"The Freljord: a home to some, a grave to countless more. Lesser clans have scrambled for the rights to rule this frozen land for millenia – all have failed. Now, finally three great leaders have emerged to rally the lesser tribes beneath their banners. The storm of war will cloud when their paths cross, but once the battle is over; the people will find just one tribe left, to rule the land."
– Lissandra
Chapter 1: The Start of War
The loud sound of the guardian's horn reverberated through the entire snowy field, troops on both sides waiting tensely for the opponent to make the first move. Be it a battle cry or an outright shout to charge, they'd be ready for a counterattack. This was it.
The Battle for Freljord.
Perched upon a tree was Ashe, the successor of the tribe made by Avarosa, whose symbol was a bow and arrow filled with intricate designs. She was determined not to fail her ancestor. Her motive as an Iceborn was pure - to unite the Freljord instead of having it lie in pieces. She hoped to accomplish her goal with the help of her fellow comrades that had stood by her side, waiting so long for this moment to come.
Her troops were waiting in the cover that the dense greenery gave, knowing that they could not engage in the war just yet. They could not step into icy lands that Sejuani had claimed as her own for her tribe, the Winter Claws.
Ashe's grip on her inherited bow tightened when she saw slight movement in between the icy hills where a blizzard was raging on, barely affecting the place she lived. Ashe knew what had truly gone down during The War of the Three Sisters. Avarosa, her honourable ancestor did not sow the seeds of rebellion, for she was rightfully the Queen of Freljord. Her tribe was cast away, seen as the rebels, for the others were blinded by the conspiracies that had taken place eons ago.
"What is troubling you, my Queen?" A deep bass voice questioned her, making her turn her head slightly towards the sinfully handsome man who stood below, gazing up at her with adoration.
"The title of 'Queen' does not befit me. The war has not been won Tryndamere. I do appreciate your humour though." The Frost Archer smiled kindly, climbing down the tree carefully so as not to break any of its limbs.
"Not Queen of Freljord yet, but maybe soon-to-be Barbarian Queen." Tryndamere said gruffly. "A King can be strong, but with a significant other, he would be stronger, a force to be reckoned with."
Ashe shook her head in denial. "Tryndamere, I accept your affections, but now is not the time for philandering. The war is coming... The Frostguard may not be interfering, but I cannot - I will not - tolerate giving them a loophole, a chance of vulnerability for them to strike and make a new ice age, or Runeterra will be frozen."
"Selfless as ever, Ashe. You certainly take after your mother, even if you never knew her well."
Ashe froze slightly at the mentioning of her 's name. She missed her dearly, though a part of her did blame her mother for putting such a huge burden on her at times. Had her mother been here, Ashe would have at least been engaged to Tryndamere, who had been courting her for at least half a decade. Right now, she just could not bring herself to agree when he asked for her hand in marriage. There were too many things to settle and with the battle looming closer, now was not the time for festivities.
Before the Barbarian King could reply, a dark blue, majestic ice bird swooped down, perching upon the tree just as Ashe had moments before. It was Anivia, the Cryophoenix.
"It's here, isn't it? The time for fighting?" Anivia's icy soprano voice rang, sending shivers down the Frost Archer's back. It was an asset to have the cryophoenix on her side, one that had been present during the battle of the three sisters, and one that could summon hail storms to lend them aid in being stealthy. This would help place the element of surprise in their hands.
"Indeed it is. I won't let Freljord down. This war will be won." Ashe said with determination. The Cryophoenix and the Frost Archer were a formidable pair. They had been allies at many times, especially on the Fields of Justice.
"Do not fail me, Ashe, or you'd be disgracing Avarosa's good name. Shine brighter than the stars that once blessed Avarosa or perish. That is the rule." Anivia murmured, folding her majestic wings.
"The troops are ready and armed with provisions and weapons. Also, our strategies are all laid out, my lady." reported a soldier, bowing respectfully.
"Did Gragas supply them with the finest drinks to help them in battle? Certainly I have provided the resources for him to brew one of his many creations." Ashe said.
"He has, my lady."
"Very well. Sejuani's troops are already setting out. She's knowledgeable enough to know not to enter the Iron Spike Mountains. We'll fight on neutral land, where their blood will taint the pure snow along with the blood of our brothers and sisters." She said in resolution.
Ashe sauntered over to her troops at the base of the mountain, strapping her bow back into its holster and making sure her bag of self-carved frost arrows was with her. Her tribe was ready for whatever the Winter's Claws were going to throw at them, but still, she held onto the bit of hope that her mother will be here to lead the tribe to victory.
The loud sound of the guardian's horn blew again. Anivia flew to the ground, offering to bring Ashe to the bottom of the mountain. She stood upon the cryophoenix, staring at the overcast clouds that would bring snow to her domain.
She gazed at her troops, with their blue winter coats, their weapons glinting slightly from the sunlight that seeped through the clouds. Many held the banner of the Avarosan tribe proudly; each head turned upwards, awaiting the arrival of their leader. The troops were perfectly neat in terms of coordination, with the elite archers at the back and those who preferred to fight head on in the front. Her commanders paced around on well horses of various colours, making sure that everyone was ready.
As they reached ground level, Ashe let out a shout. "Are you ready to fight for Freljord under the name Avarosa, my people?!"
She was met with spontaneous shouts of agreement that made her grin in delight. She wouldn't be anywhere without her people. They had worked so hard for this day. Without her people, she would not have anyone to lead. Without them, she wouldn't have the precious resources that were dug up from Mother Nature, or wood that was chopped down from trees, or even the provisions and weapons made from it.
Jumping from the Cryophoenix, Ashe dropped the last five feet, landing gracefully. She stood confidently, emitting an aura of a Queen. "I thank you my brethren for standing with me today, risking your lives for the sake of my rule. Be it a loss or victory, I'm glad that I've been able to lead you. If you treasure your life, or you have more to seek other than this war, you're allowed to leave. I won't force you to fight, for that would go against my morals."
After her speech, a wave of silence passed through the troops. Then, her people started to stamp their feet upon the ground, proving their loyalty and beliefs towards Ashe. She blinked back the tears of gratefulness, saying a silent 'thank you' to the gods that blessed her with such company.
Suddenly, a stampede of yetis emerged from the direction of the Gelid Vortex - a swirling icy maelstrom that circles the northern hemisphere of Runeterra. Upon the grandest of the yetis sat a small boy named Nunu, a smug grin on his face.
"Yetis survive better in the cold weather than horses. I was hoping to help you travel through the cold of Freljord."
"That'd save a lot of time and energy." Ashe smiled warmly. "I'm so glad you allied yourself with us instead of the Frostguard. The Avarosan will forever be in your debt."
Nunu snorted at that proclamation. "I owe this tribe more than you can understand. Yetis are my family -" He stroked his yeti's white fur- "But you gave me somewhere where I could go when the cold winds of the North were too much. Sejuani chased me away for my vulnerability of not being able to fend off the cold; I was not welcome in Trundle's land for I did not display the strength and nature of a troll. You, however, accepted me for the way I was and gave me a warm welcome each time I sought for help."
"You often flatter me for something that isn't fully true. A leader is nothing without their followers." Ashe stated softly, such that the companions nearby could only just hear. They gazed at the Frost Archer, knowing that modesty was her best trait.
Ashe was a humble woman with morals that held her high. She had the kindness of a Queen,was protective like a mother, and skilled like an assassin. With all her traits, she could lead any army to victory.
"Time is a-wasting. We march towards the neutral ground." Ashe's voice rang clear through the troops as they let out a yell of approval. Many people climbed onto the yetis with ease, muttering words of understanding, trying to bond a little with the beasts they were upon.
"A Queen like you deserves the best. Let me be your ride," said Anivia, bowing her head.
"I don't want to burden you. We'll need your skills more than you think we do." Ashe murmured, looking hesitant.
The cryophoenix let out a hearty laugh. "Many would have immediately grabbed the chance to sit upon a winged being, and you, the rightful Queen of Frejlord worries about the well-being of an ancient bird who had long lived past the time of her generation. I will be fine. If I die in this battle for a good cause, the next time I come around may be the day I see Avarosan flags hung all around Frejlord with my kind flying in the skies again. If I can see such a scene, I am content."
Ashe nodded, keeping that thought in mind. She would win the battle. She would lead her people to victory and restore Frejlord to its former glory, making it greater even than what the three sisters had done.
'The throne to Freljord belongs to me,' thought Ashe. 'Not to the tribe Serylda made, or to Lissandra, the Ice Dervish. It belongs to Avarosa, and by blood, I claim what was mine by birthright.'
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By the strength of Avarosa,
I command you to come back!