The same kind of thing went on daily. Executions were frequent, and the cell only got colder. Kristoff and I ended up huddled together every night for one and a half months. I got frequent headaches and nausea, and sometimes even forgot what was going on.
One morning, we were awakened by someone banging on the iron bars separating our cell from the hallway. I opened my eyes slowly, almost freaking out when I realized Kristoff and I were huddled together like we were. Then I remembered what happened and calmed down, as usual. He opened his eyes and we made eye contact. After about thirty seconds, we separated and the guards slipped some food through the opening in the bottom of the cell bars. We had a better breakfast then usual. It consisted of four slices of bread, fresh bread mind you, and warm soup.
"Wow! The bread isn't hard this time." Kristoff said, bending it in his hands until broke.
"And the soup is actually warm. Not to mention that there's soup in general!"
"I wonder why." I shrugged.
"No idea."
"Oh wait! It's your birthday today! Maybe that's why!" Kristoff speculated. I rolled my eyes, but I smiled. It was, in fact, the day I turned thirty-two.
"I don't think they care about that, but it's a nice guess." I said. I decided to do a little more writing in the old journal a guard had left, because really, what else is there to do in prison? Sit and go insane counting the minutes until you're released or killed? I don't think that's ideal. Kristoff sat down next to me, getting very close for warmth and to read over my shoulder.
"Dear diary:" I wrote. "This is not how I wanted to spend my birthday. Thrown into a deep, dark, foul smelling dungeon with my brother, awaiting trial and, if all goes wrong, execution. My husband is dead, my sister is a traitor, and my niece and daughter are missing. I pray they are safe, and far from Arendelle. Our once fair city has fallen into evil hands through a bloody revolution, stirred up by the enemies of the crown. Anyone against the movement is murdered, no one is spared.
We have come up with numerous plans for escape. None of them got past the planning stages. We're too scared to try anything, lest they have had our children this whole time, waiting for an excuse to harm them in front of us." I had just finished the last line when a guard rushed to the cell, screaming about it being "time." I wrote one last paragraph before I shut the leather book.
"I must go, for a guard has come. He says it's time. Whatever that means, it can't be good. A last note to the children; Your uncle/father and I love you and pray you're safe from harm. If we make it out of here alive we will come find you. We'll leave Norway for a more peaceful land, I promise you. I hope to see you both again.
"Get up, you royal pains! Get up!" The guard ordered. We both snapped up. He opened the door of the cell and entered. Another two followed, one of whom was armed with two American imported pistols, one in each hand.
"Don't even think about it," the armed man threatened, aiming between our eyes. We stared back, scared stiff. The other two men came behind us. Our arms were pulled behind our backs, and I felt the harsh metal cuffs slam against the back of my wrist. I looked over at Kristoff, who's wrists were secured with a thick rope. We exchanged worried looks as another set of metal cuffs connected our arms just above the first restraints. It only left us about a foot apart, at most.
"This is it," I whispered. "The execution, our execution, is happening today." Kristoff must have heard me, because I heard him sigh.
"That explains the soup and bread." He concluded in a whisper. He suddenly cringed as the guard behind him struck the back of his head.
"Shut up!" He shoved us both forward and out into the hallway. We fell into step with each other as they led us out. I felt one of the pistols' barrel against my back. I couldn't help but wonder if whatever torture lay ahead would be worse than a quick shot through the heart. I looked at Kristoff. He must have read my mind, because he shook his head and mouthed something that almost calmed me down.
"Think about the girls." I nodded back. We finally reached the main entrance to the castle. Anna and her filthy rat of a boyfriend were waiting for us at the door.
"You're late. We told you exactly seven thirty!" Matthew hissed. The guards stuttered a scared "yes sir" before all three of them dropped to one knee. Kristoff and I stood still and stared straight ahead.
"Bow before your king!" Anna commanded.
"I would, but as I recall, your archers used him for target practice." I said, trying to be as nonchalant as I could. Anna scowled.
"Fine. Bow before the current ruler of Arendelle, Matthew the great."
"Don't you mean Matthew the great pain in my neck?" The man by Anna's side began to get upset.
"Nobody insults my husband!" Anna yelled at me. I shrugged.
"I insulted the overgrown baboon with the stolen crown. I didn't insult Kristoff once." Matthew looked absolutely livid. He was sweating, red in the face, and I could practically see the steam coming out of his ears. "Oh, don't go red in the face, you disgusting animal. Now I can't tell your ugly face from your behind. Then again, what else is new?"
"Now listen here...!" Anna began. Kristoff was snickering behind me. Even the guards couldn't hide their amused smiles. I remained neutral, even if I was laughing hard on the inside.
"You know what? Get your laughs while you can. The last laugh will be mine, but for now, have your fun." The tyrant said. He placed a hand on Anna's shoulder. Then, they opened the doors and motioned for the guards to have us follow. They led us through town, gathering a crowd of people to watch. They led us up the steps of the platform at the town's center.
"I don't like this." Kristoff whispered. I shrugged and shook my head. I was just as lost. As we reached the top of the platform, we saw a strange chair. It was as big as my father's throne, but had wires running up and down the sides. There were leather cuffs on the armrests and the front panel at the bottom for one's legs. A cluster of guards stood next to it. I couldn't see too well, but it looked like some was standing behind them. I didn't have time to speculate, as we were forced to stand on the other side of the chair. The restraints holding us together were removed.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Matthew began. "I am proud to announce that today is the day we rid this land of the foul ice witch, and her filthy reindeer-man associate!"
"Boo! Let them live, you nasty tyrant! The queen is a better ruler than you'll ever be!" Someone shouted. They were immediately shot by Matthew, who had a hidden pistol in his belt. After about thirty seconds of dead silence, the crowd tentatively cheered for the ruthless king.
"Very well then. Let's begin." Matthew cackled as he stepped to the chair. "This is the newest in execution technology! Cleaner than beheading, quicker than hanging, and easier to watch than a firing squad! Built by an American scientist named Thomas Edison, this chair will send an electric current through the victim's body, killing them. May I present, the electric chair!" He was animated, as if he was selling something out of a shop and not the device that would supposedly kill Kristoff and I.
"Now, having just set it up this morning, we haven't tested it to see if it works. Unfortunately, the queen and harvester are the only prisoners qualified to die like this. Well, the only adults anyway." He cackled again.
"What? Matthew, what do you mean?" Anna asked. She seemed genuinely confused. The tyrant snapped his fingers. The cluster of guards separated to reveal... I gasped, wanting more than ever now to rip that rat king to shreds.
He was going to test that vile machine on my daughter!
