Elsa came to, the light of a crackling fire forcing her to avert her eyes.
"Ahh, how do you feel, your majesty?"
Grand Master Abbot Belgr leaned forward from the bed, which had been stripped of linens and flipped over. "Bright, I hope?"
Elsa laughed, rubbing her eyes. "Well, the fire is—but no, I feel fine. How long was I asleep?"
"About half an hour."
"Where's Francis?"
Master Belgr grinned. "There." He motioned to the other side of the fireplace, where the young monk was slumped against the wall in an old blanket, quietly sleeping.
"Oh." Elsa smiled.
She climbed out of the chair and tip toed over to the sleeping monk, laying her blanket across his tranquil frame. In the semi-dark of the room, the fire light played ruby strings across his brown hair.
"We'll let him rest a bit longer; would you care to join me for supper?" the old monk slid from the stripped mattress.
"I have many questions." Elsa stood. "What I caught a glimpse off—I wonder, is the curse my family bears…. Fae magic?"
"Before I answer;" Master Belgr held open the door for her. "I have a question of my own for you, my young queen."
Elsa glanced into his eyes that reflected like deep silver pools. "Yes?"
"Has Freja's pain broken your resolve—or will you still venture into that world and unlock the curse's source?"
"Face that girl's pain again?" Elsa glanced at her hands, though they trembled at the thought, she did not fear for herself; but the young monk… what would happen if she couldn't control her powers again in that state?
"My resolve has not weakened… but… I will not risk anyone but myself in this quest, Grand Master Abbot. If you can guarantee the young monk's safety—I will dive in again as soon as we are able. Time is invaluable right now. I need the answers I seek."
Those old, wise eyes pierced her, and then Master Belgr smiled, gently taking her hand. "I admire the courage you've found, my dear… yes, I can guarantee my young squire's safety. You need not worry for him. You'll need all of your strength to withstand the pull of Freja's will…"
He escorted her down the stairs. "To answer your question about the curse… it is not of fae origin, but something darker… something forbidden drives the curse that afflicts your family—but I cannot tell you more than this, not yet."
Anna took a deep breath as she entered the grand hall. It would be difficult… but she'd been through worse. She needed time. Time for Kristoff to get Prince Stig to safety and find Elsa while she dealt with this imposter…
Her mind turned back to the stable as she took her seat at the dining table.
"Are you sure about this?" Kristoff searched her eyes. "That imposter could be dangerous—"
"I think it'd be more dangerous to expose him without having any idea of what's going on… we need to buy more time!"
"All right, and the monastery… are you sure Elsa's there?"
"It's the only thing that makes sense. I've rattled my brain for nearly two days; and it was right around the time that I gave her that message with the monastery seal that she took off—so maybe…"
Kristoff sighed. "In any case, it may be the safest place for the prince to recover... so I'll go."
He grasped her shoulders firmly. "But promise me, Anna… promise me you won't do anything reckless until I get back!"
Her heart swelled with pride and trust for him. "I promise."
Now, with little concept on how she was going to deliver on that promise, she was to face the imposter and lie her butt off while Kristoff and Sven tore through the mountains to the Fjord Monastery in the Eastern mountains. Elsa just had to be there, she must be there…
"My lady!" the (fake) Prince Stig swooped in, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Oh, so good to see you rested!" she smiled. "Please, take a seat—we have a splendid feast prepared for our special guest tonight!"
"Glorious—all though all the splendor in the world cannot squelch my excitement to meet the beautiful Queen of this land."
"Ahh….." Anna waited for him to sit down. "About that…. I'm afraid I have bad news, prince."
She cleared her throat, taking up the most congenial and consoling expression she could muster under the circumstances. "My sister Elsa has come down with a rather unsightly case of the flu; probably from overworking herself—so again, I must ask for your patience and apologize for her absence."
"Ah." The Prince stroked his goatee pensively. "This is indeed, tragic news. I had hoped… but alas! It should not ruin our evening! Please give your sister my sincerest condolences and well-wishing for a speedy recovery! I shall write my castle tonight to let them know I'll be extending my stay, it is not a problem."
"Oh, thank you!" Anna forced a large smile. "I knew you'd understand! As soon as Elsa's better, I know she'll want to meet you right away!"
"A toast!" Prince Stig raised his glass. "To pleasant company and good health!"
"Indeed." Anna raised her glass.
She could only keep up this charade for maybe a day, that didn't give Kristoff much time… but it would have to be enough. She would have to start taking measures to better protect Arendelle, in case this man became hostile in Elsa's absence…
After dinner, Prince Stig was escorted back to his room. Once inside, he quietly locked the door and listened against the wood until he was sure he was alone. The view from his balcony was of the Arendelle harbor… a magnificent view, by all accounts—but not one that he was much interested in at the moment. He drew the curtains closed and dimmed the oil lamp on the nightstand; then made his way to the full-length mirror in the room.
The first night he'd taken the trouble of inscribing the characters his mistress had made him memorize, and now it was time to utilize this old magic… he bit into the palm of his left hand until it bled, and smeared it down the line of characters. The glass began to hum and vibrate as its reflective surface distorted.
The darkness of the room in the mirror faded out to a green glow.
"Speak." The mirror hummed. "Give me a command."
"I wish to speak with my mistress, by the western sea."
"Granted." The mirror's hum darkened into a sound not unlike moaning, and the green glow sharpened into images of the sea—shifting and contorting into different scenes until a dark figure was revealed by the green light.
"Ah, I was beginning to wonder…" the figure came toward the mirror. "When I was going to hear from you, my pet. Has she declared her oath of love to you?"
"My lady." He kneeled on one knee. "The Queen has been absent; and I think her little sister is stalling…. She either doesn't know her sister's whereabouts or my disguise has been compromised."
"You can't tell?" a thread of irritation entered her silken voice. "Why are you pandering to a girl of no consequence when I sent you there for the Queen of Arendelle?"
"My apologies." He bowed his head. "I was trying to remain inconspicuous, as you ordered."
"Hmmmm…" she gave a discontented sigh as she drew her nails across the mirror, green electricity following her caress. "It seems that this plan will require some flexibility—if you are unable to deliver my gift to an absentee bride; then we'll have to do with the daughter of Arendelle we have available—and I will find Elsa; It'll be so much more satisfying that way… yessssssssssssssssssssssssss… I think that will do nicely."
"As you wish." He nodded.
"Oh, and crow—good work. Your reward will be great."
The mirror went dark, but the pride inside his chest was as warm as the absent magical glow. Things were finally getting interesting…