"Oh, Elsa, I'm so sorry! I was so stupid and now you're hurt and sick! Please wake up, I need you!"
Elsa lay prone on the small cot, whilst Anna sprawled across her chest, bawling her eyes out. Her sister's fever had broken some time ago but the older girl had been unconscious for nearly thirteen hours. That was twelve hours longer than Anna could handle. She was about to start pleading again when a gentle hand wove its way into her hair. She shot upright to stare into hazy blue eyes.
"An-Anna?" The older girl swallowed thickly trying to fight her way back to consciousness. " Are you okay?" The princess stared at her sister in disbelief. Elsa had been shot, poisoned, raging with fever and yet her main concern was still Anna's well-being.
"Am I okay? Are you okay? You scared me! You were so weak and then your armor melted and you couldn't breathe and you needed stitches!"
Anna was rambling again, her voice becoming shriller by the second until she collapsed once more onto Elsa's chest, clutching at the other girl desperately. Elsa did her best to return the embrace though her arms felt like lead weights. She couldn't remember a time when she had felt so utterly drained.
"It's okay, Anna…" she muttered trying to soothe her sister. "I'm okay… just a little tired…" And hungry. And weak. And, oh was the room spinning while she lay down?
Anna sniffed again and sat up to gaze worriedly into Elsa's face. "You don't look okay," she told her with the usual lack of tact.
The queen's skin was still quite pale, her freckles now nearly as visible as Anna's. Her eyes were dull, rimmed with dark circles and the area around her bandage still looked inflamed. Even though Elsa's hair was a sweaty mess, Anna ran a loving hand through it, a soothing gesture the older girl always responded to.
"I was really scared. You really scared me." Her voice held so much emotion; Elsa felt tears prick at the corner of her own eyes. "Don't ever do that to me again!"
Elsa managed a small smile. "You have my word."
"Stay here, I'm gonna go get Katerine."
Anna jumped to her feet and bolted before Elsa could respond. Who was Katerine? She wondered. And where am I? There were far too many questions to contemplate and in her weakened state Elsa thought it best to simply do as she was told and stay put. Not that she had much choice in the matter. Sitting up on her own felt impossible, so she stared at the stone ceiling until her eyes once again became heavy and she began to doze.
A gentle hand stroking her forehead brought her back around sometime later. The touch felt different than Anna's yet not unpleasant.
"Els, can you open your eyes, sweetie?" A warm hand slipped beneath the sheets to grip hers and she instantly recognized it as Anna's. With enormous effort she forced her eyes back open, eventually focusing on Anna and a kind looking elderly woman.
"Hello, dear," the woman greeted her as she continued to gently stroke her face. "My name is Katerine, I'm the physician of this settlement. You gave us quite a scare. I'm going to look you over now, if that's okay?"
Elsa stole a panicked glance at Anna. Though she had come a long way in terms of allowing herself to be touched, she was still terrified of strangers. Anna squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"It's okay, Els. Katerine has been helping us take care of you," Turning to the older woman she spoke in a low tone. "She's not really used to people touching her."
If she found the statement strange, the physician chose not to address it and instead turned her attention back to her patient.
"I promise to be gentle, dear. I simply want to check your wound so we can get you cleaned up and fed."
Elsa gave a small, stiff nod and tried not to pull away as the woman reached for the bandage around her neck. True to her word, Katerine was very gentle and professional as she applied more of the sweet-smelling salve to the wound; wrapping it in clean, soft linen once more.
It wasn't until Anna stroked her cheek did Elsa realize she had nodded off again. This time when she focused on her sister, Anna had a bowl and spoon in hand.
"I know you're tired sweetie," she reassured her. "But you need to eat a little something, okay? I'll help you."
Anna pulled a wooden stool close to her and set the bowl on it before climbing onto the cot beside her sister. With surprising strength she lifted Elsa's upper body before settling it between her legs. Now that Elsa was sitting upright Anna reached for the spoon, bringing it to the queen's lips but Elsa pulled away.
"I can feed myself, Anna," she weakly protested, even though she could barely keep her head upright at the moment. Her sister just smiled, pulling the blankets more securely around her.
"I know you don't like being cared for but right now you need it. Please let me help Els. I love you. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you."
A small tear escaped and Elsa managed to free a shaky hand from the tangle of blankets to wipe it away from her sister's cheek. That movement alone seemed to drain her and her hand dropped almost immediately after.
"I love you too." Elsa responded and waited for her sister to resume feeding her.
Anna was elated by the unspoken consent and lovingly fed her sister, all while holding her close and occasionally stroking her cheek to rouse her. When the broth was all gone, Anna tilted a small stone cup to her sister's lips, urging her to drink. The water had strange taste to it and Elsa quirked a questioning eyebrow at Anna.
"The water tastes… different here."
"Oh! That's 'cuz Katerine added some herbs or something to help build your strength. We gave it to you every few hours when you were asleep and it helped break your fever."
Elsa nodded stiffly. "She seems like quite the physician. I'm grateful for her help but…" Anna sensed the unease in her sister's tone.
"But she's a stranger and she touched you without your consent." Elsa simply nodded again; burying her face in her sister's chest while Anna held her close.
"It's okay, honey. I'm sorry you feel that way but you were so sick and hurting so much! We had to act fast. Just know I was here every step of the way."
Elsa relaxed a little at that statement. Knowing Anna had been nearby ensuring her sister's best interests were being considered, eased the feelings of violation racing through the older girl. Anna soothed and rocked her until she eventually spoke up.
"Don't nod off yet, Els. I still need to get you washed and into some clean clothes." Elsa stiffened again but Anna set her at ease. "Don't worry. It will be just you and me and I'll only wash what you want me to."
The younger girl scooted from beneath her sister, laying Elsa back onto the cot.
"I'm gonna go get some warm water to go in this basin and then we'll get you cleaned up okay?" Elsa nodded, eyes closed in trepidation for what was to come. She felt Anna press a small kiss to her forehead.
"It's gonna be okay." She promised again. "I've got you."
Rayce' attention was immediately drawn to the room in the corner when he saw Anna emerge from the tattered cloth curtain. He managed to catch her eye and she gave him a small, reassuring smile before heading off to find Katerine he assumed. Seeing Anna's face free of panic set him at ease as well. If Anna was calm that meant the queen was well and that knowledge freed him to focus on how to return their party to Arendelle's shores.
"Captain?" Rayce's attention was drawn back to the man sitting across from him, a small fire separating them. Noting the confusion on his companion's face the man spoke again.
"I said it seems that Her Majesty is recovering. Katerine seems particularly impressed by her progress, as she's always fascinated by those with 'special' abilities."
"Yes, it is quite a relief. All our medical supplies were lost when our wagon was destroyed and we had little knowledge of the poison she was subjected to."
" It is a particularly nasty mixture my father likes to use. He is a… cruel man when he wishes to be. I cannot tell you how sorry I am that my actions put Her Majesty at risk."
The man expressing his genuine regret to the captain was Greger Westeergard, first in line to the throne should his father King Helmut ever become unable to rule. Unlike most of the Westeergard clan, Greger boasted a crown of dark brown hair tied back by a leather string with a short beard to match. His eyes were the clearest blue, much like the royal sisters. How firstborn royalty came to reside in caves along with his advisors was a story eerily similar in many ways to the hardships Elsa had endured.
Unlike King Adgar, Helmut embraced his son's abilities with one purpose in mind. The Southern Isles' monarch saw potential for his son's unique talents to be turned toward military pursuits. After all, if your son can carve caves out of mountains and build walls a hundred feet high with a thought, who could stand against you? Unfortunately, in his blind quest for military applications, Helmut often pushed young Greger to extend his talents further.
During one such experiment when he was seventeen, Helmut challenged Greger to surround a few homes in a coastal village with a dome of sand, testing his containment capabilities. Bolstered by his father's confidence in him, the young man decided to surround the entire village instead. What young Greger couldn't have known was the erratic tides had made the soil far too heavy and as the dome grew, it began to collapse on itself. Panicked, the young man tried to undo the damage yet fifty villagers still lost their lives in the incident.
Public opinion of the young prince quickly turned to fear and revulsion, prompting Helmut to declare his firstborn an abomination. Unable to execute his son, Helmut banished the boy from the kingdom with no more than the clothes on his back. Many servants within the castle felt the punishment too harsh and aided the boy whenever possible, forcing their later exile as well. Among these was Katerine, the physician.
Its seemed the prince had been building quite a support system of rebels over the years, culminating with his kidnapping of Anna in efforts to gain an audience with Elsa. He was hoping that once he explained the political situation to the young queen, Elsa would forego renewing any trade agreements with his father and support the rebellion instead. Had he acted a day sooner his plan may very well have met with success but as it stood, treaties had been signed, Kristoff injured and Elsa quite nearly killed bringing the deposed ruler no closer to reclaiming his throne.
"I hope Her Majesty will feel well enough to join us later tonight for a small feast and allow me to discuss other possible options for an alliance?"
Greger seemed hopeful that given their similar backgrounds, Elsa would be sympathetic to his plight. Rayce on the other hand, doubted the young queen would be willing to interfere given that King Helmut's threat of war was what had drug her to the Southern Isles in the first place. If she decided not to honor their agreement, Helmut could very well declare war again and Elsa was in no shape to defend her kingdom at the moment.
"Perhaps." Rayce responded grimly. "Excuse me Highness, I should go see if the princess and Her Majesty require my assistance. Thank you for your hospitality. Her Majesty was right to believe there were good people in this country. Who knew you were hiding in caves?'
Greger gave a small laugh at the captain's teasing. "Yes, well, while not the preferred housing arrangement, it meets our needs. Go now and see to your royals, I look forward to meeting Her Majesty formally. Her sister is quite entertaining!"
"That she is." Rayce replied with a small smile as he headed up a stone stairway to the room Elsa had spent nearly a full day recovering in.
Unsure of how to announce his presence, he simply raised his voice to be heard through the curtain."Highness, Majesty? Is all well?" It was Anna's voice that answered him.
"Come in Captain, we're decent," she added with a slight giggle.
Rayce pulled the curtain back and slipped inside. The sight before him made his heart swell with relief. Both sisters were huddled on the small cot to his left; Elsa curled beneath a blanket with her head resting in Anna's lap. The younger girl was stroking her hair, gently humming to the nearly sleeping queen. Elsa's improvement was noticeable. Her skin no longer looked pallid, even in the minimal lighting of the cave. Somehow, Anna had convinced the stubborn monarch to let her give her a bath and now Elsa looked clean and content. Anna had helped dress her in a simple top and leggings from the women of the settlement. The princess wore a similar outfit yet with the fancy slippers she had worn to the ball two days prior.
"How is she?" He directed his query to Anna because he wasn't quite sure if Elsa was sleeping and didn't wish to disturb her. The princess lit up at the question.
"She's doing so good, Rayce! I just want to get her home so she can really rest."
"I am working towards that goal, Highness. You will be pleased to know that I've been in contact with the Baron and he is extremely concerned about the both of you."
"You talked to Krissy? Oh, thank goodness!" Anna squealed then tried to lower her volume, nearly forgetting Elsa was resting on her lap. "Where is he now?"
"Aboard the Adgar, planning to rendezvous with us off the shore by tomorrow, mid-day possibly."
"You hear that Els? We're going home. You're gonna be okay." Anna whispered soothingly into the queen's still wet locks. "Everything's gonna be okay."
Rayce turned slightly away, feeling he was intruding on a personal moment between the royal siblings. He made a move to leave when a soft, scratchy voice called him back.
"Rayce?"
He spun to find Elsa watching him from her sister's lap with tired eyes. He quickly knelt before the cot so she didn't strain herself in an effort to look up at him. She extended a shaky hand towards him and he wrapped both his around it, marveling at how small hers looked in comparison.
"Majesty, you are looking well." Elsa gave a hoarse laugh at the statement.
"Flattery will get you nowhere Captain. Surely, my appearance leaves much to be desired." She informed him with the smallest of smiles.
"I disagree Majesty. A more beautiful sight I have yet to behold."
Elsa was taken aback by the emotion her captain had just exhibited. He stared into her eyes with such an earnest expression that she knew he meant every word he had just uttered. The tension of the moment stretched and Anna cleared her throat uneasily, snapping the captain to his senses. He reluctantly placed Elsa's hand back on the cot and stood.
"You should rest now, Majesty. It seems the leader of this colony is a deposed prince of the Southern Isles. He wishes to hold a banquet in your honor and to discuss an alliance of some sort. I can inform him that you are unable to attend…"
Rayce let his voice trail indicating that he hoped the queen would decline the invitation. However, to his irritation, Elsa nodded slightly.
" His people saved my life, Captain. The least I can do is share a meal with them." Rayce didn't miss the fact that Elsa was addressing him by his title again. Her face held no tension yet he wondered had he crossed another line. It was becoming an infuriating habit, especially when his queen was vulnerable and in need of his protection. He nodded stiffly.
"As you wish, Majesty. Should you have need of me, I will remain nearby until the banquet." He rushed through the curtain before either woman could respond.
"What was that all about?" Anna whispered nearly to herself. Elsa's eyes remained rooted to the curtain, yearning after the captain's presence.
"I don't know," she quietly admitted. "Anna?"
"Yeah?"
"How do you know if you're in love?"
The question was so childlike, so innocent; Anna was confused as to how to answer. It was times like these that she remembered how much her sister had truly missed. Continuing to stroke her sister's head, she spoke softly.
"It's different for everyone, sweetie. But if you're having those feelings, it's a good sign."
"What if he doesn't feel the same?" Anna squeezed her sister tighter.
"Then he's a fool! But if we're talking about who I think we are, that shouldn't be a problem. Rest now. I'm not going anywhere. We'll talk about all this 'love stuff' when we're safely at home, warm in bed, stuffing our faces with chocolate! Okay?"
"Okay…" came the sleepy reply. Anna continued to stroke her fingers over her sister's cool cheek until Elsa's breathing evened out and she was soundly asleep.
Glancing back towards the doorway she wondered, was the captain truly in love with her sister? It certainly seemed that way. Nothing could make Anna happier than to see Elsa finally receive her happy ending. Gazing back down at the sleeping figure in her arms, Anna resolved to help Elsa find what she was looking for. Her sister deserved a normal life and Anna would give it to her if it were the last thing she would do.
