AN: I could tell no one really wanted to read King Magnus's view but he's important. Good news is that he won't be in too much of the story. Its Anna's chapter again and the longest so far. I think I might change the updates into having more than one p.o.v. But I don't know yet. Also, next week I can't post anything.
*Waves white flag in surrender*
I know I'm a horrible person who loves good grades on tests more than Frozen, but I swear to have the next chapter up the week after next Thursday.
This chapter is dedicated for the broken families left behind after the tragedy of 9/11. In the words of Lilo and Stitch; 'This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Ya. Still good.'
Disclaimer: What I could do if Disney was mine... Sadly, its not.
Chapter 4: Warning
The everlasting roar of the waves clashed against wood as salty winds propelled the wooden creation of war along the surface water.
After what seemed to be another ageless night to the crew of the Vengeance, the storm clouds finally dissipated enough to allow the first rays of sunrise to shine through. Though many clumps of the clouds remained, they resembled nothing of the thundering behemoths that had stampeded during the night. Among the first to admire the awakening sun was Anna herself. The feathery down of the clouds were traced by teal orbs as the cotton white fluff continued to be stained into a bright pinkish hue. She stood on the bow of the Vengeance, dressed in clothing quite odd for even a traveling man.
A brown-furred cap adorned her head while her hair was tamed into 2 braids. An ivy-green vest was snuggly fitted onto her form as a more appropriate long-sleeved shirt was fitted underneath the snug vest. The cotton trousers were switched with an older set of leather breeches that conformed loosely to her figure. To end the ensemble, a pair of black leather boots protected her feet and the breeches were tucked securely into them.
Well… that's what it seemed. The oddest accessories had lain hidden under the shirt. Safely out of prying eyes and nosy inquiries, just how Anna had kept them for years.
The first was hidden by her collar and hung around her neck by the silver chain. Only a few inches to the right of her heart, a pendant rested. It was made of stone; bone white in color and shaped into a flat circle that resembled a large coin. On the stone, a silhouette of a leafless tree was ingrained on one side; its branches are bare as they stretch out from the center. The other side showed the same tree, but in full bloom; the branches were hidden as the leaves meshed together indistinctively. The etching's darkness gleamed from the whiteness as the stone gained its warmth from the flesh in which it rested upon.
The second was hidden by her sleeves and it wound itself around her forearms. Starting from her elbows and ending at her wrists, it seemed to look like some thin piece of armor was fitted onto her arms. The idea of armor being fitted onto a woman of Anna's frame may seem farfetched to many, but was nonetheless true. But a closer look shows that instead of metal or leather rubbing against her skin, earthly sinew was clamped around her forearms.
Thin, yet strong, ironwood was shaped into armguards. The grains within the wood stood out like veins as the lightweight armor rubbed against skin. Though, there was no visible enemy to confront yet, the sense of wood comforted Anna. Being stranded on the seas away from the earth irritated her to no end. This was aware to most of the crew as Anna often be seen pacing along the deck. And with the conflict so close at hand, a physical presence of her…talent soothed her during this ending voyage.
No one but Anna and a certain few knew the existence of these 2 treasures of hers and she'll continue to keep it that way for as long as she could. But Anna's thoughts were far from her attire or from the future carnage as she continued gazing at the light bleeding into the cotton-white clouds.
I wonder if they really do feel like cotton. They look fluffy enough. But judging books by their cover isn't a smart idea, and it's kind of rude. Then again, they're not books. But it could still apply. Can it? Hmm, the colors are changing…
Unconsciously, Anna relished the freedom of her thoughts.
She had continued long into the night with herself and her thoughts. After rereading plans and strategies for any and all situations that may occur, she had finally reached the end of her internal storm.
She had developed the habit years ago as to find some sense of calm within the turbulent world in which she traveled in. She would fight through the heaviest of her churning thoughts, and would not allow herself to rest until answers appeared or were dragged into focus. However, the relentless journey wasn't in vain. The fruit consisted of Anna's thoughts returning to some semblance of normalcy, if a bit air-headed as well.
As she continued on admiring the work of whichever god that had created such a magnificent sight, she was distracted by the call of her name in a deep accent. Or what a certain old crab had branded her as her name.
"Irish Lass… how's your morning been to ya?"
A middle-age man with dark skin and very short greying hair walked towards her. At first glance, his appearance was a complete paradox; a proper pirate. Complete with loose shirt, gold earring, worn pants, old boots, and two duel cutlasses at his hips, yet he carried himself like a gentleman. The clean clothing was tucked in, shined boots reflected alike to a black pearl, and the weapons sat in their sheaves with purpose. Even the gold in his ear look sophisticated, though Anna could never figure out how it only looked that way on him.
An amused sigh left Anna as an irritated scowl hid her amusement. She had gotten into a routine with the old coot currently approaching her. She knew how to deal with seafood.
"I told you already, you ol' sea-crab, that I ain't Irish." Anna's voice barked at the man. A smile stretched across dark skin as the man began his ritual banter with the strawberry blonde.
"And I told you dat my name's Sebastian Crab, not 'Sea-crab.' I don't even enjoy eating fish," while replying, he leaned his back against the ship's railing on Anna's right. The accented voice was deep with suppressed laughter at the girl's response.
"But to everyone else, you look like a burned crab. I'm just the only one kind enough to tell you," Anna said this while smoothly leaning against the railing on her arms. A smile fought to appear.
Take that, seafood.
"Ah, Anna, you better be careful with messing with dis ol' crab. My pincers are sharper dhan most," he replied as he placed a hand on the cutlass on his left hip. The move would have seemed threatening, but the light-hearted grin remained on his face, while Anna's eyes shone with a challenge.
"You and I both know that if you tried anything, you really would end up in Louis's big silver pot," Anna quipped back. A hearty laugh escaped from Sebastian as he hugged his stomach. Everyone onboard knew about the cooking incident between the portly French chef and Sebastian. Everyone made fun of the two, but Sebastian took the laughs and laughed back. The pride-wounded chef wasn't as jolly. A few moments had to pass before he could calm his laughter.
"My, my, aren't you sprightly today? What's got you to such a mood? You haven't had your morning hot chocolate yet?" The laughter in his voice was still present as he inquired about her morning. Most who would see this interaction between a young lady and a prim-pirate would look oddly, but this morning routine had happened since Anna's first morning on the seas nearly two weeks prior. The older man would banter against the firecracker almost hourly, so most of the crew had gotten used to it.
"No, Esmeralda made me some hot chocolate and I'm always in a mood when you bug me." Being a master of steering conversation, Anna skillfully changed the subject.
"Where's Ariel? She's usually up by now," With that, her eyes searched the deck but could not find another soul upon the deck, excluding herself, Sebastian, and the raven-haired Esmeralda who was on the wheel. The young red head was usually with Sebastian and thus joined into the banter. The void created from where she usually inhabited was obvious.
A new voice entered the conversation.
"Look up." Anna's head turned to follow the voice that came from the wheel. With a tilt of the head, Esmeralda motioned to the riggings above them. And with a glance towards the heavens above, Anna got her answer. A familiar silhouetted form sways in the sea breeze as Anna recognized the no-longer-missing girl sitting up in the crow's nest. And girl she was. Barely 16 years of age, and she's the youngest on the warship. Though she was far off the deck, Anna saw that Ariel seemed to be petting a seabird. Anna snorted in amusement at the younger girl while a smile tugged at the edges of her lips.
"Somebody's got to nail dat girl's feet to de floor." Anna heard Sebastian mutter with weariness in his voice. Anna knew that Sebastian had trouble with keeping the energetic, young girl safe. But no matter how hard he tried, Ariel would somehow slip away into some adventure. However, Anna was always available to assist a poor, unfortunate soul…
"You'll get the mallet and I'll find some nails?" Anna asked. She heard a halfhearted chuckle as the man registered the deadpanned question.
"Nah," The one worded response spoke more than its length as its tone of old grief reflected the man's descent into a deeper state of thought. Though his appearance is misleading, Anna has known that Sebastian was a very intelligent and deep-thinking man. She had no need to wait for long as Sebastian continued.
"Ariel would probably just find another way out. She was always a free spirit, and always will be…just like her mother…,"Sebastian's voice drifted as Anna observed the dark-skinned man tilt his head down and sink into a heavy silence. She only had two guesses for its cause. One that she knew had haunted the poor man for many years or one that will haunt him for many years to come.
Come on, Anna. Do something.
It was truly painful to watch the usually energetic, bold sailor turn into a melancholy shell. A musician at heart and a fighter in body, made him stand out among the crew. The loss of the spark in his eyes troubled her. In an attempt to draw him back to reality, Anna spoke once more.
"You worry too much, Sea-crab. Between the two of us, she'll be safe as scallops." Mostly meant as a jest, she knew that Sebastian heard something unintended by the emotion shining among the hazel pools of the roguish man. She immediately knew of the cause.
Sea-crab, don't y-
Before she could speak the thought aloud, he moves. The following action occurs over the course of mere seconds, and yet is still able to unnerve her.
The roguish gentleman-pirate straightens up, easily towering over Anna's frame by a whole head and shoulders. Muscles, strengthen by years of blade-wielding and combat, ripple as they are made to submit to the man's mind. A spine, straighter than the ship's mast, is made to bend on command. A head, filled with intelligence and wisdom glinting in hazel orbs, turns down towards the planks beneath it.
The unexpected bow by the normally proud and loud man leaves Anna stunned. Astonishment quickly fades to annoyance at herself, forcing her brows to twitch. She berates herself for the unintended reminder.
Great, Anna. There you go running your tongue. If I survive tomorrow, I might as well cut if off to stop my damned rambling.
Though Anna had been acquainted with the duo for only the duration of the sea voyage, she knew them quite well. Sebastian's spine only bowed to a superior and such an act was rare. Attaining the pride from his superb sword-wielding and knowledge of other art forms, he was one among a few seafaring men who judged by merit, not gender. Proof existed by the gesture given to Anna; who was decades his junior and a woman nonetheless.
Now, how do you think such a young lady as Anna had earned that privilege? Well…mostly due to her friendship with the spirited red-haired girl currently feeding an avian and the actions that had occurred during the previous storm, Sebastian was in debt to the youth before him.
Another reason being that he was among the few who knew her true strength. A strength that she was supposed to keep hidden. This strength that, in the past, she has used to kill others to conceal its existence within herself. Irritation at the reminder of her slip bloomed in her chest, tightening her breath. Anna snapped out her next words.
"Quit that, you fool!" Eyes narrowed as the teal flared to pierce the man before her in her gaze. He flinched back and the alarm within his eyes had barely quenched the dark maliciousness deep within her soul. Without another word, she left, striding away from the bow of the ship with quick and steady steps. Her arms folded themselves behind her back as she digs her nails into the hidden armguards, desperate to restrain the itch. She closed her eyes; already knowing the deck by heart, she retains her stride.
Don't you even dare, Anna Marie! Do. Not. Dare.
The nails dug deeper into the wood. It was either the wood or Sebastian's face, and she knew to save her strength for the real fools. However, the itch continued its crawl up her fingers, into the joints, through the sinews of her arms, and settles within her bones. The itch to main, to mutilate, and to decimate had brewed in her being many years prior.
It breathed for over a dozen years. Even now, it spoke to silence Sebastian, to crush him, to allow herself to do so…
These urges did not trouble the young woman. They never truly did affect her. For many years ago, she recognized these darker, disjointed thoughts as her deepest desires. But she has learned to be patient. Has learned to direct this beast into great use.
Easy, Anna. Steady, don't be rash. We still have much to do. And wasting energy on a friend, even if he is a fool, would make me a fool, too. Just wait. It will be worth it.
Truer words were never spoken before in Anna's mind. She was powerful; much more so than she had lead His Majesty of the Southern Isles to allow for the man's mind at ease will be her trump card, as she had orders to only defend. Not fight, defend. She remembers the words used to placate the old king.
"It is not the nature of the earth to attack, only defend."
A sharp snort wrenches itself out of Anna's nostrils and her fingers twitch.
If only he knew how angry the earth was at man. For man's greed. But, of course, ignorance is always bliss. And let's not forget the King's gift. One thousand men, ready for battle.
That final statement made a shiver travel up her spine. The darkness residing with her being silently agreed with a soft purr of anticipation. And ever so slowly, it presence faded; taking with it the itch that would always precede destruction.
The steps slowed with the fading void and when the last of its presence ebbed away, she reopened her eyes. Dull teal flashed about the deck, and she inferred that she had been pacing around the stern of the ship. And not for long, as a glance up showed the silhouetted form still sitting in the crow's nest.
And she's still with that bird. I guess she truly can make friends with anyone.
With the sparkle rekindled within the teal, she directed herself towards the ropes. Half way there, she passes by the built-in stables on the ship. A recently new addition; the shelter only housed one creature: a fjord horse.
Said fjord horse now stuck a muscular head out at the sound of approaching footsteps. The rising sun's rays caught the massive horse's features, exposing them in the soft lighting. Its powerful frame was coloured in a stunning tan of sunbaked sand. His nose and the socks of his swift legs were coloured a deep brown. His silky mane was pure white except for a black streak that cut through the middle, while his tail was completely back. Truly, a beautiful specimen of a horse.
Then, she remembered his owner with distaste.
Shame that he belongs to that spoiled brat. He doesn't even know the jewel he has.
Pushing her thoughts away from a certain fox-faced sideburn-wearing man, she approached the equine with a raised hand to pet the gentle giant.
"Hey there, Sitron. Hey, buddy. How're you doing?" Her voice came out soothing and calm while she scratch his forehead. A soft neigh communicated his delight of the visitor.
"That was a rough storm last night, huh boy?" A snort and a bob of the muscular head was her reply.
"Yeah, it was pretty scary. But you have to admit, that first storm was horrible. We even had to delay the trip for the repairs." A shake of the head and a heavier snort agreed with the woman. The memory of the storm two days into their trip was fresh in their minds. Both beast and woman shivered at the recollection.
"Well, I got a treat for you." The equine's ears perked up at the word 'treat' from the now sing-song voice. Brown eyes trained on a fair hand as it reached into a pocket stitched into the breeches. A hue of orange appeared afterwards. A chunky carrot soon disappeared down the stallion's gullet as he quickly ate the delicious treat. With the stallion being on a strict diet of oats, the fresh vegetable was a welcome change to the equine's taste buds. Nostrils flared as he searched for more carrots on Anna's self.
"Okay, okay. Wait a second, and there we go," and out appeared three more carrots which soon followed the first carrot down the grateful stallion's throat. After the carrots' disappearances, the stallion was awarded with a generous scratch under the chin. Warm brown orbs closed at the gentle touch.
"Sorry, boy. I wish I could stay longer, but I got to make sure that Ariel doesn't break her neck up there." The previously perked ears now fell at the news. Anna could not have resisted a chuckle from the plaintive expression on the equine's face.
"Don't worry, Sitron. After lunch, I promise to sneak some sugar cubes up to you. How does that sound?"
The only reply was for the playful horse to stretch its neck and nuzzle the kind woman's neck as a sign of his appreciation.
An unusually unheard giggle floated out as the fine hairs on the stallion's snout tickled Anna. With a kiss on the nose and gently said farewell, Anna went to the ropes and started her climb up towards the crow's nest.
The climb barley tired Anna as the strength in her muscles and the flexibility of her sinews cooperated in hoisting her up. Towards the top, she slowed her movements as she noticed that Ariel's avian friend rested on the young redhead's lap. Her caution was unneeded as the bird's attention was too preoccupied with the slim fingers that were combing through its feathers.
Ariel's attire was similar to Anna's with the exception that Ariel had a long sleeved coat instead of a vest and she allowed her hair to freely flow in the sea breeze. The soft lighting did wonders as the younger girl sitting with the seabird appeared radiant with a scarlet halo surrounding the peaceful being. Anna spoke softly as to keep the tranquil air.
"Now, who's this handsome young fellow?" Anna's amusement could not have been hidden as she registered Ariel's new friend's appearance. It was a clearly overweight seagull with scraggly feathers and webbed feet. It looked like an absolute house pet and Anna had a good guess at who was spoiling him.
"His name is Scuttle."
"'Scuttle'?" Anna bent down to sit cross-legged besides Ariel.
"Yep."
"Well, it is nice to meet you, Sir Scuttle." Anna reaches her hand out and runs her finger through the surprisingly soft feathers on top of his head. Scuttle leans towards the touch without hesitation. A light silence envelopes the three as the two girls attempt to smooth out the feathers of the tame seabird.
After a long moment, Scuttle rises from his impromptu nest on Ariel's lap and waddles towards Anna. An unsurprised Anna stills as the bird hops onto her own lap and settles down. Anna carefully wraps her arms around the bird. His only response is to rest his head on the inside of her left elbow while Anna resumes stroking Scuttle's feathers with her right hand.
Ariel observes this event quietly for some time.
"You really are great with animals, you know." Ariel breaks the silence. Not a question; it's a statement.
"I'll tell you my secret, if you want?"
The curiosity within the sky-blue orbs answers her inquiry.
Well, I'll tell her part of my secret.
"The key to any man's heart is good food and an experienced touch," Anna accompanies the answer with a wink. Ariel snorts with mirth and responds.
"But I'm talking about animals."
"The only difference between men and animals is that animals can at least be train."
Before Ariel could respond again, a new voice intervenes.
"It's sad, but true."
Both turn to see Esmeralda leaning against the mast. Confusion crept into Anna.
What… If she is up here, then who is at the wheel?
Anna glanced down to find an answer. Though, she was far from the deck, she could still discern the greying hue of hair and the glint of gold from a familiar piece of jewelry.
Sebastian took over the wheel. Probably to have Esmeralda check on me.
Any further thought on the wheelman's action was stopped as her attention was diverted. The raven haired Gypsy had just strode towards the two with a sway of her hips, a stunning smile, and a gleaming of her emerald eyes. Anna couldn't turn her gaze away. At times like these, Anna did forget that Esmeralda was a year younger than herself.
Wow…
"And good morning to you, too." Ariel's quip cuts in to shake Anna from her thoughts. Esmeralda did not seem to notice Anna's blatant stare as she merely ruffles the younger redhead for the sarcasm.
"I'd thank you for the greeting, but I don't think the good morning will last," the solemnness from the normally spirited Gypsy surprised the pair. At the two quizzical gazes trained on her, Esmeralda points towards the eastern horizon.
"Look."
After only a single glance, they needed no more of an explanation. Anna still remembers the pale pink and grey hues of the heavens from her earlier cloud watching. It had reminded her of the seashells that Ariel has strung together to make necklaces for several of the crew; Anna included.
The current colour doesn't revive that memory. How Anna had not notice the change was lost on her. But she is unable to look away. An echo of a warning rings.
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight…Red sky at morning, shepherd take warning…
The crimson lighting set the entirety of heaven into a bloodbath. The clouds no longer appeared inviting to the strawberry blonde. Instead, they repulsed her. They mocked her. They bequeath the past and foretold the future to her. The blood already spilt and the blood just waiting to drip from lifeless bodies. She could just feel the flames lapping at the feast, hungry for more.
The cold itch crept back as the beast stirred.
Gods, will this ever end?
Anna had not registered that she was trembling until Ariel had wrapped her arms around her waist. She was finally able to wrench her sight away and looked at Ariel. Concerned sky-blue orbs calmed her enough to quiet the instinctual urgings. She encircled her arm around Ariel's shoulders, bringing her closer.
Anna turned her gaze to Esmeralda. She noticed that the raven haired woman was the opposite of herself; as Anna had trembled at the sight, Esmeralda had stilled. A statue of a beautiful Gypsy dancer remained where her friend stood. The only indications of life were the fear in the emeralds and the shaky movement of frighten breaths from her chest.
No. Don't be afraid.
Anna reached to grasp the stiff hand tightly within her own. Only then did Esmeralda return to them. However, she did not tear her gaze from the blood-stained clouds. Instead she squeezed the hand that brought warmth and a hidden promise.
I will keep you safe. All of you, who have showed such warmth in this cold world, will be safe.
The three women of differencing ages and origins stood together against the foreboding scene. Two continued to be unsettled by the message, as a sole strawberry blonde had moved on. She knew that it gains no use to worry about the inevitable, so she threw her mind to find a silver lining.
Well, no matter what may occur, they will be safe. And I'm certain to find my family by sunset.
With an arm around an orphan, a seabird on her lap and a hand clutching a wounded soul, Anna speaks to them. Reassures them. Promises them.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you all. You have my word."
Against the crimson clouds, the words defy the heavens. Challenging them to throw their worst. For in several hours, they will have their opportunity to do so. For they will reach the kingdom of Arendelle accompanied by the bright rays of the afternoon sun. A risky maneuver, but a needed one.
To fight the wind and sky, I must gather strength. Sól will empower me. So, brace yourself, Queen Elsa. I am ready. I was born ready.
Are you, Your Majesty?
AN: Listening to 'Savages' from the Pocahantas movie inspired this. Also, the sailor superstition is true and is still believed to this day. Personally, I learned it from watching too much 'Deadliest Catch.' Awesome show! For anyone not so familiar with Nordic mythology, Sól is the goddess of the sun.
This has a lot of 'The Little Mermaid' references. Can any of you find them all? Your reviews are always welcomed and I write for the enjoyment of others. Au revoir.
