Fear
Chapter 1: Embedded Darkness
"The greatest enemy is the enemy within"
Author's notes:
Hello there! This is my first fanfic let alone my first story to be published. As such I am open to constructive criticism and advice! Please do review away.
It had been a chaotic two months since the 'Eternal Winter'. An event that the citizens of Arendelle, and honoured guests, will never forget.
And how could they?
The display of such magic shook everyone's belief to the core. It certainly cast doubt on the royal family.
Although the citizens of Arendelle had quickly accustomed and accepted the Queen's magical powers, there was unrest. Though they may be happy for the royal family, the stability of the kingdom was uncertain.
Arendelle had suffered immense losses of crops and livestock during the 'Eternal Winter', resulting in food shortages. Additionally, trades with neighbouring kingdoms have either been withheld or cut off entirely. Diplomatic relations with kingdoms have degraded and the future of Arendelle seemed grim.
As such, Her Majesty, Queen Elsa, worked both day and night to keep her kingdom afloat. An incredible challenge and a heavy burden, but Elsa was not keen on playing blind. So, work she did, pushing herself to breaking point day after day. Sending out letters, organizing restoration efforts, and trying to keep the people's trust in her. In fact, Elsa was more often to be found in her royal study than her bedroom, with the exception of the bathroom or the Great Hall.
This continued for two months, Anna found it hard to keep herself calm. She had hoped that a relationship with her sister, whom she had waited on for years, could be rekindled and strengthened. Anna simply wanted to be with her sister. But now she had another dosage of separation, and oh how it hurts her heart.
Elsa also shared similar thoughts, her work had kept her away from Anna and she did not wish to repeat her history of separation. But the work did have a positive, it quelled her disturbed mind. For years in isolation, it was of no surprise that Elsa would have suffered some form of mental damage. But the surprise lay in the severity of the damage. The instability of her mind frightened the Queen as much as her ice powers. But where her ice powers seemed to be making good progress, her mind was not in any stage of recovery. The unstable mind of hers brought forth dark and horrific thoughts that constantly plagued her mind through the years. Some of which were directed at her beloved sister, Anna.
It was a cloudy typical autumn night as Elsa worked tiredly through another pile of paperwork. Citizens of Arendelle have long retired to their homes, leaving the castle the only place in the kingdom emanating light. The Royal study was illuminated by a lone candle on Elsa's desk casting light especially onto the Queens dishevelled face. Elsa noted that she had been working for a day and a half straight so far with no breaks. As such her physical appearance would have most likely suffered but her audience will have to make do. Letting out a tired sigh, Elsa stretched out on her cushioned chair. She closed her eyes attempting to take a short break from her arduous work.
Elsa felt peaceful as the crisp autumn air brushed against her skin. Her mind felt a little clearer with the gentle whisper of the curtains as they danced with this gift of nature. Slowly but surely, Elsa began to drift to sleep.
As she settled into a relaxing nap, a voice spoke breaking the reverie.
'Quaint isn't it, the role of a Queen'
Elsa jumped out of her seat upon hearing the voice. Her hands were instinctively drawn up, emitting a pulsing white glow. Eyes swept the study frantically, trying to ascertain the source.
'It has been far too long, you don't even remember me' the voice spoke again, with a sinister chuckle.
Elsa dropped her defensive stance as she realized who or more appropriately, what the voice was.
'Avoiding me? You can't possibly avoid yourself Elsa' the voice continued, making sure to add emphasis on her name. For the voice was Elsa herself, or more specifically her darker side brought to life by her own mind. The voice caused the Queen to immediately regret her choice for a break, as the work itself had silenced the voice for the past 2 months.
'It seems isolation is natural to you, what a surprise' the tone was heavy with sarcasm.
'Conceal it, don't feel it' Elsa repeated the mantra in her head.
'You cannot ignore me Elsa'
'What is it that you want!?' Elsa mentally screamed. The exhaustion was getting the better of her
'Just wanted to have a little chat, especially about…Anna' with the mention of the name, dark thoughts swarmed Elsa's mind. Thoughts that she had long fought to suppress since a teen.
'No, no stop it' Elsa ordered as she shook her head in a feeble attempt to shake off the swarming thoughts.
'How amusing! You so desperately try to hide yourself away from the world, from her, and yet a simple spark sets you off!' Pitched laughter filled her mind.
Elsa gripped her hair tightly. Fear and anger mixed violently in her heart.
"Elsa!"
The sudden proclamation of her name resonating through her ears jolted Elsa out of herself. Elsa's eyes widened as she surveyed the room which was now covered in threatening icicles that were glowing red. The royal study was unrecognizable.
"Elsa?"
Elsa's eyes settled on the lone figure at the door, easily distinguishable by the strawberry blonde hair. She felt her heart drop into her stomach as she surveyed the extent of her damage.
"Anna?" Elsa found her voice hoarse and shaky.
"Elsa, are you alright?" Anna shouted out as she slowly made her way through the expanse of ice.
"No, don't come in An-" Elsa barely got the words out before slipping onto the floor.
Anna let out a yelp and hurried to her, leaping dangerously over the ice.
"I-I…." Elsa stuttered as she felt an unsettling warmth move from her head down.
"What happened? Elsa?" Anna asked concerned as she reached for Elsa who lay on the floor.
"I don't know...I...I feel" Elsa stuttered out, finding it harder and harder to formulate a sentence. She found it incredibly frustrating and thought that maybe it's best if Anna come back another time. Yes, later would be fine.
Anna did not need to hear Elsa's mind to know that her sister was losing it. The glazed and unfocused eyes was all she needed to see to know that Elsa needed help.
"Elsa, can you hear me?" Anna asked worriedly, shaking the blonde as well for good measure.
"Can..hear...me" Elsa repeated lazily. Her thoughts were becoming increasingly scrambled but she could focus on the fact that now not only was she unable of intellectual speech but she was also repeating Anna's words like an idiot. Elsa scrunched her eyebrows in frustration as she fought with her mouth to cooperate.
"Elsa, stay awake!" Anna exclaimed.
"Anna…..Ann.," muttered Elsa as she lost hold of consciousness, sprawling on the icy floor. Last she heard was Anna's screams.
Eyes fluttered open only to be shut at the sudden exposure to bright light. Elsa groaned as a headache tortured her still awakening mind. Groggily she opened her dry mouth to speak the only thing on her mind, "Anna".
"Oh! Your Majesty you're awake! Princess Anna! Princess Anna!"
Elsa turned to the source of the sound as her hands roamed the smooth bed sheets under her. She smiled as she saw the loyal Gerda sitting by her side. The smile grew larger as Anna burst into the room, her room she finally realized.
"Elsa! Are you alright? What happened last night?" Anna asked vibrantly as she sprinted towards the bed.
"I'm fine, except for a...slight headache," Elsa replied with a slight chuckle as she took in the sight of Anna. Her younger sister had her signature morning hairdo, which basically meant strands of strawberry blonde hair standing out in every direction possible.
"Oh, Elsa I was so worried!" Anna exclaimed as she reached down and gave Elsa a quick peck on the lips. The sudden kiss on her dry lips banished the atrocious headache and left her in shock. Anna giggled as she saw Elsa's perplexed face and gave a half-hearted apology, "Sorry, I forgot about you and unexpected physical contact."
"Oh no, no I'm fine," Elsa quickly assured, a light blush colouring her cheeks.
"Seriously though Elsa. What happened last night? I was so worried, you were there on the floor and I thought you were in pain. Your face was in such agony, an-and the study it was covered in ice!" Anna rambled.
"It's nothing Anna, really and I appreciate your concern," Elsa said dismissively. She could see by the look on Anna's face that it was not the answer she was after.
"Are you sure?" Anna asked timidly. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine Anna, thank you. But shouldn't you be out with somebody?" Elsa responded, dodging Anna's questions.
"Uh yeah, I guess," Anna replied nervously, rubbing the back of her neck subconsciously.
"Well do not let me keep you, be on your way now," Elsa said with a shooing motion of her hand.
"Oh um, Elsa? You might want to do something about the study,"
Looking down both ends of the hall, Elsa found to her relief no one in the vicinity. If word of this got out, her reputation would surely take a hit. She had worked hard to convince everyone that her powers were well under control. Her subjects must not know about this. With trembling hands, she reached forth for the doorknobs and carefully swung the doors open.
Inspecting the study, Elsa took note of the vast amount of icicles. They weren't natural icicles, instead they pointed menacingly outwards and were tinted red. Twirling her hands, Elsa removed the hideous sight before her. She would have to keep her powers under control again, for it seems that they were still wild. And wild meant danger. Elsa could not afford that. Not at all.
With that done, Elsa made her way towards her desk to resume her work. She was grateful that Anna had to be out with Kristoff again today. Anna was overly concerned about what happened last night and even Elsa herself wasn't sure what happened. Anna's absence would provide time for Elsa to think, time was what she needed.
That was what she always does anyways. Sending Anna off on an adventure with the Royal Ice Master of which she would definitely hear about as soon as she returned. Great stories as always, most could be argued on fact or fiction. But while she was gone, Anna could be Anna and Elsa could be herself. Elsa did not expect coming out of isolation to be easy, and that was a precise prediction.
Elsa cautiously lowered herself onto the seat, suddenly afraid that the voice would return. She sat still and braced herself for the unnerving voice. But as the minutes went by, nothing happened. Elsa let out a heavy sigh of relief as she went back to work, settling into her routine.
Unbeknownst of Elsa, danger was poised to strike. Waiting for the right moment, where it will finally have its way.