A/N: I know it's been forever, but I just finished my first year of law school. I'm thinking of a few more chapters this summer to wrap things up, so stay tuned!

Elsa glanced up from her book, observing the sleeping woman in her lap. She couldn't blame the woman for being exhausted from last night's activities. Anna's body was immune to any physical injury, but the former Knight no longer possessed inhuman stamina.

The Queen glanced back at her desk, where another piece of her essence was going over paperwork. Soon, she knew, it would be time for her next meeting. The confrontation would take all of her focus. Yet for the moment, Elsa allowed herself to drift back into her novel. She was lying quite comfortably on her study's couch, Anna dozing peacefully next to her, and the Queen was in no hurry to rise.

Elsa turned a page and continued reading, absently running a finger through Anna's hair as she did so. The younger woman didn't react, her head remaining all but facedown on Elsa's chest.

In the weeks since Anna's return, the two women had spent little time apart. When Anna slept, a piece of Elsa's essence dozed beside her even though the Goddess didn't require rest. If all of Elsa's focus was on a private meeting, Anna would remain in the room, her form invisible to mortal eyes.

Elsa's parents would have been disappointed in her. Arendelle came first, they had always stressed. Her duties as Queen must always remain her first priority. Every second that Anna remained in the Castle, Elsa fell short of that standard.

The Knight's presence was a problem. No one in Arendelle would forget about the woman who had massacred two classrooms of children and boasted about it to an entire town. Worse still, Anna had been well-known even before the incident (first as the Queen's peasant lover, then as a wanted criminal and spy.) Few in Arendelle would ever trust her. And as long as she remained visible in the Palace walls, neither would anyone forget her.

And that meant that Elsa would never be entirely trusted by her own people. Nobles and commoners alike suspected that her judgment had been clouded by lust for an insidious woman. She would remain a relatively popular Queen, but Elsa would never be as beloved as her relatives in Corona.

Anna didn't quite understand how bad the situation was, possessing neither Elsa's grasp of politics nor her ability to read minds. The Queen was in no rush to inform her. Anna was already depressed enough about her status as a pariah and feeling guilty for being a liability to Elsa's reign.

A true Queen would have kept Anna out of sight, far outside the Palace grounds. Elsa wouldn't even suggest it. If Anna knew the true state of affairs, she might very well agree that it would be the best solution.

Elsa wouldn't have it. Anna regarded this Castle as her home, and the Queen refused to cause her any more pain. It was true that many in the Palace distrusted her, but there would be more than a few that Anna would win over as time passed. Eventually, she could form a circle of friends and admirers; Elsa refused to deprive her of the chance.

Looks like I've failed you after all, Mother. I can't even say I'm sorry.

She could deal with the consequences. Elsa's powers meant any rebellion against her reign was completely impossible. Her subjects would just have to cope with their lingering doubt.

A sudden shift below alerted her that Anna was awake.

"Sorry for drooling on you," the younger woman murmured as she raised her head, wiping her mouth as she did so. "I guess I was more tired than I thought."

Elsa brought a hand to her lips, stifling a giggle. "It's your own fault," the Queen noted. "I did tell you how late it was getting."

"Nope," Anna disagreed with a smile. "It's your fault. If you weren't so irresistible, maybe I could have fallen asleep at a decent hour."

The Queen's book fell to the ground with a thump as Elsa tossed it to the side. "Oh? Irresistible, am I?" she questioned curiously.

"Mm-hmm," Anna mumbled, reaching a hand inside the Queen's dress. "And it is terribly unfair."

"You're insatiable."

Anna nodded. "And you love it," the younger woman noted, moving her mouth to the Queen's neck. Elsa couldn't disagree. So much so that if she allowed Anna to continue, her day would fall very far behind schedule.

The Queen sighed. "Anna, it's time for my next meeting. We can't let ourselves be distracted."

"Oh!" Anna hurriedly backed up and slid off the couch. "You're right, this is important. And I can't be in two places at once, so…"

The physical form that had been sitting with Anna dissipated. A second later, most of Elsa's essence was sitting at her desk. "Ready?" she asked. "Talisa isn't going to accept this easily- she's a fighter."

"I can imagine" Anna agreed. "You'd better take away my voice again, otherwise I'll probably end up mouthing off." Her face set into a determined frown, the former Knight walked up to Elsa's desk. "You know how much I appreciate this, don't you?" She kissed the Queen on her cheek as she passed.

Elsa nodded as the younger woman took her seat on the far side of the room. With a glance, Anna disappeared from view. The Queen concentrated, connecting to the piece of her essence shadowing her target. With a single thought, there were now two monarchs in the rom.

\

"What-?! Who are-?! Where?"

Anna watched as the newly arrived monarch sputtered in confusion. The woman now sitting across from Elsa's desk seemed to be in her early-thirties, if her jet-black hair and stern yet unwrinkled face were any indication. Well-endowed and slim at the waist, the foreign Queen was attractive enough, though Anna was not a fan of the garish jewels etched into her robes.

Elsa offered the new arrival a calming smile. "Welcome, Queen Talisa. I can assure you that you are in no immediate danger. You are currently in the Palace of Arendelle. I am Queen Elsa; I believe we once met at a wedding in Epren, though I was a child at the time."

It was several seconds before the older Queen could regain her wits.

"You!" she exclaimed. "Yes, yes I've heard of Arendelle's Queen and her magic. I don't understand how you've brought me here, but I shall consider you keeping me here against my will as an act of war. Return me to Otha immediately or explain why it was necessary to transport me here in the dead of night," Talisa demanded, her voice gaining confidence. "Yet if you choose the latter, I suggest you have a good reason for this intrusion."

The look of haughtiness that had settled on the foreign Queen's face was almost impressive, in light of the situation. It wasn't entirely unwarranted, Anna knew. Otha was a proud kingdom, boasting a population as large as Arendelle's and an army half again its size.

It was also famed for its unceasing expansionism, repression of political dissidents, and its exports of notoriously overrated metalworks. The former two were the reasons that Talisa was here today.

"I apologize for the abduction," Elsa stated. "But it was indeed necessary. There is a very real possibility that, within a short time, your reign will come to an end. I have here a list of initiatives that, if taken, will result in the continuation of your rule. If you would take a look…" she gestured to the paper on her desk.

Talisa calmly reached out and took the document into her hands. Her composure, however, quickly began to crack as her eyes moved down the first page. Anna knew full well what was provoking her reactions.

Release of dissidents. Restructuring of the tax burdens. Termination of aggressive border actions.

"So, this is why I am here? To be threatened by a child Queen? Tell me, if I do not meet these terms, how exactly will my reign end?"

"Simple," Elsa responded, folding her hands on the desk. "Refuse to sincerely agree to these terms, and you will never return to Otha. You will die, here and now, and no one will know your fate. Your son will take up your crown, and I will soon be having the same conversation with him. Should he also make the same choice, your sister will follow him. And on it will go, until a member of your family with sense arrives before me."

Talisa's nostrils flared. "You would dare-"

"Yes," Elsa answered simply. "I would. I'm sure you've received the news about the King of the Southern Isles. His 'disappearance' was the unfortunate result of refusing to comply with the very same demands now on the table before you. Suffice it to say he will never be returning to his throne again. His son…proved much more accommodating."

It was a bluff, of course. Anna would have never condoned murder when such an outcome could be avoided. The former King in question was living as a peasant in one of the nations of the east, unable to leave or tell others of his true identity. It would be an unpleasant experience, but he would survive. And his disappearance now served as an example for any other monarch who received Elsa's ultimatum.

"And you trust him to keep his word?" Talisa demanded.

Elsa offered her a small smirk. "I don't have to. I can read minds, as it turns out. Your thoughts are an open book in my presence. Right now, you're considering feigning agreement with these demands, returning home, and immediately hiring a member of your country's Scorpion Guild to assassinate me. They're welcome to try. My magic has grown strong in recent years. For all intents and purposes, I am immortal."

Talisa's teeth clenched. "I doubt it."

"You're welcome to try and prove me wrong. Use that dagger you have concealed in your pocket and slit my throat. Or attempt any other means of murder that may suit your tastes. I will be patient."

The foreign Queen proceeded to do just that. Anna had to restrain herself from jumping in front of Elsa out of reflex as Talisa rose from her seat, blade in hand. The knife slashed through the air, glancing off of Elsa's smooth skin.

Talisa stared at the blade in shock.

"Another go?" Elsa offered. "The previous ruler I threatened tried to stab me through the eye. Another thought he could catch me by surprise. It didn't matter. I'm invulnerable to mortal harm whether I am aware of it or otherwise." She gestured with her hand, and a goblet appeared on the table. It was filled to the brim with murky, green liquid.

Anna didn't recognize it, but Talisa recoiled.

"Yes. Essence of Tesamide," Elsa revealed. "You used three drops of it to kill your mother. You chose it because there is both no antidote and it inflicts an incredibly painful death. I won't relish the taste of this, but…" With a single, smooth movement, Elsa brought the cup to her lips and swallowed the entirety of the liquid.

Talisa returned to her seat, betraying no anger save for a narrowing of her eyes.

"And that," Elsa hissed suddenly, "Will not avail you either. Consider it again and I will know. I have no issues with force-feeding you Tesamide if you even try anything of the sort."

Anna had no idea what had set Elsa off, but judging by the slight widening of the foreign Queen's eyes, Talisa had certainly gotten the message.

"You're not certain how to proceed now," Elsa intoned after a few seconds had passed. "You don't see a way out of my demands, but you believe that complying may end up destroying your reign. You fear Count Merek and his allies will capitalize on any weakness and lead a rebellion against you."

Anna could almost feel Talisa's rage growing.

"I would rather die at this moment rather than see that bastard take my throne," Talisa hissed.

Elsa shrugged. "That is true. But you don't need to worry. Agree to my demands and you will reign for the rest of your life, and your children after you. It would be trivial for me to read the minds of your foes and tell you how to counter any of their plans. Or I could bring them here and give them an ultimatum of their own."

"And why would you do that?" Talisa questioned. "You're clearly no friend of mine."

"No," Elsa agreed, drumming a finger on her desk. "You don't deserve a crown. You deserve to rot in the same prison where you've confined countless innocents. But I'm not doing this for vengeance. My only goal is to make the world a better place going forward. Having you on the throne of Otha, and following my conditions, is the best way to make your country stable and prosperous."

Talisa's hands were still trembling with rage, but her eyes were thoughtfully contemplating Arendelle's Queen. "And what if, after I return, I inform every kingdom across the world about your plans? Many would be eager to unite against you."

Elsa frowned. "True. But you would never get the chance. I'll have a wraith- invisible and harmless- watching your every movement." With a snap of Elsa's fingers, the creature in question briefly came into view beside Talisa before once again fading out of sight. "The second you try to tell someone-" she intoned as Talisa betrayed a small flinch, "You'll be back here. And there will be no second chances."

Talisa was quick to recover her composure. "You plan to spy on me in perpetuity?" The Queen's voice was dripped in venom.

"Yes," Elsa replied simply. "You've forfeited any right to privacy after the atrocities you've committed. You'll still be living the life of a Queen, with power to do anything not contradicting my demands. And, of course, that wraith shall exist to aid you as well. It will discretely protect you from any physical threat, and will allow you to send a message to me should you require any aid to keep your throne."

The anger on Talisa's face had yet to fade.

"So, to make sure I understand correctly, you are immortal and invulnerable. Any army would be helpless before your winter storms, and no one can hope to plot against you. And you think that gives you the right to make this world into your plaything?"

"No," Elsa retorted. "Have I declared myself Empress? It's tempting, just because I'd love to see the look on your face, but no. I am simply curbing the excesses of you and your contemporaries."

Talisa's eyes flashed. "And you think you are any better than us? You think you know how to govern better than every monarch on this planet simply because you were born with magic?"

"I am better than you," the Queen of Arendelle replied, anger seeping into her own voice. "I've never killed and tortured innocent people just to keep my comfortable throne. Magic has nothing to do with it."

Fierce, vindictive pleasure crept into Talisa's eyes. "No? Perhaps you haven't. And yet you tolerate that behavior when it suits you. Oh yes," Talisa continued in the space of Elsa's shocked silence, "The news has even reached my ears. You know, I've never killed for pleasure- unless you count my mother, of course, and even you wouldn't have denied that she deserved it. But your little consort, I've heard, slaughtered children by the dozen for an afternoon's entertainment."

Anna would never fear Elsa. But after seeing the Queen's display, she would always understand Elsa's enemies viewing her as the embodiment of their nightmares.

The room's temperature plunged into negative degrees. Snow began to fall from the ceiling. Fierce, jagged spikes of ice sprouted from the walls, floor, and ceiling, all pointed directly at the foreign Queen. Talisa jumped in her seat as the spikes flew at her from all directions, stopping mere centimeters from her skin. Elsa rose from her own chair, her eyes now twin pits of blue flame.

"I have been polite thus far." Elsa voice was deeper than Anna had ever heard it; it seemed to echo from every inch of the room. "Another snide comment, and that ends. You will sign that document. Now. Your mind will accept that you will keep your word."

The spikes retracted, but the temperature did not rise. Talisa's teeth were chattering wildly. Her lips contorted in a bitter line, the foreign Queen leaned forward and signed the document with a resentful flourish.

"Good. You will return to Otha and release all political prisoners immediately. My other demands will be met on the timeline described in that document. If you need assistance, you know how to contact me. Hate me as much as you desire. But any act of rebellion, and your reign ends."

Talisa was shivering, but her eyes were locked with Elsa's. "So high and mighty. You think you're invincible. But there's always a greater power out there. I learned that lesson today. Nothing lasts forever, Queen Elsa."

That bluster didn't seem like agreement to Anna, but apparently Talisa's mind showed differently. With a wave of Elsa's hand, Otha's Queen was returned to her kingdom.

\

It wasn't until late that evening, as Anna was wearing her nightgown and reclining in bed, that the thought occurred to her.

"Are the gestures really necessary?" Anna asked. "You can use all your powers with just your mind, can't you?"

Elsa smiled. The Queen glanced up from the book she was reading and met Anna's gaze. "Of course I can, but I'm accustomed to using my hands when I invoke my powers. Besides, it makes the effect look more…impressive, wouldn't you say?"

Anna smirked.

A book of her own sat in Anna's lap. The Knight had finally improved her reading ability to a point where she could read teenage-level literature without too much difficulty. It was something she actually rather enjoyed, but she'd read enough for one night.

Closing her novel, Anna shuffled across the bed and snuggled into Elsa. "It definitely didn't hurt with Talisa; I'd say she got the message."

"Oh, she did," Elsa agreed. "It was the poison more than anything, as a matter of fact. A few drops are enough to kill a person within a minute. Once she saw me drink it, her mind rapidly became more accepting of the situation."

"You don't think she'll try anything?" Anna asked.

Elsa shook her head. "If she ever considers a rebellious thought, her wraith will suddenly become visible and hold her at swordpoint. We have nothing to fear from her."

Anna nodded. "Good."

The Queen frowned thoughtfully, all mirth disappearing from her eyes. "She considered having you assassinated. Just to spite me. That's when I threatened to force her to drink Tesamide," Elsa revealed, her fingers tightening around Anna's shoulder.

Anna's eyes immediately rose to meet Elsa's own. "That would never work!"

"I know," Elsa agreed. "That's why she's still alive. But I don't relish the thought of you being targeted, and Talisa might not be the last." She paused, withdrawing from Anna's embrace and standing up from the bed. "It's time I returned something to you. I started on it three days after you came back, but I only finished it this afternoon while you were in Corona."

Anna's mouth gaped open. "What could possibly take you almost a month to finish?"

"Something so strong that I couldn't destroy if I wanted to. You deserve nothing but the best." Elsa answered. With a flick of her fingers, a light briefly flashed on their bed. Sitting there…

It was her sword! But no, it couldn't be. Hadn't it been completely destroyed? This must have been a replica. But it looked almost exactly the same! Except…this one seemed to glitter somewhat more brightly, and there were faint runes etched into the side of the blade.

"It's indestructible," Elsa explained with a hint of pride in her voice. "Even with my powers, it would take me days to unmake it. With your new immunity to temperatures, I could have made it cold enough to shatter other blades, but I assumed that would be counterproductive to sparring with Thomas and Eugene."

Anna's eyes were fixed on the runes. She had a feeling they were written in a language that would take her a dozen lifetimes to learn. "What are those?" she whispered.

"They're written in a language more ancient than Arendelle. A special little enchantment of mine. Only you or those you would deem as worthy as yourself can lift the blade. Any others who might try would find the handle hot to the touch, and the sword too heavy to ever lift. Why do you think I didn't present it to you myself?" the Queen asked.

The Knight stared. "Elsa, you don't think…seriously…lift it up," she nodded at the sword.

Elsa frowned, reaching out for the hilt. "Anna, just because I created the blade doesn't mean I'm immune to the enchantment. I can't imagine anyone-"

The Queen's fingers smoothly curved around the hilt and lifted the blade off the sheets. As Elsa stared at the weapon in stunned silence, Anna smiled.

"I…I know you think I'm a good person, but…I'm not you. I wouldn't be threatening other monarchs if you hadn't suggested it. I've killed people when I didn't have to. David and Evangeline…I murdered them just for revenge. Understandable, perhaps, but you wouldn't have done the same."

Anna shook her head. "No, probably not. But I'm not perfect either. Do you remember when I challenged Vrael to that duel, just because he made me angry?" the Knight asked. That event seemed like it had been a lifetime ago, but Anna would never forget. "And you didn't see me after I got my memories back. Before I learned the truth about you, I mean. I treated everyone like dirt, just because I was depressed."

"That's not the same as killing people!" Elsa protested.

"I guess not," Anna agreed. "But no one's perfect. The important thing is the decisions we make in the end, and that we recognize our flaws for what they are. I don't think most people would be able to lift that," she nodded at the blade, "But I'm not surprised you can."

Elsa's gaze softened, a small smile gracing her lips. "Regardless, this belongs to you. A Knight of Arendelle should not go unarmed." Her hand held the weapon out to Anna, hilt first.

The Knight bit her lip. A torrent of memories flashed through her thoughts, none of them pleasant. Elsa had worked so hard on the blade, and yet Anna couldn't…

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Elsa," Anna replied, backing away slightly. "People are already afraid of me. Can you imagine how'd they react if I carried a weapon all the time?"

The Queen's smile widened. "I'm already ahead of you. I can put a spell on it, making it invisible to mortal eyes. With exceptions for our friends, of course."

Anna's eyes flicked to the window, unable to meet the Queen's gaze. Elsa was so pleased; she'd clearly put a lot of thought into this. Anna hated to disappoint her, but it seemed there was no avoiding the truth.

With a sigh, her eyes returned to meet Elsa's own. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "But I don't want it."

Elsa blinked, as if she hadn't understood Anna correctly. "You don't…Anna, you don't need to worry," she said with a frown. "No one will be able to see it-"

"It's not that!" Anna blurted, unable to contain her emotion. "I just…I don't want it," she repeated, looking apologetically at her lover. "If things were different, I would take it. If we weren't immortal, and you didn't have invisible wraiths around us for protection, I would…but now…"

Elsa's frown deepened. "Of course, you don't need it for protection, but I thought you'd enjoyed sparring? That was your original plan, remember, before I told you to stay at the Palace permanently? You were going to participate in tournaments. Perhaps you can't do that now, but it doesn't mean it can't be a hobby."

"I lost count," Anna said softly.

The Queen raised an eyebrow. "Count?" she asked.

"I don't know how many people I've killed with that blade. I tried to kill you with it. I don't regret any of it- it had to be done- but I don't want to remember it," she admitted, her eyes growing moist. "I'm done with fighting. I just…please Elsa, I know you worked hard on it, but please…give it to someone else. Or just destroy it. I don't want to see it anymore."

Somewhere along the way, her words had transformed from a firm declaration to a desperate plea.

All confusion vanished from Elsa's face. Remorse took its place. "I…of course Anna." The Queen's eyes dropped to the floor, her shoulders slumping. I didn't think, I'm sorry. I can't destroy it-not quickly- but I can get rid of it."

Anna nodded.

Elsa took two quick strides to the terrace, opened the door, and stepped out onto their balcony. She released her hand from the hilt, but the sword remained suspended in the air.

With a flick of Elsa's wrist, it went speeding up into the night and vanishing amongst the stars.

"There, we'll never see it again," Elsa declared as she walked back into the room. The two of them met in a gentle embrace.

Anna hugged her tightly in thanks.

"I'll have to get you something else," the Queen murmured, her head resting on Anna's shoulder. "I owe you a wedding gift, after all."

Fierce happiness came rushing back into Anna's veins at the thought. In a week's time, Elsa would be her wife. Wedding preparations were almost done. The Knight's fingers glossed fondly over the repaired ring on her finger, a gift that she had been all too eager to accept.

"Maybe a boat of some kind? Something I can control by myself?" Anna offered, glad to drop the subject of weapons. "I always enjoyed our trips to Corona. I'll need another hobby for when we're not in the library."