Elsa sat up with a start. She was in her bed, wearing her shift. She looked at her arms. There were no gloves on them. She prodded herself all around. She was uninjured.

"How are you feeling?"

Elsa gasped. A strange man leaned against the wall near her bed. She pulled the sheets close to her chest. "What's going on?" she asked.

"I got you out of there. You should be grateful."

"Who are you?"

"Let's not dwell on that. Go ahead and get dressed. I'll wait."

The man left. Elsa looked around the room. She patted her mattress and her pillow, fingered her satin sheets, and tapped the carved headboard. Climbing out of the bed, she inspected the room again. Even thought the curtains were fully drawn, the light shining through them made the room well-lit. It was her bedroom.

Elsa got dressed. She didn't have a handmaiden to help her with her corset, but she when she tried to cinch it, it came together almost on its own. The moment she put up her hair and finished dressing, the man reentered carrying a tray of food. "You're hungry," he said. "You should eat."

Elsa studied the man. He had black hair with sideburns and a goatee. He was dressed in a black frock coat, black vest, and black trousers. Even his shirt and cravat were black. "Pardon me," asked Elsa, "but are you in mourning?"

The man set the tray of food down on a table. "Oh, this?" he asked, looking at his clothes. "No, this is ordinary for me. Think nothing of it. Come," he said, pulling out a chair for her, "sit and eat."

The tray had breads, a selection of jams and jellies, cheeses, eggs, smoked salmon, pickled herring, salami, and sausages. Elsa sniffed, and the aromas made her salivate. She threw together an open-faced sandwich.

The man sat down next to her. "Don't hold back. It's all yours, of course."

Elsa hadn't had a proper meal since before her ride to save Anna, and she found herself ravenous. Her first sandwich was gone almost as soon as it was made. She grabbed some pickled herring and crammed it in her mouth, then made herself a second sandwich. The speed with which she was eating made her feel piggish, but she was so hungry that she felt justified.

Elsa didn't know who the man was. The clothing appeared to be of excellent quality, so he must be rich, but he wasn't from the Arendellean nobility. The black color was odd, but perhaps it was fashionable in his country. He sported a strong brow, broad shoulders, and thick arms and legs. He was rather handsome, she thought.

"Where are you from?" Elsa asked, downing more of the delicious pickled herring.

"I travel a lot. You could say I'm everywhere." The man crossed his legs. "I'd much rather talk about you. Locking you in prison was unjust."

"What happened? How did I get out?" asked Elsa.

"I arranged for it. Don't worry, everything is fine for the moment. We can discuss details later. Right now, I wanted you to know how angry I am at what happened to you."

"Angry?"

"You must remember being locked up. That's what makes me angry. It was inappropriate to do that to someone of your rank. Doesn't it make you angry?"

"I guess it does," Elsa said with her mouth full.

"Anger is a healthy reaction," the man said, nodding. "You're a queen. You're entitled to some pride, and they ought to respect it. But instead!" He shuddered. "Telramund must have meant to humiliate you."

"He had already captured me, so I don't know why he'd bother with that."

"You seem resigned. You don't have to be. You should give him what he deserves."

"What do you mean?" Elsa began making a third sandwich.

"You should embrace your anger," the man said. "You're angry because they mistreated you. That anger is righteous. Let them feel your anger."

"Let who feel my anger?"

"All of them! Telramund most of all. How do you like that thought?"

"I don't. I've never embraced anger before," Elsa said.

"What about that time the Duke of Weselton tried to assassinate you? Weren't you angry then?"

"Well, yes."

"You nearly killed his men out of anger, didn't you?"

"I guess so."

"They earned it! And now, don't you want to pour out your anger on Telramund? Can you see yourself killing Telramund?"

The visage of the dead soldier appeared in Elsa's mind. "I don't want to kill anyone," she said.

"Some people deserve killing. That soldier you killed was a traitor. He would have been executed for treason anyway. Telramund will be executed, too, and you should be the one to carry out the sentence. He deserves it for what he did. Vengeance is true justice."

"The law is justice. Vengeance isn't."

"You can do to Telramund what he would have done to you. It's perfect retribution."

The man went to the door and opened it. On the other side Telramund knelt, bound and gagged, with a dead, glassy look in his eyes. The man picked up Telramund and heaved him into the room. Telramund landed at Elsa's feet.

"Here's your chance," said the man. "He knows what he's done to you. He knows the position he's in. He knows he doesn't deserve mercy. He expects punishment. He wants you to kill him." The man took Elsa's hands and placed them on Telramund's face. "Do it," he hissed. "Give him what he needs."

Elsa cradled Telramund's rough face, feeling its creases and stubble. She closed his eyelids and planted her palms on his cheeks and her fingertips against his temples.

Elsa drew back her hands and let Telramund's head fall. "He has a son," she said.

"You know what he did to you," said the man. "You were there. You don't need witnesses. And you're the queen, so your word is law. Whatever you do is justice."

Elsa shook her head. "I don't like killing."

"He's a traitor. He needs killing."

"If whatever I do is justice, then my mercy is justice, too. I can't kill him."

The man seethed for a moment before composing himself. "Fine then." Picking Telramund up with one hand, the man threw him out and slammed the door. He returned to the chair by Elsa. "It's your decision, of course. Your restraint is admirable."

"Really?" asked Elsa. "I don't think I would put it that way." The man was making her uncomfortable. To cover her anxiety she began eating a hard boiled egg.

"Of course it is. You showed virtue and wisdom. Those qualities deserve praise. They make you an admirable woman."

"Well, you're not subtle. What's next, an ode to my sapphire eyes and flaxen hair?"

"I know what you want. I can give it to you."

"Oh really?" Elsa nibbled on a piece of smoked salmon.

"You want to have children."

Elsa choked on her salmon, then laughed. "I see you haven't been in Arendelle long! Everyone knows I'm not getting married."

"But you want children."

"Of course not."

"You say that because you're afraid of what they might be. What they might be able to do."

"I say that because I don't want them."

"You don't want them to be magical. But if you knew they wouldn't be. If you knew."

Elsa shrugged. "It's not something one can know. My parents didn't know." She bit into a sausage.

"I can make it happen. I can give you as many children as your heart desires. They will be beautiful, strong, healthy, and free of magic."

"Impossible," said Elsa.

"We can get started right now," the man said. He took her hand and kissed it. "Trust me. Believe in me. I can, I will give this to you. You'll have everything." He stroked her hand. "Let down your hair for me," he said.

Elsa patted the man's hand. "I'm not tempted," she said, "and I think you should go."

The man squeezed her hand. "Please don't leave me alone. I want you to be happy. We can make each other so happy."

Elsa stood. "I've had enough," she said. "My answer is no."

The man smirked. "I get what I want," he said. "You'll embrace me in the end."

"Get out."

"You think you can order me."

"I said get out."

The man was still smirking. "You pretend to be worried about protocol and etiquette because it keeps people away. You don't want to risk meeting a man whom you might want to marry. But if the right man tried to have his way with you, you'd let him, wouldn't you?" The man stood and advanced on Elsa. "You want it. You can't satisfy that urge on your own, but I can. I will satisfy your craving. I will be the object of your lust. I will give you unending pleasure. I will give you all you ever wanted."

Elsa found herself backed up against the door. Keeping her eyes on the man she reached for the doorknob. It didn't turn.

The man chuckled. "It's locked," he said. "We're alone for as long as we like." He pressed Elsa against the door and pushed his body against hers. Leaning over, he planted his lips on her shoulder and kissed up her neck.

Elsa shivered. The man's lips landed on her cheek. He drew back, gazed into her eyes, and caressed her cheeks with his hands. "Pretend to resist if you must, but you and I both know what you want."

A blizzard of snow pushed the man to the ground. Elsa shot ice at the door and it exploded. She turned to run through it but collided with a flat gray wall that sealed the room from the hallway. "What is this?" she exclaimed.

The man sat up and dusted himself off. "It's to keep you here with me until I'm done with you," he said.

"There was no wall here when you threw Telramund out. What did you do?" Elsa narrowed her eyes. "You're some kind of sorcerer."

The man snickered. "It doesn't matter," he said. "You're trapped."

Elsa sidestepped, circling around the man. When she reached her bed she climbed onto it, remaining focused on the man, and crawled to the other side.

"What do you think you're doing?" the man said.

Elsa continued to circle around the man until she reached a window. She threw aside the curtain and prepared to leap.

"Oh my God," Elsa gasped. "Oh my God!"

Outside, the sky was covered in black smoke and the light was deep crimson. Beneath her was a blasted, rocky plain pocked with sulfurous vents and geysers of flame. A river of boiling blood washed corpses into a lake of fire.

"Oh my God," Elsa repeated. "Where have you brought me?"

"Hell," the man said. "You're in Hell."

"I'm dead?"

"No. Call it a holiday. You're still alive," the man explained, "but not for long. Your wounds are severe, and besides, Telramund intends to put you on trial tomorrow. There can be only one outcome, of course."

Elsa looked out the window again. Here was a man writhing in a pit of vipers; there a woman drowned in a lake of tar. "You're not real, and this isn't real," Elsa said. "Everything I've been seeing isn't real. I must be ill."

The man nodded. "Your wounds are infected, and your fever has grown quite hot. You won't live very long."

"All this has been a lie."

The man laughed. "Of course not. It's real."

"You're a vision. You're in my mind."

"My presence in your mind is real. The perception of reality is as good as reality itself. I control your perception, so I also control your reality."

Elsa sat on the windowsill and stared out the window at the suffering souls. "It's not the same."

"If this is unreal, then you should indulge yourself. Live out your fantasies. Let your vengeance run wild and murder Telramund a hundred times. Spend a month reveling in passion with me."

Elsa closed the curtain. "I won't cultivate delusion."

"What does it matter if you do?"

"Because it's a lie. You're a lie."

"Every promise I've made to you is real. If you join me, I will free you from your prison. I will heal your wounds and put Telramund in your power. I will provide you with a passionate husband and magicless children."

"You can't do anything."

The man smiled. "Tell yourself that if you like. Tell yourself I'm just a nightmare summoned by illness. Even so, everything I promise will come true."

"Keep your empty promises."

"You think you can reject me, but you've already succumbed," he said. "Take a look at your waistline."

Elsa looked down. An unsightly bulge protruded from her abdomen.

"How many sandwiches did you eat?" the man asked. "You piled everything in front of you on that first one. The second one had salami and cheese. The third was egg and sausage. Then there was pickled herring and smoked salmon and another egg and suddenly"-he slapped her belly-"there you are, with a layer of fat, proving yourself to be a glutton."

Elsa wiggled her belly fat. It hadn't been there a moment ago. "It's a trick."

"How much did you weigh at your coronation?"

"I'm not discussing my weight."

"Can you still fit into your coronation dress?"

"Of course."

"But at your coronation, it was a perfect fit. Now it's a little, hmm, let's call it snug. Don't you think?"

"No."

"You're the same little girl who used to gorge herself on chocolate until she was sick. The girl whose parents had to tell the kitchen to serve her less cake. The girl who gained ten pounds the month her parents died. You know that if you ate as much as you wanted you'd be fat."

"That's not true."

"Don't be ashamed. Look," the man said, gesturing towards the table. The breakfast tray was gone and the table was filled with desserts. There was a three-layer chocolate cake, chocolate-covered fruits, chocolate-covered nuts, dark, milk, and white solid chocolate bars, and a goblet of chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup drizzled on top. "It's all for you."

"I don't want any."

"In your heart you're a glutton. You dream about desserts. You've dreamed about them for years, a dream about eating and eating and eating. Now you can fulfill your dream. You can eat, and you'll never feel too full, and you'll never gain weight." He touched the bulge on Elsa's stomach, and it shrank. "See?" He picked up two cordial glasses filled with chocolate liqueur and pushed one into Elsa's hand. "This is what you want. Drink with me, and eat."

The man raised the glass to his lips and waited for Elsa. When she didn't move, he took his index finger and guided her glass to her lips. He tilted his own glass back and drank.

Keeping her eyes fixed on the man, Elsa poured her liqueur on the carpet.

The man knocked the glass out of her hand. "Fine then. But I have one more offer to make." He snapped his fingers.

Elsa and the man were in Anna's bedchamber. It was a little after noon. Anna lay on her bed with her legs wide. A woman Elsa recognized as Anna's midwife knelt in front of her. Standing to the side was a girl Elsa didn't know.

Margrete sat down on the bed next to Anna and took her hand. "Three fingers. You're progressing."

Anna's flesh was a sickening gray. She cried out and grimaced. She grunted and pushed on her belly.

"Not yet," said Margrete. "You're not dilated enough."

"What's going on?" asked Elsa.

"Your sister is having a difficult labor," said the man. "It's been about twenty-eight hours. Sixteen of those have been hard labor, but it'll be hours more before she delivers."

"Another trick."

"No, I'm honest when it suits me. By now she's too weak even to stand on her own. She'll die in childbirth, and the baby will be stillborn. Difficult labor runs in the family. Your mother nearly had a younger brother. You know that, right?"

Elsa nodded. When she had been young she had asked why she had two grandfathers but only one grandmother. Papa had taken her aside, explained, and said, "Never bring this up with your mother. It hurts her to think about it." Elsa had run up to Mama, thrown her arms around her, and told her she loved her. When Mama asked what was wrong, Elsa had refused to tell her.

"Here is my final offer," said the man. "Worship me, and your sister and her baby will live, and you will have everything I've promised you. Reject me, and they will die."

"I don't trust you."

"It's the only way to save your sister. If you don't believe me, talk to her yourself."

The man snapped his fingers again. Anna's eyes lit up. "Elsa," she whispered.

"Anna?" asked Elsa. She sat down opposite Margrete.

"I missed you," said Anna.

"Ma'am?" asked Margrete. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Help me up," said Anna.

Elsa and Margrete each took one of Anna's arms and lifted her upright. Anna's skin was clammy. As she rose, she swayed and leaned on Elsa.

"Careful, Ma'am," said Margrete, "let me hold you up."

"It's okay, Elsa has me."

Margrete tightened her grip. "Elsa's not here, Ma'am. Ida, bring some more broth for her."

"Walk with me," said Anna.

With Elsa's and Margrete's support, Anna shuffled around the room. Ida brought her a mug of warm broth, and Anna paused to gulp it.

"The baby's not coming out," Anna said. "I think I'm going to die." As another contraction passed through her, she screamed and clamped down on Elsa's arm. Anna's legs collapsed, and Elsa struggled to keep Anna upright.

"Don't say that, Ma'am," said Margrete. "I've seen women survive long labors before."

Anna shook her head. "I've overheard you. I'm not dilating fast enough. I've been in hard labor for too long. I'm still a long ways away from delivering a baby. No, I know how this is going to turn out. Like grandmother. Elsa, since you're here I have things to tell you."

"Go on," said Elsa, "say whatever you need to."

"Ma'am, your sister's not here," said Margrete.

"Of course she's here. Elsa, I want you to take care of things for me after I'm gone. First, if the baby survives, Kristoff and I agreed to name her Emma, after grandmother. I don't think it's a boy, but if he is we never settled on a boy's name anyway. We joked about naming him Sven Jr., but don't do that to him.

"Second, I want to be buried near Mama and Papa. And if the baby doesn't survive, I want her buried near me.

"Third, you have to take care of Kristoff. You know how he is. He'll avoid everyone and wallow in depression. You can't let him be distraught on his own. Support him. He'll support you, too. And if it comes to it, you have my blessing."

"Wait, what?"

"You're not interested in him, I know, and you'd just reinforce each others' weaknesses anyway. Besides, it'd be gross. But he can be really sweet, and you already love each other like family. I don't want to push you, but if it happens, you have my blessing."

"Oh. Uh, thanks. I guess."

Anna shrieked in pain again, and tears streamed down her face. She collapsed into Elsa's and Margrete's arms and hung between them, panting, until she regained her strength. Heaving herself upright, she said, "Last, Telramund is creepy and I hate him, but don't lower yourself to his level. You're better than he is." She sighed. "That's enough walking. Help me back to bed."

"Do you need more broth, Ma'am?" asked Margrete.

"That would help. Thanks."

Anna sat on the bed, leaning against Elsa, and sipped another mug of broth. "Tell me how you got out of that cell."

"I think I'm still there. I've been seeing visions. Can you see that man standing there?"

"No."

"I think he's the devil." The man grinned and bared his teeth. "He's been trying to tempt me."

"What do you mean?"

"He's offered me revenge against Telramund, lust, gluttony. But I don't want any of that."

"How'd you get here?"

"He's trying to tempt me again. He says he can save you and the baby if I give in."

"Oh. I don't, I just-" Anna wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm so tired."

Elsa hugged Anna. "Do you want it to be over?"

Anna shook her head. "It's not about me." As she went to stroke her belly, another contraction hit. Anna screamed again, long and loud, and dug her nails into Elsa's flesh.

Elsa leaned Anna onto her back. Anna panted. Elsa said, "I want to save you."

"That'd be nice." Anna took Elsa's hand. "It feels good having you here."

"Let me save you. Is it so bad that I want you to live?"

"You don't have to do anything for me," murmured Anna.

Tears fell from Elsa's eyes. "You haven't given up, right?"

Anna was silent. Then a contraction struck her, and she cried out again. Her pain-streaked face twisted as she squeezed Elsa's hand.

The man snapped his fingers, and everything vanished.

Elsa blinked. She was in the middle of the castle throne room. Sitting on the throne was the man.

"Get on your knees," the man said.

"Will you save Anna?"

"I'll give you everything I promised."

"I only care about Anna."

"You'll have her and more."

"Don't bother."

"I'm not stingy. You're entitled to it all."

"I don't want it. I sell my soul and you save her life and her baby's. Nothing more or less."

"Fine. Now kneel."

Elsa looked up at the man and the memory of Anna's gray, pained face flashed before her eyes. She stretched one foot behind her and lowered herself to one knee. The thought of Anna's suffering made Elsa's heart ache. The ache spread through her whole chest, and the pain made it hard for her to breathe. She felt her throat tighten, and she wheezed as she tried to suck in air.

Elsa's body felt heavy. Her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground. Ice sprang outwards from her body along the ground, coating the floor and growing in thick fingers up the walls. Snow blew from the ceiling.

Elsa tried to get up, but her arms and legs were numb, and she could hardly move them. Her heart raced, straining against the crushing ache on her chest. She was losing her chance to save Anna, she thought. She tried to support herself on her elbows, but the world spun around her, and in her dizziness she slipped, smacking her face against the floor.

She was dying, Elsa realized. Not in a few days, and not after a trial. Her wounds were too severe. She was dying right now, and there was no way for her to save herself. Knowing that couldn't save herself gave her thoughts sudden clarity, and she felt something like scales fall from her eyes. The man's skin turned fiery red, and he grew horns and a tail. The throne room faded, and she was in a dark cave. Her body ached where she had been pierced. She put her hand to her side and felt blood and pus spilling out.

The visions had been fake. In her illness, Elsa had been trapped by delirium. Everything she had seen was a corruption of reality. The man and his promises were lies.

Elsa craned her neck to look at the man once more. He was standing in front of a throne made of human skulls. "Worship me!" he shouted.

Elsa felt her spirit leave her body. As she drifted upwards, looking down at her corpse, she tried to reach out and catch it, but she couldn't hold on. Unable to keep herself down, she floated towards the ceiling. From afar she fought to open her mouth. She whispered, "No."

Elsa felt a warm and ethereal lightness. When she looked around, she was still imprisoned, and she could feel the gloves on her hands, but she was in no pain, and she no longer felt trapped.

Elsa heard a stiff thump on the wall. As she craned her neck to look, there was another thump, and the wall broke. Bricks tumbled inward and a crack of daylight shined through. Through the hole in the wall, she watched a swan fly towards the wall and strike it with his beak. With the swan's third strike, the wall collapsed and the room was flooded with light.

The swan landed next to Elsa, and his presence gave her an overwhelming joy. With two quick pecks at her gloves, he freed her. "Thank you," she said, and in gratitude she stroked the swan's soft head.

The swan turned to leave. "Take me with you," said Elsa. The swan waited, and Elsa climbed on his back. Hugging him, she said, "I will follow you wherever you go."

The swan began to sing, and Elsa joined him in a duet. He flapped his wings, and together they soared into the air. As they rose toward Heaven, lifted by the rhythmic beat of the swan's wings, Elsa relaxed. Nestling her head against the swan's neck, she closed her eyes and slept.

That evening, Margrete announced, "The baby's coming any moment now. Next time you have a contraction, push as hard as you can. I'll help."

Knowing that her ordeal was about to be over relieved Anna despite the pain. When her next contraction came and she started to push, however, her relief was replaced by a sudden burning sensation, making her yelp.

"It's working," said Margrete. "Push."

Anna and Margrete pushed, and the burning became a fire in her loins. Anna felt an enormous pressure trying to burst through her.

"Push harder," said Margrete. They pushed again. "Keep pushing!" They pushed a third time.

Anna felt a sudden displacement and emptiness. The burning subsided. Margrete picked up the baby, put it in Anna's arms, and said, "Looks like a daughter. Congratulations."

Anna cradled the girl in her arms. The girl coughed and began to cry. "Aw, dearie, don't cry," said Anna. "Mama's here for you. Mama loves you." Anna kissed the baby.

"Would you like me to clean her off for you, Ma'am?" asked Margrete.

"Let me hold her for a while first. My baby. My dear, sweet baby Emma."

There were voices in the distance. "God, the smell is awful."

"Careful, the well is right inside."

Elsa saw dim lights above her. There were at least two, maybe three candles.

"How are we supposed to get her out of there?"

"There's a hoist. You tie her to the hook and he'll lift her. Ladder's over there."

Elsa saw the faint silhouette of a man descend a ladder. "It smells even worse down here." The man paused at the bottom to look at her. Elsa watched him but didn't move. "Send it down," he called. Machinery clanked, and a hook descended from above. "More. More. More. Stop." The hook was right over Elsa's chest. The man unslung a length of rope from his shoulder. "You're so filthy I don't even want to touch you." He tied the rope around Elsa's gloves, around her waist, and around the hook. "Ready," he called. Elsa was lifted into the air.

Elsa was set down in sight of the door. As the one who had operated the hoist approached her, he said, "Oh God, she's the smell." In the dim light from the hallway, Elsa could see that he was a solider.

When the first man had climbed back up the ladder, the second one said, "You take her left side and I'll take her right." The two soldiers each grabbed one of Elsa's gloves and lifted her to her feet. Elsa felt the world spin, and she stretched her feet in all directions, looking for the ground. Her left foot kicked one of the soldiers, and he swore and dropped her glove. The falling glove pulled her to the ground, dragging the other soldier down with her.

A third soldier approached. "I'll get her legs," he said.

The third soldier grabbed her legs, the first two grabbed her gloves again, and together the three of them lifted Elsa.

"Damn it, why did they make these so heavy?" asked one soldier.

"Because she can break through smaller ones," said the soldier carrying her legs. His uniform, Elsa saw, indicated that he was a lieutenant. "These are five centimeters thick."

The four of them tottered to the door. "Where to?" asked one.

"The storeroom down the hall."

The weight of the gloves made progress slow. Elsa recognized this part of the castle now. It was very old, and room they were bringing her to was a disused chapel that had been converted into storage.

The room was bare stone and empty except for a pile of junk in one corner. The soldiers set Elsa face up in the middle of the floor. The lieutenant said to one of the soldiers, "Get the servants to clean her up. Let me know when she's presentable."

The soldiers left, and Elsa lay on the floor. A while later a plain black-haired young woman came in carrying a bucket, a bar of soap, rags, and a brush. Elsa could see her nose wrinkle as she crossed the threshold. "Your Royal Majesty," she said, curtsying, "my name is Kirsten."

Kirsten set the bucket down, put her hands on her hips, and examined Elsa. "Your clothes can't be salvaged. I hope you hated this dress." She went to the door and spoke to the soldiers keeping guard. "She needs fresh clothes. And get me some scissors and a needle and thread, and someone else to help."

Kirsten returned to Elsa. "Now, let's see if we can get you out of this mess." Kirsten began unwrapping the bandage around Elsa's chest. As it fell away, Kirsten gagged, covered her nose and mouth, and then vomited in the corner of the room. She took a deep breath, covered her nose and mouth again, and returned to Elsa, peering at the wound in her side. Then Kirsten went back to the door.

"She needs a doctor." Elsa couldn't hear what the soldiers said. "Idiot, you'd better find one then." Another inaudible reply from the soldiers. "Can't do your job so I have to do it for you." Kirsten left.

When Kirsten returned, she was carrying another bucket, more rags, and a pair of scissors. "The doctor has been sent for, Your Majesty. In the meantime I'm going to remove your clothes."

Kirsten cut away Elsa's clothes. She cut Elsa's dress down the length of her body on both sides, cut the arms off, pulled the sleeves out of the gloves, and cut down the length of Elsa's arms. She cut Elsa's corset on both sides, then snipped through her petticoat. When Kirsten cut away Elsa's shift, she dropped her scissors, ran for the corner of the room, and vomited again. She panted and spat mucus out of her mouth before returning to Elsa. Covering her mouth and nose, she finished cutting away the shift and removed the rags from Elsa's body. "I'll have these burned," Kirsten said, dumping them in the corner where she had vomited.

There was a knock on the door, and a girl stepped in carrying a pile of clothes. "Oh my God, what's that smell?" asked the girl.

"Treat Her Majesty with respect, Ida."

"My apologies. Pardon me, Your Majesty," said Ida, curtsying.

"Don't blame her for her condition," said Kirsten. "Nobody cleaned her wounds, and she couldn't use a chamber pot in those gloves. Help me wash her."

The two girls scrubbed the grime away from Elsa's body, washing her from head to toe. When they reached the wounds in her side, arms, and legs, the soap stung, making Elsa draw in her breath.

"Her wounds are disgusting," said Ida.

"I doubt the doctor will be able to help her," said Kirsten.

"What do we do about the gloves?" asked Ida.

"Nothing," said Kirsten. "Do you know what kind of trouble we'd get in for taking them off?"

"Alright." Ida gave Elsa a few more strokes of her brush and announced, "I'm done with my side."

"Only with the front. We still have to get her back. Help me lift her glove."

Ida and Kirsten lifted Elsa's right glove over her body and set it down on the opposite side of her left glove, flipping Elsa onto her stomach. They returned to scrubbing. When they were done, Ida fetched a blanket from the pile of clothes she had brought and dried Elsa. Ida and Kirsten flipped Elsa again.

Ida tucked the blanket under Elsa's body and wrapped her in it. "Do you need more help?" Ida asked.

"We're done until the doctor shows up, but then I'll need your help dressing her."

Elsa recognized Doctor Jonsson when he arrived. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing. "Please tell me about your condition."

Elsa was silent. Kirsten said, "We haven't heard her say anything at all."

"Your Majesty?" asked Jonsson. Elsa remained silent. Jonsson turned to Kirsten. "Miss, please tell me what you've seen."

"She's been stabbed in her side, in both her arms, and in both legs. The wounds were filled with pus when we started washing her. Her skin is hot, and I think she might be feverish. And I don't think she's had anything to eat or drink in days."

Jonsson looked Elsa up and down, then lifted the blanket far enough to examine Elsa's wounds. When he was done looking, he went to the door. "Get me wine, boiled water, bread, and clean bandages," he said to the soldier on guard.

Jonsson knelt next to Elsa, and said, "Your Majesty, your condition is grievous. You may not live, but I will treat you as best as I can."

When the soldier returned, Jonsson washed Elsa's wounds with the water. He soaked the bandages with wine and wrapped Elsa's wounds. Finally, he offered Elsa the bread and the dregs of the wine. "Take this," he said. "Eat and drink."

Elsa ate the bread and drank the wine. She hadn't realized how hungry she was.

"I've done what I can," said Jonsson. "I hope you survive."

Jonsson left, and Kirsten and Ida dressed Elsa. The arms of her shift stretched enough to be put on over the gloves, and the corset and petticoat were no problem. To put her in her dress, they unstitched the seams along the arms and enough of the seams down the sides to let the gloves fit through. They put the dress over Elsa's head and began restitching the arms and sides. It was delicate work, but the two of them were patient.

The lieutenant entered without knocking. "Is she ready yet?"

"Her arms aren't done," said Kirsten.

"Doesn't matter. The trial's about to begin." The lieutenant turned to the door. "Men, it's time to get her."

Telramund had opted to hold the trial in the castle where there was less risk of a riot. For this, the ballroom had been converted into a courtroom. There was a raised seat for the judge at the front of the room. Next to it was a chair for witnesses. Three chairs were set up to the side, one for Elsa and one each to hold her gloves. A stenographer sat at a desk in the corner. To ensure everyone's safety, soldiers were stationed around the room. The rest of the room was filled with chairs, couches, and whatever else could be found to seat people.

To give the event a public character, Telramund had compelled the leading citizens of the city to attend. Every gentleman, every rich merchant, and every master craftsman had received a knock on their door from a party of soldiers yesterday. They had been told that they were expected to attend the trial and that there would be consequences for their absence. Telramund was pleased to see them filling the ballroom.

Telramund was also gratified that Anna was there, seated in the front row and cradling her daughter Emma. He hoped that showing her that Elsa's trial was honest would help her to forgive him. It wasn't honest, since he had the judge's family in custody, but Anna wouldn't know that, and besides, he had to ensure a sensible outcome. On top of that, he had asked for Elsa to be cleaned up and made presentable just so that Anna knew he was not being malicious. Since Anna's life had been dominated by her sister for years, he didn't expect Anna to reconcile with him soon, yet her attendance made sure that she would see firsthand the justice of his actions.

Anna felt tired. Labor had exhausted her and made her lose a lot of blood. Emma needed to be fed every couple of hours, so Anna hadn't been able to sleep through the night. She would have refused to come except that Elsa was supposed to be here. Even so, walking was so painful and difficult that she had needed help to reach the ballroom. At least Emma was sleeping right now.

The main doors opened, and the crowd turned to watch. Elsa was carried to the front of the room by three soldiers. Anna was shocked by Elsa's appearance. Her face was pale, her cheeks were sunken, and her lips were dry and cracked. Her body was limp almost to the point of lifelessness. The soldiers placed Elsa in her seat and rested the gloves on the two chairs on either side of her.

As the judge entered, everyone but Elsa and Anna rose. Anna recognized him as a local magistrate. She wondered whether he supported Telramund or whether he, too, was being forced to participate. As the judge took his seat, the courtroom sat back down.

The judge spoke. "Queen Elsa of Arendelle is accused of witchcraft. This is a grave and unusual charge. Let us begin with the prosecution. Prosecutor, your opening statement."

Telramund stepped forward. Anna steeled herself. Turning to the crowd, Telramund said, "The queen is accused of witchcraft. The law is clear on witchcraft." He picked up a nearby book and read aloud. "A woman is guilty of witchcraft if she is seen to practice magic. The penalty for witchcraft is death." He put the book down. "The queen is a powerful witch. She used magic from a young age. She defied her parents so that she could be a witch. Even after nearly killing her sister she didn't give up witchcraft. Instead she cultivated her abilities. She became powerful enough to freeze the whole kingdom and ruthless enough to use that ability when it suited her dark purposes. She was willing to sacrifice every one of us to her thirst for elemental power, and she was unafraid to nearly kill her sister a second time. You know that as long as she is alive you are not safe. You know this in your heart. I will prove to you that as a matter of law, she is a witch. I will prove to you that as a matter of law, she deserves death. I will give you your safety and your freedom back."

"You have no power over me," interrupted Elsa.

"Quiet!" roared Telramund.

Elsa continued, "I am the queen. I am not elected. I am not subject to anyone on Earth. I am subject only to God."

"Someone shut her up," said Telramund.

"I rule by His grace alone. If my rule pleases Him, He will strike you down. If it does not, it is Him, not you, who will depose me."

Anna was astonished. Elsa had never been religious. Now she sounded pious, and her face had a quiet serenity.

"If I'm wrong, may God strike me down on this spot!" boasted Telramund.

"I dreamed last night," intoned Elsa. "A swan broke my chains. I climbed on his back and we soared to Heaven together." Her voice rose. "My swan is coming for me! He will lead me out of the darkness and into the light!"

With a thunderous clap the ballroom doors burst open. A knight clad in a full suit of plate armor stood at the threshold. He wielded a sword in his right hand and bore a white shield in his left. Painted on his shield was a red swan.

The knight strode to the front of the room. At the foot of the dais he dropped to one knee and spoke in a ringing tenor voice. "Your Majesty Queen Elsa of Arendelle, I have come to offer you my service."

"Guards, get him out of here," said Telramund. A crowd of soldiers rushed at the knight and surrounded him. He rose to his feet and swung his shield. His blow lifted the soldiers into the air, causing them to fly back and crash on the ground. The soldiers charged the knight again. He swung his shield a second time and drove them back.

"Fix bayonets!" ordered the lieutenant. The soldiers charged at the knight a third time, but their bayonets bounced off of his armor. With another swing of the knight's shield, the soldiers collapsed.

"Halt," ordered the lieutenant. The soldiers kept back from the knight. To Telramund, the lieutenant said, "Sorry Sir, but we can't seem to make him flinch."

Telramund called to the knight, "Who are you?"

The knight ignored him and returned to one knee. "Queen Elsa, my service comes with one condition. Never ask my name or my land. If you ask my name or my land, I must depart before the next sunset. If you accept this condition I will serve you until you dismiss me or until the end of my days on Earth."

"O knight, I agree to your terms. Do what you were sent to do."

The knight rose. "Count Friedrich of Telramund, on behalf of Queen Elsa of Arendelle I challenge you to trial by combat."

Telramund laughed. "This is like a bad theatrical production. You show up dressed like some medieval do-gooder and expect me to accept your challenge? Of course not."

"Queen Elsa has chosen me as her champion. We will fight, and God will decide the winner."

"This is ridiculous. Lieutenant, hand me a musket." Telramund held out his hand, and the lieutenant gave him a musket and a cartridge. Telramund tore open the cartridge, primed the musket, shoved the lead ball into the muzzle, and rammed down the cartridge. He raised the musket to his shoulder and cocked it. Telramund said, "I accept your challenge. Come at me."

The knight advanced on Telramund. When the knight was a foot away from the muzzle of the musket, Telramund fired. The musket bellowed and hurled a lead ball at the knight. When the ball hit the knight's armor, it bounced off, making a faint clink, and fell to the ground. The knight was unmoved.

As Telramund gaped, the knight slammed Telramund with his shield. Telramund stumbled and fell backwards. Leaping to his feet, he raised the musket over his head, and with a roar he clouted the knight on the head. The knight didn't flinch. Telramund swung the musket again, but it bounced off the knight, slipped from Telramund's grasp, and flew out of reach.

Unarmed, Telramund skirted around the knight. "Give me another musket! A loaded one, quick!" he shouted as he backed away. A soldier tossed him another musket. Again, Telramund waited until the knight was too close to miss. Smoke and fire burst from the musket, but when the ball hit the knight, it bounced off, harmless, and fell to the ground.

The knight smacked Telramund over the head with his shield. Telramund was knocked to the ground. Before Telramund could get up, the knight planted his armored foot on Telramund's chest and put his sword at Telramund's throat.

"My lady," said the knight, "what is to be done with him?"

"He receives mercy," said Elsa. "Friedrich of Telramund, you are stripped of your title. Your lands are the property of the crown. You have one hour to leave Arendelle, and your person is under my protection for that time. If you are found in Arendelle after that hour, you will be executed."

"I don't answer to you," said Telramund.

"She is your liege," said the knight. "Do as she says."

Telramund tried to get up, but the knight leaned forward, placing his weight on Telramund's chest and pressing the point of his sword into Telramund's throat. "Fine," said Telramund. "I yield."

The knight withdrew his foot. "My lady, how else may I serve you?"

"Free me from my bonds, O knight."

The knight turned to ascend the dais. Telramund glanced towards Anna, then, keeping a watchful eye on the knight, pulled a knife from his boot. Telramund leaped towards Anna and tore Emma from her arms. Emma shrieked. Telramund held the point of his knife to Emma's chest. "Stay back," he said.

"Give me back my daughter!" yelled Anna.

"Tell him to lay down his weapons and armor!"

The knight said, "Thou knave, return her daughter and repent!"

"I said to lay down your weapons and armor!"

The knight turned to Elsa. Elsa said, "He has lost my protection."

The knight leaped at Telramund, travelling the whole length of the room in an eyeblink. The knight's sword swung down, across Telramund's shoulders and above Emma's head, slicing clean through Telramund's neck. Telramund's head fell off, and blood sprayed from the stump. The knight dropped his sword, and using his free hand, caught Emma in his shield as Telramund collapsed.

The crowd gasped. Telramund's head rolled to a stop. Its mouth, not yet aware that its owner was dead, was fixed in a twisted grin. His limbs flailed about on the ground. Soon the flow of blood from his neck ebbed, and the body became motionless.

Emma was still crying. The knight, cradling her in his arms, presented her to Anna, who snatched Emma away.

Elsa proclaimed, "I decree amnesty for all who lay down their weapons. Anyone who refuses to lay down their weapons will be hanged."

A soldier in the corner of the room laid down his musket. Then another, then a third, and then it was a race to disarmament.

The knight retrieved his sword, wiped the blood off, and sheathed it. He returned to Elsa, loosed the screws that held Elsa's gloves tight around her wrists, and drew the gloves off.

A man in the crowd stood and shouted, "Long live the queen!" Another man stood and repeated, "Long live the queen!" Soon the whole assembly was standing and chanting, "Long live the queen!"

"I must ask for your assistance again, O knight," said Elsa. "I'm too weak to walk."

"I'll carry you," the knight said.

"Take me to my room. I'll tell you the way."

The knight placed his hands under her back and legs and picked her up. As he turned to the crowd, a roar of cheering and clapping broke out. Elsa reached beneath his helmet and stroked his cheek, and Anna's mouth fell open in shock. As the knight carried her out of the ballroom, the crowd resumed its ecstatic chant. "Long live the queen! Long live the queen! Long live the queen!"