Tonight the glow of the torches is the only thing to guard against the black pitch of darkness. On this night the fullness of the moon is hidden behind the grieving emotions of the sky, and tears pour down upon the Arendelle's castle walls. This storm has waged for days, a summer storm making the most of lost time from Queen Elsa's winterspell. The chill of the queen's magic has fled months ago, thawing with the warmth of true love, but as with most things there is not such an easy end to a beginning. There is no end to the fluctuating confusion of life, and it doesn't seem as if a happy ending is in anyones immediate future…because that would just be to easy, wouldn't it?

…

ELSA'S P.O.V

My head hit the desk with a hollow thump as I jolted awake at the thunder's growl. I let out a muffled grunt of pain as my hand shot out to cradle the now forming lump on my head and I let out my own growl of annoyance. It seems as if sleep depravation can rob any good woman of her grace if left to suffer long enough. This has been my second? No…..third? Night without sleep…..I think. But of course how can a queen sleep with a clear conscience knowing her country is in a clear state of dismay.

I had fallen into a short futile asleep again; atop the numerous documents, papers and maps of various importance, all of them awaiting my signature. I've been busier than ever these past few weeks and it seems as if Arendelle has gone form being in deep, deep snow, to deep, deep trouble. And I'm fighting a losing battle trying to right all the wrong i've done to my country. My home has suffered so much because of the winter freeze I created. Because of me our crops have died, because of me our trade has suffered and because of me uncertain friends are now enemies and it feels as if everyone's closing in for the kill. But….I'm trying. I'm doing my best to right all my wrongs, to fix this and start bailing the water out of this sinking ship.

I let out a long sigh as I slowly rose to my feet and tried to rid myself of the dismal thoughts plaguing my mind.

"Sleeeeep" I thought exhaustedly, "I desperately need sleep, no one can function, let alone ponder the important decisions of a monarch under such conditions."

"I will sleep," I decided. "I will sleep and leave these problems to tomorrow's fresh eyes."

But as usual a queens duty comes before her comfort and just as I stumbled towards the hallway leading towards my chambers a servant's voice called out for my attention.

"Your majesty!" Kai's voice called shrilly with a slight air of urgency.

"…Yes," I said, pausing for a moment to compose myself into a queens graceful act before turning to answer him.

"Myqueenthere'reforeignersintherharbourandthey'reabouttocomeinandlandandwedontknowwhattheywantandwehavenoideawhattodo"

"What? Kai slow down. Who's here?" I tried to question through his babbling.

"The Kharn's your majesty!" He answered breathlessly. "They're coming into the harbor!"

"WHAT!? now? At this time of night? In this storm?"

"Yes, the light sotted them a little under an hour ago, they must be pulling in by now!" He exclaimed.

"Oh gods help us….ok, Kai go wake Gerda and have her awaken the other servants and cooks while you go rouse the counsel members. Once they're up have them wait in the throne room, we'll receive our guests there" I ordered, my brain already whirring with plans.

"And what of your sister your majesty?" Kai asked with a small smile.

A smirk pressed itself upon the corners of my lips and a small chuckle came from me unbidden.

"Let her sleep, she'd be horrid to wake anyway, and besides she'd just fall asleep again during the formalities."

"Very well, it shall be done my queen," he answered with a bow and another friendly smile.

"Thank you, you are dismissed. Wish me luck Kai."

"May luck be with you your majesty, if the rumors are true we may well need it." He replied before striding off to attend to his orders.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes. "No rest for the weary…..well at least not for tonight."

And with that last thought I squared my shoulders, straightened my back, cleared the canvas of my expression and prepared to me my new guests.

…

The wind whipped hard and tugged at the folds of my dress and loose ends of my hair as I finely found my way outside. Patience is a virtue but I don't believe it was called for tonight so I went out. I went out to move things along on and to make sure this happens as quickly and painlessly as possible. Because maybe, if things come to pass soon enough I may get to spend more than a few minutes in my bed tonight.

A small accompaniment of four guards followed closely behind me having seen my haste and came to be of service. The incessant rain plinked against their armor and I could feel the strength of the wind whispering against my ear.

"They must be crazy or just foolheartedly brave to be out in this" I thought quietly to myself as the salted air encompassed me and I stepped onto the sodden wood planks of the docks.

Dark colored men baring the blue crest of Kharn upon their garb rushed about their large ship with all haste, most likely glad to be rid of the waters soon, and out of this storm.

"IT SEEMS," I called out, my voice ringing out over the howl of the storm, "THAT YOU MAY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE?"

The foreign men froze mid step to gaze at me with …..what was that? Shock?Awe?Surprise?And all was silent save for the non-stop plop of rain drops and soon even that too was silenced as I, with a flex of my hand, turned the chillen rain into soft flurries that sunk to the wet ground in silence.

"Yes your grace….we would be honored for your help and hospitality," came the smooth answer of a raven haired man, exquisitely dressed in the same rich blue of his men.

I smiled and gave him a quick nod in response before ushering my guards forward to help with the unloading.

Heavy steps thudded against the slick surface of the dock and Kharns ruler knelt before me.

" The people of Kharn thank you for your open hospitality my queen, most are not so welcoming," he said, his voice awash with a slippery smoothness.

"It is fine my lord, Arendelle is open to you. Your men will be housed in our barracks and you and yours will rest within the warmth of the castle," I said still fighting over my weariness to seem polite.

"Please go inside," I ushered, eager to be inside and in bed. "There are servants awaiting you, they will show you to your rooms and once you are changed and ready you may join the reception in the throne room."

"Thank you again your grace, I shall take my leave and do as you bid," Kharn's king said with one last bow, before turning to strut toward the burning torchlight of the castle.

I let a long sigh hiss through my clenched teeth. This is going to be a long night.

…..

I felt horribly small sitting against the stiffness of the throne. Its a horribly uncomfortable structure and it only seems to be elevating my annoyance at the moment. My exhaustion is slowing leaking in, pushing in through the frayed cracks crated by my anxiousness. Its getting harder and harder to act regal. Its the people, the noise and the thickness of the walls closing in. I just want to escape and breath again, To feel the wonderful quiet stillness the cold mountains had offered me the last time. But no….thats not an option. And it never will be again.

"ANNOUNCING HIS MAJESTY AHREN, KING ON THE THRONE OF KHARN," the Anouncer called, startling me form my tired musings and I once again forced my face into a calm mask.

The double doors to the throne room were spread wide as the tall handsome man from before came striding up to the throne. He smiled as he reached the foot of the throne and showed his respect with a slight bow of his head and a sweeping guesture of his arms as he spoke some flattering formalities that I only half listened to.

"AND ALSO IN ACCOMPANIMENT IS HER GRACE, PRINCESS ISABELLE OF KHARN, BLOOD QUEEN AND LORD COMMANDER OF THE LAND," the page called again, interrupting the king and once again grasping my attention.

She was …like nothing I had seen before. The princess approached with a an easy gait and smooth swing in her steps. Her presence radiated an effortless confidence even though her face and expression was hidden behind her curled tangled mass of dark hair.

That thick mane then flipped over her shoulder with a graceful flick and I nearly led out a gasp of surprise as her vivid eyes came to stare into mine. They were the most brilliant, intense shade of amber I have ever seen, but they her were not her most outstanding feature. A thick dark scar was drawn painfully against the tan of her skin, spanning from the top of her left cheekbone to the corner of her lip and I watched as that corner of her mouth twitched up in amusement, obviously entertained by my somewhat awed/horrified expression.

I tried to will the words to come but they froze, stuck in my throat and I was left dumbstruck by this imposing woman.

A full blown smile graced her lips as she reached the throne and bent down to kneel before me, her hand lifted up, angled towards my own waiting for….permission? With a quick almost panicked motion I nodded.

The woman could hardly keep from laughing as she grasped my hand into her embrace and pulled it towards her lips. The warm sensation of her soft lips brushing against the coolness of my hand left me blushing and unsure.

The princess's smirk reappeared as she looked up to gaze at me again, her amber eyes glinting, alight in the torchlight.

And suddenly….I wasn't feeling so tired anymore.