Ch-03
The great blockade of ice was doing its job quite well. While not as elegant or marvelous to look at as a crystal palace, it was still a mighty thing to behold. There were no intricate designs or geometric shapes to reflect light or capture colour. It was simply a large, thick, cold wall created to serve a singular purpose.
Steam rose in a thick mist as the morning sun warmed the ice. It did not seem to bother the soldiers who now patrolled the long expanse. Those that first braved the climb had soon carved and shaven the top into a wall-walk. A few merlons here and there with crossbows standing by just in case. It was now a fortified position where soldiers could look down onto the enemy trapped below.
Elsa was probably unaware just how much power she had put into this, as a the inlet behind the wall was now frozen solid for a good few miles. Anna, who had braved the rickety ladders and frosty footholds now paced up and down the carved length of the wall in her sister's place. Watching the open ice as the invaders no doubt were quickly making changes to their plans.
The ships that had crashed or toppled from Elsa's assault had left a large group of the foreign men somewhat stuck out on the ice. Some of the ships beyond the blockage had come ashore to join them, building great fire-pits and salvaging their catapults and trebuchet, a row of them poised and aimed to bring down the ice wall in one fell swoop.
They were growing organized, and Anna was growing nervous.
"Elsa... where are you?"
One of the invaders approached the wall from below. Too far away to make out any fine details except that he was lightly armored, a thick fur cloak to keep him warm. He stopped just out of crossbow range, pointing up at Anna, easily spotting her colours against the dark uniforms of Arendelle's men. No one could make out what the burly man was saying over the wind, but from the eccentric hand gestures and wild thrusts of his pelvis... it was obviously something rude.
One of the younger soldiers took up beside her, a longbow in hand instead of the standard crossbow. "The wind is at my back ma'am, I've hit smaller targets from further away." He notched an arrow and drew his arm back. "I can shut him up for you if you'd like."
Green eyes widened when Anna realized the young man was serious. "No! Oh geeze, no that's what he wants." She placed her hand gently on his arm coaxing him to lower the bow. "The last thing we need is to give them a reason to attack."
The bandit down below continued in his wild act. He went so far as to point up at the two of them, splaying his fingers into a V and waggling his tongue between them.
"No matter how tempting." She grumbled under her breath, all the while contemplating taking the shot herself.
"Anna!" She turned when she heard her name. Kristoff was making his way over the wall, the big man having a bit of trouble with the rope ladder. She quickly ran over and with the help of the young soldier with her, hauled him up.
Kristoff's face was red and panic stricken despite the chilling air, sweat dripped down his hair. "Anna! Sven!" He tried to say between breaths. There was no reindeer or horse to be seen, he must have ran the entire way.
"What about Sven?" Anna urged him on. Her sister was supposed to be with the reindeer, where was she?
"He came back spooked so bad I could barely calm him down." He caught his breath and straightened. "I've never seen him like this. Anna... he came back alone, Elsa wasn't with him!"
"What!" Anna had grabbed him by the shoulders, trying to make sense of what he was saying. "W-what do you mean she wasn't with him!?" This was not good, an attack was imminent and the queen was missing. She knew it was a bad idea to let Elsa head off on her own like that."I should have gone with her... W-we have to find her! We need her, we need her here, we need to organize and go find her right now!"
"Calm yourself!" Someone shouted from behind.
Everyone within earshot flinched, the voice so loud it echoed through the air. Anna turned, not expecting to see her sister gliding towards her from the northern side of the blockage, a cloud of frost trailing behind. The voice just now sounded nothing like Elsa.
"I am here." The queen said as she skated smoothly to Anna's side. She must have used the hills and rocky cliffs to bypass the fjord. It did not matter, not to Anna anyway. The young princess exhaled with relief. Elsa was here now, and she seemed no worse for wear.
"Where were you? Kristoff said Sven returned without you, I was so worried I thought something terrible had happened." Anna said, her smile fading when she received no reply. She took a step closer, not liking the way Elsa seemed to be looking right through her. "Hey, nothing did happen right?"
Kristoff straightened his broad shoulders and stepped forward, determined to question Elsa, queen or not, as to why Sven was in the state he was now. Whatever courage he had to berate a queen quickly deflated when she turned to face him. He took a step back instead. Kristoff did not know why, but something about those sapphire eyes chilled him to the bone. He would hold his tongue for now.
"Anna," Elsa finally spoke as she carefully approached the wall's edge, those sharp blue eyes now scanning the horizon of white. "Thank you for watching over things, but... I will take it from here."
"Elsa?" Something about her sister was off; it set Anna's nerves on edge.
Elsa said nothing more as her gaze focused to the open ice. She caught sight of the single bandit down below still in the throes of his obnoxious dance. Her glare narrowed dangerously when she realized who he was dancing for.
A pale hand pulled back her royal violet cloak. Anna could not help but gasp at the sight of the intricate sword hilt that was revealed, along with the scabbard attached to Elsa's waist with a thick leather belt. The queen of snow slowly drew the sword, the metal singing as it was pulled free into the cold air. The weapon was beautiful, its points and curves caught the light in just the right way. A horned face stared back, the deep set eye sockets reflecting a faint blue.
It was a large sword as well, a bastard sword if Anna knew anything of it. From the thickness of the blade it looked like it would be quite heavy, yet Elsa showed no difficulty in wielding it with one hand. Anna had never seen her sister hold any weapon before, let alone try any kind of sword fighting.
"Whoa." Kristoff said what everyone was thinking. The weapon looked quite intimidating to say the least.
"Elsa, where did you get that?" Anna was just as enthralled as she tried to make sense of the engravings running down the blade. She had never seen anything like it.
Sword in hand, Elsa stood in the sunlight, eyes closed and unmoving save for a single deep breath. She released it, her natural cold mingling with the warmer morning air with a puff of frost. "Forgive me, Anna." With a single smooth movement, she let herself fall over the edge.
"No Elsa! Not again you promised!" Anna cried, and just like before all she could do was watch as her sister threw herself into danger, unable to do anything from this height. Kristoff's strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back when she got a little too close to the walls edge for his liking.
"Whoa there feisty-pants! I don't think she wants you following." He held tight as Anna fought against him. "Your sister is crazier than you! Can't anyone get down there with her?"
No one did, no one could. The wall was designed to keep people out, the soldiers had only placed ladders on one side and there was no way down the other. Once again Arendelle's soldiers had become spectators, and while it was not by choice, it was clear there would be no help for their queen this time.
Elsa ignored her sister's cries as she summoned a blizzard to slow her fall, landing on the ice with little to no impact. She collected herself; her grip tight on her sword, a dangerous scowl aimed forward, and began her march towards the enemy.
The dancing man from before had watched her descent, clapping at her performance when she landed without injury. Oddly enough, seeing a young woman jump to what should have been certain death did not seem to faze him. Instead he began waving his hands and urging her towards him with words of horrid acts and other obscenities.
She did not react, denying him the satisfaction. Her expression completely placid Elsa simply waved her left hand, a line of cold darted from her fingertips and snaked out towards him. The man laughed at the pretty display that coiled around his feet, unaware of what was happening. His laugh quickly turned to despair as the streak of cold spiraled around him faster until he could no longer even move. A panicked screech escaped his throat before he was silenced forever. A man-shaped statue now stood unmoving, frozen solid.
Elsa did not acknowledge the frozen man as she walked past. The tip of her sword brushed his leg, enough to throw the sculpture off balance. It hit the hard ground and shattered into a pile of red stained pieces.
'Did she just...' Someone said up on the wall, followed by more enthusiastic whispers of 'he deserved it' and 'get them all' began to spread among the soldiers. Anna was silent, in shock at what her sister had just done. Elsa had just killed someone. Elsa had just used her powers to kill someone and walked past as if it was nothing. It happened so fast, she made it look so easy. This wasn't right, this was not right at all!
Elsa unfalteringly marched onward, her sight set on the forward camp ahead. That little display and the sudden loss of one of their own had gained the attention of the rest of them. Horned heads and furred hoods turned in her direction, drawing axes and shields and preparing crossbows.
Perhaps they did not fully see what had just happened, or perhaps they were just foolish. But the sight of such a small young woman marching determined onto the field of battle caused a chorus of laughter to echo in the distance. A twang of a crossbow as someone took the first shot. Her course did not change as it flew past her embarrassingly wide. Another bolt was loosed, a little closer this time. Still she paid it no mind.
Finally a great sound of stressed wood thundered out as one of the catapults was released. A flaming ball soared high into the morning sky before starting its downward arc towards the single tiny target. Those on the wall gasped in horror as the blaze came down. Elsa ignored that as well. Fractured chunks of ice and fire were not enough to alter her course, unfazed as it crashed down into the ice literally a few feet away. She continued onward.
The laughter grew louder. "Little girl, brave as a man!" One of them shouted, his voice was followed by multiple twangs of crossbows that sent a shadow of piercing bolts her way. Without any visible change to her onward march a gust of snow and cold air whipped around her. The small deadly arrows were blown away harmlessly, and her steely concentration on their camp did not waver.
The laughter stopped.
She was close enough to see them better, frosted beards poked out from under chain mail armor and horned helmets. They were large and muscular, resembling northmen of old but she knew that couldn't be true, it was merely a ploy of intimidation. Some wore more modern uniforms, soldier's jackets and riding pants. More than likely spoils of war picked off the bodies of the dead. No matter, they were bandit raiders, criminals, folk who turn their back on civilization and prefer to live 'free', if freedom meant stealing rape and murder.
Filth, the world would do well without them.
One stepped away from his forward group, waving a massive battle-axe above him as he rumbled something in a language Elsa did not speak. His body language however was clear as day.
A challenge? Very well.
Elsa stopped, and with her so too did the wind die down. She glared hard at the giant man bounding towards her, waiting for him to get close enough that she could see the colour of his eyes.
Winter blue, how fitting.
She lowered both hands to grip her horned sword. Frost steamed from her fingers as she focused her powers until the blade itself was engulfed in a cold mist. The runes came alive, igniting themselves in a brilliant sapphire flame.
The false northman that called challenge paused in his advance, suddenly no longer eager to fight. He gripped his weapon tight to his body and began to back away. Not from the display from the sword, it was the look on the young Queens's face.
A feral snarl, her eyes were glowing.
With a roar she swung the sword in a wide arc. A howling icy blast followed suite tearing through the entire forward camp, snuffing out the fire pits and slicing through wood and steel and flesh. The cries of men drowned out the wind, only followed by the sound of the tall wooden siege weapons cracking and crumbling to the ground.
The attack was quick and devastating. She had made her point.
The roar died down, they were decimated. The ice and snow had turned dark and red with blood and ash. Men were missing limbs, some cut outright in half. Those few that had escaped her strike had not hesitated to run, dragging those still living back to their ships with them. A few of the boats had already drawn oars, pulling away from the ice and into deeper water.
Satisfied she sheathed her sword and began her walk back to the wall.
They are afraid
As they should be.
They are afraid of you.
Her eyes narrowed.
As they should be.
The soldiers of Arendelle were cheering as their queen, their powerful winter queen returned to them. Twice now she has saved them from direct confrontation, and now she had driven off what could have been a catastrophic attack. As word would quickly spread, the people of Arendelle would not doubt their queen's right to rule, or her power any time soon.
With a summoned gust of cold Elsa rejoined the others atop the wall, landing between her sister and Kristoff with an unnatural grace. The soldiers that were posted nearby simply bowed to their queen with the utmost respect. Anna... Anna however wanted to be furious, wanted to scream and rage at her sister for breaking her promise. She couldn't, not in front of all these men chanting her name. She would hold her tongue for a better time.
No, to hell with that!
Anna stepped forward and without warning slapped Elsa across the face. It was not a very hard slap, but hard enough to quiet the wall completely. Elsa just stood there stunned. She raised a hand to her cheek as the sharp sting took hold. "Anna I..."
Anna cut her off. "No Elsa, What the hell was that! What were you thinking? Did you not promise me you wouldn't do anything that stupid again?" Anna seethed, and as upset as she was she could not hold on to it, not when Elsa was involved. Her anger faded and she flung her arms around Elsa's neck in a tight hug. "Stop being so impulsive... that's my job." She whispered into her shoulder.
Elsa squeezed back before pulling her sister away. "I was just trying to protect you. Is that not my duty when I took the crown? I am Arendelle's sworn protector, remember."
The fury in Anna's voice had yet to fully fade. "It doesn't mean by yourself. Gods Elsa..." Anna gave her sister a bit of space, allowing her to get a better view of the sword. "What... how did... what did you do out there?" Her sister had seemed so reluctant to use her powers and now suddenly had unleashed havoc in a complete turn of character. Something was not right.
Elsa lowered her gaze to the ice below them in a near look of shame. She brought her hand to rest on the hilt of her sword, a thumb running over the pommel in a calming motion. Whatever indignity she was feeling vanished, Elsa's expression hardening into a sneer. "I did what I had to, what a queen should. I dealt with a threat to my kingdom, and if those further out still wish to press their attack I will deal with them as well."
Anna did not cower under her sister's sudden ire, rather she understood completely. She did not like it, not one bit, but she had no argument to present. Anna had seen what those ice powers could do, knew her sister was incredibly powerful, but to resort to such... brutality?
"Elsa?" Anna lowered her gaze to the sword again, and then back up, she could swear something was not right with Elsa's eyes. Too blue, like deep ice. "That sword... where-"
"It's just a sword Anna." Elsa allowed her sneer to fade, and then placed her hand on Anna's shoulder with a gentle squeeze. "Nothing more."
"Yeah... okay." Anna replied, not sounding convinced in the least.
With their little tiff settled Elsa then turned to Kristoff. He had been quiet the entire exchange, thinking better to let the sisters settle things on their own. "Did Sven return safely?"
Kristoff carefully thought about his reply. Seeing a queen getting slapped by their sister probably was not the best time to bring up any quarrels. Deep down he was upset, angry, he had trusted Elsa with his best friend. What happened out there to spook Sven so badly? "Safe, yes. But why did he run back without you?"
"I don't know. May we visit him in the stables? I know he is just a reindeer but I would like to see him myself." Elsa asked, grateful when Kristoff nodded. "Come then, let's go home. I would like to take down this wall at first opportunity."
He and Anna followed behind as Elsa conjured an icy staircase for them and eased their journey back down. A solider struggling on the rope ladder passed them on his way up.
"Couldn't she have made that ever since?" He grumbled the rest of the way.
The trio had yet to enter the main stable and already they could hear the cries of a distraught animal. Kristoff ran ahead, coming face to face with a stable boy who currently had ropes around Sven's antlers, holding the reindeer down in an attempt to stop his tantrum.
"What in the world are you doing to him!" Kristoff yelled pushing the stable hand away.
"If you can't control your beast lad, get him out." The worker pushed back. "I won't have the mangy thing destroy my stalls."
Mangy? Kristoff would not back down, grabbing the ropes out of the man's hands and shoving an elbow into chest. The young worker would not have any of that though, forcing Kristoff hard against the opposing stall, causing the already bothered horses to whinny louder.
"Alrik!" Elsa interrupted from the stable entrance, Anna standing next to her. "Leave us, now." She commanded before the two would come to blows. The young stable-hand immediately untangled himself from Kristoff when he saw who was speaking.
"Apologies my queen!" The man bowed and quickly removed himself from sight.
"Thanks." Kristoff said to Elsa as Anna ran to his side and helped him up. He immediately attended to Sven, quickly untying the ropes that were wrapped around his antlers. "I don't know what he was thinking."
"Do you know what's wrong with him?" Anna asked, before Sven began to act up again suddenly. They both looked behind them to see Elsa had entered the stables. The reindeer seemed to grow more agitated the closer she got. She took a step back as Kristoff grabbed at his reins before the animal hurt himself.
"What the hell did you do to him?" Kristoff said, momentarily forgetting he was talking to a queen.
Elsa's eyes narrowed at his accusing tone. "I did nothing, I left him safe by the stairs to my palace and when I returned he was gone. If anything he abandoned me."
Kristoff managed to get Sven's harness off, satisfied that Sven would not get caught up on anything in his current state. He then shooed the two girls out, noticing Sven immediately quieted down the further away they got. "I can't help you if you don't help me boy." Kristoff pat his head gently, satisfied that he wouldn't hurt himself for the moment. "I'll check on you later."
"Do you think maybe wolves scared him off?" Anna asked as Kristoff joined them as they made their way back to the main castle.
Kristoff shook his head. They had encountered wolves many a time before, never has he seen his friend in such a state. The reindeer refused to even look at him it damn near broke his heart. "Well whatever it was he doesn't want anything to do with you anymore." He said motioning to Elsa.
"Are you sure it's Elsa?" Anna said, her eyes dropping to the glint of steel at her sister's waist. "And not something she's carrying?"
Two fingers ran slowly over the rounded pommel of the sword almost defensively. "It's just metal Anna."
"Where did you find it by the way?" Anna pushed, ignoring the obvious signs of annoyance. Elsa was being too secretive already; Anna refused to let her revert back into hiding everything away. Elsa simply stared at her sister for a moment, her blue eyes seemed colder than usual, Anna suddenly felt unnerved.
"My Guardian - Marshmallow found it." Elsa finally answered, though that hesitation did not ease Anna one bit. "That is what you call it-him, right? He was digging around in the snow under my palace and presented it to me as a gift."
"If you say so." Anna had nothing more and did not feel like arguing. She would believe her sister for now. She had no reason not to aside from Elsa's odd behavior recently.
Glad to be done with her sisters questioning, Elsa let out a long tired sigh. "If we are done here I've had a long morning, some rest I think would do me well."
"See you at dinner?" Anna said hopeful.
"I am quite tired, but we shall see." Was all she said and walked on ahead leaving the two behind.
Kristoff could practically feel the disappointment Anna was carrying. "Hey," he nudged her in the side playfully. "It'll be alright."
She took his arm and smiled warmly at him. "I hope you're right."
Elsa retired to her room for the remainder of the day. Grateful for the reprieve her chambers brought. She sat at the window again, enjoying the silence. She had no desire to see anyone, no obligation to speak or explain her actions. The glares and the praise were quickly becoming tiresome, combined with Anna's insistent questions - always with the questions – why couldn't she just trust her own sister? Why did she have to keep pushing and pushing.
She loved Anna. Yes, of course she did. She was protecting her, would always protect her even if she did not want it. She would never let anything happen to her. Everything she was doing was for Anna. All of it was for Anna.
Elsa ran a finger across the blade in her lap, her cold causing the runes to flare lightly.
Anna. Everything for Anna.
A knock at the door brought her from her own mind. She was tempted to ignore it, knowing if it was Anna the girl would come in anyway, a privilege offered to her alone. A lower servant would simply leave, but there is another series of knocks, it must be Kai coming to check on her.
"Come." Elsa commands, unmoving from her seat as the heavy doors opened.
It was indeed Kai, the portly man only partially entering the room, his face scrunching at the sight of his queen sitting in the dark.
"Ma'am. I did not see you at dinner, is everything all right?" He asked, his voice was always gentle with her.
"I am fine Kai, thank you." She replied, hoping he would not start to pry as well. No more questions, she was fine. Why couldn't people accept that?
Kai lingered at the door. "Shall I take your weapon to the armory then?" He did not like that thing one bit, much too ugly for a queen, for someone of her beauty. It clashed with her colours, and he did not like how she never seemed to put it down.
"No, I will see to its care personally."
"Very well." He sounded almost disappointed. "Will you be requiring anything else?"
"No, you are dismissed for the night, thank you Kai."
He bowed out of habit, despite the fact she was facing away from him. "Good night then Miss Elsa." As he turned to close the door he caught sight of her reflection in the window. Her image stared back intensely, and he could swear her eyes were shining an eerie blue.
It's just the moonlight, he told himself as he closed the door and left.
Footsteps approached the stables, soft and barely audible to human ears. The royal horses housed within bore the sound no mind, ignoring the familiar scent as they dozed comfortably in their individual stalls.
One inhabitant however seemed to be bothered by the rhythmic sound as it drew closer and closer. The reindeer huffed loudly, stamping his great hooves in warning as the blue eyed human came to a stop in front his stall.
They stared at each other for a stolen moment before Sven charged the door. His great weight slammed loudly against the wooden frame. The entire building shook with the force, enough to rattle the horses out of their silence.
"I thought we were friends?" Elsa said calmly despite the distressed animal before her. Sven barked loudly, rattling his antlers against the walls as she took a step forward. There were no treats for him tonight, only the sword at her waist.
Another step forward brought her right up close to Sven, The reindeer thrashed madly within his pen, moaning and barking as if she were a predator of some sort. Elsa reached out to him disregarding those deadly horned points.
"Be calm." She said in a hushed tone, her hand coming to rest on the flat expanse of his brow. "Be still."
The reindeer abruptly calmed. The stamp of his feet and the thrashing of his head stopped. His breathing slowed and his eyes closed, he stood as quietly as a calf.
"Good boy." Elsa praised, her hand rubbing gently between his great antlers. She urged him forward, and he obeyed without a fuss as he brought his large head to hang over the stable door. Elsa lowered herself down, one hand still gently caressing the great animal the other gripping tight her sword.
"May I call upon you in the days to come?" She whispered into Sven's ear.
Air escaped his nose with a great huff, one foot stamping the ground once in an odd form of communication.
"Thank you. Behave yourself until then." Elsa removed her hand and backed away, Sven did not move.
Not a horse whinnied as she walked by. The entire stable had gone quiet. Sven finally moved, removing his great head from the stall door and retreating deeper into his pen. A heavy sigh rumbled from his barrel chest as his large eyes finally opened, those once vibrant brown orbs now shining a crystal blue.
As it turned out, Anna did not see her sister at dinner. Nor did she see her at breakfast or dinner the following day either. In fact a good five days go by where Anna barely saw her sister except for brief passing in the hallways. Elsa was always busy with her men and advisers making sure no local towns and lands have been targeted. Anna never sees her without the sword.
"Still carrying that thing around huh?" She asked during one of their encounters. Elsa had no reply, she rarely does. Only her thumb running along the round pommel, something Anna has noticed her do often during any stressful moment, or when she was avoiding answering questions.
Elsa would simply apologize, promising to make it up to her later before ducking into a meeting with boring advisers and their ilk.
Finally one morning Anna was awake early enough to catch Elsa by herself practicing swordplay.
Elsa was in an open courtyard by the guards barracks, a weapons rack and a training dummy her only audience. Anna watched as she moved with slow precise movements, the shining silver sliding through the air in an exquisite dance. She went through a series of moves, blocking invisible attackers one after the other, her arm speeding up with each movement as she made her way into more aggressive attacks.
She spun, the blade twirling and cutting through the air until it became a blur. Anna never knew her sister could be so good with a weapon, where in the world did she learn all of this? Elsa ended her drill with a final powerful thrust, a light path of frost extended across the ground only to dissolve a moment later. "Good morning Anna." She said as she lowered the blade.
Anna did not realize she had been spotted and now hoped she had not broke her sister's concentration. "Oh, hey.. that was pretty impressive."
"Would you like to spar?" Elsa asked, flashing her sister a genuine smile. "For fun of course."
"Spar? With you? After that?" Anna said horrified at the idea. "No thank you, I enjoy living. Besides I'm no swordsman."
Elsa laughed. "No, I suppose you're not. But you're not a weakling either. Kristoff told me of your incident with the lute and the wolves." She took a quick glance around at the nearby weapon racks, ignoring the look of pure embarrassment from her sister. She grinned when she came upon something that would be perfect. "I believe you would do well with a blunt weapon."
Elsa picked out an iron war-hammer it's long thin shaft would be light enough for Anna to wield easily, yet heavy enough that even the lightest swing would cause significant damage. She could wield it as a pole-arm if needed, the spiked end of the head just as deadly. She was proven right when she handed it over to her sister.
Anna stared at the thing like it would burn her, but then took it in her own hands. It felt good, right almost, as if the weapon was made for her. "Are you sure this is a good idea? What if I hit you by accident?"
Elsa gave her the cockiest grin she had ever seen. "Don't worry you won't." It had the desired effect, Anna felt like smacking her then and there.
"I will be the one attacking, you will focus on defense." She raised her sword and told Anna to block her strike. Anna brought the hammer up horizontally, the swords light blow hitting the metal shaft safely.
"See. You're a natural, but spread your grip a little."
Anna obeyed, spreading her coiled fists so one hand was closer to the head of the hammer. Elsa repeated the move until Anna was blocking a full on strike, then she change it up a bit, coming in from the sides and trying to take her sister by surprise. The sound of metal striking metal sang out in the morning light until it reached a rhythmic peak.
"Good, now follow my movements and try to hook my sword when I attack." Anna did so, timing the blow before she blocked the strike. Hooking the grip of her hammer under the hilt of Elsa's sword and locking the two of them together.
"Now, pull up and away." Elsa commanded. Anna obeyed, watching in astonishment as she successfully parried her sister. Elsa's arm was driven up, if this were a true attempt the attacker would have lost their weapon and been left wide open.
"Congratulations," Elsa commended her. "You just disarmed me, now follow through." Elsa pretended she was helpless and allowed Anna a free hit. She watched with pride as Anna naturally arched her weapon, the flat of the hammer stopping just short of Elsa's temple.
Anna's eyes opened wide. "I... I did it!" She was smiling.
"Of course, you are strong Anna, stronger than you even know. Now stop doubting yourself and do it again." Elsa ordered as she put more force into her attack.
Block, parry, swing. They repeated the movement again and again, faster and faster. Mixing in different strikes until Anna could perform the maneuver with her eyes closed. Elsa finally stopped when she could see Anna tiring.
Out of breath, Anna was amazed and maybe just a little proud of herself.
"Where did you learn all this?" Anna asked as she let her heart slow, she noticed Elsa was not the least bit out of breath and now wondered if her powers cancelled out the need to even sweat.
"I..." Elsa stopped for some reason. As if there was something she did not want to reveal. She turned her gaze away from Anna, eyes glancing to the sword in her hand. "Books." Elsa finally replied. "I used to have a lot of time on my hands, don't forget."
Anna gave her an odd look. She did not want to doubt her sister but that had to be load of bull. Anna had read many books about adventure and fighting and it didn't magically make her a warrior. There's no way anyone could get that good with a manual and a stick. She had endless questions, but their little spar was interrupted.
"My queen!" Someone shouted as they ran towards them. "Fires in the village!"
Out of character 360 no scope gg no re pew pew pew!
lol. Thank you to those who followed and faved, I appreciate every one of you.
Also i hope there are no glaring errors, the majority of this was written on an ipad (urk)