A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update - this chapter turned out to be far longer then I anticipated and I've finished it just before the weekend and my BETA (RaymanK16) was working his ass off making it ready for you guys! So be sure to shower him in love and cookies ok? (No seriously, this wouldn't be possible without him!)
PS: I am moving the updates to Mondays from now on ;)
Elsa half opened her eyes, but the bright light that immediately blinded her vision made her shut them again tightly.
Where am I? What's going on?
Her mind was fuzzy but she started to recall the events of the previous evening.
I was in my room with Merida...Then she left and Pata came and—
A sudden realization hit her as the memory came up and she jolted awake, blindness taking her once again as she opened her eyes.
"She's awake!" Elsa heard someone shout by her side. She backed herself to the head of her bed in defense, shielding her face with her hands and clutching her eyes tightly.
"Elsa it's me! You're ok, you're safe," a calm and familiar voice said. A gentle hand moved her's out of her face. Elsa tried to back away again, but the grip on her hand, although gentle, was still firm.
"Elsa, look it's me! It's Anna…"
Anna?
Elsa opened her eyes once more, this time trying to blink away the light coming through the large window. After her eyes focused she realized she was still in the castle, in her room, in her bed with a certain redhead sitting by her side. The redhead that was now holding her hand.
"Anna…?" Elsa breathed out, confused, a thousand questions flooding her head. But the comforting smile on the redhead's face swept them all away.
"It's ok. You're safe," Anna reassured her, holding her hand with both of her own, lightly caressing the back of her hand with her thumbs.
Elsa stared at the younger girl in disbelief for a moment before she released a relieved chuckle and threw her arms around Anna's neck. Yesterday she did not know what would happen to her after she was ambushed so she pictured the worst possible scenarios before she fainted. She didn't know if they would kill her, blackmail her, torture her or if they had something else in mind. Whatever she pictured, she never expected to wake up to Anna's worried yet soft gaze, accompanied by a joyful smile. The smile that made it all just go away.
Anna was a little stunned by the queen's sudden embrace but she quickly hugged her back, slowly rubbing circles on her back.
"Don't worry Elsa, I've got you," Anna hummed into the crook of Elsa's neck. "You're safe now."
A few tears ran down Elsa's cheeks but not because she was scared or sad. They were tears of joy. Joy that she hadn't been taken away. Joy that she was back here in her room.
With Anna.
She leaned back and looked at the redhead's bright face, her hands gently holding her shoulders. She was breathing rapidly, so many emotions invaded her mind at once, but she just had to let out a small laugh, from the sheer luck that brought her back here.
"Anna, what…I…how?" She couldn't form a coherent sentence. She just had so many questions to ask. But all her attempts were silenced by a gentle finger on her lips.
"Shhh." Anna smiled at her contently. "Relax, you just woke up. Let me explain…"
And Anna did. Elsa listened to her explanation, concentrating as Anna described every detail. She didn't even realize that she left her hand in Anna's. It just felt so…natural. Elsa observed Anna as she changed expressions depending on what part of last night she was talking about and smiled unknowingly when Anna rambled about the most important details – not leaving even the slightest things out.
"…so Kristoff carried you to the infirmary while I helped Denise get there too, since she got stabbed in her side and the doctor said you were just unconscious but otherwise fine…" Anna stated, unawares that she squeezed Elsa's hand as she said so. "So we let Kristoff carry you here while Denise got her wound bandaged. She should be fine too, the doctor said the blade didn't hit anything important and that she was lucky."
Anna took a deep breath since she was rambling for quite some time now and she finished the last few sentences in one breath.
"Then I stayed here with you while Merida had the lady and one of the men that survived thrown into the dungeons and had the rest of the Arendelle spy network, or whatnot, arrested too. Those that were found that is. Some may have escaped or are still hiding in the castle, but Merida set the palace guard on that!" Anna stopped for a moment and looked at the other side of the room.
Elsa followed her gaze until she came upon a sleeping ginger, sprawled over a chair, one of her hands still firmly grasping her bow, snoring faintly.
"She returned after three hours and stayed here, with me, guarding you the whole night."
Elsa's heart filled with warmth at Anna's comment and she let out an affectionate sigh followed by a wide smile, while looking at her sleeping friend.
"She was up until sunrise," Anna continued and looked back at Elsa, "but then she said she would just take forty winks and to wake her up in a few." Anna giggled slightly and Elsa found herself joining her. "But I just couldn't bring myself to wake her up when she literally collapsed into the chair."
"She must've been exhausted," Elsa breathed out, a faint sound of guilt in her voice.
"Well if she was, she didn't let it stop her," Anna retorted with a knowing smile on her face that made Elsa feel a lot better. "We talked the whole night, you know…"
A particularly louder snore accompanied by Merida shifting and turning in the chair made both girls giggle.
"What about?" Elsa picked up where Anna left off.
"We were getting to know each other mostly, so lots of things." Anna shrugged. "Where we're from, our families, what we like to do." She tried to hide a smirk by looking away for a moment. "We talked about you too for a bit."
Elsa felt a faint warmth enter her cheeks. "R-really?"
Anna let go of Elsa's hand, much to the blonde's dismay, and waved them in front of her in an apologetic gesture. "Nothing bad though! She wanted to know how we met and in exchange she told me some stories from when you were both kids."
Elsa squinted her eyes at her. "But I've already told her how we've met."
Anna shrugged again. "Maybe she wanted to see my side of the story?"
"Yes, that must be it." Elsa nodded slowly before the realization hit her. "Wait! What stories?!" she almost shouted, her raised voice made Merida groan and shift in the chair.
Anna giggled slightly at the outburst. "Oh don't worry, nothing embarrassing."
Elsa sighed in relief, but made a mental note to talk about this with Merida later.
Some of those childhood stories need to remain unsaid.
"Mostly…" Anna smirked at her and Elsa's eyes widened. "…Snowdrop."
Elsa's blush impossibly deepened. "I told her never to call me that again!" she whined, slapping her hands against her face.
I swear Merida is going to have frostbite for a week!
Anna laughed at the embarrassed queen but put a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture. "I am sorry, Elsa. I couldn't help myself, but I swear I won't call you that if it makes you uncomfortable…"
That made Elsa raise her head in hope only to be met with Anna's wry smirk.
"Often!" Anna burst into a fit of giggles, folding her hands over her stomach in an attempt to steady herself.
Elsa pouted at the laughing redhead, but a sudden idea crossed her mind. She clasped her hands together and made a little ball of ice in her palms. She then outstretched her hand around Anna's neck and let the cold ball slide down her collar.
Anna stopped laughing immediately, her eyes widening and her mouth making an "o" shape with a loud gasp. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry Elsa! Please get it out, get it out!"
Elsa enjoyed her view of the squirming redhead who tried all she could to reach the little piece of ice, but failed miserably. Elsa giggled to herself for a few moments before waving her hand, dissolving the ice.
"A-alright," Anna said, shivering from the uncomfortable sensation the ice left on her back. "I think I deserved that." Both girls grinned at each other.
A silent moment came, either girl not knowing what to say. The gazed at each other in silence, both having their mouths opened slightly in an effort to say something to break the quiet, yet nothing came to mind.
Those freckles are adorable.
Elsa blushed and blinked a few times at the thought, only to notice that one streak of Anna's red hair was dangling over the corner of her left eye. Before she even knew what she was doing, Elsa tucked the streak behind Anna's ear with her hand. Both girls stared into each other's eyes, their cheeks red.
What in the world am I doing?
Elsa gulped, drew back her hand and pressed it against her chest, simultaneously feeling her heart race. Her body suddenly grew too warm for comfort and she tore her eyes away from Anna's gaze.
"Y-you must have missed that one, when you were braiding your hair," she blurted out, trying to somehow justify her action.
"Yeah," Anna breathed out, still blushing as hard as the blonde. "T-thank you Elsa."
Elsa, even though still embarrassed by her action, looked back at the redhead with a small frown, meeting her wide smile. She gulped and smiled as well, the tension between them easing up, although still present.
Anna opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by a loud snore.
Oh right, Merida is still here.
Both girls giggled, the tension broken.
"So, Denise is still in the infirmary?" Elsa asked to change the subject.
"Yeah, the doctor wanted her to stay there for the night, just in case the wound started bleeding again. Kristoff stayed there with her." Anna looked up at Elsa's forehead. "The doctor also changed your bandage. When those two men dropped you on the ground, the cut must've opened again."
Elsa pressed her hand against her forehead, just now realizing the bandage was still there. She pursed her lips and threw the rest of the covers off of her. "Let's go see Denise." She got up from the bed only to realize that the dress she was wearing from yesterday had become unbuttoned towards the top and the blouse she had underneath was loosened up.
Anna immediately blushed a dark shade of red and turned her gaze to her shoes in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I unfastened it yesterday so you could sleep more comfortably." Her face suddenly changed to a shade of clear marble and her eyes widened. "B-but I didn't peek or anything! That wouldn't even cross my mind. W-wait, don't take it like you are not attractive, because you definitely are, but—"
Anna slapped a hand over her mouth once she realized what she had just said. Elsa stared at her, stunned for a moment. Her cheeks again gaining the slight shade of red.
What is going on? People called me attractive before! So why do I now feel so…agitated?
Elsa cleared her throat and smiled at the flustered redhead. "Well, thank you Anna. I am flattered." She began to button up her dress, trying to divert the attention from her increasingly deeper blush. "And thank you for caring for my comfort."
"N-no problem," Anna replied, rubbing her hands nervously.
As Elsa finished buttoning up her dress she realized it was far too creased and wrinkled to look even mildly presentable.
I can't just go change with Anna here.
So Elsa ran her hands over her dress, her magic creating a rather beautiful blue garment within seconds. It hugged her body tightly enough to make sure her elegant figure stood out, yet not too tight to make her uncomfortable.
"Wow," Anna breathed out, her mouth hanging open, "I mean, just…wow."
Elsa grinned at her although she felt the blood warming her cheeks at Anna's praise. Elsa offered Anna her arm, which the redhead gladly took, her mouth matching Elsa's grin.
"Wait!" Anna exclaimed just before they were about to set out. "What about Merida?"
Both girls turned their heads to the sleeping ginger, who was now currently stretched over both armrests of the chair, with her hair and feet hanging out on either side.
"Let's leave her for now, she can use the rest. We can fetch her after we return." Anna nodded and both girls exited the room arm in arm.
Pata sat in one of the cold cells with her head in her hands.
This is just fucking perfect.
She lifted her head and scanned her surroundings. She knew these cells. She knew there was nothing to see. No way of escape except for the door. The heavily locked and guarded door. The little window barely a fist wide was mocking her with the image of freedom.
She got up and stood on her tip toes to look through it. The sun was now beginning to rise high above the fjord, casting its beams upon the beautiful country. Pata sighed and closed her eyes.
They are going to fucking execute me.
Even if the queen would feel merciful, she couldn't just tolerate this kind of betrayal. Pata knew she wouldn't either. She was for all intents and purposes a traitor to the crown. She plotted against it, spied for its enemies and even kidnapped the queen herself.
Pata gritted her teeth at the thought.
The icy bitch that nearly destroyed this kingdom. And they made her a queen for it!
Was anyone else blind? She was a clear danger to Arendelle, but few sweet words and everyone melts and forgives. What if it were to happen again? What if this time she couldn't reverse it? Would everyone just forgive her then?
Pata kicked the wall and sunk back to the ground. When she was first contacted with the offer to spy on the queen and to even join forces with the One, she was outraged to even be asked such a thing. She disliked the queen, that much was true, but she would not compromise the rule and safety of Arendelle for her own petty loathing.
But he had no interest in her kingdom.
Not at all.
He wanted the queen. For what reason, she could only guess.
"You help us and I can put you on the throne of this little kingdom of yours. I have no desire for it."
"And why is that?"
Even now she could remember the menacing laugh.
"Let's just say that my goals are infinitely greater. Now, do you want to show the people of your kingdom what a true queen looks like?"
Of course she wanted that. How could she say no? She knew what was best for Arendelle and that witch that nearly killed them all was definitely not.
Not that any of it mattered now. She was going to die soon and she knew it. Whatever little information she had of the Eternal One was not enough to save her neck.
Pata gritted her teeth as she felt the bitter tears in the corners of her eyes.
No, I won't cry. I will face my fate with dignity. What I did was for the good of Arendelle. I have nothing to be ashamed of. That witch will bring only death and destruction to this kingdom, they'll see.
She sighed and let out a forced laugh to push back the tears. She looked at the sun beams pervading through the small window.
If only this was all a dream.
She closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek, before she opened them again.
I would be happy to wake up now.
But it was no dream. The cell was no dream. The cold was no dream. And the shadow dancing on the wall was not a dream.
Wait, a shadow?
Pata looked at the window, the only source of light in the room, the window she currently sat next to. She got up only to see a little crimson red bird, with a particularly nasty looking beak, squeeze through the little window and land before her on the ground.
"What the hell…?"
Her question was soon answered as the bird started glowing immensely, filling the room with blinding light. She heard some commotion from the hall, the guards probably trying to find out what was going on. It was too late to do anything though and she knew it.
Both Elsa and Anna spent the road to the infirmary in a comfortable silence. Anna smiled brightly the whole way, glad that Elsa was alright. Even though the doctor said the queen was fine besides the head wound and was now only sleeping, Anna was still worried through the whole night. Now that she knew all her worries were for naught, she could enjoy the company and closeness of the blonde.
Wait, enjoy the closeness?
Anna felt her body warm up at the thought.
First I goggle at Elsa when she makes those beautiful dresses out of thin air and now this? And what was that dumb look I gave her when she touched my hair? Leave it to me to once again make everything weird.
Anna frowned at her embarrassing behavior. Elsa was just trying to be friendly and Anna was making a mountain out of an anthill which only made them both feel awkward.
Instead of just complimenting the dress I stare and say 'wow' like a moron.
Anna mentally slapped herself at the memory of her incompetent reaction. The real problem though, was that she did not know if she reacted that way because of the show of magic or because of how beautiful Elsa looked in those dresses.
Well, duh! She looks absolutely gorgeous in anything! I bet she'd look amazing even nude.
Anna pursed her lips, white as a sheet. She took a quick glance at Elsa striding beside her, just to make sure she did not just say that thought out loud. To her relief the queen was smiling widely, blissfully unaware of the thoughts plaguing Anna's mind.
Thank the Gods for that! When have ideas of naked queens begun to pop up in my head?
Before Anna could think of an answer they arrived at the infirmary. Denise was lying in one of the hospital beds, chatting with Kristoff who sat beside her.
"Your Majesty," the two said in unison as soon as they noticed Elsa and Anna walk in. Kristoff got up from his chair and bowed his head while Denise pushed herself up into a sitting position with a hiss.
"Don't strain yourself Denise, I know what you've been through," Elsa said. Denise nodded and sunk back to the bed with a relieving sigh.
"As well as you," Elsa said and turned to Kristoff, the blonde boy as pale as the hospital sheets. "Kristoff, I believe." Elsa extended her hand which Kristoff timidly accepted.
"Yeah, that's me, Your Majesty." Kristoff gave her an unsure smile while rubbing the back of his neck with the other hand.
Anna, who stood beside Elsa this whole time, covered her mouth to suppress a soft giggle.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Kristoff. Anna speaks very highly of you."
"I am sure she does." Kristoff shot a glaring look at Anna who playfully returned the action by sticking out her tongue.
"I owe you both my gratitude," Elsa started. "Anna told me what you did and I think I can say with certainty that you two are the reason I am standing here now."
"It really wasn't anything that big of a deal, Your Majesty." Kristoff looked away nervously.
"We did our duty to the crown," Denise added with a smile.
"You truly did," Elsa confirmed with a nod. "I am for now in your debt. If a time comes you want me to return the favor, you both need only ask."
They both stared at her with stunned expressions before Denise broke the silence.
"Your Majesty that is very—"
"Your Grace!" A guard stormed into the infirmary, obviously exhausted.
Oh, no. What now?
"I-I am sorry…Your Grace…I couldn't find you…" The man wheezed, trying to catch his breath.
"It's alright, take your time."
The guard, breathing heavily, leaned on his knees and wiped the sweat of his forehead.
"I-It's Lady Pata, Your Grace," he finally managed through his shallow breaths.
The very thought of the woman boiled the blood in Elsa's veins.
"What?! What is with her?" She almost shouted, surprised by the spite in her own voice.
The guard uneasily opened his mouth a few times, seemingly at a loss of words.
"She's…she's not…Your Grace, I think you should better take a look yourself."
That was enough to send Elsa furiously striding towards the dungeons, Anna quickly following behind.
The Eternal One smiled.
The demon was far more competent in carrying out orders then his man could ever be. It went, killed and disappeared in a matter of moments.
Poor soul, that woman.
Pata had been quite useful to him, as she provided more information then Preise could ever get. And a lot faster and more accurate.
Pity she had to die.
But she failed him and did not fulfill her end of the bargain. And since he was so close to achieving his goal, he could not let people like her into his new world. There would be no place for people who fail him.
And his new world was only at an arm's length away. He just needed the queen. When he had her magic, his power should be sufficient to—
The demon, in the form of a bird, trilled in his mind, ready for its next task.
Excellent. Now go and wait on my command.
He could feel the little bird chirp at his order and fly towards the castle gates. It sat down on the roof that stretched over the gate, awaiting his next instructions.
He could just have it pillage the castle now and take the queen by force, but he wasn't a tyrant. He will give her a choice.
"What happened, captain?" Elsa demanded, seeking an explanation.
The doors to Pata's cell were broken and thrown open, smoke coming from the inside. The heat around the room was unbearable.
"We saw a blast of light coming from the cell, Your Grace. When my men went to open the door to see what was going on an explosion battered the door open."
While he was talking two guards emptied two buckets of water inside the room which responded with another wave of steam.
"We are trying to make it safe to take a look inside, but the heat is too much to bear right now."
Elsa frowned angrily and thrusted her hand forward. A massive gust of cold wind ran through the dungeons, knocking everyone out of balance. The freezing wind first made the cell fill with even more steam, but in few moments it was pushed through the little window by the ferocity of the cold.
As soon as the cell was clear, Elsa strode inside and looked around. There was no one. The walls were cracked, probably by the powerful blast the captain was talking about. The stone was black, scorched by the some immensely intense fire. But there was no escape route for Pata to get out, since Elsa expected that this was some daring attempt for a jailbreak.
But this could not be the case. Although the walls were damaged and burned, they were still standing, yet Pata was nowhere to be found. Elsa clenched her fists. She did not know how have the former spy master done it, but she somehow escaped, once again slipping under the queen's nose. Elsa turned on her heels ready to storm out the room, but as she faced the door a terrifying sight presented itself in front of her eyes.
All the anger was now gone, replaced with sheer fright. Elsa slowly approached the wall next to the door. There was a silhouette of a woman's figure burned into it, just few shades darker than the rest of the cell. Elsa ran her hand over the silhouette, only to have the place she touched break into small specs of soot and dust.
Elsa gulped and, folding her hands over her stomach, she left the cell.
What on earth could do that?
As she exited the cell, she was met with awaiting looks of the captain and several of his guards. And Anna.
Oh, Anna.
"Lady Pata is…she's dead," she let out in almost a whisper. "I don't know what happened, but we can be sure she did not survive."
Several guardsmen exchanged looks and nodded.
"Your Majesty!" Kai called out from the entrance to the dungeons.
Elsa cocked her head at the sound.
What on earth is going on today?
She passed through the guards and met Kai, who seemed to be in a rush to find her.
"What is it Kai?"
"Your Majesty, there is a man at the Gates."
Elsa frowned, confused.
"And…?"
Kai gulped. "He seems to require your attention."
Oh, of course he is.
Elsa had about enough of everyone. "Kai, there is a lot of people who require my attention. Tell the man to make an appointment."
She wanted to step past him but he nervously stepped in her way. "Your Majesty, I am afraid he has made an ultimatum."
Elsa glared at him in confusion.
"Please, Your Majesty. I think you should meet with him now." Kai pleaded.
Elsa closed her eyes for a moment. This had been a very exhausting and stressful couple of days and with every passing hour it was taking more and more out of her. She sighed. "Aright Kai. Lead the way and tell me what is this about."
Anna walked behind Elsa and Kai, with several guards in pursuit. The two before her were discussing what the men at the gates wanted. Apparently it was nothing good as Elsa was now firmly striding in the direction of gates so fast Kai basically had to run from time to time to keep up.
Anna never saw Elsa this angry. Granted she only knew the blonde for less than a week but still. This behavior did not suit the kind and gentle Elsa she knew. In the dungeons she looked almost menacing, before whatever she saw in that cell that is.
I hate seeing her like this.
Though she must've admitted that crossed Elsa looked quite…ravishing. Anna gulped at her thoughts betraying her mind again. It was just something about the stern glare she had on her face, those delicate eyebrows frowning on her face made all her facial features look so sharp. And how those hips swayed when she walked now, Anna noticed. She averted her gaze with a blush forming on her cheeks, when she realized she was staring at Elsa's behind.
What is the matter with me today?
Anna whined and frowned, confused and angry with herself. Why was she noticing these things?
Well, obviously, Elsa is a beautiful woman and I can appreciate her looks. Yeah, that's right! You can find people attractive without being attracted to them. And Elsa is definitely the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, everyone says so, so it's completely normal to marvel at her.
Anna nodded her head in victory at her perfect conclusion and let her thoughts bother her no more.
The group arrived at the courtyard that laid just behind the gates, where four guards stood in a circle around one man.
Probably the 'ultimatum guy'. Anna thought
As they all began to approach him, Elsa gestured to her guard escort and Anna to stay behind. Anna wanted to stay with Elsa but understood this was something she had to do alone so she waited with the guards several feet back. The queen also whispered something to Kai who scuttled back to the castle.
When Elsa neared the man, the four guards surrounding him gripped their swords tighter, prepared to deal with any foolish move the man might think of.
"I understand that you wanted to talk to me," Elsa said plainly. Although a couple steps behind, Anna could hear their conversation clearly.
"Umm, yes…" The man said nervously. "I am here to give you a choice."
"A choice?" Elsa countered, a smug tone in her voice.
"Y-yes. My master requires you and I am here to fetch you."
There was a moment of silence and Anna could almost feel the irritation Elsa had in her voice when she spoke again.
"Oh, I see. And could you clarify for me just why should I just go anywhere with you?"
The man gulped and continued. "Well, you already saw what we can do…in the prison?" He left them all a moment to let that fact sink in. "We could just take you here and now but my master is giving you a choice; come with us willingly and none of your subjects have to die. But if you choose to decline his gracious offer, we will have to seize you by f-force," he stuttered at the last word, visibly worried under the queen's cold gaze.
There was a moment of silence, before Elsa took a few more steps until she was mere few inches away from him. The man seemed to shrink with every step closer she took, letting Elsa tower over him as an iceberg would over a ship.
"You come here and threaten me, my people and my friends. You kill just to show off, then come to blackmail us and you expect I will just accept your generous offer? I think not sir. This is Arendelle and if you think you can get something with threats than you have come to the wrong place." She flicked her wrist at the guards. "Take him out of my sight."
The man frowned and sighed. "This could have been so easy." He closed his eyes. "Now, my lord."
As soon as he said it the great tall gates of Arendelle flew apart in a fiery blaze.
A thundering sound woke Merida from her sleep and she jolted from the seat, falling on the floor in the process. She got to her feet, startled and confused of what was going on. She took a quick glance of the room.
Elsa? Where's Elsa?
"Elsa?! Anna?!" She shouted yet no response came.
Oh, no, no, no. I won't let them get hurt again.
She grabbed her bow and quiver, shoving in a few arrows that now laid spread across the floor after her wild awakening.
No one's going to steal Elsa this time.
With that she sprinted out of the room.
The Wanderer looked up at the castle of Arendelle. From down on the ship, floating in the fjord, the castle looked so grand.
Although I've seen bigger.
They should reach the port in few moments. His amulet was giving off strange signals today, but nothing too strong.
Maybe the girl is practicing her powers?
He smiled. He bet the girl was a natural. Just a few minutes and he'd be at the castle. He frowned.
But what will I say for myself? How can I convince them that I am here to help?
The Wanderer gulped and took a deep breath. He reached into his coat and took out an old, dark blue hat. He had not worn this for a long time.
Nor do you deserve to. You've lost the right to.
He clenched his eyes shut out of spite, angry with himself.
True. He thought. But if they were to recognize me, maybe I could discuss the matter with them from a position of some authority.
Or they would see you as a lunatic. Never mind that all authority you might have had is now long gone. You lost it after—
The Wanderer struck his fist against the wooden banisters of the ship. He did not need to be reminded of that. Now was not the time to think of the past, now was the time to help.
He looked at the hat, turning it around in his hands. He smiled. In some corners of his mind he always missed this old thing.
Maybe I could—
A massive explosion followed by a great rumbling sound stopped him from finishing that thought. He shot his eyes up at the sound, fast enough to see the giant explosion at the castle's gates. At the same time his amulet warmed up quite a bit. Yet it was no way close of what the girl was capable off.
He wasted no time in reaching for the crystal ball. He held it before him, trying to come up with an adequate rhyme. But now was really not the time to compose any master pieces, nor the patience.
"Crystal ball…blah, blah, bear! What's going on over there?!"
The ball shivered and green smoke began filling it. After clearing the Wanderer stared at the sight before him.
Oh Gods, no.
He saw the girl he rushed to help, lying on the ground, surrounded by other men and burning debris. There was a large burning hole where the tall gates once stood, several men now emerging from it. But there was something else. Something that quivered in the flames. Something big. Something evil.
"Oh, fuck!" He shouted and shoved the ball into his coat. The Wanderer ran towards the front of the ship. They were still good 30 meters from the harbor.
"Can't you speed this barge up?" He shouted at the captain who was still staring at the now burning arch that were the gates.
"N-no," he stuttered, "If we went any faster we would ram into other ships in the port."
The Wanderer cursed. He needed to be there now. A sudden idea popped in his head when he saw another ship they would be passing in a few moments that was already docked.
If I could get there I can be on my way to the castle right then and the instead of waiting for this ship to dock. But how…?
His eyes locked onto a rope hanging from the tip of the main mast of the ship. He grinned and was about to grab it when he realized he was still holding the hat in his other hand. He stared at it for a moment, his mind in turmoil.
Oh, just screw it. He grinned and smacked the hat on his head. The sudden feel of nostalgia warmed his heart as he ran to the other side of the ship with the rope in hand.
"What are you—" The captain's sentence remained unfinished.
The Wanderer looked at him only to see the captain goggle with his jaw nearly touching the deck as he took in the Wanderers outfit.
"B-but…y-you are…"
Several gasps were heard from other members of the crew.
"Oh, yes!" He laughed and ran to the bow of the ship, jumping of its side and swinging on the rope right towards the other ship. The sight must have been spectacular. Or at least it would be if the Wanderer would actually land on the other ship instead of falling in the water several feet away.
Elsa raised her head from the ground, her vision a blur.
What happened?
She remembered the gates bursting open and then everything went black. She slowly raised herself into a sitting position, hissing at the sudden pain in her forehead. She touched the bandage that was there to shelter her wound, only to find it dampened with fresh blood.
Oh, Gods.
She looked around her to see her guards slowly get up as well. The blast must've knocked everyone down. The place around her was a burning mess, chunks of debris and burning wood all around, the remains of the castle gate were on fire, black smoke filling the courtyard.
"Go, go, go!" she heard someone say, the voice oddly familiar. She looked after its source and saw the man who came to take her away shouting orders at other figures arriving through the burning remains of the gate.
"Kill them, but don't harm the queen!"
Elsa's stomach twisted at the foul words, anger flowing through her veins. She got up and straightened her aching back.
Don't harm the queen? Sorry if I do not return the favor.
She blasted the speaker with a strong gust of her powers, sending him flying several feet back.
I won't kill, but I won't just stand idly by while they burn my home and slaughter my people.
All the men that entered the broken gates had now stopped and stared at her, probably frightened of her next move.
Well let's not keep them waiting.
Else pushed both her hands forward and a mighty gust of wind stormed forward, knocking them all to the ground. The flames behind them danced at the sudden breeze, almost going out, but after the initial blow they came back in full force.
Some of the men started getting up but the castle guards were already on their feet.
"Protect the queen! Secure the courtyard!" an officer shouted at the guards, who now waged a fight with the opposing side.
We have a numerical advantage, this should be over soon, Elsa thought
She raised her hands and dumped a pile of snow on the nearby burning debris. Her men were trained to handle these kind of situations. If she tried to aid them in a fight she would just get in the way, but she could help them with their fighting conditions.
She sent a head sized snowball at a man who got one of her guards on his back and knocked him off balance just in time for her guard to finish him off. Another one was now backing away from one of her guards and so she iced the ground behind him, making him fall flat on his back.
Meanwhile her guards finished off most of the attackers and the rest were now retreating and running back through the gate. Elsa saw the man in charge slowly follow them, probably injured by her previous assault.
Elsa waved her hands and a chilling icy breeze put out the flames surrounding the gate.
She moved forward with the rest of her men close behind only to stop and stare at the one small fire she did not put out. The now moving fire. Elsa and her men froze at the sight. Out of the smoke emerged a creature enveloped in twisting flames.
It was a tall humanoid looking figure, yet it could not have come from even the darkest corner of this world. Its angular body gave an almost elegant look to its figure even though the creature was slouching over menacingly. Its entire body was dark red with many little stone like tips protruding from it. It had long arms tipped with jagged claws, each glowing with fire that seemed to dance in its palms.
Its head was like a human skull only with a few twisted changes. The creature had no lips, which made it sharp teeth stand out in an alarmingly disturbing smile. It had long pointy ears that were dwarfed by the size of the deer like horns, poking up at the top of its head.
The worst thing though, were its eyes. Shining like white hot embers, they stood out even among the already bright flames surrounding the creature and made the entire thing look like the worst nightmare imaginable come alive.
No one moved, everyone scared to their limits. The creature let out a deafening roar that would put the previous explosion to shame. Everyone instinctively took several steps back.
"Y-your Majesty…your o-orders?" Asked the guard officer, fright clearly audible in his voice.
Elsa gulped, her mouth quivering in fear. She wanted to say something, anything, but she could not find her voice. At that moment the creature raised one of its hands and lazily threw a ball of fire their way. Elsa thrusted both her hands forward, unleashing a massive blast of ice in response. When the two elements met, what followed was a great burst of energy that knocked everyone several feet back.
"Don't kill her you mindless beast! I need her alive!" The Eternal one shouted.
He felt the beast growl in his mind, but it obeyed.
Elsa breathed heavily, her world a blur. When she blinked a few times to clear her vision, she saw the guards around her lying on the ground. Some were slowly looking around them, probably in the same state as her. Some were not moving at all.
She tried to push herself up but her whole body was too sore and beaten up to move. She felt a streak of blood come down across her face from her forehead. She wanted to raise her hand and wipe it off, but then she saw something flicker at the corner of her vision.
Elsa turned her head in its direction. It was the hellish creature, slowly walking towards her, seemingly unmoved by the blast.
Oh, Gods.
Anna gulped. After the explosion devastated the gates and the invaders flooded inside, a sergeant from the group of guards that stayed behind told her to stay back as they went to help the queen and rest of their forces.
Although Anna wanted to help, she knew there was nothing she could do. Even though Denise said she had a natural talent with the sword that could only improve, she still wouldn't stand a chance against real fighters right now and nor did she want to try her luck.
That was until that…thing swept everyone aside as if it were nothing and was now coming for Elsa.
Anna was scared stiff. Not even with the most horrifying of horror books she had ever read was she more frightened than she was right now. That thing was not natural, it was an absolute trademark evil.
But as much as she was scared of the creature, she was scared more for Elsa.
I can't just watch it kill her and do nothing!
With sudden will power boosting her courage, she grabbed a nearby sword from the ground.
Elsa wanted to crawl away from the wretched thing that was slowly approaching her, but any strength she had left was useless as she laid petrified with terror under the creature's gaze. It was now just a mere few feet away from her and she did not even have the courage to close her eyes.
Just then a short figure jumped between her and the creature. A short redheaded figure.
"An-nha?" Elsa's voice broke down as she breathed out Anna's name.
The redhead did not respond, instead she held out a sword with her shaky hands, pointing it against the creature, who stopped in its tracks.
"I-if you want t-to get her, y-you'll have to g-go through me first!" Elsa stared in fear at the scene before her.
The creature threw its head back and released a chilling shriek, its shoulders rocking up and down as if it was laughing. It looked back at Anna and swung its hand to the side, a sword formed of pure fire appearing in its hand.
Anna was now trembling all over yet still stood in its way, sword pointing against the beast. The creature swung its blade in a wide arc, effectively cutting Anna's sword in two.
The redhead had just a few seconds to realize what had happened before the creature swatted her away with the back of its other hand, sending her several feet back, hitting the ground with a thud.
"ANNA!" Elsa screamed and with a sudden wave of adrenaline rushed to the redhead's side. She felt her muscles cry in pain at the movement but it was enough to reach the freckled girl and collapse on her knees beside her. Elsa took the unconscious Anna in her arms and shook her, trying to wake her up. When she looked back the creature was coming ever nearer.
She held Anna close and shut her eyes as the creature reached its hand towards her.
"HEY YOU, FIREFLY!"
At that sound both Elsa and the creature froze and turned their heads to see where it was coming from. And sure enough just beyond the broken gate stood a man. And a very strange man at that. From what Elsa saw he wore a coat in a color of the darkest garnets that went to about the middle of his calves. On his head sat a crumpled pointy cloth hat, with its tip bent back in a plain deep midnight color.
The man himself looked young, around the same age as Elsa, maybe a little older. The only facial feature Elsa could see clearly from that distance was a short auburn trimmed beard. Overall the man looked like he had just come from a masquerade. And to top it all off, for whatever reason, he was soaking wet.
What is that idiot doing? He doesn't even have a weapon.
The creature turned towards the stranger and growled.
"J-just…just give me a sec." The stranger put a hand up as he leaned on his knees and breathed heavily.
The creature growled louder this time and took few steps towards him to which the man paid no attention.
"D-do you know…how hard it is to run here, all the way from the harbor, while you are soaked to the bone?" He waved his hands in front of him when no answer came. "Rhetorical question," he said and took in a deep breath. "Pretty damn hard, obviously!"
He took off his hat and wrung it out in his hands, squeezing a little water out of it. The creature was stunned by the stranger's complete ignorance of its existence. The stranger examined the hat and after seeming satisfied with his work, he smacked it back on his head.
"Now where was I…" he said with a thoughtful expression and looked at the scene before him. "Oh yeah!" He pointed at a finger at the creature. "Leave them alone!"
The creature shrieked in amusement again and waved its free hand towards the stranger, sending a massive wall of fire his way. The man threw his coat over his head just before the fire hit him.
Elsa turned away. She did not desire to see the brave yet foolish man squirm in agony. The expected scream of torment should be horrible enough. But none came. Elsa raised her head only to see the man standing exactly where he was, straightening up his coat and sweeping away soot from his shoulders.
Elsa stared mesmerized at the uninjured stranger and the creature seemed to be astonished as well.
"Rather fascinating garment isn't it?" the man said, holding up the hem of his coat. "After so many years of weaving in defensive spells, it offers protection more adamant then a quarter inch of plate armor. In other words…" He stretched out his hands. "…it won't burn, and it won't let me burn. Not as long as I wear it." He looked the creature straight into its burning eyes. "Not even by your hellfire."
The creature roared and waved its flaming sword threateningly.
"Another interesting quality…" The stranger pointed his finger up. "…It can magically hold, oh, so many interesting things." He made a wide arch with his hands. "Crystal balls and deadly toys..." With that said he reached inside his coat and took out a rather simple looking hand-and-a-half sword. "…such as the Jabberwock's Bane," he finished and gripped the sword with both hands.
Elsa thought that she was having delusions when she saw the creature take a few steps back at that last sentence.
Jabber-what Bane? It sounds somewhat familiar.
Even the man's appearance seemed so oddly…nostalgic to Elsa. She saw the man grin as he leapt forward against the creature, their weapons smashing together in a burst of sparks. Yet the stranger's sword did not break as Anna's did. On the contrary, the two figures were now caught in a furious fight each swinging and clashing their blades against each other.
Elsa was amazed by the sheer strength and speed of the stranger as he could hold his ground against the horrific beast with relative ease. But that being said she still did not know who was going to walk away from this engagement.
Merida rushed through the castle halls, several dozen soldiers behind her. She routed them up on her way to the gates as they were all just as stunned as her about what was going on.
Why do you have to have your room on the other side of the castle Elsa?
Merida growled as they were approaching the exit to the castles courtyard. The ruckus at the gates happened a few minutes ago and she gotten held up by gathering as many men as quickly as she could. She did not know what they are up against and every extra sword counts.
They arrived at the courtyard and stopped to take in the scene before them. The gates were destroyed, battered burned remains of what they once were now laid all around them.
Gods! What happened here?
There were several men of the guard lying on the ground, some trying to get up, some staying still. Then she saw Elsa, beaten up and kneeling on the ground, holding in her arms an unmoving Anna.
But Elsa had not even noticed her arrival, her eyes fixated on something else. Merida followed her gaze to the ongoing fight between the demon and the Wanderer, her mouth hanging open at the sight. The beast was the stuff of nightmares! And who was that man facing it?
He couldn't be any Arendelle guard or soldier, their uniforms were dark green, so who the hell was this?
As the man swirled around the demon, blades clashing all around, Merida was able to take a good look at him.
Wait… She thought as she took in his appearance. The red coat, that hat, the red hair…
Merida almost laughed on the spot in excitement. It really is him isn't it!
She nearly squealed in joy, before remembering there was a whole bunch of soldiers awaiting her orders.
"Take care of the injured and protect the queen!" she shouted. She knocked an arrow in her bow. "I have some other business to attend to."
The Wanderer dodged the demon's claw that was aimed for his neck and quickly countered the incoming flaming sword as well. This shouldn't take him long. All he needed was one strike. One cut and the creature was dead.
The beast was just a lesser form of a demon but as it found its rival it fought with a ferocity of a cornered animal. The demon brought the sword down with a mighty swing, with the Wanderer barely holding his ground to block the blow. As their blades were pushing against each other the beast roared right in the Wanderer's face, revealing it's serpent like tongue and gaping maw.
"Ooh…that breath could kill a horse, you know?" the Wanderer remarked. He released one hand of his sword to punch the demon in the face to get it off of him. A decision he immediately regretted.
"Ow, ow, ow…hot, hot, hot." The Wanderer waved his hand in the air, while the creature stumbled backwards.
As the demon collected itself and raised its sword for another attack, an arrow bounced off its head. They both turned their heads towards the shooter, only to see a grinning redhead loosing another arrow, this time hitting the demon right in its face.
Although the arrow bounced off again, the demon swiped its face a few times before angrily roaring at the redhead. But that was a mistake and all the time the Wanderer needed. He leapt forward and swung his blade in a wide arch, aiming for the creatures head. The demon got one final look at the smirk on his face before the sword collided with its neck.
SNICKER SNACK. An audible sound was heart as the blade cut off the demon's head.
Oh I love that sound.
The Wanderer landed on one knee as the demon's head hit the ground behind him. He straightened up and put the sword back into his coat, and turned back to look for the redhead. He saw her staring at him from the other end of the courtyard with a wide smile. He gave her a thumbs up and a smile of his own.
Did she actually blush?
Then he remembered the reason why he was here. The girl!
He rushed to the place where he last saw her, now surrounded by a group of guards and soldiers. They stood in his way, swords at the ready, as soon as he approached.
"Let me through, I can help!"
One of the guards was just about to say something when the redhead who helped him once before shouted at him. "Do as he says!"
The guards turned their heads. "But Your Highness—"
"Do as he says, guardsmen!"
The men hesitantly stepped aside and let him to the blonde he sought, who was now on the ground clenching to a body of another young girl. He slowly approached her and knelt beside her.
She was staring at him with wide eyes that revealed all her emotions clearly.
She is scared, but not of something…
He looked at the young redhead she was holding in her arms.
…for someone.
He reached his hand for the redhead, only to have blonde pull her closer, away from his reach. He understood and tried a different approach.
"May I?" He gestured towards the redhead.
The blonde gulped and looked at the girl in her arms and then back at him. Slowly she moved her back into his reach. The Wanderer nodded knowingly and examined the girl. He checked her head, and found she was not bleeding anywhere but from a little gash on her chin. He opened her eye and gazed into it thoroughly, then did the same with the other and put the back of his hand to the girl's forehead.
"She's got a slight concussion," he said. He took out a handkerchief from his coat and laid it open before the blonde, who looked at him confused. "Make some ice," he told her softly. "I know you can do it." He gave her a wink and a warm smile.
The blonde gulped but held out one of her hands over the handkerchief, and after focusing, a few small blocks of ice fell down on top of it. The Wanderer smiled, wrapped the ice in the fabric and pressed it against the young girl's forehead.
"This should soothe the swelling. Take her to the infirmary, carefully." The guards exchanged looks but the blonde spoke in his favor.
"D-do as he says."
The guards did not hesitate. "As you say, Your Majesty."
A queen, eh?
Elsa got up from the ground, her head still spinning a little. Her face must've been a mess from the blood dripping down her forehead but she did not care. She needed answers.
"Your Majesty, I think you should go to the infirmary as well," the stranger said, genuine concern audible in his voice. But she would have none of it.
"No."
"No?" he echoed.
"Not until you tell me who you are, what are you doing here, what that thing was and—"
"Elsa, Elsa," she heard Merida happily muse at her side. "Don't you recognize him? It's him!"
Both Elsa and the stranger looked at the giggling ginger.
"What? Should I?" Elsa asked, confused.
Merida scoffed and rolled back her eyes. "Oh come oooon, Els! All those books we've read together when we were little? I've made you read it out for me so many times you've practically memorized those stories! The nine keys to the Witching Well, The great secrets of Nostradamus, The Dungeons and Dragons…" Elsa blinked a few times, slowly remembering those stories. "Don't you remember the main character of all those stories?"
Elsa could swear that the stranger blushed at those words. It suddenly hit her.
"Wait, you are—"
Merida interrupted her before she could finish her sentence, throwing her arms forward. "THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!"
The memories hit Elsa like a flood. Everyone knew the Sorcerer's Apprentice. His stories were the fuel for imagination of all young children. Daring swords fights, mighty beasts, dark powers, exotic locations and ancient secrets, you could find all that in every of his stories. It was every kids dream.
And then there was the young dashing hero himself. Funny but not cocky, witty but not all-wise, brave but not foolish, just but not mean, cheeky but not rude. Add the fact that he could cast spells and had a magical sword and you had every young kid's role model.
The stories of the Sorcerer and his young Apprentice were around for as long as anyone could remember. She grew up on those stories, her parents grew up on those stories, her parents' parents and their parents' parents grew up on those stories. And although it was over several decades since a new story about the two emerged, the old tales were still alive and well, continuing to entertain new generations.
They were the perfect mix of wonder and adventure with young hero kids could relate to. The Sorcerer and his Apprentice were the shield that protected the children's realms of fantasy from evil boogie men coming to scare them.
There was that little nursery rhyme, how did it go again?
"Vile creatures roam the world
From hellish holes they spawn
But sorcerers stand guard at night
So you are safe 'till dawn"
She had to recite it to Merida every night before bed. The little ginger was obsessed with those books. She would go on and on about when she would grew up she would leave home and join the two sorcerers and learn magic and battle evil creatures. The young Apprentice was her hero and idol.
Elsa herself enjoyed those tails, like any other child, though maybe not at such a degree as Merida. But even though she enjoyed them…
"…they were just stories," she breathed out, "…legends for young kids, to foster their imagination."
"Legends are lessons, and they ring with truth!" Merida raised her voice and pressed her finger against the blonde's chest.
At that they both turned to the Apprentice, who was now squeezing his hat in his hands nervously.
"I am sure you have a lot of questions and I am ready to answer all of them, once…umm…Elsa, gets to the infirmary."
"Just one question then," Elsa demanded. "What are you doing here?"
The Apprentice smiled. "Well…" His smile smacked his hat back on his head. "I am here to help."
The Eternal One sat on his throne, trying to contain his rage.
I nearly had her. I nearly achieved my prize.
He sighed.
I could just go there now and let the skies boil above their meek kingdom. I could tear those walls asunder. I could kill every single one of those—
He looked the hand that was furiously clenching his orb, now glowing with dark purple light. He took a few deep breaths to calm down. The light dimmed and dimmed until it went out completely.
I can't act on a whim whenever something angers me. Not now that my victory is so close. That man stank with magic and had a uniquely powerful weapon. He even managed to hold his own and defeat a demon, who knows what else he is capable of. He definitely knew what he was doing.
He shook his head. He is no danger to me. He squeezed the orb in his hand. But to my plans, he could be. I must find out who he is before making any unwise moves.
There will always be enough time for him, the Eternal One knew that. He just needed time to figure out a new strategy.
I waited for over five thousand years, I can wait a little longer. Time has no meaning for me.
A/N: just a little note here - the Apprentice's hat looks basicly like the iconic wizard hat (Something like Gandalf's only blue)
