The Storm Rages On

Chapter Three

Discoveries

"So, let me make sure I understand," Alúvelin said, looking at Arberish intently. "You're saying that there are those who actually think the Tritastónende can be found again? That they're actively searching for them?"

Arberish nodded. "I didn't want to believe it myself. I had hoped it was nothing more than speculation on the part of some of the simpler minds in the villages I've visited. However, everywhere I've gone, the rumors have continued to spread." He looked at Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. "And where rumors fly, there usually remains a small kernel of truth. I am not sure what has caused this particular group to act now, but everything I have learned indicates they are ruthless, seeking nothing more than total control of the Sacred Jewels."

Elsa turned to Alúvelin. "You realize what this means, don't you?" she said softly. "The myths . . . The legends . . . They all speak of the mountains as one of the possible resting places of the Tritastónende."

Alúvelin shook her head. "This can't be happening. We do not have the men, the strength to repulse a full blown assault by those in search of legendary treasure we do not even possess."

Anna looked at Arberish, confusion written upon her face. "Sorry to be the person to ask, but can you run this by me again? I never even heard of these jewels until five minutes ago. Why are they so important? What could these people possibly want with them?"

Arberish sighed. "Your Highness, I do not blame you for not knowing the stories. The Sacred Jewels have long since been forgotten by most in this world. The few who do remember their name have dismissed their existence as the product of ancient mythology, nothing more."

Anna stared at Elsa, Alúvelin, and Arberish. "But you don't dismiss them. You think they actually exist."

Elsa spoke next. "We don't think, Anna. We know they exist."

Now Kristoff joined in Anna's confusion. "I don't understand," he said. "How can you possibly be so convinced they are real? That they're still hidden somewhere in this world? That the Maíreth—assuming they even exist—didn't reclaim them centuries ago?"

Elsa placed her left hand on the table. The hand upon which she wore her two rings. "You're looking at a piece of one of them right now."

Anna's eyes widened. "You mean . . . The Eden-stone? It . . . It's one of the Sacred Jewels?"

Elsa nodded. "A fragment of one of them, at least. None in Arendelle realize it, of course. They think this ring is merely an heirloom of the royal family. I thought the same myself, until I began studying the ancient scrolls once more. It troubled me that the first mention of the Eden-stone in Arendelle's historical texts came from approximately the same time the Tritastónende were said to have disappeared from this world." She looked at the ring, its ever-present glow illuminating the room with its reassuring light. "It appears now that my suspicions were correct."

"But what does it mean?" Kristoff asked. "So there's a group of treasure hunters searching for ancient jewels. How does that concern us? What's the harm? They're just jewels, after all. Aren't they?" The silence that descended upon the room answered his question for him. "Oh, no. What's so special about them?"

"The Tritastónende," Arberish said, "were given to man by the Father of All That Is. These are no mere trinkets. Each of the Sacred Jewels possesses a unique ability that, when properly employed, can be used for the betterment of all civilization. However, if used recklessly, the results would be catastrophic."

"Valdránavish," Alúvelin said, as if recalling the name of a long-forgotten companion. "That is the name of the stone the brann wielders bore centuries ago. It has the power to control the earth itself, to form it into the image its master desires." She waved her hand. "This very fortress was created using its power. The ancient legend tells of the most powerful of our racing shaping the molten lava from a volcanic eruption into this fortress, sparing the lives of our people in the process. However, he would never have been able to accomplish this without the power Valdránavish supplied."

Elsa nodded. "According to the ancient scrolls, each of the three Jewels was coveted by men from every land. Wars were fought. Terrible, costly, bloody wars. Many men lost their lives needlessly in vain attempts by our fathers to claim mastery over all three of the Tritastónende. Then, one day, according to the scrolls, the Jewels simply disappeared. Men searched frantically for them, but they never could find them. Over time, most came to believe the tales were only stories, that the stones never even existed."

"But now, obviously, some are convinced they do exist," Anna said, understanding. "And they'll stop at nothing to find them, will they?"

"I'm afraid not, Highness," Arberish said. "I fear they will do whatever they believe is necessary to secure their prize. Even if it means slaughtering innocent lives in the process."

"So," Kristoff said. "I guess the only question left is: What do we do? How can we stop them?"

Elsa and Alúvelin looked to each other. "The only thing we can do," Elsa replied. "We have to find the Tritastónende before they do."

"Of course," Anna muttered. "We couldn't just take a simple vacation. We had to get dragged into another conflict." She sighed. "All right. I say we find these Jewels. But only if doing so will finally bring peace to this world." Her hand brushed her abdomen. "I do not want my child to grow up in a land dominated by cruelty and hatred. If we can stop this, we must. We have no choice."

Arberish shook his head. "Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that. Even if we were to attempt to find the Jewels, we have no information on where they could be. We are up against men who have spent years scouring the Continent and beyond for information on all possible resting places of the Tritastónende. We simply do not have the time to spend catching up with them."

"There is one possibility," Alúvelin said. "The ancient archives. If we look in at the brann wielders' ancient texts, we may be able to discover clues to the Jewels' location."

"You're forgetting one crucial fact," Arberish said. "None who live know how to read the ancient language of the scrolls. That skill left this world when your grandmother refused to let you learn the language as had all your predecessors before you."

"But Elsa has the gift of tongues!" Anna said. "Maybe she can read it!"

"I suppose it's worth a try," Arberish said. "Here." He reached into his robes, removing a small scroll. "I carry this with me as a reminder of who our people are." He unrolled it, revealing the ancient runes and symbols of the brann wielders' first written language. "See if you can make sense of this."

Elsa looked at the scroll, studying it, analyzing every detail, every stroke of the ancient pen. Her brow creased as she worked to unlock its meaning. "I . . . I don't know. All I'm getting is fragments. A word here, a syllable there . . ." She let the scroll fall from her hand to the table. "I can't," she whispered, dejected. "This writing is so far removed from any frame of reference I possess. Even with the gift of tongues, I cannot decipher it. I . . . I'm sorry."

Alúvelin took Elsa's hand. "Do not apologize. You have done more than enough for us already." She looked at Arberish. "We will have to evacuate the mountains immediately. I will not stay here waiting for these madmen to arrive and indiscriminately slaughter our people."

"No!" Anna cried. "There must be another way! You can't, Alúvelin! This is your home! You can't just leave!"

Alúvelin's face betrayed her devastation, her heartbreak. "What choice do we have, sister? As much as these mountains mean to my people, our lives are more important than any dwelling, any homeland. I will not risk innocent lives in the foolish hope of defending our lands from an enemy who seeks only power at all cost."

Elsa spoke, her voice full of sorrow. "Arendelle will gladly welcome the brann wielders as we search for a new land to call your own. We will provide shelter, safety for your people. I swear it, Alúvelin."

Arberish nodded grimly. "It is settled, then. I will handle the . . . unfortunate task of helping our people prepare to evacuate. We leave at the end of the week."

"Thank you, Arberish," Alúvelin said. "I will handle the political consequences of this decision."

With a heavy heart, Arberish rose, leaving the dining room.

Anna stared at Alúvelin. "Is this your final decision?"

"It is," the Empress said. "As much as I wish it did not have to be so." She looked at Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff, her eyes full of sorrow. "I am . . . I am sorry. This was supposed to be a happy time for all of us. I fear, however, that the shadow of terror reins its ugly head once more."

A knock at the door startled the group from their melancholy. "Your Majesty!"

It was one of the construction workers. His face was pale, his breathing heavy. "Yes? What is it?" Alúvelin asked.

The man moved toward her. "Majesty, your presence is required in the cellar. We have found something . . . interesting. You need to look at this."

"I'm sorry," Alúvelin said. "But we are currently dealing with a pressing issue. Can it wait?"

"I . . . I'm afraid not," the worker said. "Please, Majesty. Come with me. Now."


Alúvelin, Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff stared in astonishment at the sight. Elsa held Alúvelin's hand. "Have you ever seen anything like this before?"

The Empress shook her head. "No," she whispered. "I've heard stories, but I've never . . . I mean, this . . . This is supposed to be forbidden!"

Before the group was a large red crystal, dimly glowing with a pulsating light that intensified then faded periodically. Within the crystal lay the body of a young woman, several years younger than Alúvelin and Elsa, unmoving, perfectly still.

"Who is she?" Anna asked. "Do we have any idea?"

"I do not know," Alúvelin said. Her hands began to shake, rage threatening to overtake her. She turned to Elsa. "Do you realize what an abomination this is? What has happened to this poor woman?"

"No," Elsa replied, genuinely confused. "What . . . What is this?"

Alúvelin clenched her fists. "This is an ancient magic that was used as a last resort by our fathers when their comrades-in-arms were injured in battle beyond their ability to heal. It slows the functions of the body to the bare minimum required to sustain life, trapping the person's soul between the realm of the living and the resting halls of the dead." She shook her head. "Under the best of circumstances, the body is able to recover over time from even the most serious of injuries, allowing them to return to life once the magic is broken."

Anna was afraid to ask the question, but she knew she must. "And . . . under the worst circumstances?"

Alúvelin turned to her, her face contorted in anger. "The soul is trapped in an unending nightmare, neither alive nor dead. When the magic is released, the person either dies instantly because the soul finally crosses into the afterlife, or . . ." She fought to control the tears that involuntarily welled up in her eyes. "Or the soul is so traumatized, so tormented that the person descends into madness upon coming back to life. That is the reason this power was outlawed centuries ago. The risks are too great, the chance of success too little. Better for the injured person to die with honor, for their soul to depart this life in peace, than to suffer this torment."

Kristoff looked at the entrapped woman, studying her. "Her clothing doesn't look that unfamiliar. She couldn't have been here for centuries." He looked up. "This magic was used fairly recently. Even though . . . Even though it was forbidden."

Elsa gently placed her hand on Alúvelin's shoulder, trying desperately to calm her, to soothe her. "There must have been a very good reason for breaking this law. She must have been very important to somebody for them to risk this."

"They had no right," Alúvelin whispered. "If it was this woman's time to join our fathers, she should have been free to do so peacefully. Not imprisoned like this." She gestured to the woman's face. "Look at her! She is suffering!"

Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff looked through the red hue of the crystal, noticing for the first time that the woman's face was frozen in a look of indescribable agony.

"Can . . . Can you break this magic?" Anna asked. "Can you set her free?"

Alúvelin shook her head. "No. I do not have the strength to do this on my own."

"Let me help," Elsa said. "Please. Let us work together. Let us release this poor girl from her torment. She has suffered long enough."

The Empress looked at Elsa in disbelief. "You . . . You would do this for her?"

"She is one of your people," Elsa said. "She needs our help. How can I deny her?"

Anna took Elsa's hand. "Elsa, I don't like this. Are you sure you can . . . I mean, what if . . .?"

Elsa smiled at Anna. "It will be all right, Anna. Alúvelin will follow the required ritual. All I will do is provide her with the strength she needs to complete the task."

The Empress looked at the young woman once more. "I hope for her sake her soul crosses peacefully into the life beyond. I do not wish to see her mind and body tormented further."

"Her fate will be determined by her own will," Elsa said. "All we can do is provide her with freedom."

Alúvelin turned to Elsa. "Take my hand. I memorized the ritual long ago; it was part of my training to become Empress. Grandmother insisted that I learn this. Now, I know why. She knew it was possible someone had violated our laws. She wanted me to be . . . ready."

Elsa grasped her sister's hand. "I'm with you."

The two closed their eyes, allowing the flame and ice within them to merge into one, their strengths entwined together.

Alúvelin began to chant: "Sett henne fri. Returnere henne til denne verden. Gi hennes liv igjen. Sett henne fri. Returnere henne til denne verden. Gi hennes liv igjen."

Anna and Kristoff gasped as fractures began to appear in the hardened crystal.

The Empress's voice grew louder, flame and snow swirling about the two monarchs as the intensity of the efforts increased. "Sett henne fri! Returnere henne tild enne verden! Gi hennes liv igjen!"

Light began to stream forth from the center of the crystal: pure, radiant, white light, contrasting with the red hue that slowly began to fade away. The cracks in the structure became more prominent.

Alúvelin was shouting now. "Sett henne fri! Returnere henne til denne verden! Gi hennes liv igjen!"

Anna and Kristoff held each other tightly, no longer able to see anything between the light pouring forth from the crystal and the snow and fire that flew about the room. "Elsa! ELSA!" Anna cried.

With a loud cry, Elsa and Alúvelin raised their arms as one. Ice and flame combined into a single stream of energy, pouring over the crystal. The light became blinding in its intensity. The entire room glowed white as a loud explosion could be heard. Crystal fragments flew about the room at incredible velocities. Instinctively, Kristoff threw Anna to the ground, careful to cushion the life within her abdomen, covering her body with his own.

The room glowed like the sun for several interminable moments longer, at long last returning to its prior state.

Elsa and Alúvelin opened their eyes to find the crystal completely shattered.

"We did it," Elsa whispered. "She . . . She is free."

Alúvelin nodded. "But to what end, I wonder."

The sisters carefully approached the young woman's body, searching for signs of life. Elsa took one of her hands, searching for a pulse. She looked at Alúvelin, shaking her head sadly.

Alúvelin exhaled. "At least now, she is at rest." She closed her eyes, holding the woman's other hand. "Kan du sove i fred, sikre i hallene våre fedres, for alltid."

Suddenly, the young woman's eyes shot open, frantically looking about. She gasped as she struggled to fill her lungs with air, it had been so long since she had used them.

"It's all right!" Elsa said, helping her to sit up. "It's all right! Just relax. Please. Deep, slow breaths. Do you understand me?"

The woman looked at her, gasping, her eyes wide with panic.

"It's all right," Elsa said. "You're safe now. Slow breaths. Slow breaths. Do you understand me?"

The woman nodded, her breathing slowing to a reasonable pace. She looked about, worried, unsure. Finally, she opened her mouth. "Where . . ." she said, her voice raspy, scratchy from lack of use. "Where am I?"


AN: I am having a blast putting this together. More to come!

Translations of the dialogue follow below:

Sett henne fri! Returnere henne til denne verden! Gi hennes liv igjen! – Set her free! Return her to this world! Give her life once more!

Kan du sove i fred, sikre i hallene våre fedres, for alltid. – May you now sleep in peace, secure in the halls of our fathers, forever.