FROZEN AND THE MARVEL UNIVERSE BELONG TO DISNEY AND...DISNEY/MARVEL. NONE OF THE CHARACTERS ARE MINE EXCEPT FOR A FEW MINOR ONES.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The stranger lingered on the edge of the forest, just outside the reach of the campfire's light, his face hidden by a deep hood. The winter wind whipped his heavy cloak, spreading it out like a pair of wings, and giving the stranger the appearance of a winter phantom.
The stranger unnerved Erik at first. He and his friends were ill armed, if the stranger had more than a few companions hiding in the forest, the group of travelers would be quickly overcome. Evidently, he unnerved Erik's companions as well.
"Erik, I do not like the look of this stranger, perhaps we should ride along, or at least ask him what business he has here.", Gunnar growled.
"Could be a bandit", Ivar said, always the pessimist. He drew his dagger.
"Or", countered Erik, "he could be another weary traveler like ourselves." He stood, and in an attempt to alleviate not only his companions' fears but his own, called out to the stranger.
"You there, at the edge of the wood, come sit by the fire with us, we've warm food and drink!"
The stranger slid forward from the shadow, his ragged cloak and hood illuminated as he came closer. When he took a seat at the edge of the fire, head bowed, the group tensed.
"Thank you, kind travelers", the stranger said.
"Come on then, who are you?" Ivar asked gruffly.
The stranger pulled his hood back, revealing the face of a devilishly handsome young man, framed by long black hair.
"I Am Lopt."
"Where do you hail from?" Erik asked.
"A Very distant land, you likely would not know its' name."
"Ah, I've traveled quite far and wide in my day, I doubt there's any land in this world I do not know".
"In this world, perhaps."
Erik furrowed his brow at Lopt's strange remark, but before he could inquire further, Ivar cut in.
"So then Lopt, what business do you have wandering about this wood in the midst of a snowstorm in the dead of winter?"
"I'm a bit curious about that myself, actually", Lopt replied, "The snow seems quite heavy, even for this region, even for this season."
Gunnar leaned back on his log. "Ah, that must be Good Queen Elsa, I suppose she still struggles with her abilities on occasion, gods bless the poor girl."
"Queen Elsa?"
"You mean you've never heard tell of Arendelle's Queen?"
"I've not, but please, tell me."
"She has power over the ice, and the storm."
Lopt leaned in, obviously now greatly interested.
"She can…control ice?"
"Two years ago she lost control, Arendelle was nearly plunged into an eternal winter. It's a long story, but it ends well. The Capital city must be the most beautiful in the world now thanks to her."
Lopt's green eyes flashed, a thin smile spreading across his face.
"This queen, Elsa, is she the natural daughter of the King?"
"I Would assume so."
"Thank you, my good travelers".
Lopt stood, brushing flakes of snow from his cloak.
"How far to the City of Arendelle, and in what direction?"
Erik pointed a shaky finger in the direction of Arendelle and stammered, "About twenty-five miles."
Lopt nodded and turned, walking into the darkness. As he disappeared back into the wood, the Travelers could have sworn they saw him shed his cloak.