A/N: Can we just talk about how much happens in this chapter? Like, so much. ENJOY! Thank you to everyone who has supported the fic. This fandom is pure love.
The Bachelorette
Chapter Seven: The Fire on the Mountain
Chapter Text
i don't have much but i got the good stuff
and i keep it tucked away where you can find it
if you got the guts
and i don't know why you make me sweat
when trouble comes calling i'm packing my bags
for the west
all the square pegs and all the round holes
couldn't fit all of the stories you told
the second hand gypsy is no faded flower
fingers are frozen with furious power
the pull of the moth to the fire
you're achilles' desire
whitehorse - "achilles' desire"
The day of the first eliminations bloomed bright, the sun shinning merrily down on an already bustling castle, most of its inhabitants distracted from the day's beauty by their preparations for the evening's party. The household staff swept through the palace in almost perfect harmony, a well-organized mass that moved with a machine-like precision overseen by Kai and Gerda. Elsa was unsurprised to find her most trusted advisor in the grand ballroom attending to place-settings and last-minute decor.
"Your majesty," he greeted her with a short formal bow almost as soon as she entered the room, his attention to every detail of his surroundings still surprising her even after so many years of service. "You're looking well this morning."
"It is kind of you to say so," she offered him a small self-deprecating smile, "I must admit I feel a wreck. All of this pomp and circumstance is not exactly my idea of fun."
"If you will allow me to say so, your majesty, the life of a monarch could seldom be described as 'fun'," he reminded her gently.
Elsa sighed in resignation. "You're right, of course," she admitted, "though sometimes I wish you weren't right so very often."
"Yet her majesty pays me for my best council and so I can offer no less," her steward smiled as kindly he could, "Was there something in particular you wanted to discuss with me or did you simply wish to complain about your sorry lot in life?" There were very few people who could tease the Snow Queen thus and she found the jibe more than amusing.
"Would that there were time," she grinned unabashed, "No, I just wanted to let you know the princess, Master Bjorgman, and myself will be leaving soon to meet with the trolls and I putting you in charge while we're gone."
"I am honored, of course, though I have to wonder how I am to see to this ball when your council members are sure to be underfoot."
"I've told them to try and take it easy on you today, emergency matters only, though I suspect the minister of cultural affairs will find at least four things he considers an emergency in the time I'm gone."
"Sir Stuart is rather excitable, to put it politely."
"At least he shows dedication to his work," Elsa remarked stoically, "If he gets to be too much of a hassle send him to Sir Ernest." Sir Ernest, the minister of financial affairs, was a stern man with little humor or patience for frivolity. The clash of the two men's personalities often kept them both occupied for hours, locked in bitter debates over arcane subjects that only they could be bothered to care or argue about. An elegant solution when either man's company became too taxing was to lure him into conversation with the other.
"Truly, her majesty is a merciless tactician," Kain commented with humor.
"For the good of the realm and all that," she made a show of adjusting her riding gloves, "I must be off if we're to make it back it time for the party, which I must admit, would not be a great tragedy so far as I'm concerned. Please, take care while I'm gone."
"Of course, your majesty," Kai bowed formally, " You and the others take care, as well. I'm sure the castle will still be standing when you return."
"Let us hope so," she remarked dryly, "or you might have a lot to explain."
Elsa took her leave of her steward with only a few more formalities, making particular haste when she spied Sir Stuart enter the ballroom, clearly intent on finding someone, more than likely her. Kai almost rolled his eyes and sighed audibly when he caught sight of the source of her anxiety. Smiling fondly, the elder servant shooed her away before the minister could spot them. "Sir Kai!" She heard the younger man's greeting just as she was discreetly shutting the door behind her. Shaking her head at the ever-amusing antics of her household she headed out into the sunlight with a spring in her step.
The short walk to the stables to meet Kristoff and Anna was pleasant, the day warm without being overbearing in the least. The sounds of birds and other small animals kept her company on the trail. It wasn't often anymore Elsa was left alone with her thoughts and she felt strangely liberated and carefree, lost among the trees, like anything she wanted was not only possible, but justified; wholly attainable if only by force of her will. 'And what do I want?' she wondered, but had no immediate answer, which was curious onto itself. In the past, she would have said she wished to be left alone, if only to protect others from her great and powerful curse, but now that her magic no longer stood between her and those she cared about Elsa felt she lacked a certain sense of direction when it came to her desires. 'Which leaves me vulnerable to the desires of others.' She frowned at the thought and resolved to better discipline her sense of direction in the future, 'After all, how can I lead my country if I don't know where I'm headed myself?'
These ruminations led her thoughts down a darker path than perhaps even she would have preferred. 'You're headed to the alter, and soon, if your council has anything to say about it. You're headed for danger if your foes remain at large.' Times were tough; she would have to be stronger still.
"Elsa! There you are!" Anna's horse was already saddled and its rider mounted, "We're going to be late to the ball if we don't hurry up."
"And wouldn't that just be terrible?" Elsa joked and then asked more sincerely, "Where's Kristoff?"
"Yoo hoo!" The mountain man called from the doorway of the stables, leading Elsa's horse out into the sun, already holstered, while Sven frolicked nearby, "We got her ready for you since we were here, ah, early."
"We were definitely on time, it's someone else who was late," Anna quipped.
"You can't really be late when you're the queen," Kristoff argued before Elsa could decide whether she should be defending herself or not, "Anyway, it's not like Pabbie will care. Trolls don't pay attention to stuff like that."
"Yes, but party-guests do," sometimes Elsa had to wonder if the couple didn't just like bickering, "and if we don't get going I can't possibly see how there will be time to get ready and everything!"
"A fair point, Anna," Elsa interjected before they could go in for another round, "which is why we should go now rather than arguing about whether or not I was late."
"You were late," they princess muttered mutinously as she spurred her horse into a gentle canter.
"I can't be late; I'm the queen."
The trip to the trolls' glade didn't take as long as Anna seemed to fear, the sun barely changing positions in the time it took them to travel from the city to the lower reaches where Kristoff's family lived. Having been expecting visitors the trolls did not try to hide their presence and a particularly excited group of children was there to greet them when they arrived. Sven was more than happy to see the young rocklings, who eagerly climbed his flanks and antlers with gleeful abandon, but the palace steeds were more than a little wary of their hosts, unused to such odd little fellows. For their animals sakes, Elsa and Anna hitched them up a ways away from the clearing.
Bulda had already taken Kristoff aside, commenting on everything from the length his hair - "Too long!" - to his weight - "Too skinny! What, don't they feed you at that fancy place?" Anna rushed to save her fiancé from his mother's nagging while Elsa scanned the crowd for Grand Pabbie. He wasn't difficult to find, with his distinctive cape and mess of what she assumed was hair, though with trolls it was hard to know. The gathered crowd made way for her, silently stepping aside so that the queen might have a clear path and soon the two leaders faced one another for the first time in many years. Elsa felt like a small girl again, unsure and eager to please.
"Your majesty," Pabbie greeted, taking her hand and studying the lines he found there, "much has changed since I saw you last."
"Yes," she said and didn't know how to go further, suddenly caught up in the memory of the night she had first met the trolls in a desperate bid to save Anna's life, "a lot has changed." In spite the frantic racing of her heart, the only manifestation of her power was the coolness of her breath, leaving her in heavy clouds as though it were deep winter. "Things are still changing."
"Yes," Pabbie was solemn, "if you live to be as old as I am you will learn change is the nature of the world. You'd better learn to adapt, young queen. You, you're like a glacier, though, slow to change, impossible to stop, but when you do finally give way it's a thing of magnitude. Best be careful how you unleash such fury."
His comments annoyed her, having hit their mark with an almost vicious precision, though her agitation only seemed to amuse her host further. "I think that, at least, is something I've had to learn the hard way."
"That? That was an accident. As you learn to control your powers, you bear a greater responsibility to use them wisely."
Elsa didn't know what to say to that, at all. "I didn't come here to talk about myself, thank you all the same."
"Perhaps if they are not the words you wanted to hear now, they are the words you will soon need. As to your present dilemma Kristoff has told me what little he knows, but I should like to hear the details from you."
And so Elsa told him. She began with the attacks on the northern shores, how the innkeeper spoke of a flaming cyclone that first attacked the harbor and then the city square, seemingly of intelligent design. In describing the damage she herself had witnessed Elsa was surprised to find herself crying. She was more than a little glad when Anna was suddenly at her side offering her older sister a warm hug and steady support.
"Just breathe, Elsa, it's going to be okay," Anna reassured her.
Elsa took a deep shuddering breath and smiled weakly at her sister, "I didn't mean to get so upset. I guess everything recently has been kind of building up."
"That's putting it mildly," Kristoff remarked kindly, "Why don't you tell Pabbie the rest? There's just a little more."
Elsa nodded resolutely and composed herself as best she could, though her nose still felt a bit stuffy. "The second attack was on an animal: a hunting dog belonging to one of my staff. We found his corpse badly burnt a few miles from Arendelle proper after it had been missing for several days. All evidence suggests the body washed up from further upstream."
Pabbie was already lost in thought , chin in hand and eyes distant. When he spoke his voice was far off. "Have you actually witnessed any of this sorcery first-hand?"
Elsa felt defensive at the perceived implications of his question. "No, but our sources are reliable."
Pabbie smiled, though it seemed somewhat placating to the monarch. "I'm sure they are. I only ask because if you had it might give me a better guess as to exactly what you're facing. I have seen sorcery like this before, but it often differs from one wielder to the next. The more I know, the more I can help. Of course."
"Of course," Elsa was embarrassed with herself for getting so riled up. The day had already been a strange series of emotional ups and downs, "I'm afraid I've told you everything I can."
Grand Pabbie stood still, considering her story for a long minute before finally sighing heavily, "This is not good, to say the least. Clearly, you are dealing with elemental sorcery, much like your own, your majesty, though your foe wields appropriately opposing forces: fire and air. Fire is one of the baser elements, common among magicians human and non-human alike, but control over air is rare. The only creatures I know with any affinity for it are elves and dryads. Of course, there are humans born under the blessing of the elements or cursed by particularly strong djinn, but I've never heard of one with mastery over the weather."
"Would someone cursed be able to wield their powers with such refinement?" Elsa had been born with her powers and had only recently learned to use them with any sort of grace; it was hard to imagine what it would be like to suddenly bear the burden of such magic without any sort of foundation.
Pabbie answered her question carefully, "That's hard to say. To be perfectly honest, most humans with these powers are usually consumed by them. It's not often someone masters full control, such as yourself. There is one other way, though most magicians dare not speak of it let alone attempt such sin."
Elsa was startled by the intensity of the old troll's voice. "What do you mean? What is it?"
His expression darkened dramatically, "It's an abomination. An affront to Nature herself. There are means, dark paths which even I dare not travel, that allow for the binding of a spirit to an object through blood and bone and salt. The tools of old. Some human magicians have used this practice to bind dryads to their will, using a totem to wield the element of the spirit trapped within."
"That's just horrible," Elsa shuddered in revulsion, "What happens to the dryad?"
"I couldn't say, but I do know there are fates in this world worse than death."
"And the sorcerer? How would one defeat such an enemy?"
"I haven't battled a human mage in a long time, but those who study the craft, unlike natural-born casters like yourself, tend to hoard what little magic they manage to accumulate through incantation and ritual in an object of some sort, which they will guard fiercely, lest they be separated from the source of their power. I imagine anyone twisted enough to capture the soul of a nature-spirit would guard the object of their ill-gotten gain with equal fervor. Separate the wielder from the totem and you might be able to stop them."
"And if that doesn't work? Like, what if there is some residual power or something?" Elsa was surprised by the thoughtful question from Anna.
"Your best bet would be to destroy the totem, though that's sure to be easier said then done," Pabbie smiled wryly, "Magical objects tend to be made of pretty tough stuff."
"This is all assuming that this is the kind of sorcery we're even dealing with," Kristoff seemed a little doubtful, "What if it's someone like Elsa who was born with powers or cursed like you said?"
"Then you had better be prepared to stop them in some other way, be it magic or might."
"That's not really helpful, Pabbie," Kristoff complained.
"And yet it is true," Pabbie sighed, casting a cloud of magic to illustrate his words. Arendelle proper came into view, wispy and insubstantial in the conjuring. "It is as the young queen said; things are still changing. For better or worse a storm of fire is coming to Arendelle," the city was consumed in smoke and flame, "she had better be ready to face the forces of nature as the elements battle for control."
"I won't let anything happen to my kingdom or my people," Elsa stated with absolute conviction, "no matter what happens."
"Of course, your majesty," Pabbie's voice seemed somehow ominous, "but remember: ice burns as badly as fire."
The journey back to the castle was a solemn one. If it wasn't for Anna insisting they hurry in order to make it back in time for the ball, Elsa might have spaced it out altogether. She was almost looking forward to the distraction of the evening's events. After talking with Pabbie she was entirely exhausted, but anything was better than being left alone with the swirling mess the conversation had made of her thoughts and feelings.
Soon, and yet somehow far too long for her liking, Elsa found herself standing before her mirror while Gerda directed what seemed like a small army of handmaidens around the room, loudly complaining they should have started getting ready hours ago and where had Elsa been all day? Elsa took the gentle rebuke in stride while silently enduring the poking and prodding of the maids as they did their work.
Anna had failed to talk her into a red dress, much to her younger sister's dismay. If often seemed to Elsa the more times she was denied something the more Anna thought she had to have it. Elsa had suggested perhaps the princess could sport the color, but Anna cited it was a terrible choice for red-heads. Elsa didn't know enough about fashion to decide whether she should agree or not. Regardless, she had chosen to forgo her usual colors of blues and teals in favor of a deep royal purple dress that highlighted the paleness of her skin and gave her an air of mystery Elsa found she was quite fond of. With a quick updo complete with complicated braids the Snow Queen was sure she would not able to produce given several years of practice and a touch of makeup Elsa felt she was more than ready to face the party head held high.
"I guess it will have to do," Gerda sighed wistfully.
"Thanks, Gerda," Elsa said dryly.
The older woman was flustered by the jibe, "You know what I mean! You're beautiful, of course, but I wish we would have had more time."
"Any longer and I think I would have to have 'getting ready for a ball' outlawed as a form of torture," the young queen teased, adding a jeweled hairpiece to her updo and examining her reflection one last time.
"Oh, you and your cheek," Gerda stood to retrieve something from the armoire, "Now, don't forget your necklace." The matron offered her a jewelry box and Elsa was more than a little surprised by the piece Gerda had chosen. It was an rather simple pendant made of amethyst in a silver setting. It had belonged to her mother. "I thought it'd look nice with your dress."
"Yes," Elsa agreed quietly and turned to allow Gerda to help her put it on.
"You look so much like her."
"Thank you, Gerda," Elsa fought hard not to cry, "You know, it's not fair; you always get me worked up after you've done my makeup!"
"Ha!" The older woman smiled warmly, "I promise it's not on purpose. I hope you have fun tonight."
Elsa smiled softly in return, "I hope so, too." She was clearly still nervous, making every excuse to delay her leaving.
"You know," Gerda distracted the Snow Queen from worrying the hem of her cloak with a gentle interjection, Elsa recognizing the tone of voice from the stories of her youth, "your mother was wearing that necklace the night she fell in love with your father."
"Oh? I thought she was wearing grandmother's diamond. She always called it her favorite because she was wearing it the night she met dad." Elsa grinned at the memory of her parents. How easily her father would become flustered when her mother told the story.
"That woman did love her jewelery," Gerda was smiling too, "Yes, that was the one she was wearing the night they met, but I don't really think that's the night they fell in love. If I remember correctly, at first your mother thought he was a 'bit-boorish' and 'too serious'. I had just started serving your mother at the time and was scandalized that a lady would be so frank about her opinions, but that was just her way; she didn't care who you were, she would tell you what she thought." Elsa laughed outright at this comment, absentmindedly caressing the necklace in fondness. "Well, I distinctly remember the night in question there was a big ordeal about which one she'd wear – the diamond or the amethyst, which she had just received that day from a secret admirer. After the party, all she would talk about was Prince Agdar and how he'd complimented her amethyst and she was so sure he was he secret admirer and he was interested in geology too and she just knew she was in love."
"And was he?" Elsa never knew this young whimsical side of her mother, obsessed over gems and making a fuss over boys, though it certainly explained the wealth of resources on geology in the library.
"Was he what? In love? So much so it was hard to get rid of him. Everywhere you went there was a prince underfoot."
"Was he her secret admirer?" It was hard to imagine her serious father doing something like falling so completely head-over-heels for someone.
"Oh, no," Gerda laughed, "I don't think he had the courage to tell her for the longest time. Regardless, all it took was him noticing her, really, and that was it, they were hooked on each other. They were so in love it didn't really matter that it was some other admirer's gift that brought them together."
Elsa looked down at the necklace thoughtfully, intrigued by the story of her parents' early romance. Then another more pressing thought occurred to her, "The ball! I'm going to be late!"
Gerda chuckled as Elsa practically tripped over herself to get her shoes on and get out the door, "You can't be late; you're the queen. Everyone else is just early."
Elsa wasn't late, exactly, but she was sure it was only because she said so. Everyone who had been invited or was otherwise expected were gathered in the dining hall and for once she understood the need for such opulence. With only 50 or so guests the room was strangely crowded where it normally seemed so vast and open. Every attendee fell hush at her entrance, but in a way that was deferential and unintimidating. There was a wave of motion as the crowd bowed and curtsied in almost perfect unison. If anyone refused to show her respect, she failed to notice their small rebellion as she took in her guests. Among the familiar faces of the suitors were a few of the courtiers, such as the Lady Charlotte and Lady Althea, with whom she was on more friendly terms than not. However, most of the crowd she didn't immediately recognize and so she searched for her sister and her escort, soon finding them near the head of the table enjoying horderves and aperitifs.
"Elsa! Over here!" The princess waved her free arm frantically as if her older sister had failed to see her. Anna was still flapping her hand vaguely when Elsa was finally at her side. "You look amazing, sis!" She gave the Snow Queen an awkward one-armed hug, still holding her beverage, which made Elsa more than a little nervous, "Though I still say you'd have looked even better in red."
"And I still say it is perhaps one of my least favorite colors," Elsa rejoined, "You did a marvelous job decorating and planning for this gathering, Anna, and I thank you for inviting everyone on such short notice. Who all made it, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Well, the usual crowd of courtiers, though you do seem to have trouble remembering them all."
"There are too many."
Anna continued as though she wasn't interrupted. "I also sent invitations to a few of the neighboring dignitaries as well as the few representatives who were close enough to attend on behalf of the suitors - "
"Wait, what? You invited their parents?" Elsa was almost hyperventilating at the mere thought, "I'm not ready to meet anyone's parents. Please don't tell me anyone from the Southern Isles accepted?"
"Relax, Elsa," Anna reassured her patiently, "the Southern Isles are too far away so I didn't bother with them. Anyway, the only representatives who responded were Prince Cole's mother, she's a pretty interesting lady, sole monarch of her realm, you know, and Duke Garreth's mother and grandmother."
"Lord protect me," Elsa imagined the last two were more than a force to be reckoned with and she decided she would have to make it her every endeavor to avoid them, lest she be married by the end of the night.
"Was that grace? Can we eat now? I'm getting pretty hungry," Anna fidgeted restlessly in her seat.
"No, Anna," the Snow Queen hushed her sister and stood to address the crowd who quickly fell silent at her unspoken command, "Ladies and gentlemen, citizens and honored guests alike, we are so glad to host you and yours this evening. We sincerely hope you will enjoy the meal and entertainment to follow."
"Not one for big speeches, huh?" Anna commented through her first bite.
"No."
The meal was decadent, to describe it mildly, with several unique courses and a wide variety of dishes all prepared with a flourish of color and texture meant to serve as a feast for the eyes as much as the sense of taste. Nerves wound tight around the coil of her many concerns, Elsa hardly registered anything of note about the food, too busy studying the faces of those who had accepted her royal invitation. She wondered if one among them could be the sorcerer hiding in plain site, enjoying her food and wine while laughing all the while at the queen and her court.
Halfway down the table she found Hans in what was apparently a civil conversation with Duke Garreth, though something the prince said made the boy glower into his cup and the older man laugh bright and friendly. She let her gaze linger a little too long and when he caught her looking the Southern Prince raised his glass in toast with a sharp grin and practiced hand. She fought the childish urge to stick her tongue out at him.
"Mmmhmm, that was good," Anna sat back in her chair in satisfaction, every last bite of her dessert devoured, "now, let's go dance it all off!" Elsa took this as her cue to stand and with her the rest of the party moved toward the ballroom, helpfully herded by the staff.
By the time she comfortably had an after-dinner drink in hand Elsa had lost sight of her sister, but found King Farhajii nearby consorting with a diplomat from a neighboring kingdom she recognized from several soirées. The Desert King was dressed lavishly in a deep red that complimented his dark skin and hair while his braid was freshly oiled and gleaming in the lamplight. "Ah, your majesty, you look lovely," Farhajii bowed as she approached and offered a quick cordial kiss to the back of her hand, "I was hoping, of course, to ask you for a dance, but I had no idea I would have the honor of asking for your first."
"First or last," Elsa smiled apologetically, "I'm afraid it would make no difference. I don't dance, sir."
"Alas, then I would be overjoyed to share your conversation, at the least."
She spoke with the king and his companion a while before she was distracted by the fleeting sight of two women in the distance. There was nothing overtly remarkable about them, save the rather severe look on the older woman's face, nor were they familiar to the queen, yet something about their manner, seemingly searching for something, or someone, in the crowd with a single-minded intent, that gave the queen caution. When she finally saw Garreth trailing behind them, looking more miserable and embarrassed than she had ever known him during their brief acquaintanceship, she immediately knew who these women must be. Farhajii noticed the direction of her gaze and smiled, though it could not be described as kind. "Ah, yes. Have you met Duke Garreth's representatives yet? I must say, they are remarkably spirited women. Especially the older one."
"No, I haven't," Elsa hedged nervously, "and well, to be perfectly honest, I was hoping to avoid their introduction altogether."
Farhajii gave her a knowing look. "Afraid their bride-price might be a little steep for her majesty's blood?"
"Something like that," Elsa grinned unabashed at the bold euphemism.
"Well, by all means, do not let me hinder your escape." With a grand flourish Elsa was afraid would attract more attention than not the king lifted his cape and without wasting a moment she slipped behind it and well out of sight disappearing into the crowd as quickly as she could.
Unfortunately, she was moving a little too quickly and stumbled into another party-guest almost as soon as she'd escaped the immediate danger of being cornered by the well-meaning matriarchs. As apologies poured passed her lips she was surprised to find she had literally run right into Prince Hans. "Your majesty," he helped her right herself, "glad I caught you."
"I'm not," then she was suddenly suspicious, "Did you plan that?"
"Did I plan . . . ? How could I possibly plan to make you bump into me?" When Elsa gave him a look that said she very much would not put it passed him he continued flippantly, "Of course, I wouldn't hate it if you simply fell into my arms, but prior experience tells me I'm going to have to work a little harder than that."
"It must be difficult to put so much effort into something so guaranteed to fail," she couldn't help but cruelly remind him of the futility of his endeavors.
"Oh, it's not that awful, really. Try, try again and all that." He was grinning and Elsa was surprised to find she was smiling along with him, her expression wide and bright with genuine amusement. She was perhaps more shocked to realize how close they were standing, the press of the crowd and din of noise drawing them nearer to one another simply to be heard. She stiffened at the sudden awareness of his presence and she knew that he had noticed her anxiety when he carefully took her hand in his.
Elsa could predict the exact sequence of events before they could even unfold. He would ask he to dance while placing his free hand along the curve of her waist, just low enough to not be entirely proper, and she would shiver at the touch. To her absolute pleasure, she would decline him.
There was another option, of course, of which she was only vaguely aware. Perhaps she could turn into his gentle grasp instead of away, resting her open hand along his forearm, and with one step they would be swept into the crowd.
The moment was shattered, fragmented and fruitless, by the sound of the doors to the ballroom opening and the unhappy shouts of servants and guards alike as two unexpected guests entered the party. Even though she couldn't see them, Elsa could easily make out the distinct sound of Sir Stuart's voice, high and abrasive, a pitch louder than usual in panic, "We must speak to her majesty at once!"
"I'm here," the crowd cut an eager path for their queen and soon she found herself facing her councilor of cultural affairs, pale and out of breath, along with his oft-seen brooding companion.
"What seems to be the trouble, gentlemen?" She directed the question at her councilor of financial affairs along with a serious look that clearly said, 'This had better be good.'
"We were in the North Tower discussing philosophy, I read a paper by Stuart Mill recently and this oaf was trying to argue -"
"Damn it, man," Sir Ernest growled impatiently, "can't you ever just get to the point?" He turned to Elsa, staring her directly in the eye and the queen almost knew the words before he spoke them, "Your majesty, we spotted a fire. On the North Mountain."
"A fire?" By this time, Kai had made his way to their small group and with a silent gesture indicated they should all step out into the hall. When the door clicked shut behind them it seemed to do so with a finality that unnerved the young queen. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure," Sir Ernest looked insulted by the mere suggestion that he could be anything less, "It's only a glimmer of light from here, but if it can be seen all the way from the North Mountain . . ."
"It must be an inferno," Elsa concluded grimly, lips drawn thin in anger and concern, "I must go."
"Your majesty - " Kai began, but the Snow Queen would hear none of his arguments.
"No," she shook her head stubbornly, "I'm going. I will not sit idly by while my kingdom is under attack. Kai, you and Princess Anna are in charge while I'm gone. Contain the guests and give everyone my apologies. Send any and all guards you can spare after me on the fastest mounts. Make sure they're dressed for battle. We don't know what they'll be facing up there."
"You don't know what you'll be facing up there! You're majesty you cannot go alone, I'm begging you." Her steward looked as though he were ready to physically restrain her if necessary.
"Kai, you have your orders, please," she could scarcely bear the weight of his gaze, heavy as it were, "I'll take a companion if my magic allows."
"Please, be careful," Kai's voice shook with barely contained emotion, his face stern and worried, "Would that I could stop you."
"Thank you, Kai. Please take care of my sister and my people."
"Those are tall orders, my lady."
She smiled, bitter, but far from defeated. "Luckily, you are a tall man."
It wasn't hard getting out of the castle, most of her guests were still at the party, blissfully unaware of the danger their monarch set out to face. No, the real challenge was going to be actually getting up the mountain and quickly. Her first flight up the North Mountain had been fueled by her utter despair and fear, wind giving her the stride of a giant. Even then it had taken her what seemed like hours until she reached the peak and that kind of magic came at a steep price to her land and its people. Not to mention, this time she was expected to take someone along with her on the perilous journey, though she hadn't bothered to alert a guard as of yet. What she needed was an elegant solution.
Fixing her mind on an image of what she wanted to create she first imagined the curve of the runners and a double-seat with just enough room for driver and passenger. The body of the entire construction filled out with only a little thought and next she concentrated on the animals that would pull it, powerful and deep-chested, good for running and leaping. Two should suffice if she lent them enough magic. She gathered magic from the deepest reservoir of her power, ready to cast -
"Is this a habit of yours?"
The spell fizzled our in a shower of snowflakes and the silver shimmer that always seemed to accompany her use of magic. "Damn it, Hans, really!" She didn't question how he knew she was leaving the castle, but she did wonder how he knew she would pick this exact spot.
"Running away from your own party to go play with magic on the mountain again? Please tell me it's not because I was going to ask you to dance?"
She absolutely could not believe this man. 'How dare he at a time like this?' "This is serious and you know it, so stop playing games with me."
"I'm not! I mean," he at least had the decency to look embarrassed and she wished there was time enough to savor the moment, "I don't mean to. Look, I know this is serious. That's why I want to come with you."
"Come with me?" She shouldn't even consider it, "I should take a guard."
"I'm more useful than any guard," he argued, "and probably more disposable, at least to you."
"I could always throw you off the mountain and make it look like an accident if you prove too cumbersome," she was wry, though the idea did have its appeal.
"There you go! Look on the bright side, I always say."
"I've never heard you say that," Elsa began pooling her magic once again, the image of her creation still burning bright in her mind's eye.
"Well, you haven't known me very long, now have you?"
"Long enough to know you don't always say, 'Look on the bright side'."
"I'll have you know -" Whatever wisdom he had been about to impart on her, fascinating as she was sure it promised to be, was lost as the prince became sufficiently speechless as he took in her creation. "Well, would you look at that?"
It was a small two-person sleigh, elegantly formed and gleaming with both frost and magic in the moonlight. The runnings were abstract and curved into geometric shapes not even a master craftsman could achieve and everything down to the seating looked comfortable and well-formed. More extraordinary than the craft itself were the two living reindeer, male and female, made of the same magic that gave life to Olaf and Marshmellow. The animals were impressive specimens of their species, in spite being made of ice and snow. "It's like something out of a fairy-tale," the prince marveled, "How did you distract me from this?"
"Well," she couldn't help but grin a little, "you haven't known me very long, now have you?" They shared a look that was equal parts smug satisfaction and fond exasperation before she finally decided it was time, "Let's get going, then."
"After you, my lady."
After a brief argument over whether or not her could be trusted to drive ('Of course I know how to steer a sleigh!' 'Well, it is called the 'Southern Isles.') it was decided Hans would take the reigns while Elsa used her powers to give their journey speed and good terrain. Calling up the winds from all four corners she held their power tightly coiled in one first while concentrating on creating a clear path of snow for the sleigh. The animals shifted restlessly, the hour of need upon them. "Are you ready?" Over the howling of the winds and the sound of ice creaking her voice seemed light and insubstantial.
"As I'll ever be," his tone was grim, but determined.
"Alright, then," Elsa let the winds begin to unfurl and the whole sleigh rocked with their unbridled fury, "let's go!" And then they were off, flying through the forest faster than Elsa had even anticipated and at first she was afraid she would lose control of the swirling winds at their back or the snow under their feet in her haste. The whole vessel shook as she fought for dominance.
"Steady!" Hans shouted aimlessly over the roar of the winds and whether he was speaking to her or the shaking sleigh threatening to give way beneath them or even the animals that pulled it Elsa held onto his words like a lifeline, focusing her will to the task at hand. It was slow going at first and every minute seemed like an eternity threatening to swallow her in the empty promise of her ineptitude. However, she soon found a rhythm to the work that left her less stressed but still breathing deep with exertion. She was glad Hans was there to help as there was absolutely no way she would have been able to steer the vessel in addition to maintaining the speed needed to literally fly up the mountainside.
And flying they were, her snow not even touching the ground before their sleigh could speed over it and melting slowly in their wake. At least it wouldn't be hard for her guards to follow except where they ignored the laws of gravity all together, ice and snow building hasty bridges over inconvenient canyons along the way. She hoped her team hurried lest they miss the opportunity to take advantage of their monarch's magic.
They were making good time and even from this distance she could make out the shining blaze of the inferno cutting through the dark night and smell the smoke on the horizon. "You should cover you nose and mouth with something," she warned Hans.
"I didn't exactly have time to grab my scarf and what about you?"
Steeling herself and concentrating with all her might Elsa dared let go of the wind for a moment to conjure them both scarves cloaked in her power.
"How do you do that?" Hans wrapped the cloth around his lower face and shivered in delight, "It's cold."
"Of course it's cold; it's made of my magic," she found herself at a bit of a loss, both her hands occupied by controlling their ascent, "Um, Hans, could you help me with mine?"
He looked at the reindeer nervously and quickly set the reins down to wrap her in her scarf. When both ends were secure he took up the ropes again, but was still smiling at her over the top of his own protective barrier. "Well, don't you look cozy?"
Elsa blushed, though she knew he couldn't see it over the edge of her scarf. "I could say the same for you."
"Men don't look cozy; we look dashing."
"Well, Mister Man, you'd better look where you're going before you dash us off a cliff."
With a gentle tug of the reins they were back on course and quickly rounding the last leg of their journey. Before she could only smell the fire but as they drew closer Elsa could also hear the crackling of the trees and underbrush as they were consumed and a fierce wind began to stir, like the opening of an oven door only several times hotter and without respite.
They came around a bend in the rocks and suddenly the great beast of the blaze was roaring in front of them, having already devoured half of the peak. "Whoa!" Hans called, pulling sharply at the ropes as Elsa ceased the wind and snow that had propelled them thus far, "That's a lot of fire."
"There's more where that came from if we don't do something fast."
"We? You're the one with the magic! I'm just here to drive the sleigh and make sure you don't get into trouble!"
"Well, it looks like trouble already found us so you had better drive!" They surged forward, Elsa driving back the worst of the inferno with her powers while setting a trail in front of them. Fire closed in behind them almost as soon as the runnings had passed over their precarious path.
"Um, not that I'm trying to question your majesty's judgement," Hans shouted over the sound of flame and fury, "but why exactly are we going into the fire?"
"Did you notice where the fire hadn't spread yet?"
"The north-most peak. But all that's up there is rock and snow and - " he trailed off and she caught the wide-eyed look of comprehension he gave her.
"My palace," she finished unnecessarily for him, "and unless I miss my mark, it's also where we'll find our sorcerer."
It was hard work making any headway into the blaze and, through their bond, Elsa could tell the magic that sustained the reindeer couldn't cold out much longer. With a final burst of effort on the part of their steeds they made it through the worst of the inferno and into the scrub-lands, a rocky region with too little air for trees and others plants to grow and so the fire and hadn't gained purchase. The animals seemed to collapse as one, their magic spent at long last. The Snow Queen jumped out of the sleigh in time to pet the female on the nose as she dissolved into a flurry of snowflakes.
"Where do they go?" Hans asked in half-wonder.
"Back where they came from, I suppose, my heart," Elsa let herself mourn the loss of her creations a moment longer before her entire being hardened in resolve. "We'll have to go the last bit on foot. It shouldn't be too far now."
Passed the familiar rocks and gullies that guarded her sanctuary the ice palace finally came into view more glorious and terrifying than memory could conjure, in no small part due to the raging storm that swirled above the castle. Lightening flicked and flashed, ripping the sky apart with its violent shriek only to be immediately answered by the rolling crack of thunder directly overhead.
Both Elsa and Hans were momentarily stunned by the sound and fury of it all.
"Is it supposed to be glowing like that?" Hans had to speak directly into her ear and was almost shouting to be heard over the roar of the storm. She wondered why he had bothered asking when it was plain to see her palace was glowing; a bright unyielding blue the color of ice frozen miles deep, the result of the snow gathered over years unknown. The hue clashed horrendously with the sick yellow cast by the unnatural storm overhead.
"I think . . . " he was still standing close enough to hear her response and if it was improper Elsa really couldn't bring herself to care at this point, "I think it's my magic. My magic is protecting it. It's connected to me." She had put a spell over the castle, much like the spell she had designed for Olaf, that would protect it against heat and the elements, though she hadn't expected it to work quite so well.
"What are we going to do?" His presence felt like a shield at her back, his sword unsheathed and ready to defend her if need be. It all seemed strangely right in spite the immanent danger.
'Ice burns as badly as fire.' She very much doubted this was how Pabbie intended his words to be interpreted. "We're going to fight fire with fire." She took a deep breath and focused herself inward, trusting Hans to watch out for danger in her stead. Reaching deep into her magical resources she put every last ounce of strength she had into manifesting her powers. Unlike her carefully controlled creation of the sleigh this was raw untamed magic, it's only purpose to be an extension of her will and power. For a moment even reality seemed to bend to her might, the fire at their backs creating a dome around the vacuum of air created by the draw of her magic. The sudden explosion of light was blinding, the same crystalline blue that protected her palace refined and condensed one-thousand fold.
Almost instinctively, she directed her magic toward the already gleaming castle and the effect was instantaneous. The entire structure flared to life, the storm raging in response, the ever-present lightening threatening to blind the queen and her consort as the clouds grew larger, one last desperate effort, before suddenly collapsing in upon themselves, losing power to the effigy of the Snow Queen's terrible might.
Just when she thought she would be able to contain the opposing force, her enemy's true power was revealed. From the smallest of clouds a cyclone lashed out, drawing lost debris and dirt into its hungry maw. As if that's wasn't frightening enough, the fire moved toward it like a living thing, a pet called by its master. Elsa watched horrified fascination as the blaze retreated up the mountainside leaving a trail of smouldering debris in its wake to fuel the insatiable gluttony of its disastrous cousin. Soon only the scattered remains of the inferno remained, but what was left of the fire's power was hideous to behold indeed. Churning and roaring with might sky bled orange and red and yellow as the cyclone descended to attack the seat of her power once more.
Elsa faltered, she could actually feel the attack on her magic as though it were a physical blow. She groaned under the weight of the attack and her castle groaned with her, the sound of ice cracking louder than even the howling of the storm around them.
"Elsa!" She had almost forgotten Hans was there, despite the fact that his steady presence was the only thing keeping her standing upright. She vaguely wanted to berate him for using her given name, but she lacked even the strength for that. "You can't give up now."
"Hans," she coughed weakly and this time an entire turret gave way, the sound of it falling from its structure to crash down the mountainside like an avalanche, rumbling through their very bones, "we have to get out of here!"
"No! I'm not giving up on you! I'm not letting you give up on yourself!" Elsa wondered if any other person in her life would encourage to stay in such a situation, let alone see her through it. "Elsa, fight! Please, fight! For your country, for your sister, For yourself!"
Elsa took strength from his words, knowing she was the last stand against an attack she dare not let take her land. She called to mind her sister's smiling face and the funny look Kai got when he was trying to be serious and not laugh at the same time. She thought of Gerda and their fire-side chats and of her councillors and their ever well-meaning meddling ways. She even thought of Hans and her parents' library and the secret fondness she held for both. She thought of her mother's necklace.
She had so much love in her life; there was no way she was going to let this sorcerer take that from her. Deep in her heart she found a strength wholly outside of herself, drawn from the very love she gave and received in turn. As long as she drew breath she would never betray that love.
The castle glowed brighter yet, blue lost to pure unadulterated white as her power grew greater still, fuelled by the fierceness of her love and determination. The cyclone tried in vain to fight the gravity of her magic, almost seeming to retreat into the clouds before getting caught in the force of her might and pulled apart by the swirling energy of her power fully unleashed. The entire mountainside blazed with her symbol, a blue crocus against a white standard, before she fell faint and all else fell with her into darkness; strange and still against the recent flurry of activity.
At first, she could hardly register her surroundings, her eyes burning from the smoke and ash and still dilated due to all of the light. Now, in the dark and quiet she felt as though she'd been transported to another world. Wreckage smoldered on the mountain below them like spook-lights, hissing and crackling in the stillness. The sound of ice cracking and shifting echoed through the empty valley, her spell all but diminished, used up in defense of her nation.
"Is it over?" She was practically sitting in the Southern Prince's lap, both of them lacking the strength to stand and his arms still encircling her waist loosely where he had held her upright against the onslaught.
"I'm afraid it's only just beginning."
end chapter seven.