The Threat

"Elsa!" Anna cried again.

Finally, the Queen of Arendelle blinked and her senses returned to her like a flash of lightening.

"Wha…" she said, dazed.

"Elsa, are you okay?" Anna asked, concerned.

"I…I think so." was all Elsa could reply.

With her sister helping to support her, Elsa shakily stood up and leaned against the wall.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Anna asked.

"Don't worry about me," Elsa calmly replied, "we have to help this man. The power that had frozen his heart may have been removed, but he's still weak. Kristoff, you and Anna get him to a place to rest. Make sure he's by a fire and keep him warm."

"Yes, your Majesty." The young man nodded.

With Anna's help, Kristoff carried the unconscious stranger into the parlor and put him on the sofa. Anna immediately went over to the dresser and pulled out a few spare blankets as Kristoff threw logs into the fireplace and lit them with a match.

"What do you think happened?" Anna asked her boyfriend as she wrapped the blankets around the frozen traveler.

"I don't know." Kristoff shook his head. "Grandpabbie said this man's heart was frozen by a great power. And judging by Elsa's reaction, I'm guessing it was something pretty powerful."

"You don't think there's someone else out there with powers like Elsa?" Anna suggested, sounding fearful, "Only…evil?"

Sensing her rising fear, Kristoff walked over and gently took Anna's hand.

"Don't worry, Anna." He said reassuringly. "It'll be okay. I'm sure it will."

Anna clasped Kristoff's hand tightly and forced a weak smile.

"I just hope you're right." she replied in a soft voice.

Suddenly, there was light ruffling sound and a groaning voice. The couple looked over and saw the bundle of blankets starting to squirm.

Anna rushed over and put her hand on the stranger's forehead. He was starting to warm up, but very slowly. His face twisted and strained as he struggled to wake up. His lips moved and he moaned. He was obviously trying to say something.

"It's okay." Anna said. "You're safe, sir."

At the same time, the doors to the parlor opened and Elsa along with a serving lady entered. The woman behind the Queen carried a large mug filled almost to the brim with a sweet, hot drink in her hands.

"Elsa," Anna said, "he's waking up."

"That's a good sign." Elsa hastily walked over.

The man then spoke in a weak voice.

"Who…Who's there?"

"It's alright," Anna gently replied, "we're friends. We want to help you."

"Arendelle…" the man mumbled, straining to open his eyes, "must get...to Arendelle."

Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff briefly exchanged puzzled glances.

"You are in Arendelle." Elsa replied.

Slowly, the man's eyes eventually opened to reveal forest green irises. Although his vision was foggy, he still glanced around the room, trying to get an idea of his surroundings.

"Where…Where am I?"

"Don't worry," Anna said, helping the man try and sit up, "You're at the castle."

The man's eyes widened slightly and he seemed to give a weak smile.

"The Queen!" he exclaimed. "I need to speak…with Queen Elsa!"

Elsa blinked in surprise. Why did this man want to speak with her?

"I am Queen Elsa." She stepped forward.

The stranger looked up at the woman. He shivered for a moment and wrapped tightened the blankets around him.

"Q-Queen Elsa," he shuddered from the cold, "are you the one that possesses the powers of snow and ice?"

Elsa hesitated for a moment. Why did he want to know that?

"Yes," she finally replied, "why do you ask? And who are you?"

The man trembled again and his teeth chattered. Elsa stepped aside as the serving lady walked over and offer him the cup.

"Here," she said, "it's hot and sweet and it'll do you good."

"T-Thank you."

The stranger immediately took the cup and began to take several sips. Slowly, the color began to return to his face and his shivering fits began to become less frequent. After a few sips, he licked his lips to clean them of extra liquid and turned back to the Queen.

"Forgive me, your Majesty" he bowed his head, "my name is Martin. I come from Northern Seas."

"Northern Seas?" Kristoff raised and eyebrow. "That's miles from here."

"I know." Martin replied. "But I had to come to Arendelle. I had to find Queen Elsa."

"Why?" Elsa asked. "What do you from me?"

"You're Majesty," the man replied, "there is a terrible curse sweeping throughout the lands."

"A curse?"

"It comes from someone who calls herself…the Snow Queen."

Elsa lightly caught her breath. The Snow Queen? That must have been the person she saw in that vision. She shuddered as she remember that cold face staring angrily back at her and feeling that icy sensation surge through her veins.

Anna looked up with worry in her face and Kristoff glance back and forth between the Queen and Martin.

"She is covering the lands in eternal frost." Martin continued. "She has already taken more than a few people's lives and her power keeps spreading."

"What?!" Elsa gasped.

"That's why I came here," the man said, "I heard that you also have power over snow and ice. And as I understand, you have the power to thaw it."

Everyone in the room looked at Elsa with both surprised and fearful expressions. The Queen took a deep breath and regained her composure.

"This is true." she replied. "But…what does that have to do with the Snow Queen?"

"Please," Martin pleaded, "you have to help! Her power is spreading everywhere! You can use your powers to stop her! I tried to reach you, but the Snow Queen attempted to silence me! I'm just glad I was able to find you! Please help us!"

Elsa stepped back and looked down at her hands with a slightly fearful expression.

"Wait," Kristoff suddenly spoke up, "you can't just come here and tell our Queen to risk her life like this! She has a responsibility to Arendelle!"

"I know I'm imposing," Martin acknowledged, "but she is probably the only one who can do something about it! And if nothing is done, Arendelle will also be cursed! The Snow Queen's power is on its way here!"

Everyone looked at each other with great concern. Elsa closed her eyes and lowered her head. If what this man was saying was true, and if she was the only one with the power to do anything, and if Arendelle was in jeopardy, then she didn't really have much of a choice now. Last time she neglected her duty as Queen, she put her kingdom at risk.

But that was when she was trapped. Now she was free now, free to save Arendelle.

"Very well," she said, "I will go and face this Snow Queen."

Anna, Kristoff, and the serving lady all looked at Elsa with surprise. However, the Queen's face showed no fear. She looked full of conviction.

"Elsa," Anna got up and walked over to her sister, "you can't leave. You're the Queen. Who's going to look after Arendelle if you're away?"

"You will, Anna." Elsa put a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder. "And don't worry, the counselors can help you handle the everyday matters. And Kristoff can help keep an eye on the kingdom from the outside. You will help her, won't you Kristoff?"

"Of course, Elsa." Kristoff replied. "But why do you want to go in the first place? What if this is a trap?"

"It's not a trap, I promise!" Martin replied. "The Northern Seas have already been struck and the frost keeps spreading!"

"I appreciate your concern, Kristoff," Elsa said, "but I can't ignore this situation. If it's in my power to help, then I will do what I can."

The Queen walked toward the fire and gazed at it for a moment.

"And I…"

She then looked back at her sister and her boyfriend.

"I need to understand this situation completely. I can't help but think there's something else under the surface. I know from experience that things are not always what they seem to be. I need to know if the Snow Queen is truly evil or not. And I'm afraid the way I'll find out is if I go myself."

Deep within the icy walls of the snow palace, the Snow Queen glided up the staircase, past the frozen statues of her victims. The doors at the top opened with a booming creak and she entered it. She then floated over to a sheet of ice as smooth as glass, reflecting her image. The reflection, however, didn't imitate her movements. It moved with a will of it's own.

"Your power is increasing, my Queen," it said, "People's hearts are beginning to wane. Soon, eternal frost will cover all the lands. And yet…"

The Snow Queen sharply turned to the mirror, creating a small crack in it. However, instead of shattering it completely, she calmly regained her composure and the cracked disappeared.

"I'm listening," she said.

"There are four who have the power to end it." The mirror said. "Two who are the son and daughter of children of Master Vagaurd, one who desperately seeks for redemption, and one who also wields the power over snow and ice."

The Snow Queen became suspicious when her reflection informed her of the last person. Was that the one who interfered with her power to freeze the messenger she had tracked down? She only saw her face for a moment, but who was she?"

"Who is this one who wields the power of snow?"

"Her name is Elsa, Queen of Arendelle."

"Elsa, you say?" the Snow Queen pondered. "Very well, we already have a little troll looking for Master Vagaurd's children, so I think I will pay a visit to these other two. Tell me, who and where is the one who seeks redemption? What was the crime he or she tried to commit?"

"His name is…"