Hey everybody? How ya liking the story so far? Thank you guys for going through the trouble to read my ramblings, truly and sincerely. If you were wondering, here is my inspiration for Asle, .

Anyways, shall we hop right in?


Chapter 4

Kristoff


Several Hours Earlier...


Kristoff was reluctant to let Stian sleep, but he figured he needed it. The sleigh lurched this way and that, but the speed of Tired was impressive. They weaved in an out of trees, over hills, and through small valleys. Kristoff realized he wasn't in control, but that didn't bother him. He let the reins fall to his lap. He wondered where Tired was taking them, but for some odd reason he trusted the frozen horse. He leaned back, and put his hat over his face.

He awoke when the sleigh came to a halt. Kristoff put his hat back on, and rubbed his eyes. There were ridges of rock all around them, and the ground was covered in a thin layer of moss. They were in the Valley of the Living Rock.

"Tired, why did you bring us here?" Kristoff asked. Stian was still asleep to his right, as was Sven in the back of the sleigh.

"I brought him here." Pabbi said, petting the icy steed. He sat a few yards from Kristoff, perched on a ridge of stone.

"Pabbi? Pabbi! Listen," Kristoff started to say. Pabbi hushed him. He hopped down from his perch, and slowly made his way towards the sleigh. Kristoff watched as Pabbi put his hand to Stian's arm. A dim green light illuminated from his hand, and flowed into Stian's arm. Kristoff could see the light spreading through Stian's bone, and slowly repairing it. Stian sighed in his sleep, and smiled. Sven was next, as Pabbi healed him too.

"Pabbi... Thanks." Kristoff said.

"I know what happened." he said, grimly. Kristoff frowned.

"Pabbi, you were right. You were right all along."

"We are all in danger. Kristoff, you need to get back to Arendelle. Stian and Sven, too."

"Is there any way to stop her, hm?" Kristoff asked, demanding an answer.

"Kristoff, these things aren't simply solved. You need- never mind." Pabbi shook his head, and turned his back to Kristoff.

"No, tell me!" Kristoff demanded. Pabbi stopped.

"She mentioned others, did she not?" Pabbi asked. Kristoff nodded.

"Yeah, she did."

"There are others, Kristoff." Pabbi confirmed.

"Others? Like Asle?" Kristoff panicked.

Pabbi nodded, "Like Asle..." he paced. "Also like Elsa, and like Stian."

"Wait... Powers? People with powers? There are others?" Kristoff asked.

"There are. Kristoff, do you know what ancient elements represent the world as a whole?" Pabbi asked. Kristoff was familiar with the stories that Cliff and Bulda told him when he was little. When the world was created, there were five elements that were present in the fiber of the world. These elements shaped mountains, oceans, and valleys.

"There's... Fire... Stone, Energy... Ice... And one more." Kristoff racked his brain.

"Darkness." Stian finished. He shakily stood up from the sleigh.

"Correct." Pabbi said. Stian stood next to Kristoff, and slowly removed the bandages from his arm. He extended it, and flexed it. He clenched his hand into a fist, and moved it all about.

"So... People have domain over these elements?" Kristoff asked.

"Almost. They're like... An ambassador for the planet. Certain Gods carry influence of these elements, and bestow them upon humans." Pabbi explained.

"Hodur?" Stian asked. Pabbi nodded again.

"He was touched by ice that was present at the beginning of the world. But these powers would kill an ordinary human. It takes two, incredibly strong willed people to wield this power. And he gave you and Elsa his abilities. You recently stripped him of his powers though, didn't you?" Pabbi asked Stian.

"Well... I had help."

"You and Elsa are the soul carriers of this gift then," Pabbi said. Kristoff saw Stian cringe when Pabbi called it a gift. "There are others, though. And one is near. Very near."

"You said darkness is an element. I think we can all agree that Asle has dominion over this, right?" Kristoff asked. The other two shrugged, and nodded in agreement. "If Asle is one of those who controls darkness, who's the other one? You said there's two."

"I'm afraid I don't know. The only humans I know who have these powers are Stian, Elsa and Asle. More will present themselves. As I was saying, there is a way to stop Asle." Pabbi said, scratching his beard.

"So what, do we need to find these people?" Stian asked.

"Precisely."

"Really?" Stian looked at Kristoff. "That was a guess." he grinned. Kristoff couldn't help but do the same. Stian had this sort of... Eternal free spirit around him. He always had something to say, and he always had a plan. He could see why Elsa cared for him so much.

"You have to find the others. Fire, stone, energy... All of them." Pabbi said.

"What about the second wielder of darkness?" Kristoff said.

"Well, the spirit is free. We all have free will. The other wielder of darkness may or may not be working toward the same goals as Asle. He may be willing to help. But do not, I repeat, Do not let Asle accomplish what she is attempting to." Pabbi begged.

"What? What is she planning?" Stian asked.

"I'm afraid that's all I know. You need to find the others. Get them to work together. If you do, then when Asle arrives in Arendelle, you will be ready. I hope."

"You hope?" Kristoff asked.

"You both need to get back to the Kingdom." Pabbi said.

"You said one of the wielders is close. How close?" Kristoff asked.

"Kristoff?" he heard Stian call. Kristoff spun around. Sven was bright eyed, and harnessed to the sleigh. "We need to go."

Kristoff shrugged, and looked back to Pabbi. "What do we do when Asle arrives?"

"Survive."

That didn't make him feel any better. Kristoff climbed into the sleigh, and took the reigns. He looked back down at the lone Troll.

"Thanks, Gran Pabbi." Kristoff said.

"Be safe, Kristoff." Pabbi said.

Kristoff flicked the reins, and the trio sped away towards Arendelle.

Towards their wives, towards their Kingdom, and towards what could turn out to be the final days of their lives.