Author's Note: This is actually something I'm posting to show some friends and followers how I've used fanfiction in the past as a bit of a development board for different ideas to see how they formulate into prose.
This particular piece I started toying after seeing Frozen in theaters for the first time (yeah, this is the sort of backlog I have people). In this case, people who have read Dire Water, you can actually see the origins of Admiral Ahmin in Amon.
And that's what fanfiction has become for me, really. A test board if you will, finding out what works and what doesn't before committing the styles and techniques to my "professional" work.
P.S. I honestly don't know when or even if I'll finish this. I try to respect the vision of the original creators when I do fanfiction, and with the announcement of Frozen 2, I would feel like I'm being one of "those fans" who say, "I know your creation better than you. Let me show you how its done."
On the other... I really like how the story shaped up to this point.
Act 1: Elsa
It was a mild winter for Arendelle, barely a thin blanket of snow covered the courtyard, not nearly enough for a snowman, though the pair Elsa was watching was certainly giving it their best shot.
She watched Anna and Kristoff's antics, seemingly alone, and unaware of the Queen on the balcony above.
The pair had been nigh inseparable the last month since their wedding, a grand gala that had certainly brought great cheer to the small kingdom, and the potential continuation of the royal line with the Queen steadfastly unattached.
Elsa didn't want to call it jealousy, but couldn't think of a better word to describe what she was feeling. Anna giggled as her husband gently tackled her, their efforts in snowman building forgotten. A spiteful part of Elsa wanted to dump a good foot of snow on their heads, but she quickly forced such thoughts down.
"Even the smallest shift can start a destructive avalanche." Elsa repeated to herself as she retreated from the balcony and into the throne room. While Pabbie wasn't a frost mage (the supposed term for magic users such as herself), the gentle troll provided what wisdom he could to help the Queen harness her formidable powers.
The world had already seen Elsa losing control of her emotions. It probably wouldn't survive experiencing an Elsa that had surrendered to the most base and despicable parts of herself... and it was a road she wasn't going to let herself entertain even for minor pranks.
Perhaps that was being overly careful, but that was better than not taking the dangers seriously enough. Besides, it wasn't their fault they were happy. They should be. Considering who Anna practically (and possibly literally) threw herself at, the girl was lucky to have found such a strong relationship, and had every reason to embrace it.
It was fortunate that Elsa had given all non-essential palace staff a free day due to the "snowfall," though in fairness she had expected the coming storm to be much more severe than it had been. She really didn't like other people seeing her moping and morose, especially when she really didn't have the right to be.
It was partially her fault that she didn't have that same sort of connection that Anna and Kristoff did, after all. There wasn't exactly a shortage of young handsome men eager to forge a political and marital alliance with the unattached queen of the prosperous kingdom, after all, and she was reasonably certain most of them were nothing like that snake Hans... even if she pretended they weren't.
But she hadn't even tried to meet the courtiers even halfway, behavior that Anna would support with an amused shake of her head. "Give it time. When you find the person right for you, you'll just... know it," the younger sibling would say without the slightest hint of irony... even if she was right.
"Easy for her to say, having met the 'right person' twice after fifteen minutes." The queen grumbled out loud in response to the memory as she slumped into the throne in a way that the retainers would have no doubt found terribly undignified.
"Hey, your highness!" Olaf said cheerfully, rounding the corner of one of the royal entrances to the right side of the throne. "I thought I heard someone in here!"
Elsa only turned a pair of warning eyes in his direction. Anna had far more affection for the enchanted snowman than Elsa did, who found him mildly amusing at best, and an annoyance at worst. The queen suspected, considering her mood, that he'd be closer to the latter than the former at this moment.
"Whoa... are you okay?" Olaf asked in concern. "Are you sick? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine." Elsa replied flatly, hoping that the snowman would get the hint, even as she knew he was atrocious at reading body language.
His worry was already forgotten by the time he asked happily, "So, have you decided what flavor cake you're gonna want for your birthday?"
Elsa blinked rapidly, mentally counting down the days, and bit her tongue to keep herself from saying something vulgar. "That's tomorrow..." she mumbled to herself. She had completely forgotten.
"Yep!" Olaf confirmed, "Anna has a wonderful book of north legends she compiled from all across the land to give to you, but I can't tell you that, because it's a surprise."
Elsa clenched her eyes shut, even though she wasn't particularly upset to learn this. She was more annoyed that Anna still hadn't figured out that if you wanted to keep a secret, Olaf was the last person or thing you should tell it to.
"So... what flavor would you like your cake to be?" Olaf asked again. "The cook wants to know."
Elsa gave a flat smile, and said, "Surprise me."
Olaf spun about, and said airily, "Oh, I love surprises! Like the restored crown that the smith's guild is going to give you tomorrow!"
The queen really, really tried not to roll her eyes. She failed.
Olaf then narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and he asked, "Are you sure you're okay? I mean, sure, you're usually gloomy, but it seems..."
Elsa pointed at her door and ordered sharply, "Out."
The enchanted snowman wasn't always the sharpest pick in the shed, but he also knew exactly who kept him from turning into a puddle come spring. If the queen made an order, it was best obeyed. "Righty! I'll... just... be... going now!" he said, then dashed away as fast as his stubby legs could carry him.
Elsa returned to her slouch, chastising herself for looking so morose that even Olaf picked up on it. It was even more silly because she knew she had no reason to be so down. She was a queen, well liked by her people, living comfortably in a land with mild temperatures, even in the dead of winter and the heart of summer, beautiful scenery and a wonderful family, as odd as they could be.
She was blessed, and to be perfectly frank, she didn't really deserve it considering how she nearly killed her sister... twice at that... and put the land that adored her in a freeze while she ignored their plight for days.
And yet...
She made her way back to the balcony, where Kristoff and Anna were still frolicking, now resorting to a snowball fight, no doubt over some perceived slight on Kristoff's part.
There is this shroud over me, a dark place only I see...
Twisting my soul, wrenching my heart, poisoning the words I want to say...
Nowhere to run from this pain, it eats away inside of me,
What right to do I have to feel this way?
Where is my happy ending?
When will I feel complete?
Where is the happy ending...
For me?
The couple's tumble stopped with Anna laying on top of Kristoff, pecking him on the nose playfully.
I long to walk side by side, hand in hand with another...
To share life, a devoted soul, one that will not judge my bitter past...
Do I deserve to be happy? To feel warm and be secure?
Is it wrong for me to ask?
Where is my happy ending?
When will I deserve the same?
Where is the happy ending...
For me?
Elsa retreated from the balcony again, steeling her lip from trembling as she retreated completely from the throne room and into her chambers. She couldn't quite hold back every tear, and silently reprimanded herself for the show of selfishness, even if no one saw it.
Except someone did. Anna had actually seen it since her wedding to Kristoff... a slow spiral into ever increasing melancholy.
"Sweetie, I'm worried about Elsa."
Kristoff, to his credit, had learned quickly not to stick his oar in when it came to the sisters. But even he had sensed the queen's slowly building gloom.
"She's lonely." Anna continued, "And I feel like I'm not doing enough."
"What can you do that you haven't done already?" Kristoff asked. "You can't make people like her."
Kristoff was referring to Anna's attempts at matchmaking, usually with any man she deemed "cute" and "understanding." Said "understanding" tended to stop shortly after said young men realized Anna was referring to "The Snow Queen of Arendelle." Elsa inevitably blamed herself for pushing them away, but away from Elsa's ears, Kristoff knew what was being said.
Weselton's leaders were hardly the only ones who considered the queen a monster, it turned out.
And finding a match within Arendelle hadn't born much better fruit. While Queen Elsa was certainly liked well enough in a general sense, the citizens of the small kingdom preferred admiring her from a distance, and were intimidated getting close.
"But..."
"I think she's going to have to find her own way, and we need be there for her as much as we can." Kristoff said. He tried not to be annoyed that talk of Elsa had ruined the mood.
Anna slumped her shoulders in defeat, as if sensing her husband's annoyance. "I'm sorry. I know that it's not fair to you that I'm constantly worrying about her."
Kristoff put an arm around those shoulders, and hugged her warmly, "I know by now that not even I can get between you two. I understand I'm second on your list, and I accept that."
He was rewarded with a peck on the cheek. "When did you get so smart?"
"Talking with Sven will do that."
From the far end of the courtyard, the reindeer lifted his head upon hearing his name. Deciding it couldn't be important, he settled back down to continue his nap.
Anna nodded in understanding, "Sven is probably the smartest person here. I suppose we should take his advice."
Kristoff enveloped his wife. "I know it's hard to see someone close to you hurting. But we have to believe it'll get better. Elsa's strong. She'll smile and laugh and be happy again. Like maybe... tomorrow... during a birthday celebration?"
Anna's eyes bulged. "We still need to set up the chairs... and I have to finish wrapping the book! And the cake! The cook still hasn't decided what flavor it's going to be!"
The princess broke out of Kristoff's hold and rushed back into the palace. He exhaled slowly, and said, "Well, at least her panic is focused on something she can do something about, right?"
Sven lifted his head again, huffed once and Kristoff swore the reindeer rolled his eyes.
Kristoff walked over to Sven, and patted him on the head. Some things really didn't need to be said.
Anna had been determined to give Elsa a heartwarming birthday celebration, considering the effort Elsa and Kristoff had put into the younger sister's parties. Anna wanted to show Elsa that the queen was loved and had people who cared about her.
The great hall was filled to capacity, with barely enough space for a dance floor in the center.
Elsa played the part well enough, even though she didn't dance, smiling and genuinely thankful for the gifts presented to her. Though Anna could see the emptiness lingering in the queen's eyes.
Elsa looked reproachful when the smiths presented her with a restoration of the crown that she had discarded during the drama of her initial coronation, placing it on her forehead even as Anna could tell that she would have liked to do anything else.
Anna understood why. There was a lifetime of pain represented in that crown.
"My turn now, dear sister," Anna said with a bright warm smile, and for the first time in a while Anna could see her sister respond positively, a flicker of brightness in the queen's eyes that Anna wanted to stoke so very badly. Anna handed over the ice blue wrapped gift, and Elsa grinned at the painfully obvious book as she opened it.
"There have been many legends throughout the years in this region," Anna said. "But they've never actually been compiled. I know how much you adore the stories in this land, and I'm hoping there are a few in there that even you haven't heard yet. There's even a handful about frost mages..." Anna let her voice drop off, knowing that would pique Elsa's interest.
And it did. The queen's eyebrows rose and her smile broadened. As far as she knew, she was the only such person with magical powers anywhere nearby. While she knew that there had been others long ago, she hadn't known much about them or how they managed to harness the powers that she had to cope with by herself and with little instruction.
Elsa surprised Anna by lunging out of her seat, and hugging Anna happily. "Thank you so much," the queen said with truly genuine gratitude, then whispered in Anna's ear, "I am so lucky to have people like you."
"There's no luck about it, sister," Anna replied, "You deserve me and more."
A guard slipped into the hall quietly, which seemed silly considering he then raised his voice to get Elsa's attention. "My queen? The trolls are here and wish to see you."
Instantly, the gathering hushed. While the people of Arendelle knew about the trolls, and knew that said trolls had fairly significant roles in the fact that both royal women were alive and well today, the gentry regarded those trolls with a similar attitude to Queen Elsa, admired at a distance but otherwise out of sight and out of mind.
Elsa found this behavior more than a little annoying, but kept her distaste buried as she said comfortably, "Show them in."
The double doors parted, and the procession began. Thankfully, they didn't roll through in rock form, instead taking a surprisingly ordered two rows led by Pabbie, dressed as formally as trolls can be. They were clearly on their best behavior, and both Anna and Elsa were thankful for that.
The crowd parted and cleared to the perimeter of the hall, though whether out of respect for the arrivals or fear or a little of both was unclear. Nor did Elsa give it too much thought as the procession stopped in front of the queen and knelt respectfully.
"Your highness, we come here to pay our respects for another glorious year of your rule," Pabbie declared.
Elsa's smile broadened, and she hopped out of the throne to beg the old troll to stand. "Oh please, do not be so formal! Welcome!"
The trolls visibly relaxed, guts slowly rolling down towards the floor and red suits popping open as the creatures sighed with relief. "That does not mean we should not be on our best behavior." Pabbie warned his kin, no doubt (justifiably) fearing they would get a bit too rowdy in the still tense environment.
"Your highness, we will not dally," Pabby said, more to assure the rest of the partygoers than Elsa. "However, we do have a gift to you, found in the mountains to the north, a gift that is best served in your hands."
Pabbie reached into his vest, and pulled out a small black leather drawstring bag, offering it with both hands to Elsa. She took it, pulled open the drawstring, then gasped. Anna and Kristoff flanked the queen and looked over her shoulder in hopes of catching a peak themselves.
It was a crystal, shaped in a teardrop, and mounted to a golden setting and chain, a translucent blood red with overlapping interior facets and a pale blue glow in the center the moment Elsa's fingers brushed its smooth surface.
"That is a Dragon's Tear," Pabbie explained, "Formed from the blood of the oldest of dragons back when the great beasts still lived, long before humans arrived."
Elsa had heard tales of dragons, and giants and other magical creatures, supposedly seen when men sailed the waters thousands of years ago, but gone by the time the first people actually settled and explored the region. "It's beautiful..."
Pabbie added. "Dragons were innately magical creatures, and their blood used in many ancient potions and spells. The tears are relics that can increase the scope of a mages' power tremendously, and as such, should only be used carefully. You have reached a point in your powers and your control of them that is it safe for you to have."
Elsa managed to break her concentration long enough to look at Pabbie, and breathlessly say, "Thank you... thank you so much..."
"As always, if you need advice, I am here for you. Come now, children. Let the humans continue their celebrations."
Anna tried not to be jealous as the trolls retreated, and presumably back to their valley. She failed as she saw Elsa enraptured by the jewel, the chain already around her neck, holding the Dragon's Tear in her cupped hands, her book already forgotten on the arm rest of the throne. But at the same time, seeing a look of wonder (or anything other than sadness) on her sister's face was something Anna was thankful for.
The younger sister knew she could take her victories where she could get them. Even if it meant her efforts were pushed aside. Elsa noticed her sister, hovering at her side, and gently brushed Anna's hand. "Are you angry?"
"I shouldn't be," Anna replied.
Elsa said reassuringly, "Your gift is every bit as valuable to me, Anna."
Anna wanted to be reassured by her sister's words. "Don't worry about it. I can't blame you. That is beautiful."
Then Elsa frowned, and Anna could see the queen slip back into the beginnings of the fugue that tormented her. "It will fade. Everything does."
Anna quickly forgot her jealousy, kneeling down next to Elsa, desperate to shake her sister out of what was coming. "But not today," Anna insisted, closing Elsa's hands around the blood red crystal. "Today, enjoy everything. Please."
Elsa gave Anna a wan smile. "I'll... I'll try."
At that point, the chefs wheeled out the cake, a three tiered confection with off-white icing, trimmed with ice blue frosting, and dazzled with sugar crystal snowflakes...
At least until Olaf burst from the center, spraying frosting and red cake everywhere.
"Surprise!" the snowman shouted as the entire assembly groaned in disgust.
Kristoff coughed a wad of cake that had shot down his throat. "How did... how is that even possible?"
Elsa wiped a dab of frosting out of her hair while the chef panicked, screeching in fury and chasing Olaf around the dance floor. "I did tell him to surprise me." She said guiltily. "You'd think I'd know better by now."
Anna scooped up a large handful of ravaged cake that had plopped down at her feet, a mischievous smile playing across the younger sister's lips. "You know something else you should know better than to do by now?" she sang.
Elsa was still trying to clean icing out of her hair, and made the perilous mistake of not being wary of Anna's tone. "Hmmm?" she asked, distracted... then took a handful of cake right to the face.
"To take your eyes off me when there's fun to be had!" Anna crowed in triumph, then giggling as Elsa blinked her eyes free of mushed cake that otherwise painted her face.
Elsa's eyes twinkled dangerously, and Anna was delighted to see it, even though it no doubt meant trouble. "Who wants iced cream?" the queen asked.
Anna's eyes dashed back and forth, "Ice cream?" she asked, missing the subtle play on words. "I didn't see an..."
The younger sister was interrupted by a ball of chilled frosting smacking her square in the face like a snowball, sparking a food fight that quickly drew in everyone present in the Great Hall.
It would an event that would only be relayed in hushed tones by a populous that vocally found the momentary lapse in maturity distasteful while quietly giggling in delight whenever they remembered it... at least until they remembered that the only people who really won the war that day had been the local cleaners.
Elsa had her own cleaner, so that had not been a trouble that affected her. She in fact looked back very fondly on the party once the sun had set and she had retreated to her chambers. It didn't feel nearly as big and empty that night, the afterglow of the fun still lingering.
She had people close to her and cared about her. How many people didn't even have that?
That reminded Elsa to set aside the Dragon's Tear, and instead turn some attention to Anna's present at the very least. It couldn't have been easy to find all these stories among various loremasters all around the region, have them transcribed, then bound into the black leather book with Elsa's name etched in gold on the cover.
Anna was the sweetest person on earth. That's all there was to it.
She opened the book at random somewhere in the middle, then thumbed back to the start of the story. The tales of the Jotun, the mighty frost giants of the northern mountains. Much like all the stories from before the first permanent settlements, the veracity of the tales were questionable at best, as legends are wont to be. But they were still entertaining to the history inclined queen.
Then Surt was the last of the Jotun, all of his kin felled by the hunters of man or of their long time adversaries the dragons. In revenge, Surt chased men from the land, and hunted the great wyrms, hunted them across the Far Peaks that no man could hope to traverse. Hunted them west to the Breaking Fjords and east to the Gentle Ocean. To the Frozen Top of the World, and the Middle Sea, Surt hunted the dragons.
When all the wyrms were slain, their blood staining the whole of the land, washing away to Dragon's Fall and the Bloody Cliffs, and men scared away from the North for another hundred years, only then did Surt rest, sleeping in the Heart of the Mountain, resting inside the tallest peak in the world. He sleeps to this day, for there are no worthy hunts, atop his wealth gathered from his many kills. The dragon slayer rests, awaiting the day that another worthy prey emerges.
Elsa knew somewhat about the tale of Surt... vague memories of her grandfather, passed before Anna was even old enough to remember, who would claim that if the kids wouldn't stay quiet at night, they'd awaken Surt and he'd stomp the whole palace flat for disturbing his rest. It was fascinating to hear more of the story that inspired her grandfather's threats, and of times where great dragons filled the skies and fought men fifty-feet tall.
How much of it was true? At least some of it, if Pabbie's was to be believed. Which brought her attention back to the Dragon's Tear.
An item made from the blood of dragons, as the legends went. There was even a small section about the artifact she was holding in Anna's book, in fact. A wondrous crystal that could open the world to a mage that knew how to use it.
Which she didn't, of course.
Perhaps it was for the best, as she still considered herself barely in control of her powers as it was. "Falling into" the tear and becoming one with the world and all its power probably would be a bad thing.
The pale blue glow, visible despite the scarlet color of the jewel, was supposedly indication that the Tear had already attuned itself to her, for what little it meant. It could amplify her power... if she knew how her power really worked to begin with. She could reach out and contact other people with such jewels, talking to others like her even if they were half a world away.
That would be amazing.
If only she knew how...
Elsa felt herself drifting off, surprised by how tired she was. So tired, in fact, that she didn't even notice the glow from the Dragon's Tear intensify until the red was entirely consumed in blue.
She must have fallen asleep, because she was dreaming.
Perhaps.
Maybe.
It was hard to tell because it wasn't like any dream she ever had before. She felt disembodied, floating in a field clear upon clear before it shifted into something that looked like black and blue but neither.
Sensations beyond sight began to drip into her brain. The smell of earth... the feel of water flowing down skin she didn't have... the rustle of a cold breeze... sounds of birds... then... it started to come into focus.
She wasn't sensing those things, she was those things. She was the trees, she was the rivers, and the birds, and the grass, the wind, water, fire, and earth. She was the world... she could feel and hear and smell it all at once, one with everything. She was everywhere yet nowhere, lost yet found.
It all clicked. Somehow... someway... she had fallen into the Dragon's Tear.
Her spirits soared, even if by accident, and Elsa immediately tried to see if she could somehow find other mages. She had no idea how to go about that... reaching out in all directions (at least in the sense she knew of it), Elsa wasn't even certain what she was looking for, but she certainly tried.
For all she knew, her consciousness was flying by thousands of people like her, and she wouldn't have been able to tell. That was a nightmare that Elsa really didn't even want to consider, alone in a great expanse of her peers, unable to reach out to others simply because she didn't know how. It was better to believe she was all alone.
But still the snow queen searched for any sort of sign that she was on the right track, that she wasn't the only mage in the world, that there was someone, somewhere like her that could understand her and the troubles she went through.
Then she finally got that sign.
It manifested as a momentary flash in her senses, something she felt as much as saw. Momentarily afraid by the sensation of a great heat, her fears were quelled as the surge quickly faded into a much more welcoming glow, followed by a voice... a real human voice... a soft tenor by her reckoning, with an accent on his vowels that she didn't recognize.
I was wondering how I was going to get your attention...
With but one sentence, Elsa's entire world brightened.
It was something that those close to her didn't miss, though only Anna felt there was anything of substance to it.
"First you were worried that she was too sad, now you're worried she's too happy," Kristoff said. "Did you think that perhaps the celebration kinda cheered her up after all?"
"It's been three weeks since then," Anna argued. "And she keeps getting happier. Something else is going on. Something Elsa is keeping secret. I hate secrets. Secrets were..."
The princess hugged herself and shuddered. She didn't need to extrapolate.
Kristoff hugged her as well. "When Elsa is ready to tell you, I'm sure she will. I think if anyone has learned the lesson about keeping secrets, it's your sister."
Anna conceded, dropping her head. "I... guess you're right."
Olaf stuck his head around the doorway and into the parlor. "Oh good. She's not here," he said nervously and with no small amount of fear.
"Elsa?" Anna assumed.
The snowman nodded. "I crossed paths with her in the hall this morning. She was... she was... humming."
Anna and Kristoff looked at each other.
"Do... do you think it's possible Elsa... isn't really Elsa? That she's been replaced, and the real Elsa is a prisoner in some dungeon somewhere? Like maybe she was kidnapped and replaced by an evil doppleganger!" Olaf said, frightfully.
Kristoff quickly moved to shake Olaf out of whatever road the snowman was about to go down. "There's been someone around the queen near every waking moment. I find it hard to believe that anyone could take the queen anywhere she didn't want to go."
"We're talking about a girl who forced her way out of iron shackles and barred windows," Anna added. "I think anyone who tried to kidnap Elsa would discover their mistake very, very quickly."
Then Elsa entered the parlor, by all appearances completely oblivious to any discussion she might have overheard. She was indeed humming, her every step light as if she was walking on clouds, a broad relaxed smile crossing from ear to ear.
Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf went dead silent, following Elsa with nothing but their eyes warily.
The queen stopped at a window on the east side, drinking in the sunrise with an airy sigh. "It's such a beautiful day, don't you all think?"
Anna was the only one who dared speak. "Yes. Yes... it is."
"If you don't think it will be too cold, I think a walk in the ice garden would be splendid. Would any of you like to join me?"
At that point, Elsa turned to her companions, still with the same bright smile. Anna again spoke for the rest. "I would love to, Elsa."
The queen responded positively, "Wonderful! I have a meeting with ambassadors from Olsenland, but that shouldn't take long and I'll be free by noon at the latest. I'll have you summoned when I am ready to go!"
The queen practically floated out of the parlor, having somehow collected a plate of toast and marmalade as she departed. Only when the others felt she was sufficiently out of earshot did anyone dare speak.
"Something's not right," Kristoff admitted.
"Very not right," Olaf agreed.
They then both looked expectantly at Anna to rise to the occasion.
Anna nodded, and said nervously, "I'll... dig into it. During the walk in the ice garden. You both can stay here. It can be a... sister moment. If you... both want."
"We're okay with that," the other two said in unison, not even swayed by Anna's scathing glare.
The ice garden was really just the royal garden in the winter months, after the flowers withered and Elsa crafted sculptures with her powers. This most recent winter had seen Elsa not put quite the sort of effort the queen had the winter prior.
Elsa immediately set to work changing that once Anna joined her for their walk, flicking her wrist on occasion as they wound through the path. "Goodness, I just was not myself, was I? No imagination at all."
Elsa then dropped her head and said guility, "I am so sorry for being so gloomy. I had no reason to be."
"But you're better now, are you?" Anna asked.
"I am. I really am, Anna."
Anna stopped their walk, and grabbed Elsa by the shoulders. "What changed? And don't tell me it was the birthday party."
Elsa bit her lower lip sheepishly, the smile again creeping onto her face. "I... I met someone. Someone like me."
Anna's jaw dropped, because that didn't sound possible. She'd have thought news of another mage would have reached her ears from the surrounding kingdoms. "What?"
Elsa raised the Dragon's Tear. "Through this. I was able to find another like me. Well, not exactly like me. He's an ember mage, as he calls himself. Mastery of fire and heat, you see."
Anna blinked, "So... you've never actually met this person?"
"Not physically in person, no. But that's not the point. It's knowing..."
"It most certainly is the point!" Anna exclaimed. "You've been talking to some stranger for three weeks, haven't you? Ever since you got that thing!"
"He's not a stranger!" Elsa insisted in annoyance.
"What's his name?"
"Amon Din'Abar."
"Where is he from?"
"Aqaba. It's far to the south, past the Middle Sea."
Anna had heard of the southern empire... at least the name. Not much else, but it was a real place at least. "What's his favorite food?"
"Red curry with duck," then the queen's brow furrowed. "Though I don't know exactly what that is, honestly."
"What's the name of his best friend?"
Elsa frowned, "He doesn't have many friends. His sister Neferiti is probably his closest friend. The life of a mage in the south is one largely of isolation, devoted almost entirely to mastering their art."
"So there's a lot of ember mages then?"
Elsa shook her head. "No. Amon only knows of three ember mages in his very big empire, and until he got my attention, they had thought the frost mages had all died out. I get the impression there aren't many mages of any type at this point."
Anna's eyes bulged. "You didn't... tell him about us, did you? Aqaba is a pretty large empire, if I remember..."
Elsa rolled her eyes. "It's a bit of a stretch to launch an invasion force halfway across the world, sister, even if they wanted anything Arendelle had to offer. He knows where I'm from, he knows about the people close to me, but I certainly haven't given away the key to the back door."
"O... okay," Anna said, even if she was still extremely uncertain about all this.
Elsa gave a tired sigh, and smiled wanly, "I haven't asked him to marry me, Anna. I'm not you."
"Hey!" the younger sister protested, before deciding it best to chalk the quip up to normal teasing between sisters.
Elsa spun away, absentmindedly running her hand along one of her sculptures, an ice rose that stood almost ten feet tall. "Amon... understands the isolation I feel. Having this sort of power... it inherently separates you from everyone else. Even down there, in a land where there are more mages, they are distrusted and feared."
"There's so much about my powers I don't understand. Amon has helped me so much in just these last three weeks to learn how to control my magic, no matter what emotional state I'm in. But even without that... having someone to talk to... it's made me feel so much better. Someone out there that doesn't think I'm a monster."
Anna knew what Elsa meant... someone outside of her closest friends. If this Amon fellow made her feel less lonely, Anna decided that she should at least give the whole thing the benefit of the doubt.
At least for now. Maybe Elsa hadn't fallen for someone halfway a world away and hadn't ever met... but she was certainly falling. Anna had to get involved somehow, and then she had just the right idea.
She knew a name. She knew a place. She knew couriers. There were other ways to communicate that didn't involve a Dragon's Tear.
It would be two months, and the coming of spring, before Anna got a reply. This wasn't the surprising part. It was that she got a response at all. This Amon fellow certainly didn't need to win her over, because her sister was completely smitten at that point despite Anna's warnings... no matter how much Elsa tried to deny it.
But when the missive, in the form of a papryus scroll with bronze handles carved in the form of a dragon, was put in her hand by the royal courier, simple courtesy required she at least open it, and find out what this cad had to say for himself.
"What is that?" Kristoff asked, pointing to the scroll, no doubt having never even seen such a thing in his life.
Anna hadn't told Kristoff about Elsa's current crush, having decided that it was something Elsa had told her in confidence and would have spoken publicly about it had the queen wanted it more widely known.
"Oh... just another old story." Anna lied, proud that she had gotten a lot better at fibbing over the years. She didn't like deceiving her husband, but it was something worth keeping secret for the moment. "Elsa really liked the first one, so I'm trying to put together a second one from even more locations."
Kristoff kissed the top of her head as he collected his gloves from the closet. "Well then I can feel safe knowing you're occupied while I head out on my duties."
He was under no obligation to join the ice carvers on their treks into the mountains to collect ice since his marriage to one of the kingdom's princesses. In fact, he was often asked not to by advisors, who worried about an accident stealing away their (best) chance for a continuation of the royal line. But Kristoff was adamant to pull his weight, though he assured those concerned that he did nothing but inventory and supervision.
In this case, Anna was glad he left, as it gave her the chance to read what Amon had to say.
Madame Idundottir,
Polite fellow, very proper introduction.
I do apologize if my handwriting is atrocious, as yours is a tongue that I have not given much study. If I make a misstep with my wording, I humbly offer my apologies ahead of time.
Considering she had no experience with his native language, she could hardly judge.
I must say it was a bit of event to receive word from you through formal channels. It caused a minor scandal if you will. My father and mother were concerned that I was trying to have a relationship with you, a northerner not vetted by the Caliphs. I would ask, that if you try to contact me again, to not use lavender oils to scent your paper. The flower is considered a sign of passion in my land.
Anna couldn't help but snort in amusement, even as she did feel a little sorry for causing problems through an accident, knocking over a bottle of her perfume onto the letter she had written as she was trying to find an envelope to seal it in.
But even then, I must shamefully admit they were not terribly far off. Your sister, Elsa, is an enchanting woman that interests me greatly, and not simply as a tutor as she seeks to master her power. But, perhaps sadly, a tutor is all I can be. I take comfort in that, to provide what little I can to help your sister.
Reading that... honestly saddened Anna. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but to read such resignation, a clear declaration that he had no romantic intentions, bothered her even as she felt she should have been relieved.
Emotions are extremely dangerous in conjunction with magical power, as I am told you know personally. I am honored to help her hone the discipline she needs to be able to control her prodigious might. That she was able to come as far as she has without any formal teaching is remarkable.
Prodigious, he says. Anna knew Elsa was powerful, but obviously didn't have any other mages to measure her to. Amon seemed to imply Elsa was above her peers, which Anna took as a compliment.
You have nothing to fear from me, I would not be able to steal your sister away to the Aqaba even if that was desired or even allowed. Any such union, even if it were possible, would be problematic at the very best. The Caliphs would most assuredly not be impressed even by your sister's royal standing, as she would not be baptized in the faith of the One True God, and my standing, both as the son of a Caliph and an ember mage of the empire, would not permit me to leave and be with her.
Anna found herself starting to cry. Did Elsa know about this? Could she possibly be as happy as she was if she did? Could Anna be the one to tell her and break her heart?
I am not sure if that is the news you want to hear or not, so I offer either my condolences or my congratulations. May your path be clear, and your life blessed by the One True God's watchful eyes.
Sincerely,
Amon Din'Abar
Ember Mage of the Aqaba Empire
That should have been what Anna wanted to hear, but by the end of the letter, it most certainly wasn't. Anna rolled up the scroll, tucked it under her arm, then slowly stood to leave. As much as it hurt her to think, this was something she had to tell Elsa sooner rather than later.
It was a long, slow walk to Elsa's chamber, and her knock was heavy on the door. Elsa opened that door, and immediately was concerned by Anna's expression. "Anna... what's wrong?" she said, stepping aside to allow the younger sister to enter.
Anna brandished the scroll before handing it to Elsa, saying, "I don't know... how much you know..."
Elsa was already skimming through the scroll, then looked up angrily, "Anna! You idiot!" She then swatted Anna repeatedly with the scroll, shouting, "Do you realize what you have done? You could have gotten him killed for this!"
Anna held up her hands to ward off her sister's anger, on an aside noting that whatever tutoring Amon was providing was actually having an effect, as despite her sister's rage, Elsa hadn't even so much as conjured a single snowflake. "I... I do now!" she said sheepishly, "So... I take it you already knew?"
Elsa sighed in exasperation, "Of course I already know! It was..."
The queen's eyes cast downward, and Anna's fear immediately turned to worry. "Elsa?"
"It was... what he told me... when I confessed my feelings to him last month."
Anna wrapped Elsa in as comforting a hug as she could manage, "Oh, Elsa... I'm so very sorry."
"It's okay, Anna. It really is." Elsa said with a painful smile. "I've had a month to come to terms with it." She then cupped the Dragon's Tear in one hand, and added, "It's also helps that, no matter what, he's only a thought away, and still is willing to help me. Even as just a faraway friend, it's helped me so much."
"It has," Anna replied in agreement. "And I'm glad. I was so very worried about you."
"I know you were," Elsa answered, finally sharing her sister's embrace. "And I can't blame you. But things will be okay. Probably not great... but okay."
Anna figured that was going to have to be enough.
Spring was beginning the shift to summer by the time the next life-changing event hit the palace.
Two of them.
Anna had suspected the first surprise for a while, so she wasn't even upset when Kristoff asked if she was gaining weight. Because she knew she was, and when she finally could clearly see a slight curve in her stomach, she was confident enough to let the world know.
With a beaming smile, she sprinted into the halls, crying out for her sister, until she finally found Elsa... trying to finalize her trade negotiations with Olsenland in the main hall, the entire group looking at Anna in varying states of disbelief at the loud interruption.
The younger sister grinned nervously, slowly backing away into the hall. "I'll... I'll tell you later. Just... pretend I wasn't here..."
Anna closed the door behind her, the embarrassment fading away and returning the nervous excitement. She was going to be a mother.
This silent acknowledgment was then followed by a mind-halting moment of dread.
She was going to be a mother.
Now her trek through the halls was a slow and fearful tiptoe as her head spun with worries and the weight of what was coming. She didn't know the first thing about taking care of someone else, much less someone who would be wholly dependent on her. Someone counting on her to make the right choices in life... someone who trusted her implicity...
Anna couldn't even dress herself in the morning without help!
She found herself in the parlor, freezing in front of the line of portraits of their family over the generations, paralyzed by the painting of her mother, Idun. That peaceful, serene smile was the thing Anna remembered most about her mother... the stable balancing influence the woman provided, something that Anna had no faith she could provide herself.
Hi mother. It's me, Anna.
I really don't know what I'm going to do.
There's something big, and I'm lost, and I'm scared.
What did you do when this happened to you?
When she falls, will I be there?
If she has trouble, will I be able to help her through?
Will she play in the mud, or want flowers in her hair?
What did you do when this happened to you?
What if... what if she's a he?
What if he grows big, like his father did too?
I never had a brother to deal with, much less a son.
What did you do when this happened to you?
Oh mama, I wish you could see!
A new life, and I'm the cause, it's true!
Am I ready? Can I be half the mother I need to be?
What did you do...
When this happened...
To you?
"Anna?"
Kristoff's voice shook her out of her thoughts. He was at the doorway of the parlor, and no doubt saw his wife in a distraught state. "What's wrong?"
Anna rubbed her shoulders nervously, "I... I think..."
Kristoff leaned in, trying to encourage her to spit it out.
"I'm... pregnant."
Kristoff's eyes lit up, and he nearly crushed Anna in a hug. "Really? That's great! That's amazing!"
Anna waited for the dread to sink in like it did with her. When it didn't, she felt the need to remind him, "Kristoff, you're an orphan! My parents died before I was even considered an adult! We have no idea what we're doing!"
Kristoff smiled disarmingly, "Bulda had been alive almost five hundred years by the time Sven and I stumbled into the valley. Even she admits she had no idea what to do with us half the time." He pushed Anna away and took her hands before tilting up her chin to look at him. "Our child will not go wanting, and he'll always be loved. That's the best possible start."
Anna's eyes narrowed accusingly. "How are you so sure she'll be a boy?"
Kristoff rose to the bait. "And how are you so sure he'll be a girl?"
"Regardless, you'll also have Auntie Elsa to help out when mommy and daddy are too tired."
Elsa was leaning against the door to the parlor with her arms crossed, and a broad smile on her face. Once she had the couple's attention, she entered the room, and hugged them both. "We're a family, all of us, and you can count on me to do whatever I can. I'm so happy for both of you."
"Yeah, it'll get the advisors off your back about getting married and continuing the royal line," Anna teased.
Elsa gently punched her sister on the shoulder, then found herself transfixed by the portraits of their parents, side by side, in front of her. "Do you think they'd be proud of us?"
Kristoff puffed out his chest, and declared with a wink, "They'd be proud of Anna's choice in a husband."
Anna ignored Kristoff, and looped an arm around Elsa's waist. "I have to believe they would," she said seriously. "Maybe we've made mistakes, but we've learned from them, and it's all turned out for the best."
"It has, hasn't it?" her face brightened at the thought, and she said, "This happy news actually trumps mine."
"Oh?" Anna asked.
"I just finished and signed the trade agreement with Olsenland."
Anna cheered. Trade was vital for the small kingdom, and having an official agreement with other lands meant that goods from Arendelle could be sold in those markets without heavy tariffs and taxes. It was definitely great news to hear.
"Today's been a great day, hasn't it?" Elsa remarked, buoyed by the affirmation of the two others present.
And by nightfall, it would manage to get better still.
Anna had come to recognize when Elsa had been talking to Amon in a couple of ways; one of which was meditative state that she used to safely channel the Dragon's Tear, as it was the only reason Elsa used the artifact.
The second was when Elsa was inordinately happy, like she was when she burst into Anna and Kristoff's chamber, and grabbed Anna by the arm.
"Do you wanna build a snowman?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Anna's right eyebrow cocked.
"Yes, you do," Elsa answered for her. "Come on!"
The elder sister just about yanked the younger's arm out of her socket as she quite forcefully pulled Anna out of the chamber and towards Elsa's. If the cheer in Elsa's voice and the enthusiasm she was displaying hadn't been a clue, Elsa's choice of words was. The phrase had become code for a secret between the sisters, and this point there was really only one thing that Elsa was keeping secret from everyone else.
Anna wasn't sure Elsa could be smiling more broadly once they were in the secure setting of the queen's chambers. It was actually more worrying than pleasant "Elsa? What is it? What's... going on?"
Elsa bit her lower lip. The older sister was practically bubbling with joy. "Amon... received the blessing of his father."
Anna blinked, trying to remember why that was important. "Okay..."
"He's coming. Here. To Arendelle."
Anna really wanted to be as excited as Elsa was. Part of her was, to be honest. But the other part of her, the one that saw this still faceless ember mage as an unknown quantity once again grew nervous. It was one thing that this man was far away. The idea of him actually being present in person awoke all the uncertainty from months before.
Even assuming his intentions were pure (or at least... as pure as they could be considering obvious romantic interest), what would their neighbors think about two "monsters" in the same kingdom? They were tolerant of Elsa... would a second mage from a land most leaders only knew about as a massive imperial presence far to the south be received with even that? Or would it be received as a potential act of aggression? A union between two dangerous powers?
And when did Anna learn to start thinking so politicially? That was Elsa's job!
She shook her head of all the nagging thoughts, allowing herself to feel happy for her sister. Anna had no reason to believe Amon had any ill intent, and the response from Arendelle's neighbors could be handled another time.
She hugged her sister tightly, and said, "Elsa, that's great! I'm so happy for you!"
And if Anna repeated it enough, she just might be able to convince herself.
Travel across a sea and a continent took time, to the point that summer was on the wane before the big day that Elsa was waiting for, getting frequent updates from her paramour as he drew closer to the North Sea and Arendelle.
And also growing increasingly panicked about it.
To the point that she was talking to Sven about it.
Anna had to fight her every instinct to laugh and give away her position, because watching Elsa having a conversation with herself through the reindeer was even more adorable and funny than when Kristoff would.
"He won't be here for three days." Elsa said in a low voice.
"I know! And I know there's little point in panicking already! But I can't help it! What if doesn't like me?" She added normally.
"If he decides after months of heartfelt conversation to reject you based on appearance, then he isn't who you thought he was. Do you really think him that shallow?"
"Of course not! I know I'm being stupid! What is wrong with me? I'm acting like Anna!"
The younger sister really had to bite her tongue.
"Now, don't say such mean things about your sister."
Anna huffed in support. You tell her, Sven!
"I know, because I'm being even dumber about it than she is. I'm... I just don't want to go back to being lonely and miserable, and I think that's where I'd be if... if..."
"He won't reject you. You know this. It'd be really silly to go all this way just to turn back because you don't fit some preconceived appearance."
"That doesn't mean I shouldn't look my best!"
"No, it doesn't."
"But... I don't even know what my best is."
"You have three days to figure that out. Perhaps you should ask your sister for help."
Anna couldn't stay out of it at this point. "You should listen to Sven," she said with a teasing smile, "I sometimes think he's the smartest person in this whole kingdom."
Elsa turned in her direction, and Anna immediately felt pity for the elder sister. The queen didn't have any quip or barb, just a lost, pathetic expression of a woman who had no idea what she was going to do.
"Awww..." Anna crooned, "You've got it bad, don't you?"
Elsa nodded slowly. "I... as silly as it sounds, I want to look my best when I meet Amon," she said, her voice slowly raising to frantic, "But... should I wear my hair up or down? What dress should I wear? Should I put on rouge? What lip color should I choose? Should I wear any makeup at all? Would he think makeup horribly fake? I don't know!"
Anna took Elsa's hands, and gently led her back into the palace. "Well, that's what I'm here for. Come on..."
The procession led up the stairs, and to the full length mirror in Elsa's chamber. Anna pulled over a chair from the desk, and gently pushed Elsa down with a quiet order of, "Sit."
Anna plucked the crown of Elsa's forehead, then unpinned the tail of Elsa's hair so that the braid hung down freely. "First of all, hair down. Definitely down," the younger sister said, then ran her hands through the elder's platinum blonde locks. "Tousled a little bit too. Make you look a little dangerous. Playful."
Elsa wasn't convinced. "But... but what if he likes normal, proper girls?"
Anna patted her on the shoulders, "Elsa, if he liked proper girls, he wouldn't be interested in you."
The reward for that quip was a withering glare cast over Elsa's shoulder. Anna figured it was due payback for Elsa's jab about Hans months back.
"As for what to wear... I think the ice dress you're wearing now would be perfect."
Elsa liked that dress, mostly because it was extremely comfortable and very easy to get out of, which was more than could be said for those complicated contraptions that she had to wear in formal settings. "Really?"
"But with one tiny alteration."
Anna then reached into the left drawer, drew out a pair of scissors, settling the blade above Elsa's collarbone, then with a single snip split the icy material three inches and opened up the top of Elsa's chest. "Anna!" the queen screeched as her cheeks flushed brightly.
"Just trust me on this one. And that blush is a perfect color for you. Keep it."
Elsa instead growled.
Anna spun in front of her sister, and knelt down, "It will be fine. I promise. You don't have to dress up or pretty yourself up too much. You've grown close just by being who you are. Why try and change things now?"
The younger sister then put a finger to her chin in thought. "Except... stay right there. I'll be back."
Elsa got a little scared at what could possibly be on Anna's mind that made her leave the room entirely. But when she did return, it was with a small glass bottle.
"You'll want this," Anna advised as she gave Elsa her lavender perfume.
Then the earth shook.
It wasn't a particularly powerful tremor, nor did it last very long, but for a land that never experienced earthquakes, it was enough to start a minor panic throughout the kingdom and screams through the castle that even both sisters could hear.
The makeover was abandoned as Anna and Elsa rushed out of her chambers, met by Advisor Nelson in the stairwell. "Queen Elsa! You are needed in the square immediately!"
Anna was out of breath keeping up as Elsa emerged out of the castle, though they really didn't need to go to the town square to see what was wrong.
A massive storm front approaching from the north, crackling with visible lightning as it rolled down off the mountains. This was the sort of storm that would occasionally brew in the early spring as warm southern air battled the winter winds. It was certainly not typical for summer, especially when mixed with the steadily increasing earthquakes.
"The ice shippers saw it first, and they informed the scouts," a uniformed soldier declared, bowing in the presence of the queen. "The scouts couldn't even get close before the winds whipped up snow and reduced visibility to nothing."
The scoutmaster of the kingdom was a man who had served under her father, and had watched wars unfold in neighboring lands. He was not one to panic easily. But there was little doubt of his concern when he warned, "Make no mistake, my queen. There's something in there. I could hear it. This is no natural storm."
Elsa's eyes narrowed... she could agree. Even from here she could feel something was off. There was a chill in the air that she could feel, and Elsa was not the sort of person to feel cold. At the same time, she felt an electric tingle in her hands that was consistent with using her talents even though she hadn't conjured or manipulated anything all day. It was consistent with what she had been learning about magical auras.
This was indeed not natural, and it needed to be stopped before it reached Arendelle.
"Varus, you're with me. Assemble ten of our most trustworthy men," Elsa ordered, "Bring me my horse. We ride out within the hour."
"Elsa!" Anna replied, aghast.
The elder sister turned to her, the queen's face grim. "I don't know what's out there, but I doubt our army alone can handle it themselves. If you do not receive word in three days... I need you to evacuate the people and retreat to Olsenland."
"Elsa!"
"No time to argue!" the queen shouted as her horse was led to her, and she was helped into the saddle. She turned sad, "I need to be able to trust you on this, Anna. Something... is very wrong. I can feel it. I need to know you'll be safe."
Anna could hear the tension in Elsa's voice, and see the worry on her face. Even if the younger sister couldn't feel what was rattling her sister, she knew Elsa didn't get like this for no reason. If the queen was about to lead an expedition, this was serious.
So, in response, Anna nodded solemnly, and watched as her sister left for the gates where the rest of her group was being assembled. Kristoff didn't even try to worm his way into the group, immediately siding up to Anna and putting an arm around her waist. Sven trotted up behind them, and Olaf slipped in front, the snowman not even attempting any quip or bad joke.
Anna tried to put her arms around everyone in sight, though she really could only manage her fingertips grazing Kristoff's hair as she went over Sven's neck, hoping against hope that Elsa's fears would not come to pass.
Two days passed. In that time, the storm had seemed to reverse course oddly, hovering over the North Mountain where it stayed during the interim. It had appeared that the expedition, at the very least had turned it away from the kingdom, when word finally arrived from the queen.
That word was not good.
It came in the form of a single scout, barely hanging onto his crippled horse as it stumbled past the castle wall from the frontier shortly after nightfall. As the acting ruler in Elsa's absence, Anna was immediately summoned to meet him in the medic's ward.
The scout was in bad shape, with a doctor making stitches to a deeply lacerated right arm while he was trying to report to Anna, a report he was insisting on making as soon as possible due to its urgency.
Anna tried to be calm, even as her thoughts were racing fearfully. "What is your name?"
"Baris, ma'am."
She wanted to shake him, demanding to know where her sister was. Instead she settled with, "What happened to the rest of the expedition, Baris? Do you know what was causing the storm?"
Baris shook his head, "No, ma'am. Not even the queen could fight through the wind. It was almost like a funnel cloud. You could feel the warmth go cold and see the winds spiraling and kicking up a bone-chilling freeze. The only thing the queen could determine that there was something very cold in the center of the storm."
The scout hissed as the doctor applied alcohol to the wound and continued dressing the gash. "Whatever it was, it was big, and it turned on us in the pass, causing a rock slide. I... only survived because I was in the back of the procession."
Anna's heart dropped, "El... the queen as well?"
Baris shook his head, "The queen... survived. Somehow. She managed to get to the top of the collapse, and... I think she might have seen what was causing the storm. She saw that I was still moving... and she told me... to get back to Arendelle as fast as I could."
Baris finally made eye contact with Anna, and said grimly, "She told me... to tell you... to evacuate. That she was... retreating to the ice palace... and that she'd distract whatever that thing was as... as long as she could."
Anna's blood felt like it was turning to ice... a sensation she knew quite intimately. Elsa's choice of words were not meant to inspire confidence. The queen did not think she could defeat or even thwart whatever was responsible for the storm. Anna's worst fears had become real.
The younger sister dropped her head, forcing herself not to cry. Arendelle needed her to keep it together, at least until they had found sanctuary. She kept her head down nonetheless as she turned to her Guard Captain. "Have the messenger send word to Olsenland as quickly as possible, she should already have the message prepared. After that... I need you to supervise gathering every civilian of the land, and strongly recommend they follow the queen's orders to evacuate."
Anna tried to keep a brave face, but the best she could manage was glum resignation as she swiftly made her return trip to the palace. And she had barely crossed the threshhold and had the doors closed behind her that she collapsed to her knees crying bitterly.
Kristoff didn't even need to ask. He had heard the commotion, and coupled with Anna's present state had been able to glean the thrust of the situation. He hugged her, offering whatever comfort he could, even though it would never be enough.
Olaf nervously approached, not quite as aware of what was going on, but aware enough to know it was very bad. Kristoff noted the snowman's approach and said quietly, "Ever wanted to see another kingdom?"
Olaf nodded. He loved the idea of exploring.
"Well, you're going to get your chance."
Olsenland wasn't a kingdom as much as it was a coastal bartering city-state in the lowlands to the west of the fjords. While Arendelle had a port, Olsenland's broader coastline allowed for larger ships of the sort that routinely crossed the great seas.
That trade was also why they were more willing to forge agreements with Arendelle or any city or kingdom that could expand their routes and therefore profits. It also meant that they tried to keep peace with anyone and everyone who crossed their borders, and went out of their way to not insult any parties.
Like investing considerable resources or voicing expressed support of Arendelle and Anna's attempt to rouse said support for her possibly dead sister out in the mountains. The council in charge in Olsenland allowed Anna to privately try and rouse her own expeditionary team, and accepted Arendelle's coin to help feed and house the refugees, but wasn't going to go any further than that.
Which was what brought Anna to the dockside and the taverns, where the council had suggested she go for her recruitment. A good many sailors liked to take on jobs during the summer while they waited for the winds to shift in the fall.
Kristoff insisted on going with her into any seedy establishments, but the first tavern on the dockside was actually pretty clean... or at least as clean as could be expected for hardwood floors scuffed from thousands of boots and tables and chairs over the years. Scantily dressed barmaids dashed from the kitchen to the tables, serving the sort of rugged clientele one would expect from men and women who spent months on the open seas.
Not that she got the chance to appeal to anyone inside because of who had followed them in.
"We heard that people from Arendelle had stumbled into the city. Didn't realize it was the witch's sister herself."
Anna and Kristoff spun around to address the speaker, one of six uniformed men in white jackets and blue trousers. It was a look Anna knew quite well, as well as the coat of arms on their lapels.
Southern Isles.
Kristoff immediately became defense, sliding in front of Anna. He hoped his size if nothing else would dissuade any shenanigans.
"I hear your people are in some hard times," the man clearly leading the group said with a leering grin. "Such a shame."
"And what business is it of yours?" Kristoff snarled.
The man held up his hands to ward off any hostility. "I merely wish to offer my help. Despite my brother's antics, he does not represent our lands."
"And which brother are you then?" Anna grumbled.
"Does it matter? We're practically interchangeable in the eyes of our parents," he said, "To the point that I think they'd accept any of us getting considerable influence in Arendelle."
"Why you..." Anna snarled, the insinuation clear to her, needing to be held back by Kristoff before she hauled off and punched the implied older prince.
"I don't think you understand your peril," the prince declared, his men behind him reaching for the swords at their hips.
The bartender quickly panicked, and exclaimed, "Please! No weapons or fighting inside!"
The prince's smarmy grin didn't even fade, "Oh, I assure you, I have no intent of causing any trouble. Merely giving the woman here an option. She needs help. I'm willing to provide it... for a price." He hadn't actually said what that price was, but with his suggestive green and leering eyes, he didn't exactly need to.
At that point, Kristoff was about ready to punch him, until a deep, heavily accented voice cut through the tension, saying, "I don't think they're interested in what you're selling, friend. I suggest you find somewhere else to be."
The voice was deep and heavily accented, belonging to a man in a corner table to the right, sitting alone with his legs propped up on an adjoining chair and nursing a brown bottle, holding a scarlet red leather book in his left hand, looking up from it in annoyance at the scene.
He was a fairly large man, as far as Anna could tell, though not as large as Kristoff, well built from the bare sleeves of his leather vest and knee length leather trousers. Almond skin, brown hair and eyes, with a well trimmed beard across his cheeks and chin.
The prince was equally annoyed. "I think the sand man needs to mind his own business."
"I'd love to, if you'd silence your lurid suggestions and leave. Are the South Isles of such low esteem that their princes need to lower themselves to propositioning pregnant women?"
Anna blushed, and threw her hands over her stomach. She didn't think her belly bump was that obvious already.
The prince responded aggressively to the insult, only to stop short due to a warning growl at his feet.
The dog wasn't particularly large, curled up in a ball at the southern man's feet, and almost perfectly blended into the dark corner, which was no doubt why it had been overlooked. What Anna thought was coal back fur was in fact coal black skin, the dog completely hairless with pale orange-red vein-like streaks running across the dog's hide.
Its eyes were of similar color to the veins, and as it rose to its paws proudly displayed its stocky, tightly built body and legs. She had seen similar dogs with the same sort of scrunched muzzle and body shape, but nothing that resembled this dog's unusual coloration. It was definitely a weird, unnatural creature.
The South Seas prince was equally confounded, but recovered quicker. "Curious dog you have there."
"So I'm told," the dark man replied.
The prince's smile returned, and he suggested, "Perhaps rather than sophisticated men like us settling your transgression like barbarians, perhaps our dogs can for us? I would love to see how such an unusual animal could handle one of the South Seas hunting dogs."
The still sitting man scoffed at the idea dismissively. "Gilgamesh is my companion, and I wouldn't lower him in such a debased 'sport' with one of your mangy animals. I can assure you that it's not something you want either."
As if the dog understood the conversation, it turned its head in its master direction, and yipped once, before returning its gaze at the prince in front of it with a low growl.
The man regarded this with humored interest. "Oh? Do you wish to debase yourself?"
The dog spun in a circle three times, then yipped again.
Its master shrugged, and slapped his book closed and slid it into a satchel on yet another chair. He finally stood, made sure that his scimitar was properly hooked to his belt, and clicked to his dog that heeled obediently. "Well then, I suppose you have your fight, sir. Let's be proper gentlemen and take it outside like the proprietor desires."
The bar owner nodded energetically, his eyes narrowed to fearful dots. "Yes please."
The South Seas delegation left first, followed by the dark man who had gotten mixed up in the mess. "I would suggest you follow me," he said to Anna and Kristoff as he passed them, "I think you'll want to see this."
The South Seas prince was already crossing the square to his caravan, releasing one of the dogs to his care with a brown leather leash. It was a proper shepherd dog, powerful, lean, and tall, and stiff pointed ears and a pointed snout with brilliantly white fangs. It was indeed a remarkably impressive beast, and at least three times the size of the curious dog approaching confidently.
Its master stopped it momentarily, kneeling down and offering final instructions. "Gilgamesh, my friend, this dog is of base intelligence, barely above a common animal. It knows not what it is doing."
The man then raised his eyes to the prince, and said, "Go easy on its pet."
Anna snorted mirthfully at the jab, even though she was appalled at the idea of the impromptu dogfight shaping up in front of her. Kristoff, on the other hand, was infinitely more concerned about Gilgamesh, leaning into its master and asking, "I've never seen a dog like that."
"I would hope not." the dark man answered.
"What breed is he?"
"Thermite hound."
"I've never heard of that either."
"I would hope not."
Any further questions were cut off by one of the prince's men declaring the fight to start, and the prince unhooking the leash from his dog. That dog took one aggressive stride, and started to lunge before rearing back in terror.
Because Gilgamesh went up in a plume of white and orange flame, its entire body flickering like a bonfire.
The dog itself did not seem the slightest bit bothered by this, barking violently with plumes of fire and smoke erupting from its muzzle and nostrils, taking slow steps forward, more to intimidate than attack. Not that Gilgamesh needed to do much to cause not just the dog, but the prince's men to panic and flee in fright.
The prince then regarded the dog's master, to see the dark man grinning with vicious intent, fingers of flame licking upward from his palms. "You... you're a monster! Like that witch in Arendelle!"
That caused the smile to vanish and change to rage, with a thrust of the dark man's right hand that caused a fifteen foot wall of fire to erupt behind the prince to thwart any attempted escape. The prince barely had time to realize this before his opponent was upon him, grabbed by the jacket and shaken violently.
"What have you done with her?" the dark man demanded, "Where is she?"
Anna was embarrassed it took her that long before she put it all together. She rushed into the fray, grabbing the dark man by his left arm and saying, "Amon! No! They had nothing to do with it!"
His response was a suspicious eye, and the question, "How do you know my name?"
At the same time, Kristoff asked in confusion, "How do you know his name?"
Anna didn't answer her husband, instead focusing on the problem at hand. "You're an ember mage, aren't you? And you're looking for my sister... I figured that rather narrowed things down."
"You're Anna."
"Yep! That's me! Anna Idundottir. The girl who nearly got you killed with a very ill timed letter," she said the last bit with a nervous grimace.
Now Kristoff was more than confused, he was bordering on angry, "What is... what letter? How do you know this man? How does he know you?"
The pyroclastic display got the attention of the entire dockside, and Anna found herself not enjoying the attention. "Let's go... somewhere more private... to continue this discussion... shall we?"
She grabbed Amon and Kristoff by their arms, and led them to the refugee camp on the edge of Olsenland. The refugees hadn't had much chance to set up more than tents and fire pits, but the camp's presence was enough to keep any eavesdroppers from listening in.
Their return was received well by Olaf, "Oh, you're back! You know I hate being left behind. You get in so much trouble when I'm not around! Well... you get in a lot of trouble when I am around too... so I guess it really doesn't matter if I'm around or not, but I still like being around because I don't like not knowing what is happening!"
Anna gestured with a sigh, "Amon, meet Olaf."
Amon's eyes widened, and he said, "You're a familar."
Olaf's eyes narrowed, and replied, "Really? Because I don't think we've met."
The ember mage shook his head, and fell to his knees, the relief in his face and voice evident. "No... you are Elsa's familiar. She created you, didn't she?"
"Oh! Yes!"
Amon hugged the snowman, then jumped to his feet as he dropped Olaf. "This... is the best news I have heard in six days." Seeing the confusion in the rest of his new friends, he explained, "A mage's spells expire with the mage. If Elsa had passed away... Olaf here would no longer exist."
He then dropped his head onto his head in thought, "Which doesn't answer why she isn't talking to me."
Anna's heart was buoyed by news that Elsa was still alive, though that didn't tell her much else. "When did you last talk to her?"
"About six days ago. There was a magical storm that she was investigating, and that I was to wait for you here. I assume that was not word she passed along."
Anna shook her head, "She really didn't have time, I don't think. We only got word from a scout that she and her expedition were separated, and that she would try to distract whatever caused the storm. She supposedly retreated to her ice palace on the North Mountain."
"Then we shouldn't waste time," Amon declared. "Take me there."
"Not in the middle of the night, we're not," Kristoff said. "It would be at least three days to get to the North Mountain from here anyway. We can leave at first light."
He then closed the distance between himself and Amon, and said, "Besides, while my wife might seem to know you, I don't. And I'm not taking anyone I don't know up into the mountains again. So why don't you start talking?"
Anna was really glad that Kristoff's anger was directed at Amon and not her... at least until her husband added, "I'd really like to know what's so special about you that my beloved wife seemed fit to never mention you at all..."
Amon clearly did not like the idea of a delay, and for a brief moment, his fists clenched and Anna was worried that there was going to be another fight, this one not involving dogs. But as quickly as the tension rose, the ember mage stood down, his fists loosening and his posture relaxing. "Very well," Amon finally said. "I suppose it is only fair."
The ember mage dropped into a cross-legged position around the fire. "Where should I begin?"
Anna followed, and tugged on Kristoff's trouser leg to get him to do the same. "How about you start with how you first met my sister?"
Amon nodded, "That might require some prelude..."