Thanks for all the reviews! I apologize for the late posting of this chapter, but the holidays were quite busy! Enjoy the story!
The door glided soundlessly open, with only a whisper of wind to follow. The floor was cool to the touch, yet the air was warm and inviting. There was sense of comfort and relief, and time seemed to have slowed. Every which way Erik looked the glassy ice seemed to emit a glow, rising from the base up to the dominating pillars. A spiral staircase wove down from high above and blended into a magnificent grand staircase. Each inch of the castle was crafted with the highest degree of perfection, as not a single blemish was in sight.
The silence was deafening, and Erik's ears still rang from the howling winds on the foothills of the mountain. He stepped forward into the looming domed room, unsure of what he would find. "My lady?" He looked around to each wall… "Queen Elsa!" No response came, no sound of footsteps emerged. There seemed to be no sign of life, and so he crossed over the intricate floor to the stairs. His footsteps echoed off the woven ice, stretching and expanding above. At the top, was a flawlessly carved archway, which lead to another platform high above the castle floor. And across that platform, stood a woman.
She was strikingly beautiful, with platinum blonde hair and a crystal blue dress. From her figure to her pale freckled face, Erik couldn't help but be stunned. Her deep blue eyes were wide and searching. "Who are you? Why are you here" she breathed. Erik continued to stare, dumbstruck and unable to speak. He opened his mouth but nothing happened, what is wrong with me? Come on! Say something! He continued looking at her, but only could make out the words "I" and "um". The woman did not look amused, and with narrowed eyes she looked to what was clutched in Erik's hand. "How did you end up with my cloak?"
Your cloak? He pondered, looking down at the magenta cloth. Then the lights came on, and the shock followed. "My lady!" he exclaimed while practically falling to the floor to kneel. "I must apologize for not recognizing you! You just look so… different." The words did not seem to provide much comfort to her, as she continued to stare unwaveringly. His face was hot and beat red from embarrassment. He removed his gaze on her, ashamed for ogling the queen like that. Such a fool! You're merely a peasant compared to her! Someone that beautiful would never go for an average man… and worst of all, I have disrespected her. She's the queen for Christ's sake! His face fell to the floor and he expected some kind of retribution. Instead, however he noticed her step closer.
"You still haven't answered my questions, who are you? And why have you come?" She sounded calmer, but still firm. In the most dignified voice he could muster, Erik responded "my apologies again your highness. My name is Erik, of your royal navy. I… I saw you in distress running from across the docks, I thought you were in danger so I gave chase to help aid you... which reminds me: are you alright? Are you hurt, or still in danger?" He looked sheepishly at her, knowing all well that she was at least not injured.
Elsa's face at first was incredulous, but she slowly relaxed. "I'm alright, and that was a very brave and noble thing to do Erik, but I'm afraid the only one in this room who is in danger is you". Erik had a perplexed look as he scanned his surroundings. There was no sign of danger or anyone else within the castle. "My lady", he responded, "I don't see or feel any danger within here, but if what you say is true then we should head back to Arendelle soon". He stood up, and with courage looked into her eyes, "I will personally escort you back, I promise we will be quite safe".
"No, I can't do that, thank you for the offer. But you should go… head back to Arendelle and tell no one of where I am." She curtly turned her back, and proceeded to leave the room. Erik called after her, "Wait! My lady, I cannot leave you here alone, something could happen to you! I implore you to come with me, your people need you!" Elsa stopped mid step, with one hand clutching the stair rail. "Erik, I think the people need more of someone like you, so willing to protect…" she stared off to the purple-sloped mountain peaks through a window near Erik's back. "What our people need is for me to stay here; that is the only way to keep them safe. I… fear that I am becoming a monster. It would be better for everyone, including you, to stay as far from me as possible. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Erik took a step forward, she looks so sweet and innocent. "You would never hurt anyone… please Queen Elsa, come back home with me." She was beginning to become annoyed: did he not see what I did? Does he not realize who created this castle? "You don't seem to understand," and with a flick of her wrists ice and snow rushed forth, curling and swirling around the room. "I have a curse, I created this castle, almost destroyed Arendelle, and nearly harmed the ones I love. You're not safe here with me; I can barely control it. Please. Just go." Awestruck, Erik circled, taking in the beauty and power of the ice and snow. "That's amazing! You shouldn't call it a curse, my lady. It is a gift! Your craftsmanship is perfect! And you have such power!" She seemed quite capable to stand her ground, he reasoned. But a part of him still couldn't leave her behind; he had a strange and confusing yearning to bring her back with him, so he thought of how to persuade her to come back. "So, what about the kingdom?" he asked. "You were just crowned queen…" and he thought of something even direr: "and what about your sister, Princess Anna? I'm sure she is quite worried about you, what if she is out there now looking for you?"
The mention of Anna stung Elsa's heart. What if Anna is out there looking for me? I could be putting her in danger again. She was becoming agitated. She just wanted to be left alone, to finally be free, and he was reminding her of all the problems she was trying to quell. She turned her back to Erik once more, her emotions rising: "I'm sure Anna is fine. She has her Hans to keep her company now, and he is a better substitute than me. Anna doesn't need me."
"I don't know who Hans is, but you mustn't say that! I'm sure you are a wonderful sister." He looked valiantly at her.
"You don't know me at all do you…" She bitterly sighed.
"Well maybe I can get to know you better as we head back down the mountain, and reach the princess…" He stepped closer and offered his hand.
"No I've already told you, I'm staying here. It's for the best." She pushed his hand away.
"Please your highness, I-"
"The answer is no-" Her temperament began to falter.
"You can't-"
"No." He was pushing to far...
"Please! Princess Anna would-
"ENOUGH!" She swirled around facing him, but her emotions finally gave in to her power. Her eyes opened wide in fear and time began to slow to a standstill. Her heart shuddered and froze.
Before she could stop herself, her hands expelled a gale force of wind and snow that blew directly into Erik. It threw him back, slamming and cracking his head into the glassy ice window; like a vacuum, he was sucked out of the tower and proceeded to fall into the white abyss below.
Elsa screamed hurdling herself to the broken opening,"ERIK! NO! …. Please…"
Tears cascaded down her rose cheeks, "I didn't mean to… Erik, I'm sorry!" She slid her back against the wall, with her legs sprawled out. She wouldn't openly cry, but she couldn't hold back the silent tears. She let them fall.
This confirms it… I truly am a monster and a threat to everyone. She thought of Erik, He only wanted to help… he came to save me, and instead he needed the saving. She thought of Anna, Oh Anna, please be safe, please don't come after me… She buried her head in her knees, trying to rebuild the freedom that she had so briefly and desperately experienced. I won't let Erik's bravery go to waste. I will never hurt anyone again, I'll shut the door to the world forever… She tried to regain her resolve, but at the back of her mind was Erik. She should have gone outside, to find him. But a dark essence ebbed at her, gripping her fear of what she would find. She continued to stay frozen to the floor, unable to move.
Far below, the lonely magenta cape fluttered and flapped, slowly descending upon the lower face of the north mountain, upon the pine forest.
