"How did this happen?" Elsa frowned and looked away from the dead body.
It was a rather horrific sight. The face of the man was pale as freshly fallen snow yet dark veins stood out around his eyes and on his neck. The skin around the eyes was puffy and red from the few streaks of blood coming out of the eye corners. The eyes themselves were full of tiny swollen veins, many of which must've burst since their color was crimson red.
The man's face was locked in an expression of agony, muscles twisted and tensed. His mouth was opened wider than Elsa thought could be humanly possible, so much so that the skin was cracked and tightened around his jaw. It looked as if the man tried to eat an entire apple in one go. A few streaks of blood were also coming from his mouth, down along his jaw and neck.
His body was twisted in a painful looking spasm, his hands locked around his throat. The entire image taken in at once made it look as if he died trying to breathe.
"We don't know, Your Grace," answered the captain of the prison guard. "He got his meal at noon and when we went in to retrieve the tray we found him like this."
Elsa shivered a little once she took in the horrible sight again. For the first time she was glad that Anna wasn't with her.
Poor girl has seen enough grim imagery to last her a life time, the blonde thought, remembering the mayhem she made and that poor Anna had to witness. She was glad that the redhead made no objections when Elsa decided it might be better if she attended to this matter without her. Anna had agreed with her decision, only asking that she might be escorted to the servant quarters so she could join her brother and Denise, since she wouldn't find the way on her own. The queen happily obliged.
"Could you close his eyes, please?" Elsa shivered once more when one of the prison guards fulfilled her order, the dead figure somehow looking even more disturbing than before with its body and face still twisted and mouth wide opened.
"Thank you." Elsa promptly scanned the cell. There was no way anyone could get in from the outside since the guards were standing by the door at all times and the only access to the outside world was a three-inch-wide window that provided only a minimal source of light.
These are the cold cells after all.
They were built for the worse sorts of prisoners. Traitors of the crown, serial killers, prisoners of war, etc. They were specially designed to dig on the sub consciousness and break the morale and resolve of its prisoners, making them easier to interrogate, or in the case of killers, give them the worst accommodations possible before their executions. The only dim light, moist walls and floors and the ever present bone chilling cold made sure of that.
There is no possible way anyone could have gotten inside and done this.
She looked at the half eaten loaf of bread and the cracked jug of water with its former contents spilled on the floor and it became clear to her. It was the only logical explanation.
"This man was poisoned."
The captain nodded. "Lady Pata concluded the same, Your Grace. We've sent for her to check the scene for herself and she said it had been some kind of plant poison, an, umm…'Immoral Boom' I believe?"
"An Emerald Bloom, captain," came a voice from the entrance to the dungeons. Pata and two of her agents were striding towards them.
"A rare flower here in Scandza, growing only in the very highest peaks amongst small tufts of grass. Its juices however are extremely deadly. A mere few drops can kill a man in just a few moments. The poison makes the blood amass in the head and around the heart, eventually making the smallest veins break and cause internal bleeding. This makes the lungs fill up with blood, blocking the air ways which leads to suffocation."
She knelt next to the body of the attacker and ran her finger along the line of blood that was coming down from one of the eyes.
"After too much blood hoards up in the brain it starts flowing out through the eye sockets." She wiped her finger with a handkerchief and put it in her pocket. She stood up and turned back to the queen and the captain.
"Rather gruesome end if I might say." She glanced back at the body.
"It starts as an innocent cough. The victim doesn't realize something is wrong until it's too late." Pata sighed. "And then it's far too late to do anything."
Elsa shivered at the horrific lecture but remained calm, taking in a deep breath.
"Do we have any leads on who might have done this?"
"Oh, that won't be necessary, Your Majesty. We already caught the one who did it."
Elsa's eyes widened. "You did?"
Pata nodded.
"When I saw the body I've recognized the symptoms and was sure we that the prisoner was poisoned. I immediately made sure to retain everyone who worked in the kitchens and therefore could possibly come into contact with the prisoner's meal. We asked them who handled the food and who carried it to the prisoner."
She turned to look at the captain. "It was one of your men I'm afraid."
"What!? Who?" The captain of the guards began sweating.
"Jacob was his name, I believe?"
"Jacob? But he just started here few weeks ago…" The realization dawned on the captain, and he bowed his head in shame.
"I-I am sorry, Your Grace. I had no idea this man was an imposter. If I had known I'd—"
"There is nothing to apologize for, captain." Elsa raised her hand to stop him from making any other arguments. "Lady Pata, where is this man now?"
"Well…he is dead, Your Majesty."
Elsa frowned and gave her a puzzled look. "What do you mean he's dead?! What happened?"
Lady Pata sighed.
"Once we knew it was him who handled the food, I've sent my men to fetch him for questioning as he was a possible suspect. Once my men found him though he started running. My men gave chase and cornered him on the ramparts. Unfortunately, it seems he had a spare vial of the poison prepared in case he got caught."
She looked down on her shoes and took a deep breath. "He used it and died before my men could do anything about it."
She straightened up and looked at the queen.
"Whoever we are dealing with seems to want to remain secret. We are questioning the kitchen staff at the moment for any possible accomplices and the castle is being searched on your order as we speak. We will get to the bottom of this. You have my word, Your Majesty."
Elsa nodded. "Thank you. You are dismissed."
Pata bowed her head and exited the dungeons.
Elsa sighed. They were back to square one. They had nothing.
"Captain," Elsa said turning to the man. "Please see that the body is taken care of and I suggest you check the rest of your men. I am not questioning their loyalty, but we can't be too careful, given what's happened. Check anyone who you don't fully trust, anyone new, anyone suspicious. I trust you can make that happen?"
"Yes, Your Grace." He bowed his head and clenched his fist over his heart. "It shall be done."
Elsa nodded and left the dungeons, a deep frown on her face.
Our enemies seem to always be just one step ahead of us. I hope this Jacob was the last of the traitors in our walls.
"Your Grace!" A voice shouted and soon a man caught up to the queen, visibly fatigued.
"Lord Goscin," Elsa noted as the minister of foreign affairs wheezed, trying to catch his breath. "What is the matter?"
"The…the ambassadors…t-they are here, Your Grace," he spat out through the shallow breaths.
What!?
"Already? I thought we still had a few days at least." Elsa's frown deepened, her lips pursed into a thin line.
They couldn't have picked a better time to arrive.
"Apparently not, Your Grace…Ships bearing the flags of Corona and Scotland were spotted entering the fjord…They will be here any minute."
Elsa sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. She concentrated and with few waves of her hand she changed her casual dress into a bright blue garment with a long gown. Although she normally avoided using her powers at all, she found this ability quite effective at times.
Especially in a hurry.
"I hope you have the welcoming committee prepared on standby?" she asked as she began striding towards the castles entrance.
"Y-yes, Your Grace," stuttered the minister at the sight of both the queen's powers and elegance, "I've already dispatched them to the harbor so they can escort our guests to the castle's entrance courtyard where you can welcome them personally."
"Well done, Lord Goscin. Let us be off then."
"Well done, indeed." Pata praised her agents. "Quick and clean. That's how it's supposed to be done."
Finally, something went according to plan. The prisoner died as planned, they managed to frame a prison guard who was handling his food for the deed and take care of him all in less than an hour. This was a perfectly executed operation. No one suspected them, no one witnessed anything and there was no way anyone could trace this back to them.
"Now, are you sure this guard was a nobody?" she asked as she went through her stock of poisons.
I have to get rid of the rest of the Emerald Bloom, just to be sure. I am leaving nothing to coincidence.
"Yes, ma'am. He started here little over twenty days ago, but he was a total outcast. He didn't have any friends, a couple of acquaintances at best. Nobody will be surprised he was the imposter. With his solitary behavior they will probably curse themselves on why they hadn't noticed sooner."
Pata grinned as she took every vial of the Emerald Bloom out of her stock and put it into a little pouch.
"Excellent! Nice job all of you, now—"
A sudden nock on the door of her office halted her words. She slid the pouch into the drawer of her desk.
"Enter," she called out.
One of her agents slid inside.
"My lady," he said in low voice as he closed the door behind him, "we have new orders."
Pata pursed her lips and gestured him to come forward. The agent walked to her and handed her the letter. She tore it open and scanned over its content.
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
She sighed, closed her eyes and rubbed her temples with one hand while leaning against the table with the other.
"What is it ma'am?" Asked one of her agents.
She crumpled the paper, throwing it into the fireplace behind her table and stared into the flames.
"Apparently, only after the methods of our superiors fail, will we resort back to our original plan."
The agents exchanged concerned glances.
"Ma'am, does that mean that—"
"Yes." Pata spat into the fire, the flames hissed at the contact.
She turned and added with a stern face.
"We are kidnapping the queen."
Elsa stood in the courtyard, her hands folded over her abdomen. Around her were the welcoming committee and servants prepared to take care of any luggage their guests might bring.
They should be here any moment now.
And just as she thought so the gates opened and a number of Arendelle soldiers came through, making an aisle for the procession.
A small group of soldiers with the bright sun of Corona on their chests appeared first with a well dressed official alongside them. As they arrived before the queen the soldiers stopped and the official started.
"In the name of the King and Queen of Corona we greet Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle." He paused for a moment as he and the soldiers bowed before the queen.
Elsa nodded in acknowledgement and the official continued.
"We hereby present the ambassador of our kingdom, Lady Giulia Tvaroh." He and the soldiers bowed their heads and stepped aside for the Lady Giulia to pass between them. A black haired, elegant young woman stepped forth.
"Your Majesty." She bowed deeply.
"Lady Giulia," Elsa greeted with a nod. "I hope you had a pleasant journey."
"Quite so, Your Majesty," she acknowledged with a smile.
"I am happy to hear that. I welcome you to Arendelle and hope your stay here will be just as comfortable," she stated with a smile and gestured to Lord Wilk by her side. "Lord Wilk will see that you are accommodated and that you are comfortable."
Lady Giulia bowed her head and left with Wilk and his escort into the castle.
"In the name of the King and Queen of the Highland kingdom of Scotland we greet Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
Elsa turned her head back just in time for the second group of visitors, which bowed to her deeply.
"We hereby present the ambassador of our kingdom," the official of Scotland started, the soldiers making way for the ambassador. Elsa smiled until her smile froze upon her lips when she saw a big red mess among the heads of the sidestepping soldiers.
It can't be…
A short redhead with a giant mess of curly hair strode forth from the crowd with a wide grin on her face.
"Princess Mer—"
"Merida!" Elsa shouted before the official could finish.
"Of clan DunBroch…" the official added sadly, visibly disappointed he couldn't get to finish his line properly.
Elsa stood mesmerized, staring at Merida with her mouth hanging open and hands outstretched, palms up.
The ginger gave her a small wave.
"Hi Els," she said, a wide grin still present on her face.
Elsa, too confused to talk, kept staring at her in disbelief.
Merida's smile froze on her lips and she gulped. She took few cautious steps forward, stopping at arm's length of Elsa.
"S-surprise?!" she breathed out, unsure, and smirked sheepishly.
"I-I…" Elsa, still shocked, found herself at loss for words. She wanted to at least try to squeeze something out but was cut off by Merida, slowly bringing her arms around Elsa's neck and pulling her close to her.
When Elsa was just a little girl Merida's parents often came to visit, since they and Elsa's Mama and Papa were practically kin. The royal family of Dunbroch always brought the little ginger menace with them when they came to visit.
Even though Elsa was two years older, her and Merida got along just fine, both seeing in the other a sister they never had. No one in the castle was safe when the two devils were around, often stumbling over tripwires or slipping on ice only to hear two giggling voices run away.
Their reign of terror ended once Elsa reached ten years of age and started to learn proper etiquette, manners, and duties to prepare herself as the future queen. The gaps between the visits deepened when the same thing began for Merida and even more once Elsa's powers started acting out in her puberty. Her parents, concerned for her safety and wellbeing, limited the visits to the absolute minimum.
And so visits every other month became twice a year. Then once a year. Until around Elsa's eighteenth birthday the visits stopped altogether, her powers sometimes becoming more than she could handle. The same went for Merida and her parents.
At first the two kept in touch through letters, happy that they could be in contact with each other at least in some way. After a while though, even that slowly came to an end, as the girls grew too far apart, until they stopped messaging each other entirely a few years ago.
But now Merida was here, surprising Elsa with her presence after years apart. Her childhood friend came back, but she was no longer a child but a woman. A woman Elsa feared she didn't know. Yet there was something else that Elsa felt in the embrace.
She couldn't believe it, but there she was, desperately clinging to the shorter ginger with all her might. A sense of a family bond Elsa did not think she could feel again enveloped her. But Merida was now there, a person who was once like a sister to Elsa and for the first time in over a month, she felt like she wasn't alone. She felt like she still had a family.
Elsa suddenly grabbed the ginger girl around her mid-back, as if clinging to her for dear life. She buried her face into Merida's hair and clenched her eyes shut, a few tears escaping through her shut eyelids.
Merida, though a little taken aback by the sudden move from the queen, giggled from relief and tightened the embrace.
"Oh come on Elsa, you are still such a crybaby," Merida managed to get out through her giggles, even though her eyes were as watered with tears as Elsa's.
Elsa laughed, pulling away while firmly holding Merida at arm's length as if fearing she could disappear at any moment. At the sight, Elsa couldn't help but laugh with her. There were so many things she wanted to say but only one managed to come out.
"Y-your hair," she stuttered through her sobs and giggles. "It's so long!" She goggled at Merida's mane that ran almost to the mid of her back.
"You can talk!" Merida ran Elsa's long thick braid through her hand. "Where's that little bun you used to have?"
Both girls just laughed at each other for a moment before ending the embrace. Once separated Elsa quickly realized there was still the welcoming committee and Merida's escort waiting for them. She ordered her present servants to take care of their guests and the guards to return to their regular duties.
Both girls meanwhile went on chatting on their way to the castle.
"But what are you doing here?" Elsa asked in confusion.
"Haven't you heard? I am the ambassador of our kingdom!" She puffed out her chest proudly.
"You!?, an ambassador?" Elsa chuckled in disbelief. "How did that come to pass?"
"Well…" Merida paused trying to figure out what she wanted to say. "Me mum said I should get use to princess duties and responsibilities! I thought coming here for the signing was a perfect opportunity to learn some so I convinced her to send me as an ambassador."
"But you hate princess duties and responsibilities!" Elsa laughed at her.
"Well yeees," Merida rolled her eyes. "But it's a price I am willing to pay if it means I get to spend some time with you." She gave Elsa a warm smile.
Elsa melted at the comment. She may not know the new woman Merida had become over the years, but she was willing to find out. Her joyful and wild personality was still present and that was more than enough for Elsa.
Anna needed to press her hands against her stomach to stop the laughter from wracking her body.
"Y-you are horrible…t-this is embarrassing!" Another burst of giggles erupted from Anna's mouth as Kristoff landed on his butt once more, Denise pressing the point of the practice blade against his chin.
Kristoff scoffed and shook his head.
"I yield!" He exclaimed with a small chuckle, raising his hands in defeat.
Denise smirked and put aside the blade to help him up.
"How's the score, Anna?" she called out.
Anna wiped the tears from her eyes, her heavy breathing slowly subsiding.
"I-I…I'm sorry! I stopped counting after you kicked Kristoff's butt for the tenth time!" She chuckled a bit more.
After Anna joined up with the pair after the queen was taken from her by her duties, Denise showed them around the castle's training grounds, showing them the barracks, stables and armory, which quickly caught Kristoff's attention. And even though he had never held a sword in his hand before, he did not hesitate when Denise offered him a practice sparring fight.
Although now he might be regretting that decision.
"She didn't kick my butt…" the blonde boy whined, stretching his back while walking to the redhead's side.
"She so did!" Anna retorted with a chuckle, giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"You're better than you think," Denise said, patting his other shoulder. "You've got a strong swing! You just need someone to practice your form with, that's all."
Kristoff blushed a little at the comment and rubbed the back of his neck to hide it.
"So," she continued, "ready for another round?"
"Oh, no, no," he said, shaking his head. "I think I need a little time to catch my breath."
"Very well…" Denise shrugged. "How about you, Anna?" she asked, turning to the girl.
Anna's smirk suddenly disappeared from her face, her eyes widening,
"M-me?" She pointed at her chest.
"Is there another Anna?" Denise smirked and offered her the hilt of her practice sword.
Anna gulped, trying to figure out what to do.
Oh, what the hell!
She grabbed the sword from the guard's hand.
"Alright," she stated, putting on a tough expression. "After all, someone has to show Kristoff how it's done."
The blonde boy rolled his eyes with a scoff and watched the two girls take their positions for the duel.
Pata looked from behind the corner at the doors to the queen's chambers. She and the Scottish princess had been chatting inside for more than two hours now.
Pata cursed under her breath.
If the two didn't break it off soon she and her accomplices would lose their perfect cover and would have to try again another time.
And I don't want to try another time.
Pata almost growled in anger.
Everything was perfect. Her agents had taken care of the guards patrolling on this floor and the one below, telling them the queen requested their services near the gates, given the recent events.
And the queen was preoccupied with her princess-friend and asked not to be disturbed which was perfect. No one would bother her with confirming her orders and when she would be gone the next morning, it would be too late to realize it was a hoax.
The queen also coincidently relieved all her personal servants for the time being, wanting to enjoy her time with the princess.
It was all too perfect.
But the more they waited the more they've risked, since this floor was empty for all but her and her two best agents. It would be hard to explain to any random passer-by what were they doing on that floor, poking around the corner at the queen's chambers.
But if they were to snatch her now, they could easily slip to the lower floor and through the store rooms near the kitchens. Nobody was there thanks to some more schemes pulled by her agents.
From there, she could get out of the castle, then under the castle walls through the unused escape tunnel in case of a fire that led out onto a small platform in the waters of the fjord.
A platform where their superior's men were waiting for them with a small punt, just enough to slip silently and unnoticed through the fjord and onto the shore.
It was a perfect plan. Easy, effective, and quick.
Of course her superior had to brush it off because he had his perfect plan which basically ended up in a complete fiasco.
All because he wanted to be the one to come up with a plan that would work and be therefore revered in the eyes of his master.
Well guess who's laughing now.
Pata smirked.
It got dark about half an hour ago and they were still wasting their time waiting for the other royal to leave. She didn't want to barge in there, not only because it would cause unwanted ruckus, but it would also warn the queen who was much more capable with her powers then Pata anticipated.
But I couldn't have known that when I informed them could I?
She sighed and leaned against the wall. A few more minutes and she would call the action off.
Little did she know that the window of opportunity she was waiting for was about to open.
"You're kidding!" Merida goggled at Elsa in disbelief. "With a book? She knocked him out with a book?!"
Elsa just nodded gracefully, enjoying Merida's reaction.
"Wow." The ginger sunk into her chair. "This Anna sure is something!"
"She sure is…" Elsa confirmed, unaware of the smile that formed on her lips at the mere thought of the bubbly redhead and also unaware of the fact that Merida did.
She paid it no mind though, she needed to see more before making any conclusions. Though the way Elsa talked and colorfully described Anna gave her a pretty good idea that she meant a lot to her.
"I hope you introduce us then!" she added, breaking the queen from her day dream.
"Oh…Oh, of course!" She blurted as she woke up from her daze. "Does tomorrow sound good for you?"
Merida nodded and drank from her cup at the same time, inevitably spilling its content on her dress and earning a scolding look and shake of the head from Elsa.
Merida just grimaced in embarrassment, a frown forming on her face.
"I-it's nothing really!" She tried to save the situation by cleaning the stain on her dress by rubbing it with her sleeve and to her own disbelief, she succeeded, the dress only a little wet with a slightly darker shade where the stain had been.
She beamed up at Elsa victoriously only to be met with a stern gaze. The Scottish girl was confused for a second but then followed the blonde's gaze, leading her to the sleeve she used as a handkerchief. The sleeve that now looked like a few months old handkerchief.
"Oh right…" She bowed her head in shame in front of Elsa's gaze.
But a chuckle left the queen's lips as she waved her off.
"You really haven't changed a bit, have you?" She smiled at the now blushing ginger.
"Not true," she immediately defended herself. "I've got even better at archery!"
"I find that hard to believe!" Elsa teased with a mischievous smile.
"Oooh, you…!" Merida pouted, getting up from her chair. "Just wait here and I'll be back as soon as I fetch me bow."
Elsa laughed at the determined ginger.
"Merida, you can't shoot inside the castle!" she called after her with a chuckle.
"Yady yady yada," Merida chanted with her hands pressed against her ears. "Sorry, can't hear you!"
Elsa just shook her head with a smile as the ginger turned and winked at her before she left the room.
Elsa was suddenly left alone in silence. She sighed contently. This day with Merida was a beautiful nostalgic flashback for her.
She hasn't changed a bit.
She enjoyed her day with her childhood friend so much she thought she wouldn't even mind her showing off her archery skills inside the castle.
But I swear, if she starts shooting the mounted animal heads again…
A knock on the door broke her chain of thought.
Is Merida back so soon? No that's nonsense, she wouldn't bother knocking.
"Who is it?" She called out.
"Pata, Your Majesty. May I have a moment of your time?"
Elsa frowned. She didn't want to invite her in for an audience that could stretch into a lengthy session.
Can't do that when Merida is here.
She decided to confront her at the door and try to get the matter over with as quickly as possible.
"Yes, Lady Pata?" She said as she opened the door. "What is it?"
"I think it'd be better if I just show you. Words…might not be sufficient…"
Sudden fear gripped at Elsa's heart.
Did something happened? Was there another death in the castle? Or maybe they found another intruder?
The firm look Pata had on her face convinced her it was important.
Merida will have to wait for me.
"Alright, lead the way."
Pata nodded and gestured for the queen to come with her. She strode by her side until they rounded the corner at the end of the hallway. The sight that greeted them immediately confused Elsa.
"What is it that—"
Suddenly a hand with a wet piece of cloth was pressed to her face from behind. Elsa squirmed and a muffled scream escaped her lips but whoever had a grip on her held her firmly.
The cloth had a piercing stench that made Elsa's head dizzy, but she still tossed and twisted, fighting back however she could. She didn't know what was happening or why Pata hadn't tried to help her until said woman entered her field of vision.
What are you…?
Pata leaned forward, running her hand over the queen's hair.
"Shhh, don't fight it."
Sudden anger ran through her veins as she tried for a last desperate attempt to break free only to have the soaked cloth pressed tighter against her face. She inhaled sharply and her head spun, her vision becoming blurry. She blinked a few times trying to stay awake but her eyes were shutting on their own accord.
You…
"Just give in, don't resist it," Pata chanted, her words a twisted lullaby.
Only one thought flashed through Elsa's mind before she fell unconscious.
You bitch…
"You sure this is allowed?" Anna asked timidly as they slipped through the kitchens.
"Of course it is!" Denise confirmed. "If you don't get caught." She winked at her and led her and Kristoff through the kitchens to the store rooms.
After nearly two hours of pounding them senseless, both Anna and Kristoff decided they had enough sword fighting for the day. And when Denise suggested they could all go grab a bite to eat, they both realized just how hungry they were.
And since the rebellious blonde guard was their only hope of navigating through the castle, she decided they would sneak through the kitchen into the store room for an evening appetizer.
"I do it all the time, don't worry! Nobody is here at this hour. "She glanced back at Anna reassuringly but then smirked. "Most of the time…"
Anna gulped and followed her, stepping on her tippy toes to muffle any possible noises, Kristoff treading softly behind her.
I hope nobody catches us, Anna thought.
If they were discovered, Denise would be reprimanded for sure, maybe even given some steep punishment. But Anna and Kristoff were the queen's guests and she put her trust in them.
A bit of guilt tugged at Anna's heart. She didn't want to disappoint Elsa nor did she want to break her trust in her.
At least I hope she trusts me. I sure trust her! She's just so kind…
"We're here!" Denise turned and put a finger on her lips.
Anna gulped once more and followed her into a grand room filled with barrels and crates.
"Alright," Denise whispered, "I am pretty sure they store salted beef over here." She approached a pile of massive crates.
Anna's stomach rumbled and her mouth watered at the thought of the meat.
Man, I really am pretty hungry, aren't I?
Denise was about to open one of the crates when a door on the other side of the room opened and a figure with a lantern slipped inside.
All three friends froze on the spot, too frightened to move an inch.
"Come on, move. Move!" The figure, audibly female barked as two more figures followed closely behind her.
No scratch that. Three figures.
They were awkwardly close to each other which seemed to be a pretty weird sight to Anna. That was until the woman with the lantern shone it on her companions and the middle figure was seen hanging by her arms on the shoulders of the other two. As the lantern lingered for few seconds Anna caught a glance of the limp figure. Her eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat.
"ELSA?!" She called out, completely forgetting her surroundings from her sheer concern for the blonde.
The woman with the lantern turned in fright and illuminated the three interlopers as well as her face, which was pale as clear parchment.
"Lady Pata?" Denise asked, the woman immediately moving the lantern to shine upon her. Denise covered her eyes from the light. "What is going on here?"
The woman was silent for a short moment, only deepening the awkward situation.
"The queen," she spat suddenly. "She-e fainted, p-probably because of her injury. We are taking her to a doctor."
Even in the bad lighting Anna could see the drops of sweat running down the woman's forehead. There was a short silence.
"You are taking her to the doctor?" Anna asked in disbelief.
"Wouldn't it make more sense to bring the doctor to her?" Kristoff added.
"Not mentioning the physician's office is at the other side of the castle," Denise finished.
The woman stared at them for a moment before sighing and gesturing her two accomplices towards them.
"Get them!" she spat.
Anna gulped as the two men dropped the queen and drew their blades. Denise stepped forward drawing her own with Kristoff at her side, a big heavy plank in his hand.
The first of the attackers pounced on Denise and the two began their duel, only no yields were accepted this time. Meanwhile Kristoff swung the plank at the second attacker who just barely dodged it.
Kristoff then took the plank and threw it to the attacker as if passing him a building block at a construction site. To Anna's surprise, the man, probably instinctively, stretched out his hand and caught the plank, allowing Kristoff to punch him in the face.
The attacker dropped his blade and fell flat on his back, Kristoff jumping onto him, landing punch after punch.
Anna used this opportunity to slip passed them towards the dormant body of the queen.
"Elsa!" she shook her shoulders, but no answer came.
Anna's face twisted in fright and she was about to try again when a hand on her own shoulder pulled her down onto her back. The woman was now on top of her, holding her down with one hand, while in the other she was clutching a dagger.
A dagger that was now being raised up over Anna's chest.
The woman then proceeded to run the dagger down against her body. Anna was sure this was her end but just before the dagger was about to pierce the flesh it stopped. She looked up and saw a hand was holding back the woman's wrist from finishing her move.
Both Anna and the woman followed the hand to its owner. Even in the dim light the nearby seated lantern offered and even with all the shadows dancing on the walls Anna could clearly see the flaming red hair of her savior.
A petite girl was holding back her attackers hand, glaring at her with all the spite there was in the world.
"I don't think so!" she stated firmly.
Anna's attacker was so surprised that she stared for a solid few seconds at the ginger, giving Anna enough time to punch her in the right side of her face when she turned to look back at her. The woman's head flew left by the strength of the punch only to be met with another from the other side, this time landed by Anna's savior.
The woman fell unconscious atop of Anna, who rolled her off of her in disgust.
She accepted the outstretched hand of the ginger who saved her and got back up on her feet.
Anna glanced over the room to see that both Kristoff and Denise had dealt with their opponents as well.
"Princess Merida." Denise bowed her head, one of her hands clutching her bloodied sword, the other her bleeding side.
Princess?
"No need for formalities right now, lass," the ginger retorted towards the blonde.
"T-thank you," Anna breathed out, through her accelerated breathing. "If it weren't for you I would be—"
"Don't mention it." The ginger waved her hand. "Anna, I presume?" she asked with a grin.
"How do you…?" Anna asked, confused.
"Elsa kind of mentioned that you are the only other redhead in the castle." She grinned widely at Anna.
Elsa.
"Elsa!" Anna suddenly realized and rushed towards the unconscious queen, throwing herself at the queen's side.
Right now, right outside the borders of Arendelle.
"So there I was, searching through the labyrinth for the horned beast," the Wanderer emphasized with several movements of his hands, "all alone with only my blade in hand."
The night on the deck was dark, clouds obscuring the light of the stars, only the moon coming out once in a while. The Wanderer sat on a barrel, a half circle of the crew around him, everyone listening tensely. A small lantern was the only source of light among them, casting shadows all around as the Wanderer motioned his every step and action with his hands. Everyone was mesmerized, silently listening as the story unfolded.
"Yet the beast was still evading me, toying with me. It was its labyrinth and it knew it better than I ever could." He took a moment to gaze around on their awaiting faces, hearing a few gulps here and there.
"And when I thought I should stop and rest my search for a while," he paused and leaned in, amused that the crewmen unknowingly did the same. The silence was defining.
"BOOM!" He clapped his hands together in a loud smack that echoed through the silent night. A few crewmen shouted in fright, some falling back from their makeshift seats.
"The minotaur crashed through the wall just a few steps ahead of me!" He added volume to his voice to so everyone would hear him over the commotion.
Just as he expected everyone soon forgot his cheap scare and immersed themselves again in the story, excited looks on their faces.
"It was three heads bigger than the biggest man you've ever seen! I am looking at you Long Tom!" He pointed at the lanky crewman at the back that overlooked everyone else with ease. Tom pressed his finger against his chest and as the Wanderer firmly nodded, everyone gasped.
Long Tom was easily seven foot two and he was towering over even the tallest men in the crew. With that point sinking in everyone turned back to the Wanderer.
"It was wide as an oak, hands big enough to crush a man's head as you would crack a walnut." He emphasized with clenching his fist in front of his face.
He was pleased to see many people shiver, some even squirm in their seats.
"When it roared, the very ground beneath my feet shook! I froze on the spot, too shocked to move. I was sure that was the end for me and yet…" He raised his finger in silence, no one daring to make a noise.
"…the beast stood there, ignoring me, turning its head, growling and sniffing the air." He waited a little while for his point to sink in.
"The minotaur was blind." A collective 'aha' sounded among the group.
"So I gripped the blade, leaped forward and…" He paused and watched as everyone leaned in their jaws almost touching the ship's deck.
"…to be continued," the Wanderer finished with smug smirk on his face.
"Oh come on!"
"Again?!"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
The Wanderer grinned at the pouts and curses of the crewmen, but the captain only laughed.
"The traveler is right mates, he's been entertaining you for quite some time now. Get back below before I'll kick your asses down there myself. And if anyone gets any bright ideas on oversleeping again - he can swim the rest of the way to Arendelle, see how much he'll enjoy neglecting his duties then."
With a few grunts and sighs the crew slowly but surely wandered below decks to sleep. The Wanderer watched this with a contended smile and soon he remained alone on the deck. He walked over to the side of the ship, gazing upon the vastness of the sea. In the dark it seemed as if the ship was flowing through the dark skies themselves.
"Nice story," the captain noted as he joined the Wanderer's side and watched the sea with him.
The Wanderer smiled, not breaking his gaze with the sea.
"It sure is," he confirmed.
"The problem is," the captain started, taking in a deep breath, "I've sailed to Hellas before."
"Oh yeah?" the Wanderer said, still observing the silent dark waters.
The captain hummed in acknowledgement.
"And they say the last Minotaur there was slain over eighty years ago." He turned to the Wanderer as he finished.
The Wanderer smirked and turned his head to look at the captain.
"They would know, wouldn't they?"
The captain released a dry chuckle.
"I don't know if you are the best liar I've ever seen or if you are just a crazy bastard."
"Perhaps both." The Wanderer shrugged. "Perhaps neither."
With that he turned back to watch the waves rise and fall. The captain shook his head before he did the same. There were a few minutes of utter silence between the two.
"Why'd you kill the Minotaur?"
The Wanderer looked at him with a frown.
"The people worshipped it as god. They were frightened of it. They were sacrificing innocent people to, quote on quote, soothe its wrath. It had to be done."
"No, no…" The captain shook his head. "Why'd you kill the Minotaur?"
The Wanderer turned his gaze back to the sea and shrugged.
"Somebody had to."
The captain scoffed. "Aye…" he said, measuring the Wanderer from head to toe, "You seem so familiar…" He pierced his eyes. "…but I just can't place you."
Now was the Wanderer's turn to scoff.
Once I was known from east to west. Once.
"If I'd only got a gold piece for every time I hear that." He turned to the captain with a chuckle.
The captain shook his head once more.
"It's a shame that the lads won't hear how your story ends."
The Wanderer gave him a confused look.
"If the wind is fair we should arrive in Arendelle tomorrow."
"Oh, I didn't realize the journey would be so quick."
The Captain nodded.
"It mostly isn't, but the sea was calm and the wind was good."
The Wanderer smiled and looked back at the sea.
Tomorrow.
"Very well, then. I will leave you to your thoughts. Good night." The captain turned and went below decks to his cabin.
The Wanderer's face brightened up with a happy smile and a contended sigh escaped his lips.
Tomorrow, girl. One more night and I am there.
Right now, far away from Arendelle
"YOU FAILED ME AGAIN?" The wrath of the Eternal One could not be contained this time. He had to act.
"I-it wasn't my fault, m-my Lord. It was t-that woman, she—"
"EXCUSES!" He slammed his fist into the stone armrest of his throne, easily breaking it into fragments.
"THAT WAS ENOUGH OF YOUR METHODS! I GAVE YOU ONE CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT AND YOU FAILED AGAIN! No more…" The Eternal One clenched his eyes shut, trying to contain his anger. "But don't worry, your life will still serve its purpose."
"M-my lord I—" A loud gasp followed his trembling words. A gasp the Eternal One knew very well. The last sound you make before your soul is ripped out of your body.
He opened his eyes to see the orb in his hand release the life force into his other opened hand where it swirled into a ball of twisting white light.
"M-my Lord?" A trembling voice sounded in his mind, probably one of Preise's associates picked, up the stone after his former superior's body fell dead to the floor.
"Yes, you!" The Eternal One commanded. "Congratulations, you just got promoted. You will pick up Preise's position. Make sure you do a better job of it than he did. Tomorrow, be ready, as I will convey unto you my instructions."
The Eternal One broke the mental link between them and sighed.
Powerful thing – the soul.
He twirled his fingers, the energy moving around in his hand like a ball of liquid.
But so unstable.
He shook his head.
Better to be used as currency.
He clenched the orb in his hand firmly in his fist and extended his other hand with the pure soul before him. The living essence floated through the air, twisting and turning before it finally erupted and disappeared.
In front of him immediately opened a great flaming pit, seemingly bottomless, from which arose a giant blast of fire.
"COME FORTH!" The Eternal One commanded firmly.
A clawed red hand emerged from within on one side of the pit, soon to be joined by another. As its owner slowly crawled out from the pit the Eternal One relaxed his grip on the orb. The hellish hole closed behind the creature as he did so.
"Go," The Eternal One ordered calmly and gestured towards a small hole in the wall with his hand.
The creature cocked its head before fidgeting quickly on the spot only to explode into a ball of fire which soon transformed into a small bird that glowed brightly like glowing embers. The bird took flight and exited through the small opening.
The Eternal One sat back on his throne.
Brute force…brute force always works.