Hey, alligators. I know it's been a LONG while since I even so much as touched this fic. I apologize to all of you patient people for waiting on me to update. Here is the next chapter, though. Enjoy!

Elsa watched her councilmen argue over the issue of a new trading partner, a kingdom similar in size to Arendelle called La Reine de Belle. They had been going over this subject for a good thirty minutes and the advisors had yet to come to a conclusion. Elsa simply allowed them to run out of steam before she joined the conversation. Either that, or she waited for one of them to ask her opinion, whichever came first. Quite frankly, it didn't seem like such a big issue to Elsa, but apparently, a few of the advisors were worried about rumors concerning the royalty.

"He is a monstrous beast!" Sindre growled. "He seduced a young woman to his arms and held her captive!"

"And now he is human because of her!" Victor snarled. "And ruling his kingdom properly instead of allowing the populace to do as they pleased. He has even implemented reading into the education system as a mandatory lesson."

"But that doesn't mean he won't change back!" Sindre snapped.

"Our queen can control ice and snow!" Victor roared. "She is perfectly capable of handling such a threat!"

"Why don't we ask Her Majesty what she thinks?" Austin asked calmly, all eyes zeroing on their quiet monarch.

Elsa gave both men a small smile. "Gentlemen, you both make a good poibnt. However, Sindre, Victor is correct. If all he can do is turn into a beast and kidnap women, he shouldn't be too hard for the guards to take care of. If he should prove to be a bigger threat than anticipated, then I shall step in and handle the matter personally.

It would be foolish not to take a chance on a possible negotiation between our countries. The goods his people produce would be quit beneficial. Now, what is this ruler's name?"

"Prince Beau, Your Highness." Victor replied, casting a smug grin in the direction of a fuming Sindre.

"Excellent. I will compose a letter to request an audience with him and we will discuss and revise it at the next meeting." Elsa stood and smiled around at her council. "Have a good afternoon, gentlemen. This meeting is adjourned."

The queen swept from the room, her ice dress sparkling in the afternoon sun. Elsa made her way out to the courtyard and smiled upon seeing her two favorite people. Anna squealed as Olaf tried to catch her. Kristoff and Sven watched the pair in bemusement, wondering how to react to what was happening. Elsa approached the mountain man and called, "Good afternoon, Kristoff."

"And to you, Queen Elsa." Kristoff responding, he and Sven bowing respectfully with warm smiles.

"What are those two up to now?" the queen asked, cocking her head in the direction of Anna and Olaf.

"Not sure." The blonde man replied. "Anna took Olaf's arm during a game of tag and now she's focused on staying away from him."

Elsa chuckled lightly. Of course Anna would do something like that. She thought calmly, watching as Anna and Olaf crashed into one another and toppled to the ground. Waving her hand, Elsa created a blanket of snow for them to land on before she vanished it.

Anna blinked in surprise, staring at Olaf. "How…?" Her eyes brightened when her sister came into view. "Elsa! You're out here! The meeting's over!"

"Hello, Anna." Elsa covered her mouth with a hand as Anna hopped up eagerly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm great now that you're here!" Anna chirped, hugging the taller woman excitedly. Elsa returned the embrace and felt Anna snuggle against her.

"Wow, lovebirds!" Kristoff called. "Get any cuter and I'll gag!"

Elsa pulled back immediately, turning to the ice-harvester in mortification, glancing around frightenedly. "We're not romantically involved, Kristoff!" she hissed. "We're sisters!"

"So?" the darker blonde snorted. "The trolls mated with each other all the time."

"They're trolls!" Elsa insisted. "Humans live by a different code than they do! Anna and I would be lynched on the spot!" Kristoff frowned at that, noticing Anna's sullen expression.

"I don't see why?" Kristoff mumbled. "I could provide you both with heirs. All they should care about is keeping the royal line going."

Elsa continued to look terrified as Anna mused on the notion. "He's got a point." She agreed.

"No!" Elsa threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "I will not continue this conversation. Regardless of the fact that Kristoff can provide an heir, I will not enter that type of relationship with Anna."

"Don't you love Anna?" Olaf asked in confusion.

"W-well, yes, but not in that way, Olaf." Elsa desperately wanted a way out of this situation, preferably quickly.

"You don't?" Anna whispered. Elsa's face crumbled as Anna's eyes filled with tears. Her heart was beating too fast. She couldn't take this, so she did the one thing she had been adept at three years prior. She ran and hid.

Elsa turned around and dashed into the palace, a trail of frost following her as her cape disappeared. Anna sighed in frustration and threw her hands in the air. Kristoff and Olaf glanced to the irritated redhead uncertainly.

"Don't worry." Anna beamed at them. "I'll figure something out with her. For now…" she reached down and swiped Olaf's arm, taking off across the courtyard. "…catch me if you can!"

Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out. I'll try to be better about it. For now, drop me a review. I know this chapter isn't much, but I need a bit of filler before the plot gets rolling.