Chapter 7

~ Alone, or Not ~

Elsa glanced at the sea. She had lost track of the number of times she did that. Hope bloomed in her chest each time a dot appeared from the horizon... only to give way to mounting disappointment when she saw that they lacked the Eternity's sails.

The sun was strong, setting her kingdom awash in hues of blue and green while early shoppers filled the markets. It was glorious. Any other day she'd have admired this, would have allowed herself to breathe easy knowing Arendelle was safe. But unease gnawed at her.

A hesitant peek at her calendar revealed that– yes – only two days had passed. She turned to the door, half-expecting Anna to come bursting in, demanding attention or dragging her out for the meals she so often missed engrossed in work. Elsa would grumble, but would relent eventually. This pattern became habit. She only realized now just how much she missed it.

Every other day Anna would be showing Kristoff around the hallways, or playing with Olaf and Sven. The corner of her lips pulled up at the memory of Gerda chiding the trio as they frantically wiped at a suit of mud-caked armour.

Elsa closed her eyes. She could hear the clamour of the market. The soft steps of her servants who moved with a lightness of the feet which Anna never could master. The song of steel as Eirik roasted his guards. The world around her was alive, but Elsa had never felt more alone. During those thirteen years, at least she had her sister's singing.

"Next time, Anna. I promise we'll go anywhere you want, just the two of us."

But she did try, didn't she? She offered to go, but Anna would rather be alone with her fiancé–

–No, that was a stupid line of thought. Anna was right. Arendelle needed their queen right now. The Rossiyians were tough negotiators; any perceived absence on her part now would be taken as an insult by the tsar. And Heaven knows we need allies right now.

She pulled out the drawer. Instead of documents or a concealed weapon as some might expect of a monarch's office, there was wool, thread and a collection of needles. So many sleepless nights, but Anna's joy was worth it.

Curse this stupid, childish jealousy; I should be happy for her instead. But... what if Anna decides to move out of the castle? What if she actually likes Weselton so much she decides to live there with Kristoff? What if she's just using this as a getaway because I've been too overbearing on her. What if–

Elsa shook her head to clear the storm brewing inside. Deep down, she knew she was overcompensating for the years she had missed, but she couldn't help it.

"Two days and I'm already reduced to a nervous wreck. Dammit, Elsa. Get it together."

Inhaling sharply, she twisted from the window to confront a more immediate adversary. Piled in a semicircle on her table, they came in all favours of viciousness: Courtship letters, ledgers, missives, and everything-in-between. Every day there was something 'of major importance' demanding her attention.

It was her duty of course, but three months had worn thin her patience. Just how did Papa cope with it?

A sudden desire overtook her. What would happen if she froze every parchment and envelope? Could she reduce paper into sapphire dust? Or would they simply become wet?

Time to find out. She raised her hand. Slowly. Purposefully. Her fingers poised to strike with wintry magic, magic that could bring an entire country to its knees. The stacks laid unmoving, helpless to the snow queen's wrath coming upon them.

Then Elsa snickered and grew an ice rose on the corner of the table.

"What are you doing now, Anna?" She brushed her finger absently against a crystalline petal.

Mountain climbing with Kristoff. Breaking into a tower. Beating the Duke up. Discovering a king who possesses fire magic! Or lighting! Or ice!

Five delicious minutes of their adventure sailed by before responsibility took control. Fantasies won't get my work done any faster.

Elsa studied the documents again. Farmers at the outskirts of town were requesting aid for food and supplies; autumn always did hit them the hardest, and the Great Freeze had only worsened their situation. She made a mental note to pay them a visit within the week. Minister Oddvar would like her to supervise the final stages of the waterworks project at Merchant District. That was something to celebrate, at least. An ambassador from the Southern Isles was asking for an audience with her. That could definitely wait. And here's another letter from Prince Norus. That poor, hopeful young thing. Not that Elsa disliked him; he was handsome and carried himself well enough, but she honestly couldn't care less for courtship at the moment.

With a sigh, she submerged herself into a world of unending paperwork.

Two tense hours passed. Then unexpected rescue came in the form of a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Her spirits rose when her royal butler entered. How he bowed so gracefully when carrying a loaded tray she'd never know.

"Morning, Kai." She motioned with a hand.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. Lovely rose if I may say."

He set the tray down. On it was a cup of steaming hot cocoa and a stack of paper.

Elsa pointed. "Is that–?"

"Aye." She snatched it up and rummaged through everything. One page of hastily-scribbled names, two files on Weselton's trade guilds, and the last was a yellowed paper with badly faded drawings and words. Elsa frowned.

"Give us a little time. We'll gather more, I'm sure," he said, smiling uneasily. Elsa had never had any reason to doubt Kai Anderson's competency. If this was all there was to be found, then she had to trust that he'd indeed given his best. She squeezed the stack, as though that'd somehow churn out more paper. She only relaxed her grip when she realized her fingers were leaving imprints.

"Perhaps you'd like to hear Eirik's findings first?"

"Yes, please." Elsa clutched the cup, letting the heat seep into her hand.

"Our good captain found four men who migrated from Weaseltown shortly after the gates opened. All have seen or heard stories." Kai folded his arms behind his back.

Elsa nodded as she took a sip. It was warm and rich. Perfect.

"One claims to know a clairvoyant who travels along Weaseltown's trade road. Apparently, her skills at predicting the future are of such renown that even royalty seek her out."

Elsa considered for a moment. "Fortune-telling isn't something that'd entice Anna. She was adamant on finding someone like me, which means she's looking for something exciting." She paused. "Or someone who's imprisoned."

"The other two mentioned a snake charmer who has control over cobras and– never mind. The last man, he ah, spoke of a demon."

The same name Pabbie gave. Elsa sat straight up. "What else did he say?"

Kai averted his gaze. "In the cover of night, this demon seeks out women, takes control of their mind, then drags them into the forest and drinks their blood. He said it terrorizes the town of Belking even today."

"And what do you make of this one?"

"I think it's nothing more than a children's story, one which warns about the dangers of going out alone at night. The demon is an allegory to thieves, murderers, and rapists."

"We need something better than a tale." Elsa scanned the list of names again. "Wait, did their accounts tally with each other?"

"Yes, we questioned them separately. Two have heard of the clairvoyant, so that at least, has some weight. But for the demon, none of the others would say anything. They probably think the story ridiculous as well."

"Was there anything else Eirik could get?"

"They mentioned a prison."

Elsa tilted her head. "What about it?"

"This one goes by a rather... unusual name. Belly of the Beast." Kai grimaced as though there was something foul on his tongue. "Said to cage the most heinous of criminals. Once in, there is only one form of release: death."

"I've never heard of this place."

Kai pointed at the yellowed paper.

Elsa studied it again. At first glance, the faded lines seemed indecipherable, but now she realized they made up a series of crisscross patterns filled with tiny dots. Cells and people. "Where did you find this?"

"Our royal archives."

Elsa's jaw hung loose.

"Your Majesty, this prison is older than you by far."

"Kai, how did my father even get a hold of this?"

"It wasn't your father. It was Queen Magda."

"My grandmother?"

Kai Anderson strolled to the windows and stared out for a long time. "How do you think she dealt with her enemies?"

The air took on an unnatural chill. Elsa's fingers let go of the paper that had suddenly turned heavy, and she dared not touch it again. Every stroke of ink upon yellow parchment suddenly resembled poison. There was something more to this, more than just drawings on old paper. The more she drilled into the lines, the more she felt herself getting sucked in.

Finally, Elsa tore her gaze away. She looked up at Kai, gulping for air. "Do you think Anna would try to find it?"

"I pray not, Your Majesty. This is a place of despair. Those sent there are executed, or imprisoned for life. It should be no surprise then, that it carries a host of dark rumours; political prisoners, innocents who offended the wrong people. And, and…"

"Those with magic? Kai, the truth now. Did you know about this place?"

He glanced away. Elsa thumped her cup down. "You knew, and yet you never told us."

"Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but I was only obeying King Agdar's final wishes. He was… ashamed of Queen Magda's dealings with the Weselton royal family. Of the prisoner swaps which were nothing more than a front to banish those she felt threatened her rule. And besides, the very nature of this prison was always one of gossip; what better way to misdirect your enemies? I must admit though; I'm still not fully convinced that it exists."

"And if it does?"

Kai sucked in his breath. "Weaseltown fears magic. The Duke's actions did not just reflect his own, but that of his entire kingdom. If there's anyone like you there, then I fear this prison is their only destination– Elsa!"

The rose twisted as spikes erupted from its petals and stem. Elsa slashed down and it dissipated into the air. "It–it's all right, Kai. I'm fine." Conceal! Remember what Papa said. Conceal, don't feel!

She did not miss the alarm on his face; it likely reflected her own. Before her royal butler had a chance to protest however, she added quickly, "Do we know its location?"

Kai blinked several times, peering at the spot where the rose was. "I'm afraid not. Not even when we offered money were the four able to provide anything more than hearsay."

"So we can't confirm if anyone with magic is held inside."

He shook his head.

"But you know my sister well."

The portly man sighed. "Yes. If Princess Anna gets even a whiff of it, rumour or not, she'd turn it upside down."

Elsa sunk into the chair. A part of her yearned to know more, but she'd never allow her sister to risk herself. She was now surer than ever the trip was a terrible idea. Why didn't she try harder to stop Anna?

Kai rubbed his bald spot. "The guard captain and I will dig deeper."

"What about the trade guilds? What do we know?"

"Lord Louis's on it, but he's got nothing to report so far. He doesn't think Princess Anna has anything to fear however; the guilds are cunning, but they are neither reckless nor stupid. Weaseltown stands more to lose than gain if it's seen kidnapping a royal."

They fear my magic too. "My sister was never one for subtlety. What if the Duke knows she's there?"

Kai retrieved her empty cup. "Your Majesty, if I may just speak my mind, there is no need to worry about Princess Anna so. She's strong. She's clever. She can take care of herself. And Kristoff is more than capable of looking after her. They make a potent combo."

Elsa nodded. They did save me.

"All we have now is just speculation. There's a good chance this prison no longer exists, if it even did in the first place. Perhaps Princess Anna sought out the clairvoyant after all, or perhaps there isn't even anyone with– I'm sorry. I meant, perhaps this trip will be without incident. Your sister will return to us safe and sound. I know it."

"Thank you. Please convey my thanks to Eirik as well." Elsa picked up her quill.

"Your Majesty. We would do this even if you did not ask." Kai placed a fist to his heart. "The Eternity shall be returning in four more days, you'll be the first to know when we spot it."

That at least, deserved a smile and a brighter change of topic. "How's Sven?"

Kai chuckled. "Still moping. A pity Olaf's not here."

"I'll see if I can cheer him up later," Elsa said, returning her attention to her paperwork. "Is there anything else?"

There was a pause. "Nothing, Your Majesty."

The quill stung against the welt on her index finger. And her treacherous eyes would not stop blinking against the numbers staring up at her. But still, she had to get this done. Food would just have to wait.

"May I make a suggestion?"

Surprised, she looked up.

"Would you like to take a break? Gerda and I are headed to the uphill market, perhaps you could join us."

"I'm afraid I can't. These ledgers–"

"Are not as important as your health or your people."

"But–"

"Elsa." Kai drew himself to his full height, knuckles against hips. After a moment of stunned silence, she giggled. How strange it seemed! He had suddenly become a father chiding his unruly daughter.

This man who had been the caretaker of the castle longer than the years she'd been alive for was more than qualified.

Covering her mouth to stifle her laughter, Elsa rested her quill down. The papers could wait, her people couldn't.