Anna woke up and immediately felt giddy. For the first time in several nights, her dreams had been peaceful. Even the determination of her nightmares could apparently be kept at by the force of her euphoria.

"Good morning, Lady Anna."

The soon-to-be Knight shifted over in the bed to face her (unsurprisingly) awake Queen. "Lady Anna?" she questioned, causing Elsa's smile to brighten. "That's going to be my title?"

"Of course. That's how one addresses nobility, is it not?" Then, the monarch's face fell slightly. "Of course, I'm sure the Council is going to have some things to say about all of this. It's not going to change anything, but there's something you're going to have to keep in mind. Being a Knight is more than just a reward. It's a responsibility."

Anna nodded. "I know. I'll have to protect you with my life. That's not a duty that I take lightly, but I'm already doing that already...aren't I?"

"Of course, but..." Elsa winced. "It's more than that. Certain things will now be expected of you, and not all of them involve fighting to the death. You'll be a Lady of Arendelle and a representative of the Crown. During gatherings and meetings you'll have to act as a titled woman would. Wolfing down chocolates during a ball might be tolerated of a favored peasant girl. But not a Knight."

The attendant's teeth clenched. Suddenly, she didn't feel too giddy any longer.

"What's more, lords and ladies who enter my company will expect to interact with you as an equal. You'll have to learn the details of upper-class pleasantries and diplomacy. I'll still do most of the talking of course, but there will be a certain standard that you will have to meet," Elsa explained.

"Why?" Anna asked irritably. "Who cares what they think?"

Elsa fixed her with a determined stare. "You know the answer to that question, Anna. Some of the nobles opposed to our relationship might grow more tolerant of the situation if they somewhat believe that you deserve a higher rank. But if they think you are unfit to be a Knight, then this gambit will certainly fail. Anna, with times as tumultuous as they are, I can't be distracted by our own nobility. My focus has to be directed elsewhere and I can't do that if they're up in arms about you."

"So what do we do?" Anna nearly hissed.

"I've already talked with Kai and Gerda. While not aristocrats themselves, they know how to navigate the social circles that you are going to be thrust into. Especially Kai. From now on, you and he are going to meet twice a week, two hours at a time. He will instruct you on the manners and niceties expected of a member of Arendelle's nobility," Elsa explained.

"But-"

"And you will also be sitting down with Gerda for three hours each week to discuss other topics, such as Arendelle's history. I know you received a basic education in the orphanage, but that will not suffice for a Knight. There are many things your going to have to learn; a noble cannot be ignorant of her kingdom's past."

The redhead sat up in protest. "I'm not ignorant! I know plenty about Arendelle!"

"Is that so?" the Queen frowned. "Who was the first King of Arendelle? And in what battle was his rule solidified?"

Shit! "Uh, King Adgar...the first? The battle of...the War to form Arendelle?" she muttered hopelessly.

"Adgar the first was my father. And no," Elsa retorted. "Ladies are assumed to know these things. They come up in discussions often enough and it would be incredibly embarrassing if you were discovered to be ignorant of such basic facts."

"So you're trying to turn me into a Lady?" Anna questioned.

Elsa hesitated, then nodded slightly. "I suppose you could phrase it that way."

"It's not going to work!" Anna shouted, the intensity of her voice actually making the Queen recoil in surprise. "I'm not a Lady...or a noble or an aristocrat or whatever you want to call it! I'm a peasant girl who was practically raised on the streets. I thought you accepted that! Now you're trying to change me into some kind of noble...I guess you finally realized that who am I just wasn't worthy of you," she said bitterly.

"You know that's not true!" Elsa shot back. "I don't want to change you. It was a peasant girl that I fell in love with; I don't want to make her into something she's not. All I'm trying to do is make this transition easier for you. I phrased that wrong, I'm not trying to 'turn you into anything.' We just need to...create a mask, you could say, for you to wear when you're dealing with certain people. If it was just for me, I'd be happy if you never changed at all in front of anyone for the rest of your life. But I have to take the rest of the nobility into consideration. I'm sorry."

Anna lowered her eyes guiltily, knowing she had gone overboard in the heat of the moment. But still..."Fine. I understand. But you should have talked with me about this before going ahead. It's too late now, with the invitations sent out. But did you ever think for a moment that I might not want to be a Knight if it meant all of this crap?"

It was Elsa's turn to nod. "You're right. I didn't realize how difficult this might be for you; I'm sorry, I should have given you more warning. But this was inevitable. If you want to be with me, you have to be capable of interacting with the aristocracy. Knighthood or not. Anna, I'm doing everything in my power so that we can be together. You have to be willing to do the same. Learning from Kai and Gerda will be incredibly boring, and putting what they teach you into practice might not be easy, but isn't it worth such getting such a high rank? Isn't it worth...me?" Her voice quivered slightly.

And that was the point at which Anna surrendered. One brief moment of vulnerability from the Queen and Anna melted like a snowman in an inferno. Elsa was right, she knew. This relationship required sacrifices. The monarch was already doing the best she could; Anna had to do the same. Even if it meant being educated.

"Of course it is," the redhead agreed.

\

Elsa could feel the tension in the air as she walked down the length of the table, Anna right on her heels. Everyone in the room was prepared for the inevitable debate; most had probably chosen a side already. They'd all had more than enough time to read their invitations.

Reaching the head chair, the Queen sat carefully but confidently. She gestured with her hands, inviting the assembled nobles to voice their concerns.

"Your Majesty," Lord Arald was the first to speak. Elsa nodded at him to continue. "I would like to extend my congratulations towards Miss Anna for her appointment to Knighthood. She is...unconventional, I admit, but her valor has been demonstrated time and again since her arrival here."

The Queen smiled. She couldn't see Anna's face, but Elsa was willing to bet that the attendant was blushing. Arald's proclamation was expected but nonetheless welcome. He'd always been one of the more progressive members of the Council, but one could never be sure with matters such as this.

"While she has proved useful, Your Majesty, I must object to her appointment," Lady Catherine said firmly. "Valor alone does not make a Knight. Anna is, with all due respect, young, uncultured, and barely educated. She would be-"

"An embarrassment!" Kale interjected. "The first Knighting of your reign and you choose..." He shook his head in exasperation. "Making her your protector is one thing. But such a rise in rank is nearly unheard of. You will be subverting an ancient and honorable tradition in order to solidify her status as your consort!"

Elsa fixed him with a cold glare. "This is not a debate. My decision has been made. Anna will be Knighted tomorrow night, and I am confident that she will prove more than capable of handling the position."

Silence reigned for a moment.

"It is certainly about time that Arendelle has a female Knight," Evangeline offered. "But while I approve of the appointment, I must recommend that she receive some lessons in...decorum, before the Solstice Ball."

The Queen dipped her head, acknowledging the point. She resisted the urge to turn around and offer Anna a knowing smirk.

"A peasant becoming a Knight of Arendelle," Vance murmured. "It is most irregular, but if you find it wise, Your Majesty, I find no reason to question your judgment." Several heads around the table nodded in agreement with his words.

Elsa knew that their acceptance was more of a resignation than a true endorsement of Anna's Knighthood. Many of them still didn't like the fact that a peasant had grown so close to their Queen. But as it became clearer every day that Anna wasn't going anywhere, most of them had realized that arguing against it was a lost cause.

\

"A little higher, Miss Anna. That's it," the maid said approvingly as the attendant raised her arms and allowed the other woman to put the finishing touches on her sleeves. The uniform she was being put into was a piece of magnificence. It was made out of smooth cloth and velvet reminiscent of the kingdom's official colors: green, purple, and gold. Even when not yet fully buttoned, it gave off an air of pride and confidence that Anna didn't usually project. All in all, it was a work of art.

That didn't mean it was comfortable.

"I don't get it," she bemoaned. "Aren't Knights supposed to be experts in combat? I'd never have a chance against a swordsman wearing this stuffy thing." The maid, an older woman with graying hair, simply offered her an apologetic smile and continued to fasten the uniform's myriad of buttons.

A cough from the back of the fitting room made Anna turn around. "It would be better protection than the scraps of parchment that you usually wear," Drell remarked as he stepped into the room. "At least this uniform has some leather in it."

"Armor doesn't work for me," Anna retorted with a playful frown. "I'm durable enough without it. My biggest advantage is my speed, which doesn't go to well with wearing heavy metal plates."

The Arms Master nodded, his demeanor suddenly becoming more solemn. Sensing that he wanted to be alone with his student, the maid curtsied politely before exiting the room through the still open door.

"How many are here?" she asked nervously. Elsa had sent out invitations to every noble who lived in the Royal City, but it was doubtful that all three hundred and twenty four of them would attend. As they'd begun showing up, the Queen had shooed Anna off to get fitted into her uniform while she finished the preparations for the ceremony. By now, most of those who planned to attend had probably already arrived.

She wasn't sure what frightened her more. Having almost no one show up...or having almost all of them show up.

"Probably almost three hundred," Drell replied. As Anna debated sighing in relief or swallowing nervously, he continued. "I'd say it's an impressive turnout, all considered. Some of those who chose not to come probably did so out of opposition to your appointment. But I'm sure that a portion of the no-shows have other excuses."

In truth, it wasn't all that surprising. Most of the more conservative nobles were stationed outside of the Royal City. And the lavish ceremony set to occur in Elsa's audience chamber would be followed by a party in the ballroom. Few aristocrats would prefer to miss such an occasion.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Anna's face paled, but she nodded somewhat convincingly. "I'm fine," she lied. "How hard can it be? All I have to do is walk to Elsa when my name is called, drop to a knee, and then rise when she declares me a Knight of the kingdom." While surrounded by hundreds of lords and ladies, a lot of whom despise me.

Her teacher eyed Anna skeptically. "Remember, you've faced far worse than this. What's a ceremony in your honor compared to a horde of King David's soldiers baying for your blood?"

The cries of the horses as she cut them down mercilessly...their blood dripping onto the grass. Dozens of furious men surrounded her, eager to deliver Anna into Jocasta's arms. David rode on his horse. His face was triumphant.

"Right!" she agreed.

The Arms Master nodded, placing a firm hand on her soldier. "You'll be fine. Remember, this is your night. Everyone's here to celebrate the achievements of Anna of Arendelle, the bravest warrior in the kingdom."

"Please," Anna scoffed. "Everyone's here to enjoy the Castle's stockpiles of Coronan Wine."

"Well, that too," the Arms Master agreed.

\

She stood outside the doors to the throne room, biting her lip nervously. Any second now, her name would be announced and the doors would swing open. Anna hadn't yet gotten a glimpse of the crowd, allowing her imagination to run wild. There would be hundreds of nobles awaiting her, many of their gazes hostile. Would they throw rocks in her direction? Target her with crossbows?

Anna swallowed, forcing herself to calm down. Anyone save herself and the Royal Guards were searched for weapons upon entering the Queen's presence. No matter how much anyone in the audience hated her, death was not a possibility. Utter embarrassment, on the other hand...

Elsa had staked far too much on her appointment for Anna to screw this up. One wrong move on her part could give the Queen headaches for months.

"Anna of Arendelle!" a herald called, the doors swinging inward upon his words.

She walked forward, breathing deeply. A narrow, lavish carpet of blue and silver had been placed in front of the door, leading all the way to the throne's platform. Hundreds of well-dressed people stood on either side of it. All of their gazes were directed at her form. Some of them were welcoming, others disapproving. But all were curious.

The sun had set over an hour ago. A series of large torches hung on both of the walls, blazing bright enough to give the illusion that Arendelle was in high noon.

Above all, Anna knew, she must not look into any of the flames. The last thing she needed right now was another flashback.

Instead, Anna's eyes zeroed in on the tall, graceful figure standing beside the throne. Elsa's face wore a serene smile as the prospective night walked forward. Anna's sword rested in her hands. Concentrating, the redhead willed the scenery around her to dissolve as she focused on nothing but the Queen's lips.

Her gaze was so intent on the monarch's face that Anna's feet reached the base of the platform well before her mind had comprehended the fact. She stumbled briefly, caught herself, and awkwardly mounted the remainder of the steps. She thought she caught a quick glimpse of fear in Elsa's eyes before the moment passed. Then, as Drell had instructed, Anna sank to her right knee and bowed her head.

"Anna of Arendelle," Elsa began in her practiced, regal tone. "Five months ago, untrained in the arts of combat, you rescued me from treachery of the highest sort. During the night of the Winter Solstice, you willingly took an arrow aimed for my heart. And only a month ago did you stand against forty soldiers of Lucrania to ensure that Princess Rapunzel and myself escaped unscathed. In all three instances, only the most unforeseen of occurrences allowed you to retain your life. Accordingly, the crown wishes to grant you both the honor and responsibility of a Knighthood. Do you accept?"

Well, duh. Why else would we be here? "I do."

"Do you swear your strength to the service of the crown, your dedication to the protection of the weak, and your sword to the safety of the kingdom of Arendelle and all of its people? Until the last breath has left your body?"

Anna did her best to suppress a shudder. "Upon my life and my honor, I swear it." Upon her words, Elsa lifted the icy blade, touching it briefly to Anna's left shoulder, then her right. The redhead resisted the urge to cringe from the cold.

"Rise, Lady Anna of Arendelle, and take your blade." As the crowd clapped respectfully behind her, the new Knight rose to her feet and accepted the upturned sword from Elsa's grasp. She turned around, placing her sword into the uniform's sheathe with a relieved smile.

\

Lorana watched in utter shock as the newly minted Knight turned around.

She was the second daughter of one of the richer noble families in the city. Eighteen years in age, she had resigned herself to standing through the tedious ceremony before being led to the food and drink that awaited them in the ballroom.

It wasn't that Lorana or her family had anything against this peasant receiving a Knighthood. It was strange, to be sure, but if the Queen believed her to be worthy, there was no reason to complain. And if they got a party in the Castle out of it, all the better.

But a single, clear look at Lady Anna's face dispelled all of Lorana's thoughts of the impending celebration.

She'd seen that face before. It had been only for a few brief moments, but the light in her bedroom had been enough to illuminate its features. Lorana would never forget it, although she would most certainly like to.

It had been a cold, wintery night in the Royal City. Her candles brightly lit, Lorana had settled herself into bed with a good book and a large cup of tea. Her window was open to let in some cold fresh air, but it posed no risk. She had been secure in her family's large, guarded estate.

Or so she'd thought.

Lorana had only been a chapter into her novel when a loud, unfamiliar gasp caused her to look up in horror. A woman, probably not even twenty years of age, had climbed up to her bedroom window. It was impossible, yet there she had been. The second the intruder realized that its occupant was awake despite the late hour, she'd hurried back down the wall and bolted for the edge of the estate.

The guards had been called, but it was too late to chase the woman down. It was months before Lorana could sleep peacefully again. Eventually, she'd learned that many other wealthy citizens had been visited by a petty thief with a knack for climbing. The brief glimpses of her appearance matched Lorana's memories of her 'visitor' perfectly.

And now that face was being worn by a Knight of the Kingdom. A Knight whose past had never been verified yet now shared the Queen's bed. Lorana had never been a particularly active girl, but she knew her duty to Arendelle.

She would warn the Queen. She would warn everyone.

Responses:

WInterWolfDragon: She definitely earned it, that's for sure.

Superjoshe: Lady Anna.

RisingDaemon: Does this count as unexpected?

Sedryn: No personal retinue, at least not yet.

Moonwatcher13: Oh, I like to have fun with Lyna and her ilk. In case anyone's absolutely blind, their attitudes are certainly a commentary on the ignorance that somehow exists in the modern day.

3Gs: Some people didn't show up in protest.

Mibocul: Thanks for all the reviews! Only a day and a half? You must be a pretty fast reader!

Yishan1992: You're welcome!

Spacecat090: Not of a religious variety…

Leelan: Something might well happen at this party.

Guest 1: No cheating, promise!

MasterBlackCrow: It's looking likely…

BlackMistBeast: They have plenty of enemies, don't they…

Kyoko-nyaa: Still excited for the party?

ClaireCooper: I would never do that.

LightningDragon: Everyone has to wait. Including me. I'm going as fast as I can!

Mpsantiago: I thought Anna was due for a little luck.

Shalifi: That might not happen for a while…

Malekoydaerb: I wouldn't count on the dicks shutting up.

FreelanceBum: Thanks! Same here.

TheSeleduck: Yeah that's a bit of a retcon. Her powers don't tire her out (though there is a limit to how much she can create at one time.) She passed out because of her concussion.

No.18: She might.

BreeBear98: I wouldn't be shopping for cakes just yet.

Pyskoukuma: I certainly wouldn't call the Chantry of Light rational.

Gamernerd6: She was the woman who tried to trip Anna in Chapter 43.