The Bird and the Cage – Chapter 2:
Anna took Elsa's hand, wincing slightly at how cold it was. The ordeal was taking more of a toll upon her than she realized as her legs nearly gave out from under her. Elsa supported her, wrapping one of Anna's arms around her shoulder so she could help her walk.
"W-What about the bodies?"
"The bodies take care of themselves."
Anna looked over her shoulder to see the bones and flesh of the guards bubbling before sinking into the ground. It sent chills up her spine.
After a painfully long walk in utter silence they arrived within Elsa's chambers. Anna let herself be lead to the bed, the warm glow of the candlelight calming her nerves. Anna felt small in the presence of the Princess, guilt stricken from disobeying. She had caused Elsa to kill, but by the way she had swept the guards away, Anna guessed that this hadn't been the first time.
Elsa stood above her, staring intently. The blonde's expression was blank but her proximity suggested that all her attention was on Anna.
Anna's lips trembled when she spoke, "I-I'm sorry, I-I should have stayed."
Elsa's tone was monotonous but the glint in her eye spoke concern, "Did they hurt you?"
Anna shook her head. She hadn't been injured but she could still feel the tight grip on her arm. She remembered the guards snarling when she kicked at their grasping hands, the sound of the scream when the bed of glass impaled the guard, and the stink of flesh when it bubbled beneath Elsa's fingers. Anna's body began to shake uncontrollably. The words came back to her then, '...of The Kingdom of Death', "W-What did you mean by 'The Kingdom of Death?'"
"Do you remember what happened before you woke up here?" Elsa sat next to Anna, reaching out to comfort her.
Anna pulled away. The thought of another's touch too much for her to handle, "M-My party and I were being chased by something... There was shouting, I was on a horse ahead of everyone, then..." Anna's memory became fuzzy, the ringing returning to her ears. She clutched the sides of her head in pain, "Why can't I remember?"
Elsa regarded her with a mixture of uncertainty and helplessness. She gazed deep into Anna's eyes, "Anna... there is only one way a person ends up here."
The suggestion hit Anna's core. Her stomach clenched with nausea. The ringing in her ears became unbearable. The room began to spin wildly and suddenly she couldn't breathe. Anna bolted to the balcony, collapsing on the dark glass.
"Anna!" Elsa's voice filled with terror as she chased her. She crouched beside Anna, reaching out a hand, but hesitating to make contact.
"I'm... dead?"
Elsa's eyes were full of sorrow, the edges of her lips curled downward, "There are many states a person can come to The Kingdom in. Have you looked at the residents' cheeks here, seen how they're grey... almost like a-"
"-a corpse." Anna was beginning to understand why such a fuss was made over her cheeks, "So the red in my own means I've only just died?"
"No, it means that somewhere in the world of the living you're still alive, to an extent." Elsa sighed, "Anna, life in a kingdom of death isn't seen often. Those who are found still living usually meet my brother's sword."
"But then why did you save me? Why not let him kill me? What difference does it make to a princess of death if I live?"
Elsa reached out a hand to gently cup Anna's cheek, but this time Anna didn't pull away. Elsa rubbed her thumb softly upon Anna's skin, soothing her, "The spark inside of you shouldn't be extinguished by the corruption of darkness. I won't let such beauty die."
The compliment brought warmth to Anna's cheeks.
"I told you that there was a way to leave this place, and perhaps I should have been a bit more forthcoming than to simply tell you to 'wait here.' There are things you will have to do, but but the most important is to convince everyone you're part of The Kingdom."
"How do I do that?"
Elsa smiled slyly at her, "Lucky for you, you happen to be in the presence of The Mistress of Darkness, and darkness is quite good at hiding those who need it."
Is darkness what I have to become to live again? The thought was unsettling, but Anna knew that it was her only choice, "Where do I begin?"
"UP!"
The woman's high pitch voice made Anna fall from the warmth of the bed onto the hard, cold stone. She clenched at her behind which had taken the brunt of the force.
Gerda stood over her with fury in her features.
"Gerda," The Princess appeared behind the large woman.
"Your highness!" Gerda jumped at Elsa's voice,"What is the meaning of this?!"
"Anna of Ironwood was given permission to stay in my bed for the evening."
"Your father-"
"My father will not hear a word," Elsa's voice was absolute, something Anna realized that she was good at getting across to others.
The woman huffed from being cut down so easily, "Will our guest be joining you at the table then, your highness?"
"She will be joining you, yes."
"Your highness!"
"I will hear no more. Princess Anna will help you with your duties in the hall, her safety is now one of those duties. Leave us."
The woman scowled down at Anna before storming from the room. For a woman who served royalty, Gerda was strangely vocal about disagreeing with the Princess.
Her brother, the guards, now Gerda. Anna wondered how many times Elsa would have to save her, or if she was even worth saving.
Anna rose from the floor, curtsying in her sleeping clothes before the Princess.
"No need to be so formal. Your clothes are ready."
Elsa laid a black dress on the bed, a uniform used by her serving staff.
Anna rubbed the sleep from the corner of her eyes, yawning in an unladylike fashion. Then the embarrassment of who she was with soon caught up with her, "Uh- um- sorry, I'm always around people who are used to see me being so unladylike."
"It's quite alright, but you should start changing."
"I'll begin right away," Anna picked up the dress, beginning to unbutton her shirt. It took her a moment to notice the Princess' close proximity. Anna cleared her throat bringing Elsa's attention from Anna's chest back to her face, "Do you mind?"
"My apologies," Elsa bowed slightly while spinning on her heel, "I figured you may need some help the first time."
Anna dropped her clothes to the ground. She swiftly put on the black underwear and stockings, lifting her head occasionally to make sure that the Princess wasn't peeking. She stepped into the warm woollen dress, it fit snugly around her body. The only thing that was left to do was button her bare back. After several attempts at threading the buttons, Anna admitted defeat, "Uh-... Elsa, do you think you could maybe -um button me up?"
"Of course." Elsa came up behind her, her hands lingering on the small of Anna's back where the buttons started, "Do you wish to go over the breakfast as well?"
"Uh- S-Sure," Anna tried to focus on anything other than Elsa's cold fingers against her back.
Elsa began the rehearsal when she finished with the buttons, "The partner next to you knows only your name. You don't mention a word to him. If he asks anything-"
"-I am Anna of Ironwood."
Elsa turned Anna around, pulling the material to straighten it over her shoulders. Elsa looked over the uniform in acceptance, "And when you get into the hall?"
"I don't make eye contact with anyone at the table, especially Hans. I stay close to Gerda if I can, but otherwise I stand where I am told," Despite the many times she had rehearsed the script, Anna felt like she wanted to vomit. The thought of seeing Elsa's brother, Hans, again terrified her.
Elsa must have sensed her fear because she reached out to stroke the side of Anna's cheek.
The touch quelled Anna's worry. She closed her eyes to take comfort in the contact.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Stay with the serving staff until after the meal. Gerda will tell you where to go from there."
People I know nothing about. People who could be no different from Hans' guard. The only thought that gave Anna strength to attend the breakfast was that Elsa would be close by. Even though she didn't know much more about her than she did about the staff, something about Elsa's presence instantly calmed Anna.
Elsa gestured toward her desk, it was littered with brushes and shallow jars filled with grey make-up. Anna sat while the Princess set to work on covering her face in the grey that so closely resembled the eeriness of the dead.
Anna began reciting the finer details with Elsa brushing over her face. I'm Anna of Ironwood, my kingdom trades primarily in the rare wood that grows on our land. We're a newer kingdom, rising through the ranks through wealth as opposed to blood lines. I don't remember how I died, but the Princess took the last of my life last night.
After a time, Elsa brought Anna a mirror to inspect herself. All colour from Anna's face was gone, the bright red from her cheeks now a blend of lifelessness. Truth be told, Anna was a little unnerved by her own reflection, "You're really good at this."
"Thank you, but we must hurry. Breakfast will be starting soon," Elsa made her way for the chamber door.
Anna made a noise of affirmation, but her legs didn't move. The moment of reckoning was approaching but Anna's body appeared not to be willing to take part.
Elsa looked back before coming to Anna's side. She intertwined their hands.
The contact unlocked Anna's muscles. There was only a warmth in her chest while Elsa gave her a reassuring look, "I've got you, you're okay."
Elsa untangled their hands and they descended the stairs from the chambers in silence. In the hallway at the bottom stood long line of Elsa's staff in pairs. The four guards at the very front were clad in fascinating armour of dark metal decorated with shards of black glass. The guards behind them decreased in rank by the amount of armour they wore. The guards at the back were merely covered in black clothes with black dyed leather armour over the top. Behind the guards came the serving staff lead by Gerda. Unlike the guards, the serving staff all wore the same black uniform but instead descended in age.
Elsa parted from Anna's side, not looking back while she made her way to stand in front of her guard.
Anna couldn't help but let her eyes drop to Elsa's well defined rear as her hips swayed past Anna's vision. Mind out of the gutter Anna, this isn't the time! Anna fell in next to her serving partner with only two girls standing behind them.
Elsa raised her voice to address her colours, "There is to be no mention of the incident the previous evening. Is that understood?"
"Yes mistress!"
"Be prepared for resistance, but no blood is to be spilled. Is that understood?"
Wait, what?
"Yes mistress!"
"We move as one like-"
"Like the shadow!"
Elsa marched off with her colours following.
Anna did her best to keep in step with those around her but they all appeared to march simultaneously, left foot then right, all together without missing a beat.
"You're tick-tocking," The boy next to her whispered.
"What?"
"Your right arm is supposed to come up when you move you left leg, vice versa."
It took Anna a few paces but she eventually managed to force her arms and legs to fall into the routine, though it took all of Anna's concentration to maintain it, "Thanks!"
"Shhh."
They marched through Elsa's tower for several minutes. They passed many more dimly lit hallways with no one patrolling them. Maybe shadows need not patrol. Perhaps they rely on fear alone. The way Elsa's colours moved through the darkness of the hallways without hesitation was odd. They flowed throughout the tower like one continuous shadow. The same couldn't be said for Anna. Apparently her many years of walking didn't prepare her for the stairs of this castle.
Eventually they reached a small lobby. There were two large doors inlaid with dark glass at the end. Two guards in black stood posted either side of them. Elsa halted before the fascinating doors for a moment before giving a nod, signalling for them to be opened. The pairs of guards and serving staff split either left or right when they walked through the door, respective of which side they were on beforehand. Anna moved through to the right. The guards and serving staff lined themselves against the wall nearest the door with the serving staff standing in front of the guards.
The room Anna stepped into was a dining hall with four doors, including the ones she had stepped through. A pair of dark metal doors stood at the far right that appeared to lead toward the main courtyard. The doors opposite her were decorated with blades of varying types. Hans' guard and serving staff stood either side of the cruel looking doors. The final door on the left dwarfed everything in the room, it was inlaid with golden and black lines that swirled at the ends. The guards on either side of the huge doors were dressed all in black and gold heavy armour, a full helm covering each of their faces. No serving staff stood in front of these guards. In the centre of the room were four long, dark wooden tables, one for each door. The tables were arranged in a large rectangle. The King and Hans were already seated. The only food served so far was the King's.
The King wore a grey shirt and a black doublet decorated with a similar pattern of golden lines and swirls. The King's pale skin contrasted well with black hair. His face was covered by a sharply cut goatee. The crown that sat upon his head was a bizarre sight, constructed from dark glass, pointed and twisting in several directions while wrapping around. The dark glass appeared to move, the shadows within flowing around the crown, never stopping.
"Sweet sister!" Hans raised his arms as to greet Elsa from across the room, "So nice of you to join us!"
Elsa curtsied in the King's direction, "Father."
The King was eating what looked to be chicken on the bone. He didn't look up to greet his daughter, "You're late."
"My apologies, I have no excuse."
"Very well, be seated."
Two serving staff moved forward to pull back Elsa's chair. She sat while a serviette was placed in front of her, "May we begin, father?"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Hans raised a hand, "First, there's business to attend to. You wouldn't happen to know where three of my guard disappeared to last night, would you sweet sister?"
"I'm not aware of any disappearances on public grounds," Elsa's expression remained cool, staring blankly at her brother.
"Funny, because there were several whispers of dark storms seen coming from your tower."
"Like I said, I'm not aware of any disappearances on public grounds. Who could possibly know what goes on in my tower though?"
The brunette glared at her, showing a glint of a tooth, "Perhaps we should ask your friend. Now what's her name?" His head snapped in Anna's direction, "Anna of Ironwood, isn't it?"
Anna froze on the spot, tensing every muscle in her body. Someone told him. He might not notice me, just look forward.
"I can see you, your highness! Sweet sister, are you really so rude as to dress a princess in servant robes?"
The hall went silent as the King stopped eating. He stared directly at Anna, "Elsa, who is this girl?"
"Anna of Ironwood, father!" Hans answered. "Her kingdom is famous for, well, correct me if I'm wrong, rare trees that grow on your grounds?"
How could he possibly know?
"Girl," The King commanded, "Step forward."
Anna stepped forward, trying to keep her legs from trembling.
"When did you die?"
"I-I don't remember, your grace. Elsa took-"
"I didn't ask when you were taken. Are you of royalty, girl?"
"Yes, your grace."
The seat behind the long table by the courtyard door moved back without anyone touching it.
"Sit."
Anna knew not to ask questions. The King's tone was enough to tell Anna that she should do as he asked. Anna sat on the chair, cutlery was already set before her on the table.
"So," Hans resumed his questioning, "Your highness, did you hear of what happened to my guard?"
"No... your highness."
"Word around the castle is that they found a deserter," He opened his mouth then covered it with a hand in mock shock. "Surely, no one would be so stupid to try and escape from here?"
"No, your highness," Fear crawled deeper into Anna's core. She wasn't sure how she was still managing to form words.
"You must be hungry? I know I am," Hans clapped gloved hands and his serving staff began to lay food before him.
Elsa's serving staff didn't move but she soon gave a signal with a raised hand.
The last dish to be served was Anna's. A serving boy in Hans' colours brought the tray with a dome shaped cover over the top, setting it between the knives and forks. The smell from the concealed meal was rancid. The boy lifted the dome cover to reveal the head of the kind man from the cart.
Anna shrieked, falling backwards off the chair.
Elsa rose in an instant, her chair grinding across the stone floor. The temperature dropped by the second while clouds of darkness began to come off the bottom of her dress.
"Come now sweet sister, calm down. Let us not ruin this fine breakfast," Hans gestured toward the man's head on the tray.
Elsa bit her lip, holding back her anger.
"I'm just trying to show your whore what happens to deserters."
Elsa moved her hand back before flicking her wrist, sending a dark glass shard towards Hans.
Hans threw back his chair, spinning while drawing his blade. He struck the shard, shattering it into a thousand pieces, "Poor shot, sweet sister."
"Warning shots aren't supposed to hit."
Both sets of guards put their hands on the hilts of their blades, ready for the other set to make the first move.
"She belongs to me, sweet sister, I did find her after all."
"Don't even try it."
"My, my, quite taken with her, aren't you? Tell me, what will you do when my guards take her in the night?"
Glass shot up from the ground to encase the vile Prince. Hans dove to the side. Elsa threw up more glass pillars to eventually block him against a wall. Hans' guard began charging while Elsa's guard stood in front of her, ready to receive the assault.
The King and his guard hadn't moved since the dual began. The King picked up a serviette and wiped the side of his mouth before slamming his fist into the table, "ENOUGH!"
Black smoke filled the room, when it cleared the scene had been reset. Both side's guards were back against the wall. Anna was back in her chair along with Elsa and Hans, seated at their tables. The glass pillars were gone, along with the man's head and the food.
What the hell just happened?
"Must I treat you both like children?! Can I not rely on my two heirs to sit through a meal without such stupidity?!"
"Father, this whore tried to-"
The King raised black smoke around Hans' throat, "I didn't ask for your input boy!"
The smoke dissipated after a moment. Hans breathed heavily once released.
The King turned his gaze towards Anna, emerald green eyes burning into her own, "You child, Princess or not, belong here now. You belong to The Kingdom of Death, MY kingdom. Do you understand?"
"Yes your grace."
"Be thankful that my daughter showed you such kindness. Know that if you are found trying to leave, you will become dust."
"Elsa," The King's tone softened, "This girl is yours, but any misstep by her will be placed upon you ten fold."
"Yes father, thank you."
The King rose from his chair, throwing open the large doors to his tower with his guard forming behind him.
Hans stood, his hair slightly disheveled, "A human whore all to yourself sweet sister. Mother would be oh so proud." He left through the courtyard entrance, not looking at Anna as he passed.
Gerda approached Elsa, leaning in to hear her words.
Elsa left through her own door, not looking at Anna.
Gerda took Anna by the arm, "The Princess will meet you in her chambers. Leave with the guard."
Anna came to stand behind the guard formed by the black glass door. Her heart hadn't stopped thumping since she was invited to sit. Maybe it would have been easier if I was executed.
Anna noticed someone had been in the chambers since breakfast to clean the room and change the sheets. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, finally attempting to calm her body. Elsa's chambers always comforted her. It's the one place where no one's tried to kill me. Anna began to wonder if all her days in this cursed kingdom would be like this.
Elsa stepped through the balcony doors. "Are you okay?" The concern was clear in her face as she grabbed one of Anna's hands, "No one asked after you, did they?"
Anna was taken back by the sudden contact, "Elsa, I was just served a man's head, don't you think that's a little more pressing than if someone asked me questions?"
"Please, answer the question."
"No one asked anything. I left once the guard did."
Elsa looked relieved, exhaling deeply, "I apologize, I didn't know that my brother would make such a rash move in front of my father."
"You keep apologizing for him, you don't have to. I know it's out of your control. A bit more of a warning would have been nice though."
"How do you mean?"
"'Expect resistance, but no blood is to be spilled.' You didn't mention that last night..."
Elsa's mouth dropped open slightly, "I-I'm sorry, I-I forget you're not used to my brother's nature. I-I should have been-"
Princess Elsa, The Mistress of Darkness, leader of the shadow, was stuttering and flustered. It was the cutest thing Anna had seen since she arrived. Anna brought her other hand up to Elsa's cheek, "Don't worry about it, just be there to save me, okay? Though, I think my heart might give out after the hundredth time."
Elsa raised a hand and placed it against the back of Anna's, the faintest trace of colour rising in her ice white cheeks.
Is she blushing?
Roars and cheers from the balcony interrupted the moment. Anna remembered those cheers. An execution!
Anna ran to the balcony with Elsa trailing behind. Anna knew that the stage could be clearly seen from above. Despite being able to see the entire courtyard, the prisoners on the stage were too small to make out. Elsa passed her a folded up telescope to get a closer look. Two of the prisoners knelt on the stage had full red faces.
"Why are they covered in red?"
"Marking powder."
"Marking powder?"
"Anyone who tries to pass the boundary of The Kingdom must first pass a layer. As soon as you attempt to break it, it wraps around your skin, marking it bright red."
Anna spotted Hans walk up the steps to the stage, moving with his usual mocking gestures, playing to the crowd below. Anna couldn't make out what he was saying, only brief echoes of syllables loud enough to rise above the sound of the wind.
"Does your brother always lead the executions?"
"He does like to embrace the title The Eloquent Executioner."
"I think I prefer The Mistress of Darkness." Anna moved the scope to inspect the other prisoners, two men with grey cheeks and grubby clothes like the others. Anna's heart leapt into her throat when she spotted the last prisoner. "Arendelle's colours! Elsa, there's a guard from Arendelle!"
"Anna..."
"Wait!" She turned the scope to get a better look, his skin tone was like hers. The joy that beat in her heart dropped when she recognized who the guard was. Blonde hair, slightly muscular body, a soft hat covering his head, "Kristoff! It's Kristoff!"
"Anna, I know what you're going to say but-"
"Elsa, you have to save him!"
"I can't."
The sinking feeling grew larger, "O-Of course, you can! I've watched you do it several times."
"It's not that simple, my brother-"
"No," the drop in her stomach was replaced by white hot anger, rising to every point of her body, "You're not doing this to me! You're not leaving me alone here!"
Anna sprinted from the chamber, descending the stairs as fast as her feet would carry her. She threw open the first door at the bottom of the staircase, now remembering it was the one she had been originally brought through. She ran faster down the steps. The few windows on the way down allowed for her to overhear Hans from the courtyard.
"Tell me, sir! Which kingdom are you from?"
No. No, no, no.
She jumped the last four steps, bursting through the door, looking for the courtyard entrance. Through the open gates, she could see Kristoff knelt with Hans pressing the blade against his throat.
"And would you like to take your vow now, sir?"
Elsa appeared behind her, dragging her out of sight, "Anna, we have to go, now."
"No. The courtyard is right there. March onto the stage, disperse the crowd, fend off your brother. Hell, shower them in glass! Just please save him!" Warm tears were beginning to freely flow down her cheeks.
"Anna, this isn't the time or the place. Please come with me."
"Do it for me!"
Elsa froze, her eyes unreadable, "A-Anna..."
There were only a few last words that could be heard from the courtyard, Kristoff's words, "...I pledge my soul for the blade, and The Kingdom of Death." The blade began to run across his throat.
"No-!"
Elsa's cape came around Anna's head. Her vision went dark, all sound removed apart from the howling of wind. The sudden drop in temperature made her feel as though her entire body had frozen. When the cape dropped, they were back on the balcony looking at the courtyard from above. For a moment Anna wanted to believe that they had stepped back in time. But when she saw Kristoff's body begin to spurt ruby red blood she dropped to the floor, "He's dead."
Elsa looked at her helplessly, "I'm sorry."
Fury ran through Anna's veins. She erupted with anger, "Sorry?! You think 'sorry' makes this better?! You could have saved him. You had countless ways to save him. But you just stood there!"
"There was nothing I could do. He would have lead you to be killed."
"I don't care! You save me to only torture me further! To play with me like a toy between you and your family. I'm sick of you and your kingdom!"
Anna stormed from the room, slamming the chamber door behind her.
Anna stayed within the Princess' tower, finding an empty room with a candle lit. Her tears fell in streams. She sat in the corner with her head resting on her knees, unable to control the sobs. I shouldn't have talked to her like that, she didn't deserve it. The tears were somewhat due to the guilt from her outburst, but mainly to mourn her best friend, the head of her guard. Kristoff's gone too now.
Seeing Arendelle's colours had been like a gift from above. Finally there had been a piece of familiarity in this strange kingdom. But, like it always had, The Kingdom took that away too. Anna felt more alone now than she had her entire life.
The door to the room opened. Anna didn't raise her head. She didn't care anymore.
The person sat next to her against the wall, "Tough day, huh?"
"Something like that."
"I saw what happened. I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"You knew him then?"
"I don't know what you mean."
The boy laughed loudly, "The Mistress taught you well."
Anna raised her head to finally look at her visitor. It was the boy she was placed with before breakfast. "Clearly not. One of her 'shadows' wouldn't have disobeyed or screamed at her."
"We've all been there, you know? Everyone who manages to survive here always bursts at the start."
"That doesn't make it any better. She's done nothing but help me, and I keep being horrible to her."
"She understands. She's always on the look out for us!"
Anna regarded the boy curiously, "Who are you?"
"I'm Olaf!"
"Olaf... do you mind if you tell me how you died?" Anna wasn't sure why she asked, but she hadn't had the opportunity to speak to the dead since the kind man on the cart. By the boy's momentary hesitation, Anna guessed that it wasn't common place to ask such questions amongst the staff.
"I don't remember completely. I was outside in a blizzard. I got cut off from my family, so I decided to find shelter in a cave. There was something chasing me. After that I remember falling, then being in sand."
"Sand?"
"Yeah! I don't know what sand was doing in a cave in winter, but there it was. Thing was, it wasn't cold either, it was red hot."
"So then you woke up here?"
"I woke up just inside the city's main gate."
"Wait, there's a city?"
"Of course! Have you not been outside of the castle?"
"No..." There is so little I know about this place.
"It doesn't matter how I came here. What matters is that you understand something about the Mistress," Olaf pulled a dagger from his belt and pierced his cheek with the tip of the blade, revealing a spot of red blood, "There's much more to her than you know."
"You're-!"
The boy placed a hand over her mouth, but gave her a friendly wink, "The walls have ears around here."
Anna stood, her guilt far surpassed it's limits. She had horribly misjudged the Princess, "I-I have to go. Thanks."
Anna ascended the staircase to Elsa's chambers. She stood outside the door before knocking three times.
"Enter," Elsa's voice was much quieter than usual.
The overcast sky had turned to night in the time Anna was away. Was I gone for that long? Elsa was seated at her desk staring at the painting of the frozen lake. When she saw Anna enter she rose immediately, "A-Anna, I need to apologize-"
"Please, just tell me why you couldn't save him."
Elsa's eyes filled with sadness, "Your friend from Arendelle, Kirstoff? He would have put you in much danger. Anna, there is a difference between my brother's colours and my own. My people's pledge towards me is one which is spoken, there is no pact to take to join my service. My brother demands their blood. To utter their pledge as their life is taken."
"T-That's horrible. Why does he force them to do it?"
"There is no forcing. There is a reason for his title, The Eloquent Executioner. He doesn't kill them until he breaks their will. He makes them believe that what they held dear is gone. What they left behind will not return. That their life is no longer worth living. He twists and pulls every string in your mind until you beg to be taken into his service, to be undying while serving 'the heir to The Kingdom.' He forgets to mention that he's not first in line."
A chilling feeling moved throughout Anna's body when she recalled Kristoff's last words, "He... he took the pledge." Anna went numb, stepping backwards until she sat upon Elsa's bed, "He's part of Hans' colours now, isn't he?" The grimace upon Elsa's face only confirmed Anna's worst fear. The tears came back unbidden.
Elsa slowly approached Anna, sitting softly beside her while placing a gentle hand upon her arm, "Anna, Hans would only have used Kristoff against you, to pull you under into his grasp. Just because he thinks you're dead doesn't mean that he won't try anything to gain control of you."
Anna leaned over to embrace the blonde, resting her head in the curve of Elsa's neck. The scent of lavender grew stronger. Elsa's warmth comforted her but didn't stop the tears from falling, "Will I have to see him again?"
"I don't know," Elsa wrapped her arm around Anna's body. She used her other hand to gently wipe away Anna's tears.
The gestures soothed Anna. Despite all that had gone on today, being in Elsa's arms calmed every nerve in her body. She breathed in Elsa's scent deeply, "I'm sorry for the way I've acted."
Elsa's thumb began rubbing soft circles on Anna's cheek, "You're no trouble. I don't want to see you upset. You deserve happiness, something that there isn't a lot of in this kingdom."
Anna nestled herself against the comfort of Elsa, fire rising to her cheeks, "I'm happy with you."
"There is no happiness in darkness."
Anna looked up to stare into crystalline blue eyes, "Don't be so sure."
The Bird and the Cage: The shadow, the blade, and the smoke. All elements that tip the balance of The Kingdom. The cage can be a bearable place with someone to watch over you. But a protector doesn't ensure your protection from the outside, or within. Yes, the three elements rock the cage, but what happens to the bird inside?
I got a positive response after the first chapter with many kind comments from you all. The feedback has been very helpful. I've taken all your reviews and messages into close consideration and adapted accordingly. On that note, I would like to give Rustythedragon a huge thank you. This kind individual has helped me massively in terms of grammar, writing style and sanity. The reason this chapter is at all cohesive or legible is due to her fantastic advice. Go check out her stuff!
As always, constructive criticism is welcomed. Follow my profile or Tumblr(umbra-sedent-mortis) for updates. Stay strong keep, keep an eye out and thank you for reading.
Umbra Mortis
