Hi, and welcome to the introduction of my newest fanfiction and first crossover - A Tale of Fire and Ice. This idea has been lurking about in my mind for some time...actually ever since I first saw Frozen, because the moment I saw that scene in the beginning where the King answers the troll's question about Elsa's magic with the predictable 'She was born with it', I just knew I had to write a MerlinFrozen crossover.
I was actually hugely surprised that there are only four (well, five, now) Frozen and Merlin crossovers. Has no one else realized the potential here? - or is it simply that nobody is interested in Frozen/Merlin crossovers? I'm sincerely hoping that the second isn't true, because I personally feel that the potential for this idea is seriously awesome.
Title: A Tale of Fire and Ice
Genre: Adventure, Friendship...also falls into Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Angst, possibly Suspense...believe me, this is the full package deal here.
Rating: K (may change in the future, but don't worry - this will never go any higher than T.)
Summary: The Prophecy of the Once and Future King was foretold at the dawn of time, so immensely powerful a prediction that it seemed nothing could stop it from becoming the truth. But, far north of where much of that prophecy should come to pass, destinies are being reforged. Now there is a new Prophecy that foretells the fall of all kingdoms, betrayal and secrets, and most of all, an undying love that is the world's only hope...this is the prophecy of Emrys and Elsa, Fire and Ice.
Note: The introduction starts at the end of the Frozen scene in which the King and Queen of Arendelle have gone to see the trolls about Anna's injury from Elsa's magic...after the break, it picks up somewhere between the end of Season One and the Beginning of Season Two. I'll continue cluing you in on the setting as we progress through the story. Enjoy!
Introduction: The Prophecy
The first whisper of a change was spoken in the far north, in the kingdom of Arendelle.
In the dark of night, the King and Queen rode at a gallop from their castle, with their two little daughters bundled beneath their cloaks. Waking the trolls who lived deep in the forest, they exchanged a few words with the oldest of the trolls, who healed Princess Anna from her sister's ice magic. As the Queen carried the sleeping Anna back to the horses, Princess Elsa in tow, the old troll beckoned the King to come closer. The King crouched down, eyebrows raised in expectation.
"There is more," the wise old troll murmured, sighing. "Elsa's magic is of a rare kind – an elemental magic, some would call it. These powers over ice are woven together with her very soul. She can learn to control it, but never to hide it entirely. It is too huge a part of her."
The King frowned, shaking his head. "We can't let the kingdom know that their princess has magic. There are too many others who oppose it – Elsa will have to hide it, at least for now."
"I fear no good will come of it," the troll said sadly, gazing intently at the man beside him. "There are a people who practice magic for the good of all. They are called druids."
"I've heard of them," the King nodded, brow furrowing in confusion.
"Some of the druids are powerful enough to know what still could be – they are Seers. These Seers have spoken of things long before they've come to pass." The troll eyed the king warily, watching for his reaction. "There is a prophecy."
The King's eyes widened. "Of…Elsa?"
The old troll nodded grimly. "No one future is set in stone, and the druids have been wrong before…but this prophecy is hundreds of years old. It speaks of love and betrayal, and a terrible danger to all the kingdoms."
"What can we do – surely we can prevent it?"
Shaking his head, the troll sighed heavily. "One's decisions can cause one future just as much as it can prevent another. By trying to avoid this prophecy, you may very well make it possible. No, it is best to ignore it…best to let destiny choose if it is to be truth. 'If locks should fail and courage flee'…well, then the destinies of Elsa and the great Emrys shall be entwined."
It was many years later, in a kingdom far from Arendelle, that another being voiced that possibility again.
Deep beneath the sprawling castle of Camelot, the Great Dragon shifted in his sleep. Amber eyes opening, Kilgharrah raised his head. The huge dragon could sense a change in the fabric of destinies and futures that coated this world.
"Well, well, well," the beast said solemnly into the empty air. "It would seem that a new destiny is being wrought…a destiny of Elsa and Emrys. The prophecy will come to pass…"
The roar of salute that the great dragon made to the change in the world's balance was heard by none in the city of Camelot. Only a few other great beings of magic sensed the ripples that the dragon's call had made…
Leagues away, a patrol of men slept around a flickering campfire. A few of their heavy red cloaks hung from low branches of neighboring trees. A sudden gasp broke the silence, one of the men jumping in his sleep.
Merlin sat up slowly, frowning as he listened intently for whatever it was that had woken him. All around, only the distant sounds of the forest were to be heard.
A sharp snapping sound made Merlin jump again, turning his head so fast it gave him whiplash. Across the campfire, Arthur was propped up on his elbows, giving Merlin a strange look. "What are you doing?" he said gruffly, before shaking his head skeptically at Merlin and lying back down.
Merlin let out a breath, shaking his head slowly, and lowered himself cautiously back down on his bedroll. Whatever it had been, it seemed to be gone now…
If locks should fail and courage flee,
Her journey will shape a new destiny.
The flames of love will melt cold chains,
The strength of trust betrayal stains.
Decisions made demand the price.
He is fire, she is ice.
Their power combined will balance the scale,
If only the truth and secrets prevail.
All kingdoms flourish or fall,
The earth must sleep or consume all.
