you,” Anna replied.

They fell into a comfortable silence in the hut. Foreheads pressed together.

Finally, Elsa leaned back, “what is it that you were working on?” Anna smiled and picked up the dowel, handing it to Elsa who accepted it gingerly. She turned it slowly, looking over the wrapped metal, which was silver. Each strip was made up of smaller strips, braided together and hammered flat. “Rings,” Elsa breathed, the ghost of a smile on her lips, “you made us rings.”

Anna nodded, “matching rings. A promise that we'll be together.”

They shared a kiss as Anna pulled the rings from the dowel, sliding one onto Elsa's finger and its twin on her own. Anna stood, pulling Elsa up with her. She held her close, burying her face against her neck, “when this is all over, we can both be free,” she promised before stepping back, “but until then, we need to be ready.” She smiled widely and tapped the hilt of her sword, “prepare for the worst and hope for the best, that's what Pabbie would say,” she held Elsa's hand softly, leading her to the door, “we have work to do.”

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The days passed slowly, long and hard. Filled with unending activity. The many forges of the village burned endlessly and the loud clang of hammers on hot steel permeated the air.

Shortly after the meeting, the men hurried off to their assigned tasks. Hook's ship sailed out almost immediately, with Admiral Erikson in his company. No news had arrived from them, but the occasional sound of cannon echoed faintly, almost silently whenever the ships drew near to the coast. It gave the camp hope, with every blast, that they still fought and that there was still a chance.

The thieves continued with their mission to evacuate the city. New citizens arrived almost daily and went to work for the cause. While the assassins made their way through the city. Ghosts in the night spreading panic and terror through the ranks. And with every passing day, the attacking force trained and grew strong.

Swords and axes began to pile high in the camp. Arrows and bows were churned out as quickly as they could be strung and fletched. Armour, leather and mail both, were sized and fitted to every soldier. An air of war filled the air.

All the while, Anna and Elsa trained. Ice and steel clashed in elaborate dances in the ring outside the mansion. Elsa had been hesitant, casting her magic purposely at her lover, but Anna managed to convince her. She needed to increase her stamina, increase the control and length of her magic.

Anna rolled around a newly formed wall of ice and lunged Elsa. They collided and went tumbling through the dirt laughing. “You're getting better,” Anna complemented, pulling Elsa close.

Elsa smiled tiredly, “I don't feel like it,” she said dryly. “Do you think we're really ready?”

Anna nodded, “we’ll have to be,” she squeezed Elsa's hand, “we can't wait much longer. His men are getting nervous. We can't allow them any time to regroup.”

Elsa rolled so that she laying on top of Anna, propped up on her elbows. They kissed softly, lovingly. Allowing their adoration of the other to be felt through gentle touches.

Gentle touches became needy touches. Their kisses turned passionate as Anna sat up, Elsa firmly seated in her lap. “Bedroom,” Anna breathed as she stood.

They made a valiant effort to sneak into the mansion quietly, an effort ruined as Anna couldn't keep her hands off of her lover. They hurried up the stairs and into the nearest room, Elsa's, before tumbling onto the bed. Their quiet giggles filled the air as they striped out of their training clothes, frequently stopping for more kisses.

Anna gazed gazed down at Elsa and hesitantly reached a hand out to caress her breasts before freezing. Sure, they had cuddled and kissed, but Anna and Elsa hadn't been intimate since the morning on the cliff.

With a reassuring smile, Elsa placed a hand over Annas and pulled it down, blushing lightly at the contact, “it's alright, Anna. We’re alright.” She moaned softly when Anna squeezed gently at her breasts before rubbing her thumb over a stiff nipple. As she continued to massage Elsa's breasts, pinching her nipples, she leaned down and nipped at the sensitive skin behind her ear.

Elsa let out a breathy moan before whining, “Anna, don't tease me. Please.”

Anna grinned, licking her way down Elsa's neck to her shoulder where she bit gently, “Please what, Elsa?” she asked, trailing her mouth down further, capturing a nipple between her teeth.

“Touch me. Inside,” She gasped in response, arching her hips up to Anna.

Anna smiled softly and sat up. She coaxed Elsa's legs apart, massaging her thighs, and settled between them. Anna trailed her fingers up over the queen's body before lightly scratching her nails down her sides to rest on her hips. She brought her fingers slowly to Elsa’s center, already wet and ready for Anna. With one hand, Anna spread Elsa's lips, running the fingers of the other along her slit, gathering the moisture there and swirling them around her clit slowly.

Elsa's soft moans filled the room as Anna continued with her ministrations, drawing out her pleasure slowly. She groaned blissfully as Anna slowly, so slowly, slipped her fingers inside of Elsa's waiting entrance. Her moans became louder and needier as Anna curled her finger up against her front wall, pumping in slowly while her thumb worked circles around her clit. Wrapped one arm around Anna's back, pulling her down into a passionate kiss, her other hand gripping tightly in her lover's hair.

She broke away from the kiss to cry out loudly as Anna fluttered her fingers within her. “Anna!” she moaned out, “Oh, Anna, I love you!” Pleasure built up steadily into Elsa as she cantered her his up to meet Anna's hand. Elsa was far gone. Thoughts and worries about the coming battle were washed away and overpowered by Anna, by the woman that had become such an important part of her life. She held Anna tighter as she redhead latched once more onto her nipple, sucking hard and sending her ever higher into the throes of passion. Just when she thought that her pleasure had plateaued, her climax imamate, Anna hard against her inner wall sending her to another plain that was almost painful.

Elsa buried her face against Anna neck to muffle her cries as climaxed. Her body shuddered as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her. Anna's hand slowed to a stop and Elsa slumped down against the bed, drawing in deep ragged breaths, sighing as Anna pulled her fingers away from her fluttering walls. She hadn't even realized that she had been crying until Anna swept a thumb across her cheek, wiping the moisture always.

“You alright?” Anna asked worriedly.

Elsa nodded, “just,” her voice cracked and cleared her throat, trying again, “just intense. I’m okay, promise.” she gently cupped Anna's face, bringing her down for a kiss.

Anna let out a snort of surprise when Elsa wrapped her arms tightly around her and flipped them over. She blinked slowly as she gazed up at her lover. Elsa's usually pale skin was flushed a healthy pink, making her faint freckles stand out, and her loose hair hung beautifully around them. Her normally icy blue eyes had darkened slightly and her pupils were blown wide with arousal. Anna could have spent an eternity just staring into those eyes, but Elsa seemed to have other plans. Elsa leaned down to place languid kisses along Anna’s collarbone, nipping at the skin and leaving small red marks.

She wrapped her lips around a pert nipple and sucked hard, drawing a sharp cry from Anna. Elsa let her hands take over for her mouth as she continued her path ever downwards. Her tongue darted out to lick at the smooth expanse of Anna's stomach before nipping at her hips, taking her time to savour each and every moan and whimper that fell from Anna's lips.

Elsa was just descending to lick at Anna's wet centre, when a hurried knock at the door cause them to freeze. They waited with bated breath for the knocking to come again, and when it did, more insistently, Anna whined in frustration.

"Maybe if we ignore them they'll go away," Anna's whispered hopefully. No such luck was to be had as the knocking came again, more insistent. Anna practically snarled as she squirmed out from beneath Elsa. She tugged on her discarded shirt, which came, thankfully, to her mid-thigh, and gave Elsa just enough time to pull a blanket over herself before yanking open the door.

"What?" Anna snarled.

The interrupter had been Kristoff. Upon seeing Anna's state of undress, and a brief glimpse of the queen as she ducked further beneath the blanket, he found an incredibly interesting spot on the wall to stare at, his face burning red, "I was expecting the queen," he coughed.

Anna's eyes narrowed, "the queen is preoccupied, what do you want, Kristoff?"

"I would have an easier time talking to you seriously if you would put on some pants," he grunted.

Anna glared up at him, "I am your leader now, and you shall deliver your report no matter my state of dress."

"Leif just sent an update on their mission in the city," he started with a roll of his eyes, "he says that the enemy in starting to regroup."

Anna's face fell, "any word from Hook? Have the French arrived?"

"Blocked outside of the Fjord. They can't get to the city in time," Kristoff explained, "we're out of time, Anna."

Biting at her lip, Anna nodded dejectedly, "alright. We'll be out soon. Pass it along that it's time to mobilize." Once Kristoff was gone, Anna turned to look at Elsa, "I’ll," she cleared her throat, "I’ll leave you to get ready."

Anna hurried down the hall and into her own room, slamming the door behind her. She stood there, her forehead resting against the smooth wood of the door, breathing in the calming scent of home, and realized what she had not previously had time to realize. She was about to lead her people into war, and it scared her to death.

Her whole life, Anna had moved from fight to fight, but that's all they had been, one fight at a time. She had known slaughter and genocide, but never outright war. With a heavy sigh, Anna pushed away from the door and began to dress.

As she was starting to put on her leathers, there was a knock at the door. "Enter," Anna called, not at all surprised to find that it was Elsa closing the door behind her.

The queen was dressed simply, her clothing allowing for optimum movement. Loose pants, knee high boots of a sturdy leather and a dull blue tunic that came to the top of her thighs. She had tied her hair back in a simple braid and Anna was momentarily struck with how beautiful the queen was, even dressed so plainly.

"You're staring," Elsa smiled as she crossed over to Anna's side. Gently, she pushed Anna's hands away from the buckle she had been doing up. She ignored Anna's protests as she began to do up the armour, "just let me do this for you, Anna."

The process took a lot longer than if Anna had done it herself, but she couldn't find it in her heart to complain about the extra time spent, if it meant more time with Elsa.

As Elsa finished tightening the laces of the second bracer, she pulled Anna into an almost crushing embrace, burying her face in the crook of Anna neck, drawing in a shaky breath. Anna returned the embrace awkwardly, rubbing circles on the distraught queen’s back, "Elsa? What's wrong?"

"I can't help but feel like this is goodbye, like I'll never see you again," Elsa whispered in reply, as if she said the words any louder they would for sure come true.

Anna smiled sadly and held Elsa close, "this isn't goodbye, Elsa. If anything, it's the beginning." She extracted herself from Elsa's arms and held onto her hands, "we will fight this fight together and come out stronger." She smiled brightly, "and no matter what happens, I promise that I will come back to you, always."

Anna's voice was so earnest that Elsa couldn't help but smile with her. "How can you Promise that?"

Anna grinned and kisses Elsa on the cheek, "because I'm the Grandmaster now, and a Grandmaster always keeps their promises."

Elsa chuckled, "well, how can I argue with logic like that?"

"You can't, it's impossible. Inflatable logic and unbreakable promises." Anna nodded and offered Elsa her hand, "now, let's go and get your kingdom back."

Hand in hand, the two leaders left the mansion. The air that greeted them was chilled and the sky clouded, as if even the world itself was nervous about the coming battle. Undeterred, Elsa and Anna made their way towards the tunnel entrance, ready to face their foes.