Relapse

She looked at her open palm. It trembled just like her left hand which was blindly signed the probably hundredth contract of that day and chopped it with her approval of some probably marketable material that Kai had kindly summarised for her a long time before she forgot its content. At this point she was almost desperate to just sign her approval to everything and anything in order to maintain Arendelle's survival as a kingdom.

Abstinence, after ending a romantic relationship, Elsa realised was a feat.

Abstinence, however, whilst fighting with her sister, entertaining an unwelcome guest, and looking for more potential trading kingdoms or allies, was grinding on her last nerve.

She could hardly concentrate on the words she read, they seemed jumbled up in her head and she couldn't stop her mind from drifting to what had happened a few hours ago.

When she saw the Queen of Southern Isles, she couldn't help but wonder what sound breaking her bones would be like. She looked well fed, but not trained or built like those she held prisoners. There was also something about the woman that she found herself disliking. It was something about the manner in which she spoke, her tone felt condescending and that smirk earlier irked her. Perhaps Katrina had a couple more years ahead of her in terms of ruling a Kingdom which gave her more confidence than Elsa could gather. Unsure how she felt about the woman, the Queen of Arendelle felt like the guest was but a nagging bug in her head waiting for an opinion to be given.

To add to the mental load, she couldn't, for the life of her, understand why Anna imploded either.

She sighed and clenched her fist, revelling her returned strength.

"You can stay here and play Queen!"

Her trepidation couldn't and wouldn't stop, though it had gotten better slightly, it was even worse earlier that evening. She distinctly remembered just trying to stop it made her feel so weak as if she couldn't even close her fists. And even then, the shivering was beyond her control.

Her body felt cold and empty to the bone. It was extremely uncomfortable. But she couldn't reach out to the princess for so many reasons when Anna yelled at her for so many reasons. She couldn't believe she even had the gall to reach out to her. She couldn't reveal what their relationship was to Katrina, nor could she show a sign of weakness before her. But after their little conflict display, she was sure the Queen of Southern Isles was going to be curious.

…Curious.

Right on time, a gentle knock resounded from the door and Kai walked in with a tray of tea. "Your majesty? I have come to report Anna's return and-"

"Perfect timing, Kai. There's a favour I'd like to ask."

"Anything, your majesty." The man said without even blinking an eye as he poured her a cup of tea.

"Send guards to the Queen, please. I want a pair to watch her window and a pair to watch her doors."

"It shall be done right away, your Majesty. I believe that would bring Princess Anna great comfort. Is there anything else? You seem bothered."

"Um… there's nothing else, thank you. Wait, Kai. How will this bring comfort to Anna? Also, what were you about to say earlier?"

The old man's eyes darted to the door and back to the teapot in hand, still slightly tilted, when growls of sorts and the thumping of feet echoed from the hallway. "I think I'll let Anna explain it herself. I'll take my leave now. Good luck, your Majesty." He bowed leaving Elsa confused, and left, tray sitting squarely beside the Queen's stack of forms still waiting to be signed.

The Queen groaned at the gentle reminder of the amount of work she had left undone and how badly behind schedule she was.

As if on cue, a familiar knock on the door. "Elsa? It's me, Anna. And Kristoff."

"Come in, Anna. Anna, you know can-" When Anna did, her heart almost sunk into a void. She could feel it clinging on the edge of nothingness at the sight of her sister. She quickly ran over to her sister who had droplets of blood dribbling down her cheeks and a bruise on the right and gently pressed her cold hand on the cheek." Anna! What happened?!" The girl flinched as they made contact.

Anna walked to a couch and sat. She said, "I was beating a couple of guys up in the corner of a street until Kristoff came along." The words stirred something in her and she found herself unable to take her eyes off her sister who was rolling her eyes at said man. "And he had to mention my name."

Kristoff took off his hat and bowed at Elsa who shook her hand before walking over to Anna. "Well I wouldn't have if you weren't even beating them up to begin with." He said.

"I was just letting off some steam. They were provoking me anyway!"

"Provoking you, how?!"

"They were persistently bugging me to go have fun with them when I obviously wasn't in the mood. I was just going to beat them and leave until you came into the picture."

"Oh so now it's my fault you want to kill them?! And by the way, how did we even lead to that?"

"Because now that they know their princess is beating someone up, obviously they'll rat out on us?!" Anna deadpanned as if it was the most obvious answer.

With Kristoff silenced, Elsa finally joined in the conversation, "When I asked what happened, I actually meant the bruise…"

"Oh." The two by the couch answered dumbly until Anna pointed at Kristoff, "He did it."

Before Elsa could raise a hand at him, the ice harvester quickly defended himself, "W-w-wait, I did it to stop her! It was reflex! Well it sort of was, I mean, I saw a friend bashing the skulls of fellow Arendellers and refusing to stop. I had to do something, right?"

"Right." Elsa nodded and sat at the opposite couch, hand in her head. Just recollecting all that had been bothering her the whole day, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster she had during her visit to mom and dad, this was like the icing on the cake called 'The worst day of her life'. When she finally could feel her head clear up slightly with a sharp inhale of air, she exhaled, hoping the headache would go with all the carbon dioxide. "So where are the men now?"

"In the prison, the last cell on the right. Kai's going to attend to their needs now."

"Needs?"

"I don't know, someone demanded they receive medical aid for their injuries even though I said they had to be executed." Anna said, rolling her eyes again.

"Like I said, why do they have to be killed?!" Kristoff retorted.

"Because they heard you say my name, you idiot!" Anna stood up and yelled. "I can't let people go around telling others 'hey, our princess is evil, she beats people!' Who knows what might happen?"

When Elsa nodded in agreement, Anna sat beside her, allowing her to cool the bruise, but it made the man groan and sigh.

"Look, if we just take a deep breath and calm down, I'm sure we can find a rational way to go about this." Kristoff said, almost starting to feel bad. Almost.

"Been there done that, buddy." Anna replied.

"What.. What about bribing them? Threaten them? I'm sure they'll be willing to cooperate?"

Elsa shook her head. "No, Kristoff. You don't understand. Those options may only possibly keep them quiet. These are risks we can't afford to take. We can't know when they'll ever turn their backs on us, and I have no wish to waste my men on watching over those men when they can be doing better things like helping the Kingdom or allies. We can't have them communicating with anyone 'outside' now that they know Anna's, and given the time to ponder, they may as well figure out my habits. It would be particularly difficult to rule the Kingdom without assuming everyone is merely abiding the rules out of fear…" She rubbed her hand over the other's knuckle nervously.

"Look, you really don't have to kill them, how about-"

"We cannot allow that. Kristoff, you have to understand. We're not particularly proud of what we do, that's why it's a secret. Arendelle has feared the Ice Queen once and you know I hate that more than almost anything. I know you'd hate to do this, but since Anna needs to clean up and I have work to do, could you inform Kai medical aid isn't necessary?"

The blond looked like he was watching a circus magic show that had gone wrong, with his mouth wide open. "Are you serious?" He asked with pleading eyes.

"Unfortunately, as much as it pains me to say this, I am."

The man snorted as he got up. When he got to the door, Elsa whispered a thank you at the same time he said, "Hell it does."

Elsa groaned and ran her hair back, almost digging into her scalp. Then she suddenly felt a pat on her back and a pull for her to rest on a shoulder.

"Oh, Anna!" Elsa gasped, surprised she had forgotten her sister was around, sitting right beside her.

"Thanks for helping with the bruise." Anna started.

"No, it's nothing."

"You know, Elsa-"

Before either of them knew it, the both of them were kissing. The Queen crashed her lips into the Princess', sucking hard onto her sister's lower lips, licking her teeth, begging for entrance. Her hands held onto her sister's shoulders, laying them on the couch.

While Anna tried to say something, Elsa was too busy kissing, her mind too absorbed in what the physicality of a mouth could offer her. "Elsa-" Her mouth was so warm. "Elsa, wait-" And so were Anna's hands. "Elsa-" when silenced the third time with a kiss, Anna gave up and returned the kiss. Elsa snuggled as close as possible into her sister, embracing every inch of warmth Anna had to offer, peppering soft kisses when she found herself able to tear herself from her sister's chests. She drowned herself in the moans her sister elicited, sending tingling yet comforting jolts down her belly, making her toes curl. She couldn't resist the endearing smile widening against her sister's neck when Anna's hands combed through her hair, tugging onto them while her legs opened up for her to lie comfortably in the space between. When the pair of legs crossed over her, she felt so surrounded by warmth she couldn't help but sigh.

The kissing stopped instantly, and she rested her head against the younger one's chests.

She had missed this so much.

"Um, Elsa?"

"Hm?" She sighed contentedly, as if nothing else in the world mattered anymore - which was true. Having learned her sister was in a fight but almost unharmed was probably the only good news of the day. The blood that had dried up on her cheek drove her nuts because all she could think of was licking them off and how arousing it would have been. But refusing to give in to her urges and libido, she settled simply for the warm tranquility her sister could provide her.

"Elsa? I kind of need you to look up." The Queen lazily tilted her head and glanced at the Princess.

Anna groaned. She then held onto her sister by the waist and head and rolled them off the couch. They landed with a bam, Elsa's back slamming hard onto the floor, knocking the air out of her lungs. If it weren't for Anna's hand, her precious brain cells might have lost a few hundreds that night.

"Ahk- Ow…" Elsa groaned. She sat up slightly and rubbed her head. "What is it?"

The princess sat up on her sister's stomach and placed her hands on her hips. "Elsa, you know that I love you, but we need to talk. About so many things."

Elsa merely nodded.

"Okay, so um, first," Anna started. A full minute of twiddling her thumbs and brushing imaginary hair off her face passed before she grumbled, "urgh, this is why you're the Queen, I can't even make a speech or prepare a proper one in my head!"

"That's not true." Elsa placed her hand on Anna's tightened fists, "if planning doesn't work for you, then just say what comes to mind. That works for me, too."

Anna tucked her hair behind her ear again. "Okay, so first… what just happened?"

Elsa waited, knowing her sister was still forming her thoughts.

"I-I- I mean, I know we just kissed. But what I meant to ask is that… why? I mean, just earlier today, didn't you say we were over?" Her eyes quickly darted to the door, probably to make sure it was closed, and back to Elsa. Before Elsa could respond, she wagged a finger, "Uh uh, I'm not finished. Also, I'd like to apologise about what happened earlier today. I'm sorry for having disrespected you and your decisions earlier. I… I think we need to talk about our relationship. Also, because I was too emotional after our little- no, big- no, little. Okay, shut up and don't laugh. It was a big fight and I acted really childish. I threw a fit in front of the Queen Dowager, which may have ruined whatever was salvageable between us and them. And also, I realised I don't think I've ever apologised about this before, but I'm sorry for always leaving a mess for you to clean up. I recently came to realise that every single time I cause a scene, you're always there to save me or clean up my mess."

Elsa vaguely recalled a time when they were still together when she was still five and Anna was two. Anna was barely able to walk then and once, she made her way to papa's study - this room - and doodled all over papa's important papers. Quickly, she carried Anna, who was too curious about the trail of snow she was leaving behind, as she ran into their room to hide from daddy.

She let out a hearty giggle. Indeed, she always was.

But she never felt obliged to. She was Anna's sister and although it was her role to protect her sister, she also loved Anna enough to keep her out of trouble as much as she could.

"It's alright, it was never a bother. I love you just the way you are, Anna." She pushed herself to sit straighter and their foreheads met. She could feel the Princess' warm and escalated breathing against her cheeks.

"I love that you're emotional and irrational." She gave her sister a peck on the forehead.

"I love that you have random, occasional bursts of energy that makes you jovial." Her lips made her way down her nose and lightly pressed on its bridge.

"I love how carefree and honest you are. It makes you get along with everyone with ease." She rubbed the dried up blood on her cheek and gave it a kiss.

"I love how you're boisterous yet have your quiet times and choose to have them with me." And a light nibble and a peck on the tip of the princess' nose that made them both giggle.

"I loved you for who you were, I love you for who you are, and will always love you for who you will be." She whispered before giving her sister a loud smooch on the lips.

"But I'm truly sorry for making it difficult on you, Anna. I want us to be together as well, but right now, I.. I just need some time. Please understand, please be patient with me. At least until the Queen Dowager leaves, we can work this out later on, please?"

"Well okay, I just want to get this out and since it's probably the last time I'm going to ever be able to say this until Gods-knows-when since we don't quite have an idea when Katrina is leaving, so I want us to be together, too. And I understand you no longer want to… mash people up, and I can't and won't force you to do that. I'll just…" she frowned a little then shrugged, "have fun on my own. Best not when you're around to see it so you know, we don't trigger any cravings? Is that alright?"

Elsa nodded, "Perfect, thank you." She pulled her sister into a last hug, "I love you, Anna. Sorry about earlier, today had been a frustrating day. I needed someone and I kissed you without thinking."

"It's okay, I enjoyed it. And I love you, too."

"Okay, good, now go take a bath, you stink. And I need to… work." Her mouth gaped at the stack of forms she needed to sign. She shook her head in disappointment - Kai was going to arrive any second to implore her to sleep, too.

Work.

Work.

Struck by realisation she wasn't going to complete signing forms due that next day, before Anna exited the room, she called out to her, "Anna! Could you… do me a teensy favour for me?" She forced a weak lopsided smile on her face.

"What is it?" The princess asked with her hand on the handle.

"Nooo, wait! Don't open the door! Could you… attend to Queen Katrina's needs tomorrow?" She eyed the workload she had left on her table. "These are almost overdue, and… today has been a rough day, and I know you like the Queen of Southern Isles just as much as you do anyone else from there, but I'm so sorry, I need to finish this load before I see her. Also, you're better with people, maybe you could… ease the Queen Dowager into the socially awkward Queen?"

Teal eyes narrowed into the bookshelves by the left side of the room. "I don't just dislike her, Elsa. I don't trust her at all. I'm pretty sure she's plotting your demise, Elsa but I got nothing to prove."

"I honestly hope you're just paranoid. Is this why Kai said it would grant you a peace of mind?"

"Kai? See, he agrees with me! Katrina wants Arendelle, I'm sure of it! Of course it would. But don't worry her, I will. I'll take care of her."

"Don't kill her, Anna." Elsa stressed. She walked over to her sister again and their lips met for a moment she wished could never end. "Thank you so much! With all that I'm working with right now I feel so stress-prone I imagine if I had to put up a front for her, I'd break."

But the Princess disagreed, "You're not glass, you're strong. Remember your coronation?"

Elsa chuckled, "Can't forget that nightmare."

"No, you were picture perfect, epitome of sophisticated grace. I wondered how Hans didn't actually fall for you." She quickly glanced at the windows and whispered, "Maybe he's secretly queer."

They both had a good laugh before Elsa chased her sister out of the room again with another expression of gratitude.

Hi guys, so I accidentally checked my ffn email today and found out people still read this. It blew my mind and it still does. I spent 30 minutes laughing to myself upon finding out, and I still can't describe how I feel about it. It's crazy. Anyway… I decided I should do something about this ffic, even though I think not more than 10 people would read it now, and found out I had the entire plot, all 21/22 chapters written. Either complete chapters or details in bullet form. I really want to finish this and hope I can. Again, thanks for reading this, thank you so much!