Privateer

When Queen Elsa hears that Anna's vessel has come into port, she, of course, appears to remain as regal and dignified as on any other occasion. Still, an unmistakable shiver of excitement can be seen to rush through her – something quick and light and almost indiscernible that goes beyond the proper emotions a monarch should have towards one of her privateers.

Anna strides into the throne room, her red hair cascading behind her like tongues of flame. She has sacked ships in her majesty's service, swung from grappling hooks onto enemy decks where she faced the clang and flash of cutlasses all around her and ultimately won the day. Yet, in the presence of the queen, her passion calms. Pure reverence in her eyes, Anna kneels before her, kissing the royal hand as though it were sacred. Elsa seems more satisfied with this than with all the plunder on the high seas.

Of course, people have begun to talk. Whenever a courtier admonishes her for her familiarity with this "common rascal," Elsa, as queen, puts him in his place. She does so in a coy, bemused fashion, feigning innocence and ignorance of any scandal. The edges of her words are sharp as dirks, however, and the courtier thereafter is silent.

Likewise, onboard her ship, Anna does not stand for anyone mocking the queen. If she hears crewmembers snicker behind her back about their sovereign, she threatens to have them keel-hauled. Then she reminds them what loyalty is with speeches so stirring, they must come from the inmost depths of the heart. In the end, no keel-hauling is necessary. Anna speaks with such conviction that it inspires a similar fervor amongst her crew. Similar, but not quite the same, of course.

After Anna has presented her majesty with the many spoils of her voyage, Elsa requests private audiences with the sea captain. Ostensibly, these are to discuss Anna's next missions and various matters of state. Now, they do discuss these things, but also so much more. Anna regales Elsa with tales of her reckless escapades – how she had spent a day in disguise on an enemy vessel sent out to capture her, duping everyone there, including the ship's captain. Or how she had almost been made into a meal by angry anthropophagi. Stories like these are almost too fantastic to be believed. Still, Elsa goes along with them, clasping her heart at all the right moments, for they make her forget the tribulations of being queen.

Sometimes Anna brings Elsa some exotic pet, a parakeet or a monkey in a golden cage. In her private chambers with Anna, Elsa can laugh at its antics. (She can laugh at anything with Anna. She is free with Anna.) In her private chambers, they both can lose themselves in each other for a while. As Anna previously kissed Elsa's hand, she now kisses her lips. She is tender, delicate, almost worshipful as she trails kisses down Elsa's neck to her bosom, then down further still. Each kiss is a testament to the unyielding devotion of the queen's most faithful servant. Here, the snide comments of courtiers and crews can't touch them. Here, words like scandal don't matter. Nothing matters.

For a brief time, at least, the privateer and her queen are able create a world all their own within these walls, in this soft bed. For them, it is enough.