"I.. I snapped at him! I was a mess of sorts, I couldn't reply or think properly! Anna, I'm such a—"
"Don't you dare downgrade yourself right now," Anna firmly placed her hands on her sister's cold shoulders, "It was kind of wrong for him to say it'll be fine because let's face it, Els. This field will be rough, everything will be. I know, it doesn't sound so helpful, but I am only telling the truth."
"But I raised my voice at him!" Elsa wailed.
"Sis, that was your first fight as a couple. And come on, he's a deferential person, he surely understands your condition right now. Everyone needs a break sometimes from being an optimist, okay? We'll figure everything out, but for now, you need to calm down. Keep your chin up, I got your back."
Elsa nodded slowly and rested her head on the strawberry blond's shoulder. Anna smiled slyly and kissed her sister's forehead, "There, there. You're not alone in this, Elsa. You'll never be."
Elsa sniffled and wiped her tears, ignoring the fact that more came to fruition right after, "I.. I just don't want to lose him, Anna. He may be too optimistic but I love him. I love him so much that it hurts right here," she pressed her hand on her chest, sobs escaping her lips, "To realize that I can lose him any moment for the next few days."
Anna's heart finally broke.
"I.. I'm afraid for Kristoff, too."
The two sisters curled there together in the midst of tears, holding each other close. Unbeknownst to the sisterly pair, the King of Arendelle listened and bit his lip to conceal his own raging emotions.
"Your majesty, your presence is requested by the admiral and the general in the discussion room."
He didn't hesitate to look back before walking away while a certain fire bird flew after him in tow.
"I shouldn't have snapped at him like that," Elsa tearfully thought out loud in regret, "I just— I just couldn't help it. I'm sure he's mad at me right now. All he gave me was concern and reassurance and his heart, but what did I do in return to those priceless things?"
"Els, he couldn't be mad at you for that. I'll kick his butt if he was," Anna chuckled, still misty eyed, "At least we have each other. And mama and Helena. And Olaf."
The Queen of Arendelle couldn't agree more. She kept uttering sweet nothings to herself as she just hugged her knees hopelessly, letting regret take over her head.
"So, how will you shield the kingdom from harm? Any specific description?" Anna broke the deafening silence.
"I have to discuss things with the Nøkk before I fully confirm," Elsa sighed, "I was planning to freeze walls of water around Arendelle— like a protective barrier. Once the war comes to an end, I can easily thaw those walls and we don't have to worry about the tides washing away Arendelle. The Nøkk and I can handle that."
"That's just plain genius! Have you proposed this to the others?" Anna suggested.
"No, I haven't. But I will. I have to talk things out with the Nøkk— and Aiden..." She sadly trailed off, "... First."
"Erm, okay. Just call for me if you need me, alright? I don't want you torturing yourself, Elsa. You deserve better."
"I... I hopefully won't." She mumbled, before standing up and walking away, the noises of her heels clicking against the floor fading into nothingness once the queen passed by hallway after hallway.
Her graceful figure wandered around the halls, hands clasped together before she stopped mid way before the discussion room.
She breathed shakily before moving forward, avoiding her husband's following gaze. She couldn't help but feel so guilty, she didn't even know where to start once he approach her. She even doubted the possibility of him approaching her.
She froze once she felt his warm breath against her hair. She trembled and shook, blue eyes closing tightly before he wrapped his hand on her wrist, his tone pleading and gentle which drove her insane deep inside.
"Please, baby, talk to me."
No reply, but she was still stiff in her place.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so damn sorry, please don't leave me."
That was her breaking point. Leave? How could she do that when she can't even survive a day without seeing his face? Her quivering frame finally turned around to face him, her thumping heartbeat pressing against his perfectly as she did.
Then, it dawned upon her.
Aiden came from the environment where one small mistake can cause an avalanche from his father. It was what shaped him into someone looking so strong but so fragile at the same time.
"Why are you always saying sorry for the things you didn't do?" She breathed out, her lungs in desperate need for air, "You did nothing wrong. All you did was reassure me that everything will be fine, and what did your useless wife do? Snap at you?"
"Oh gods, Elsa, please don't call yourself useless. None of this is your fault—"
"I'm so sorry," She wailed, tears escaping her eyes to his shirt, "I'm so so sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise—"
He couldn't help but shut her up with a kiss, a long, deep kiss which she melted to. It may be a short period of time since he did this but he could not get enough of her. He loved her flaws the way he loves her entirely; a stupid fight is just a dumb excuse to stop doing so.
Whimpers escaped her lips after he pulled away from her little frame compared to his big one.
"I love you so much," she whispered slowly, sobs muffled by his shoulder, "I don't want to lose you because of this pointless war."
"I will be careful for you, minn elska," He huskily responded, pressing a brief kiss on her head, "I promise you, I will come back alive and whole, okay?"
"You will," She spoke with sass, "Don't get negative ideas."
He chuckled and wiped a stray tear on her cheek with a thumb.
They stayed that way until nightfall.
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"Sire, your special abilities may come in helpful with the war," Matthias suggested, "You can set the enemy ships ablaze with just the wave of your hand."
"O-of course," Aiden hesitantly replied, "Count on it."
"Sire, the kingdom of Corona has responded in accordance because of your letter and I in advance will tell you great news of their willingness to come to our aid." Kai smiled slyly from the doorway, a parchment in his gloved hands.
"This is wonderful!" Lars clapped, "The war will last shorter than I what we've expected!"
Matthias could only nod, "Let's not get too blinded."
"Analyze, Lieutenant. Weselton is the most disliked country out of the entirety of Europe, it only has one trade partner ever since we refused the scumbag's dirty proposals," Admiral Arvid clarified, "I am ninety nine percent sure that they have no ally by their side, unless the Southern Isles decides to butt in."
"Now that's just childish," Lars huffed, "Getting into a fight which is none of their business? King Jonathan is already in debt to us because of his youngest brother's little crime against our queen. He will definitely not team up with the weasel."
Aiden just sat there, smiling. Everything was going well. Analysis was the Arendellian admiral's specialty, after all.
"Magoo, you alright in your shell in there?" He lightly joked. His former trainer shook his head to awaken himself and nodded, "Yes, yes, sorry. I am a little frazzled. This war thing is technically new to me."
"You and me both." Aiden sighed, "Don't worry, I have your back. I can literally light them up until they're nothing but ashes."
The General of Arendelle solemnly responded, "At least one of us are already having better luck in being hopeful."
"Oh, I'm not hopeful, Magoo. Promises are promises."